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Generally, keep your hands and wrists out of your encounter whenever possible. Popping and choosing at acne breakouts, can bring about harmful and permanent marks. Use clean wash linen or sterile and clean natural cotton balls, as an alternative to your fingertips, when making use of cleanser.\r\n  <a href=http://www.goodsoldierfilms.com/guest/footer.php?cat=645-Methandienone-Suppliers,Testosterone-Cypionate-Sale-Online,Testosterone-Undecanoate-Half-Life/>Methandienone Suppliers</a>\r\n You might like to check into dependable expenditure administration software program should you be contemplating purchasing stocks. As opposed to using threats or relying on a brokerage firm, these software packages can instruct the nuances of shelling out, making certain you can expect to make the best selections. Some of these programs even let you track styles.\r\n  <a href=http://www.dehollandsetegel.nl/wp-admin/template.php?x=1391-Testosterone-Propionate-100mg-For-Sale-Anabolic-Steroid-Names-Nandrolone-Prescription-Australia.html>Testosterone Propionate 100mg For Sale</a>\r\n Physical exercise out the anxiety. Workout makes use of your pent up electricity in the positive method to de-tension your body. Get an exercise routine that suits you, try cardiovascular, exercising, biking or weight lifting and sweating out of the pressure! You will end up providing your body an excellent workout and making use of the unfavorable electricity caused by tension to complete some thing optimistic for your self.\r\n  <a href=http://www.phanbonviety.com/layouts/site.php?bng=953-Primobolan-For-Sale-Methandienone-Usa-Tadalafil-Powder-For-Sale/>Primobolan For Sale</a>\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:13:\"195.22.126.26\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:114:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/63.0.3239.84 Safari/537.36\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:66:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/5-items-that-your-blog-must-have/\";}'),(171423,50854,'akismet_result','true'),(171424,50854,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524787280.531909942626953125;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171425,50854,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:8:\"Kevinzex\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:17:\"egoriyf@gmail.com\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:15:\"http://1541.ru/\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:1468:\"Где купить Ламинин, но знайте http://1541.ru что AminoBoosters дешевле в 4 раза и сильнее в 2 раза по эффективности, чем laminine LPGN, основа ламинина и AminoPure разработана д-ром Эскеланд, технология одна, сырье одно \r\n \r\nDunyada en yaxs? Web Studiya. Sayt sifaris! Закажи сайт! Самый лучший ВЕБ-Студио в Мире - http://www.Time4Soft.com : +994 50 345 83 88, PHP, CMS RA, Hosting, Hosting costs,Hosting charges,Hosting az,. email: web@time4soft.com \r\n \r\nЖелающих зарабатывать от 100 usd по нарастающей, в пассиве, без Копейки вложений, без знаний интернета или со знаниями, с уникальным продуктом для здоровья, известным во всем мире аналогом ламинина, но дешевле в 4 раза и более эффективным, без обязательных покупок (это партнерская программа), можно с приглашениями, а можно и абсолютно без приглашений, жду в скайпе evg7773 \r\nЗвучит как сказка. Но таковым является на деле. Долго искал. Нашел. \r\nПриглашаю. Любая страна Мира.\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:15:\"188.163.109.153\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:65:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:52.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/52.0\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:66:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/5-items-that-your-blog-must-have/\";}'),(171426,50854,'akismet_pro_tip','discard'),(171427,50855,'akismet_result','true'),(171428,50855,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524802043.7264330387115478515625;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171429,50855,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:12:\"PhillipHelia\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:22:\"gorstka.lyubov@mail.ru\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:24:\"https://www.vzlomvk.net/\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:226:\"<a href=https://www.vzlomvk.net/>Как прочитать чужую    переписку Вконтакте</a> - VzlomVK, сервис для взлома профилей, аккаунтов, чужой переписки\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:12:\"95.181.217.2\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:113:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/62.0.3202.94 Safari/537.36\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:95:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/\";}'),(171430,50855,'akismet_pro_tip','discard'),(171431,50856,'akismet_result','true'),(171432,50856,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524805841.1662309169769287109375;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171433,50856,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:4:\"u4gm\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:21:\"zdfxgqdsofy@gmail.com\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:99:\"http://uniquethis.com/blogs/23356/55120/what-you-would-like-to-see-improved-in-po-e-bestiary-league\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:34:\"If he shows up, we stick with him.\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:15:\"114.102.152.160\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:61:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:78:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/does-pbs-get-the-support-of-viewers-like-you/\";}'),(171434,50856,'akismet_pro_tip','discard'),(171435,50857,'akismet_result','true'),(171436,50857,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524807371.6506021022796630859375;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171437,50857,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:11:\"Dennisinfub\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:25:\"artemovkirill79@gmail.com\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:25:\"http://beton-cement-ru.ru\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:427:\"Состояние окружающей нас среды во многом зависит от правильного использования природных ресурсов, которые даются человеку. Это касается и строительной деятельности. Подробнее об этом читайте на сайте <a href=http://beton-cement-ru.ru>beton-cement-ru.ru</a>\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:11:\"62.122.92.7\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:72:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 8.0; WOW64; rv:41.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/41.0\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:95:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/\";}'),(171438,50857,'akismet_pro_tip','discard'),(171439,50858,'akismet_result','true'),(171440,50858,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524808943.5123651027679443359375;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171441,50858,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:11:\"Sallievurse\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:21:\"salliefah@outlook.com\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:86:\"[url=https://baraholka.onliner.by/viewtopic.php?t=20564952]леса рамные[/url]\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:318:\"Вам будет интересно как где и сколько стоят леса, схема проезда и многое другое:   \r\n<a href=http://www.cossa.ru/profile/?ID=131491>вышка тура 1 1</a> и  \r\n<a href=https://baraholka.onliner.by/viewtopic.php?t=20975837>леса рамные</a>\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:15:\"178.122.197.139\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:77:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64; rv:52.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/52.0\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:66:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/5-items-that-your-blog-must-have/\";}'),(171442,50858,'akismet_pro_tip','discard'),(171443,50859,'akismet_result','true'),(171444,50859,'akismet_history','a:2:{s:4:\"time\";d:1524813946.1057479381561279296875;s:5:\"event\";s:10:\"check-spam\";}'),(171445,50859,'akismet_as_submitted','a:13:{s:14:\"comment_author\";s:5:\"cilas\";s:20:\"comment_author_email\";s:21:\"mertuhjety@bigmir.net\";s:18:\"comment_author_url\";s:21:\"http://cialisvus.com/\";s:15:\"comment_content\";s:42:\"With thanks, A good amount of forum posts!\";s:12:\"comment_type\";s:0:\"\";s:7:\"user_ID\";i:0;s:7:\"user_id\";i:0;s:7:\"user_ip\";s:12:\"176.8.88.191\";s:10:\"user_agent\";s:144:\"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/61.0.3163.100 YaBrowser/17.10.1.1204 Yowser/2.5 Safari/537.36\";s:4:\"blog\";s:24:\"https://deborahbrody.com\";s:9:\"blog_lang\";s:5:\"en_US\";s:12:\"blog_charset\";s:5:\"UTF-8\";s:9:\"permalink\";s:66:\"https://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/5-items-that-your-blog-must-have/\";}');
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INSERT INTO `wp_comments` VALUES (1,1,'Mr WordPress','','http://wordpress.org/','','2011-06-07 02:50:20','2011-06-07 07:50:20','Hi, this is a comment.<br />To delete a comment, just log in and view the post&#039;s comments. There you will have the option to edit or delete them.',0,'1','','',0,0),(2,1236,'scormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://scormeny.wordpress.com/','68.49.188.117','2008-01-16 17:35:14','2008-01-16 22:35:14','I was there too - I thought it was great also! Thanks for writing an interesting observation on it.\n\n-Sara',0,'1','','',0,0),(3,1237,'Michele Kahn','michelemkahn@yahoo.com','','69.153.201.222','2008-02-02 18:32:10','2008-02-02 23:32:10','Love the entries!!',0,'1','','',0,0),(4,1237,'Jerry Anderson','jerrry.anderson@gmail.com','','202.137.115.39','2009-05-03 08:10:43','2009-05-03 13:10:43','Deborah,\n\nIf you want to add Facebook or email sharing buttons to your blog posts, there’s a plugin that does it for you: http://www.picturesurf.org/share-buttons\n\nHope you find it helpful!\n\nCheers,\nJerry',0,'1','','',0,0),(5,1239,'scormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://scormeny.wordpress.com/','68.49.188.117','2008-01-24 17:40:12','2008-01-24 22:40:12','I\'m an extremely good speller and tend to have good grammar, and in general I prefer to write and read complete sentences.  I believe I tend to notice bad grammar and it gives me pause.\n\nBUT! I don\'t want to be a snob about it.  I actually think it\'s interesting that many of my smart friends are bad spellers or poor grammarians. In personal communications, I\'ve become pretty inured to the indignities some people visit on our language when writing it down.\n\nThat being said, I am always distressed when I\'m working with an organization and their press releases or constituent emails have typos or bad grammar in them, and I will point it out.\n\nEven worse is when the date, time, or location are wrong in an event announcement. ARGH! That one does drive me crazy.',0,'1','','',0,0),(6,1239,'scormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://scormeny.wordpress.com/','68.49.188.117','2008-01-24 17:41:30','2008-01-24 22:41:30','And, see?  My own grammar snobbishness has tripped me up -- \"their press releases\" is the wrong follow-up to \"an organization.\"  One of those frustrating English-language problems; the lack of a good gender-neutral singular third-person pronoun.',0,'1','','',0,0),(7,1241,'merrillrichmond','merrill.richmond@town-sports.com','','208.3.216.163','2008-01-28 11:48:38','2008-01-28 16:48:38','Hi and thanks for the comments on the Washington Sports Clubs ad.  Glad you like it!\n\nMerrill Richmond\nVice President - Marketing\nWashington Sports Clubs',0,'1','','',0,0),(8,1241,'Sally','ashley.henke@hotmail.com','','207.195.246.106','2008-01-31 13:31:00','2008-01-31 18:31:00','Haha, that is a funny ad.  I am actually looking into joining a new gym this year, and WSC has a really low sign up fee (only 20.08).   Good advertising though, I may check out the 2 week trial to check out the facility.',0,'1','','',0,0),(9,1242,'Moranna','annamorris@terra.es','http://www.morrisgarcia.com','193.153.114.95','2010-03-18 09:47:17','2010-03-18 14:47:17','Excellent advice, but as you say, there are still some pretty naf-sites still out there!!',0,'1','','',0,0),(10,17,'Tony Attwood','Tony@hamilton-house.com','http://www.hamilton-house.com','81.149.99.139','2008-03-13 05:11:29','2008-03-13 10:11:29','Direct mail is not invasive in the same way that tele-sales is invasive.   I can collect the direct mail and drop it in the recycling bin outside my house or at my office, and really nothing much has happened to invade my life.  I do the same with my daily paper once I have read it.\n\nBut telephone calls interrupt me, stop my flow of work, cut across my life when I am watching football on TV.   Now that is invasion.',0,'1','','',0,0),(11,1248,'Shaun Dakin','sdakin@citizensforcivildiscourse.org','http://StopPoliticalCalls.org','64.242.2.254','2008-03-14 08:25:46','2008-03-14 13:25:46','Political calls are exempt from the DNC registry.\n\nI started a non-profit, non-partisan organization last year to combat intrusive robo-calls by using a voluntary, private sector solution: the Political Do Not Contact Registry.   As a result I was asked to testify at the U.S. Senate 2.27.2008 along with N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper.\n \nOur registry is similar to the federal government’s Do Not Call list. But to succeed it requires politicians who will honor the wishes of voters who’d rather not endure the endless robotic, political phone calls during campaign season.\n \nKansas’s own Congresswoman Nancy Boyda has become the second member to sign our pledge.  She has taken the pledge and agreed not to robo call constituents that sign up for free at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.  We commend her leadership on this important consumer issue that impacts the privacy of all voters.   As one frustrated Mother wrote us:    \"I find it very frustrating... I tend to get calls at the WORST time.  I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed.”\n\nVoters’ phones will soon be ringing off the hook this Fall.  Fed up voters can visit our web site at StopPoliticalCalls.org and add their names to our free Do Not Call registry.  It’s time we give the political dialogue back to average, concerned citizens.    \n \nShaun Dakin \nFounder &amp; CEO, the National Political Do Not Contact Registry\nStopPoliticalCalls.org',0,'1','','',0,0),(12,1249,'How different can a supermarket be? | How to make a website','','http://www.howtomakeawebsite.ws/how-different-can-a-supermarket-be/','74.52.67.146','2008-03-13 21:11:48','2008-03-14 02:11:48','[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere&#8217;s a quick excerptWell, according to Bloom, very different. Zany songs and even “zanier” commercials are portraying Bloom as the store with a smile. I guess smiling at the supermarket would be different. According to its website, Bloom is a happy &#8230; [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(13,1251,'Michael','siestadrive@gmail.com','','69.203.0.214','2008-03-18 11:15:22','2008-03-18 16:15:22','I cracked up when I saw this commercial. Not because I thought it was so funny in itself (It\'s fine, but I prefer the one with Tim Gunn), but because it seemed to adhere so closely to Hillary Clinton\'s campaign message. Younger, charismatic black man is one-upped by an older, more experienced white woman.\nTo be clear, I\'m not endorsing that campaign message, and I don\'t think Macy\'s is shilling for Clinton. I just think it\'s funny, and I wonder if anyone else had my reaction. Or do I need to calm down and step away from the political blogs for a little while?',0,'1','','',0,0),(14,1251,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.130.66','2008-03-18 11:19:13','2008-03-18 16:19:13','Michael-Interesting take! I hadn\'t seen it that way, but maybe more than an Obama-Clinton thing, it is a societal thing? Maybe?',0,'1','','',0,0),(15,1251,'Michael','siestadrive@gmail.com','','69.203.0.214','2008-03-18 11:32:22','2008-03-18 16:32:22','A societal thing? I wouldn\'t doubt it, but I\'m not sure I understand completely. Would you expand on that?',0,'1','','',0,0),(16,1251,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.130.66','2008-03-18 15:29:07','2008-03-18 20:29:07','By societal I meant that there may be some roles played by older white women vis-a-vis younger black men, and that these may be getting more in step. In this particular instance, Usher is just as big a star as Martha Stewart for Macy\'s, but Martha is like you said, a step ahead. That may be true across society, but these younger black men are getting there.',0,'1','','',0,0),(17,1251,'Michael','siestadrive@gmail.com','','69.203.0.214','2008-03-18 16:07:33','2008-03-18 21:07:33','Gotcha.',0,'1','','',0,0),(18,1254,'Judy','jeb2666@yahoo.com','','190.57.92.45','2008-03-20 09:24:12','2008-03-20 14:24:12','I totally agree. I hate junk mail filling my mailbox. It is a waste of valuable paper.\nI hope there is a DO NOT MAIL list similar to the DO NOT CALL list. I for one would apply immediately.',0,'1','','',0,0),(19,1255,'Dianna Tate','dctate@goophandcleaner.com','http://www.goophandcleaner.com','173.55.243.70','2009-05-01 16:43:51','2009-05-01 21:43:51','http://www.myspace.com/314742608\nI am working on a marketing plan for our company to market Mom\'s Goop. I would like to get more information about how to implement a network of moms with kids that can try our product and comment about it\'s uses. Can you help?',0,'1','','',0,0),(20,1255,'Robin Kendall','RobinNKendall@gmail.com','','98.231.153.118','2009-06-11 21:30:44','2009-06-12 02:30:44','Try contacting one of the family magazines in your area. Send them a press release about where and when they can get your product. You might also be able to post a notice at the library. Make yourself some fliers and pass them out to people you know and ask them to pass to their friends. FLIERS WORK.',0,'1','','',0,0),(21,1256,'Judy','jeb2666@yahoo.com','','190.57.92.45','2008-03-20 09:41:06','2008-03-20 14:41:06','I totally agree. I hate junk mail. I would be the first to sign up for a DO NOT MAIL list, as I did for the DO NOT CALL list.\nJunk mail fills my mail box, is never read and wastes paper. No thanks.',0,'1','','',0,0),(22,1258,'Sue Jenkins','info@luckychair.com','http://www.luckychair.com/','71.181.140.226','2008-03-26 09:15:45','2008-03-26 14:15:45','Yes, yes! People who have no experience with design should really not think they can do it themselves to save some money. \n\nI recently designed an InDesign newsletter template for a client who wanted to be able to layout their own issues. Needless to say they\'ve done a terrible job keeping up with the standards the original design, and all their issues since the first one look HORRIBLE because they\'ve done things like change the fonts, colors, and alignment, and even went so far as to break out of the preset two and three column layouts. Very sad. And the worst part is they don\'t even know how unattractive it is now. To them, it\'s more important to have saved money than to maintain an attractive brand identity.\n\nTo make matters even more complicated, customers really need to choose their designers carefully. There are plenty of \"graphic designers\" out there who have been in business for \"years\" but who clearly have no design skills whatsoever. Unfortunately, not all customers can tell \"good\" design from \"bad\" so there\'s a lot of bad design out there. \n\nThanks for your analogy about using an amateur to  build a house, I\'m going to use that one.\n\nSue Jenkins\nLuckychair.com',0,'1','','',0,0),(23,1258,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','147.9.88.160','2008-03-26 14:30:37','2008-03-26 19:30:37','Thanks! Of course -- lots of customers cannot tell good design from bad, precisely because they are not trained! As an industry, it is our duty to continue to educate about the importance of these issues.',0,'1','','',0,0),(24,30,'ComcastCares1','We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com','','68.87.42.110','2008-03-31 14:56:46','2008-03-31 19:56:46','Thank you for the valuable feedback. We are actively working to improve the service provided to our valued customers. To learn more about our Customer Care Improvements, please visit the following URL: http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/customercare.html\n\nSincerely, \n\nMark C. \nComcast Executive Offices\nWe_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com',0,'1','','',0,0),(25,31,'Michelle','copycatcreative@sbcglobal.net','','75.4.234.165','2008-04-01 12:14:42','2008-04-01 17:14:42','On the subject of web marketing, you need to set up an RSS feed! :-)',0,'1','','',0,0),(26,31,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.178.120','2008-04-01 12:16:41','2008-04-01 17:16:41','Yeah, yeah! I know--I am still trying to figure out Wordpress. But I promise to figure it out soon!',0,'1','','',0,0),(27,47,'Jeff Small - Radio Advertising Executive','jeff@strategicmediainc.com','http://www.strategicmediainc.com/commercials-for-radio.php','75.71.69.219','2008-05-15 14:45:38','2008-05-15 19:45:38','These are traditional notions of radio advertising that make a lot of sense on the surface, however what we find over and over again is that people somehow figure out a way to write down or remember a phone number in radio ads. In fact, we\'ve built our business on that. \n\nAlso, as to the question of reach and frequency, we\'ve tested many different configurations on many different campaigns. The results show that the optimum combination varies by campaign - actually by ad. Ads with more focused messaging that is resonating big will produce more profit with greater reach. More mature campaigns or less distinct benefits need more frequency.',0,'1','','',0,0),(28,47,'Direct Response Radio Advertising Fan','comments@radioloungeusa.com','http://www.radioloungeusa.com','70.139.15.239','2008-11-18 11:02:30','2008-11-18 16:02:30','It really comes down to the product/service and communicating that in the message...the radio spot must make a connection to the listener and their needs.  So many so-called \"branding\" spots read like an audio brochure, but never really provide any reason for people to buy.  In other words, they don\'t really offer anything unique that would make a potential customer choose company X over company Y.  \n\nRemember...advertising is only one facet of marketing.  \n\nGreat article!\n\nM. Bruce Abbott\nCreative Director/Partner\nRadio Lounge\nhttp://www.radioloungeusa.com',0,'1','','',0,0),(29,1278,'Phil Bernstein','philbernstein@clearchannel.com','http://philonadvertising.com','24.21.97.193','2008-05-22 20:04:46','2008-05-23 01:04:46','Back in the \'90\'s, a furniture chain called Smith\'s Home Furnishings had a lock on mattress sales in the Portland, OR market. They were so strong that most competitors didn\'t advertise much -- the perception was that Smith\'s owned the category.\n\nLate in the decade, Smith\'s went out of business and closed all their stores. Soon afterwards, Sleep Train and Sleep Country USA entered the market, advertising heavily. Sensing an opportunity, BedMart also ramped up their marketing.\n\nBy the following year, mattress sales in Portland rose 12%. Not because there were more people -- the population held steady. But because there was more advertising, area residents became more aware of their sore backs, and headed for the mattress store.\n\nAdvertising can\'t create a problem where none exists. But it can offer a solution to a problem that a consumer didn\'t realize he had...',0,'1','','',0,0),(30,1278,'Can Your Advertising Create Demand? &laquo; Portland&#8217;s Finest Advertising Blog','','http://philbernstein.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/can-your-advertising-create-demand/','76.74.248.177','2008-05-23 01:39:56','2008-05-23 06:39:56','[...] Deborah Brody&#8217;s blog tipped me off to an interesting story from the world of pharmaceuticals. According to MSNBC, GlaxoSmithKline managed to create a near-epidemic of restless leg syndrome by launching a campaign for a drug called Requip. Thousands of patients who either never realized they had a problem, or never thought there could be a solution, headed for their doctor&#8217;s offices after seeing the Requip ad on television. “Restless legs syndrome is a great example of a suddenly out-of-the-blue disease,” said Dr. Christopher J. Earley, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who treats the disorder. [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(31,1285,'Cathy Goodwin','cathy@cathygoodwin.com','http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com','71.35.102.86','2008-05-31 11:22:07','2008-05-31 16:22:07','I appreciate your comment about dissonance, especially in airlines. I’ve always been frustrated by those announcements, “Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.”\n\nIt’s not possible to do ANY of those things: your seat won’t recline to a comfortable position without hitting someone’s knees, the flight attendants keep bombarding you with announcements, and frankly, what’s to enjoy?!',0,'1','','',0,0),(32,1288,'Phil Bernstein','philbernstein@clearchannel.com','http://philbernstein.wordpress.com/','24.21.97.193','2008-06-07 00:50:53','2008-06-07 05:50:53','Gore was a wooden speaker when he ran against George Bush, and it likely cost him the presidency.\n\nYears later, I saw him present his \"Inconvenient Truth\" slide show in front of 10,000 people at Portland\'s Rose Garden Arena. Clearly, he\'d spent considerable post-campaign time learning to be an effective speaker -- he was funny, charming, well-organized and passionate. \n\nIf only we\'d had THAT Al Gore in 2000...\n\nIf only',0,'1','','',0,0),(33,1294,'Judy','jeb2666@yahoo.com','','190.57.90.38','2008-07-05 08:18:22','2008-07-05 13:18:22','I think that celebrities lure the consumer to watch the ad, therefore giving more exposure to the product. Instead of switching channels, one may want to see a favorite star,\n\nI agree that I would not buy a product because of a celebrity\'s endorsement.',0,'1','','',0,0),(34,1295,'SMS','sms@nordicgroup.us','','99.155.197.239','2008-07-09 20:31:42','2008-07-10 01:31:42','Southwest is great, but don\'t get too carried away with Jet Blue. They are canceling routes, canceling flights, and screwing passengers just like the other airlines.\n\nTwo relatives were flying JetBlue from SFO to FLL on July 9th, and they canceled the flight. They wouldn\'t re-route them, either on JetBlue or another airline. They wouldn\'t let them take the next day\'s flight, which was full. All they would do was give them a refund of half the round-trip fare. They ended up spending more than the whole JetBlue round-trip fare on a one way ticket on Continental.',0,'1','','',0,0),(35,1296,'Book marketing newbie','flashgordonweb@gmail.com','http://www.bauuinstitute.com/Marketing/Marketing.html','75.71.78.9','2008-07-01 08:02:04','2008-07-01 13:02:04','This is what Web 2.0 is all about, at least in my understanding. I\'ve yet to see the CraigsList idea, but I\'ve definitely seen authors using social networks for promotion - not so much the publishers. I don\'t know if it is working, but I will begin to try it out and see if any sales increase takes place.',0,'1','','',0,0),(36,1296,'Matt&#8217;s Bookosphere 6/30/08 &laquo; Enter the Octopus','','http://entertheoctopus.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/matts-bookosphere-63008/','66.135.48.169','2009-08-28 11:24:07','2009-08-28 16:24:07','[...] &#8220;Who needs book reviews?&#8221; [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(37,1299,'Fly the Cluttered Skies &laquo; Portland&#8217;s Finest Advertising Blog','','http://philbernstein.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/fly-the-cluttered-skies/','72.232.131.32','2008-07-16 13:06:52','2008-07-16 18:06:52','[...] reports, JetBlue is selling advertising on the screens of their seat-back TV&#8217;s. (Thank you to Deborah Brody for the [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(38,1301,'Tracey Tabb','Pegram683@gmail.com','http://www.blocked-drains.net','86.180.84.192','2010-02-19 05:56:20','2010-02-19 10:56:20','Repetitive Toyota recalls will be causing a great deal of harm to their brand equity. more than 2 million motorcars in the United States to sort out sticking accelerator pedals. 4.2 million automobiles in the US to sort out pedals getting lodged below floor mats. nearly 700,000 autos in China as a result of imperfect electrical window switches. Toyota ceo on TV to apologise for recall  and still the press highlight more concerns as the company gets more jumpy.  I question how much brand value this has cost the company.',0,'1','','',0,0),(39,1307,'Michele','michelemkahn@yahoo.com','','69.153.197.231','2008-08-11 21:51:02','2008-08-12 02:51:02','This is so funny!',0,'1','','',0,0),(40,1308,'Michele','michelemkahn@yahoo.com','','69.153.197.231','2008-08-11 21:29:31','2008-08-12 02:29:31','I\'m enjoying these last posts!',0,'1','','',0,0),(41,1308,'Colin Y.J. Chung','colin@colincopy.com','http://www.colincopy.com','70.68.61.124','2008-10-04 01:57:36','2008-10-04 06:57:36','I absolutely agree. Web 2.0 will shake up the old media and in fact, cause their ultimate demise. Where I\'m from, the only newspapers I see people pick up and read are the free ones... you might have a version in your city (24, Metro, etc.)\n\nHere\'s what I envision in another decade... major metropolitan cities will be wi-fi\'d and everyone will read the news on their kindle or iphone.',0,'1','','',0,0),(42,136,'BarryY','abc123@yahoo.com','','69.217.123.94','2008-10-28 10:15:40','2008-10-28 15:15:40','You forgot to mention that these are federal employees working for the USPS.... quite often with little care in the world about you or your package. There is no sense of ownership here. they clock in and clock out... and anything gone awry while either on or off the clock most of them try to avoid.\n\nTax dollars hard at work',0,'1','','',0,0),(43,136,'JT','jturmel@gmail.com','','98.168.134.150','2008-11-01 13:03:43','2008-11-01 18:03:43','That last line was quite ignorant, tax dollars do not pay for the operation of the USPS.',0,'1','','',0,0),(44,190,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.141.71','2008-11-18 18:21:04','2008-11-18 23:21:04','They called me again tonight...first time they catch me at home, and I told them to not call me again. Let\'s see if that works',0,'1','','',0,0),(45,190,'Going Riparian &laquo; Sixteen Tons','','http://sledpress.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/going-riparian/','74.200.245.188','2009-06-12 20:46:52','2009-06-13 01:46:52','[...] I don&#8217;t have a TV and I don&#8217;t need the lightning fast crystal clear vodka-virulent  hard-sold Verizon FiOS. Oh no, he said, we&#8217;re checking in with local customers because we just upgraded the cable in [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(46,192,'Bob','Bob@aol.com','','64.22.201.4','2008-11-20 11:17:46','2008-11-20 16:17:46','What I find ridiculous is the notion that we\'re supposed to believe the factories they visited on that particular day weren\'t completely prepared for the camera crews.\n\nDo you honestly believe they operate like that when the lens isn\'t zeroed in on them?  Although I\'d rather be wrong, I doubt it.',0,'1','','',0,0),(47,203,'bigdogbranding','creativedog@comcast.net','http://www.bigdogbranding.com','67.166.51.226','2008-12-08 09:57:02','2008-12-08 14:57:02','Nice article. In reality, everything has a brand! Even the individual. You brand yourself to others by showing who you are, what you stand for, your work ethic, how important your family is to you.. All if it is part of your individual brand image.\n\nMaybe if people thought of it that way more, we would be more concious of our actions and behaviors?\n\nThanks for inspiring the thoughts this morning.',0,'1','','',0,0),(48,203,'Chad Cooper','ccooper@thenovelera.com','http://www.thenovelera.com','67.34.126.83','2008-12-09 16:01:16','2008-12-09 21:01:16','Emotions play an undeniable role in our decision-making, and you\'re right, it can ultimately be traced back to associations between our emotions and experiences. And it makes sense when you think about how often we feel different emotions throughout the day and recognize our surroundings at the time, building up a collection of associations to different people, objects, and places. And the most interesting part, especially for marketers, is that those associations seem to consistently act as a decision-making shortcut, while we use them to recreate certain emotions. \n\nI recently wrote an article about the effect of associations on emotional branding, backed by research from Antonio Damasio and others. You might find it interesting.\n\nhttp://thenovelera.com/14/the-unseen-world-of-emotional-branding-2/',0,'1','','',0,0),(49,236,'scormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://scormeny.wordpress.com/','24.126.107.22','2009-01-23 12:30:41','2009-01-23 17:30:41','I think that a lot of people are worried about the cost of brand-name drugs, as many employer-sponsored health plans seem to be reducing their prescription coverage.  This is probably having as much effect on people not asking for drugs by name as anything.\n\nI do think that brand-awareness direct-to-consumer advertising is probably still a good deal for pharmaceutical companies.\n\nFirst, when a doctor says \"I\'m going to prescribe XX for your complaint,\" the patient may have a friendly association with that drug given the many ads she\'s seen.\n\nSecond, they help to sell the \"category\" of the particular complaint (sleep deprivation, sexual dysfunction, social anxiety, hayfever).  As with Listerine\'s halitosis ads of the past, many of these ads manage to create a perception in the consumer that she\'s got a problem that previously she didn\'t think was actually a problem.  She goes to the doctor for relief, and the doctor may very well prescribe the drug.  Unless a person goes to her doctor, she can\'t get the drug anyhow, so this is an important part of the marketing and sales.\n\nBut any direct-to-consumer marketing pales in importance, I\'m sure, compared to the relatively unregulated efforts in wining and dining and shamelessly courting doctors with freebies, which I suspect is how the drug manufacturers really push their prescription drugs on the public.\n\nPS It\'s too bad the study apparently didn\'t break out the requests by different drugs -- I\'d bet a lot of money that Viagra is the #1 drug asked for by name.',0,'1','','',0,0),(50,242,'VDT','sally@hotmail.com','','207.88.3.154','2009-01-23 19:06:28','2009-01-24 00:06:28','Glad you wrote about this piece that Audi produced. Audi is a company who is embracing progress not just during the election but during the entire year (2008 and now).   I feel that the insert was a creative way to present the various ways in which Audi approaches progress. And both the TV nightly news sponsorship and online ads were indeed progressive.  Their overall media buy was estimated to reach 30 million people and it ended up reaching 70 million. So it looks like their decision paid off.',0,'1','','',0,0),(51,242,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.194.92','2009-01-23 19:10:25','2009-01-24 00:10:25','Sally--Thanks for your comment. However, I think the jury is still out on this decision. Just because an estimated 30 million may have been reached, that does not mean that it reached its target. More importantly, what was the wanted outcome? If it is as you say about how Audi approaches progress, I would bet that people did not \"get\" that. As I said in my piece, I think the insert failed to prove what progress exactly Audi has accomplished.',0,'1','','',50,0),(52,255,'Michele','michelemkahn@yahoo.com','','66.142.150.56','2009-02-06 10:16:33','2009-02-06 15:16:33','So true....but sometimes the words are out there just as you wish you\'d never said them. I\'ll tell you a story about that later...',0,'1','','',0,0),(53,268,'Kate Perrin','kperrin@PRstaffing.com','http://www.PRstaffing.com','208.59.160.7','2009-02-05 17:40:34','2009-02-05 22:40:34','Great points.  One thing I\'ve been pointing out to people lately is the business card as part of the marketing package.  Too few actually say what you (or your company) do.  When someone looks at it a month later the name of the company or the freelancer means nothing unless there is also a statement of what you provide.',0,'1','','',0,0),(54,268,'Jennifer Cohen','jennifer.a.cohen@gmail.com','http://mikaiya.blogspot.com','169.253.4.21','2009-02-06 10:18:24','2009-02-06 15:18:24','I whole-heartedly agree. My company doesn\'t take this very seriously- since we\'re all contractors working on-site, the business cards we are given have no real personal information about us, or useful information about the company- just phone/fax for the corporate office, and our corporate emails that we never use. I think I need to make some comments about this to our corporate business development folks, since this is not a winning combo!\n\nMeanwhile, you do bring up a good point that I should have my own business cards for my non-professional work, if I ever want to get that off the ground. Nice topical post!',0,'1','','',0,0),(55,349,'Sara Cormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://www.paperlantern.com','24.126.107.22','2009-04-02 10:10:26','2009-04-02 15:10:26','I\'ve noticed that many editorial websites are also adding email distribution to their stable of advertising services, and I could readily see these sorts of ads moving to the email realm, where particular email newsletters that are targeted at specific audiences, would be a great way to get the word out.\n\nSo, the Union of Concerned Scientists could target legislators by sponsoring a particular day\'s worth or week\'s worth of daily email newsletters, with their message.\n\nI think there\'s great opportunities online, though the general-media sites like city newspaper websites will have to get more aggressively into email newsletters to take advantage of some of them.',0,'1','','',0,0),(56,349,'Marketing Writer','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.167.14','2009-04-02 10:17:33','2009-04-02 15:17:33','There will be opportunities on line, but I think you hit the nail on the head when you say \"target.\"  The beauty of an opinion ad in the newspaper is that although it targets decisionmakers, it is readily available to a mass audience, who can then pressure decisionmakers.',0,'1','','',0,0),(57,382,'5 ways to get more readers to your blog by Deborah Brody | DWC','','http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/2011/07/5-ways-to-get-more-readers-to-your-blog-by-deborah-brody/','67.207.129.12','2011-07-18 10:04:16','2011-07-18 15:04:16','[...] a week or two, you will lose readers). My most popular blog posts are of the useful variety:  “How to: Develop a Tagline” and “Qualities of a PR [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(58,390,'Josh Groth','joshuagroth@gmail.com','http://echodemic.blogspot.com','76.27.193.96','2009-05-04 13:39:22','2009-05-04 18:39:22','Some constructive comments from a Gen Y blogger:\n\n-Off base with point about texting.  Gen Y prefers texts or IMs when all you need is a quick answer, or need to give quick info.  That\'s why you\'ll see them with their gmail account left open so that they can quickly hit someone up on gchat when they need something.  But to say that we won\'t respond to a phone call or email is faulty info.  Why do you think G Yers have crazy phone bills? It\'s not the texting, that\'s unlimited for $10.\n\n-To say Gen Y isn\'t historically minded is a bit of a generalization.  I\'d say we know our history quite well, but we are products of the 80s and 90s so we\'re obviously going to have more references to those decades, just like Gen X referencing what they grew up around.  However, if I don\'t understand a reference, I\'m just going to hop on wikipedia and look it up ;)\n\n-I think your point about being conflict averse is pretty spot on.  While Gen y might not get up and in-your-face about a problem, they\'ll blog or vlog about it instead.  Still venting, but in a risk-averse way.\n\nFeel free to hit me up with any questions/comments!\n\n-Josh Groth\nechodemic.blogspot.com\n@joshgroth\n\n-It\'s true, facebook was created for Gen Y, that\'s why it was first only avail to college students.  However, I wouldn\'t want to be communicating to my boss on FB.  I also wouldn\'t want my boss sending me a text.  I\'d want an email or call from him/her.\n\n-You\'re dead on with Gen Y not receiving printed newspapers.  Everyone I know uses google news, or has a NYT iphone app.  However, Gen Y still has tons of magazine subscriptions.  I wouldn\'t trade my Men\'s Health for the world!',0,'1','','',0,0),(59,402,'Carolyn Meskell','carolynadg@me.com','','68.109.195.44','2009-05-26 13:22:59','2009-05-26 18:22:59','Nice blog.\nThe word you wanted is cachet, not \"cache\"\nhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cachet',0,'1','','',0,0),(60,416,'Sara Cormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://www.paperlantern.com','24.126.107.22','2009-06-11 17:10:26','2009-06-11 22:10:26','This is a great rundown -- thanks for the tips!  It may seem like event promotion 101 to some people, but I just got an invitation to a theater event from a ten-year-old organization that didn\'t include the location of the event anywhere at all.',0,'1','','',0,0),(61,420,'Ashlee Hille','ashlee@mantoothcompany.com','http://www.mantoothcompany.com','24.9.17.94','2009-06-16 14:14:19','2009-06-16 19:14:19','I completely agree with this post - We all know that the Race reaches across the globe, why feel the need to change the name? I am glad you emphasized the fact that the whole point for the Race is to keep the money raised local - I think global completely goes against that.',0,'1','','',0,0),(62,420,'DCRunner','briancpenrod@gmail.com','','65.125.87.100','2009-06-16 14:47:21','2009-06-16 19:47:21','I am not sure I agree with your post. Actually, I think it was a great move to re-brand the \"National Race for the Cure\" into the \"Global Race for the Cure.\"  So techinically it was the \"first-ever\" Global Race for the Cure. \n\nIt really speaks to Komen\'s global outreach to help people with breast cancer within the Washington, DC area(Local), as well as around the world (global).   Besides, they even said it at the Race that $4.3 Million was raised for both local and international breast health programs.\n\nAnd another point - there were lots of celebrities there besides VP Biden and his wife Jil - and I met most of them:  Sarah Chalke (from SCRUBS), Candy Coburn (Country singer), Lalah Hathaway (Jazz singer), just to name a few...\n\nSo although I do understand your point of view, I do believe events have to evolve and take on a greater meaning.  This event was a perfect example of a brand evolving into something meaningful - on a global scale.\n\nI\'ll definitely be attending in 2010!',0,'1','','',0,0),(63,420,'Komen Rebrands Being Well','','http://zyu.brandingbazaar.info/komen-rebrands-being-well.html','67.231.240.32','2011-06-10 08:24:10','2011-06-10 13:24:10','[...] Thoughts about a rebranding « Caffeinated ideas and views on ... Well it doesn&#039;t exist anymore. It changed its name to the Susan G. Komen GLOBAL Race for the Cure. This is the second year I participated and I think the rebranding is bogus and confusing. From a marketing perspective I [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(64,424,'Ashlee Hill','ashlee@mantoothcompany.com','http://www.mantoothcompany.com','24.9.17.94','2009-06-16 14:08:32','2009-06-16 19:08:32','Great posting - You are so right - Markeitng is about utilizing various tactics to promote the business. Check out my marketing blog posts sometime: www.mantoothcompany.com/blog',0,'1','','',0,0),(65,456,'Scotter','scotter414@gmail.com','','74.182.194.165','2009-08-13 18:09:21','2009-08-13 23:09:21','Blogs and FB are interesting because you can track everything.\nBanner ads and pop ups are annoying. I have yet to buy anything from a product advertised on FB or a blog.  Can\'t remember any brands created this way either \n\nHave bought products from old media. And can remember brand names. So what\'s the big deal',0,'1','','',0,0),(66,461,'Subba','asubba@techdazzle.com','http://www.sterizon.com/wihome/home.php?utm_source=wordpress&amp;utm_content=cuppamarcomm','72.3.135.4','2009-09-20 19:01:14','2009-09-21 00:01:14','My comments here are based on my experience in the Restaurant, Hospitality and Service industries. So far, these businesses have been using Email Marketing for customer loyalty and retention and brand development. Mobile marketing has gained lot of traction in the last few years. Social Media Marketing has been new to this industry and marketing departments are scrambling to catch up to it.\n\nMy company <a href=\"http://www.sterizon.com/wihome/home.php?utm_source=wordpress&amp;utm_content=cuppamarcomm\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sterizon</a> specializes in bringing Email, Mobile and Social Media Marketing in a single package right to the customer doorstep while the customer is at the place of business. We do it using a wireless, WiFi handheld gadget called <a href=\"http://www.sterizon.com/wihome/wizit.php?utm_source=wordpress&amp;utm_content=cuppamarcomm\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sterizon wiZit</a>. \n\nSocial Media is here to stay, so, businesses might as well embrace it and use it to their advantage. Success of any marketing campaign depends on getting proper buy-in from the employees of your business. They are the ones who’ll be creating the buzz for you at your place of business as well as online.',0,'1','','',0,0),(67,463,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2009-08-19 09:48:16','2009-08-19 14:48:16','Hi Deborah,\n\nYou\'re right; it\'s a bad company mythology that your customers stick with you because they are loyal to you. No, most of the time we\'re stuck with you because you may be the best option for now. My mobile provider keeps my business because they don\'t drop my calls; but their lack of appreciation--and the fake \"special deals\" that are available to everyone and worse than those being offered to new customers--means I\'m just waiting to jump ship.\n\nGreat post!  --Daria',0,'1','','',0,0),(68,463,'NW Trek Run Wild &laquo; Rich Redman Rambles On','','http://richredman.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/nw-trek-run-wild/','66.135.48.208','2009-08-20 10:58:00','2009-08-20 15:58:00','[...] now? You can&#8217;t stop me from spending that $25. I would have anyway, but getting a personal thank-you note from an organizer sealed the [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(69,463,'&#8220;How would you liked to be thanked Sir?&#8221; &laquo; Dinorakitzis&#039;s Blog','','http://dinorakitzis.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/how-would-you-liked-to-be-thanked-sir/','72.233.96.152','2009-08-25 15:02:49','2009-08-25 20:02:49','[...] (in her recent blog) predicts that we will separate companies by those who thank us, and those who don&#8217;t. So [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(70,463,'dinorakitzis','rakitzis@uk.ibm.com','','84.93.11.215','2009-08-25 15:07:14','2009-08-25 20:07:14','Deborah, your blog inspired a blog in response.\n\nHope you enjoy reading it.. it\'s my first!\n\n&lt;a href=&quot;http://dinorakitzis.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/how-would-you-liked-to-be-thanked-sir/&quot; title=&quot;Dino&#039;s First Blog&quot;',0,'1','','',0,0),(71,463,'dinorakitzis','rakitzis@uk.ibm.com','','84.93.11.215','2009-08-25 15:11:07','2009-08-25 20:11:07','Apologies, I tried giving HTML a go!\n\nhere is the URL:\nhttp://dinorakitzis.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/how-would-you-liked-to-be-thanked-sir/',0,'1','','',70,0),(72,475,'P.Monahan','p.monahan@snet.net','','64.252.56.204','2009-09-03 13:56:38','2009-09-03 18:56:38','I disagree with your comments about Charlie Gibson.  He brought stability to a news organization when he wanted to retire years back.  He\'s not out of touch - he brings civility to the news without the caffeine delivery.',0,'1','','',0,0),(73,475,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2009-09-04 07:05:24','2009-09-04 12:05:24','From watching the mixed success of both Katie Couric (who has grown into her anchor role) and Charlie Gibson (who never seemed to shed his blandness), it seems that the real criteria for a news anchor is gravitas. Whereas the morning shows seem to value people comfortable as infotainment vessels, evening news is supposed to be about serious topics.\n\nI think Diane Sawyer is a good choice, not because of her gender but because of her qualifications. Sadly, that still seems a novel concept for far too many people.',0,'1','','',0,0),(74,479,'Randy Zwitch','rzwitch@gmail.com','http://crosscontinent2010.wordpress.com','173.59.11.200','2009-09-09 17:11:26','2009-09-09 22:11:26','My favorite is seeing \"First Last, PMP\".  Because of how the M looks next to the P, it looks like \"First Last, PIMP\".  Which of course, leads to the inevitable jokes:\n\n\"Is PIMP your official title?\"\n\"What does that stand for, Project Management Pimp?\"\n\"Are you a Portable Music Player?\"\n\netc.',0,'1','','',0,0),(75,484,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2009-09-12 15:53:27','2009-09-12 20:53:27','Ouch. If you have to announce your fee requirements in the first sentence of a conversation with people who aren\'t even hiring you, you\'re probably very insecure. Sounds like a horrid speaker.\n\nMore broadly, though, I think the bigger problem isn\'t that the organizer didn\'t exercise enough control (although it does seem as though some of the problems might have been avoided with better speaker guidelines), but that he made an excuse rather than just outright apologizing. \n\nLook on the bright side: you know where not to go for advice or business strategy.',0,'1','','',0,0),(76,488,'TMStrategy','tina.mccormack@gmail.com','http://www.tmstrategy.wordpress.com','141.156.191.77','2009-09-14 09:45:48','2009-09-14 14:45:48','Great post for start-ups to review! Basic, but so importantly and often overlooked.  I would add this tip also: Make sure to add your company name somewhere on the card in text and do not just rely on your logo.  Many times logos are overlooked or not picked up by a card scanner or human eye rushing for info.  Thanks DB!',0,'1','','',0,0),(77,488,'Are Business Cards Obsolete?','','http://communicationworld.x.iabc.com/2009/09/17/are-business-cards-obsolete/','74.85.18.14','2009-09-17 12:06:59','2009-09-17 17:06:59','[...] a related note, my friend Deborah Brody has a good post on business card dos and don’ts that has some common sense tips for making sure what you are [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(78,488,'Are Business Cards Obsolete?','','http://www.steigmancommunications.com/2009/09/18/are-business-cards-obsolete/','209.239.38.168','2009-09-18 06:58:30','2009-09-18 11:58:30','[...] a related note, my friend Deborah Brody has a good post on business card dos and don’ts that has some common sense tips for making sure what you are [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(79,499,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2009-09-22 12:46:07','2009-09-22 17:46:07','Well, to clarify: I wasn\'t so much asking whether culture affects communications (it clearly does), but rather whether you could single out social media as particularly \"culture driven.\" \n\nI like you post, and the tu | usted example is a great one. As someone who grew up using French in the formal old days, I\'m still pretty programmed to use \"vous\" far more often than the more familiar \"tu\".',0,'1','','',0,0),(80,499,'David Cass','david@greenbuzzagency.com','http://greenbuzzagency.com/blog','96.231.0.160','2009-09-22 13:14:14','2009-09-22 18:14:14','Georgetown University has a an entire grad program on the subject called Communication, Culture and Technology.\n\nAlso, the field of intercultural communications would argue that culture and communication are related.',0,'1','','',0,0),(81,514,'Rick Wilson','rick@wholesalelists.net','http://www.wholesalelists.net/blog','70.9.143.222','2009-10-08 09:39:19','2009-10-08 14:39:19','I would add mailing invitations in addition to advertising online and in print and broadcast methods.  A well produced mailer sent to a targeted mailing list will do wonders for increasing the number of attendees.',0,'1','','',0,0),(82,514,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.199.55','2009-10-08 09:45:07','2009-10-08 14:45:07','Thanks RIck. Of course, you are right. Inviting the right people will help your attendance!',0,'1','','',0,0),(83,514,'scormeny','sara@paperlantern.com','http://scormeny.wordpress.com/','76.114.196.118','2009-10-08 12:12:52','2009-10-08 17:12:52','Great list! In particular I have to agree that #2, making time to actually network, is a no-brainer that MANY organizations overlook.\n\nAnother one that I would add: Nametags!  In my field, web design, I know a lot of people virtually but not necessarily in person.  Putting the name with the face is generally a real pleasure.  I know some people don\'t like nametags, but I think for networking they are really useful and I find it frustrating to go to events that don\'t have them.',0,'1','','',0,0),(84,514,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.199.55','2009-10-08 17:02:08','2009-10-08 22:02:08','Sara,  I agree that nametags are important, preferably the preprinted kind. I dislike the Hello, my name is kind!',0,'1','','',83,0),(85,514,'Chuck T','tanowitz@gmail.com','http://mediametamorphosis.blogspot.com','173.76.155.196','2009-10-13 14:36:43','2009-10-13 19:36:43','Both of these issues are actually solved by Eventbrite (www.eventbrite.com) which is a free tool, unless you charge for your event.',0,'1','','',0,0),(86,514,'JDGarza','jaimedgarza@sbcglobal.net','','76.201.5.197','2009-11-21 02:00:04','2009-11-21 07:00:04','Another item to include would be writing materials.  A pen and note pad is key.  These can be used for notes and/or for group work.\n\nAnother note regarding location would be lodging at and/or near event site.  Also, a location equally accessible to all participants might be a consideration.',0,'1','','',0,0),(87,526,'ceylanthewriter','ceylan_the_writer@yahoo.com','http://ceylanthewriter.wordpress.com','96.242.147.98','2009-10-19 17:18:07','2009-10-19 22:18:07','This is some really great advice!\n\nThanks for posting!\n\nCeylan',0,'1','','',0,0),(88,526,'Catherine Cantieri','jschoolnyc@hotmail.com','http://screampunch.typepad.com/cantieri','72.218.188.8','2009-10-20 10:27:55','2009-10-20 15:27:55','Such a good point! I\'m tweeting this (@MarComSpclst) because it\'s such strong advice. \n\nThe weighing of the direct mail from Verizon was an excellent tactic. How much bang are they getting from their marketing buck? \n\nGreat post!',0,'1','','',0,0),(89,546,'links for 2011-05-29 &laquo; Healthy Persuasion.','','http://healthypersuasion.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/links-for-2011-05-29/','74.200.245.227','2011-05-29 20:03:00','2011-05-30 01:03:00','[...] Propaganda « Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications (tags: healthypersuasion) [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(90,572,'Sally Falkow','sally@press-feed.com','http://www.press-feed.com','71.178.115.64','2009-12-05 10:38:57','2009-12-05 15:38:57','thanks for posting the slides here.  It certainly was a lively audience!  And even those who were resistive told me afterwards that they had found the session very informative and useful.  \n\nOne old school diehard at a time...\n\nAt the PRSA national conference last month IJoe Jaffe - a dyed in the wool Madison Ave man - said he was amazed to find that PR was behind the curve on social media.  He had ttought we were leading the charge.\n\nJaffe says the window of opportunity for PR to claim this space is rapidly closing,',0,'1','','',0,0),(91,572,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2009-12-07 17:26:32','2009-12-07 22:26:32','It always amazes me when people are hostile to new ideas and new business practices. There\'s a big difference between trying to understand how you might implement social media in your business or organization (a good question), or whether it will have value for you (also a legitimate question) AND blanket stating that it\'s all a load of crap. \n\nIt\'s especially troubling when you\'re dealing with communications pros fighting new strategies and tools for communicating.\n\nOn the plus side, it is a good way to screen out the early adopters and those who want to learn from the stick-in-the-muds, stuck-in-a-box crowd.',0,'1','','',0,0),(92,572,'ckarol10','k.czako@my.westminster.ac.uk','http://ckarol10.wordpress.com','86.163.104.12','2010-03-10 16:37:14','2010-03-10 21:37:14','You are absolutely right, social media is need to do a successful PR campaign product endorsement or ads. Its all about using it strategically and being prepared to let the info live its own life.  Good online clips can even become viral, which is great to get attention.\n\nhttp://ckarol10.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/social-media-webcast-the-many-sides-of-pr-online/',0,'1','','',0,0),(93,590,'Another cosmetics failure &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/another-cosmetics-failure/','69.170.134.101','2011-06-16 09:02:12','2011-06-16 14:02:12','[...] may recall that a couple of years ago I was trying to buy a foundation from Prescriptives. It turns out Prescriptives had gone out of business, but I was able to order the makeup through [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(94,597,'Caroline Maddox','caroline.maddox@matrix.co.uk','http://www.matrix.co.uk','82.69.5.130','2010-01-03 13:18:59','2010-01-03 18:18:59','Thanks for your interesting and insightful review on 2009. As a UK based Marketer, I was interested in your take on the benefits of Social Media, especially for those smaller businesses that don\'t have the luxury of large marketing budgets.\n\nAs a UK based Marketing and Advertising agency, we have been using Social media to help small businesses fight the recession with varying degrees of success. Although treated with a degree of sceptisim, most of our clienst now have a proactive social media strategies that are really begiining to deliver ROI.\n\nQuite what 2010 will bring is uncertain. We know we will be having an election here in the UK soon and I will sit back and wait to see how Social media will impact on the election as it did with Obama.',0,'1','','',0,0),(95,607,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-01-08 09:55:12','2010-01-08 14:55:12','I never watched Leno on late night, and I always wondered what the demographic was for his show. And I\'m guessing NBC didn\'t look at that too closely either, or perhaps they might have figured out that he would tank at 10 p.m. \n\nI\'m not sure it\'s hubris, however; more likely their own irrelevance. They were so quick to think cheap programming that they didn\'t stop to think about the impact of that decision.',0,'1','','',0,0),(96,614,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-01-16 11:23:06','2010-01-16 16:23:06','I love the way you weaved the relevancy of Twitter (and other social media tools) in with its less interesting uses. Great post!',0,'1','','',0,0),(97,614,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.116.175','2010-01-16 11:35:19','2010-01-16 16:35:19','Thank you Daria, for giving me the idea conversation the other day!',0,'1','','',0,0),(98,621,'WaPo: Carney hopes and Pepco failures &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/wapo-carney-hopes-and-pepco-failures/','72.233.2.67','2011-02-02 09:48:47','2011-02-02 14:48:47','[...] will miss Gibbs, so maybe by comparison, Carney will already do better. I wrote about Gibbs snark here. If one thing Carney can learn from Gibbs is how not to act. I think the press corps are looking for [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(99,631,'Lisa B.','lisabyrne@me.com','','69.136.229.75','2010-02-01 10:39:58','2010-02-01 15:39:58','I\'m a 10...whoopsie ;)',0,'1','','',0,0),(100,667,'David Gruttadaurio','united126@insightbb.com','http://www.newslettersmadeforyou.com','74.143.230.186','2010-03-09 04:53:38','2010-03-09 09:53:38','Great info, Deborah. The same applies to print marketing, too. The best days to schedule delivery is usually on Tuesday; Wednesday and Thursday follow close behind.',0,'1','','',0,0),(101,677,'Veronica','veronica.brown@yahoo.com','http://www.twitter.com/veebrown','38.100.31.70','2010-03-17 12:11:07','2010-03-17 17:11:07','Great post, Debbie! One thing I would add to your list is listening skills. They\'re a vital part of several of the areas you mentioned, but I think they\'re important enough to be singled out.\n\nWhether we\'re talking about listening in its most basic form (i.e., hearing and truly understanding what\'s said to you in a conversation) or listening in a broader sense (e.g., being tuned in to what\'s happening in the news and in the social media realm), being an excellent listener is an essential part of being an effective communications professional.\n\nUnfortunately, it\'s far too common to find \"communications professionals\" who are more focused on broadcasting their message than on listening to what\'s going on around them. Being a great listener helps shape your strategies and contextualize your messages, making them significantly more interesting and effective.',0,'1','','',0,0),(102,677,'prgirlonamission','fleuredeflorida@gmail.com','','66.167.151.2','2010-03-25 10:51:11','2010-03-25 15:51:11','I have to echo Veronica\'s point on the importance of listening skills. Too often I see my colleagues putting out content that is not even remotely tailored to who is actually being spoken to by that content, and I think this is where the real failure occurs. A very wise professional once told me that you have to remember your audience, always. Where are they? What do they want to know? A skilled PR professional can take that central story and craft it so that it still retains that message but adapts to the different audiences you want to hear it.',0,'1','','',0,0),(103,677,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.180.59','2010-03-25 14:01:35','2010-03-25 19:01:35','Agree completely with both Veronica and Pr Girl. No doubt, listening (and that means with understanding) is absolutely a must.',0,'1','','',0,0),(104,677,'5 ways to get more readers to your blog by Deborah Brody | DWC','','http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/2011/07/5-ways-to-get-more-readers-to-your-blog-by-deborah-brody/','67.207.129.12','2011-07-18 10:05:18','2011-07-18 15:05:18','[...] 1. It goes almost without saying, but the first step is to provide consistent, interesting and/or useful content (and yes, you must be consistent…if you stop posting for more than a week or two, you will lose readers). My most popular blog posts are of the useful variety:  “How to: Develop a Tagline” and “Qualities of a PR Pro.” [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(105,691,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-03-25 09:45:24','2010-03-25 14:45:24','I love that you said that passing out a mass of cards isn\'t marketing, it\'s just a waste of cards. Because it really goes back down to #4, that the value is in the person and making a meaningful connection. When I get lots of business cards at an event, I try afterwards to connect each one with a face, a message, something.  If there\'s nothing memorable, then they\'ve missed the value part altogether.',0,'1','','',0,0),(106,705,'Vijay','viijay@gmail.com','','163.181.251.10','2010-04-05 11:23:30','2010-04-05 16:23:30','I totally agree with you and I have had some of my friends confuse between thought and taught (really!?)',0,'1','','',0,0),(107,705,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','190.14.139.23','2010-04-05 11:29:49','2010-04-05 16:29:49','I believe that it happens because of general carelessness. No one seems to think it is important to check.',0,'1','','',106,0),(108,705,'celestlyn','cosmik@hotmail.com','','97.114.82.84','2010-04-05 12:10:23','2010-04-05 17:10:23','Love this. I agree with you. My pet peeves are the simple ones: \n\n*Then versus than. \n*To, two, too.',0,'1','','',0,0),(109,705,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','190.14.139.23','2010-04-05 12:18:19','2010-04-05 17:18:19','Then versus than is a big one...makes me nuts too.',0,'1','','',108,0),(110,705,'Lynn Olson','rlynnolson@verizon.net','http://www.linkedin.com/in/rlynno','138.88.5.239','2010-04-05 14:11:57','2010-04-05 19:11:57','A and an--seeing \"a apple (or whatever beginning with a vowel)\" more and more--Post, Times, NPR--are we in the midst of a usage change?\n\nPrincipal and principle--all guilty, except maybe the New Yorker.\n\nAxe and ask--drives me nuts.\n\nI am looking for a job--you would be surprised at the typos and usage errors I find in job postings--not good advertisements for organizations.',0,'1','','',0,0),(111,705,'Amanda Collins','amanda@grammardocs.com','http://www.grammardocs.com','63.232.3.230','2010-04-06 12:13:01','2010-04-06 17:13:01','This is so true. I think a portion of the reasoning is laziness, but another big reason is lack of knowledge. I don\'t think many people understand the written language and what it means. \"Your / you\'re\" and \"than / then\" are prime examples. It\'s simple ignorance in many cases.',0,'1','','',0,0),(112,709,'Sharon Fisher','sharon@fishermarketing.biz','','67.160.212.54','2010-04-07 10:31:49','2010-04-07 15:31:49','Lisa, thank you so much for stating what should be the obvious.  In a discipline supposedly made up of communication professionals, it is appalling to see the abuse and disregard for proper English not only in marketing communications, but also in newspapers, magazines and, certainly, in the spoken word.  Here\'s to a resurgence of good grammar!',0,'1','','',0,0),(113,727,'Kim Woodbridge','kwbridge@gmail.com','http://www.kimwoodbridge.com','151.201.158.245','2010-04-21 11:45:49','2010-04-21 16:45:49','I am guilty of a couple of these.  Sometimes I click on a link, read the article later and then send out the link - I can\'t retweet it because I don\'t remember who originally posted it.  And I try to acknowledge everything that is said to me or retweeted for me but occasionally I can\'t keep up.  The article I posted on Monday got retweeted a lot and after a point all of the thank you\'s became too much.  But, like you, I get a little annoyed when I comment or talk to someone and they don\'t reply ...\n\nAnd I have some soccer twitter friends and I\'m sure we can be annoying on the weekends when we are watching matches together through twitter.\n\nI completely agree about the swearing.  I swear a lot in real life but I don\'t want to read it in my stream either.\n\nAnd I would have to add auto-dms.  They are one my most hated things about Twitter.',0,'1','','',0,0),(114,727,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.28.107','2010-04-21 11:54:18','2010-04-21 16:54:18','Hi Kim,\nAuto DMs are a good one to add--I hate those too!\nAnd, I hear you regarding the acknowledging. Sometimes you just can\'t but some people don\'t even try (or care).\nThanks for the comments!',0,'1','','',113,0),(115,727,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.50.204.67','2010-04-21 21:06:40','2010-04-22 02:06:40','Hi Deborah,\n\nInteresting list. As you know, several of these are high on my \"what not to do\" list as well. But I have to disagree about Follow Friday. While too many people use it to broadcast lists, it can be worthwhile. \n\nDone right, Follow Friday is a good way to both thank someone who you find valuable AND point people to others that might be worth checking out. I\'d add that this is even more important now that seeing @ replies are limited to conversations where you\'re already following both people.',0,'1','','',0,0),(116,727,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.28.107','2010-04-22 06:42:58','2010-04-22 11:42:58','Hi Daria,\nYes--some of these are fairly universal. Follow Friday has devolved, in my opinion, to being just lists of people. And all spammers have to do is look for the #FF hashtag and boom, you get spammed. There is little point to it now. But I agree, at some point, they were useful. And if you were on the list, it was flattering!\n\nDeborah',0,'1','','',0,0),(117,727,'(Anti) Social Lists 5/2/10 | (Anti) Social Development','','http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/anti-social-lists-5210/','74.52.119.146','2010-05-01 23:03:22','2010-05-02 04:03:22','[...] Tweeting and Not Failing (a top ten list) &#8211; A list of twitter pet peeves. I would have to agree with them and readily admit that at times I am guilty of some of these. [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(118,732,'Kim Woodbridge','kwbridge@gmail.com','http://www.kimwoodbridge.com','151.201.158.245','2010-04-22 17:12:57','2010-04-22 22:12:57','I suppose if it\'s easier for hateful people to come together through social media that it will also be easier to monitor them.  It\'s still so disturbing though.',0,'1','','',0,0),(119,732,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.28.107','2010-04-22 18:13:09','2010-04-22 23:13:09','Hi Kim,\nThat is a very good point--now we can monitor more easily. But I am concerned about the damage they do, and how susceptible some people are to this hate speech.',0,'1','','',118,0),(120,736,'BlaketheMegalomaniac','udothedishes@gmail.com','http://udothedishes.com','72.83.204.24','2010-04-23 14:46:56','2010-04-23 19:46:56','The facebook issue brings back feelings I used to have about politics. With career politicians, lobbying groups, and an ever-changing/updating environment it\'s difficult to keep up and it\'s even more difficult to be heard or make a change.\n\nAt some point you tune out (assuming you were tuned in).\n\nWith facebook, most ppl are tuned out with respect to their privacy until it\'s breached. But let\'s say they weren\'t, what can they do besides delete their account. Then if they delete their account they alienate a whole world that could benefit them both socially and professionally. I always thought I was safe on FB until FB charged my CC to the tune of $1200 erroneously. I deleted my account but after awhile I was back like an addict. Granted w/ more reserve but nonetheless still back.',0,'1','','',0,0),(121,736,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.28.107','2010-04-23 14:50:15','2010-04-23 19:50:15','Blake,\nYou are so right.  We\'ve gotten to a point where we NEED Facebook--to stay connected socially and professionally. And Facebook knows this, which is how they can do what they do. But still, we need to be vigilant, and speak up.',0,'1','','',120,0),(122,736,'Kim Woodbridge','kim@marywshelley.com','http://marywshelley.com','151.201.158.245','2010-04-27 12:58:40','2010-04-27 17:58:40','Facebook has repeatedly shown that they don\'t care what their users think.  There are so many things that need to be fixed, - things that they users want and Facebook doesn\'t even have support reps answering the questions in the forums.  And the documentation they do have is so cryptic that it barely makes sense.\n\nThat being said - I do not care about my privacy as related to Facebook.  I had a completely open profile before these changes so I could be found through search results - I\'m not posting anything that has to be hidden.  I also think people are fooling themselves about privacy - how much do we really have?  Not much since the Patriot Act - we gave up on privacy for some false sense of security.  Oh - yes, we like the idea of privacy but most don\'t care if they have any or not.\n\nAnd, I still don\'t like the like button. ;-)',0,'1','','',0,0),(123,736,'Kim Woodbridge','kwbridge@gmail.com','http://kimwoodbridge.com','151.201.158.245','2010-04-27 12:59:57','2010-04-27 17:59:57','Woops - was signed in with the wrong account - not sure how I did that.  Must have been commenting about Mary Shelley or a Wordpress.com recently.  Sorry about that.',0,'1','','',0,0),(124,743,'xrosstheline','xrosstheline.za@gmail.com','http://xrosstheline.wordpress.com','41.6.241.231','2010-05-09 18:06:55','2010-05-09 23:06:55','Good article Deborah,\n\nI realy think it\'s time to get back to basic Stratregic and Marketing values, it seems like \"new media\" (among other things) has gotten us all believing that we have to speed up, change quickly, find some hitherto unthought of solutions or positioning or we\'ll get left behind.\n\nThere\'s a lot to be said for a good old fashioned marketing mix, business plan, startegic plan etc. It focuses the mind on what it is we\'re trying to do, to what end and at what cost?\n\nI think the world is tired of shoddy, tired of cheap, tired of fast and lord knows tired of self service. \n\nTime to re-look at how Global Icon Brands, built such vast and strong consumer franchises. They did it by offering tangible/realizable value, consistency and credibility.\n\nCheers, Thanks for the insights.\nSteven.\n\n',0,'1','','',0,0),(125,747,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-05-12 08:20:10','2010-05-12 13:20:10','Hi Deborah,\n\nWhile customer service training helps, so much of this is really about valuing and empowering your employees. If you make them proud to be representing your brand, then they are far more likely to carry it forward.\n\nBest,\nDaria',0,'1','','',0,0),(126,747,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.183.87','2010-05-12 09:12:42','2010-05-12 14:12:42','I agree Daria--companies and organizations must understand that outside interactions with employees can lead to increase or decrease in sales.\n\nThanks for the comment!',0,'1','','',0,0),(127,759,'Kim Woodbridge','kwbridge@gmail.com','http://kimwoodbridge.com','68.163.0.80','2010-05-20 09:24:56','2010-05-20 14:24:56','I\'m not convinced this backtrack will stick.  The landing tabs are working again but I haven\'t seen anything \"official\" about it.\n\nFacebook is terrible at communicating anything - announcements like this slip under the radar because they are posted in the developer forums - how many people read those?',0,'1','','',0,0),(128,759,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.199.75','2010-05-20 09:28:16','2010-05-20 14:28:16','Thanks Kim, that\'s what is non-marketing savvy about Facebook. Lots of changes, difficult to find information...just builds frustration!',0,'1','','',127,0),(129,766,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-06-01 12:48:41','2010-06-01 17:48:41','Citibank lost my business over poor customer service and lack of customer differentiation. They treated me as a deadbeat rather than recognizing a payment glitch with my online banking for what it was: a payment glitch. It wasn\'t until I called to cancel that they said, \"that shouldn\'t have happened.\" Yup, that\'s right. But it did.\n\nCompanies with poor customer service seem to be calculating that most people are too lazy to move. That\'s a pretty stupid business model.',0,'1','','',0,0),(130,766,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.27.119','2010-06-01 14:39:36','2010-06-01 19:39:36','No doubt. More disturbing is that they spend millions on advertising instead of fixing their customer service because they underestimate their customers. I am about done with Citi too!',0,'1','','',129,0),(131,766,'Andrew','ener.chadwick@dishnetwork.com','','204.76.128.217','2011-05-03 08:50:21','2011-05-03 13:50:21','Hearing customer service horror stories makes me thankful to be an employee and subscriber of DISH Network. And while I can’t claim DISH is perfect (of course who is?) every day I see the continuous striving effort to improve the customer experience and I’m proud to be part of that ongoing focus. DISH is also way ahead of all the competition when it comes to taking you entertainment mobile. With TV everywhere you can watch all of your programming (both live and anything on your DVR) anywhere you go on a variety of mobile devices.',0,'1','','',0,0),(132,766,'Repetition and frequency &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/repetition-and-frequency/','72.233.104.51','2011-05-17 13:20:03','2011-05-17 18:20:03','[...] In any given hour, you will see many spots for Comcast/Xfinity or for Verizon FIOS. I wrote here last year about the intense amount of direct mail FIOS sent me. These companies are hammering away [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(133,774,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-06-07 10:41:10','2010-06-07 15:41:10','It\'s good for communicators, especially those of us who use words, to be reminded once in a while (if not more often) that words alone rarely tell a good story. Storytelling can be about words, but it\'s often the visuals too that help create that emotional connection.\n\nThe supermarket example is a good one, because it\'s not sexy but it is oh so important. Akin to the value of painted lane divider lines on the road.\n\nI have a framed poster of Milton Glaser\'s Images of Labor on my wall, so I guess that makes me an official fan.',0,'1','','',0,0),(134,774,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.27.119','2010-06-07 12:02:38','2010-06-07 17:02:38','He definitely is fan worthy! Most people respond to visual cues before they respond to written language. I think words and images should work together. Some messages need more than visuals!',0,'1','','',133,0),(135,778,'Michele Lerner','MVLerner@comcast.net','http://www.MicheleLerner.com','68.48.71.152','2010-06-09 13:49:17','2010-06-09 18:49:17','Deborah,\nI think this is great information. I would add one thing to this list: consider what else you have to offer beyond what you already do. I think a lot of us are having to reassess our skills these days. For example, I realized that as the market tightened for real estate writing that I could shift into personal finance writing since the two fields are closely related. Now I market to clients who need either one of these subjects addressed. P.S. Thanks for the mention!',0,'1','','',0,0),(136,778,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.27.119','2010-06-09 14:00:30','2010-06-09 19:00:30','Good point Michele--we should definitely keep tabs on how skills are transferable too and, as they say in the business lingo: create multiple income streams.',0,'1','','',135,0),(137,792,'Mike Volpe - HubSpot','mvolpe@hubspot.com','http://www.hubspot.com','75.200.126.58','2010-06-22 14:05:54','2010-06-22 19:05:54','Nice comments.  I guess I would add that from my experience more people need a reminder of the basics of marketing and communications than most people think.  And also that while social media does not change the basics, it does change the speed and importance of reacting because consumers have so much more power and information travels very quickly.',0,'1','','',0,0),(138,792,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.146.195','2010-06-22 17:51:16','2010-06-22 22:51:16','Thanks for your comment Mike. Definitely more people need to learn marcomm basics! And you are right that social media makes the interactions even quicker. What I was getting at is that we hear a lot of recycled advice being passed off as \"social media expertise\" when in fact it is a page from Marketing/Communications 101.',0,'1','','',137,0),(139,806,'Cavalletti Communications','','http://www.cavalletticommunications.com/2010/07/twitter-updates-from-this-week-6/','69.89.31.152','2010-07-11 05:07:22','2010-07-11 10:07:22','<strong>Twitter Updates from This Week...</strong>\n\nI found your post interesting so I added a trackback to it on my weblog...',0,'1','','trackback',0,0),(140,822,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','208.58.12.122','2010-07-15 13:46:19','2010-07-15 18:46:19','So I can create my own Wikipedia entry? Hmm... Just kidding (at least for now).\n\nI like the way you threaded this together. I think a big issue is context. I agree with Kami  -- if you\'re standing next to me, give me an elevator speech; don\'t send me away to ferret out all the information about you. But while one person can say \"Google Me\" and I might laugh and realize it\'s a joke, the next might say it in a way that doesn\'t convey that -- and annoys me. Again, context.',0,'1','','',0,0),(141,822,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.114.223','2010-07-15 14:39:33','2010-07-15 19:39:33','No doubt context plays a role, but Kami is saying she doesn\'t have time to Google. If it is important to her, she will have time. Also, saying \"Google me\" if you are about to go on a plane or into a meeting is OK and not arrogant, right?',0,'1','','',140,0),(142,846,'philbernstein','pdxfinest@comcast.net','http://philbernstein.wordpress.com/','71.193.220.177','2010-08-01 23:37:19','2010-08-02 04:37:19','If you Google the company, you\'ll find lots of complaints about them. Apparently they don\'t care about their online reputation. \n\nAs soon as I started reading your post, I thought, \"Superbookdeals\". I had an issue with them a couple of years ago -- they sent me the wrong book, and then made it virtually impossible to straighten the situation out. \n\nThere\'s only one thing you need to know about Superbookdeals: they simply don\'t care what their customers think.\n\nAmazon actually has a department called the Investigations Team that will step in when one of their merchants screws up. I eventually got to them, and they issued me a refund.\n\n\nI still get several hits a week to the blog posts I posted about the company:\n\nhttp://philbernstein.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/can-a-blog-post-resolve-a-service-issue-an-experiment/ \n\nhttp://philbernstein.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/taking-responsibility-superbookdeals-screws-up-amazoncom-steps-up/',0,'1','','',0,0),(143,864,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2010-08-16 10:22:40','2010-08-16 15:22:40','Brava, Deborah! You\'ve packed a lot of value into a short post and 3 key points. \n\nI\'d add one more point: What you tweet about is also a quick filter for others who may know nothing about you. If I\'m checking new profiles on the weekend, I\'ll dig back to the work week. If your work week tweets aren\'t of value to me, then I\'m gone.\n\nPS: Of course, if I ever start tweeting in the middle of the night it\'ll be for the comaraderie of other insomniacs.',0,'1','','',0,0),(144,864,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','141.156.144.163','2010-08-16 14:58:35','2010-08-16 19:58:35','Thank you Daria. I agree--I always skim through someone\'s tweets in order to decide whether to follow or not. It\'s about relevance.',0,'1','','',143,0),(145,867,'Lee Love','Lee@LeeLovePhotographyh.com','http://www.LeeLovePhotography.com','71.246.230.146','2010-08-22 00:09:36','2010-08-22 05:09:36','Deborah, your points are right on the money and yet even though I know this I have a tough time with this. I don\'t know if it\'s because I am too close to the topic or what.\n\nI will use your tips to try to re-write my about page.',0,'1','','',0,0),(146,897,'Don&#8217;t go knocking traditional media &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/dont-go-knocking-traditional-media/','66.135.48.153','2010-09-20 11:13:22','2010-09-20 16:13:22','[...] Sep   Last week I wrote that social media is not all that.  Even if I do believe in the importance of social media, I don&#8217;t think everyone HAS to be [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(147,920,'Jonathan Ewing','Jonathan@FramingTC.com','http://www.framingtc.com','74.96.66.69','2010-11-18 07:33:40','2010-11-18 12:33:40','Ironically, the best way to build a large audience is to perpetually treat it like a small one. The big brands that can\'t translate offline loyalty to online success often bank on their offline laurels to bridge the gap. What they\'re realizing slowly is that social levels the playing field.',0,'1','','',0,0),(148,924,'elenasc','elenewlife@gmail.com','http://elenasc.wordpress.com','216.94.120.5','2010-10-15 10:59:02','2010-10-15 15:59:02','Thanks for this post!\nPlease read and share my post about Water’s footprint in Fashion http://wp.me/pXsUB-oi',0,'1','','',0,0),(149,929,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2010-10-18 11:27:05','2010-10-18 16:27:05','Brilliant, Deborah. I\'ve been looking for one that works simply, and love that Add to Any has a WordPress plug in. Have installed, and finally have one working the way I want.\n\nGood topic...  --Daria',0,'1','','',0,0),(150,929,'You may be overlooking something &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/you-may-be-overlooking-something/','72.233.104.105','2010-11-01 14:56:10','2010-11-01 19:56:10','[...] (Caffeinated tip of  a few days ago was to make sure your blog is shareable.) [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(151,971,'More ways to make people dislike your company &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/more-ways-to-make-people-dislike-your-company/','74.200.247.113','2011-07-13 09:27:14','2011-07-13 14:27:14','[...] Netflix became a very disliked company. In an email to subscribers (which again hit AFTER the press release hit the blogosphere), Netflix raised its prices for the second time in less than one year. The [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(152,985,'How to become the most hated company &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/how-to-become-the-most-hated-company/','76.74.254.92','2011-07-12 09:28:38','2011-07-12 14:28:38','[...] your customers are stupid or ignorant (read about Pepco&#8217;s misguided ad campaign for [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(153,988,'WaPo: Carney hopes and Pepco failures &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/wapo-carney-hopes-and-pepco-failures/','72.233.2.67','2011-02-02 09:48:50','2011-02-02 14:48:50','[...] latest episode in Pepco&#8217;s ongoing reliability struggle proves my point that no matter how many nice ads and promising assertions you make, you have to back them up with [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(154,991,'How to become the most hated company &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/how-to-become-the-most-hated-company/','72.233.61.64','2011-07-12 09:25:53','2011-07-12 14:25:53','[...] your customers are stupid or ignorant (read about Pepco&#8217;s misguided ad campaign for [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(155,995,'Ms. Unconventional','ms.unconventional@live.ca','','207.219.20.195','2011-02-18 18:41:51','2011-02-18 23:41:51','Both UPS and Fed Ex offer a wide range of logistical service that essentially are exactly the same. I think what\'s happening is that UPS for the first time is actually marketing themselves as a \"logistics service provider\" rather then just a \"shipping\" company and have always offered these services.I do agree with you that shipping is the physical end result of logistics, becasue shipping is logistics, but the average person doesn\'t connect the dots between the T-shirt they are wearing that says made in China to how it got to Walmart for them to buy it. Connecting all those dots is exactly what a Logistians does. I know this because I work in logistics and when I tell people this, their faces go all weird and a confused look crosses thier face...NOW, I can say...\"you know that new UPS commercial...that\'s what I do\".',0,'1','','',0,0),(156,998,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2010-12-17 17:07:58','2010-12-17 22:07:58','As we move of our data -- and our community lives -- into the cloud, you make a great point about having offline backups.\n\nOn the Boehner point, I don\'t think it\'s calculated. I think it\'s more likely tied to the fact that he\'s alcoholic (i.e., has impulse control issues). I have no problem with men crying in public -- but I am troubled by someone that fragile about to be third in line from the presidency. Not to mention that he\'s crying about the \"American Dream\" while, as Egan put it, voting \"against nearly every boost for the working stiff.\"',0,'1','','',0,0),(157,998,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.116.232','2010-12-17 17:20:18','2010-12-17 22:20:18','Offline backups--that is a more elegant way of putting it! As to Boehner, I don\'t know about his alcoholism, but he can\'t be the first person in public life with those issues, so I do think it is something about him.',0,'1','','',156,0),(158,1008,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2011-01-03 16:40:18','2011-01-03 21:40:18','Deborah, \n\nI love this post. It\'s simple and elegant -- and just plain great advice. Plus I love the line, \"The two who didn’t follow up don’t have  snowball’s chance in Hawaii to do business with me.\"\n\nThat is all.\n\nHere\'s to doing our follow-up in 2011.',0,'1','','',0,0),(159,1008,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','138.88.181.120','2011-01-03 18:36:20','2011-01-03 23:36:20','Cheers to that!',0,'1','','',158,0),(160,1029,'DWC Blog Roundup: Customer service, canopies &amp; college apps | DWC','','http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/2011/01/dwc-blog-roundup-customer-service-canopies-college-applications/','67.207.129.12','2011-01-21 08:38:24','2011-01-21 13:38:24','[...] Caffeinated Ideas and Views on Marketing Communications gives us tips to improve our customer communications.  We especially like: apologize if warranted, but say what you will do to fix it and don&#8217;t [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(161,1032,'Tweets that mention Connecting in person « Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications -- Topsy.com','','http://topsy.com/cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/connecting-in-person/?utm_source=pingback&amp;utm_campaign=L2','208.74.66.43','2011-01-21 18:19:01','2011-01-21 23:19:01','[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shashi Bellamkonda, Richard D. Cushing. Richard D. Cushing said: RT @shashib: &quot;Connecting in person: http://t.co/BOcQggX --link to presentation by @shashib to #WWPR and @dcborn61 mention!&quot; -Thank you @DBMC [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(162,1032,'One thing that will make you stand out &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/one-thing-that-will-make-you-stand-out/','72.233.96.170','2011-01-30 11:37:34','2011-01-30 16:37:34','[...] People tweet out questions to strangers in the hopes of getting the wisdom of the crowd. But, as we talked about here, people want to connect personally, one to one.  Although we feel more connected, we are more [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(163,1036,'Event 360','event360social@gmail.com','','66.194.17.122','2011-01-25 14:00:07','2011-01-25 19:00:07','Great insights. It would have been even wiser to skip the printed brochure mailings altogether and send a electronic \"e-newsletter\" to the database (as you suggested). http://bit.ly/fdwjhm',0,'1','','',0,0),(164,1040,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2011-01-27 12:47:02','2011-01-27 17:47:02','Deborah,\n\nSometimes in the rush to talk about how up-to-date we all are, we forget that the fundamentals still count. And that not everyone is connected the same way--or, sometimes, wired at all. Your post provides a good reminder that it\'s important to know your audience. And that new fangled isn\'t always better, it\'s just an alternative.',0,'1','','',0,0),(165,1063,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','96.231.226.190','2011-03-08 08:56:15','2011-03-08 13:56:15','It\'s really sad when a company has no place they feel comfortable referring their clients. It suggests they either:\n\nDon\'t trust us (clients/customers) not to like Plan B better -- but deal with it. Because if we do, then learn from that and adjust your business accordingly.\n\n2. Think they\'re so head and shoulders better than everyone else that no one is good enough. Then get over yourself, let us know that the referral is just an option, and let the buyer beware.\n\nOf course, as you point out, there\'s a third way: Bury your head in the sand and pretend that nothing\'s ever going to go wrong. That\'s the worst option of all because your clients/customers have referral networks of their own.',0,'1','','',0,0),(166,1063,'Are You Long-Term Greedy? | Independent Thinking','','http://www.steigmancommunications.com/2011/03/09/are-you-long-term-greedy/','69.167.158.109','2011-03-09 05:22:52','2011-03-09 10:22:52','[...] friend Deborah Brody wrote a terrific post about business planning. It&#8217;s not a sexy topic&#8211;but can anyone say they don&#8217;t need [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(167,1072,'Diane Danielson','Diane@DKDNewMedia.com','http://www.dianedanielson.com','65.96.217.96','2011-03-16 11:12:34','2011-03-16 16:12:34','Per my twitter rainy day rant:  eNewsletters with NO unsubscribe buttons.  Rude. Rude. Rude.',0,'1','','',0,0),(168,1072,'Diane Danielson','Diane@DKDNewMedia.com','http://www.dianedanielson.com','65.96.217.96','2011-03-16 11:13:27','2011-03-16 16:13:27','Oh and one more - I really don\'t like the \"floating form boxes\" that are currently in fashion. Esp. the ones where the \"no thanks\" button is hard to find.',0,'1','','',0,0),(169,1072,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','71.163.198.182','2011-03-16 11:17:25','2011-03-16 16:17:25','Diane, good irritants...thank you for sharing! I also don\'t like when unsubscribing is hard or getting rid of the advertising/sign-up boxes is practically impossible.',0,'1','','',168,0),(170,1072,'Steve Ziemba','steve@womma.org','http://womma.org','75.27.223.126','2011-03-22 08:53:59','2011-03-22 13:53:59','RE: Blog posts that are not shareable on social media. And ironically, this post, from the All things WOM, from the Word of Mouth Association, IS NOT SHAREABLE. Has no share buttons. Really. How stupid is this.\n\nStupid indeed! We are fixing.',0,'1','','',0,0),(171,1072,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','71.163.198.182','2011-03-22 08:55:50','2011-03-22 13:55:50','Awesome! You all have great content so I am glad it will be shareable.',0,'1','','',170,0),(172,1074,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','http://www.deborahbrody.com','71.163.198.182','2011-03-22 12:55:23','2011-03-22 17:55:23','Not to mention that I just read the paywall is costing MILLIONS of dollars to implement. Will they recoup the investment?',0,'1','','',0,0),(173,1086,'lauren','laurenehsmith@gmail.com','','67.90.191.66','2011-03-24 14:11:45','2011-03-24 19:11:45','I enthusiastically agree with your suggestion to include what the applicant can do for the company. Cover letters frequently focus only on the applicant. While the potential employer is likely interested in the applicant\'s awards, etc., he/she is going to be more interested in how those awards can be applied to the company\'s communications goals/objectives!',0,'1','','',0,0),(174,1091,'Bad habits or perception busters? &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/bad-habits-or-perception-busters/','216.151.210.19','2011-07-27 07:23:15','2011-07-27 12:23:15','[...] saying thank you: I have written about this before, but when someone does something for you just say thanks! A few months ago, I took out a [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(175,1108,'Hugo','mannahugo@gmail.com','http://www.youronlinenewbie.com','99.116.206.138','2011-04-20 15:44:53','2011-04-20 20:44:53','A agree with everything that you have except that I do have a facebook account and for my business has been very good. but I a must have for me is also a list building strategy because that is where you can get the regular costumer.',0,'1','','',0,0),(176,1108,'Diane Danielson','Diane@DKDNewMedia.com','http://www.DianeDanielson.com','65.96.217.96','2011-05-03 08:10:42','2011-05-03 13:10:42','Great post. Featuring it in this month\'s Downtown Women\'s Club newsletter. But I agree with you with regard to Facebook. I don\'t use it for my consulting, but more for DWC.',0,'1','','',0,0),(177,1108,'Karen Smith','karen_b_smith@yahoo.com','','98.118.253.43','2011-05-03 10:03:30','2011-05-03 15:03:30','Thanks for posting and thanks for sharing this link through DWC. I\'d recommend using Google Alerts or similar tools to allow you to easily track competitive information or to track sites you feel are benchmarks for your business. It\'s a great way to keep you/your business on its toes on a regular basis!',0,'1','','',0,0),(178,1114,'Two different offers from one service provider &laquo; Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing communications','','http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/two-different-offers-from-one-service-provider/','72.233.96.150','2011-05-05 12:49:17','2011-05-05 17:49:17','[...] why make the total cost so hard to find? As I wrote about a few days ago, it is a bad idea to hide crucial information.  Consumers need to make decisions with the facts in [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(179,1121,'samantha','samantha.supernaw@gmail.com','','74.82.68.17','2011-04-26 07:31:54','2011-04-26 12:31:54','I think facebook is by definition vacuous.  But you never are, Deb.  I am excited to have found you on the www and enjoyed your most recent blog musings.  Drop me a line sometime, woman...',0,'1','','',0,0),(180,1159,'Johna','Jburke@BurrellesLuce.com','http://Www.BurrellesLuce.com','12.71.136.8','2011-05-24 14:15:05','2011-05-24 19:15:05','Thanks for the thoughtful post! I\'m delighted you were able to make it to the WWPR event:)',0,'1','','',0,0),(181,1159,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2011-05-25 08:48:32','2011-05-25 13:48:32','Whenever I demo Twitter, the question always arises as to how I can possibly follow so many people. When I tell them I can actually tell you something about most of them, then they\'re really floored. You\'re right: following and saying hi is a good start -- but it doesn\'t get you very far if you don\'t follow up.',0,'1','','',0,0),(182,1159,'Does Engagement Matter? | Independent Thinking','','http://www.steigmancommunications.com/2011/05/31/does-engagement-matter/','69.167.158.109','2011-05-31 05:09:09','2011-05-31 10:09:09','[...] Brody wrote a terrific blog post last week about the role of engagement. She said in part: In social media, people talk about [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(184,1200,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2011-07-11 09:44:13','2011-07-11 14:44:13','A bad handshake &amp; poor grooming is the one-two punch for kiss of death. Well, that, and only be interested in yourself because there\'s no room there for conversation.\n\nThe item I\'d add to this list: looking over your shoulder (different from shifty-eyed) to see who\'s more important in the room. At that point I\'m always thinking, \"Oh, dude (or dudette), that would be anyone but you.\"',0,'1','','',0,0),(185,1205,'pepcoconnect','pepcoconnect@pepco.com','http://pepcoconnect.wordpress.com','161.186.93.10','2011-07-12 14:14:40','2011-07-12 19:14:40','Good afternoon!  I think you touch on some valid points and I will be sharing your post with my colleagues.\n\nIn reply to your last statement, \"And if that is true, why on Friday night, did I lose power for one and half hours, for no apparent reason?,\" I\'d be more than welcome to look into exactly what caused your outage last week.  If you\'re interested, send a detailed email including the issue you\'re referring to, your service address and a contact number to PepcoConnect@pepco.com.\n\nWe are making headway with our efforts to enhance reliability, but realistically every single customer isn\'t going to see the benefits immediately.  That said, each customer\'s satisfaction is important to us and we are always interested in hearing constructive feedback on what we\'re currently doing and what we can be doing better.\n\nThanks,\n\nAndre Francis\nSocial Media Representative',0,'1','','',0,0),(186,1225,'Chuck Tanowitz','tanowitz@gmail.com','http://www.facebook.com/ctanowitz','70.22.151.177','2011-07-28 09:58:19','2011-07-28 14:58:19','I\'d add one more: Can you easily find them on other social services? That is, can you easily link to their twitter feed, Facebook page, etc? Companies need to consider that their audience will not always use the main website as a way to keep up with corporate activities. People want options, so the corporate feed of information needs to fit into THEIR life.',0,'1','','',0,0),(187,1225,'Shashi Bellamkonda (@shashib)','shashib@twitter.example.com','http://twitter.com/shashib','117.195.177.245','2011-08-02 08:00:35','2011-08-02 13:00:35','Just like a business keeps the physical location tidy and well maintained the advice you have given should carry over to the online storefront as well. You would not want your customers to enter your store and negotiate a maze, the same way as you said navigation and the visitor experience is very important. Thanks for a great article',0,'1','','',0,0),(188,1231,'trish712','joyfulsoysunsations@gmail.com','http://joyfulsoysunsations.wordpress.com','76.161.241.83','2011-08-01 11:11:45','2011-08-01 16:11:45','As a person trying to start a business myself in soy candles this is wonderful advice. Thank you very much.',0,'1','','',0,0),(189,1321,'trish712','joyfulsoysunsations@gmail.com','http://joyfulsoysunsations.wordpress.com','76.161.241.83','2011-08-04 11:11:18','2011-08-04 16:11:18','I agree people using the internet act as if they can do whatever, whenever. This is in my opinion is a huge issue. I hope that he will stop being so rude. Your blog is very well put together and people should not be so rude to others.',0,'1','','',0,0),(190,1321,'Alicia Marie Phillips','Aliciamariephillips@gmail.com','http://aliciamphillips.wordpress.com','67.91.155.66','2011-08-04 11:46:46','2011-08-04 16:46:46','I wish you had a +1 button so I could like this!  This relates to a post I just did today (I don\'t want to be on your internet)...  I couldn\'t agree more.',0,'1','','',0,0),(191,463,'&#8220;How would you liked to be thanked Sir?&#8221; &laquo; Dinorakitzis&#039;s Blog','','http://dinorakitzis.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/how-would-you-liked-to-be-thanked-sir/','72.233.96.152','2009-08-25 15:02:49','2009-08-25 20:02:49','[...] (in her recent blog) predicts that we will separate companies by those who thank us, and those who don&#8217;t. So [...] ',0,'1','','pingback',0,0),(192,1412,'mediatemple (@mt_andrew)','mt_andrew@twitter.example.com','http://twitter.com/mt_andrew','72.10.62.12','2011-08-23 15:28:41','2011-08-23 20:28:41','This is a great article and we completely agree with everything it says.  In actuality, this is exactly the philosophy we try to follow.  However, it looks like we dropped the ball in this case and we are truly sorry about that.  We are making sure that we retrain all agents/techs as necessary to ensure that no one else has a similar experience.  I would be more than happy to speak with anyone regarding this article and what we are doing to improve our service.\nWe are truly sad to see you go Deborah and it was a pleasure speaking with you the other day and this morning.  Please don\'t hesitate to let me know if you need anything at all.\n\nAndrew Won\nVP of Customer Service\n(mt) Media Temple, Inc.',0,'1','','',0,0),(304,1422,'Wow... (The State) - Columbia - Lexington - Irmo - City-Data Forum','','http://www.city-data.com/forum/columbia-area/1420148-wow-state.html#post21596603','173.193.22.21','2011-11-06 14:29:04','2011-11-06 14:29:04','[...] Chicago Tribune is $2 on Sunday. I wouldn&#039;t be surprised to see its price go up to $3 because the number of purchasers has been going down for years. Fewer subscribers means less income from advertising, hence the price goes up. People get their [...]',0,'1','Mozilla/4.0 (vBSEO; http://www.vbseo.com)','pingback',0,0),(639,1526,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizard.com','99.237.168.27','2012-01-06 22:39:16','2012-01-06 22:39:16','Oh, I agree 100%.\r\n\r\nThank yous always go down well, especially if they\'re sincere.\r\n\r\nLast year I bought some pens and ink from Goulet Pens and not only was the package so well-wrapped it was a challenge to unpack it, but there was hand-written note along with it, thanking me for the purchase and hoping that I\'d enjoy the pens and ink. (And it was written in an ink colour I don\'t own, which of course, made me put it on my \"I want list\")',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-GB; rv:1.9.2.25) Gecko/20111212 Firefox/3.6.25','',0,0),(270,1439,'Overland','jasonbrown@kw.com','http://www.handsontheheartland.com','70.94.90.148','2011-10-25 01:45:27','2011-10-25 01:45:27','I read somewhere there\'s an app that will continue to do this for you, if you wish... I think it might have been called RSS grafiti.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:7.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/7.0.1','',0,0),(296,1460,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','71.178.177.79','2011-11-02 13:26:07','2011-11-02 13:26:07','Yes, a company\'s policies really affect how customers perceive it. Negative perceptions are hard to get rid of. Apparently, Radio Shack has a long road ahead in terms of customer satisfaction!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',293,1),(293,1460,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2011-11-01 18:59:14','2011-11-01 18:59:14','Funny you should mention Radio Shack... I actually stopped buying from them years ago for exactly the same reason. I don\'t think I\'ve bought anything bigger than a battery from a Radio Shack store since.\r\n\r\nWhy don\'t companies understand that facilitating returns actually makes me more inclined to shop with you? \r\n\r\nGenerating goodwill is part of the \"doing business with people you like\" thing. It matters. And when you lose it, you lose customers.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/535.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/15.0.874.106 Safari/535.2','',0,0),(209,1439,'Kim Woodbridge','kwbridge@gmail.com','http://www.kimwoodbridge.com','173.59.88.18','2011-09-26 18:28:05','2011-09-26 18:28:05','I am not convinced Facebook generates sales either.  I hadn\'t seen that message about Notes importing posts but maybe it\'s because I don\'t use Notes.  I suppose a different app can be used to do the same thing.\r\n\r\nI\'m concerned about non-fans being able to post on the FB wall too - I don\'t know how you will really be able to measure the value of the page without having the number of fans mean something.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',0,0),(675,677,'Why is writing well a disappearing skill? | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/why-is-writing-well-a-disappearing-skill/','70.85.226.226','2012-01-11 17:02:21','2012-01-11 17:02:21','[...] Why is writing well a disappearing skill? 11 Jan  by  Deborah Brody, posted in Communication, Good writing, Public Relations &nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;No Comments   Sally Falkow writes today in her blog, The Proactive Report, that good writing should be considered a primary public relations skill. I agree (and I wrote about that in my post Qualities of a PR Pro). [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(225,1439,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','71.178.177.79','2011-10-06 17:23:44','2011-10-06 17:23:44','Thanks for your input Kim. To me it seems that small businesses have so much to learn in order to make their FB page truly work for them that it may be not worth the effort.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',209,1),(275,1448,'Yeah, communications do matter | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/yeah-communications-do-matter/','70.85.226.226','2011-10-26 19:31:06','2011-10-26 19:31:06','[...] starts with the premise that you are connecting with other people, as I said in this post. If you fail to connect, you also fail to communicate, and in Netflix&#8217;s case, the damage adds [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.1','pingback',0,0),(468,1509,'Shashi Bellamkonda','shashib@gmail.com','http://shashi.co','205.178.191.132','2011-12-19 20:24:10','2011-12-19 20:24:10','Hi Deb,\r\n\r\nWhile I agree on the possibilities that exist, I must say I read the Washington Post every day including today. I actually did not make the connection.\r\n I have been regularly looking at the Total Wine ads, I love going there and being a cheapskate I am always looking for their coupons :) and today was no different. Again we should always be conscious of this and  I am glad you are asking the question.\r\n\r\nShashi',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/535.7 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/16.0.912.63 Safari/535.7','',0,0),(470,1509,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.54.82','2011-12-20 02:26:14','2011-12-20 02:26:14','Hi Shashi-Yes, I like Total Wine\'s pricing too, and know they advertise regularly. I found today\'s placement questionable though, and I thought it was poor judgement on the WaPo\'s part.\r\nThanks for your input!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',468,1),(776,1540,'Gini Dietrich','gdietrich@armentdietrich.com','http://spinsucks.com','108.196.28.63','2012-01-17 22:02:20','2012-01-17 22:02:20','It\'s extremely important to broaden your thinking and expand your knowledge. It\'s impossible to do that without reading different kinds of things. Nonfiction, business, blogs, news, and (YES!!!) fiction.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/535.11 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/17.0.963.33 Safari/535.11','',0,0),(1110,1622,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizard.com','99.237.168.27','2012-03-11 20:30:15','2012-03-11 20:30:15','Deboarh:\r\n\r\nAll very true. I\'ve gotten my best clients through referrals (and that, as your earlier post mentions, requires trust) or inbound calls (just had one last week--we\'ll see how that goes).\r\n\r\nBut \"cell phones are not listed\" is becoming less and less of a defense. SOMEBODY is selling cell phone lists--I\'ve started to receive robo-calls to my cellphone of late. (And sometime Bell Canada--my carrier--sends me a marketing text message to my cellphone, too)\r\n\r\nLawrence',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:10.0.2) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/10.0.2','',0,0),(1043,1599,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2012-02-28 18:00:12','2012-02-28 18:00:12','Hi Deborah,\r\n\r\nWe talk a lot about brand consistency, with the focus very often on look/feel first and messaging second. But sometimes people forget that being a brand ambassador, which every employee is, is also about how YOU \"represent\" the brand. In this case, the person utterly failed their brand.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/535.11 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/17.0.963.56 Safari/535.11','',0,0),(1037,1595,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizard.com','99.237.168.27','2012-02-28 01:37:29','2012-02-28 01:37:29','Nope. I\'ve gotten increasingly bored with the over-long show, lame hosts &amp; hostesses (although I used to like Billy Crystal as host), and, to be honest, I haven\'t seem too many of the nominated flicks. (It\'s difficult when you have a 10-year old. My movie theatre diet consists of Transformers or Cars etc ).\r\n\r\nSo what did we watch last night? JJ Abrams \"Star Trek\" on DVD from the public library (the spousal overunit hadn\'t seen it yet).\r\n\r\nLawrence',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:10.0.2) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/10.0.2','',0,0),(1046,1599,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizard.com','99.237.168.27','2012-02-29 02:00:45','2012-02-29 02:00:45','Deborah:\r\n\r\nThey were also being lazy (or were just going through the motions of starting a search for someone). We all have lazy days--but those are the times we SHOULDN\'T start any kind of outreach!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:10.0.2) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/10.0.2','',0,0),(1048,1589,'Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/','70.85.226.226','2012-02-29 17:31:14','2012-02-29 17:31:14','[...] Brody, posted in branding, Communication &nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;No Comments   Did you catch my blog post last week on what I consider a rebranding #fail for Piratz Tavern? Robert Freeland did, and he shared his [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1052,1564,'Round-up: Facebook&#8217;s new timeline, print ads and bad bosses | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/round-up-facebooks-new-timeline-print-ads-and-bad-bosses/','70.85.226.226','2012-02-29 21:53:55','2012-02-29 21:53:55','[...] few weeks ago I wrote here on the blog about how ego can get in the way of effective communication. In case you want to explore this [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1084,1622,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','66.44.44.191','2012-03-07 19:32:36','2012-03-07 19:32:36','My favorite cold call is from the company trying to sell me energy services. They always say they\'re calling to talk about \"your energy bill.\" I tell them I don\'t have one. Which is true (it\'s rolled into my condo fees). Waste of everyone\'s time, and they call at least once a year despite my asking them to take me off their lists.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/535.11 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/17.0.963.56 Safari/535.11','',0,0),(2255,2000,'Daria Steigman','daria@steigmancommunications.com','http://www.steigmancommunications.com','70.88.236.174','2013-01-23 14:25:27','2013-01-23 14:25:27','Hi Deborah,\r\n\r\nI agree with you that tweeting during the Inauguration is not the smartest strategy for reaching Americans who care about politics, governance, pomp &amp; circumstance, or transitions of power. \r\n\r\nBut I think that what you and Kathy discounted is the possibility that perhaps the people whose tweets you were discounted weren\'t even trying to tweet for your benefit. Perhaps their Twitter followers (and target audience) isn\'t the same as yours. Maybe their audience isn\'t interested in the Inauguration or isn\'t even in the United States. \r\n\r\nThe key is always to understand who you are trying to engage and how best to do that. Clearly this isn\'t the message you wanted to hear. But assuming it\'s therefore not a receptive message for anyone is a reach.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.2; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.17 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/24.0.1312.52 Safari/537.17','',0,0),(1891,1872,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2012-10-23 15:18:03','2012-10-23 15:18:03','Thanks for sharing! I am sure there are plenty of plugins out there to make WordPress work best for each individual user.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:15.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/15.0','',0,4),(1890,1872,'Robert Crocker','littleriver1@gmail.com','http://littleriver1.wordpress.com/','63.231.28.10','2012-10-23 15:15:07','2012-10-23 15:15:07','My only real issue with Wordpress has been the clunky CMS.   Found a new CMS tool last week though and it works with Wordpress. It\'s at  http://copybar.io.   True WYSIWYG online editing of Wordpress blogs.   I\'m going to start updating my blog more often now.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.4 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/22.0.1229.94 Safari/537.4','',0,0),(1823,1183,'Roberta','roberta1013@hotmail.com','','98.88.139.100','2012-10-09 20:22:58','2012-10-09 20:22:58','Hi--\r\n\r\nI can\'t say much that you haven\'t said, but I\'ll add my experience to the pot.  I\'ve been using Clinique\'s Gentle Light Powder for a number of years, but I\'ve been a customer for at least 25 years.  I thought I was on to something, since I received so many compliments on my skin, to the point that people asked me if I\'d had \"work done\"!  It was the powder, because when they discontinued it, I had to buy the Blended Powder, which was AWFUL, made my skin look dry, dusty, and OLD.  I left a scathing review of the Blended Powder on their website, and talked the ear off the sales associate when I returned the offending Blended Powder.  I hope she saw me walk directly to the Lancôme counter, where I conferred with their sales associate about a replacement that another unhappy Clinique customer had recommended online.  Right now I\'m debating whether or not to call the Gone But Not Forgotten number.  And for the record, I also had the same experience with Prescriptives, went for a favorite lipstick and suddenly it was gone.  And then Prescriptives was gone, too.  Probably a good thing.\r\nP.S.   Try Maybelline the Classic Volum\' Express Waterproof or CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Waterproof.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_8_2) AppleWebKit/536.26.14 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.1 Safari/536.26.14','',0,0),(1576,1743,'Dominion vs. Pepco: How ads reflect corporate culture | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/dominion-vs-pepco-how-ads-reflect-corporate-culture/','50.116.97.149','2012-07-16 20:53:37','2012-07-16 20:53:37','[...] Corporate communication &nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;No Comments   Last week, I wrote about an ad campaign Pepco is currently running (there have been at least two or three more of the same ad I mentioned) in the Washington Post.  [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1619,1183,'Renee','rmj80@aol.com','','99.185.53.14','2012-07-31 09:02:00','2012-07-31 09:02:00','Hello, \r\n\r\nI came across your blog from doing a Google search on Clinique\'s Crappy Gone But Not Forgotten program! Amen to you and every word you just said in regards to Clinique! I was a loyal customer of Clinique\'s cosmetics for over 12 years and have been using their Stay True foundation for years until they recently discontinued my favorite line! Like you mentioned above, why bother with a company that disregards their customers!?! Their was no heads up or even talk about the line I used for years, that it was going to be replaced with such awful plastic junk that makes your skin look like plastic! The day I went to Macy\'s not knowing my one and only foundation I never had a problem with is completely gone! So then I wrote on their Facebook wall telling them I was extremely disappointed with them among others, and then they reply with their BS response saying Sorry to disappoint you and gave me that Gone But Not Forgotten number. When I called, the lady wanted my credit card information saying they need that on file if they wind up finding it in their search. Pretty much what you wrote above, and I said No.... I\'m not giving out my information to conduct some search! That\'s BS! Completely unprofessional and a joke! But you\'re right! I really wish I knew Clinique\'s ugly side because now they lost me as a loyal customer as well! The lessons you wrote about are right on! I\'m so angry how they treat their customers! Their fans they have left will be the ones crying in the end as well - when their favorite products just vanish! My boyfriend keeps telling me to get over this and move on, but obviously for guys they don\'t know what it feels like to have that One and Only product that works for them for years and POOF, it\'s gone! So happy to have come across this blog post to know their is somebody out there that can relate! Thank you! \r\n\r\nP.S. DiorShow Mascara is awesome and I have extremely sensitive skin and eyes and don\'t have any weird reactions. You can find it at Sephora.com :)! It\'s pricey but the results are amazing! Tip: try to get a sample size if possible to test it out before you buy. I wound up getting a sample size with my order from Sephora awhile ago, and wound up hooked and bought it! Good luck!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; U; CPU OS 4_3_5 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8L1 Safari/6533.18.5','',0,0),(1682,1791,'Checking out the customer experience | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/checking-out-the-customer-experience/','50.116.97.149','2012-08-17 13:58:05','2012-08-17 13:58:05','[...] in Marketing &nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;No Comments   My last blog post was about how you have to &#8220;be open for business&#8221; if you are trying to market a destination.  In other words, marketers have to be aware of what the [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1542,1205,'Working hard or hardly working? Pepco strikes again | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/working-hard-or-hardly-working-pepco-strikes-again/','50.116.97.149','2012-07-03 13:59:32','2012-07-03 13:59:32','[...] Marc Fisher from the Washington Post called me because he had seen my previous blog posts on Pepco. He asked me what I would recommend that Pepco do, communications-wise. Should they not [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1276,1658,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.54.78','2012-04-04 15:35:44','2012-04-04 15:35:44','That\'s kinda sad! Your good work down the drain, but it proves that marketing/communications has to work in concert with the rest of the organization. \r\nThanks for sharing April!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',1275,1),(1275,1658,'April Finnen','aprilfinnen@yahoo.com','http://onepersonshop.com/','20.137.18.53','2012-04-04 13:13:57','2012-04-04 13:13:57','I had this experience as the marketer once. I worked for a nonprofit agency that flew under the radar. They hired me to get them noticed. When I did, it quickly became obvious that the operations side was not prepared to handle the resulting increase in clients, which led to disappointment all around.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:11.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/11.0','',0,0),(1558,61,'I\'d prefer not to give my name!','anonymous@aol.com','','173.75.220.144','2012-07-10 23:13:09','2012-07-10 23:13:09','Here\'s the genius behind Pepco\'s advertising: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marybethvrees?trk=pub-pbmap\r\n\r\nBy the look of her resume, her biggest client is herself.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_5_8) AppleWebKit/534.50.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.6 Safari/533.22.3','',0,0),(1666,1791,'Michele','michele@prview.com','','24.196.3.42','2012-08-13 19:01:52','2012-08-13 19:01:52','Hi Deborah,\r\n\r\nIf you head back to Hagerstown, there is a fun event this Saturday at the REEDS Jewelers at Valley Mall!  http://www.marylandlife.com/events/pandora-launch-party/',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1) AppleWebKit/537.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/21.0.1180.75 Safari/537.1','',0,0),(1517,1720,'Andrew McLuhan','ideasynch@yahoo.ca','http://inscriptorium.wordpress.com','184.151.61.1','2012-06-22 19:51:25','2012-06-22 19:51:25','Unfortunately, Wikipedia has it very wrong. They\'ve published someone\'s (the popular) misinterpretation of what Marshall McLuhan meant when he stated (actually as early as 1958) \'the medium is the message\'.\r\nTo understand what that phrase means, your best bet is to turn to \'Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man\' where McLuhan explains (in the beginning of the first chapter):\r\n\"In a culture like ours, long accustomed to splitting and dividing all things as a means of control, it is sometimes a bit of a shock to be reminded that, in operational and practical fact, the medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium-- that is, of any extension of ourselves -- result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.\"\r\n\r\nNothing there about the medium affecting the content, or message. He\'s saying that the important thing to note about a medium (its message) is not the content it carries, but the effect this medium has on us, on society.\r\n\r\nRespectfully,\r\n\r\nAndrew',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.6; rv:13.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/13.0.1','',0,0),(1344,1680,'Breanne','breannethomlison@hotmail.com','','108.29.95.8','2012-04-30 21:16:58','2012-04-30 21:16:58','Well put Deborah. I haven\'t seen a posting like this and it opened my eyes to those I follow and how I\'m tweeting. Regarding, how far is to far? Perhaps a little common sense when using these platforms to self promote and from a healthcare PR perspective, it\'s all about a fair and balanced approach!\r\n\r\nCheers, Breanne\r\n@BreanneMT',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_7_3) AppleWebKit/535.19 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/18.0.1025.165 Safari/535.19','',0,0),(1301,1665,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','200.12.57.220','2012-04-14 14:38:00','2012-04-14 14:38:00','Fabulous additions Lawrence! Thanks so much. I wish there were a way of tweeting out just your comment.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:11.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/11.0','',1297,1),(1232,1642,'April Finnen','aprilfinnen@yahoo.com','http://onepersonshop.com/','20.137.18.53','2012-03-23 12:58:38','2012-03-23 12:58:38','Great post. Persistence and, to an extent, predictability, are vital. Building a loyal following requires a tolerance for silence--just because people don\'t speak up by commenting on your blog or telling you they like something, doesn\'t mean they\'ve checked out. Optimism is a great ally.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:11.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/11.0','',0,0),(1233,1642,'Deborah Brody','deborahb@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.54.78','2012-03-23 13:20:36','2012-03-23 13:20:36','Hi April,\r\nPersistence and predictability do help your momentum. And yes, realizing that silence is not always equal to passivity is important. However, not all silence is created equal. If I call you, and I don\'t hear from you back ever, I can only assume you are not interested in my business (or that you have been abducted by aliens).',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:5.0.1) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/5.0.1','',0,1),(1406,1684,'Me, We and You | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/me-we-and-you/','50.116.97.149','2012-05-09 12:54:51','2012-05-09 12:54:51','[...] &nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;No Comments   At the women&#8217;s conference I referenced on Monday&#8217;s post, the organizer was also the emcee. She introduced the keynote speaker like [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.3.1','pingback',0,0),(1499,1717,'Who should handle your Twitter feed? | Deborah Brody Marketing &#8230; | The Communications Site','','http://communicationsnetwork.info/who-should-handle-your-twitter-feed-deborah-brody-marketing','50.97.97.33','2012-06-13 16:35:12','2012-06-13 16:35:12','[...] Print this entry [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.2.1','pingback',0,0),(1297,1665,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizard.com','99.237.168.27','2012-04-13 19:17:13','2012-04-13 19:17:13','I too love matza and jelly (together or separately!) It\'s what gets me going in the morning!\r\n\r\nBut here\'s some more \"Passover Lessons\"\r\n\r\n1) There\'s such a thing as too much\r\nBy the end of Passover, I\'m glad that the matza is put away, because, by the end of week, everything in the house smells and tastes of it (or of matza meal). The matzas. The matza balls in the soup. The cake and cake mixes. The... (you get the picture). Too much of a (good) thin in too short a time span = burnout.\r\n\r\n2) It\'s only truly special when it\'s rare.\r\nYou could eat hardboiled eggs in salt water at any time of the year, right? (For those who have never been to a Passover Seder, it\'s a tradional part of the meal). But who does? Nobody. Yet it\'s a central part of many people\'s memories of the Seder and Passover. It happens once a year and isn\'t repeated throughout the year, losing it\'s \"oomph\".\r\n\r\nIf you\'re going to have a sale or a special event--don\'t do it over and over again throughtout the year.\r\n\r\n3) There are many ways to achieve the same goal.\r\nAnother tradional food is charoset, which reminds us of the mortart used in making bricks. The recipes used by Ashkenazic (European) and Separdic (Middle Eastern) Jews are quite different--but the result is the same. A sweet condiment to be eaten with bitter herbs (and anything else over the week).\r\n\r\nLawrence\r\n(hmm...I think it\'s time for a snack....)',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:11.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/11.0','',0,0),(2402,2044,'Not everything is as it seems | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/not-everything-is-as-it-seems/','50.116.97.149','2013-02-12 14:02:48','2013-02-12 14:02:48','[...] I wrote about the need to work with experts. Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.5.1','pingback',0,0),(5707,2260,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-07-11 13:36:23','2013-07-11 13:36:23','Just shared a post about how brands yes should develop new customers, but never at the expense of the current ones. How often do small businesses get this wrong - some half baked CTA that excludes and alienates their most loyal (and profitable) ones. Wrong. Yes have deals for new biz; give a good impression, but always have programs designed to reward and grow the business of faithful fans. And WORD on making sure it\'s truly a special offer; nothing will kill a relationship faster than when they spot a markup or a bait-and-switch. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.71 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(5708,2260,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-07-11 13:43:07','2013-07-11 13:43:07','Davina,\r\nRight you are! Most businesses fail to see the impact on existing customers when they focus solely on new customers. Special offers have to be crafted properly and communicated well. \r\nThanks for your comments.\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(5709,2255,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-07-11 13:45:26','2013-07-11 13:45:26','Davina,\r\nAbsolutely--responding alone is not enough. If you want to use communications to grow your brand you should communicate issues to the people in a position to fix those issues! Simply responding to a customer will only fix part of the problem.\r\nThanks for your insight and I love that Ogilvy quote!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(6042,2270,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://www.accounting-wizarrd.com','64.231.179.126','2013-07-22 16:53:05','2013-07-22 16:53:05','Endorsements bug me. They\'re the zipless you-know-what of LinkedIn. Recommendations required that the writer actually know you, have worked with you, and had something to say (and took the time to write something up); they weren\'t easy to create or earn.\r\n\r\nAnd yes, the generic invites bug me too. If you want to be added to my contacts list, the least you could do is personalize the reason and let me know HOW you know me (if we\'re not old friends/colleagues) or why I should add you to my connections (like \"so and so said we should be connected\").',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,0),(2015,1857,'J.C. Kendall','jonathan@tekpersona.com','http://www.tekpersona.ca','174.79.247.4','2012-12-07 22:31:24','2012-12-07 22:31:24','Amen, Deborah. Thanks for the pingback. Been sort of a whirlwind since that article was published. Kinda sad to see that for some what I said and what you confirmed, is somewhat of a surprise to some. Anyway, thank you for the piece.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.21 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/25.0.1349.2 Safari/537.21 AlexaToolbar/alxg-3.1','',0,0),(2256,2000,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-01-23 16:02:35','2013-01-23 16:02:35','Hi Daria,\r\nThanks for commenting. \r\n\r\nThe tweets I referenced were wholly intended for a US audience. When you have 1.1 million tweets about one event it is a safe assumption to make that many (if not most people) are paying attention to that. The analogy I would draw is one from my earlier days in PR. I was working on a promoting a press conference about an event when the Elian Gonzalez story broke (the Cuban boy who was in the US and ultimately sent back to Cuba). There was simply not going to be a single camera available to cover our story. We had to reschedule. You can\'t compete with major events, and you shouldn\'t try.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:15.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/15.0','',0,4),(2037,1929,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2012-12-17 14:22:18','2012-12-17 14:22:18','Thanks for your comments. My post said clearly that this is about BUSINESS greetings. Of course there is no Hanukkah tree, which is why you call it a Christmas tree, and no one is quibbling with that. Although you are correct that there are only a couple holidays at the end of the year, by wishing Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas you are acknowledging diversity of practice and belief, while still being thoughtful.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:15.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/15.0','',0,4),(2035,1929,'Kelly','kellykaufmann@gmail.com','','108.88.214.25','2012-12-16 23:48:12','2012-12-16 23:48:12','Putting up a \'holiday tree\' is so frustrating - Jews don\'t have a \'Chanukah tree\'! So just call it what it is - a Christmas tree! And this week they were singing \'holiday music\' in my office cafeteria - but the songs were all \'oh christmas tree\' etc - just call it what it is and quit pretending like saying \'holiday\' is inclusive of all religions (since only 2 religions actually have holidays this time of year, OK 3 with pagens) unless in August you are going to say \'Happy Holidays\' to the Muslims, or basically every month except November &amp; December &amp; January saying \'Happy Holidays\' to the hindus (http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/holidays.htm) and have office \'holiday parties\' in other months too. Calling it a \'holiday party\' or wishing \'happy holidays\' can be construed as saying these are the only holidays that exist and minimizing the recognition of religions that don\'t celebrate holidays at this time of the year. So.....Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:17.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/17.0','',0,0),(2038,1950,'John Moore','jdmoore64@gmail.com','http://www.johndmoore.biz','71.126.152.27','2012-12-18 00:23:45','2012-12-18 00:23:45','I am not saying I am a complete control freak, but I like to have a moderate amount of it.  I do, however want as much control over my websites and it\'s content.  I will NOT give up my url for a FB page.  As you mentioned it ruined one website.  I am not about to go in that direction.\r\nYes, I use Gmail and Yahoo mail for almost every email I send and receive, but this is for economical purposes.  The day will come when I have that too.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:17.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/17.0','',0,0),(5967,2270,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-07-20 19:11:05','2013-07-20 19:11:05','The mobile apps mess up #1 - one touch and the generic is sent, there\'s no pause or chance to edit; hate that. As for endorsements, it\'s the gamification of LI (see also, K). I made up a bogus category but really, I\'m not approving any except from those who know for real. AND I\'m considering opting out of them all together. \r\n\r\nMy other 2 peeves go hand in hand; using social rather than being social. First, participating in groups and what not.. only to post your own links. Second, the random LI invite from total strangers w/ zero basis. Just b/c I want to network doesn\'t mean any and everyone. If we\'ve never crossed paths, follow my Twitter, read my blog, etc. But if you\'re in a place we\'ll never meet, an industry I\'d likely never work for, aren\'t looking for anything more than vanity numbers and/or people to spam as you look to get jobs or sell crap.. that is NOT networking, NOT social. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.71 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(2272,2008,'Jaclyn','jwschiff@gmail.com','','50.151.205.132','2013-01-26 00:48:28','2013-01-26 00:48:28','Smart idea! I am sure it will be a good workshop',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:18.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/18.0','',0,0),(6174,2290,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-07-25 15:05:55','2013-07-25 15:05:55','Sometimes I get flack for the \"Southern manners\" thing but I\'m like, NO that\'s not it. \"Please, thank you, yes ma\'am, no sir,\" - that\'s courtesy, common the world over. Or at least it used to be. Some want to blame social media and technology but it\'s we ourselves did that. On the professional side - that\'s one of my red flags. My emails and proposals, hell even my list of questions, there is great value and strategic advice in those. If they won\'t even be dignified w/ a response, it\'s not worth my time. \r\n\r\nNever used it, but heard mixed things about Angie\'s List. Sounds like they aren\'t honoring the Can Spam opt out. Shame b/c customer service is often THE difference maker. It\'s not the mistakes brands make - it\'s what they do to fix them that can often keep your business. \r\n\r\nThe stories I could tell about the blogging, drafts I deleted over the years. FWIW I am still trying to find that groove, make myself commit to the work, my business and career. In the end, I think the writing only helps w/ that.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.71 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(19661,2587,'Carrie Morgan','morgan@rockthestatusquo.com','http://rockthestatusquo.com','68.231.6.40','2014-05-05 17:46:00','2014-05-05 17:46:00','I share your frustration! It\'s appalling how many don\'t bother to customize their LinkedIn invitation at all - even marketing pros! \r\n\r\nTake the five seconds to change that text, people! I will connect with them, but the ones that customize are the ones that I take time to engage with - assuming it isn\'t a sales pitch.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/34.0.1847.131 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(8886,2397,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-10-31 18:20:27','2013-10-31 18:20:27','The line I think between blog and many other media sites has blurred, but to this excellent list I\'ll add a few FWIW:\r\n\r\n-It both educates and entertains. We can go anywhere for facts, perspective so that\'s what I read (and try to write). \r\n-The community is strong. Both the blog host and the others in the discussion are there for me than \"good post\" and \'here\'s what I wrote link bait\' - they aren\'t just doing social, they are social.\r\n-It\'s real, practical, approachable. I read so much that\'s just \'content\' and wonder how did that run on LI or HBR or one of the bigger SM sites? You and I\'ve written better. Too many blogs are either too light, barely touch the surface; too much choir preaching to the kool-aid drinkers (seen it on a few of the few corporate blogs/social profiles I follow); just not enough \'there\' there.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/30.0.1599.101 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(8888,2397,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2013-10-31 19:13:50','2013-10-31 19:13:50','Hi Davina,\r\n\r\nGreat additions--agree that it should be entertaining and have its own perspective. Strong community is a good one, although that could take a while to build, even though a blog is good. \r\n\r\nThanks as always for your insight!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:24.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/24.0','',8886,4),(5206,2237,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-06-20 23:29:01','2013-06-20 23:29:01','Like anything else, it takes a plan that\'s more than \'build it, they will come.\' You can\'t toss up the same sales pitch rigamarole and expect it to gain traction; you have to earn it by matching your goals to the audience, what\'s in it for them. And they are spot-on in terms of mobile and that will only get more important. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/27.0.1453.116 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(5705,2255,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-07-11 13:26:51','2013-07-11 13:26:51','Think it\'s an Ogilvy quote - good marketing makes bad products fail faster. What\'s a challenge for folks like us is convincing TPTB that we\'re the ones who can use Communications (hello PR!) to talk to customers, to fix the problems AND find the opportunities; which then will fix the brand experience, then give us something worth talking about. Hotels are in that position to read all that free feedback on Yelp, TripAdvisor; I know I leave my 2 cents all the time. Shame these brands don\'t always invest in doing more than just being seen responding to those comments. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.71 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(5233,2237,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-06-21 19:02:51','2013-06-21 19:02:51','Hi Davina, \r\nIt was a good session, and yes, you are absolutely right, you have to earn your audience\'s interest and engagement by providing the right content.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:21.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/21.0','',5206,4),(4779,2212,'Stu Opperman, APR','stu@impactplayers.com','http://impactplayers.com','65.8.201.219','2013-06-06 15:17:48','2013-06-06 15:17:48','Businesses that try to get new clients, or even a audience with potential contacts, by deception should instead should put the same time and effort into providing a real service that benefits they specific audience they seek.  If they are unwilling or unable to do that, its time to find a new career.  Scammers, shell games, and the non-transparent never last.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/27.0.1453.110 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(3322,2125,'Lisa Harris','lisaharrispr@bellsouth.net','http://www.pepatocreative.com','146.126.51.51','2013-04-16 13:54:51','2013-04-16 13:54:51','I think the endless re-tweeting is a problem. I figure my followers @alabamabluedot (which, I admit, are few) probably already get the same news I do. Why should I re-tweet an AP story or an uninformed hunch? The purpose of a re-tweet is to share something with my followers. I don\'t see any value in using that for common news. It clogs up the feed anyway.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.31 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/26.0.1410.64 Safari/537.31','',0,0),(5789,2270,'Tracy Rotton','tracy@taupecat.com','http://www.taupecat.com','198.207.29.34','2013-07-15 17:40:21','2013-07-15 17:40:21','Biggest pet peeve with LinkedIn: recruiters constantly trying to \"friend\" me.  Seriously, connecting is only for people who know each other.  I don\'t mind recruiters sending me all the email they want (sure I want to ditch my permanent job in the place I love to come work for your startup in South Dakota on a 3 month contract…), but stop trying to \"friend\" me!  We\'ve never met, ergo we cannot possibly be friends at this moment in time. #EndRant',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_8_4) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.71 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(5790,2270,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-07-15 17:55:29','2013-07-15 17:55:29','Tracy, yes! That\'s a common one too. I would connect if they told me why, but often, they just send a generic invite. I had one recruiter attempt to (generically) LinkIn, then leave a message on my voice mail, then send an email. And it was for me to use her to hire someone, not for her to try to place me.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(5791,2270,'Serenety','serenety@thesocialshack.com','','68.100.37.222','2013-07-15 19:50:22','2013-07-15 19:50:22','Yes! #1 drives me crazy! If someone wants to take the time to connect, could they be so kind as to remind you how/why you know each other. It\'s to the point that I simply ignore generic invitations.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.2; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.72 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(5792,2270,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-07-15 20:03:00','2013-07-15 20:03:00','Serenety, I am with you! I also don\'t respond to generic invitations (unless it is someone I do know).',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',5791,4),(8862,2381,'What makes for a great blog? | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/what-makes-for-a-great-blog/','192.232.223.54','2013-10-30 14:34:48','2013-10-30 14:34:48','[&#8230;] Findable (not only on by search but also on your main website) [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6.1','pingback',0,0),(8254,2369,'Lisa','Lisa@bigleapcreative.com','http://Www.bigleapcreative.com','166.147.88.19','2013-10-11 21:32:44','2013-10-11 21:32:44','I agree with your statement that it isn\'t overtly partisan. So I don\'t see it as a risk. I think it\'s a good move because it ties in with Starbucks message of coming together. Over coffee. :)',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/11A465','',0,0),(8262,2369,'Steve','Smckee@mwcmail.com','','68.42.41.61','2013-10-12 02:20:27','2013-10-12 02:20:27','I saw it last night and thought it was a thinly-veiled partisan statement. Apparently I wasn\'t alone because the comments seemed to be roughly 2-1 against. Starbucks can do anything it wants, but my counsel would be to stay out of it--or at least ensure that it\'s completely non partisan.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/11A501 [FBAN/FBIOS;FBAV/6.5.1;FBBV/377040;FBDV/iPhone5,1;FBMD/iPhone;FBSN/iPhone OS;FBSV/7.0.2;FBSS/2; FBCR/AT&T;FBID/phone;FBLC/en_US;FBOP/5]','',0,0),(8178,2362,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2013-10-09 11:05:36','2013-10-09 11:05:36','Hi Brad,\r\n\r\nExactly! That reminds me of a laundromat on Miami Beach that was attached to a bar...drink while you do laundry. Somehow, I bet that concept worked out better than the Tide smelling froyo.If you drink enough, everything spins anyway.\r\n\r\nThanks for weighing in!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:24.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/24.0','',8168,4),(8168,2362,'Brad Phillips','contact@mrmediatraining.com','http://www.MrMediaTraining.com','12.189.155.98','2013-10-09 02:04:24','2013-10-09 02:04:24','Deborah,\r\n\r\nYou\'re right that having a point of differentiation isn\'t enough. The underlying concept, offering, and execution has to meet a certain standard before the point of differentiation really comes into play. \r\n\r\nAs an example, I often think about a store that opened while I was a college student in Tucson. It was a yogurt shop/self-service laundromat. The concept was that while you waited for your laundry to finish, you might want some frozen yogurt while you waited. \r\n\r\nThe problem? The place wasn\'t particularly clean and reeked of lint. I don\'t care how good your oreo yogurt is - if I\'m smelling detergent while I\'m eating it, your point of differentiation just doesn\'t matter much.\r\n\r\nThanks for the post,\r\nBrad',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:24.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/24.0','',0,0),(4927,2212,'Too much info or too little? | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/too-much-info-or-too-little/','192.232.223.55','2013-06-11 13:15:28','2013-06-11 13:15:28','[...] There is no context for the contact. Read my post &#8220;How to write a contact email.&#8221; [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.5.1','pingback',0,0),(6178,2290,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-07-25 16:49:13','2013-07-25 16:49:13','Davina,\r\nThanks for that! Of course, we are to blame for the lack of courtesy, because we aren\'t making it a priority. People hide behind tech and busyness, but what they are doing is ruining the personal relationships you need to actually get somewhere in life. As to writing blog posts, yes, it helps to get in the groove of it, but sometimes you just do it, even if you end up with a random post like the one above!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',6174,4),(7789,2338,'Akilah','Akzmedesigns@gmail.com','http://akzmedesigns.com','69.118.154.22','2013-09-24 11:02:19','2013-09-24 11:02:19','Great recap and thanks for including me. I went to most of the same sessions and you pulled out some great points from the sessions. \r\n\r\nMy favorite session of the day, podcasting.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/11A465','',0,0),(7790,2338,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2013-09-24 11:21:12','2013-09-24 11:21:12','Hi Akilah,\r\nThanks to you for your presentation. I loved the the Tweet Old Posts recommendation. I will have to implement that. \r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:23.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/23.0','',7789,4),(21294,2539,'Take some Twitter advice from Biz Stone | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/take-some-twitter-advice-from-biz-stone/','192.232.223.54','2014-06-02 20:47:13','2014-06-02 20:47:13','[&#8230;] This is why robo-tweeting, as I discussed a few weeks back, doesn&#8217;t work. This is why humble-bragging and endless [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6.1','pingback',0,0),(23076,2013,'MD Smith','md@mdwordsmith.com','http://mdwordsmith.com','50.190.39.232','2014-07-09 14:58:56','2014-07-09 14:58:56','Forgive me, am I looking in the wrong place for the Print/PDF button? I want to hang this above my desk as I build my own sites. Thank you!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.8; rv:30.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/30.0','',0,0),(23078,2013,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-07-09 15:49:46','2014-07-09 15:49:46','Hi there, thanks for noticing this glitch! It\'s been corrected, and you should see both the PDF and print icons at the bottom of the post.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:30.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/30.0','',23076,4),(22044,2646,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-06-19 13:49:41','2014-06-19 13:49:41','I still like Clinique, though I\'ve never been so in love with any product as to mourn it when it\'s gone. Everyone will of course have their own experiences. Now I\'ve thought OPI needs to have a \'request\' line or do a \'customer favorite\' poll as there has been one or two shades of nail polish from a \'special release\' that I\'ve never found and wanted to buy. \r\n\r\nNo, don\'t take it down... it\'s a good example of long-tail. That\'s something my blog really needs, yet another reason I\'m being so slow in my transition to a full WordPress site. When I finally settle on a theme I can DIY, I don\'t want to mess up my directory, don\'t want to lose what little juju I get from incoming links. :) FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_3) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.153 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(22046,2652,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-06-19 14:04:30','2014-06-19 14:04:30','Gonna 1) totally agree w/ these. (I could do them all, but won\'t.) I hate the lack of response (though I do expect patience to some degree). Nothing annoys me when I get a solicitation from a would be prospect and they want me to quote $ and results w/out answering a single question. I just tweeted a post about the HR fail of not replying to applicants, even w/ a form email \'no.\' \r\n\r\nNow 2) I\'m gonna flip it around a bit. I make bad impressions - not by being late or rude - but by being me, by being transparent, WYSIWYG. Like w/ your COC experience, I don\'t \'present\' well b/c I am a solo consultant one\'s that struggled. I\'m judged and dismissed b/c I don\'t have the trappings of \"success,\" never have. Whether looking for clients or a applying for a job in-house, my experience w/ my small business clients is deemed \"small,\" my struggles a failure. Yes much of that\'s on me but at the same time, leaves a bad impression when I see people judged and pigeon-holed in this way. Everyone makes mistakes even tells questionable \'jokes\' from time to time, but that doesn\'t make them less. We\'re all more than our job titles or companies or the tweets we share; IDK I\'m guess I\'m saying we need to make good first impressions, but we also need maybe a little benefit of the doubt, a grace period too. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_3) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.153 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(21794,2639,'Yes, blogging helps you get found | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/yes-blogging-helps-you-get-found/','192.232.223.54','2014-06-12 20:02:55','2014-06-12 20:02:55','[&#8230;] couple of days ago I wrote a post called Is Blogging Dead? My answer is no, emphatically, blogging is not dead. My chief reason for believing this is that [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.9.1','pingback',0,0),(7818,2346,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-09-25 15:32:48','2013-09-25 15:32:48','The key is the REGULAR maintenance, not to go into \'set and forget it\' mode. Testing the plugins, the widgets, the Analytics (on my to do list that never seems to get done enough) is all part of it; blogging is a marathon, a continual experiment so there will always be little tweaks needed. Part of staying up to date is make sure your site works for mobile (another thing I need to do), watch trends, see what new tools can help you - but don\'t overload on new and shiny, look at how/when people view/share your blog and optimize accordingly. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/29.0.1547.76 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(6758,2302,'When customer service and marketing conflict | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/when-customer-service-and-marketing-conflict/','192.232.223.54','2013-08-14 13:28:36','2013-08-14 13:28:36','[...] I wrote about how important email marketing has become to retailers. Yesterday afternoon, I found out first-hand that email marketing has become far more important to [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.5.2','pingback',0,0),(6766,2306,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-08-14 17:16:36','2013-08-14 17:16:36','Hi Davina,\r\nNo doubt there is a lack of communication and training going on here, but I also think there is an issue of how sales is measured (how many emails did you collect, how many store credit cards did you sign people up for, etc.) Sales associates are being given certain goals and they are not being taught that keeping customers happy is also a goal.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(6760,2300,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-08-14 16:20:26','2013-08-14 16:20:26','Nicole is one smart woman; I do that all the time, even sometimes flipping the beginning and end paragraphs. The conclusion we build towards, sometimes it\'s a much better attention getter and will make a strong point as an opening that draws readers into the post or story. Edit, reviewing and taking the break are musts; reading other things in between may also help you come at something with fresh eyes.\r\n\r\nLet\'s see. I let things sit, and I think about how people read: they scan. They read the heads, the pullout quotes, the captions. I look at the transitions and section breaks, I think about the graphics and how all that goes into it, how the bolded and bulleted parts are more likely to get read; so I make sure that\'s where to make my points. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.95 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(6764,2300,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-08-14 17:14:27','2013-08-14 17:14:27','Hi Davina,\r\nIsn\'t great that we can change whole paragraphs around with a couple of clicks? Can you imagine what editing must have been like back in the pre-word processor days? Finding a punchy sentence or paragraph is a great tip.\r\nThanks!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',6760,4),(6763,2306,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-08-14 17:08:43','2013-08-14 17:08:43','All the Rs need to work together. CRM, HR, IR, MR .. maybe the P in PR should be Publics Relations. Both of these were communications issues, operating independently; and the in-store team didn\'t get the \'good customer service is good marketing\' memo. Shame that the PR/Communications training only goes so far, that employees aren\'t empowered to do anything but stick to the script, the rules. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.95 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(6728,2300,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-08-12 21:20:21','2013-08-12 21:20:21','Hi Ibrahim,\r\nCertainly, it is always best to have someone else look at your writing, but sometimes that is not possible. That\'s the point of having ways of checking your own stuff.\r\nThanks for your comment,\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(6726,2300,'ibrahim','ibrahimtudu@yahoo.com','http://myzamfaraonline.net','196.46.245.29','2013-08-12 19:44:23','2013-08-12 19:44:23','You can also save yourself some editing headache by passing it to a friend, teacher, wife or group to look at it for you.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.95 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(6721,2300,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.241.32.212','2013-08-12 12:57:25','2013-08-12 12:57:25','Hi Nicole,\r\nThank you! What an interesting tip. It is important to make sure your flow is good.\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:22.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/22.0','',0,4),(6720,2300,'Nicole','nicoleerleblanc@gmail.com','','24.222.47.171','2013-08-12 12:04:05','2013-08-12 12:04:05','I find it helps to read your piece backwards- starting from the last paragraph to the top- it sets a different frame for your own words.\r\n\r\ngreat tips, thanks! :)',0,'1','Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; Media Center PC 6.0; MS-RTC LM 8; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET4.0C)','',0,0),(7161,2255,'Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.) | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/where-is-the-soap-dish-or-why-ux-is-important/','192.232.223.54','2013-08-27 13:51:30','2013-08-27 13:51:30','[...] weeks ago, I told you all about the awful experience that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things [...]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.5.2','pingback',0,0),(11734,2431,'Claire @ The Talk of Manchester','clairebryant@outlook.com','http://www.thetalkofmanchester.co.uk','86.185.120.227','2013-12-09 15:52:02','2013-12-09 15:52:02','Networking is definitely something that you have to put the effort in to reap the benefits but if done right it is something that could be core to your businesses success.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_0) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/31.0.1650.63 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(11735,2431,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2013-12-09 15:54:54','2013-12-09 15:54:54','Absolutely right Claire! It is about business success (and personal success too). Thanks for reading.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:25.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/25.0','',0,4),(11752,2431,'Brad Phillips','contact@mrmediatraining.com','http://www.MrMediaTraining.com','47.21.235.78','2013-12-09 19:46:54','2013-12-09 19:46:54','Deborah, \r\n\r\nYou\'re absolutely right. I try hard to be in the third (and \"correct\" category - but I have to admit that at times, I get so busy that my networking skills lag behind where I\'d like them to be. A good goal for 2013!\r\n\r\nThanks for the great post.\r\n\r\nBrad Phillips',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:25.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/25.0','',0,0),(11753,2431,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2013-12-09 20:01:05','2013-12-09 20:01:05','Brad,\r\nThanks for reading! You are so active on social media and often interact with people there. That\'s a very valuable part of networking today. That said, it is always a good goal to devote more time to in-person networking. I found being on a board/committee the best way to get to know people.\r\n\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:25.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/25.0','',11752,4),(22405,2660,'Brad Phillips','contact@mrmediatraining.com','http://www.MrMediaTraining.com','74.101.26.51','2014-06-27 02:54:54','2014-06-27 02:54:54','Good post, Deborah, and a good example of the tale of two contrasting yoga instructors. \r\n\r\nOne thought occurred to me: Are spammers really \"mass marketers?\" I\'m thinking I\'ll refer to them merely as spammers from now on so I don\'t lump them in with people doing more honest mass marketing (e.g. a television advertisement on a network program that appeals to many demographic groups). \r\n\r\nKeep up the great work!\r\nBrad',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:30.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/30.0','',0,0),(19051,2581,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-04-24 14:55:29','2014-04-24 14:55:29','Had a similar discussion today, on the overuse of !!! in content. It\'s lazy and cheap, this Buzzfeed (yeah, I\'ve been down that rabbit hole a few times) or worse, Upworthy (which somehow I luckily miss most of it) style of what I call linkbait and switch. It\'s promising something life-changing or amazing, then pulling the rug. Heck, every time an airline I\'ve \'liked\' runs a new post (read: blatant advertisement) on FB hyping it\'s new sale fares, they get nailed in the comments. Because it\'s one route no one wants at a discount, the rest.. not so salesy. \r\n\r\nWhat annoys me more than the marketing crap, have to admit, are the \'media\' sites doing this for ads and eyeballs. HP was famous for keyword stuffing; others have been on this click click whoring gallery binge. But most are just this: the promise of something new and interesting that\'s a clever headline and nothing more but a blurb, then maybe a link to someone else\'s \'real\' story. ugh. I hate it too, that \'there\'s 3 minutes of my life I\'ll never get back\' feeling. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/34.0.1847.116 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(19054,2581,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-04-24 16:37:27','2014-04-24 16:37:27','Hi Davina,\r\nYes, media sites/websites are all looking for eyeballs. They don\'t seem to care whether those eyeballs ever return though. You can be hoodwinked once or twice, but more? \r\nThanks for sharing!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:28.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/28.0','',19051,4),(10032,2408,'Mark W Schaefer','m_rialta@yahoo.com','http://www.businessesgrow.com/blog','68.114.146.64','2013-11-15 10:59:48','2013-11-15 10:59:48','Thanks for continuing the dialogue on this topic Deborah! Appreciate your insights.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.2; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/30.0.1599.101 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(7487,2327,'Kireet','kireet@feedly.com','http://feedly.com','24.184.69.45','2013-09-10 15:43:59','2013-09-10 15:43:59','Sorry you are having issues getting your blog content in Feedly. I have checked your feed, which we have in the system as http://deborahbrody.com/feed/. The articles seem up to date as of now (except for this one, which will be pulled in on the next poll). in general, your blog content should be updated in Feedly within a few hours. The next time you see a longer delay of days, please contact me directly.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_7_5) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/29.0.1547.65 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(7505,2327,'Before you send that email&#8230; | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/before-you-send-that-email/','192.232.223.54','2013-09-11 14:57:51','2013-09-11 14:57:51','[&#8230;] you read yesterday, this blog&#8217;s feed was not appearing in Feedly. I wrote Feedly and I got an automated response [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6','pingback',0,0),(7506,2327,'Woody Williams','woody.williams@gmail.com','','50.131.253.145','2013-09-11 15:31:39','2013-09-11 15:31:39','It\'s encouraging to see Feedly\'s rapid response to your problem, which probably wasn\'t affecting only you :p\r\n\r\nI\'m interested in knowing if their fix remedied the issue? Inquiring minds want to know.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Android; Tablet; rv:23.0) Gecko/23.0 Firefox/23.0','',0,0),(7507,2327,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','200.12.57.220','2013-09-11 15:57:26','2013-09-11 15:57:26','Hi Woody,\r\nThanks for checking in! Yes it is encouraging, and it seems to be partially fixed, although I have yet to see today\'s post appear in my Feedly. I am not sure why this happened or how it is being seen on other readers or by other people.\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:23.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/23.0','',7506,4),(7513,2327,'Kireet','kireet@feedly.com','http://feedly.com','24.184.69.45','2013-09-12 01:12:55','2013-09-12 01:12:55','The latest post has made it into our system. The rate at which your feed will be polled is influenced by a number of factors. The surest way to guarantee faster polling is to sign up for a pro account and subscribe to your feed. That is totally up to you, in any case your feed should be updated in Feedly within a few hours of posting. Please contact us if you see any longer delay than that. Thanks!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_7_5) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/29.0.1547.65 Safari/537.36','',7507,0),(7523,2327,'Self-monitor or &#8230;. | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/self-monitor-or/','192.232.223.54','2013-09-12 14:52:56','2013-09-12 14:52:56','[&#8230;] when it does. This is how I knew there was a problem with Feedly and my blog feed (detailed in this post&#8211;read the comments please). I subscribe to my blog via email too, to make sure Feedburner is operating as it [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6.1','pingback',0,0),(7525,2330,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-09-12 16:19:01','2013-09-12 16:19:01','Years ago, a colleague of mine had a company sign off on proofs, printing for a brochure - only the company name was wrong. They\'d been signing off on proofs many steps along the way, the mistake never caught until it printed. I\'ve been there, we all have - clients send you the wrong dates, the wrong spellings, expect you to fix their mistakes or just intuit their true meaning (sometimes whilst not paying you to do review/edit, just to \'do\' .. eye roll). \r\n\r\nI read and reread my emails, my blog comments, almost anything. Typos are so hard in this fast, fast get it done in 2 minutes world. Harder to check your own work, even the obvious can slip past you. Harder to make sure your meaning is clear. Like anything else, at best you appear careless, sloppy when you mess up; at worst you miss a key opportunity, offend your best customer or lose that perfect hire. Then worse gets worse, when your dirty laundry goes public, goes social - damaging your brand reputation and you have to invest in damage control rather than building your biz. So, check - then check again. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/29.0.1547.65 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(7526,2330,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','200.12.57.220','2013-09-12 17:40:30','2013-09-12 17:40:30','Hi Davina,\r\nWe are human and mistakes get made, BUT, some are more preventable than others. It seems many are just not trying hard enough. It is one thing to have one typo/mistake and another to have emails full of them, or many times in a row. I agree, check it and have others check it. \r\nCheers!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:23.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/23.0','',7525,4),(10780,2408,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2013-11-22 17:01:48','2013-11-22 17:01:48','I\'ve written about it before - there are some benefits of being behind a keyboard. We\'re more confident, more comfortable than we are in person, sometimes more engaging; I know I am. Then there\'s the anonymity factor -  I.E. I\'m on several message boards w/ a handle... not sure I\'d be comfortable with my name on my TripAdvisor. Not that I\'m writing anything wrong, but more an issue of safety, privacy.\r\n\r\nThen there\'s the dark side of society that attacks, judges without thinking. Throw in the anonymity w/ that lot, like on Twitter or Yahoo!News comments, and it\'s the worst. The trolls, the pot stirrers making it bad for the rest of us.\r\n\r\nThere are times I think, if I am too careful too cautious, then how am I being \'authentic\'? but oh wait, what if - gasp! - I share an opinion that might - the horror! - be a little silly, snarky or offensive, not 110% politically, socially correct the world over??!! Do I risk my career or run of my friends?! ;-) IDK most of the issues I\'ve read have been, not so much the \'face to face\' issue as it has been \'the truth is out\' and they realize you aren\'t \'who they thought you were.\'\r\n\r\nDon\'t misunderstand - I totally agree w/ you. We need better manners, we need to be more tolerant and accepting of others, of different personalities and viewpoints and celebrity hairstyles and everything else. We need to remember -- online AND face-to-face --  it\'s a real person w/ feelings on the other side of the conversation; that they may have a different view point than you; and that\'s OK. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/31.0.1650.57 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(23108,2665,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-07-10 16:19:49','2014-07-10 16:19:49','Pop Ups! Hate them - ads, subscription boxes, download the free crap - don\'t care what they\'re for, they almost always make me bounce right away. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_4) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.153 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(23112,2665,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-07-10 18:02:31','2014-07-10 18:02:31','Yes! Pop ups are a huge turn-off. I visited one website that had not one but two sign-ups pop up before I could even get to read the content. Closed and left! Thanks for commenting.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:30.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/30.0','',0,4),(20099,2587,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-05-13 17:31:03','2014-05-13 17:31:03','The mobile apps don\'t allow customization. Once a socially or even business savvy networker learns this.. then yeah, customize. My latest set of LI \'rules\' highlighted some of the responses I get when I take the time to follow up to these generic invites, to ask how we know each other and why we should connect (or friend on FB). I share your frustrations, esp. when I get those \"I want to send you an ocean of love\" requests (yes, on LinkedIn.. not kidding). \r\n\r\nYou\'re right - and the people who need to read these kind of tips and tricks posts don\'t. Just because you can attach 34 pictures to one email that doesn\'t mean you should; some people don\'t know (or care) that there are more technically savvy and frankly, digitally courteous ways to share all those pictures. Like anything else, there\'s a learning curve and we need to take the time to think about what we do - online and off. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/34.0.1847.131 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(20102,2600,'Lori','crowecommunications@gmail.com','','70.192.207.238','2014-05-13 18:52:42','2014-05-13 18:52:42','Great post, Deborah!  I love how you took a seemingly unrelated life occurrence and tied it to some very real and super important marketing concepts.  Clever new call to action at the bottom of you post, too. :)  Thanks for sharing.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.9; rv:29.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/29.0','',0,0),(20104,2600,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-05-13 19:35:34','2014-05-13 19:35:34','Hi Lori,\r\nThanks for reading and commenting. I always say everything can become a blog post! \r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:29.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/29.0','',0,4),(10752,2270,'Strangers, Generic Invites and other LinkedIn dilemmasStrangers, Generic Invites and other LinkedIn dilemmas','','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/2013/linkedin-policy-revisited/','72.167.131.154','2013-11-21 13:03:50','2013-11-21 13:03:50','[&#8230;] Generic, random LinkedIn requests are cold, impersonal, unprofessional, lazy, annoying. [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.7.1','pingback',0,0),(21343,2632,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-06-03 18:39:54','2014-06-03 18:39:54','It\'s work. One of the first things I wrote about Twitter. Scheduling - selectively reading then sharing a few things of interest, then spacing them out over a day - that\'s different. All this noise, all these automated feed driven tweets, is just that, noise; and then some of the vary same people feeding the machine are the ones decrying the platform\'s usefulness. See also FB; one thing G+ has going for it is that the API hasn\'t opened up to this kind of automated, robo posting.\r\n\r\nI still really like Twitter; what it is for me isn\'t what it is for everyone else, I get that. Still.. as a biz communicator I look at so many brands and how they run their Twitter (all SM really) and think, \'damn they are doing it wrong.\' \r\n\r\nAnd FWIW, one day soon I\'m gonna go on a \"humble-bragging\" rant, so world... consider yourself on notice. ;-)',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_3) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.114 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(21344,2632,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-06-03 19:14:57','2014-06-03 19:14:57','Hi Davina,\r\nAbsolutely it\'s work. It\'s having a conversation with many many people. If you don\'t have time for it, I say don\'t do it. Scheduling some tweets is fine but this idea that you can automate your life on Twitter is so counter-productive. \r\nAnd let me know when you go on the rant...I am sure I will agree with it all!\r\nThanks for reading and commenting!\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:29.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/29.0','',0,4),(21348,2623,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-06-03 20:21:58','2014-06-03 20:21:58','I decided for me .. this is enough, all this reading and learning and networking. The kind of professional development I need is being in a room of COOs, CEOs, even CMOs - the ones who HIRE people like me. Business owners and execs, those who don\'t really get this whole \'communication in all its PR, SM, blah blah forms IS what makes a business work\' - that\'s the trip that\'ll deliver the value to me. Alas, I ain\'t found it yet. :-) FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_3) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.114 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(18575,2571,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','200.12.57.220','2014-04-15 13:41:31','2014-04-15 13:41:31','Hi Davina,\r\nThanks for your input. I know very little about niche networks, but think that would be a great place depending on what you do. Need to research those ASAP! And absolutely, being social and building relationships are what social media is really all about.\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:28.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/28.0','',18562,4),(22294,2652,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-06-25 12:23:07','2014-06-25 12:23:07','Hi Davina,\nThere\'s a difference between how others perceive you and how you present yourself. I am not sure, haven\'t met you in person, on either. However, I think being genuine and \"you\" is the best way to present yourself. If others judge you because you are a solo consultant, it speaks more to their biases than to your presentation. Some people are judgmental. They come to the table with preconceived notions, so there is little you can do. \nI agree we should give benefit of the doubt and a grace period. \nThanks for commenting as always!\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:27.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/27.0','',22046,4),(18562,2571,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-04-15 05:05:02','2014-04-15 05:05:02','Thinking market, industry, referrals... it\'s important to look beyond the big networks, sometimes drill down if you\'re a more specialized biz. Other places to check are other niche networks and forums, being careful as most of these are protective of their communities (meaning no sales pitches). As you\'re considering \'bang for the buck\' you\'re spot-on about the small business owner\'s strengths (and weaknesses); this has to be concentrated where they\'ll actually spend the time to see any returns. Words, pictures, videos - it\'s what they can do and what they\'re target audiences respond to the most. \r\n\r\nAnd as always, once you\'ve found the right network remember: be social. People connect w/ fun, helpful people much more than they do w/ someone who only posts things to sell them something. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/34.0.1847.116 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(22428,2660,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-06-27 13:10:42','2014-06-27 13:10:42','Hi Brad,\nThanks for reading and commenting. Always appreciated! \nAs to your comment about mass marketers, I agree that is not really an accurate term. They are spammers!. My point still is that they send out mass emails with no targeting. There is a difference between marketing on mass media (TV) and \"mass\" marketing. Mass marketing is targeting everyone, with no segmenting at all. You can use mass media to target a certain segment of the population or even various groups as you point out. Advertisers use the main demographic for a TV program to determine who they are reaching and figure that if others watch, that is just spillover or bonus \"eyeballs.\" That\'s always been the problem with advertising on mass media and why people are so eager to microtarget.\n\nNamaste!\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:30.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/30.0','',22405,4),(15953,2501,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','200.12.57.220','2014-02-19 01:04:13','2014-02-19 01:04:13','Excellent comment. Do a little at a time/break it up into chunks. Yes, absolutely, if it helps to get it done. Thanks for your comment!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:27.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/27.0','',15949,4),(17116,2542,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-03-18 17:35:20','2014-03-18 17:35:20','The other day I read an article about an Oscar party and how no one spoke up when a couple of men were behaving pretty badly; it was sexist and offensive and everyone avoided them – but no one said or did anything. This morning I shared a post of stories from professional journalists, the sexist and misogynist crap they\'ve endured over the years. Heck I\'ve blasted Madison Ave. in the past for both their fear/image mongering as well as the lack of cool for anything directed at the female buyer. \r\n\r\nIt is a different century; demographics may say something is purchased by this audience or that, but still -- almost anyone sees or hears that messaging. Wisecracks about dumb dads or racist or sexist or homophobic b.s. .. I\'ve got an evolved sense of snarky humor; but as a business communicator, I would suggest that any client think, test and retest again before launching such a divisive and potentially offensive campaign. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/33.0.1750.152 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(17119,2542,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-03-18 18:41:13','2014-03-18 18:41:13','Sadly, most buyers are not focused on the messaging and the mostly male creative gang keeps coming up with this type of stuff. As long as we continue to stay silent, they will continue to do this.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:27.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/27.0','',0,4),(14867,2463,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-01-16 20:58:45','2014-01-16 20:58:45','I can tell you from experience as a good designer and damn good writer, I\'ve done some lovely pieces that were absolutely worthless. Why? Wrong audience, wrong message, wrong pitch, wrong product, wrong image, wrong medium .. you get the point. If it\'s a print consumer, why are you investing $ in the website, trying to change that? Why are you producing pieces that get old? Why are you sending this stuff to the same people who\'ve not bought from you the last 5 times you sent this??!! Gee whiz I could rant forever on the newsletter alone. \r\n\r\nWHY. Why is my most asked question, along with \"and? and? what else?\" Too often businesses either fall into ruts - new year, new brochure - do things out of habit; and/or they are very chicken/egg with their efforts, never asking these kind of questions, working backwards. Why is that audience better? Why is that offer the right one for them? Why should they care? Why a FB campaign? Why is this tactic better for your biz, why will it make a difference? And FWIW, \'we want to sell stuff\' really shouldn\'t be your only \'why.\'',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_1) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/32.0.1700.77 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(16684,2530,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-03-08 16:20:03','2014-03-08 16:20:03','I\'ve read a few posts that suggest if content is good enough, you\'ll find ways to share it w/out the easy buttons. While I agree in theory, I find it foolish to presume - not to mention you always lose out of the credit and the ability to track those metrics. Agree w/ all of these - be clear on who and what, give credit to guest authors, make sure the post is readable. Another few mistakes I see - no images; no links or worse IMO, links only to yourself; the biggest of course, no point and purpose to help achieve business goals. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/33.0.1750.146 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(17329,2547,'Is Feedly picking up the feed? Test post. | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-feedly-picking-up-the-feed-test-post/','192.232.223.54','2014-03-24 13:32:06','2014-03-24 13:32:06','[&#8230;] multiple times already, Feedly has stopped picking up the feed to this blog. My last post, which I wrote on Thursday, March 20, has yet to appear. I am testing to see if this post will be picked up. It is a disaster when you [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6.1','pingback',0,0),(16939,2535,'Is robotic social media worth it? | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-robotic-social-media-worth-it/','192.232.223.54','2014-03-14 13:38:11','2014-03-14 13:38:11','[&#8230;] On Wednesday, I wrote about how some Twitter accounts seem to be run by Rosie, the robot maid on The Jetsons. But robotic social media happens on other social networks and even on blogs. Since so many people seem to be doing it, what is the value of robotic social media? [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.6.1','pingback',0,0),(16867,2535,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-03-12 21:57:30','2014-03-12 21:57:30','At least a few times a week now, I\'ll reply to someone who shares a general tweet - something basic, no link, maybe even a question. You know, jump into a conversation. So far - crickets. And that\'s from people tweeting in real-time. Maybe they don\'t know me, maybe they haven\'t noticed when I\'ve RT\'d them. Or perhaps too many of us - myself included - are so busy gaming our social shares we forget to be social. IDK.\r\n\r\nWhat I do know is that, aside from a handful of scheduled tweets, if I\'m on social I\'m on. If I don\'t engage in real time, I make it a point to follow up later. My Twitter client of choice is TweetDeck - b/c it lets me filter a lot of the preprogrammed feeds and noise that people robotically schedule; adding Commun.it to the list. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_2) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/33.0.1750.149 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(24489,2722,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-08-15 11:54:26','2014-08-15 15:54:26','Jargon is different from meaningless buzz. A lot of jargon or code is often \'industry\' terms that we have to do a better job teaching, explaining. I.E. as a designer, I need to do a better job of not sounding so jargon-y as I explain print graphics, raster, vector, file formats, printing prep. Those are critical factors, big impact on time, work, money but to someone outside the biz, meaningless jargon. \r\n\r\nNow the other day I had a chat on Twitter about the b.s. business babble buzz words marketing uses. I think I share a post or two a month, at least, on this topic. Sadly the people who need to read this are the ones 1) who want to call their crap \'new\' and considering their ho-hum airfare a \'sale\' that\'s \'exciting\' enough to interrupt my day and 2) not going to read this kind of post. Oh and love that Office dictionary, that\'s right up their w/ Unsuckit. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_4) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/36.0.1985.143 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(16891,2535,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-03-13 16:45:17','2014-03-13 16:45:17','Thanks for sharing Davina. I find the same. Do people not know how to check for their @ mentions? I am not sure. People forget that Twitter is about conversation. Perhaps not entirely in real time, but a conversation nonetheless.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:27.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/27.0','',16867,4),(23843,2697,'Two content issues (or why I no longer read Mashable) | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/two-content-issues-or-why-i-no-longer-read-mashable/','192.232.223.62','2014-07-29 13:43:24','2014-07-29 13:43:24','[&#8230;] week,  for my eight-week summer challenge post, I challenged you to clean out your social media channels, such as your RSS feeds. I did some cleaning myself, and I finally removed Mashable from my feeds. [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/3.9.1','pingback',0,0),(17428,2549,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-03-26 15:39:25','2014-03-26 15:39:25','Hi Lisa,\nThanks for letting me know. It\'s been very unreliable. Sometimes updating immediately, sometimes days later. I am very frustrated with it!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:28.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/28.0','',17427,4),(17427,2549,'Lisa','Lisa@bigleapcreative.com','http://bigleapcreative.com','50.52.50.41','2014-03-26 13:34:15','2014-03-26 13:34:15','Yes! It\'s working. :) came here from Feedly.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; CPU OS 7_0_6 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/11B651','',0,0),(15949,2501,'Debbie','dfriez@gmail.com','http://capitolcommunicator.com','75.72.253.95','2014-02-18 22:28:24','2014-02-18 22:28:24','I would add you shouldn\'t wait until you have 14 inches, but do a few at a time, so it\'s not so heavy.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_8) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/32.0.1700.107 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(25896,2753,'Brad Phillips','Brad@PhillipsMediaRelations.com','http://www.MrMediaTraining.com','70.8.13.165','2014-09-23 18:55:56','2014-09-23 22:55:56','Deborah, \r\n\r\nGood post. Your line about the five-line email you sent to your friend made me laugh out loud.\r\n\r\nDon\'t lose heart yet. There may be some evidence that millenials are actually reading more than we old folks. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/09/millennials-are-out-reading-older-generations/379934/\r\n\r\nKeep on bloggin\'!\r\nBrad',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:32.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/32.0','',0,0),(25748,2742,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-09-19 09:48:44','2014-09-19 13:48:44','Ever seen the \'tweet to get\' kind of thing, requiring you to post or like before you get an eBook? It\'s a variant, almost \'shames\' you into doing something (social share) b/c you\'re getting something in return. This is much worse, seen it go so far as exit pages and unsubscribe notices. Manipulating, fear mongering, shaming .. really these aren\'t tactics, they just tacky. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_4) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/37.0.2062.122 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(25749,2747,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-09-19 09:58:59','2014-09-19 13:58:59','I\'m an odd bird socially. I share \'more\' in blogs and comments, on Twitter and even G+ than I do FB (F&amp;F territory) b/c I know who\'s watching and reading i.e. no one. ;-) No really it\'s the nature of the networks, the culture. Tweets fly by and people tend to get that posts are often \'of the moment\' and not totally representative. FB on the other hand, things sometimes are a bit more sticky depending on how often you post. That said, I use lists and edit and filters everywhere but if going that far, why mute or unfriend when I could be more selective and not follow? Or censor myself and try to be less stupid? Or keep that under a different handle? \r\n\r\nNothing will stop the trolls trolling, haters hating yada yada. Nothing will stop brands selling and fakers faking. TEHO and the best we can do is.. what\'s best for us. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_4) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/37.0.2062.122 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(27575,2774,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','','99.237.103.87','2014-10-21 16:40:37','2014-10-21 20:40:37','You know, we went through a similar thing a few years ago with the Associaiton of Independent Consultants (AIC). It was, IMO, an unmitigated disaster and we\'ve never really recovered from it. We raised membership fees and then said \"Events are free to members and non-members pay\". We did have to pay rent for the room and coffee. Cash flow went into the toilet, membership renewals evaporated and our surplus disappeared.\r\n\r\nWe no longer do this. Members get in for a discount, as we used to do in the past.\r\n\r\nLawrence',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:32.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/32.0','',0,0),(28776,463,'Thanks are not only for Thanksgiving | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/thanks-are-not-only-for-thanksgiving/','192.232.223.62','2014-11-25 09:19:07','2014-11-25 14:19:07','[&#8230;] thank you&#8211;a show of appreciation&#8211;is an important marketing tool. I wrote &#8220;Why a thank you is good marketing&#8221; here five years ago. I still think it&#8217;s [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/4.0.1','pingback',0,0),(27637,2774,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-10-22 09:10:36','2014-10-22 13:10:36','Hi Lawrence, \r\nThanks for sharing the AIC\'s story. Sometimes, it pays to try new ways of doing things, but as you point out, it doesn\'t always go as planned. My point is that orgs should be clear as to what their goals are. If your goal is to recruit new members, how do you best do that? If your goal is to raise revenue, how? Etc. \r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:33.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/33.0','',27575,4),(26981,2772,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2014-10-16 17:26:48','2014-10-16 21:26:48','I either walk away or I write. Or really, I walk away and rant in my head as I pace around for too long. Then I think, damn.. that would make a good post and then I get to my keyboard and the smart words that were \'just\' in my head.. gone. ;-)\r\n\r\nSeriously though.. I had someone post something on FB and it was very judgmental but I know better. What is said can never be unsaid, so I didn\'t comment. I did however schedule a tweet about the issue. Then there were 2 posts in my LinkedIn Pulse suggested reading: one was platitude laden nonsense, an insult to fluff to call it a fluff piece, from a known \'thought leader\' and the other, well it was a banal list article on industry stereotypes that does nothing to help that (aka my) industry. I really wanted to mix in and set the record straight b/c someone needs to but.. I know better.\r\n\r\nI even asked on Twitter and G+, what\'s better - to leave an intelligent if disagreeing comment? Or to write a post of my own, link back? It\'s hard - you DO have to rock boats, you do have to take chances and a stand to make a point but there\'s always consequences. And if you\'re someone like me, then what happens is you\'re labeled a troll, or accused of attacking someone when really you\'re disagreeing w/ a post. Or worse, nothing as you\'re ignored anyway. And FWIW I\'ve saved that list post on the off chance I use it for something else.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_5) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/38.0.2125.104 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(26982,2772,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','71.163.253.140','2014-10-16 17:56:02','2014-10-16 21:56:02','Hi Davina,\r\nThanks for sharing your process. I think you shouldn\'t feel as if you can\'t comment or disagree, but you should be conscious of your word choice and emotion. If we post or comment in the heat of the moment, we may say stuff we regret later. If we write it, like you said, in your head, or even as a draft, then you will be harnessing your anger. I agree that when we are angry or moved by something, we sometimes have a great comeback. That\'s why it\'s good to capture it and then think about it calmly. BTW, not that I always follow this advice. But I am trying to be more conscious of it.\r\nDeborah',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:32.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/32.0','',26981,4),(28955,2808,'Lawrence Fox','lfox@accounting-wizard.com','http://gravatar.com/lawrencefox','99.237.103.87','2014-12-02 09:57:36','2014-12-02 14:57:36','Deborah:\r\n\r\nGood Etsy sellers also WORK at selling their stuffs, just like anyone else--the better ones do not simply set up a \"good looking site\" and wait around for the $$$ to roll in (I spent some time earlier this year investigating Etsy in order to sell some notecards for my watercolours--and if you really want to make a go of it, the time investment is NOT trivial, not just in the setup (getting good photos, getting good graphics, getting a good story) but in the on-going marketing--which, I guess, is true of nearly every endeavour!)\r\n\r\nAs it is, I don\'t have the time to invest in Etsy, so I haven\'t set up a shop there!\r\n\r\nLawrence',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:33.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/33.0','',0,0),(31774,2920,'Are you seduced by the cheap and fast? | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/are-you-seduced-by-the-cheap-and-fast/','192.232.223.62','2015-04-08 11:03:42','2015-04-08 15:03:42','[&#8230;] yet, we are continually being sold cheap and fast. Every day there&#8217;s a new free tool to help you do something (as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago). Or you&#8217;ll find services being offered to do stuff [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/4.0.1','pingback',0,0),(30534,2846,'Mark W Schaefer','m_rialta@yahoo.com','','68.114.146.84','2015-02-04 18:39:36','2015-02-04 23:39:36','Thanks for the great article and the very kind shout-out Deborah! I appreciate the fact that you carried the conversation forward.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/40.0.2214.94 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(31372,2920,'Carrie Morgan','morgan@rockthestatusquo.com','http://rockthestatusquo.com','68.231.37.181','2015-03-17 14:16:32','2015-03-17 18:16:32','Great post, Deb! This happens to an incredible degree in the graphic design field, too. THe huge amount of \"free\" design tools encourages everyone to be their own designer. In itself this isn\'t bad - but when someone doesn\'t recognize the difference between amateur versus professional design and the impact on their reputation, it can be extremely harmful.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/41.0.2272.89 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(31373,2920,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.255.32.230','2015-03-17 15:08:38','2015-03-17 19:08:38','Thanks for your comment Carrie! Absolutely. One the free graphic design tools is what got me thinking about this. It was incredibly difficult to use and I didn\'t think it was a good solution. But it\'s marketed as such, and many orgs are telling their comms person to learn how to use the tools in order to avoid hiring a professional.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:36.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/36.0','',31372,4),(30938,2881,'John Franklin','lanceoak@hotmail.com','','24.150.49.179','2015-02-25 13:52:13','2015-02-25 18:52:13','You mention a word used by a broadcaster that was \"racist\". Not all your readers would have seen this word used so, you could put it into your story under the context of education.  Maybe some of us would like to ensure we do know the true meaning of this mysterious word. Allowing PC to put a crimp on ones writing only allows the continuation of ignorance and racism. I would not call you racist if you used the word to educate me, unlike some who use the word to demean a race.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko','',0,0),(30939,2881,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','96.255.32.230','2015-02-25 13:56:19','2015-02-25 18:56:19','John,\nPlease click on the link for the story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. You can also search Google for the name of anchor. You can then see for yourself what the word was. I choose not to include it because there I don\'t want to offend and it is not necessary for the rest of my post to make sense.\nThanks for reading.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1; rv:35.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/35.0','',30938,4),(31108,2881,'6 Copy Editing Rules to Make You a Better Writer | Deborah Brody Marketing Communications','','http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/6-copy-editing-rules-to-make-you-a-better-writer/','192.232.223.62','2015-03-04 09:48:32','2015-03-04 14:48:32','[&#8230;] 3. Use a dictionary (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: Oxford and Merriam-Webster. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, does [that word] mean what you think it means?  [&#8230;]',0,'1','The Incutio XML-RPC PHP Library -- WordPress/4.0.1','pingback',0,0),(30809,2846,'Davina K. Brewer','davina@3hatscommunications.com','http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/','108.203.209.104','2015-02-18 13:23:09','2015-02-18 18:23:09','I\'ve always championed comments, yet been doing a lot of thinking and rethinking about them: their value will always depend on the blog, the site, its goals not to mention the quality of its community and moderation. \"perceived popularity trap\" - I must say AMEN to that, esp. \'perceived.\' Saving this for a \'someday\' post. FWIW.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_9_5) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/40.0.2214.111 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(35284,3089,'Alicia','alicia@thrivedc.org','http://www.thrivedc.org','96.88.198.77','2015-12-07 13:50:52','2015-12-07 18:50:52','Deborah,\r\n\r\nYou are so right!!  I initially attributed my annoyance at these distractions as me being too sensitive.  But, I am so glad to see that I am not the only one. \r\nI think a lot of the \"lack of attention\" also has to do with information overload. There is soo much to sift through these days everyone is much more discerning about what they will spend time on digesting. \r\n\r\nAs we were crafting our year -end appeal this year I knew that sharing information on our issue was not enough, we had to make our supporters understand the urgency of our work. Creating a compelling message, through urgency, emotion, impact etc. is more essential than ever. \r\n\r\nAs for opportunities to present in groups. I ask, just like being at the movies, for everyone to mute their phones.  This sets a tone that these types of distractions will be frowned upon. As a presenter I also try to create a more conversational/interactive presentation with the hopes of engaging the audience instead of just talking at them.  The days of the didactic lecture are gone. People must be stimulated, either visually, emotionally or topically.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/47.0.2526.73 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(35025,3083,'Carrie Morgan','morgan@rockthestatusquo.com','http://rockthestatusquo.com','68.231.41.250','2015-11-05 11:23:55','2015-11-05 16:23:55','Inevitably the ones thanking me for being a top influencer \"in their community\" are the ones that I barely know. Maybe I sent a single RT, or they joined my #PRprochat, or I sent them a thank you tweet. The ones that understand true engagement and social proof versus building negative social proof don\'t participate in sumall, communi.ty (sp?) and the like. \r\n\r\nI hate automation. I really, really hate it. It\'s against the very authenticity and real-time engagement that Twitter is founded on.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/46.0.2490.80 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(35026,3083,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','173.79.43.241','2015-11-05 11:28:54','2015-11-05 16:28:54','Hi Carrie,\r\nObviously, we\'re on the same page on this one. Automation absolutely kills authenticity and real-time engagement. Thanks for commenting!',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:41.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/41.0','',35025,4),(34702,3043,'Debbie Friez','dfriez@gmail.com','https://www.linkedin.com/in/dfriez','50.80.18.77','2015-09-22 18:36:13','2015-09-22 22:36:13','This is so timely! 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And inexplicably, they tagged me in the new tweet.\r\n\r\nBut I then did a search on \"happy memorial day\" in Twitter and there seemed to be thousands of them from all sorts of different brands. So it seems we are trying to hold back the ocean. Or correct everyone who uses EST when they mean EDT.',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/58.0.3029.110 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(35638,3134,'Carrie Morgan','morgan@rockthestatusquo.com','http://carrieannmorgan.com/','68.231.41.250','2016-01-29 15:50:30','2016-01-29 20:50:30','Flabbergasted!! That\'s another one of my favorite words. LOL',0,'1','Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/47.0.2526.111 Safari/537.36','',0,0),(35639,3134,'Deborah Brody','deborah@deborahbrody.com','','173.79.36.201','2016-01-29 15:53:46','2016-01-29 20:53:46','It\'s heinous how flabbergasted I am at my inability to think of my favorite word! 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Here&#8217;s how you can join in the fun:</p>\n\n<ol>\n    <li>Check the <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/about/\">WordPress 15th Anniversary website</a> to see if there&#8217;s a party already planned for your town. If there is, RSVP for the party and invite your friends!<br /></li>\n    <li>If there isn&#8217;t, then pick a place to go where a bunch of people can be merry — a park, a pub, a backyard; any family-friendly venue will do!</li>\n    <li>List your party with <a href=\"https://www.meetup.com/pro/wordpress/\">your local WordPress meetup group</a> (Don&#8217;t have a group? <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/welcome/#starting-a-new-meetup-com-group\">Start one!</a>)  and then spread the word to other local meetups, tech groups, press, etc and get people to say they’ll come to your party.</li>\n    <li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/event-formats/wordpress-15th-anniversary-celebrations/#request-wordpress-15th-anniversary-swag\">Request</a> some special 15th anniversary WordPress swag (no later than April 27, please, so we have time to ship it to you).<br /></li>\n    <li>Have party attendees post photos, videos, and the like with the #WP15 hashtag, and <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/live/\">check out the social media stream</a> to see how the rest of the world is sharing and celebrating.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss this chance to participate in a global celebration of WordPress!<br /></p>\n\n<h2>Special Swag</h2>\n\n<p>In honor of the 15th anniversary, we’ve added some <a href=\"https://mercantile.wordpress.org/product-category/wordpress-15/\">special 15th anniversary items</a> in the swag store — you can use the offer code <strong>CELEBRATEWP15</strong> to take 15% off this (and any other WordPress swag you buy), all the way through the end of 2018!</p>\n\n<p>Keep checking the swag store, because we&#8217;ll be adding more swag over the next few weeks!</p>\n\n<h2>Share the fun</h2>\n\n<p>However you celebrate the WordPress 15th anniversary — with <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/about/\">a party</a>, with <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/swag/\">commemorative swag</a>, by <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/live/\">telling the world</a> what WordPress means to you — remember to use the #WP15 hashtag to share it! And don&#8217;t forget to <a href=\"https://wp15.wordpress.net/live/\">check the stream of WordPress 15th anniversary posts</a>.</p>\n\n<p>When <a href=\"https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/05/wordpress-now-powers-30-of-websites/\">30% of the internet</a> has a reason to celebrate, you know it&#8217;s going to be great! </p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5753\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"GDPR Compliance Tools in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/04/gdpr-compliance-tools-in-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:11:50 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Features\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5728\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:188:\"GDPR compliance is an important consideration for all WordPress websites. The GDPR Compliance team is looking for help to test the privacy tools that are currently being developed in core.\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"Andrew Ozz\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3914:\"<p>GDPR compliance is an important consideration for all WordPress websites. The GDPR Compliance team is looking for help to test the privacy tools that are currently being developed in core. </p>\n\n<h2>What is GDPR?</h2>\n\n<p>GDPR stands for <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation\">General Data Protection Regulation</a> and is intended to strengthen and unify data protection for all individuals within the European Union. Its primary aim is to give control back to the EU residents over their personal data. <br /></p>\n\n<p>Why the urgency? Although the GDPR was introduced two years ago, it becomes  enforceable starting May 25, 2018.</p>\n\n<h2>Make WordPress GDPR Compliance Team</h2>\n\n<p>Currently, the GDPR Compliance Team understands that helping WordPress-based sites become compliant is a large and ongoing task. The team is focusing on creating a comprehensive core policy, plugin guidelines, privacy tools and documentation. All of this requires your help.<br /></p>\n\n<p>The GDPR Compliance Team is focusing on four main areas:</p>\n\n<ul>\n    <li>Add functionality to assist site owners in creating comprehensive privacy policies for their websites.</li>\n    <li>Create guidelines for plugins to become GDPR ready.</li>\n    <li>Add administration tools to facilitate compliance and encourage user privacy in general.</li>\n    <li>Add documentation to educate site owners on privacy, the main GDPR compliance requirements, and on how to use the new privacy tools.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2>Don’t we already have a privacy policy?</h2>\n\n<p>Yes and no. That said, The GDPR puts tighter guidelines and restrictions. Though we have many plugins that create privacy pages, we need means to generate a unified, comprehensive privacy policy. We will need tools for users to easily come into compliance.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Site owners will be able to create GDPR compliant privacy policy in three steps:</p>\n\n<ol>\n    <li>Adding a dedicated page for the policy.<br /></li>\n    <li>Adding privacy information from plugins.</li>\n    <li>Reviewing and publishing the policy.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>A new &#8220;postbox&#8221; will be added to the Edit Page screen when editing the policy. All plugins that collect or store user data will be able to add privacy information there. In addition it will alert the site owners when any privacy information changes after a plugin is activated, deactivated, or updated.<br /></p>\n\n<p>There is a new functionality to confirm user requests by email address. It is intended for site owners to be able to verify requests from users for displaying, downloading, or anonymizing of personal data.<br /></p>\n\n<p>A new &#8220;Privacy&#8221; page is added under the &#8220;Tools&#8221; menu. It will display new, confirmed requests from users, as well as already fulfilled requests. It will also contain the tools for exporting and anonymizing of personal data and for requesting email confirmation to avoid abuse attempts.<br /></p>\n\n<p>New section on privacy will be added to the <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/\">Plugin Handbook</a>. It will contain some general information on user privacy, what a plugin should do to be compliant, and also tips and examples on how to use the new privacy related functionality in WordPress.<br /></p>\n\n<p>The new privacy tools are scheduled for release at the end of April or beginning of May 2018.</p>\n\n<h2>How can you get involved?</h2>\n\n<p>We would love to have your help. The first step is awareness and education. For more information about the upcoming privacy tools see ﻿<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/03/28/roadmap-tools-for-gdpr-compliance/\">the roadmap</a>.</p>\n\n<p>If you would like to get involved in building WordPress Core and testing the new privacy tools, please join the #gdpr-compliance channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Make WordPress</a> Slack group.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5728\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:36:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"WordPress 4.9.5 Security and Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/04/wordpress-4-9-5-security-and-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 03 Apr 2018 19:56:54 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"4.9\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5645\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:376:\"WordPress 4.9.5 is now available. This is a security and maintenance release for all versions since WordPress 3.7. We strongly encourage you to update your sites immediately. WordPress versions 4.9.4 and earlier are affected by three security issues. As part of the core team&#x27;s ongoing commitment to security hardening, the following fixes have been implemented [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"Aaron D. Campbell\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6347:\"<p>WordPress 4.9.5 is now available. This is a <strong>security and maintenance release</strong> for all versions since WordPress 3.7. We strongly encourage you to update your sites immediately.</p>\n\n<p>WordPress versions 4.9.4 and earlier are affected by three security issues. As part of the core team&#x27;s ongoing commitment to security hardening, the following fixes have been implemented in 4.9.5:</p>\n\n<ol>\n    <li>Don&#x27;t treat <code>localhost</code> as same host by default.</li>\n    <li>Use safe redirects when redirecting the login page if SSL is forced.</li>\n    <li>Make sure the version string is correctly escaped for use in generator tags.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>Thank you to the reporters of these issues for practicing <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/testing/reporting-security-vulnerabilities/\">﻿coordinated security disclosure</a>: <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/xknown\">xknown</a> of the WordPress Security Team, <a href=\"https://hackerone.com/nitstorm\">Nitin Venkatesh (nitstorm)</a>, and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/voldemortensen\">Garth Mortensen</a> of the WordPress Security Team.</p>\n\n<p>Twenty-five other bugs were fixed in WordPress 4.9.5. Particularly of note were:</p>\n\n<ul>\n    <li>The previous styles on caption shortcodes have been restored.</li>\n    <li>Cropping on touch screen devices is now supported.</li>\n    <li>A variety of strings such as error messages have been updated for better clarity.</li>\n    <li>The position of an attachment placeholder during uploads has been fixed.</li>\n    <li>Custom nonce functionality in the REST API JavaScript client has been made consistent throughout the code base.</li>\n    <li>Improved compatibility with PHP 7.2.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/04/03/wordpress-4-9-5/\">This post has more information about all of the issues fixed in 4.9.5 if you&#x27;d like to learn more</a>.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">Download WordPress 4.9.5</a> or venture over to Dashboard → Updates and click &quot;Update Now.&quot; Sites that support automatic background updates are already beginning to update automatically.</p>\n\n<p>Thank you to everyone who contributed to WordPress 4.9.5:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/1265578519-1/\">1265578519</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\">Aaron Jorbin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/adamsilverstein/\">Adam Silverstein</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/schlessera/\">Alain Schlesser</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/alexgso/\">alexgso</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afercia/\">Andrea Fercia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andrei0x309/\">andrei0x309</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/antipole/\">antipole</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aranwer104/\">Anwer AR</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/birgire/\">Birgir Erlendsson (birgire)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/blair-jersyer/\">Blair jersyer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bandonrandon/\">Brooke.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chetan200891/\">Chetan Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/codegrau/\">codegrau</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/conner_bw/\">conner_bw</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidakennedy/\">David A. Kennedy</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/\">designsimply</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dd32/\">Dion Hulse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ocean90/\">Dominik Schilling (ocean90)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/electricfeet/\">ElectricFeet</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ericmeyer/\">ericmeyer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/fpcsjames/\">FPCSJames</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/garrett-eclipse/\">Garrett Hyder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pento/\">Gary Pendergast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/soulseekah/\">Gennady Kovshenin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/henrywright/\">Henry Wright</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jb Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jbpaul17/\">Jeffrey Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jipmoors/\">Jip Moors</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joemcgill/\">Joe McGill</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/\">Joen Asmussen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnbillion/\">John Blackbourn</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnpgreen/\">johnpgreen</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/junaidkbr/\">Junaid Ahmed</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kristastevens/\">kristastevens</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/obenland/\">Konstantin Obenland</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lakenh/\">Laken Hafner</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lancewillett/\">Lance Willett</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/leemon/\">leemon</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/melchoyce/\">Mel Choyce</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikeschroder/\">Mike Schroder</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrmadhat/\">mrmadhat</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nandorsky/\">nandorsky</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jainnidhi/\">Nidhi Jain</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/\">Pascal Birchler</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/qcmiao/\">qcmiao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rachelbaker/\">Rachel Baker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/larrach/\">Rachel Peter</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ravanh/\">RavanH</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/otto42/\">Samuel Wood (Otto)</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sebastienthivinfocom/\">Sebastien SERRE</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shital-patel/\">Shital Marakana</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/karmatosed/\">Tammie Lister</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/thomas-vitale/\">Thomas Vitale</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/kwonye/\">Will Kwon</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/yahil/\">Yahil Madakiya</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5645\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"The Month in WordPress: March 2018\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/04/the-month-in-wordpress-march-2018/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:22 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5632\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:317:\"With a significant new milestone and some great improvements to WordPress as a platform, this month has been an important one for the project. Read on to find out more about what happened during the month of March. WordPress Now Powers 30% of the Internet Over the last 15 years, the popularity and usage of [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Hugh Lashbrooke\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4328:\"<p>With a significant new milestone and some great improvements to WordPress as a platform, this month has been an important one for the project. Read on to find out more about what happened during the month of March.\n\n</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>WordPress Now Powers 30% of the Internet</h2>\n\n<p>Over the last 15 years, the popularity and usage of WordPress has been steadily growing. That growth hit a significant milestone this month when <a href=\"https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress/all/all\">W3Techs reported that WordPress now powers over 30% of sites on the web.</a></p>\n\n<p>The percentage is determined based on W3Techs’ review of the top 10 million sites on the web, and it’s a strong indicator of the popularity and flexibility of WordPress as a platform.</p>\n\n<p>If you would like to have hand in helping to grow WordPress even further, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/\">you can get involved today</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>WordPress Jargon Glossary Goes Live</h2>\n\n<p>The WordPress Marketing Team has been hard at work lately putting together <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2018/02/28/wordpress-jargon-glossary/\">a comprehensive glossary of WordPress jargon</a> to help newcomers to the project become more easily acquainted with things.</p>\n\n<p>The glossary <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/2018/02/28/wordpress-jargon-glossary/\">is available here</a> along with a downloadable PDF to make it simpler to reference offline.</p>\n\n<p>Publishing this resource is part of an overall effort to make WordPress more easily accessible for people who are not so familiar with the project. If you would like to assist the Marketing Team with this, you can follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/marketing/\">the team blog</a> and join the #marketing channel in the<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\"> Making WordPress Slack group</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>Focusing on Privacy in WordPress</h2>\n\n<p>Online privacy has been in the news this month for all the wrong reasons. It has reinforced the commitment of the GDPR Compliance Team to continue working on enhancements to WordPress core that allow site owners to improve privacy standards.</p>\n\n<p>The team&#x27;s work, and the wider privacy project, spans four areas: Adding tools which will allow site administrators to collect the information they need about their sites, examining the plugin guidelines with privacy in mind, enhancing privacy standards in WordPress core, and creating documentation focused on best practices in online privacy.</p>\n\n<p>To get involved with the project, you can <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/03/28/roadmap-tools-for-gdpr-compliance/\">view the roadmap</a>, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/gdpr-compliance/\">follow the updates</a>, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=!closed&amp;keywords=~gdpr\">submit patches</a>, and join the #gdpr-compliance channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat\">Making WordPress Slack group</a>. Office hours are 15:00 UTC on Wednesdays.</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>Further Reading:</h2>\n\n<ul>\n    <li>The WordPress Foundation has published <a href=\"https://wordpressfoundation.org/2017-annual-report/\">their annual report for 2017</a> showing just how much the community has grown over the last year.</li>\n    <li>The dates for WordCamp US <a href=\"https://2018.us.wordcamp.org/2018/03/13/announcing-wordcamp-us-2018/\">have been announced</a> — this flagship WordCamp event will be held on 7-9 December this year in Nashville, Tennessee.</li>\n    <li>WordPress 4.9.5 is due for release on April 3 — <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/03/21/wordpress-4-9-5-beta/\">find out more here</a>.</li>\n    <li>Version 2.5 of Gutenberg, the new editor for WordPress core, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/03/29/whats-new-in-gutenberg-29th-march/\">was released this month</a> with a host of great improvements.</li>\n    <li>WordSesh, a virtual WordPress conference, <a href=\"http://wordsesh.com/\">is returning in July this year</a>.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><em>If you have a story we should consider including in the next “Month in WordPress” post, please <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\">submit it here</a>.</em><br /></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5632\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:37:\"The Month in WordPress: February 2018\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/03/the-month-in-wordpress-february-2018/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:41:04 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5613\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:324:\"Judging by the flurry of activity across the WordPress project throughout February, it looks like everyone is really getting into the swing of things for 2018. There have been a lot of interesting new developments, so read on to see what the community has been up to for the past month. WordPress 4.9.3 &#38; 4.9.4 [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Hugh Lashbrooke\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5936:\"<p>Judging by the flurry of activity across the WordPress project throughout February, it looks like everyone is really getting into the swing of things for 2018. There have been a lot of interesting new developments, so read on to see what the community has been up to for the past month.</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>WordPress 4.9.3 &amp; 4.9.4</h2>\n\n<p>Early in the month, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordpress-4-9-3-maintenance-release/\">version 4.9.3 of WordPress was released</a>, including a number of important bug fixes. Unfortunately it introduced a bug that prevented many sites from automatically updating to future releases. To remedy this issue, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordpress-4-9-4-maintenance-release/\">version 4.9.4 was released</a> the following day requiring many people to manually update their sites.</p>\n\n<p>While this kind of issue is always regrettable, the good thing is that it was fixed quickly, and that not all sites had updated to 4.9.3 yet, which meant they bypassed the bug in that version.</p>\n\n<p>You can find out more technical information about this issue <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/02/06/wordpress-4-9-4-release-the-technical-details/\">on the Core development blog</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>The WordCamp Incubator is Back</h2>\n\n<p>In 2016, the Global Community Team ran an experimental program to help spread WordPress to underserved areas by providing more significant organizing support for their first WordCamp event. This program was dubbed the WordCamp Incubator, and it was so successful in the three cities where it ran that <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordcamp-incubator-2-0/\">the program is back for 2018</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Right now, the Community Team is looking for cities to be a part of this year’s incubator by <a href=\"https://wordcampcentral.polldaddy.com/s/wordcamp-incubator-program-2018-city-application\">taking applications</a>. Additionally, each incubator community will need an experienced WordCamp organizer to assist them as a co-lead organizer for their event — if that sounds interesting to you, then you can <a href=\"https://wordcampcentral.polldaddy.com/s/wordcamp-incubator-program-2018-co-lead-application\">fill in the application form for co-leads</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You can find out further information about the WordCamp Incubator <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/19/wordcamp-incubator-program-2018-announcement/\">on the Community Team blog</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>WordPress Meetup Roundtables scheduled for March</h2>\n\n<p>In order to assist local WordPress meetup organizers with running their meetup groups, some members of the Community Team have organized <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/23/wordpress-meetup-roundtables-scheduled-for-march/\">weekly meetup roundtable discussions through the month of March</a>.</p>\n\n<p>These will be run as video chats at 16:00 UTC every Wednesday this month and will be a great place for meetup organizers to come together and help each other out with practical ideas and advice.</p>\n\n<p>If you are not already in the WordPress meetup program and would like to join, you can find out more information in <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/handbook/meetup-organizer/welcome/\">the WordPress Meetup Organizer Handbook</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>GDPR Compliance in WordPress Core</h2>\n\n<p>The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an upcoming regulation that will affect all online services across Europe. In order to prepare for this, a working group has been formed to make sure that WordPress is compliant with the GDPR regulations.</p>\n\n<p>Aside from the fact that this will be a requirement for the project going forward, it will also have an important and significant impact on the privacy and security of WordPress as a whole. The working group has posted <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/02/19/proposed-roadmap-tools-for-gdpr-compliance/\">their proposed roadmap</a> for this project and it looks very promising.</p>\n\n<p>To get involved in building WordPress Core, jump into the #gdpr-compliance channel in the <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\">Making WordPress Slack group</a>, and follow <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\">the Core team blog</a>.</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>Further Reading:</h2>\n\n<ul>\n    <li>WPShout published <a href=\"https://wpshout.com/complete-guide-wordpress-security/\">a thorough guide to WordPress security</a>.</li>\n    <li>The Community Team has published interesting statistics from the WordCamp program in <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/27/wordcamps-in-2016/\">2016</a> and <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/28/wordcamps-in-2017/\">2017</a>.</li>\n    <li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/02/15/potential-addition-of-a-new-onboarding-team/\">An intriguing proposal has been made</a> for a new ‘Onboarding’ team to be started in the WordPress project.</li>\n    <li>The new editing experience for WordPress, named Gutenberg, continues to be actively developed with <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/02/16/whats-new-in-gutenberg-16th-february/\">a feature-packed release</a> this past month.</li>\n    <li>The Advanced WordPress Facebook group <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vS_jR5-nIo\">held an interview with WordPress co-founder, Matt Mullenweg</a> about the Gutenberg project.</li>\n    <li><a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2018/02/27/two-factor-authentication-on-wp-org/\">Two factor authentication is on its way to the WordPress.org network</a> — this will be a great improvement to the overall security of the project.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><em>If you have a story we should consider including in the next “Month in WordPress” post, please <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\">submit it here</a>.</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5613\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:39:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:22:\"WordCamp Incubator 2.0\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:58:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordcamp-incubator-2-0/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:53:20 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9:\"Community\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:6:\"Events\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"WordCamp\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5577\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:343:\"WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that are put together by a team of local WordPress users who have a passion for growing their communities. 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This has worked very well in many communities, with over 120 WordCamps being hosted around the world in 2017.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Sometimes though, passionate and enthusiastic community members can’t pull together enough people in their community to make a WordCamp happen. To address this, we introduced <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2016/02/experiment-wordcamp-incubator/\">the WordCamp Incubator program</a> in 2016.<br /></p>\n\n<p>The goal of the incubator program is <strong>to help spread WordPress to underserved areas by providing more significant organizing support for their first WordCamp event.</strong> In 2016, members of <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/\">the global community team</a> worked with volunteers in three cities — Denpasar, Harare and Medellín — giving direct, hands-on assistance in making local WordCamps possible. All three of these WordCamp incubators <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2017/06/30/wordcamp-incubator-report/\">were a great success</a>, so we&#x27;re bringing the incubator program back for 2018.<br /></p>\n\n<p>Where should the next WordCamp incubators be? If you have always wanted a WordCamp in your city but haven’t been able to get a community started, this is a great opportunity. We will be taking applications for the next few weeks, then will get in touch with everyone who applied to discuss the possibilities. We will announce the chosen cities by the end of March.<br /></p>\n\n<p><strong>To apply, </strong><a href=\"https://wordcampcentral.polldaddy.com/s/wordcamp-incubator-program-2018-city-application\"><strong>fill in the application</strong></a><strong> by March 15, 2018.</strong> You don’t need to have any specific information handy, it’s just a form to let us know you’re interested. You can apply to nominate your city even if you don’t want to be the main organizer, but for this to work well we will need local liaisons and volunteers, so please only nominate cities where you live or work so that we have at least one local connection to begin.<br /></p>\n\n<p>We&#x27;re looking forward to hearing from you!<br /></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5577\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:36:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"WordPress 4.9.4 Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordpress-4-9-4-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:17:55 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"4.9\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5559\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:350:\"WordPress 4.9.4 is now available. This maintenance release fixes a severe bug in 4.9.3, which will cause sites that support automatic background updates to fail to update automatically, and will require action from you (or your host) for it to be updated to 4.9.4. Four years ago with WordPress 3.7 &#8220;Basie&#8221;, we added the ability [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"Dion Hulse\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1823:\"<p>WordPress 4.9.4 is now available.</p>\n<p>This maintenance release fixes a severe bug in 4.9.3, which will cause sites that support automatic background updates to fail to update automatically, and will require action from you (or your host) for it to be updated to 4.9.4.</p>\n<p>Four years ago with <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2013/10/basie/\">WordPress 3.7 &#8220;Basie&#8221;</a>, we added the ability for WordPress to self-update, keeping your website secure and bug-free, even when you weren&#8217;t available to do it yourself. For four years it&#8217;s helped keep millions of installs updated with very few issues over that time. Unfortunately <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordpress-4-9-3-maintenance-release/\">yesterdays 4.9.3 release</a> contained a severe bug which was only discovered after release. The bug will cause WordPress to encounter an error when it attempts to update itself to WordPress 4.9.4, and will require an update to be performed through the WordPress dashboard or hosts update tools.</p>\n<p>WordPress managed hosting companies who install updates automatically for their customers can install the update as normal, and we&#8217;ll be working with other hosts to ensure that as many customers of theirs who can be automatically updated to WordPress 4.9.4 can be.</p>\n<p>For more technical details of the issue, we&#8217;ve <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/02/06/wordpress-4-9-4-release-the-technical-details/\">posted on our Core Development blog</a>. For a full list of changes, consult the <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&amp;milestone=4.9.4&amp;group=component\">list of tickets</a>.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">Download WordPress 4.9.4</a> or visit Dashboard → Updates and click “Update Now.”</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5559\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:35:\"WordPress 4.9.3 Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/wordpress-4-9-3-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:47:45 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5545\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:372:\"WordPress 4.9.3 is now available. This maintenance release fixes 34 bugs in 4.9, including fixes for Customizer changesets, widgets, visual editor, and PHP 7.2 compatibility. For a full list of changes, consult the list of tickets and the changelog. Download WordPress 4.9.3 or visit Dashboard → Updates and click “Update Now.” Sites that support automatic [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Sergey Biryukov\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3421:\"<p>WordPress 4.9.3 is now available.</p>\n<p>This maintenance release fixes 34 bugs in 4.9, including fixes for Customizer changesets, widgets, visual editor, and PHP 7.2 compatibility. For a full list of changes, consult the <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&amp;milestone=4.9.3&amp;group=component\">list of tickets</a> and the <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/log/branches/4.9?rev=42630&amp;stop_rev=42521\">changelog</a>.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/download/\">Download WordPress 4.9.3</a> or visit Dashboard → Updates and click “Update Now.” Sites that support automatic background updates are already beginning to update automatically.</p>\n<p>Thank you to everyone who contributed to WordPress 4.9.3:</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\">Aaron Jorbin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/abdullahramzan/\">abdullahramzan</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/adamsilverstein/\">Adam Silverstein</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afercia/\">Andrea Fercia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/andreiglingeanu/\">andreiglingeanu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/bpayton/\">Brandon Payton</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chetan200891/\">Chetan Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/coleh/\">coleh</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/darko-a7/\">Darko A7</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/desertsnowman/\">David Cramer</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dlh/\">David Herrera</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dd32/\">Dion Hulse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/flixos90/\">Felix Arntz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/frank-klein/\">Frank Klein</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/pento/\">Gary Pendergast</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/audrasjb/\">Jb Audras</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jbpaul17/\">Jeffrey Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/lizkarkoski/\">lizkarkoski</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/clorith/\">Marius L. J.</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/mattyrob/\">mattyrob</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/monikarao/\">Monika Rao</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/munyagu/\">munyagu</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ndavison/\">ndavison</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/nickmomrik/\">Nick Momrik</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/peterwilsoncc/\">Peter Wilson</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rachelbaker/\">Rachel Baker</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/rishishah/\">rishishah</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/othellobloke/\">Ryan Paul</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sasiddiqui/\">Sami Ahmed Siddiqui</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sayedwp/\">Sayed Taqui</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/seanchayes/\">Sean Hayes</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/sergeybiryukov/\">Sergey Biryukov</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/shooper/\">Shawn Hooper</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/netweb/\">Stephen Edgar</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/manikmist09/\">Sultan Nasir Uddin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/tigertech/\">tigertech</a>, and <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/westonruter/\">Weston Ruter</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5545\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:36:\"The Month in WordPress: January 2018\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/02/the-month-in-wordpress-january-2018/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 02 Feb 2018 08:10:07 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"Month in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5541\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:339:\"Things got off to a gradual start in 2018 with momentum starting to pick up over the course of the month. There were some notable developments in January, including a new point release and work being done on other important areas of the WordPress project. WordPress 4.9.2 Security and Maintenance Release On January 16, WordPress [&#8230;]\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"Hugh Lashbrooke\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3840:\"<p>Things got off to a gradual start in 2018 with momentum starting to pick up over the course of the month. There were some notable developments in January, including a new point release and work being done on other important areas of the WordPress project.</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>WordPress 4.9.2 Security and Maintenance Release</h2>\n\n<p>On January 16, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/01/wordpress-4-9-2-security-and-maintenance-release/\">WordPress 4.9.2 was released</a> to fix an important security issue with the media player, as well as a number of other smaller bugs. This release goes a long way to smoothing out the 4.9 release cycle with the next point release, v4.9.3, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/01/31/wordpress-4-9-3-release-pushed-to-february-5th/\">due in early February</a>.</p>\n\n<p>To get involved in building WordPress Core, jump into the #core channel in the<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\"> Making WordPress Slack group</a>, and follow<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/\"> the Core team blog</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>Updated Plugin Directory Guidelines</h2>\n\n<p>At the end of 2017, <a href=\"https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-org/detailed-plugin-guidelines/\">the guidelines for the Plugin Directory</a> received a significant update to make them clearer and expanded to address certain situations. This does not necessarily make these guidelines complete, but rather more user-friendly and practical; they govern how developers build plugins for the Plugin Directory, so they need to evolve with the global community that the Directory serves.</p>\n\n<p>If you would like to contribute to these guidelines, you can make a pull request to <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/wporg-plugin-guidelines\">the GitHub repository</a> or email <a href=\"mailto:plugins@wordpress.org\">plugins@wordpress.org</a>. You can also jump into the #pluginreview channel in the<a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/chat/\"> Making WordPress Slack group</a>.</p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" />\n\n<h2>Further Reading:</h2>\n\n<ul>\n    <li>Near the end of last year a lot of work was put into improving the standards in the WordPress core codebase and now <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/11/30/wordpress-php-now-mostly-conforms-to-wordpress-coding-standards/\">the entire platform is at nearly 100% compliance with the WordPress coding standards</a>.</li>\n    <li>Gutenberg, the new editor coming to WordPress core in the next major release, <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/01/25/whats-new-in-gutenberg-25th-january/\">was updated to v2.1 this month</a> with some great usability and technical improvements.</li>\n    <li>The Global Community Team is <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/2018/01/16/2018-goals-for-the-global-community-team-suggestions-time/\">taking suggestions for the goals of the Community program in 2018</a>.</li>\n    <li><a href=\"https://online.wpcampus.org/\">WPCampus Online</a>, a digital conference focused on WordPress in higher education, took place on January 30. The videos of the event sessions will be online soon.</li>\n    <li>A WordPress community member <a href=\"https://wptavern.com/new-toolkit-simplifies-the-process-of-creating-gutenberg-blocks\">has released a toolkit</a> to help developers build blocks for Gutenberg.</li>\n    <li>The community team that works to improve the WordPress hosting experience is relatively young, but <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/hosting/2018/01/25/hosting-meeting-notes-january-10-2018/\">they have been making some great progress recently</a>.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><em>If you have a story we should consider including in the next “Month in WordPress” post, please <a href=\"https://make.wordpress.org/community/month-in-wordpress-submissions/\">submit it here</a>.</em></p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:30:\"com-wordpress:feed-additions:1\";a:1:{s:7:\"post-id\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"5541\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:39:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:4:{s:0:\"\";a:6:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"WordPress 4.9.2 Security and Maintenance Release\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://wordpress.org/news/2018/01/wordpress-4-9-2-security-and-maintenance-release/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 16 Jan 2018 23:00:14 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Releases\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3:\"4.9\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://wordpress.org/news/?p=5376\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:360:\"WordPress 4.9.2 is now available. 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href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/0x6f0/\">0x6f0</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/\">Aaron Jorbin</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/afercia/\">Andrea Fercia</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/aduth/\">Andrew Duthie</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/azaozz/\">Andrew Ozz</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/blobfolio/\">Blobfolio</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/boonebgorges/\">Boone Gorges</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/icaleb/\">Caleb Burks</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/poena/\">Carolina Nymark</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chasewg/\">chasewg</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/chetan200891/\">Chetan Prajapati</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/dd32/\">Dion Hulse</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/hardik-amipara/\">Hardik Amipara</a>, <a href=\"https://profiles.wordpress.org/ionvv/\">ionvv</a>, <a 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Conversion. You could have a lot of traffic going to your site, but those visits don’t really matter if you aren’t converting them into customers. The only visitors that matter are<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/5-reasons-why-your-website-is-not-converting/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8338:\"<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3698 size-full\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured.jpg\" alt=\"Faced with a website that isn\'t converting? Here are five reasons why your conversion rate is underwhelming.\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-reasons-why-your-site-is-not-converting-featured-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>How do you measure the success of a site? Conversion.</p>\n<p>You could have a lot of traffic going to your site, but those visits don’t really matter if you aren’t converting them into customers. The only visitors that matter are those that are adding to your bottom-line. All other traffic is essentially wasted.</p>\n<p>Are you finding yourself with a lot of traffic, selling the right products at competitive prices, yet not with many paying customers? Then read on to find out why your site isn’t converting and what you can do about it.</p>\n<h2>Check Your Current Conversion Rate</h2>\n<p>First things first, you should know your current conversion rate. Whether you measure your conversions by product purchases, brochure downloads or email newsletter signups: you need to be measuring and tracking those conversions regularly. You can track your conversion rate using Goals in <a href=\"https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Analytics,</a> or through any other analytics platform of your choosing.</p>\n<p>So what&#8217;s considered a good conversion rate? The ideal rate is between 2 to 3 percent. This rate could be higher or lower based on the value of the conversion (e.g. you’d have more difficulty converting customers if you’re selling products or services worth $10,000+). But if you’re having less than 2 percent conversion and your conversion value isn’t very high, then you might have a problem on your hands.</p>\n<p>Here are five reasons why your site may be underperforming.</p>\n<h2>#1. You’re Providing a Bad Mobile Experience</h2>\n<p>If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, there is no way it will survive in these times. It isn&#8217;t enough for your site to be responsive, it has to be designed specifically for mobile in terms of content and structure. Failure to do so would mean marginalizing a substantial portion of your customer base and in turn decreasing your conversion rate.</p>\n<p>But what does designing for mobile entail?</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using large and easily legible text</li>\n<li>Using short paragraphs</li>\n<li>Making sure that every key feature is just a tap away</li>\n<li>Having just a single call-to-action</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The key is to keep testing your mobile site. Perhaps you should even ask customers and family members for feedback on your site’s mobile experience. Afterwards, you should review what is working and what is not &#8211; and address those issues.</p>\n<p>As long as you do not ignore the importance of having a good mobile experience for your site, you can easily hone in on the reason(s) your site is not converting.</p>\n<h2>#2. No Call to Action</h2>\n<p>Your website could be user-friendly with engaging and quality content, but without a clear and concise call-to-action, you simply won’t convert. Users may want to convert but just don&#8217;t have the opportunity or means to do so. Because you haven’t provided it.</p>\n<p>Make your call-to-action clear, concise, prominent, specific and compelling. Provide all the information users need so they know exactly what you want them to do next. Create calls-to-action that are relevant and specific; and place them in a prominent place on every page of your site.</p>\n<p>Whatever you do, make sure it is very easy for the user to convert when they are ready to.</p>\n<h2>#3. Your Users Are Annoyed with Your Website</h2>\n<p>You may be missing out on conversion opportunities if there is something off-putting about your site. Look at your bounce rate: if it is high, then you know there is something that is not appealing to users.</p>\n<p>In such a case, you need to find out what the problem is &#8211; directly from the user. You may use heat maps and look at your user journeys via Google Analytics, but perhaps it will make your job easier to ask users directly (e.g. via a quick survey).</p>\n<p>A few common annoyances on websites:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>You do not offer any useful information</li>\n<li>Navigation is too difficult</li>\n<li>You have too many ads or popups</li>\n<li>Your site doesn’t look good</li>\n</ul>\n<p>These are all problems with a rather easy fix. Take your time investigating them and fix the errors as soon as you can.</p>\n<h2>#4. You’re Off-Target</h2>\n<p>Your website should be anything but general. A lot of website owners aim to please everyone – but they can’t – and end up isolating their entire audience.</p>\n<p>Perhaps you’re writing for the wrong audience, perhaps you’re writing for a larger demographic than you should be; whatever the case, inaccurate targeting could negatively impact your conversion rate. Your copy, branding, marketing and site design should speak directly to a niche demographic.</p>\n<p>Conduct market research to properly define and know your audience.</p>\n<h2>#5. You Have a Slow Site</h2>\n<p>We previously covered the importance of website load speed and provided <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/10-quick-easy-ways-to-speed-up-your-site/\">tips on to speed up your site</a>. When your website doesn’t load fast, your visitors leave and are unlikely to visit again in the near future.</p>\n<p>There are many factors that can slow down your site, such as:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>A site that isn’t optimized for mobile</li>\n<li>Broken links</li>\n<li>Not using caching</li>\n<li>Messy code</li>\n<li>Images that aren’t optimized</li>\n<li>Flash and Java</li>\n<li>Average web hosting</li>\n</ul>\n<p>You can <a href=\"https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">check your current site speed via Page Speed Insights</a>. If your site is taking longer than 3 seconds to load, you need to work on it. Studies show that most users quickly exit sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load.</p>\n<h2>Measure, Measure and Measure</h2>\n<p>This is actually a sixth reason why your site may not be converting. Measure, measure and keep measuring. If you’re not measuring, you’re guessing, and in turn, not really making any strides.</p>\n<p>The problem most website owners encounter is that they are either not tracking their website traffic or that they are tracking but not reviewing their metrics. Some do know they should be tracking, but just aren’t sure what to look for or what to make of the results.</p>\n<p>Well, you should always start with your goals in mind. Then you can identify which key metrics will help you to measure your progress towards those goals.</p>\n<p>Once you start measuring, you can improve on those metrics; figure out what is working, what isn’t, and then fine-tune and optimize.</p>\n<h2>Wrapping Up</h2>\n<p>These five reasons are just a starting point to help boost your conversion rates. There are many other reasons why your site may not be converting. However, these are fairly common in under-converting sites.</p>\n<p>If you find that any of these reasons apply to your business, simply make the changes and you’ll see a big difference or improvement in your conversion rates and bottom line.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:76:\"https://semperplugins.com/5-reasons-why-your-website-is-not-converting/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"48\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:38:\"Choosing the Right Domain Name for SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:65:\"https://semperplugins.com/choosing-the-right-domain-name-for-seo/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:74:\"https://semperplugins.com/choosing-the-right-domain-name-for-seo/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 12 Sep 2017 14:51:02 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"SEO Tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"domain names\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"SEO tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://semperplugins.com/?p=3443/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:398:\"Back in the day, way way back, your website domain could have had a major impact on your site’s rankings. That changed a few years ago (2012 to be exact) when Google wanted to weed out websites that may have<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/choosing-the-right-domain-name-for-seo/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:7445:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3702 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/choosing-a-domain-name-for-seo-featured-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>Back in the day, way way back, your website domain could have had a major impact on your site’s rankings. That changed a few years ago (2012 to be exact) when Google wanted to weed out websites that may have good domain names but very little “substance”.</p>\n<p>Exact Match Domains (EMD) is where the problem started. Businesses would essentially purchase keyword domains to rank for a particular keyword. And the EMD was enough for them to rank: they barely focused on quality content and relevance (two things that matter greatly for SEO nowadays). That strategy no longer works.</p>\n<p>That’s not to say that domain names no longer affect SEO. They still do (and studies have proven that), but how?</p>\n<p>Let’s find out.</p>\n<h2>How Domain Names Impact SEO</h2>\n<p>There have been a lot of changes to SEO, particularly from the largest search engine: Google. But one thing that hasn’t changed, but has been emphasized more, is original quality content, relevance and always aligning with search engine best practices. A component of this is your domain name &#8211; it’s unique, only you can have it.</p>\n<p>Even though it may not directly impact your rankings anymore, a good domain name will get you more brand recognition, trust and higher click-through-rates (CTR).</p>\n<p>However, the definition of a good domain name has changed, at least according to Google. We see this in how the search engine treats certain types of domains.</p>\n<h2>Exact Match Domains (EMD)</h2>\n<p>EMDs are domain names that include keyword phrases. For example, let’s say you are selling hair products and want to rank for “quality hair products.” The EMD you would most likely use is qualityhairproducts.com. Just purchasing that domain would have gotten you the first page ranking a while ago.</p>\n<p>Yup! You wouldn’t have needed original content or backlinks. You would simply rank for it with your domain name. That all changed after Google released the Exact Match Domain Update.</p>\n<p>The update essentially made EMDs obsolete in search engine rankings. In fact, a study by High Position showed that the average EMD ranking went from position 13.4 to 26.6 (yikes!) after Google’s update. The average top 10 EMD also dropped in rankings: from 3.2 down to 11.9. So now we know that choosing an exact match domain in 2017 is quite pointless, a bad idea even.</p>\n<p>So how should you decide on a domain name to maximize SEO? You need only do two things: choose a memorable brand name (to make your domain name) and pick a .com extension.</p>\n<p>Let’s go into more detail.</p>\n<h2>Your Brand Name Should Be Your Domain Name</h2>\n<p>We can all agree that your brand is important. Your brand name is how your customers recognize and find you in search engines and social media platforms. So think of your domain name as the foothold of your online brand.</p>\n<p>In fact, the more customers are using your brand name to search for you online, the more your SEO and rankings will improve. This is referred to as brand signalling (any reference of your business online). Matt Cutts, former Head of Web Spam at Google, claimed that Google “actually came up with a classifier to say, okay, IRS or Wikipedia or New York Times is over on this side, and the low-quality sites are over on this side.”</p>\n<p>That’s right, Google now cares more about brands for SEO than it does about keywords and links. For that reason, using your brand name is more important than keywords. You’re probably scratching your head at this point, wondering how Google would associate your brand with certain keywords&#8230;</p>\n<p>Well, Google will associate keywords with your brand as your brand becomes more popular; and as you produce more relevant and high quality content. Let’s take a look at Bitly as an example. It’s a URL shortener and link management platform yet their brand name does not match those keywords. It however ranks at the top for those keywords in Google.</p>\n<p>That’s because of its popularity. As long as people recognize it and are searching for it, Google will measure that brand signal and rank it accordingly. For this reason, it is important to have a memorable brand name and consequently, a memorable domain name.</p>\n<p>Don’t worry if your brand name contains a keyword, or in other words, is a PMD (partial match domain). That’s because Google is only searching for spam sites with EMDs and PMDs &#8211; the actual problem isn’t the keywords, but rather the content and quality of the site. A PMD or EMD with bad user experience and low quality content would experience a steep downgrade in rankings. Whereas, a PMD or EMD with great user experience and content would not be greatly affected.</p>\n<p><em>However</em>, if you are just starting out, you should go with a memorable brand name domain and avoid using keywords.</p>\n<h2>Opt For a .com Extension</h2>\n<p>You probably already know that .com is the most popular domain extension. That is because most other domain extensions like .biz and .us are viewed as spam. Although choosing it may not directly impact your rankings, you may be viewed as a low-ranking site which could affect your SEO.</p>\n<p>.com is simply the most convenient and safest choice to go with. When in doubt, go with it.</p>\n<h2>Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name</h2>\n<p>Now let’s recap and go over the tips on picking the best domain name:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use your brand name</li>\n<li>Don’t use exact match domains. Partial match domains are OK but a brand name is always more effective</li>\n<li>Choose a .com extension</li>\n<li>Make it memorable so users can easily remember it</li>\n<li>Keep it short, 15 characters at most</li>\n<li>Avoid numbers, hyphens and special characters</li>\n<li>Avoid misspelling words on purpose. It’s a no-no for branding</li>\n<li>Make it easy to spell</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Wrapping Up</h2>\n<p>We hope you now have a good understanding of how domain names affect SEO in 2017. If you’re starting a new business or changing to a better domain name, the tips above should help you pick out the best one for your business.</p>\n<p>Remember: As long as you have great content and a good SEO strategy, a strong and unique domain name may rank you higher. Choose one wisely, use it correctly and start reaping the value.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:70:\"https://semperplugins.com/choosing-the-right-domain-name-for-seo/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"40\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:39:\"How to Come up with Great Content Ideas\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-come-up-with-great-content-ideas/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:75:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-come-up-with-great-content-ideas/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 29 Aug 2017 13:00:30 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"SEO Tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"content marketing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:32:\"http://semperplugins.com/?p=2375\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:423:\"Do you spend hours staring at a blank computer screen or piece of paper, desperately racking your brain for just one great content idea? Well, the sad reality is that you cannot afford to wait for inspiration to strike: your readers<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-come-up-with-great-content-ideas/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12701:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3674 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured.jpg\" alt=\"Looking for some great ideas to produce new content? Here are a few tips to get you started.\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/great-content-ideas-featured-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>Do you spend hours staring at a blank computer screen or piece of paper, desperately racking your brain for just one great content idea? Well, the sad reality is that you cannot afford to wait for inspiration to strike: your readers are waiting for yet another one of your great posts to enjoy and share.</p>\n<p>This article is your reference for tips and tricks to find inspiration and create great content to grow your WordPress site.</p>\n<p>We’ll cover the following topics:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>How to source inspiration directly from your readers</li>\n<li>How to get great topic ideas from your social media channels</li>\n<li>Useful tools you may already be using, but not as effectively</li>\n<li>How to overcome writer&#8217;s block</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Know Your Readers and Their Concerns</h2>\n<p>This is arguably the starting point to creating great content: knowing your reader and their concerns.</p>\n<p>To gain and maintain a steady stream of followers, you must produce consistently good content that your blog visitors are interested in. Since your content is ideally centered around the needs and interests of your readers, it is therefore very important to know who they are.  But how would you know what your readers are interested in?</p>\n<p>First, put yourself in your reader&#8217;s shoes. Then ask and answer the following questions:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>What issues do your readers struggle with most?</li>\n<li>What would better enable them to understand and solve those issues?</li>\n<li>What would a reader enter in search engines to find content in your niche?</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Creating valuable content boils down to problem solving. You can start writing winning content more easily once you know what your readers are looking for and what their pain points are.</p>\n<p>A key thing to remember, however, is that some of your readers may be beginners who are trying to come to grips with your subject area. So create content that is clear &amp; appealing to beginners and which does not exclusively focus on advanced readers.</p>\n<h3>Look at Your Analytics</h3>\n<p>Your website analytics will provide you with a lot of insight regarding where your readers are coming from and how they&#8217;re interacting with your site. Check <a href=\"https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Analytics</a> for keywords that users are searching for to get to your site, and then create engaging content about those topics.</p>\n<p>You can also use those insights to update and keep existing posts relevant; or to create new posts with detailed information on the problems your target audience is trying to solve.</p>\n<h3>Go Through Your Blog Comments</h3>\n<p>Your blog comments can be extremely helpful to you in a number of ways.</p>\n<p>First of all, they provide you with great insight into what readers think of the content you have written. This may include positive or negative feedback on the style and clarity of your writing, questions for more information on areas you can expand on, wide-spread problems being discussed and/or solutions to those problems.</p>\n<p>Note them down and come up with post ideas to help your readers.</p>\n<p>If your readers take the time to report a problem they are having, or to give you feedback, you need to listen. It usually means that it&#8217;s a significant challenge they, and other users, are facing.</p>\n<h3>Sift Through Your FAQs</h3>\n<p>You can actively engage with your readers by answering their most frequently asked questions in blog posts. This will show readers that you have carefully considered their responses to your content, and also helps other readers who may also have similar questions.</p>\n<p>And as a nice bonus, you may attract some more visitors that wouldn&#8217;t have found your WordPress site otherwise.</p>\n<h2>Use Social Media</h2>\n<p>Social media channels are arguably the best place to source inspiration. Take <a href=\"https://www.buzzfeed.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BuzzFeed</a> for example. They constantly browse the web for fun ideas &#8211; typically small trends or trending topics in niche areas &#8211; and make them more mainstream.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3026\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3026\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends.jpg\" alt=\"At the time of writing, Twitter show us, for example, that growth hacking and content marketing tips are trending among bloggers.\" width=\"500\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends.jpg 754w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-300x228.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-328x250.jpg 328w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-100x76.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-150x114.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-200x152.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-450x343.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/twitter-trends-600x457.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the time of writing, Twitter show us that growth hacking and content marketing tips are now trending among bloggers.</p></div>\n<p>You can also use social media to stay on top of industry trends; and to monitor the new keywords created by these trends. Use tools like <a href=\"https://www.google.com/trends/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Trends</a>, Twitter Trends, <a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reddit</a>, etc. to keep up with the conversation and take it to your blog.</p>\n<h2><b>Questionnaires </b>and Polls</h2>\n<p>Another useful way to engage with readers is to put out short surveys or polls on your blog, social media or your mailing list. Ask them any questions they may have or for their opinion on certain topics that you covered. This is also a fantastic way to keep them engaged with your content.</p>\n<p>Make it clear to your mailing list that you welcome questions. One way to do this is to offer some sort of incentive: perhaps a product discount, a coupon, or free mentoring to anyone who is willing to give a short interview. Interviewing in particular is a great way to find out a host of questions or issues your audience may have with your topic or industry that may never have even crossed your mind. This strategy may seem daunting, but is an effective way of coming up with content that is higher quality and more relevant to your audience.</p>\n<h2>Recycle and Transform</h2>\n<p>The fastest way for you to generate content ideas is by reading through existing content and expanding and improving on it. This means looking though what your competitors are writing about, and using that as a beacon to light your own blog posts. It is about taking already existing material, not copying it, but using it as a starting point for your own inspiration.</p>\n<p>An important thing to consistently keep in mind when expanding and improving existing material is to not limit yourself to the original piece; to consider what else readers would benefit from knowing. Perhaps you could make the piece more personal and relatable by referencing your personal experiences.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3639\" style=\"width: 515px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3639\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot.png\" alt=\"Using Feedly, you can quickly find out what your competitors are writing about and use their content as a source of inspiration for your own.\" width=\"505\" height=\"369\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot.png 1280w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-300x219.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-768x561.png 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-1024x748.png 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-342x250.png 342w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-100x73.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-150x110.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-200x146.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-450x329.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-600x438.png 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/feedly-screenshot-900x657.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 505px) 100vw, 505px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Using Feedly, you can quickly find out what your competitors are writing about and use their content as a source of inspiration for your own.</p></div>\n<p>So how can you discover other content in your niche? Use tools such as <a href=\"https://feedly.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Feedly</a> which shows you a list of publications that have been produced about a certain topic. Once you create an account, you can simply enter in specific keywords, URLs, or browse through existing categories.</p>\n<h2>Read Every Day</h2>\n<p>Reading every day actually means reading something relevant to your niche every single day. By doing so, you will find that over time, not only will your knowledge of the subject matter improve substantially, but that new sources of inspiration will spring up as well.</p>\n<p>Reading content written by others in your field and the comments left behind by their users is also a good way to find inspiration. When reading through other peoples content, you may notice that similar problems keep cropping up but have remained unanswered. You can subsequently try to answer those questions in depth and address those issues in your own blog.</p>\n<p>Visit popular blogs and websites, and observe the different ways in which they operate. Pay close attention to their writing style, and the topics that they are covering. You will slowly begin to pick up fresh ideas, and gain exposure to different viewpoints.</p>\n<p>Reading stimulates the brain, thus making it that much easier for you to generate great content ideas.</p>\n<h2>How to Tackle Writer’s Block</h2>\n<p>So you&#8217;ve found inspiration and are now struggling with writer&#8217;s block. One of the best techniques to overcome it is simply to write! Write something down every single day, no matter how small, or jumbled. The point is to get all your ideas down on paper, which you can later revise and expand on.</p>\n<p>Keep your work well organized, and easy to refer back to. You can use online note applications such as <a href=\"http://evernote.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evernote</a> or Google Docs to keep your work backed up and easily accessible.</p>\n<p>Having something to start with makes that blank page much less intimidating.</p>\n<h2>In a Nutshell</h2>\n<p>Once you get started using these tips and tricks, you will find that generating good content ideas is not as difficult as it may have initially seemed. So we hope this post has helped you to find inspiration for your next engaging blog post. The truth is, you really never know when your next source of inspiration may strike, so best of luck to you!</p>\n<p>Do you have any special tricks to come up with great content ideas? Share them with your fellow readers below in the comment section!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-come-up-with-great-content-ideas/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"22\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"How to Build a Landing Page in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:64:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-a-wordpress-landing-page/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-a-wordpress-landing-page/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Fri, 07 Jul 2017 13:00:33 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"landing pages\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:17:\"WordPress plugins\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"WordPress themes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://semperplugins.com/?p=3441/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:419:\"What a lot of people don&#8217;t know is that you can build great landing pages for your WordPress site without having to break the bank by hiring services from lead generation and marketing companies. You can even create a landing<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-a-wordpress-landing-page/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14070:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3668 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured.jpg\" alt=\"You can either build a WordPress landing page yourself using a customized page template or by installing a specialized landing page builder plugin.\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/how-to-build-a-landing-page-featured-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>What a lot of people don&#8217;t know is that you can build great landing pages for your WordPress site without having to break the bank by hiring services from lead generation and marketing companies.</p>\n<p>You can even <strong>create a landing page yourself in less than 10 minutes</strong>. We’ll show you how.</p>\n<p>First things first, let&#8217;s cover the basics of landing pages.</p>\n<h2>Why Should I Build a Landing Page?</h2>\n<p>Because they convert. A landing page is essentially the entry point to your site. A great landing page will <strong>grab a visitor’s attention and persuade them to take a desired action</strong>: perhaps you want them to sign up for your email list, download a brochure, buy a product, etc. Whatever the goal, a good landing page is always focused towards that goal.</p>\n<p>Just to make sure that you understand, let’s look at the difference between a landing page and the homepage of a site: <strong>a landing page is focused on a specific goal or objective</strong> while your main homepage has a broad objective. The aim of a landing page is to take your visitors through a specific marketing journey while the main homepage allows visitors to decide on their own journey through your site.</p>\n<p>Anyone can tell you that you don&#8217;t really need a landing page to get a visitor to take a specific action. You can actually make them take the desired action on your homepage.</p>\n<p>BUT, <strong>with a good landing page you will achieve a higher conversion rate</strong> because it is very specific in its goal. A homepage has a lot of information and elements that may distract a user from taking the desired action.</p>\n<p>So, are you ready to build one? Here are several ways to build landing pages in WordPress.</p>\n<h2>Building a Custom Page</h2>\n<p>Building a custom page within WordPress is the old-fashioned approach. You would simply just build a custom page template on any theme you have; and do whatever you need to in the template.</p>\n<p>The easiest way to build a custom page template in WordPress is to copy the default page PHP template and edit CSS and HTML components to get the desired design or structure.</p>\n<h2>Using Plugins to Build Landing Pages</h2>\n<p>Plugins are the best way to go if you do not want to worry about dealing with code.</p>\n<p>Unfortunately, there aren’t many free landing page builder plugins out there. And the few free ones often have in-plugin purchases or limited features. There is, however, one free plugin that has all the features you need to build a functional landing page in WordPress. It’s among the top landing page plugins (see below).</p>\n<h3>WordPress Landing Pages</h3>\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/landing-pages/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Landing Pages</a> is an easy-to-use plugin that has <strong>all the basic features you need to build a functional landing page</strong>. It has a fair selection of templates, allows you to split test (a/b testing) your landing pages, as well as to track and measure conversions.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3482\" style=\"width: 723px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3482\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages.png\" alt=\"The WordPress Landing Pages plugin is fully integrated in the Theme Builder and allows you to quickly customize any elements you like.\" width=\"713\" height=\"373\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages.png 1920w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-300x157.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-768x402.png 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-1024x537.png 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-477x250.png 477w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-100x52.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-150x79.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-200x105.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-450x236.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-600x314.png 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-900x472.png 900w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wordpress-landing-pages-1200x630.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 713px) 100vw, 713px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The WordPress Landing Pages plugin is fully integrated in the Theme Builder and allows you to quickly customize any elements you like.</p></div>\n<p>All in all, it is a good option if you are on a budget and don’t want to invest in a more functional landing page plugin at the moment.</p>\n<h3>Thrive Landing Pages</h3>\n<p><a href=\"https://thrivethemes.com/landingpages/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thrive Landing Pages</a> has a drag &amp; drop editor that makes it extremely easy to create and edit landing pages. It<strong> comes with over 140 templates</strong> (some themed) for you to choose from. The great thing about the plugin is that the landing pages are combined in sets to provide a consistent user experience. That means that the opt-in page, &#8220;thank you&#8221; page and confirmation pages in a particular set have the same feel and don’t provide random experiences.</p>\n<h3>Leadpages</h3>\n<p>Leadpages is actually an online landing page builder &#8211; we’ll be addressing it more thoroughly down below &#8211; with a plugin for WordPress. It has a centralized editor and your <strong>landing pages are hosted on Leadpages servers</strong>. The best thing about Leadpages is that you can easily and quickly create or publish a landing page. All you need to do is choose a template, customize it (through the drag &amp; drop page builder) and add it to your site.</p>\n<h3>Beaver Builder</h3>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.wpbeaverbuilder.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beaver Builder</a> is simply a drag &amp; drop page theme builder (another option covered below) that also comes as a plugin. You can easily and quickly create custom layouts and designs &#8211; you have around 30 landing pages to choose from.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3483\" style=\"width: 734px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3483\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder.jpg\" alt=\"You can try out the Beaver Builder plugin for yourself at http://demo.wpbeaverbuilder.com/.\" width=\"724\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder.jpg 1917w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-300x150.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-768x383.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-1024x511.jpg 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-501x250.jpg 501w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-100x50.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-150x75.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-200x100.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-450x225.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-600x300.jpg 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/beaver-builder-900x449.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can try out the Beaver Builder plugin for yourself at <a href=\"http://demo.wpbeaverbuilder.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">demo.wpbeaverbuilder.com</a>.</p></div>\n<p>The great thing about Beaver Builder is that <strong>you can use your WordPress widgets to add more functionality</strong> and bring elements in from your site to your landing pages.</p>\n<h3>OptimizePress</h3>\n<p>You’ve probably heard of <a href=\"https://www.optimizepress.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OptimizePress</a> before &#8211; it has been <strong>one of the most popular plugins</strong> to build landing pages for quite some time. That’s because it offers a wide range of templates and a powerful drag &amp; drop editor to quickly create the landing page you need. Note: the size of the plugin is quite large (29MB).</p>\n<h2>Theme Builders</h2>\n<p>As we mentioned earlier, <strong>most WordPress themes are quite restrictive when it comes to design and structure</strong>. For example, you can customize the primary content block of a page in most themes but you cannot amend the design of anything outside the block. So, if you aim to create a landing page from a theme page template, you would just end up with a new page with the same design as your website &#8211; the opposite of a landing page. Unless you build a custom page template (mentioned earlier) or use advanced theme builders.</p>\n<p>What advanced theme builders offer are drag and drop builders. They essentially enable you to customize every and any design aspect of any page. The interface is also very easy to use.<br />\nThere are plenty of great drag &amp; drop theme builders available. A few off the top of my head: <a href=\"https://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/divi/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Divi</a>, <a href=\"https://wpexplorer-themes.com/total/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Total</a>, Beaver Builder (its plugin version is recommended above) and <a href=\"http://demo.qodeinteractive.com/strata/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strata</a>.</p>\n<p>If you need a variety of landing page templates, it is highly recommended you use this method instead of creating custom theme templates. It will save you time and make your work much easier.</p>\n<h2>Leadpages</h2>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.leadpages.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leadpages is known for creating stunning and functional landing pages</a>. It offers dozens of integrations to help make your WordPress landing page user friendly and attractive. The downside is that it isn’t free: plans start at $36.99 per month.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3484\" style=\"width: 743px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3484\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages.jpg\" alt=\"Leadpages has more than a hundred of templates to choose from that can be added to your site within minutes.\" width=\"733\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages.jpg 1877w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-300x148.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-768x379.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-1024x506.jpg 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-506x250.jpg 506w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-100x49.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-150x74.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-200x99.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-450x222.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-600x296.jpg 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/leadpages-900x444.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 733px) 100vw, 733px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leadpages has more than a hundred of templates to choose from that can be added to your site within minutes.</p></div>\n<p>What you get is <strong>144+ well-designed templates</strong>, a simple editor that enables you to create and <strong>publish a stunning landing page in 10 minutes</strong> or less and the ability to split test your landing pages.</p>\n<p>It’s not a stretch to say that Leadpages is the most popular landing page option. It is actually hard to find a popular blog online that doesn’t use it. Two of the many reasons for it’s popularity is that you do not need to be a designer to use it and all their templates have been tested as effective and high converting templates.</p>\n<p>The price may be worth it to you if you want to save time, as the platform is incredibly easy to use.</p>\n<h2>Wrapping Up</h2>\n<p>Although WordPress may not be designed to handle landing pages, you can easily create one using either the old-fashioned method of building a custom page template or by using a plugin. Above we mentioned some of the best plugins you can use to build highly functional and attractive landing pages, developer or not.</p>\n<p>Choose the method that works best for your business and start collecting, cultivating and converting leads!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-a-wordpress-landing-page/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"34\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:52:\"WordPress Will Require Users to Have HTTPS This Year\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:64:\"https://semperplugins.com/wordpress-requires-sites-to-use-https/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:73:\"https://semperplugins.com/wordpress-requires-sites-to-use-https/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 06 Jun 2017 18:32:54 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"Security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"WordPress News\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:5:\"HTTPS\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"WordPress security\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://semperplugins.com/?p=3129/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:471:\"WordPress founder, Matt Mullenweg, recently announced that the software will require all hosts to have HTTPS for certain WordPress features to function. Don’t panic just yet. If you already have HTTPS, this shouldn’t affect you. But if you’re still using HTTP, you’ll need<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/wordpress-requires-sites-to-use-https/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12957:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3666 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured.jpg\" alt=\"HTTPS will not only be an important ranking factor in the future for search machines, but also required for both existing and new WordPress installations.\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wordpress-requires-https-featured-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>WordPress founder, Matt Mullenweg, <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/news/2016/12/moving-toward-ssl/\">recently announced that the software will require all hosts to have HTTPS for certain WordPress features</a> to function.</p>\n<p>Don’t panic just yet. If you already have HTTPS, this shouldn’t affect you. <strong>But if you’re still using HTTP, you’ll need to upgrade soon.</strong> The good news is that the transition is not as difficult as you think it is and the benefits outweigh the assumed disadvantages.</p>\n<p>This article will go over what the WordPress HTTPS mandate means for you as a site owner; the advantages; as well as how to upgrade to HTTPS if you haven’t already done so.</p>\n<h2>What is HTTPS?</h2>\n<p>HTTPS adds a security layer to HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). <strong>HTTPS essentially encrypts data</strong> (using SSL or TSL) that is communicated between servers and clients until it reaches the intended recipient.</p>\n<p>This<strong> prevents cybercriminals from accessing sensitive user information</strong> and also reduces the risk of tapping and modification of sensitive data. Although HTTPS is not completely foolproof, it undoubtedly has major security advantages.</p>\n<p>HTTPS sites can be easily identified, as they have a locked padlock icon located on the link bar in most common browsers.</p>\n<h2>Why is WordPress Pushing HTTPS?</h2>\n<p>There&#8217;s mainly two reasons for this, so let&#8217;s quickly dive into them.</p>\n<h3>Google Prefers It</h3>\n<p>It is no secret that greater encryption and cyber security has made the Internet a safer place for users. As usual, a Google update signaled the necessity of HTTPS for user experience, SEO and internet security.</p>\n<p>In 2014, Google suggested that <strong>enabling HTTPS on your site could result in higher search rankings</strong>. Although it still isn’t the only important factor in raising your site rankings, you shouldn’t underestimate its value. For example, if two sites are equal in all ways, but one site has HTTPS, that site would get a boost in rankings.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3342\" style=\"width: 511px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3342\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock.png\" alt=\"Chrome will display a green padlock in the link bar when a site is using HTTPS, assuring users it\'s using the latest security protocol.\" width=\"501\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock.png 1138w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-300x130.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-768x333.png 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-1024x444.png 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-577x250.png 577w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-100x43.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-150x65.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-200x87.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-450x195.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-600x260.png 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-green-padlock-900x390.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chrome will display a green padlock in the link bar when a site is using HTTPS, assuring users it&#8217;s using the latest security protocol.</p></div>\n<p>In January of this year, Google released version 56 of Google Chrome. This new release brought about some changes, notably with how Google Chrome treats HTTPS vs. HTTP sites. The browser now clearly identifies sites that are not operating HTTPS on their systems. For example, <strong>a “Not Secure” message now appears on pages without HTTPS that try to collect passwords or sensitive information</strong>. You can expect that, eventually, all pages not using HTTPS will clearly be labeled as having insecure connections.</p>\n<p>We can reasonably assume that Google’s preference for HTTPS has been a contributing factor for the changes implemented by WordPress.</p>\n<h3>Users Prefer HTTPS Too</h3>\n<p>A secure connection can make all the difference from a user&#8217;s perspective. Users see HTTPS as a positive signal that you are taking your site security seriously, for their benefit. So, having <strong>HTTPS could mean more traffic and longer usage times</strong> on your site.</p>\n<p>HTTPS is particularly important if you are operating an e-commerce site. Simply seeing the padlock icon could make users more comfortable in entering their payment details and other personal information. Particularly with the new Chrome update (mentioned earlier) which shows a “Not Secure” label on e-commerce sites or sites that require a user login or credit card information, but don’t have HTTPS.</p>\n<p>Both Google and user preference should be enough reason for you to upgrade your site to HTTPS. It is simply necessary to ensure watertight security for your users and to protect your online business reputation.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3343\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\" wp-image-3343\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure.png\" alt=\"Sites that require users to login or enter credit card information are now displayed as &quot;Not secure&quot; in Chrome when they haven\'t switched to HTTPS yet.\" width=\"500\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure.png 1600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-300x118.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-768x301.png 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-1024x401.png 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-638x250.png 638w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-100x39.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-150x59.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-200x78.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-450x176.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-600x235.png 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/https-not-secure-900x353.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sites that require users to login or enter credit card information are now displayed as &#8220;Not secure&#8221; in Chrome when they haven&#8217;t switched to HTTPS yet.</p></div>\n<p>Remember when JavaScript was first introduced and quickly embraced by users and webmasters? Looking back, we can see now that JavaScript was essential for smoother and better user experience. HTTPS similarly, presents a number of unique advantages for user experience and security that we should all quickly embrace.</p>\n<p>We know that you may be overwhelmed switching from HTTP to HTTPS. After all, change does takes time to get used to, but in this instance, you may need to quickly get on board. At this point, <strong>the advantages of HTTPS have greatly outnumbered the disadvantages</strong>. Plus, upgrading to HTTPS is no longer the costly, time consuming, and difficult process that it once was. In fact, getting an SSL certificate in 2017 is fast, sometimes free, and quite easy to implement.</p>\n<h2>How to Get HTTPS</h2>\n<p><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/hosting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WordPress hosting partners</a> should now provide an SSL certificate for all accounts. (It is required that they all do so as early as the first quarter of this year.)</p>\n<p>Your hosting provider may already provide a free SSL certificate, so check with them first before you make any third-party purchase. If they do not offer a free one, you could ask them if they sell third party SSL certificates. Once purchased, you can ask your provider to install the certificate for you on your server.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3344\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\" wp-image-3344\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors.png\" alt=\"Dozens of major companies are already backing Lets Encrypt, including Automattic (known for WooCommerce, Jetpack, Akismet and WordPress.com)\" width=\"500\" height=\"395\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors.png 546w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-300x237.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-317x250.png 317w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-100x79.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-150x118.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-200x158.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lets-encrypt-sponsors-450x355.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dozens of major companies are already backing Lets Encrypt, including Automattic (known for WooCommerce, Akismet and WordPress.com)</p></div>\n<p>Another option is to explore the free alternatives, independent of your hosting provider. There are projects such as “Let’s Encrypt” which have now made it easy and quick to <a href=\"https://letsencrypt.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">secure a free HTTPS certificate for your website</a>.</p>\n<p>Let’s Encrypt is an authorized open Certificate Authority with millions of active certificates in place. There are other comparable projects out there that can help by guiding you step-by-step through the installation process or who have been authorized to deliver certificates.</p>\n<p>Remember that SSL certificates upgrade the website, but not the content itself. That means that the content on your page will also need to be updated so as to avoid 404 errors. Google may interpret the error as a mismatch in the security level of your site. The only way to avoid this is by encrypting the content of your website to match your SSL certificate.</p>\n<p>To track and resolve any 404 errors on your site, you may want to use a specialised plugin such as Redirection to do so.</p>\n<h2>What if You Just Don’t Want to Upgrade to HTTPS?</h2>\n<p>You could see a number of things happening to your site over time if you do not upgrade to HTTPS. The first may be facing the consequences set out by Google, i.e: <strong>lower rankings </strong>and having your users staring at a “Not Secure” warning when they try to access your site via Google Chrome.</p>\n<p>The second is that you could <strong>struggle with WordPress updates and lose some or all functionality</strong> on specific WordPress plugins.</p>\n<p>Third, your site may be <strong>an easier target for hacking</strong>.</p>\n<p>Those are three consequences that require you to seriously reconsider if you really want to take the risk of not upgrading to HTTPS.</p>\n<h2>Wrapping Up</h2>\n<p>Let’s put it this way: you will simply have nothing to lose by adopting HTTPS. Yet, if you do not use HTTPS, you could risk leaving your site in the “dark ages” of the Internet.</p>\n<p>But then again, if you’re a WordPress site owner, you have no choice. Take the plunge and let us know how it worked out for you!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:69:\"https://semperplugins.com/wordpress-requires-sites-to-use-https/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"53\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:44:\"All in One SEO Pack at WordCamp Raleigh 2017\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-at-wordcamp-raleigh-2017/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:80:\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-at-wordcamp-raleigh-2017/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Tue, 30 May 2017 15:42:28 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"All in One SEO Pack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"WordCamp Raleigh\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"WordPress SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://semperplugins.com/?p=3426/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:417:\"Last month, the team from All in One SEO Pack were in attendance at WordCamp Raleigh 2017.  We were not only there are organizers of the event but also as sponsors and speakers. If you didn&#8217;t get a chance to attend<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-at-wordcamp-raleigh-2017/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"Steve Mortiboy\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:3680:\"<p>Last month, the team from All in One SEO Pack were in attendance at <a href=\"https://2017.raleigh.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WordCamp Raleigh 2017</a>.  We were not only there are organizers of the event but also as sponsors and speakers.</p>\n<p>If you didn&#8217;t get a chance to attend WordCamp Raleigh then here&#8217;s a recap of the event.</p>\n<p>WordCamp Raleigh is a conference all about WordPress.  The event has been held each year since 2010.  This year was the best attended yet, with over 300 attendees.  This year we had four tracks &#8211; Beginner, Business, Power User and Developer. We also added workshops in addition to the tracks.  There were three workshops &#8211; Beginners Guide to WordPress, WordPress REST API and Beginners Guide to WordPress SEO.  All three were extremely popular.</p>\n<h2>Local SEO presentation by Steve Mortiboy</h2>\n<p>I spoke on the topic of Local SEO &#8211; How to get your business listed on Google&#8217;s local search results.  Here are my slides from this presentation:</p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/4Ssk3Lm2vq2l18\" width=\"427\" height=\"356\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;\" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </p>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:5px\"> <strong> <a href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/dismort/local-seo-getting-your-local-business-on-google\" title=\"Local SEO - Getting your local business on google\" target=\"_blank\">Local SEO &#8211; Getting your local business on google</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/dismort\" target=\"_blank\">Steve Mortiboy</a></strong> </div>\n<p>Here is the video from my presentation on WordPress.tv:</p>\n<p><iframe width=\'605\' height=\'340\' src=\'https://videopress.com/embed/u6Rx29m9?hd=0\' frameborder=\'0\' allowfullscreen></iframe><script src=\'https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1435166243\'></script></p>\n<h2>Social Meta Optimization by Tony Zeoli</h2>\n<p>In addition to my session, Tony Zeoli also gave a presentation on Social Meta Optimization where he used All in One SEO Pack to demonstrate how you can improve you social media presence.  You can find more about Tony&#8217;s presentation on his <a href=\"https://tonyzeoli.com/2017/05/28/social-meta-optimization-presentation-at-wordcamp-raleigh-2017/2062/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website</a>.  The video from his presentation is also on WordPress.tv here:</p>\n<p><iframe width=\'605\' height=\'340\' src=\'https://videopress.com/embed/rG2jN5os?hd=0\' frameborder=\'0\' allowfullscreen></iframe><script src=\'https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1435166243\'></script></p>\n<h2>Beginners Guide to SEO by Tony Zeoli</h2>\n<p>Finally, Tony Zeoli also presented the Beginners Guide to WordPress SEO workshop which was held on the Sunday at WordCamp Raleigh.  This workshop was not recorded on video but you can find a write by Tony and links to his slides on his <a href=\"https://tonyzeoli.com/2017/05/20/wordcamp-raleigh-2017-wordpress-seo-for-beginners-workshop/1998/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website</a>.</p>\n<p>If you didn&#8217;t get a chance to attend WordCamp Raleigh this year, keep a watch on the <a href=\"https://2017.raleigh.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website</a> for announcements regarding WordCamp Raleigh 2018.  Or you can find a WordCamp in your city or country by checking out the central <a href=\"https://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WordCamp schedule</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:76:\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-at-wordcamp-raleigh-2017/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"4\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:45:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"Important Sections of Google Analytics Explained\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:75:\"https://semperplugins.com/important-sections-of-google-analytics-explained/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:84:\"https://semperplugins.com/important-sections-of-google-analytics-explained/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Wed, 24 May 2017 15:00:49 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:16:\"google analytics\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:32:\"http://semperplugins.com/?p=2298\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:443:\"Google Analytics (GA) is one of the most powerful, effective and comprehensive platforms to track and analyze your site traffic and marketing efforts. But a lot of businesses find it intimidating and challenging to use. If you’re one of those<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/important-sections-of-google-analytics-explained/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13749:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3381 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"851\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured.jpg 851w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-768x227.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-848x250.jpg 848w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-450x133.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/important-sections-of-google-analytics-featured-600x177.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" /></p>\n<p>Google Analytics (GA) is <strong>one of the most powerful, effective and comprehensive platforms</strong> to track and analyze your site traffic and marketing efforts. But a lot of businesses find it intimidating and challenging to use. If you’re one of those businesses, this article is for you.</p>\n<p>Although GA can be quite overwhelming, getting useful data to work with is not as difficult as you think it is. Understanding how to get some basic information from the platform can give you pretty good insight into how your website is working for your business.</p>\n<p>This article will give you a basic understanding of the four key sections that contain actionable data:</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1. Audience<br />\n2. Behavior<br />\n3. Acquisition<br />\n4. Conversions</p>\n<p>Let’s get started.</p>\n<h2><strong>An Introduction to Google Analytics</strong></h2>\n<p>You probably have a Google Analytics account and most likely have it connected to your website. If you don’t, and you’re thinking of signing up, <a href=\"https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1008015?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">use this guide on how to get started</a>. Once you’re up and running, you’ll have to wait a few days to get data to analyze.</p>\n<p>The first thing you’ll notice when you open the platform is GA’s (somewhat confusing) layout and menu system. It uses a top navigation for account level features and information; and a side navigation for combing through your analytics data.</p>\n<p>The Reporting section’s side navigation (which is where you can view your web analytics) is broken down into the following sections:</p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Real-Time:</strong> Shows what is happening on your site right now. So you’ll see the current visitor count on your website, what pages they’re browsing and for how long</li>\n<li><strong>Audience:</strong> Gives detailed information about your website visitors</li>\n<li><strong>Acquisition:</strong> Shows how your visitors are arriving to your site. It gives you a breakdown (by channel) of how visitors are getting to your site</li>\n<li><strong>Behavior:</strong> Shows you how visitors are interacting with your site</li>\n<li><strong>Conversions:</strong> Provides conversion data for your various business goals and activities</li>\n</ul>\n<p>As you can see, Audience, Acquisition, Behavior and Conversions tabs contain the <strong>actionable data you can use to optimize your site and grow your business.</strong></p>\n<p>So let’s help you get a basic understanding of those tabs.</p>\n<h2><strong>Audience</strong></h2>\n<p>To view your audience insights, click on Audience &gt; Overview on the left hand menu of the analytics dashboard.</p>\n<p>As you will see from the Audience Overview data, Google Analytics gives you detailed insights into your audience: from location, to page views to device type to language and more.</p>\n<p>This information is invaluable in allowing you to tailor your site<strong> to better suit the needs of your visitors and effectively grant them an easier viewing experience</strong>.</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3405\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section.jpg 1621w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-300x128.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-768x327.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-1024x436.jpg 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-587x250.jpg 587w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-100x43.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-150x64.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-200x85.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-450x192.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-600x255.jpg 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-audience-section-900x383.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" /></a></p>\n<p>There is however some terminology you first need to understand in order to accurately analyze your Audience data:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>Session</strong> refers to a single fixed period of time that a visitor takes action(s) on your site. So if a visitor views 3 pages on your site over a 3-minute period and then exits your site, it’ll be recorded as a single session and three pageviews</li>\n<li>As you may have gleaned from above, a <strong>Pageview</strong> is recorded whenever a visitor views a page on your site</li>\n<li>A <strong>New Visitor</strong> is any user that is visiting your site for the first time. They will be classified as a <strong>Returning Visitor</strong> on their second and subsequent visits</li>\n<li>A <strong>User</strong> is any computer or device that Google classifies as a unique visitor in accessing your site. So let’s say a user views your site on both their computer and tablet. Google will record that as two users. Even if a user accesses your site from two different browsers on the same computer, Google will record it as two users</li>\n<li><strong>Pages/Session</strong> is the average number of pageviews per session</li>\n</ul>\n<p>It is recommended that you spend some time understanding these definitions before you begin analyzing the comprehensive audience data.</p>\n<h2><strong>Behavior</strong></h2>\n<p><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3407\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section.jpg 1621w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-300x143.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-768x367.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-1024x489.jpg 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-524x250.jpg 524w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-100x48.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-150x72.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-200x95.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-450x215.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-600x286.jpg 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-behaviour-section-900x430.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" /></a></p>\n<p>The Behavior section gives you <strong>invaluable data on how your users are interacting with your site.</strong> You can track how long an average user stays on a specific page, the hours and days you receive the most traffic, bounce rates (the percentage of visitors who exit your site after viewing only one page), your site speed, and much more detailed and useful metrics.</p>\n<p>Spend some time exploring and familiarizing yourself with this section. It contains everything you need to know to optimize your site and user experience, and also to manage your blog or content pages.</p>\n<h2><strong>Acquisition</strong></h2>\n<p><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3409\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section.jpg 1609w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-300x149.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-768x380.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-1024x507.jpg 1024w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-505x250.jpg 505w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-100x50.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-150x74.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-200x99.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-450x223.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-600x297.jpg 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/google-analytics-acquisition-section-900x446.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" /></a></p>\n<p>The Acquisition section is pretty straightforward: it contains <strong>data on how your site acquires traffic</strong>. It records the following traffic channels: organic (search and direct), paid, referral, email and social. It also gives you important insights into the performance of your marketing campaigns.</p>\n<p>What you should really be looking at within the Acquisition section is Goals. Goals are what you hope visitors accomplish when or after using your site. They are summarized in the Overview of this section but aren’t presented or broken down in detail. That’s where the Conversions section comes in.</p>\n<h2><strong>Conversions</strong></h2>\n<p>Conversion tracking is arguably the most important functionality in Google Analytics. After all, the ultimate goal of any web analytics software/tool is <strong>to help you determine and increase the success of your website and business</strong>.</p>\n<p>To make the most out of Google Analytics, you need to understand and identify your key performance indicators (KPIs) and set them up as Goals. Goals could range from video views, newsletter signups, purchases and more.</p>\n<p>Carefully think about how you measure the success of your business before setting up your Goals in GA. An accurate setup will enable you to more effectively analyze your website traffic data.</p>\n<h2>Using All in One SEO Pack with Google Analytics</h2>\n<p>By now you should have already discovered that Google Analytics is a great tool to track your visitors behaviour. If you are using WordPress for your site and have decided to venture into the statistics, <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-pro-version/\">we recommend you use our All in One SEO Pack plugin</a>.</p>\n<p>It offers a simple way to integrate Google Analytics on your site without having to risk breaking your site or messing with code. The whole process is very simple and is described <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/documentation/setting-up-google-analytics/\">here</a>.</p>\n<p>But that&#8217;s not all it has to offer: there are also various other advanced settings such as tracking multiple domains, adding additional domains, enhanced e-commerce, tracking outbound links, excluding WordPress user roles from tracking and many more.</p>\n<h2><strong>Wrapping Up</strong></h2>\n<p>A basic overview of those four actionable sections should ease the challenge of collecting relevant data for your business. However, getting invaluable data from Google Analytics requires work, time and patience. Stay tuned for an article that delves deeper into extracting and accurately analyzing data in Google Analytics.</p>\n<p>For now, you can take a look at some of the tutorials in the <a href=\"https://analyticsacademy.withgoogle.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Analytics Academy</a>.</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:80:\"https://semperplugins.com/important-sections-of-google-analytics-explained/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"16\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:51:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:33:\"How Social Media Impacts Your SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:55:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-social-media-impacts-seo/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:64:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-social-media-impacts-seo/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 15 May 2017 16:00:29 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:4:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:19:\"All in One SEO Pack\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:8:\"SEO Tips\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:10:\"social SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"WordPress SEO\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:32:\"http://semperplugins.com/?p=2893\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:404:\"Social media has evolved quite rapidly in the years it has been around. From BBS (Bulletin Board) to Friendster, Diaspora, Myspace and onto Facebook. But when we think of social media today, we arguably only have 3 or 4 large<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/how-social-media-impacts-seo/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:11760:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3275 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"851\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured.jpg 851w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-768x227.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-848x250.jpg 848w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-450x133.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-social-media-impacts-seo-featured-600x177.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" /></p>\n<p>Social media has evolved quite rapidly in the years it has been around. From BBS (Bulletin Board) to Friendster, Diaspora, Myspace and onto Facebook. But when we think of social media today, we arguably only have 3 or 4 large networks in mind: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.</p>\n<p>Nowadays, those four platforms have become essential to every marketer’s strategy and are used to effectively get your brand in front of your target audience; but do they <em>directly</em> impact your SEO and search ranking? No, they currently do not.</p>\n<p>However, that doesn&#8217;t mean that social media marketing and SEO do not affect each other in a variety of different ways. They are both inbound strategies that aim to attract your audience or customers to your brand. They are also both organic ways to attract your audience with unique quality content.</p>\n<p>Perhaps the best way to describe the relationship between SEO and social media is to say that they are co-dependent. Effective social media campaigns will help improve your site ranking, and good SEO will inevitably boost your social clout. This is what we refer to as social SEO: <strong>the use of social media to boost your search engine rankings</strong>.</p>\n<p>This post will demystify the relationship between social media and SEO; and show you how you can make social SEO work for your WordPress site.</p>\n<h2>How Important is Social SEO?</h2>\n<p>You can certainly rank your website well without focusing much on social SEO. You can’t, however, rank your website by focusing solely on social SEO. But that shouldn’t make you dismiss the whole idea too soon.</p>\n<p>An active and strong social media presence makes it easier and faster to rank your site as search engines attribute <strong>authority</strong> based on tweets, shares, likes and Google +1s. Your social media presence also puts your content in front of a larger audience, some of whom will link your content on their own sites, creating valuable organic <strong>backlinks</strong> which contribute to your PageRank.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3276\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-3276\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph.png\" alt=\"According to a recent study, Social Media Marketing even surpassed the impact of regular SEO in 2016, considering that market is already rather saturated. Time to hop on the bandwagon!\" width=\"620\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph.png 981w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-300x174.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-768x445.png 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-432x250.png 432w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-100x58.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-150x87.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-200x116.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-450x261.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-600x347.png 600w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/social-media-marketing-graph-900x521.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">According to a recent study, Social Media Marketing even surpassed the impact of regular SEO in 2016, considering that market is already rather saturated. Time to hop on the bandwagon! Source: smartinsights.com/managing-digital-marketing/marketing-innovation/marketing-trends-2016/</p></div>\n<p>That is not to say that social SEO will eventually replace regular SEO, but we cannot ignore the fact that social signals are slowly becoming an integral part of search engine algorithms. Even though they have nothing on backlinks – and probably won’t, at least not in the near future – <strong>social links</strong> are still quite important. But <em>how much</em> effect or weight do they have on your rankings, particularly your ranking for target keywords?</p>\n<p>Well, search engines have not yet made that information public. We just have to work with the definitive information that social signals do (indirectly) impact your site rankings and will continue to do so.</p>\n<h2>When Should I Focus on Social SEO?</h2>\n<p>If you are in an industry where your competitors are heavily focusing on both SEO and social SEO, and you want to rank well for your industry keywords, you have no other option but to do the same. Backlinks coupled with social signals will boost your rankings much more than backlinks alone, so you will lag behind your competition if you are only focused on building the latter. And if they aren’t focused on social SEO, <strong>you should jump on the opportunity to get one step ahead of your competitors</strong>.</p>\n<p>Although social media does not directly impact your site rankings on Google, social networks are dominating the internet and will arguably dictate the future of the internet. You should invest properly in social media as it could soon <em>directly</em> impact your site’s rankings on search engines.</p>\n<h2>How to Effectively Implement Social SEO</h2>\n<p>How can you increase your site rankings with good social SEO? Here are a few summarized tips:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create a business page on the “main” social networks: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.</li>\n<li>Be active on those channels and engage your followers and subscribers</li>\n<li>Create shareable, engaging and unique content</li>\n<li>Make it as easy as possible for people to share your content</li>\n<li>Share your content, and that of other influencers in your field on your social channels</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>The more active you are on social media, the more awareness you are bringing to your brand</strong>, the more your social following grows, and the higher the chance that your content is being shared across a broader network. It’s a snowball effect: the more followers you have, the more engagement you’ll get and the easier it will become to grow your community.</p>\n<p>A bigger community means that more people are viewing your content and the higher the chance that the content will be shared. This increases the number of backlinks to your site which will impact your search rankings for the better.</p>\n<p>Also, the more engagement you have on your social channels, the higher the chance that people will look for your brand on Google or other search engines via branded searches – which help your site rank for non-branded keywords that are relevant to your brand.</p>\n<p>You do have to consider that <strong>the above scenarios are based on the assumption that you are producing quality and unique content</strong>. If you are creating bad content, you won’t get anywhere. Users will not interact with your brand if you’re not offering them value or good entertainment. If you want your content shared and widely distributed, you need to put in the time to create quality and valuable content your audience will enjoy.</p>\n<p>In summary, the following social signals will increase your search engine rankings for the keywords you’re targeting:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your social network followers</li>\n<li>The likes, shares, retweets, Google +1s your website gets</li>\n<li>Mentions by other authority or influencers in your field</li>\n<li>Positive reviews on your business’ Google+ page</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Using All in One SEO Pack for Social Meta</h2>\n<p><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/all-in-one-seo-pack-pro-version/?loc=sp_navmenu\">Our All in One SEO Pack plugin comes with a Social Meta module</a> to help you get going with social marketing. This feature allows you to add Open Graph meta tags to enrich your posts by creating a rich snippet. Let’s briefly go over how Open Graph meta tags work and how they specifically help you with social SEO.</p>\n<p>Basically, every web page on any site can be shared on social media channels. However, the way that shared page is displayed on social media may be very different. Websites that aren’t optimized with Open Graph meta tags won’t be as easily interpreted by Facebook, Twitter and the like and will, most of the time, show up as a blank link with a small description underneath.</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3278\" style=\"width: 516px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3278\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/rich-social-snippet.png\" alt=\"Would you be more inclined to click on a blank link or on a rich snippet such as this?\" width=\"506\" height=\"495\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Would you be more inclined to click on a blank link or on a rich snippet such as this?</p></div>\n<p>However, adding Open Graph meta tags to a page on your site enriches the snippet and enables Facebook and other social media networks to display your content in the way you want to present it when it is shared. This is where All in One SEO Pack comes into action. For a full overview of all Open Graph and social meta features, please visit our <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/documentation/social-meta-module/\">documentation section</a>.</p>\n<p>There is no concrete evidence that Open Graph meta tags are important for search engines, but they do enable you to create presentable good looking posts on social media (instead of a bland-looking post). This significantly increases your organic traffic from social media to your WordPress site. Studies have shown that <strong>traffic increases 100%-200% if a post looks great</strong> vs. a blank link that doesn’t really mean much to social media users.</p>\n<h2>Wrapping It Up</h2>\n<p>Overall, a solid social media strategy, in conjunction with good SEO practices, will increase organic traffic to your site. Solely focusing on SEO may not cut it any longer if you want to be a step ahead of your competition. Revising your strategy to incorporate social SEO will inevitably boost your organic traffic and could very well increase your search engine rankings in the near future.</p>\n<p>Do you currently have a social SEO strategy that’s working for you? Have you been using the social SEO module of our All in One SEO Pack plugin? Let us know in the comments below!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:60:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-social-media-impacts-seo/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:1:\"9\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:48:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:39:\"How to Build an Email List in WordPress\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:66:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-an-email-list-in-wordpress/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:75:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-an-email-list-in-wordpress/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Mon, 01 May 2017 14:00:18 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:15:\"email marketing\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:14:\"subscribe2html\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:32:\"http://semperplugins.com/?p=2904\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:423:\"How many of you have prioritized pageviews over email marketing? We all have at some point. After all, pageviews equals more ad revenue…right? Well, having a good email list is more valuable and can bring in more pageviews than you<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-an-email-list-in-wordpress/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:12:\"Arnaud Broes\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9578:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3258 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"851\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured.jpg 851w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-768x227.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-848x250.jpg 848w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-450x133.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/how-to-build-an-email-list-featured-600x177.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" /></p>\n<p>How many of you have prioritized pageviews over email marketing? We all have at some point. After all, pageviews equals more ad revenue…right? Well, having a good email list is more valuable and can bring in more pageviews than you get using traditional methods.</p>\n<p>So how do you build an email list in WordPress?</p>\n<p>You always hear the same advice: create great content and people will subscribe, or have an opt-in form on your blog. Those methods are tried and tested but there are other more creative and effective ways to implement them and speed up the growth of your email list.</p>\n<p>We’re talking content upgrades, high-value opt-in forms and social proof.</p>\n<p>Let’s first start off with the basics before we dive into those three methods and how to effectively employ them.</p>\n<h2>The Basics</h2>\n<h3>What is an Email List?</h3>\n<p>An email list is a list of email addresses of your existing and prospective customers who have signed up or subscribed via your WordPress site to get updates, newsletters, special offers or announcements.</p>\n<h3>Why You Should Build an Email List</h3>\n<p>Email consistently outperforms social media across the board. It gets a higher view rate than Facebook or Twitter; 50-100 times the click rates of Facebook or Twitter; and is more cost-effective than any other marketing and social channel. Why? Because email is more intimate and private.</p>\n<p>If those stats haven’t convinced you yet, here are three other really good reasons:</p>\n<p><strong>#1.</strong> Your emails are guaranteed to reach the inboxes of each and every one of the active contacts on your email list. The email stays in their inbox until they take an action. Compare that to Facebook or Twitter, where your statuses and posts may not be seen by your followers because of algorithms and the inherent nature of those social networks. Bottom line: people check their emails more thoroughly than they do their social timelines</p>\n<p><strong>#2.</strong> Email is more secure and more flexible. You own your email list. You however, have very limited control and no ownership of your Twitter and Facebook account data. Furthermore, your social accounts could get hacked or suspended for whatever reason; or the platform could cease to exist or become less popular (think Myspace) etc. Whereas you own your email list and can communicate with your customers and prospects on your own terms.</p>\n<p><strong>#3.</strong> Email has more specific targeting. You can send information or announcements on product specific or geo-specific services to specific contacts that match some particular criteria.</p>\n<p>That’s not to say that you should neglect your social networks. Social is great for user engagement so don’t give up on social just yet. Email will just bring you more visitors and conversions.</p>\n<p>So how can you get started today?</p>\n<p>Well, there are quite a few WordPress email marketing plugins at your disposal. Most of them require you to use them in conjunction with email marketing service providers and only help you to create signup forms on your site. They don’t go much further than that. A few however do. <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/subscribe2-html/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">One of those is Subscribe2 HTML</a>.</p>\n<h2>Subscribe2 HTML</h2>\n<p>Subscribe2HTML plugin is arguably one of the most comprehensive and reliable email marketing plugins for WordPress. It gives you the option of sending emails on a per-post basis or periodically in a newsletter format.</p>\n<p>It manages your email lists in a straightforward way. For example, you don’t need to log in to compose an email every time before sending one. This comes in handy when you need to send out timely post updates – a great feature for high traffic blogs.</p>\n<p>There are two subscription options for Subscribe2 HTML: Registered Subscribers and Public Subscribers. Registered Subscribers are users who have subscribed to your blog and are consequently required to log-in to your site to manage their subscriptions. They can opt to receive either plain text or HTML emails. You can send them post notifications by category; and they can choose whether they want just the excerpt or the full post. (If they don’t make a choice, they will get the full post when they select the plain text option).</p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3261\" style=\"width: 391px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\" wp-image-3261\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2.png\" alt=\"Suscribe2HTML is full of features and can be configured in any way you like.\" width=\"381\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2.png 610w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-248x300.png 248w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-206x250.png 206w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-100x121.png 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-150x182.png 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-200x242.png 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-300x363.png 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-450x545.png 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/subscribe2-600x727.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px\" /><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suscribe2HTML is full of features and can be configured in any way you like.</p></div>\n<p>Public Subscribers can sign up through an online form. However, their subscription only starts when they confirm the subscription request via email. They do not get to choose between an excerpt or plain text version of an email.</p>\n<p>As an admin, you can subscribe or unsubscribe users and send emails to all verified subscribers. You also have a selection of email templates to choose from.</p>\n<p>There are additional options and settings available, like choosing the frequency of your emails and the time of day to send them. The plugin is all about automation to save you valuable time.</p>\n<h2>3 Effective strategies to Grow Your Email List</h2>\n<h3>Content</h3>\n<p>Consistently creating great content is the advice you always hear and read about when looking for ways to increase traffic to your blog and to grow your email list. That’s all good and true, but have you heard of a content upgrade? It’s a simple and highly effective strategy to grow your email list.</p>\n<p>How it works:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Write an engaging blog post.</li>\n<li>Create a more in-depth version of the post.</li>\n<li>Give readers the option to read the upgraded content in return for their email address.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>This strategy works on the basis that your readers are already interested in the blog post since they clicked on it. So, a content upgrade plays on that interest by offering more. It’s simple, straightforward and highly effective.</p>\n<h3>Opt-In Forms</h3>\n<p>Like you’ve heard over and over again (and seen on many high-traffic sites), opt-in forms are the way to go when growing your email list. It’s worth mentioning again in this post. Whether you’re offering an eBook, white paper or free software, opt-in forms will increase your email subscriptions.</p>\n<p>The key is not to offer as many incentives as you can. The most efficient strategy is to pick a high-value incentive and place it in appropriate areas of your site (the sidebar, pop-ups, blog post, footer, etc.). This strategy is especially great for small businesses that don’t have the time or the manpower to produce upgraded content for every blog post.</p>\n<h3>Social Proof</h3>\n<p>A majority of online users rely on ratings, popularity and reviews in making purchasing decisions. Social proof is very important and shouldn’t be underestimated.</p>\n<p>That being said, you should focus on your numbers. Add up all your followers and subscribers on all channels and put the total out there. The bigger the number, the more impressive.</p>\n<p>In fact, various research studies have shown that social proof has more impact on behavior than financial, environmental and personal incentives.</p>\n<p>Would you also like to be included in our email list? Go to <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/\">our homepage</a> and enter your email address to subscribe!</p>\n\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:36:\"http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/\";a:1:{s:10:\"commentRss\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:71:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-build-an-email-list-in-wordpress/feed/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:38:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/\";a:1:{s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:2:\"14\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:\"data\";s:45:\"\n		\n		\n		\n		\n		\n				\n		\n\n		\n		\n				\n			\n		\n		\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";s:5:\"child\";a:5:{s:0:\"\";a:7:{s:5:\"title\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:40:\"9 Steps to Clean Your WordPress Database\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"link\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:63:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-clean-your-wordpress-database/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"comments\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:72:\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-clean-your-wordpress-database/#comments\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:7:\"pubDate\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:31:\"Thu, 06 Apr 2017 13:00:25 +0000\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:4:\"Blog\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:18:\"WordPress database\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:4:\"guid\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:34:\"https://semperplugins.com/?p=3225/\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:1:{s:0:\"\";a:1:{s:11:\"isPermaLink\";s:5:\"false\";}}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}s:11:\"description\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:422:\"Is your WordPress database a mess? Have you been complaining about it since time immemorial? Well, then your WordPress site might be as bloated as you were after that marvelous Thanksgiving dinner at your mom’s. If your site has been<span class=\"ellipsis\">&#8230;</span><div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/how-to-clean-your-wordpress-database/\">Read more &#8250;</a></div><!-- end of .read-more -->\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:32:\"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/\";a:1:{s:7:\"creator\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:13:\"Derek Iwasiuk\";s:7:\"attribs\";a:0:{}s:8:\"xml_base\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"xml_base_explicit\";b:0;s:8:\"xml_lang\";s:0:\"\";}}}s:40:\"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/\";a:1:{s:7:\"encoded\";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:\"data\";s:9209:\"<p><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3232 aligncenter\" src=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database.jpg 850w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-300x88.jpg 300w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-768x226.jpg 768w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-100x29.jpg 100w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-150x44.jpg 150w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-200x59.jpg 200w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-450x132.jpg 450w, https://semperplugins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/clean-up-your-wordpress-database-600x176.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" /></p>\n<p>Is your WordPress database a mess? Have you been complaining about it since time immemorial? Well, then your WordPress site might be as bloated as you were after that marvelous Thanksgiving dinner at your mom’s. If your site has been live for a while now, <strong>chances are that its database has acquired quite a bit of garbage and is demanding a spring clean</strong>.</p>\n<p>The trick to maintaining a database is to clean it regularly to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary data. However, we are guessing that you have been skimping on the cleaning bit, which is why you are here today. Therefore, without wasting time, we will tell you how to clean up that database in a few easy steps.</p>\n<h2><strong>#1. Basic Ground Rules</strong></h2>\n<p>Before you take on the massive task of spring-cleaning, you must ensure that your valuables are safe and sound. Losing a single system file can mess up your website entirely and can cause you to lose thousands of dollars in revenue.</p>\n<p>So start by creating copies of important files and create a backup of your entire website. You should definitely<a href=\"https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> check out Backupbuddy from our friends at iThemes</a>. It&#8217;s a great plugin that allows you to schedule automatic full or database-only backups, and we highly recommend it.</p>\n<h2><strong>#2. Screen Through the Clutter</strong></h2>\n<p>Do you remember how yard sales used to work before Craigslist and eBay came along? Just like separating the valuables from trash, you need to pick out the plugins you use and the ones you don’t.</p>\n<p>You can easily get started by going through your complete list of plugins in your WordPress dashboard. Go to your admin panel and click on Plugins. Next, go to Installed Plugins and click on Inactive at the top of the screen.</p>\n<p>Eliminating unused plugins should easily free up a couple of bytes and is the first step towards cleaning up your WordPress database.</p>\n<h2><strong>#3. Time For a Purge </strong></h2>\n<p>This might sound very ominous (esp. to the ones familiar with the popular movie franchise), but it is the best way to free up space. After deleting all unused plugins you should start cleaning out post data.</p>\n<p>If you have been using WordPress from a while, you might not be as surprised to know that all your post data is being stored in your website database. You can find it all in the wp_postmeta table, and you can run this query to get rid of all superfluous data:</p>\n<blockquote><p>DELETE FROM wp_postmeta WHERE meta_key = &#8216;your-meta-key</p></blockquote>\n<p>Always remember to replace the last part with the value that has to be cleared out.</p>\n<h2>#4. <strong>Take Care of Spam</strong></h2>\n<p>Spam is no longer restricted to your inbox. If you look through your database carefully, you will find tons of spam comments as well. These include promotional features and unscrupulous backlinks that other sites use to eat their way into your SEO. Monitoring comments is an essential practice that is currently underrated.</p>\n<p>The easiest way to manage spam comments on your site is to execute this query:</p>\n<blockquote><p>DELETE FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = &#8216;spam&#8217;;</p></blockquote>\n<p>If you are currently <a href=\"https://semperplugins.com/wordpress-multisite/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">using a multi-site installation of WordPress</a>, you may like to try the following query:</p>\n<blockquote><p>DELETE FROM wp_#_comments WHERE comment_approved = &#8216;spam&#8217;;</p></blockquote>\n<h2>#5. <strong>What About Comments Waiting on Moderation?</strong></h2>\n<p>As a WordPress website/blog admin, you have the power to delete all comments that are awaiting moderation. This eliminates the need of unnecessarily going through each and every spam comment that you haven’t yet moderated.</p>\n<p>Just a word of advice: go through the list once to approve all genuine comments before running this query:</p>\n<blockquote><p>DELETE FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = &#8216;0&#8217;;</p></blockquote>\n<h2><strong>#6. Taking Care of Unused Tags</strong></h2>\n<p>This has happened to almost all of us. When we were new at blogging, we created a few hundred tags thinking we would use them from time to time. And now that we post regularly, we hardly ever change tags. We use the most common ones and stick to those.</p>\n<p>Don’t be surprised if you have completely forgotten about a score of tags that you exist on your website database (thanks to your wild imaginative powers). 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Edit or delete it, then start blogging!','Hello world!','','publish','open','open','','hello-world','','','2011-06-07 02:50:20','2011-06-07 07:50:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1',0,'post','',1),(2,4,'2011-06-07 02:50:20','2011-06-07 07:50:20','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n<h4><strong>What\'s new:</strong></h4>\r\n<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">Brand Identity Kit</a> (the five-part marketing message kit to help you communicate better)\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Book a free 15-minute consultation!</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','publish','closed','closed','','sample-page','','','2018-02-12 16:59:52','2018-02-12 21:59:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=2',0,'page','',0),(3074,4,'2015-10-20 16:57:29','2015-10-20 20:57:29','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2015-10-20 16:57:29','2015-10-20 20:57:29','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1852,4,'2012-10-08 17:59:10','2012-10-08 17:59:10','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How We Can Help</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nTogether, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.\r\n\r\n<strong>You\'ll find that our services</strong> are more focused alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nWe will work with you to find the best solution to your marketing problem.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2012-10-08 17:59:10','2012-10-08 17:59:10','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/2-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(38,4,'2011-06-28 13:56:48','2011-06-28 13:56:48','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\n\r\nBNA\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\n\r\nDKD New Media\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\n\r\nFrontPoint Security\r\n\r\nKARRASS\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\n\r\nMiCORE Solutions, Inc.\r\n\r\nPebbles of Hope\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\n\r\nSperry Van Ness\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\n\r\nSW Creatives\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','publish','closed','closed','','clients','','','2014-10-09 15:23:48','2014-10-09 19:23:48','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=38',0,'page','',0),(4,4,'2011-06-07 07:57:31','2011-06-07 07:57:31','','Deborah-Brody-Marketing-Communications','','inherit','open','open','','deborah-brody-marketing-communications','','','2011-06-07 07:57:31','2011-06-07 07:57:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Deborah-Brody-Marketing-Communications.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5,4,'2011-06-07 08:12:16','2011-06-07 08:12:16','','Slider','','publish','closed','closed','','slider','','','2011-06-07 08:32:09','2011-06-07 08:32:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=slider&p=5',0,'slider','',0),(6,4,'2011-06-07 08:12:02','2011-06-07 08:12:02','','istockphoto_13190610-cup-of-coffee-with-splash','','inherit','open','open','','istockphoto_13190610-cup-of-coffee-with-splash','','','2011-06-07 08:12:02','2011-06-07 08:12:02','',5,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/istockphoto_13190610-cup-of-coffee-with-splash.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(7,4,'2011-06-07 08:32:00','2011-06-07 08:32:00','','Primary-Tools-of-Marketing','','inherit','open','open','','primary-tools-of-marketing','','','2011-06-07 08:32:00','2011-06-07 08:32:00','',5,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Primary-Tools-of-Marketing.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8,4,'2011-06-07 08:35:47','2011-06-07 08:35:47','','Home','','publish','open','open','','home','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=8',1,'nav_menu_item','',0),(9,4,'2011-06-07 02:50:20','2011-06-07 07:50:20','This is an example page. It\'s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:\n\n<blockquote>Hi there! I\'m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my blog. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like pi&#241;a coladas. (And gettin\' caught in the rain.)</blockquote>\n\n...or something like this:\n\n<blockquote>The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickies to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.</blockquote>\n\nAs a new WordPress user, you should go to <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-admin/\">your dashboard</a> to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!','Sample Page','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 02:50:20','2011-06-07 07:50:20','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/2-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(10,4,'2018-02-09 11:45:09','2018-02-09 16:45:09','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nBook a free 15-minute consultation\r\n\r\n[10to8booking organisation_id=\"8ac2d0e7-2f0e-4c54-aaa5-1fe51d379a75\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-09 11:45:09','2018-02-09 16:45:09','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/2-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(11,4,'2011-06-07 08:51:13','2011-06-07 08:51:13','','background','','inherit','open','open','','background','','','2011-06-07 08:51:13','2011-06-07 08:51:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/background.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12,4,'2011-06-07 09:00:18','2011-06-07 09:00:18','','tagline','','inherit','open','open','','tagline','','','2011-06-07 09:00:18','2011-06-07 09:00:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tagline.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(13,4,'2011-06-07 08:36:50','2011-06-07 08:36:50','This is an example page. It\'s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:\r\n<blockquote>Hi there! I\'m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my blog. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin\' caught in the rain.)</blockquote>\r\n...or something like this:\r\n<blockquote>The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickies to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.</blockquote>\r\nAs a new WordPress user, you should go to <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-admin/\">your dashboard</a> to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!','Sample Page','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 08:36:50','2011-06-07 08:36:50','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/2-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(14,4,'2011-06-07 09:02:37','2011-06-07 09:02:37','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">NEW! Brand Identity Kit</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Copy Editing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/copy-editing/\">Copy Editing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>\r\nIf you need further information, or want to discuss how we can work together, please <a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">book a free 15-minute consultation</a> with me.','Services','','publish','closed','closed','','services','','','2018-02-12 15:52:00','2018-02-12 20:52:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=14',0,'page','',0),(15,4,'2011-06-07 09:02:34','2011-06-07 09:02:34','','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:02:34','2011-06-07 09:02:34','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/14-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(114,4,'2011-06-07 09:22:08','2011-06-07 09:22:08','If you\'re a small to medium-size business or a  non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your  target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.   At Deborah Brody  Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced  marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing  communications. Together, we will create, recreate or refine your  marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).   Whether you want  to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to  create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most efficient solution.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a  reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.  You\'ll find that <a title=\"Our Services\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/\">our services</a> are an affordable alternative to the  traditional advertising or public relations agency. You won\'t pay agency  prices and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff. No matter  if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put  together a communications team, we can work with you.','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:22:08','2011-06-07 09:22:08','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/2-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(18,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:02','2011-06-07 09:03:02','<div><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with 20 years of public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several leading South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates (public relations), The Jeffrey Group (public relations focused on Latin America), and  Peter Nasca Associates (corporate communications). In 2001,  Deborah taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication. She lives in Rockville, Maryland and when not writing, she enjoys cooking, following current events and politics and doing yoga.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahbrody\">\r\n      \r\n          <img src=\"https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/webpromo/btn_viewmy_120x33.png\" width=\"120\" height=\"33\" border=\"0\" alt=\"View Deborah Brody\'s profile on LinkedIn\">\r\n        \r\n    </a>','About','','publish','closed','closed','','about','','','2015-03-26 10:23:05','2015-03-26 14:23:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=18',0,'page','',0),(1726,4,'2012-06-21 13:05:00','2012-06-21 13:05:00','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems that there are lots of people out there who either don\'t know how to use Twitter or don\'t really care.  Their behavior --from ignoring people to being excessively self-promotional-- is just plain obnoxious. \"In real life\" if you engage in obnoxious behavior, people start avoiding you, right?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are a few obnoxious behaviors that you should avoid:\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Not responding to @ mentions</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Someone is trying to talk to you. In person, would you ignore someone who is speaking to you?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Retweeting every comment that includes a mention of you</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious</strong>: It is clear that you are trying to make sure your followers know that others have mentioned you. In person, what would you think of someone who is constantly saying, things like \"Joe really  likes me, and told me so.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Bragging or posting completely self-serving tweets</span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> When you are going on (and on and on) about yourself, you are acting as if the world is your echo chamber. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The only person that benefits from your behavior is you.</span> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Following people but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> interacting with them</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> If you are interested in following someone, perhaps it is because you enjoy what they share or have to say. When you don\'t COMMUNICATE with that person, you are giving absolutely no reason why that person should follow you or value your follow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Never interacting with anyone at all\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Would you go to a party, stand up and start talking and ignore everyone else in the room? Would you show up to a networking event and not speak to anyone? Why are you there? Presumably, you are there because you want to speak with other people--not to or at them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Scheduling Tweets</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this obnoxious::</strong> When you schedule Tweets you are using Twitter as a place to dump information rather than a place to interact with people. It takes the social out of social media. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Behavior</strong>: Automatically Tweeting your check-ins\r\n\r\n<strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Do you walk around announcing yourself everywhere you go? \"Hi, I am at the corner of Main and Elm. Hi, now I am dropping my clothes at the dry cleaners. Hi, now I am stopping at the drugstore for my seizure medication.  Hi, now I am picking lint off my jacket while standing on line at Starbucks.\"\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t want to be obnoxious on Twitter, think whether you would do those things if you were to see your \"Tweeps\" in person. It really is that simple.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What obnoxious behavior have you encountered on Twitter?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to use Twitter and not be obnoxious','','publish','open','open','','how-to-use-twitter-and-not-be-obnoxious','','','2012-06-21 13:14:02','2012-06-21 13:14:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1726',0,'post','',0),(19,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:00','2011-06-07 09:03:00','','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:00','2011-06-07 09:03:00','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/18-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(20,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:21','2011-06-07 09:03:21','Mis servicios:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Escritura y producción de materiales de mercadeo (marketing), ya sea un folleto, comunicados de prensa, o el contenido de un sitio Web.</li>\r\n	<li>Redacción de materiales.</li>\r\n	<li>Traducción de materiales  ingles/español.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPuede contar con trabajos hechos con creatividad y experiencia, y con la confianza de que hare el trabajo en el tiempo adecuado y a un precio justo.\r\n\r\nDependiendo de las exigencias del cliente, trabajo por proyecto o a largo plazo. En todo caso, el precio se dará por escrito.\r\n\r\n<strong>Biografia</strong>\r\n\r\nDeborah establecio su compañia en 2002. Cuenta con una carrera que abarca veinte años de trabajo en las industrias de relaciones públicas y de publicidad. Deborah obtuvo una Maestría en Comunicaciones en Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>¿Como le puedo ayudar? Mandeme un mail:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>','Espanol','','publish','closed','closed','','espanol','','','2015-03-27 19:05:04','2015-03-27 23:05:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=20',0,'page','',0),(2934,4,'2015-03-27 19:01:45','2015-03-27 23:01:45','Mis servicios:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Escritura y producción de materiales de mercadeo (marketing), ya sea un folleto, comunicados de prensa, o el contenido de un sitio Web.</li>\r\n	<li>Redacción de materiales.</li>\r\n	<li>Traducción de materiales  ingles/español.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPuede contar con trabajos hechos con creatividad y experiencia, y con la confianza de que hare el trabajo en el tiempo adecuado y a un precio justo.\r\n\r\nDependiendo de las exigencias del cliente, trabajo por proyecto o a largo plazo. En todo caso, el precio se dará por escrito.\r\n\r\nBiografia\r\n\r\nDeborah establecio su compania en 2002. Cuenta con una carrera que abarca veinte años de trabajo en las industrias de relaciones públicas y de publicidad. Deborah obtuvo una Maestría en Comunicaciones en Boston University.\r\n\r\nContáctenos hoy para discutir como le podemos ayudar.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>','Espanol','','inherit','open','open','','20-revision-v1','','','2015-03-27 19:01:45','2015-03-27 23:01:45','',20,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/20-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(21,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:14','2011-06-07 09:03:14','','Es','','inherit','open','open','','20-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:14','2011-06-07 09:03:14','',20,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/20-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(22,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:34','2011-06-07 09:03:34','','Blog','','publish','closed','closed','','blog','','','2011-06-07 09:03:34','2011-06-07 09:03:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=22',0,'page','',0),(23,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:30','2011-06-07 09:03:30','','Blog','','inherit','open','open','','22-revision','','','2011-06-07 09:03:30','2011-06-07 09:03:30','',22,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/22-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(24,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:51','2011-06-07 09:03:51','<iframe src=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DR-Ox75S3bNvD01zpkolVqvBlo8PvC9htvgAI4MibU8/viewform?embedded=true\" width=\"600\" height=\"700\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\">Loading...</iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC (3262)\r\n\r\n<object width=\"230\" height=\"85\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"FlashVars\" value=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" /><embed width=\"230\" height=\"85\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" wmode=\"transparent\" flashvars=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /></object>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address>','Contact','','publish','closed','closed','','contact','','','2015-01-27 18:34:40','2015-01-27 23:34:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=24',0,'page','',0),(25,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:45','2011-06-07 09:03:45','','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:45','2011-06-07 09:03:45','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/24-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(26,4,'2011-06-07 09:04:30','2011-06-07 09:04:30',' ','','','publish','open','open','','26','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=26',16,'nav_menu_item','',0),(27,4,'2011-06-07 09:04:30','2011-06-07 09:04:30',' ','','','publish','open','open','','27','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=27',15,'nav_menu_item','',0),(28,4,'2011-06-07 09:04:30','2011-06-07 09:04:30',' ','','','publish','open','open','','28','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=28',14,'nav_menu_item','',0),(29,4,'2011-06-07 09:04:30','2011-06-07 09:04:30',' ','','','publish','open','open','','29','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=29',8,'nav_menu_item','',0),(65,4,'2011-07-21 05:06:37','2011-07-21 05:06:37','','Writing','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2011-07-21 05:06:37','2011-07-21 05:06:37','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/49-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(32,4,'2011-06-07 09:13:42','2011-06-07 09:13:42','','signup-box','','inherit','open','open','','signup-box','','','2011-06-07 09:13:42','2011-06-07 09:13:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/signup-box.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(33,4,'2011-06-07 09:02:15','2011-06-07 09:02:15','This is an example page. It\'s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:\r\n<blockquote>Hi there! I\'m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my blog. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin\' caught in the rain.)</blockquote>\r\n...or something like this:\r\n<blockquote>The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickies to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.</blockquote>\r\nAs a new WordPress user, you should go to <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-admin/\">your dashboard</a> to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:02:15','2011-06-07 09:02:15','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/2-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(34,4,'2011-06-07 09:41:59','2011-06-07 09:41:59','','facebook-icon','','inherit','open','open','','facebook-icon','','','2011-06-07 09:41:59','2011-06-07 09:41:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/facebook-icon.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(35,4,'2011-06-07 09:42:00','2011-06-07 09:42:00','','rss-icon','','inherit','open','open','','rss-icon','','','2011-06-07 09:42:00','2011-06-07 09:42:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/rss-icon.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(36,4,'2011-06-07 09:42:00','2011-06-07 09:42:00','','twitter-icon','','inherit','open','open','','twitter-icon','','','2011-06-07 09:42:00','2011-06-07 09:42:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/twitter-icon.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(37,4,'2011-06-07 09:57:07','2011-06-07 09:57:07','','favicon','','inherit','open','open','','favicon','','','2011-06-07 09:57:07','2011-06-07 09:57:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/favicon.ico',0,'attachment','image/x-icon',0),(39,4,'2011-06-28 13:56:45','2011-06-28 13:56:45','','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:56:45','2011-06-28 13:56:45','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/38-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(40,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:18','2011-06-28 13:57:18','<h2>International charity needs to rebrand</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.reach.org/\" target=\"_blank\">REACH International</a>, a charitable organization that provides education, housing and other services to disadvantaged children in 24 countries, needed to increase its donor base and extend its appeal. The charity had not refreshed its materials in a long time, and the existing look and messaging did not communicate well to a new donor target.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International was using an outdated brochure and wanted to recreate both the design and the content. Dan Kohan of<a href=\"http://sensicaldesign.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Sensical Design</a> designed a new logo and the new brochure. DBMC was tasked with writing the content.\r\n\r\nAs with any new project, my first step was to have an in-depth conversation with the client. I suggested that our first step would be to create key messages and an organizational description that could be used in the brochure and all other marketing pieces (website, press releases, etc.). I provided the client with a detailed branding and identity questionnaire. From her answers and our interview, I developed the key messages (with supporting points) and a “boilerplate” organizational description. Once those were approved, I went on to write the brochure.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, REACH International has a beautiful, updated brochure that communicates the impact of the humanitarian work it does around the world.\r\n\r\nView the PDF of the new brochure: <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">REACH-brochure-03</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','publish','closed','closed','','portfolio','','','2015-10-20 10:26:25','2015-10-20 14:26:25','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=40',0,'page','',0),(41,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:07','2011-06-28 13:57:07','','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:57:07','2011-06-28 13:57:07','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/40-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(42,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:37','2011-06-28 13:57:37','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 30% to 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a monthly or bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders. Paying by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge.  Our policy is 30 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced.\r\n<h3>Late Fees</h3>\r\n<strong></strong>Invoices that are not paid after 30 days from date of invoice are subject to late fees on the following schedule:\r\n\r\n31-60 days: 20% late fee\r\n\r\n61-90 days: 25% late fee\r\n\r\n91-120 days: 30% late fee\r\n\r\nAny invoice that is unpaid after 121 days will be subject to a 50% late fee, remitted to immediate collection, and the client relationship will be immediately terminated.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to produce something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','publish','closed','closed','','how-we-work','','','2017-09-04 13:17:14','2017-09-04 17:17:14','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=42',0,'page','',0),(43,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:35','2011-06-28 13:57:35','','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:57:35','2011-06-28 13:57:35','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/42-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(44,4,'2011-06-28 13:58:23','2011-06-28 13:58:23',' ','','','publish','open','open','','44','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=44',11,'nav_menu_item','',0),(45,4,'2011-06-28 13:58:23','2011-06-28 13:58:23',' ','','','publish','open','open','','45','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=45',10,'nav_menu_item','',0),(46,4,'2011-06-28 13:58:23','2011-06-28 13:58:23',' ','','','publish','open','open','','46','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=46',9,'nav_menu_item','',0),(1424,4,'2011-09-06 15:31:14','2011-09-06 15:31:14','Do you have the kind of Twitter followers you want? Are you getting the information you want and need from your Twitter stream? If the answer is no, I have one question for you to consider before you post your next Tweet:\r\n\r\n<strong>Who cares about what I am about to post?</strong>\r\n\r\nDo your friends care? Your mother? Your potential clients? Your colleagues?\r\n\r\nNot everything you want to say has to be said on social media. If you want to vent about your new dishwasher, why not call a neighbor? If you want to make brunch plans--why not text your friends?','One question to improve your Twitter stream','','publish','open','open','','one-question-to-improve-your-twitter-stream','','','2011-09-06 15:31:14','2011-09-06 15:31:14','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1424',0,'post','',0),(49,4,'2011-07-21 05:06:37','2011-07-21 05:06:37','Written materials are the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear, concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and your business stand out.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Website content</li>\r\n	<li>Blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Marketing collateral\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Brochures</li>\r\n	<li>Flyers</li>\r\n	<li>Taglines</li>\r\n	<li>Ebooks</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter copy</li>\r\n	<li>Email copy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\r\n	<li>Public relations materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Press releases</li>\r\n	<li>Executive biographies</li>\r\n	<li>Position papers</li>\r\n	<li>White papers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Messaging materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Key messages</li>\r\n	<li>Company descriptions</li>\r\n	<li>Boilerplate</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWriting fee: $125 per hour','Writing/Copywriting','','publish','closed','closed','','writing','','','2017-09-04 13:18:27','2017-09-04 17:18:27','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=49',0,'page','',0),(50,4,'2011-07-21 05:06:33','2011-07-21 05:06:33','','Writing','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2011-07-21 05:06:33','2011-07-21 05:06:33','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/49-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(51,4,'2011-07-21 05:07:42','2011-07-21 05:07:42','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing and communications plan? Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing ideas, tactics and strategies.\r\n<h3>Blog consulting</h3>\r\nWhere does your blog fit in your overall communications plan? Is it achieving results?\r\n<h3>Social media consulting</h3>\r\nAre you using social media effectively? Are you reaching your goals? We\'ll help you determine what is working and what is not, and how to fix it.\r\n<h3>Communications audits</h3>\r\nAre your key messages relevant? What marketing collateral do you need and which could you get rid of? We will assess your materials and provide recommendations.\r\n\r\nCommunications consulting fee: $125 per hour','Consulting','','publish','closed','closed','','communications-consulting','','','2017-09-04 13:19:03','2017-09-04 17:19:03','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=51',0,'page','',0),(52,4,'2011-07-21 05:07:37','2011-07-21 05:07:37','','Communications Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2011-07-21 05:07:37','2011-07-21 05:07:37','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/51-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(53,4,'2011-07-21 05:08:25','2011-07-21 05:08:25','Training enables an organization\'s staff to take over ongoing communications functions such as blogging. Currently, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications offers public workshops on how to write your blog. We also can create customized training for your organization on the following topics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Public relations writing</li>\r\n	<li>Blogging</li>\r\n	<li>Creating key messages</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Training','','publish','closed','closed','','communication-audit','','','2013-04-26 17:36:42','2013-04-26 17:36:42','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=53',0,'page','',0),(54,4,'2011-07-21 05:08:22','2011-07-21 05:08:22','','Communication Audit','','inherit','open','open','','53-revision','','','2011-07-21 05:08:22','2011-07-21 05:08:22','',53,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/53-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2214,4,'2013-06-07 13:36:09','2013-06-07 13:36:09','You can\'t call yesterday\'s news new. In fact, you probably can\'t call it news either. And yet, it has become a habit for some marketers, most notably those on Twitter, to use the word \"new\" or even worse, the word \"breaking\" to set apart their content. Now, if something is truly new or breaking, then that\'s fine, but keep in mind that calling something new or breaking is a one-time-only proposition.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"News Shop by Cyberslayer, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/338311046/\"><img alt=\"News Shop\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/156/338311046_d98886414a.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> News shop by Cyberslayer via Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nOnce you have called something new or breaking, you can\'t do it again. Why? Here are three reasons:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>It is <strong>false advertising</strong>: it is no longer new.</li>\r\n	<li>It <strong>undermines your credibility</strong>: you are trying to get me to believe something that is not so.</li>\r\n	<li>It\'s a <strong>cheap tactic</strong>: is this the only way you can get attention for your product, service or idea?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIf I see a Twitter stream replete with the words new or breaking, it better be from a wire service, newspaper or news broadcast. A post that you wrote two weeks ago is not new. An idea that you tweeted out last week certainly is not breaking.\r\n\r\nRemember it\'s only new once, everything else can be classified as gently used or old or even outdated!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s only new once','','publish','open','open','','its-only-new-once','','','2013-06-07 13:36:09','2013-06-07 13:36:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2214',0,'post','',0),(2206,4,'2013-05-29 12:12:30','2013-05-29 12:12:30','You\'ve heard the saying about how the cobbler\'s children go barefoot. It seems to me that this is especially true for PR agencies and practitioners. They don\'t seem to get that they need to think about their image and their relations with their public. They are in PR but don\'t practice PR for themselves.\r\n\r\nRecently, a large PR firm had layoffs. They were not publicized as most companies like to keep this information quiet.  I happen to have a connection to some of the people that were laid off, and I heard that the layoffs were not handled nicely (or a nicely as being told you are losing your job can be handled). The people who were laid off were given just a few minutes to collect their belongings and leave the office. They were only given two weeks severance.  One of them did not get a chance to take her personal stuff with her, and the agency \"lost\" it. In short, they were not treated very well.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s astounding to me is that a PR agency that is in the business of making clients look good can do things that make itself look bad. Why would you not handle a layoff in a more caring and thoughtful fashion? Don\'t you know that people have friends and friends have social media? Don\'t you know that reputations depend on cultivating good feelings and trust?\r\n\r\nAnd then there is all the questionable personal stuff that PR people do in business settings, like having incomplete or outdated LinkedIn profiles or using Twitter  to post automated horoscope listings. And then there are stories about PR executives that go on Twitter to rant and rave, and sometimes even post nasty comments about clients, as if nobody can see (and copy and disseminate) that?\r\n\r\nPR people (and agencies) must learn that what they do--both publicly and privately-- is open for scrutiny, and in a digital world, news travels fast and wide. Ultimately, public relations is about protecting reputation and helping build and protect an image. PR agencies and practitioners need to think about their own reputation and image, and act accordingly.','PR for PR people','','publish','open','open','','pr-for-pr-people','','','2013-05-29 12:12:30','2013-05-29 12:12:30','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2206',0,'post','',0),(2155,4,'2013-04-29 15:48:31','2013-04-29 15:48:31','Someone I know posted this update on Facebook:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>\"A real game of yuck this week.\"</em></p>\r\nWho knows what she meant. I am sure you have seen similar coy or opaque statements that just beg followers to ask for more information. And that is what the poster wants...you to ask for details. This may or may not be a good tactic to get attention on Facebook. It certainly is a bad tactic to use if you are trying to get attention in your email marketing, your blog posts, and other marketing content.\r\n\r\nSay you have an email newsletter you send to your clients. You write:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>Spring is a lovely time of year. Good things happen in the spring, it is a time of renewal. Tulips are blooming and spring sales are everywhere.</em></p>\r\nUnless you want to get people upset at your opaqueness, there is little use for being coy in marketing communication. Instead, you should know what you want and ask for it. Instead of rhapsodizing about spring in your newsletter, why not figure out what action you want your target audience to take (this is your <strong>call to action, </strong>in marketing terms)<strong>.</strong>  Don\'t make your audience guess. Tell them, clearly and precisely. Here are a few examples:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Spring means renewal! Time to renew your subscription to our newsletter</li>\r\n	<li>Spring classes are starting. Here is how to enroll in our next class.</li>\r\n	<li>Spring sales are on! Check out the reduced prices on our newest product</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThese are all <strong>specific actions</strong> you want your audience to take.\r\n\r\nAre you being coy in your communications? Why not start being direct and asking for what you want?!\r\n<h3>How to blog workshop on May 17</h3>\r\nSign up today to get your early registration discount to my next How to Blog workshop taking place on May 17. For more details and to register visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you being coy?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-being-coy','','','2013-04-29 15:48:31','2013-04-29 15:48:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2155',0,'post','',0),(58,4,'2011-07-21 05:11:10','2011-07-21 05:11:10',' ','','','publish','open','open','','58','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=58',7,'nav_menu_item','',0),(59,4,'2011-07-21 05:11:10','2011-07-21 05:11:10',' ','','','publish','open','open','','59','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=59',6,'nav_menu_item','',0),(60,4,'2011-07-21 05:11:10','2011-07-21 05:11:10','','Writing','','publish','open','open','','60','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=60',4,'nav_menu_item','',0),(61,4,'2011-07-21 05:19:33','2011-07-21 05:19:33','Do you have specific questions about a marketing issue? Just post here and I will attempt an answer.','Questions? ','','publish','open','open','','questions','','','2011-07-21 05:19:33','2011-07-21 05:19:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=61',0,'post','',1),(62,4,'2011-07-21 05:19:21','2011-07-21 05:19:21','','Questions? ','','inherit','open','open','','61-revision','','','2011-07-21 05:19:21','2011-07-21 05:19:21','',61,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/61-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(63,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:18','2011-06-28 13:57:18','','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:57:18','2011-06-28 13:57:18','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/40-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1365,4,'2011-07-22 04:02:20','2011-07-22 04:02:20','<h3>Deborah Brody</h3>\r\ndeborah at deborahbrody dot com\r\n\r\nDeborah has more than a decade of experience working in both  advertising and public relations agencies. She launched her career at  Houston Effler Herstek Favat, a top Boston advertising agency, working  on the NEC Technologies account. In 1997, Deborah relocated to South  Florida in order to take advantage of her native Spanish fluency. In  Florida, she worked at Everett Clay Associates, the oldest PR firm in  Miami; The Jeffrey Group, an agency specializing in Latin American PR;  and Peter Nasca Associates, a  corporate communications agency. In the  Fall of 2001, Deborah served as a lecturer in Advanced Public Relations  Writing at Florida International University. Deborah received her  Bachelor\'s degree in Politics from Brandeis University in Waltham,  Massachusetts. She then obtained a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication  from Boston University\'s College of Communication, one of the country\'s  most respected communications programs.\r\n\r\nDeborah has  an active community leadership role. She has served  on the National Arts Marketing Council Steering Committee (Miami) and  the Jewish Community Relations Council. She also is involved with her  undergraduate university, serving on the  Brandeis Alumni Club Steering  Committee.\r\n<h3>Our Philosophy</h3>\r\nWe follow the integrated marketing communications philosophy, because we  believe that effective marketing comes from the smart use of the right  mix of communications tools. Some clients need advertising, and some  need public relations, and many need both. The most effective marketing  efforts occur when advertising plans work in concert with PR  initiatives. We believe that companies or organizations should have a  clear, strong brand and image, which their marketing efforts should  support and further.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:02:20','2011-07-22 04:02:20','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/18-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(66,4,'2011-07-22 03:54:13','2011-07-22 03:54:13','Writing is the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear,  concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and  your business stand out.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, letters)</li>\r\n	<li>Website content</li>\r\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\r\n	<li>Public relations materials</li>\r\n</ul>','Writing/Copywriting','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 03:54:13','2011-07-22 03:54:13','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/49-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(69,4,'2011-07-21 05:07:42','2011-07-21 05:07:42','','Communications Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2011-07-21 05:07:42','2011-07-21 05:07:42','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/51-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(70,4,'2013-04-26 17:28:24','2013-04-26 17:28:24','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing and communications plan? Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing ideas, tactics and strategies.\n<h3>Blog consulting</h3>\nWhere does your blog fit in your overall communications plan? Is it achieving results?\n<h3>Social media consulting</h3>\nAre you using social media effectively? Are you reaching your goals? We\'ll help you determine what is working and what is not, and how to fix it.\n<h3>Communications audits</h3>\nAre your key messages relevant? What marketing collateral do you need and which could you get rid of? We will assess your materials and provide recommendations.','Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-autosave-v1','','','2013-04-26 17:28:24','2013-04-26 17:28:24','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/51-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(71,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:02','2011-06-07 09:03:02','','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:02','2011-06-07 09:03:02','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/18-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(72,4,'2011-07-22 04:00:24','2011-07-22 04:00:24','<h3>Our Philosophy</h3>\r\nWe follow the integrated marketing communications philosophy, because we  believe that effective marketing comes from the smart use of the right  mix of communications tools. Some clients need advertising, and some  need public relations, and many need both. The most effective marketing  efforts occur when advertising plans work in concert with PR  initiatives. We believe that companies or organizations should have a  clear, strong brand and image, which their marketing efforts should  support and further.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:00:24','2011-07-22 04:00:24','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/18-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(73,4,'2011-07-22 04:01:23','2011-07-22 04:01:23','<h3>Deborah Brody <strong>\r\n\r\n</strong>deborah at deborahbrody dot com\r\n\r\nDeborah has more than a decade of experience working in both  advertising and public relations agencies. She launched her career at  Houston Effler Herstek Favat, a top Boston advertising agency, working  on the NEC Technologies account. In 1997, Deborah relocated to South  Florida in order to take advantage of her native Spanish fluency. In  Florida, she worked at Everett Clay Associates, the oldest PR firm in  Miami; The Jeffrey Group, an agency specializing in Latin American PR;  and Peter Nasca Associates, a  corporate communications agency. In the  Fall of 2001, Deborah served as a lecturer in Advanced Public Relations  Writing at Florida International University. Deborah received her  Bachelor\'s degree in Politics from Brandeis University in Waltham,  Massachusetts. She then obtained a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication  from Boston University\'s College of Communication, one of the country\'s  most respected communications programs.</h3>\r\nDeborah has  an active community leadership role. She has served  on the National Arts Marketing Council Steering Committee (Miami) and  the Jewish Community Relations Council. She also is involved with her  undergraduate university, serving on the  Brandeis Alumni Club Steering  Committee.\r\n<h3>Our Philosophy</h3>\r\nWe follow the integrated marketing communications philosophy, because we  believe that effective marketing comes from the smart use of the right  mix of communications tools. Some clients need advertising, and some  need public relations, and many need both. The most effective marketing  efforts occur when advertising plans work in concert with PR  initiatives. We believe that companies or organizations should have a  clear, strong brand and image, which their marketing efforts should  support and further.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:01:23','2011-07-22 04:01:23','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/18-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(74,4,'2011-07-22 04:01:42','2011-07-22 04:01:42','<h3>Deborah Brody <strong>&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</strong>deborah at deborahbrody dot comDeborah has more than a decade of experience working in both  advertising and public relations agencies. She launched her career at  Houston Effler Herstek Favat, a top Boston advertising agency, working  on the NEC Technologies account. In 1997, Deborah relocated to South  Florida in order to take advantage of her native Spanish fluency. In  Florida, she worked at Everett Clay Associates, the oldest PR firm in  Miami; The Jeffrey Group, an agency specializing in Latin American PR;  and Peter Nasca Associates, a  corporate communications agency. In the  Fall of 2001, Deborah served as a lecturer in Advanced Public Relations  Writing at Florida International University. Deborah received her  Bachelor\'s degree in Politics from Brandeis University in Waltham,  Massachusetts. She then obtained a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication  from Boston University\'s College of Communication, one of the country\'s  most respected communications programs.</h3>\r\nDeborah has  an active community leadership role. She has served  on the National Arts Marketing Council Steering Committee (Miami) and  the Jewish Community Relations Council. She also is involved with her  undergraduate university, serving on the  Brandeis Alumni Club Steering  Committee.\r\n<h3>Our Philosophy</h3>\r\nWe follow the integrated marketing communications philosophy, because we  believe that effective marketing comes from the smart use of the right  mix of communications tools. Some clients need advertising, and some  need public relations, and many need both. The most effective marketing  efforts occur when advertising plans work in concert with PR  initiatives. We believe that companies or organizations should have a  clear, strong brand and image, which their marketing efforts should  support and further.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:01:42','2011-07-22 04:01:42','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/18-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3251,4,'2016-05-26 08:52:09','2016-05-26 12:52:09','One of the blogs on my must-read list is <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a>, written by Brad Phillips.  I\'ve been reading Brad\'s insights on media and communications for years. Brad truly is a born blogger, and a great communicator, so naturally, I wanted to him to share this thoughts on writing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips, president, Phillips Media Relations[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>B</strong><strong>rad Phillips</strong> is the president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media and presentation training firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a> blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mrmediatraining\" target=\"_blank\">@MrMediaTraining</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1</strong>. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do  you agree with Brad editing is the most important part in producing top-notch writing? I know I do! Share your thoughts on writing in the comments, and be sure to check this space next month when another communications pro will share his or her thoughts on writing.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have a meaningful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend: Unofficial summer is finally here!</span></strong>','On writing: Brad Phillips knows training is key','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-brad-phillips-knows-training-is-key','','','2016-05-26 08:52:09','2016-05-26 12:52:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3251',0,'post','',0),(3146,4,'2016-02-03 12:53:15','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Organizations  often spend a lot of time (and money) creating (or redesigning) the perfect website. It could take months to get the best design, the right content, and everything running smoothly. Then, finally, the website is launched or relaunched. But it won\'t be perfect. It still need scrutiny and probably, more work.\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t stop working on your website--it\'s a continuous process</strong>\r\n\r\nFirs of all, your newly launched website will most certainly have all sorts of kinks: broken links, missing information, pictures not loading correctly, etc.  Some of these kinks get worked out once they are found. But many times, the kinks are not discovered right away.\r\n\r\n<strong>You need user feedback.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour website should be designed with the user in mind (user experience or UX design). And perhaps it was, but how do <em>your</em> users interact with the website? What information do they need to find? What do they like and what don\'t they like? OK, so maybe they won\'t come out and tell you, but you probably do know what areas of your website are being visited and which aren\'t.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bank website: I can\'t find what I need!\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nJust last week, I needed information on putting a stop payment on a check. I first went to my bank\'s website. I looked around and could not find any information on how to do it or how much it would cost. I was forced to call. I spoke to a representative, who explained the costs and the process. I asked if I could do it online. Yes, she said, of course. I asked how. She had to transfer me to a website customer service agent. I posed the same question. She looked around, and finally discovered where this information lay. It was not obvious, or easily found. And doing a search did not turn it up. The bank had no idea that something so common as a stop payment was not addressed on its website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Does it happen the way you say it happens?</strong>\r\n\r\nI went to a website that offered a free ebook if you signed up for an email newsletter. After inputting my email address, I got a pop-up saying  I would get a link in my inbox very soon to which I\'d then have to respond. And once I\'d done that, I\'d have to wait to get another link to get the ebook (process seems a bit too long but that is another story). It took quite a while for the first link to show up. And then it took another long while for the other link to show up.  I am pretty sure that the website\'s owner has never had to sign up to download the ebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Your website needs attention','','draft','open','open','','','','','2016-02-03 12:53:15','2016-02-03 17:53:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3146',0,'post','',0),(3134,4,'2016-01-28 10:30:23','2016-01-28 15:30:23','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Carrie Morgan</strong>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:  <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-carrie-morgan-rocks-the-status-quo','','','2016-01-28 10:30:23','2016-01-28 15:30:23','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3134',0,'post','',3),(2935,4,'2015-03-27 19:05:04','2015-03-27 23:05:04','Mis servicios:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Escritura y producción de materiales de mercadeo (marketing), ya sea un folleto, comunicados de prensa, o el contenido de un sitio Web.</li>\r\n	<li>Redacción de materiales.</li>\r\n	<li>Traducción de materiales  ingles/español.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPuede contar con trabajos hechos con creatividad y experiencia, y con la confianza de que hare el trabajo en el tiempo adecuado y a un precio justo.\r\n\r\nDependiendo de las exigencias del cliente, trabajo por proyecto o a largo plazo. En todo caso, el precio se dará por escrito.\r\n\r\n<strong>Biografia</strong>\r\n\r\nDeborah establecio su compañia en 2002. Cuenta con una carrera que abarca veinte años de trabajo en las industrias de relaciones públicas y de publicidad. Deborah obtuvo una Maestría en Comunicaciones en Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>¿Como le puedo ayudar? Mandeme un mail:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>','Espanol','','inherit','open','open','','20-revision-v1','','','2015-03-27 19:05:04','2015-03-27 23:05:04','',20,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/20-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1366,4,'2011-08-19 05:32:52','2011-08-19 05:32:52','Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:32:52','2011-08-19 05:32:52','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(76,4,'2011-06-28 13:56:48','2011-06-28 13:56:48','','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:56:48','2011-06-28 13:56:48','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/38-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(77,4,'2017-09-04 13:16:36','2017-09-04 17:16:36','<h3>Project</h3>\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\n\nProjects are payable with a 30% to 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\n<h3>Payment</h3>\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders. Paying by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge.  Our policy is 30 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced.\n<h3>Late Fees</h3>\n<strong></strong>Invoices that are not paid after 30 days from date of invoice are subject to late fees on the following schedule:\n\n31-60 days: 20% late fee\n\n61-90 days: 25% late fee\n\n91-120 days: 30% late fee\n\nAny invoice that is unpaid after 121 days will be subject to a 50% late fee, remitted to immediate collection, and the client relationship will be immediately terminated.\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to produce something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-autosave-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:16:36','2017-09-04 17:16:36','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/42-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(78,4,'2011-06-28 13:57:37','2011-06-28 13:57:37','','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2011-06-28 13:57:37','2011-06-28 13:57:37','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/42-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(79,4,'2011-07-22 04:15:39','2011-07-22 04:15:39','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give  us all the relevant information, including target audience for the  project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you  need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before  beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many  projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement.  We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We  will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are  payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, cash and money orders. We do not  provide credit card processing at this time. Our policy is 14 days net  for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend  credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as  invoiced. All jobs require an initial 50% deposit.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:15:39','2011-07-22 04:15:39','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/42-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(80,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:21','2011-06-07 09:03:21','','Espanol','','inherit','open','open','','20-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:21','2011-06-07 09:03:21','',20,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/20-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(81,4,'2011-06-07 09:03:51','2011-06-07 09:03:51','','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:03:51','2011-06-07 09:03:51','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/24-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(82,4,'2011-07-22 04:18:07','2011-07-22 04:18:07','In the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro          area:\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications\r\n\r\nPO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849\r\n\r\nT: 301-424-2488\r\n\r\nM: 305-336-4357\r\n\r\nE: <a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\nTwitter: <a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:18:07','2011-07-22 04:18:07','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/24-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(83,4,'2015-01-27 18:34:00','2015-01-27 23:34:00','<iframe src=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DR-Ox75S3bNvD01zpkolVqvBlo8PvC9htvgAI4MibU8/viewform?embedded=true\" width=\"600\" height=\"700\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\">Loading...</iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC (3262)\r\n\r\n<object width=\"230\" height=\"85\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"FlashVars\" value=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" /><embed width=\"230\" height=\"85\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" wmode=\"transparent\" flashvars=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /></object>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-autosave-v1','','','2015-01-27 18:34:00','2015-01-27 23:34:00','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/24-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(84,4,'2011-07-22 04:43:22','2011-07-22 04:43:22','SunBloom is a line of hair products for ethnic hair. DBMC helped  formulate the product names and worked with the client to create a  marketing campaign. DBMC wrote copy for the marketing brochure and for  the labels.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Download the Brochure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SunbloomBrochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download the Brochure</a></p>','SunBloom','','publish','closed','closed','','sunbloom','','','2011-07-22 05:26:09','2011-07-22 05:26:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=display&p=84',0,'display','',0),(85,4,'2011-07-22 04:41:26','2011-07-22 04:41:26','','SunbloomBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','sunbloombrochure','','','2011-07-22 04:41:26','2011-07-22 04:41:26','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SunbloomBrochure.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(86,4,'2011-07-22 04:42:55','2011-07-22 04:42:55','','SunbloomBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','sunbloombrochure-2','','','2011-07-22 04:42:55','2011-07-22 04:42:55','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SunbloomBrochure.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(87,4,'2011-07-22 04:41:55','2011-07-22 04:41:55','SunBloom is a line of hair products for ethnic hair. DBMC helped  formulate the product names and worked with the client to create a  marketing campaign. DBMC wrote copy for the marketing brochure and for  the labels.','SunBloom','','inherit','open','open','','84-revision','','','2011-07-22 04:41:55','2011-07-22 04:41:55','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/84-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(88,4,'2011-07-22 04:44:34','2011-07-22 04:44:34','Based in Miami, Streamline is a telecommunications provider specializing  in providing VOIP (Voice over Internet) services. DBMC worked with a  graphic designer to create a fun brochure to appeal to the Miami Beach  clientele, to explain how VOIP works and to introduce the company’s  services.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Download the Brochure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download the Brochure</a></p>','Streamline','','publish','closed','closed','','streamline','','','2011-07-22 05:26:28','2011-07-22 05:26:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=display&p=88',0,'display','',0),(89,4,'2011-07-22 04:43:58','2011-07-22 04:43:58','','StreamlineBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','streamlinebrochure','','','2011-07-22 04:43:58','2011-07-22 04:43:58','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(90,4,'2011-07-22 04:44:22','2011-07-22 04:44:22','','StreamlineBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','streamlinebrochure-2','','','2011-07-22 04:44:22','2011-07-22 04:44:22','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(91,4,'2011-07-22 04:44:29','2011-07-22 04:44:29','Based in Miami, Streamline is a telecommunications provider specializing  in providing VOIP (Voice over Internet) services. DBMC worked with a  graphic designer to create a fun brochure to appeal to the Miami Beach  clientele, to explain how VOIP works and to introduce the company’s  services.','Streamline','','inherit','open','open','','88-revision','','','2011-07-22 04:44:29','2011-07-22 04:44:29','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/88-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(92,4,'2011-07-22 04:46:03','2011-07-22 04:46:03','Jason Warshofsky is an attorney specializing in wills and estates. He  needed to be able to explain his services and he wanted to mail out  something to potential clients. DBMC worked with Mr. Warshofsky to  create an attractive brochure and a website, both of which explained the  importance of estate planning and Mr. Warshofksy’s credentials and  experience.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Download the Brochure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JasonWBrochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download the Brochure</a></p>','Law Offices of Jason Warshofsky','','publish','closed','closed','','law-offices-of-jason-warshofsky','','','2011-07-22 05:22:48','2011-07-22 05:22:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=display&p=92',0,'display','',0),(93,4,'2011-07-22 04:45:29','2011-07-22 04:45:29','','JasonWBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','jasonwbrochure','','','2011-07-22 04:45:29','2011-07-22 04:45:29','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JasonWBrochure.gif',0,'attachment','image/gif',0),(94,4,'2011-07-22 04:45:50','2011-07-22 04:45:50','','JasonWBrochure','','inherit','open','open','','jasonwbrochure-2','','','2011-07-22 04:45:50','2011-07-22 04:45:50','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JasonWBrochure.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(95,4,'2011-07-22 04:44:53','2011-07-22 04:44:53','','Warshofsky Brochure 	  Law Offices of Jason Warshofsky','','inherit','open','open','','92-revision','','','2011-07-22 04:44:53','2011-07-22 04:44:53','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/92-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(96,4,'2011-07-22 05:22:23','2011-07-22 05:22:23','Jason Warshofsky is an attorney specializing in wills and estates. He  needed to be able to explain his services and he wanted to mail out  something to potential clients. DBMC worked with Mr. Warshofsky to  create an attractive brochure and a website, both of which explained the  importance of estate planning and Mr. Warshofksy’s credentials and  experience.\n\nDownload the Brochure','Law Offices of Jason Warshofsky','','inherit','open','open','','92-autosave','','','2011-07-22 05:22:23','2011-07-22 05:22:23','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/92-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(97,4,'2015-10-20 10:24:04','2015-10-20 14:24:04','<h2>International charity needs to rebrand</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International, a charitable organization that provides education, housing and other services to disadvantaged children in 24 countries, needed to increase its donor base and extend its appeal. The charity had not refreshed its materials in a long time, and the existing look and messaging did not communicate well to a new donor target.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International was using an outdated brochure and wanted to recreate both the design and the content. Dan Kohan of Sensical Design designed a new logo and the new brochure. DBMC was tasked with writing the content.\r\n\r\nAs with any new project, my first step was to have an in-depth conversation with the client. I suggested that our first step would be to create key messages and an organizational description that could be used in the brochure and all other marketing pieces (website, press releases, etc.). I provided the client with a detailed branding and identity questionnaire. From her answers and our interview, I developed the key messages (with supporting points) and a “boilerplate” organizational description. Once those were approved, I went on to write the brochure.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, REACH International has a beautiful, updated brochure that communicates the impact of the humanitarian work it does around the world.\r\n\r\nView the PDF of the new brochure: <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">REACH-brochure-03</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-autosave-v1','','','2015-10-20 10:24:04','2015-10-20 14:24:04','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/40-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(98,4,'2011-07-21 05:45:11','2011-07-21 05:45:11','','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-07-21 05:45:11','2011-07-21 05:45:11','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/40-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(99,4,'2011-07-22 04:48:20','2011-07-22 04:48:20','[ts-display cat=\"Portfolio\" postperpage=\"9\" showtitle=\"yes\" showdesc=\"yes\"]','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:48:20','2011-07-22 04:48:20','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/40-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(100,4,'2011-07-22 04:48:41','2011-07-22 04:48:41','[ts-display cat=\"Portfolio\" postperpage=\"9\" showtitle=\"yes\" showdesc=\"yes\"]','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:48:41','2011-07-22 04:48:41','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/40-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(101,4,'2011-07-22 05:21:44','2011-07-22 05:21:44','','JasonWBrochure-1','','inherit','open','open','','jasonwbrochure-1','','','2011-07-22 05:21:44','2011-07-22 05:21:44','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JasonWBrochure-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(102,4,'2011-07-22 04:46:03','2011-07-22 04:46:03','Jason Warshofsky is an attorney specializing in wills and estates. He  needed to be able to explain his services and he wanted to mail out  something to potential clients. DBMC worked with Mr. Warshofsky to  create an attractive brochure and a website, both of which explained the  importance of estate planning and Mr. Warshofksy’s credentials and  experience.','Law Offices of Jason Warshofsky','','inherit','open','open','','92-revision-2','','','2011-07-22 04:46:03','2011-07-22 04:46:03','',92,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/92-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(103,4,'2011-07-22 05:23:49','2011-07-22 05:23:49','','StreamlineBrochure-1','','inherit','open','open','','streamlinebrochure-1','','','2011-07-22 05:23:49','2011-07-22 05:23:49','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(104,4,'2011-07-22 05:27:32','2011-07-22 05:27:32','Based in Miami, Streamline is a telecommunications provider specializing  in providing VOIP (Voice over Internet) services. DBMC worked with a  graphic designer to create a fun brochure to appeal to the Miami Beach  clientele, to explain how VOIP works and to introduce the company’s  services.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Download the Brochure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download the Brochure</a></p>','Streamline','','inherit','open','open','','88-autosave','','','2011-07-22 05:27:32','2011-07-22 05:27:32','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/88-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(105,4,'2011-07-22 04:44:34','2011-07-22 04:44:34','Based in Miami, Streamline is a telecommunications provider specializing  in providing VOIP (Voice over Internet) services. DBMC worked with a  graphic designer to create a fun brochure to appeal to the Miami Beach  clientele, to explain how VOIP works and to introduce the company’s  services.','Streamline','','inherit','open','open','','88-revision-2','','','2011-07-22 04:44:34','2011-07-22 04:44:34','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/88-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(106,4,'2011-07-22 05:25:04','2011-07-22 05:25:04','','SunbloomBrochure-2','','inherit','open','open','','sunbloombrochure-2-2','','','2011-07-22 05:25:04','2011-07-22 05:25:04','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SunbloomBrochure-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(107,4,'2011-07-22 05:25:48','2011-07-22 05:25:48','SunBloom is a line of hair products for ethnic hair. DBMC helped  formulate the product names and worked with the client to create a  marketing campaign. DBMC wrote copy for the marketing brochure and for  the labels.\n\nDownload the Brochure','SunBloom','','inherit','open','open','','84-autosave','','','2011-07-22 05:25:48','2011-07-22 05:25:48','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/84-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(108,4,'2011-07-22 04:43:22','2011-07-22 04:43:22','SunBloom is a line of hair products for ethnic hair. DBMC helped  formulate the product names and worked with the client to create a  marketing campaign. DBMC wrote copy for the marketing brochure and for  the labels.','SunBloom','','inherit','open','open','','84-revision-2','','','2011-07-22 04:43:22','2011-07-22 04:43:22','',84,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/84-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(109,4,'2011-07-22 05:24:36','2011-07-22 05:24:36','Based in Miami, Streamline is a telecommunications provider specializing  in providing VOIP (Voice over Internet) services. DBMC worked with a  graphic designer to create a fun brochure to appeal to the Miami Beach  clientele, to explain how VOIP works and to introduce the company’s  services.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Download the Brochure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/StreamlineBrochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download the Brochure</a></p>','Streamline','','inherit','open','open','','88-revision-3','','','2011-07-22 05:24:36','2011-07-22 05:24:36','',88,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/88-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(110,4,'2011-07-22 05:39:07','2011-07-22 05:39:07','<!--subscribe2-->','Blog Signup','','publish','open','open','','blog-signup','','','2011-07-22 05:39:07','2011-07-22 05:39:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=110',0,'page','',0),(111,4,'2011-07-22 05:38:22','2011-07-22 05:38:22','','Blog Signup','','inherit','open','open','','110-revision','','','2011-07-22 05:38:22','2011-07-22 05:38:22','',110,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/110-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(112,4,'2011-07-22 05:45:59','2011-07-22 05:45:59','@@post_notification_body','@@post_notification_header','','publish','open','open','','post_notification_header','','','2011-07-22 05:45:59','2011-07-22 05:45:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/post_notification_header/',0,'page','',0),(113,4,'2011-07-21 05:08:25','2011-07-21 05:08:25','','Communication Audit','','inherit','open','open','','53-revision-2','','','2011-07-21 05:08:25','2011-07-21 05:08:25','',53,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/53-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(115,4,'2011-08-02 01:29:54','2011-08-02 01:29:54','<table align=\"left\" width=\"265px\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<table width=\"265px\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<br clear=\"all\" /> ','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:29:54','2011-08-02 01:29:54','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(116,4,'2011-08-02 01:31:17','2011-08-02 01:31:17','<table align=\"left\" width=\"265px\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<table width=\"265px\" border=\"1\" align=\"right\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<br clear=\"all\" /> ','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:31:17','2011-08-02 01:31:17','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(117,4,'2011-08-02 01:32:25','2011-08-02 01:32:25','<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<br clear=\"all\" /> ','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:32:25','2011-08-02 01:32:25','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(118,4,'2011-08-02 01:40:27','2011-08-02 01:40:27','<table>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> ','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:40:27','2011-08-02 01:40:27','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(119,4,'2011-08-02 01:40:56','2011-08-02 01:40:56','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> ','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:40:56','2011-08-02 01:40:56','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(120,4,'2011-08-02 01:55:12','2011-08-02 01:55:12','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#B31007\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:55:12','2011-08-02 01:55:12','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(126,4,'2011-08-02 02:01:08','2011-08-02 02:01:08','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#B31007;\" class=\"contact\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\"><b>Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</b></p></td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:01:08','2011-08-02 02:01:08','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(121,4,'2011-08-02 01:55:38','2011-08-02 01:55:38','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" color=\"#B31007\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:55:38','2011-08-02 01:55:38','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(122,4,'2011-08-02 01:56:48','2011-08-02 01:56:48','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#B31007;\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:56:48','2011-08-02 01:56:48','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(123,4,'2011-08-02 01:57:20','2011-08-02 01:57:20','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#B31007;\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:57:20','2011-08-02 01:57:20','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(124,4,'2011-08-02 01:58:59','2011-08-02 01:58:59','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#B31007;\" class=\"contact\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 01:58:59','2011-08-02 01:58:59','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(127,4,'2011-08-02 02:02:26','2011-08-02 02:02:26','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<div class=\"contacthome\">Contact us today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:02:26','2011-08-02 02:02:26','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(125,4,'2011-08-02 02:00:21','2011-08-02 02:00:21','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table> \r\n<table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#B31007;\" class=\"contact\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td align=\"center\"><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\"><b>Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</b></td>\r\n<tr>\r\n</table>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:00:21','2011-08-02 02:00:21','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(128,4,'2011-08-02 02:02:46','2011-08-02 02:02:46','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<div name=\"contacthome\">Contact us today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:02:46','2011-08-02 02:02:46','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(129,4,'2011-08-02 02:03:12','2011-08-02 02:03:12','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div name=\"contacthome\">Contact us today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:03:12','2011-08-02 02:03:12','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(130,4,'2011-08-02 02:06:25','2011-08-02 02:06:25','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\">Contact us today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:06:25','2011-08-02 02:06:25','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(131,4,'2011-08-02 02:16:23','2011-08-02 02:16:23','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:16:23','2011-08-02 02:16:23','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(132,4,'2011-08-02 02:16:56','2011-08-02 02:16:56','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:16:56','2011-08-02 02:16:56','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(133,4,'2011-08-02 02:17:23','2011-08-02 02:17:23','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff; font-weight:bold;\">Contact us</a> today to find out how we can help you, etc.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-02 02:17:23','2011-08-02 02:17:23','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(594,4,'2009-12-14 16:05:39','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','Taking things for granted','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-14 16:05:39','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=594',0,'post','',0),(601,4,'2010-01-06 10:25:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Expectations','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-01-06 10:25:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=601',0,'post','',0),(613,4,'2010-01-14 07:37:59','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Is Twitter a High School for Adults?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-01-14 07:37:59','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=613',0,'post','',0),(618,4,'2010-01-18 16:14:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Got clout?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-01-18 16:14:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=618',0,'post','',0),(624,4,'2010-01-26 12:04:15','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Yep, you can judge a book by its cover','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-01-26 12:04:15','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=624',0,'post','',0),(630,4,'2010-02-01 09:56:30','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Hello there social butterfly!','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-01 09:56:30','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=630',0,'post','',0),(635,4,'2010-02-02 09:41:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Most organizations revolve around membership and events.  Having (good, interesting, timely) events draws potential members. Yet so many organizations are not doing well at getting people to attend their events.\n\nWhat should organizations do to boost attendance?\n\nFirst, it starts with good event planning. I am not an event planner, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind:\n\nChoose a compelling/timely topic and/or speaker\n\nChoose a covenient location should be convenient and your date should not conflict with other major events\n\nMake it easy to register.  Some organizations have archaic registration systems that ask you for the same information over and over.\n\nEvent is planned, now what?\n\nGet the word out of course!\n\nTo your membership base\n\nTo people who have attended your events in the past (This is a failure I see from many organizations. You attend an event, you sign in with your contact information, and they do not include you on their mailing list because you are not a member)\n\nTo people who are potentially interested (affiliated organizations, for instance)\n\nHow?\n\nUse your website/blog. Be sure your events/calendar page is fully updated\n\nEmail marketing was made for event promotion. Make sure your email is shareable/forwardable. Some systems let you share on Twitter/Facebook.\n\nTwitter. You should have an organizational or event hashtag.\n\nFacebook\n\n','Boosting attendance at events','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-02 09:41:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=635',0,'post','',0),(637,4,'2010-02-03 10:59:32','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Email campaigns','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-03 10:59:32','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=637',0,'post','',0),(642,4,'2010-02-08 14:41:30','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Super sexist','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-08 14:41:30','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=642',0,'post','',0),(645,4,'2010-02-10 07:51:32','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','What do Toyota and snow have in common?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-10 07:51:32','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=645',0,'post','',0),(650,4,'2010-02-19 09:42:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','What language are you speaking?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-19 09:42:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=650',0,'post','',0),(655,4,'2010-02-23 07:32:41','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Appearance matters','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-23 07:32:41','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=655',0,'post','',0),(659,4,'2010-02-25 08:17:28','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Are you being obtuse?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-02-25 08:17:28','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=659',0,'post','',0),(668,4,'2010-03-08 14:01:09','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Timing','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-03-08 14:01:09','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=668',0,'post','',0),(672,4,'2010-03-11 09:52:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Where marketing ends','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-03-11 09:52:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=672',0,'post','',0),(678,4,'2010-03-15 11:33:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','Qualities of a PR Pro','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-03-15 11:33:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=678',0,'post','',0),(683,4,'2010-03-19 05:55:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Ads are powerful; differentiation is important','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-03-19 05:55:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=683',0,'post','',0),(1119,4,'2011-04-25 10:26:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Although this is more relevant to your personal marketing, it helps with product or service marketing. Knowing who you are and who you APPEAR to be to other people is crucial.\n\nWhy? Well, because if you are aware of who you are and how you are perceived then you can decide whether it suits your objectives. For instance, you know you are a creative graphic designer, and people who meet you immediately know that about you, then you may be able to pursue those more creative projects. If on the other hand, you THINK you are creative, and come across as set in your ways (you are wearing an outfit more appropriate to 1991, and you are not a hipster), then people won\'t know what to make of you.\n\nThere are people who attempt to seem intelligent by using big words they don\'t quite know how to use in a sentence. Or people who have to name drop or otherwise show how well-connected they are. These are people who are not aware that other people can see through this.\n\nOr the clueless person...who has no clue at all about how he or she is perceived.\n\nI think that everyone can stand to be more self-aware. Are you getting the same blank look every time you speak? Why? Do people tend to gravitate toward you or shun you? Do you find it easy or hard to make your point? Do people seem to get you?\n\nAre you being perceived the way you are? What can you do to match perceptions with the \"real you?\"\n\nI am not a psychologist or life coach but  I do think some self-reflection on these matters is important if you want to get ahead in life.','Are you self-aware?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-04-25 10:26:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1119',0,'post','',0),(1227,4,'2011-07-29 10:09:08','0000-00-00 00:00:00','As a follow up to yesterday\'s post on how to judge a business by its website, I have compiled of list of website don\'ts. When I see these on a website, I wince because they don\'t bring any value to the website and may actually turn off potential customers.\n\nDon\'t have a landing page that says \"enter here.\" Why are making your visitors go through one more step? What is the point in this?\n\nDon\'t have a flash animation that takes eons to load. I am not on your website to see how clever your website designer is with animation...I am there to get some information about you, your product or your service.\n\nDon\'t have music (unless you are a radio station, DJ or band). Nothing is worse than clicking on a website only to be serenaded at full blast...worse if you are visiting the site while in a library or in a quiet office...\n\nDon\'t use white lettering on a black background. It is very hard to read. And it looks like MySpace somehow.\n\nDon\'t overload with text. Websites that are crammed to the max with text give me a headache. We need some graphics and some white space.\n\nDon\'t have confusing navigation.\n\nDon\'t hide your contact information. Sometimes one has to dig deep to find a phone number or an email.\n\nDon\'t have excessive graphics/animation: Some websites literally scream for attention.\n\nDon\'t overload. A website is not an online encyclopedia about your company. It should provide enough information but not overload your visitors.\n\nDon\'t waste space. Just like in architecture, wasted space is bad for your real estate value. If you have a page with just a line on it, maybe you don\'t need that page?\n\nDon\'t insult your visitors\' intelligence. For instance, if you have a page called clients--you should list actual clients. I f you have a portfolio, it should point to work you have done.\n\nDon\'t be redundant/wordy/needlessly complicated.  Some website owners seems to believe that the more words on the page the better. They repeat and say things in complex ways.\n\nI','Website don\'ts','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-07-29 10:09:08','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1227',0,'post','',0),(1234,4,'2011-08-02 09:09:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Have you heard of Salonpas? I wouldn\'t blame if you haven\'t. First of all--what is that? It sounds like it\'s French and has to do with hairstyling. Second, if you have seen the commercials for it on TV, you may have thought you were watching the fake product ads on Saturday Night Live.\n\nBetween the low production value and the weird name, these commercials look like they could be reigning in the midnight to 6 am hours. But what had me shaking my head was what I consider one of the worst slogans of all time:\n\n\"Nothing\'s been proven to beat the relief.\"\n\nWhat does this mean? It means that there is no proof that anything works. That might be true in the case of Salonpas.\n\nThe takeaway here is that the name of your product or service matters. If you are going to be \"different\" then you better do a good job of explaining exactly what you do. And remember, slogans and taglines are more effective when they are clear.\n\nSee for yourself:\n\n[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX4WVN4YN0Q&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\n\n&nbsp;','Can you market a product successfully if it has a crappy name?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-08-02 09:09:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1234',0,'post','',0),(1235,4,'2011-08-12 00:14:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','So, Microsoft, which may just define ubiquitous, is working on re-branding itself to combat the Mac attack. It is using Jerry Seinfeld to do it. I found the story on MSNBC.\n\nI am not sure that Microsoft needs to re-brand...or re-invent. Maybe improve (fewer crashes, fewer patches). In my world, most people work on PCs, except for those in design, who generally use Mac. Of those on PC,  I would venture most are running the Microsoft XP OS. Some have had to upgrade to Vista. But we all seem to work on Microsoft software like Word and Excel. I finally stopped using Explorer and now am on Mozilla, which seems less prone to shutdowns and freeze up than IE.  My point is that Microsoft is everywhere and people really don\'t associate it with anything but computers. How much more branded can','Microsoft Mega Branding','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-08-12 00:14:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=105',0,'post','',0),(324,4,'2009-03-15 19:43:06','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Andy Rooney weighed in on the possible demise of newspapers on Sunday\'s 60 Minutes.\n\n','Andy Rooney is worried','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-03-15 19:43:06','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=324',0,'post','',0),(585,4,'2009-12-10 15:24:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','Editor & Publisher to shut down','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-10 15:24:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=585',0,'post','',0),(589,4,'2009-12-14 13:03:03','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Lack of communication may cost you a sale','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-14 13:03:03','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=589',0,'post','',0),(690,4,'2010-03-25 08:59:55','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Learn from what you don\'t like','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-03-25 08:59:55','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=690',0,'post','',0),(722,4,'2010-04-19 14:08:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Identity crisis','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-04-19 14:08:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=722',0,'post','',0),(728,4,'2010-04-21 11:17:25','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','Tweeting and not failing','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-04-21 11:17:25','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=728',0,'post','',0),(733,4,'2010-04-22 11:38:27','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','The dark side of social media','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-04-22 11:38:27','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=733',0,'post','',0),(737,4,'2010-04-23 09:24:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Thoughts on the new Facebook','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-04-23 09:24:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=737',0,'post','',0),(789,4,'2010-06-18 13:33:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Have you ever gone into a store where no one spoke to you? How about when you are in a very long line and it is not moving and you don\'t know why? Or what happened to me a couple of days ago, sitting on a bus that is not moving and the driver isn\'t saying a word?\n\nSilence can be frustrating. Silence is the opposite of communication. When all you have is silence--not one word is spoken or written, you  have no idea what is going on. You get anxious. You don\'t know where to  turn. Silence can be interpreted as stonewalling, it can be a lack of  knowledge or quite simply, selfishness.\n\nAre you being too silent? Are you telling people what they need to hear?\n\n','Utter silence ','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-06-18 13:33:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=789',0,'post','',0),(872,4,'2010-08-24 08:34:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I just came back from a trip to Charleston, South Carolina (and if you have not been yet, I highly recommend it). Being in a new city, staying in a hotel, surrounded by tourists and tourist traps got me to thinking about what makes tourists choose what to do, where to stay and where to eat when visiting a new city. If you are marketing your tourism business, what is the most effective channel?','Tourism marketing','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-08-24 08:34:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=872',0,'post','',0),(892,4,'2010-09-13 13:07:49','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Even as GenY matures and grows into management positions in the workplace, there will still be lots of GenX and older people still working. And yet, there is a wide divide in how each generation communicates.','Inter-generational communications','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-09-13 13:07:49','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=892',0,'post','',0),(938,4,'2010-10-25 08:45:52','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Are you marketing an event? You probably are using lots of techniques to get the word out. Maybe you sent out an invitation to your email database, posted it on Twitter and listed it on some calendars.\n\nOne thing you need to do before you start marketing an event is looking at your decision on the time, place and price for your event. These three will impact people\'s decision to attend your event far more than how your promotion looks. In fact, you can promote it to the right people, but if the time, place and cost are wrong, they won\'t go.\n\nOne issue that I always wonder about it is the','The right price, the right time','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-10-25 08:45:52','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=938',0,'post','',0),(966,4,'2010-11-18 11:53:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I have been blogging here at Caffeinated for nearly three years.  I really enjoy blogging and especially when something I write elicits a response (a spike in traffic or a comment).  I also follow a lot of blogs. Based on my own experience\n\nIn terms of marketing, is a blog worth it?','Thoughts on blogging','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-11-18 11:53:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=966',0,'post','',0),(1015,4,'2011-01-05 09:56:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','If one thing makes my skin crawl it is jargon. People jabbering on using lots of words as shorthand irritate me. And they could irritate your audience.  Say no to jargon in your marketing copy (unless you are making fun--that is OK in my book).  Advertising Age has a<a title=\"Ad Age Jargon\" href=\"https://adage.com/bookoftens2010/article?article_id=147583\" target=\"_blank\"> list of ten of the \"jargoniest jargon\" of 2010</a> although some of these aren\'t jargon (at the end of the day is more a saying).  My list would also include:\n<ul>\n	<li>Sweet spot</li>\n	<li>\"Obamacare\"</li>\n	<li>\"Mama Grizzlies\"</li>\n	<li>Going viral</li>\n	<li>Get your ducks in a row</li>\n	<li>Going out of pocket</li>\n	<li>Drill down</li>\n</ul>\nI will admit to having used some jargon at some time.  However, you will never ever hear me use the word \"terrific.\" I know it is not jargon, but I despise it nonetheless.  It sounds so 1970s to me.\n\nWhat words or phrases get your goat (ha ha, I had to throw something in)? What makes you scratch your chin and say huh? What gets your panties up in a bunch?','Just say no to jargon','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-01-05 09:56:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1015',0,'post','',0),(1054,4,'2011-02-07 10:54:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','In today\'s Washington Post (Metro section) Pepco has placed a full page ad.','Pepco changes tactics and message','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-02-07 10:54:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1054',0,'post','',0),(1070,4,'2011-03-14 13:07:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','There\'s been several ideas floating through my head in regards to marketing and social media. I have been thinking about things like lying (read Peter Shankman\'s take on it) and how you present yourself. I have been thinking about Twitter and how some tweets can make you angry or irritated.  In the end, the idea that covers all of the above is self-awareness. How aware are you about how other people perceive you? How aware are you about what others know or can find out?\n\nUnfortunately, I think many people fail at basic self-awareness.  Perhaps it\'s a psychological safeguard that humans have to not want to think too deeply about what we are doing and less so how other people view what we are doing. I am not in favor of editing yourself just because you might offend someone else. That\'s not what this is about. It is about being aware that what you say and do does affect other people, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively.\n\nWith social media like Twitter and Facebook, most of us are sharing lots of information with lots of people. We are broadcasting our ideas, actions, thoughts, reactions, and even the minutiae of everyday life. Why does someone find it necessary to tell you that she or he is having yogurt for breakfast? Why does someone else feel the need to be snarky and offensive? I was sitting behind someone at a movie screening who was sharing her reactions to the movie on Twitter or Facebook...even though she was with real, live people. What is the call of the etherworld?\n\n&nbsp;','Self-awareness','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-03-14 13:07:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1070',0,'post','',0),(566,4,'2009-12-01 10:21:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','Why should I hire YOU?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-01 10:21:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=566',0,'post','',0),(328,4,'2009-03-15 19:44:57','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<span class=\"link_right\"><strong>http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4867021n</strong></span>\n\n<span class=\"link_right\"><strong>\n</strong></span>','','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-03-15 19:44:57','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=328',0,'post','',0),(527,4,'2009-10-19 15:18:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p> </p><p></p>','Don\'t try the same trick over and over','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-10-19 15:18:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=527',0,'post','',0),(532,4,'2009-10-26 07:01:14','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Revenue is good, but not at the expense of profit','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-10-26 07:01:14','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=532',0,'post','',0),(535,4,'2009-10-27 08:01:01','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','Numbers don\'t lie','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-10-27 08:01:01','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=535',0,'post','',0),(549,4,'2009-10-30 09:33:25','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','Plainly speaking, it is better','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-10-30 09:33:25','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=549',0,'post','',0),(556,4,'2009-11-17 08:34:39','0000-00-00 00:00:00','<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','It\'s not you, it\'s me','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-11-17 08:34:39','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=556',0,'post','',0),(571,4,'2009-12-05 09:32:33','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Social media has changed PR','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-05 09:32:33','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=571',0,'post','',0),(576,4,'2009-12-08 14:11:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Be consistent!','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-08 14:11:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=576',0,'post','',0),(580,4,'2009-12-10 08:39:24','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','The price is right!','','draft','open','open','','','','','2009-12-10 08:39:24','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=580',0,'post','',0),(1236,4,'2008-01-15 12:38:57','2008-01-15 12:38:57','<span><font face=\"Times New Roman\">It’s kind of funny. I have been thinking about starting a blog for some time now, and last night I went to a WNBA event here in Washington (not a basketball game but an event sponsored by the Women\'s National Book Association). The event was about book publicity and basically, the big conclusion of the evening was that to publicize a book today you must be on the web. You must have a website, or a blog, or both, or even just a MySpace page. Something on the WWW. Of course, that is just the start, because you have to get people to read your stuff too.  </font></span>\n\n<span><font face=\"Times New Roman\">That got me to thinking about my area of so-called expertise, marketing communications.  Specifically, I am thinking about traditional marketing communications tools such as brochures and press releases. Are these necessary anymore, or will they become as obsolete as Windows 98?  The answer I think is yes, eventually. Today, there is  still a market that is not tech savvy. There are people who enjoy print. Eventually those people will become obsolete, if you know what I mean.  For now, I think any savvy marcomm person needs to have a complete bag of tricks–press releases, blogs, websites, printed brochures, downloadable press kits, etc.  Also, there is a whole generation of marcomm people who are not comfortable in a completely electronic environment, or don’t understand how to go about it. Or they know just a little bit and are afraid to learn. Then, there are the young \'uns, who have been on Facebook since it started and who prefer texting to talking. We are not only communicating <em>to</em> this generation, but we are using them to do the communicating for us (that is, we hire them as interns, account execs, copywriters or whatever). </font></span>\n\n<span></span><span><font face=\"Times New Roman\">In a traditional marcomm agency, be it straight PR or straight advertising or a hybrid, the upper echelon (or “management”) may still be clinging to the days before email was an alternative to a phone call and videoconferencing was super cool. Webinars and podcasts are not a substitute for a good old fashioned ad or press release. And they keep doing the same old and wondering why they are losing market share. Change is always slower for an established company. But what distinguishes effective marketing in my opinion, is understanding who the target audience is and where they get their information. Thus, if we are marketing hearing aids, perhaps print (an older skewing medium) alone will do the trick. But if we are trying to expand a market, reach younger people, then we’d be foolish to expend all efforts on traditional media.</font></span><span><font face=\"Arial Narrow\"> </font></span>','My newest web venture','','publish','open','open','','hello-world-2','','','2008-01-15 12:38:57','2008-01-15 12:38:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/2008/01/hello-world-2/',0,'post','',1),(1237,4,'2008-01-15 12:38:57','2008-01-15 12:38:57','<strong>About this blog:</strong>\n\nCuppamarcomm...well it is a play on cuppa tea (cuppa coffee), which is what the British like to drink.  Marketing communications is the term to cover all communications avenues (PR, advertising, social media, etc.) that go in to marketing and promotion. This blog is a collection of observations, ideas and information about marcomm, and its views are the sole property of its author. Comments are welcome (as long as they are not crude or rude).\n\n<strong>About the author:</strong>\n\nHi, I am Deborah Brody. I have worked in marketing communications for more than 15 years.  Currently, I am a freelance writer and strategist but before that, I worked in advertising and public relations agencies, and even taught public relations writing at the college level. I\'ve had the opportunity to work on various different projects for all sorts of clients.\n\n<strong>If you like what you see here and would like to start a blog for your company, want to learn more about social media or need help with your marketing materials, please get in touch.  Write me at info@deborahbrody.com. </strong>\n\nPlease visit my website at <a href=\"http://www.deborahbrody.com/\">www.deborahbrody.com</a> to get more info.\n\n<strong>Work Samples\n</strong>\n\nPrint Ad for Legacy Jewelers:\n\n<a title=\"leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf\">leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf</a>\n\nAnd a <a title=\"Portfolio\" href=\"http://www.deborahbrody.com/brochurewriting.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> link to the portfolio on my website.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_103\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Writing from the nation&#39;s capital\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8180834.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-103\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8180834.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Writing from the nation\'s capital\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a>[/caption] ','About','','publish','open','open','','about-2','','','2008-01-15 12:38:57','2008-01-15 12:38:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/about-2/',0,'page','',2),(3,4,'2008-01-15 13:30:59','2008-01-15 18:30:59','In marketing communications, we focus on just one of the four ps -- promotion. However, as a marketer, you must consider the other three ps--price, product and placement. Often, we concentrate on having the best promotional materials but not the item or service we are promoting. For instance,  a beautiful ad might draw attention to your lovely widget, but if your widget is too expensive or is not available, then there will be no sale. Because the truth is, at the end of the day, we are all trying to make a sale. Associations are looking for members. Stores are looking to move merchandise. Even ideas are \"sold.\" We  call that persuasion.\n\nMarComm people don\'t or can\'t control the other three ps. But I think it is part of our job as advisers to make sure our clients understand that promotion alone does not make the sale. And it is also our responsibility to understand what the product, service or idea is.','The 4 Ps','','publish','open','open','','the-4-ps','','','2008-01-15 13:30:59','2008-01-15 18:30:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/the-4-ps/',0,'post','',0),(1238,4,'2008-01-17 08:40:06','2008-01-17 13:40:06','Facebook has exploded in popularity. MySpace is super popular. There are many other social networking sites I have never even heard of. All of this points to an increase in using the Internet to connect with other people. Person to person. How is this changing marketing? For one, marketing is increasingly more targeted. It is by-passing traditional avenues and heading straight to its most likely audience. I just checked out <a href=\"http://www.gather.com/\">www.gather.com</a>. Big national stores like Borders and Starbucks have a presence there.  I wonder how their experiment is working out. Are you more likely to shop at either place because you joined a social group they sponsor on a social networking site? I guess that is the million dollar question. On the other hand, can you afford to ignore a burgeoning movement in the way people communicate with each other? ','Person to Person','','publish','open','open','','person-to-person','','','2008-01-17 08:40:06','2008-01-17 13:40:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/person-to-person/',0,'post','',0),(1239,4,'2008-01-18 08:20:13','2008-01-18 13:20:13','A victim of all the texting and instant messaging is spelling. You simply don\'t have time to spell everything out. Everything becomes acronyms or shortenings.  Page 3 in today\'s Washington Post has a feature on the importance of spelling and grammar. One reader likens proper grammar/spelling to using the proper notes in music (if you don\'t, the music just doesn\'t sound right).  As a writer, I agree. However, does the public agree? Do most people even realize when something is not spelled correctly or when grammar is poor? I once worked with a \"writer\" who did not know how to make his subject and verb agree. And he was completely unaware. Recently, on a DCPubs (a Yahoo group) discussion, someone asked what was wrong with using \"their\" as a gender-neutral alternative to \"he or she.\" This person was completely unaware that one is plural and the other singular.  (As an aside, we HEAR this all the time in conversation, but in formal writing?)\n\nSo, I ask you, are spelling and grammar important? Do you notice lapses in either or both?','Do U Ck Spelling?','','publish','open','open','','do-u-ck-spelling','','','2008-01-18 08:20:13','2008-01-18 13:20:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/do-u-ck-spelling/',0,'post','',2),(1240,4,'2008-01-21 09:21:14','2008-01-21 14:21:14','Since today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day (which, as an aside, should be celebrated by ALL businesses--it often isn\'t), I got to thinking about tie-ins to holidays. This type of advertising is big in print, specifically newspapers. You know, using the upcoming holiday either for a sale (as in \"Our biggest President\'s Day Sale ever) or riffing on the holiday (\"Do it for your valentine\"). Many companies take the time to remind you that they are open (if they are retail) or closed (if they are banks) on the holiday.\n\nIn public relations, practictioners sometimes find obscure days (Spaghetti Lovers\' Day) to give a spin to their press releases. In fact, Chase\'s Calendar of Events is a book dedicated to listing all the events, holidays and special days for the upcoming year and is usually found in any public relations or event management firm\'s bookshelf (or CD shelf). Of course, events always have a theme (St. Patrick\'s Day Bar Hop, Fourth of July Barbeque, New Year\'s Eve Gala, etc.)\n\nDo these endless holiday tie-ins dilute the message or the holiday itself? In some cases, the answer is a definite yes. I bet most people don\'t know which presidents are being celebrated on President\'s day (Washington and Lincoln) but do know that EVERYTHING is on sale at the mall! In a way, we are doing a huge disservice to our civic celebrations and commemorations when we use them to promote sales. Is MLK day a day to go shopping or is it a day to think about how short the history of full civil rights in the U.S. really is?','MLK Day','','publish','open','open','','mlk-day','','','2008-01-21 09:21:14','2008-01-21 14:21:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/mlk-day/',0,'post','',0),(1241,4,'2008-01-25 12:16:54','2008-01-25 17:16:54','How important are headlines? In news, they are super important, especially to people like me who scan rather than read the newspaper. A headline tells you the bare essence of the story, and it either catches your attention or it doesn\'t.  It is much the same in public relations except PR folk get a chance to have a really long headline and perhaps even add a subheadline or two. You sometimes get extra points for clever.\n\nIn advertising...well...I am not sure. Design, graphics, placement and offer make up 99% of an ad. Strong creative headlines can cause interest. But simple headlines, like \"We are having a sale\" can communicate easily and effectively without trying too hard to be clever. That said, I  love headlines that are a play on words or use words elegantly.\n\nOne of my favorite types of ads are the ones were the headline tells you one thing, and the graphics tell a different story. Currently here in Washington there is an ad you can see on the Metro for Washington Sports Club.  The headline says: \"This January, help is on the way.\" The graphic shows an overweight man, sitting on a couch, watching tv and drinking a soda, while walking his dog on a treadmill. Funny as hell. And makes you look at it and just shake your head. Love it!\n\nAny favorite headlines or ads?\n\nPS--Here\'s a look at the graphic from the ad I quote above: http://www.mysportsclubs.com/regions/WSC.htm','Headline here','','publish','open','open','','headline-here','','','2008-01-25 12:16:54','2008-01-25 17:16:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=7',0,'post','',2),(1242,4,'2008-01-29 13:58:29','2008-01-29 18:58:29','Today, it is imperative to have a website. No doubt. However, just having a website is not enough. In the last few days, I have been doing research for a trip, and have come across several great websites, but also, some not so great websites. What makes a great website? I will give you my breakdown:\n<ul>\n	<li>Easy to navigate (this means no funky/weird pull down menus or navigation that is not available on every page)</li>\n	<li>All the necessary information is readily available (contacts, address, etc) and easily accessible</li>\n	<li>Updated regularly (no 2006 information for instance)</li>\n	<li>Aesthetically pleasing--not busy or dated</li>\n	<li>No dead links or pages</li>\n	<li>Looks professional</li>\n	<li>Not overly busy or with screaming graphics</li>\n	<li>Not too much  flash and no sound</li>\n</ul>\nIt would be useful for website owners to have someone look at their website from the \"outside.\" Sometimes you forget the user!','Websites','','publish','open','open','','websites','','','2008-01-29 13:58:29','2008-01-29 18:58:29','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=10',0,'post','',1),(1243,4,'2008-01-30 11:04:06','2008-01-30 16:04:06','Today, in the Washington Post,  I saw an ad for a ski resort. It is $79 per night and seems reasonable (not that I ski, but if I did...). However, I don\'t know where this resort is located. Why? Because the ad either deliberately or by mistake omitted this crucial information. Maybe they want me to visit the website for more information (the URL address is included). Maybe they just think people know where they are located. In either case this is a no-no.  Ads are meant to stimulate interest and action. There is the whole AIDA theory (attention, interest, desire, action).  Although this ad caught my attention, I lost my interest when I got frustrated at not knowing where this place is located.  Perhaps knowing this resort is located close by would pique my interest. Maybe not.  But ads should never make their readers work too hard. In this case, I need to get to my computer with the ad in hand to find out a very crucial bit of information.','Necessary information','','publish','open','open','','necessary-information','','','2008-01-30 11:04:06','2008-01-30 16:04:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=11',0,'post','',0),(1244,4,'2008-02-03 11:27:32','2008-02-03 16:27:32','Today, the Super Bowl is played. New England Patriots vs. Giants, in case you have been out of the country in the last week or so. For advertising and communications people who wouldn\'t otherwise watch football, this is a must-see game. For the advertising. It costs a lot. Because lots of people will be watching. Some advertisers only run advertising on the Super Bowl. That is their strategy: spend millions once a year to get a large, captive (and hopefully, receptive) audience. It has become sport to talk about the ads, dissect them, analyze them, discuss them. In this respect, they win. In fact, on CBS Sunday Morning, they just had a story about Super Bowl advertising, in fact, giving some free advertising to one of the advertisers. And there is the real value of advertising on the Super Bowl--extra publicity in the form of media attention. Traditionally, this is called public relations and some people call it free advertising. But in fact, this is not free advertising...it is expensive advertising. You get the public relations bang because you spent lots of money. Not because you are newsworthy prima facie.\n\nOne other interesting aspect that the CBS story pointed out is that most of the Super Bowl ads will send you to an Internet address. It makes it interactive.\n\nEntertainment Weekly has a gallery of the most \"memorable\" Super Bowl ads here http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20010598,00.html\n\nThe interesting thing is I only remember one or two of these. What does this tell you?\n\nI will probably watch part of the game...and I will watch the ads of course. It\'s for work.','Super Bowl','','publish','open','open','','super-bowl','','','2008-02-03 11:27:32','2008-02-03 16:27:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=12',0,'post','',0),(1245,4,'2008-02-04 09:23:12','2008-02-04 14:23:12','I admit I didn\'t watch Super Bowl 43 in its entirety. So,  I wasn\'t able to watch every ad.  In a sense, all the ads were predictable. Some trying to hard to be interesting (while not achieving a thing for their brand) and others just bland.  Fox was pushing their programs big time, especially the falling-in-the-ratings American Idol. Ads got lots of added value--you can see the ads again on MySpace. And, commentators will discuss the ads in the newspapers and on TV. In the end, this is the real strategy: get publicity for your ad.\n\nThe most ubiquitous advertising came from a certain \"king\" of beers. It makes me wonder what their advertising strategy is. Is it to establish supremacy as the number one beer advertiser? Is it to make sure that the audience does not know there are other types of beers out there? Is it to make sure you get good and drunk while watching the Super Bowl? As a beer drinker, there is no amount of beer advertising that would make me want to drink that stuff. It is all about the taste, right?\n\nSome ads just made me shake my head. Garmin had a Napoleon re-enacter (I think) driving to a re-enactment. Huh? Sunsilk compared Marilyn Monroe, Shakira and Madonna? The Victoria\'s Secret Valentine\'s Ad I felt, was offensive to women by objectifying.  I didn\'t get the Doritos ad at all. I must be in the wrong demo. Some ads were genuinely funny--the Planter\'s ad, Nationwide and Taco Bell (the Fiesta Platter). E-trade seems to want you to think they are so simple to use a baby could do it.\n\nThe cola wars are always played out during the Super Bowl. Pepsi\'s Justin Timberlake ad was funny and big budget. Coke took a more subdued approach...not as frenetic or loud. Clearly, Pepsi is trying hard to appeal to a younger demographic. In fact Coke\'s political ad, featuring James Carville, would be surely lost on a younger person. I liked them both.\n\nMy favorite ads were for Careerbuilder.com. They were created based on certain truisms about career planning--you should follow your heart and wishing won\'t make it so. Clever. Of course, Monster had one that showed people trying to block the sun, and thus Monday, because of the dread of going back to work. Also clever. Both trying to appeal to people\'s unhappiness (is it so widespread?) with work.\n\nIn the end, I wonder if spending this much money on production and media space pays off. Will you drink more Bud? Are you going to try SoBe water? Are you going to apply for a new job?','Super Ad or Super Bad?','','publish','open','open','','super-ad-or-super-bad','','','2008-02-04 09:23:12','2008-02-04 14:23:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=13',0,'post','',0),(1246,4,'2008-02-05 13:06:42','2008-02-05 18:06:42','Super Tuesday is here. There is a lot of media hoopla about this--ABC, CBS and NBC were discussing it non-stop during the morning news shows. All candidates have ramped up advertising for the primary, and Barack Obama even ran an ad during the Super Bowl.\n\nPolitical advertising is tough, especially on a national level. You want to hit the right chord to get out your supporters, convert non-supporters and not alienate everyone else. Obama has to be very careful not to alienate Clinton supporters (and vice versa for Hillary Clinton with Obama supporters), because there is a potential ticket of  Obama/Clinton to contend with after the presidential candidate is chosen.\n\nSince I have only seen the Obama ad, I can only comment on that. His strategy is very clear: emphasize change to appeal to everyone disenchanted with the current administration AND to everyone who doesn\'t want to see Bill Clinton back in the White House. He is also working hard to appeal to the Millenials. This is wise--I think Millenials will turn out for this election, and of all the candidates currently out there, Obama probably has the most appeal.','Super Political','','publish','open','open','','super-political','','','2008-02-05 13:06:42','2008-02-05 18:06:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=14',0,'post','',0),(1247,4,'2008-02-07 09:05:31','2008-02-07 14:05:31','Last night, PBS aired  African American Lives Part 2, a series exploring African American history featuring Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This documentary is really wonderful--interesting and informative. I highly recommend it (it goes on Wednesdays through February). On the marketing side, it was interesting to see who was sponsoring the show: Coca-Cola, Johnson and Johnson, AMBI and others. Coke had an ad made specifically for the series, focusing on African American history and achievement. It was highly stylized and designed to appeal to emotion. Johnson and Johnson did something similar...about generations and showing how \"baby changes everything.\" The family appearing the J&amp;J ad was black. I started thinking about how we process messaging in this day and age. If I am black, do I have to see a black family using a product to consider it? If I am white, and I see the aforementioned J&amp;J commercial, do I disregard it because it is so clearly targeting African Americans?\n\nAudiences have always been segmented, and advertisers have always worked to tailor their messages to each audience\'s needs. Aren\'t we so tremendously media exposed that we  would see different ads for the same product on different channels/media outlets? Does the message really change? Certain products, like AMBI, are meant specifically for African Americans. The company probably does not advertise too much on mass media. But do other products, which may not be so specific (Coke for instance), need to present different advertising? Or maybe it is not about need per se, but rather image...','Segmented audiences','','publish','open','open','','segmented-audiences','','','2008-02-07 09:05:31','2008-02-07 14:05:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=15',0,'post','',0),(16,4,'2008-02-09 09:20:04','2008-02-09 14:20:04','There are so many medicines being peddled on television and in print...most notably ones for erectile disfunction, cholesterol and GERD. Yesterday, during the ABC Evening News with Charles Gibson, I saw a commercial that left me shaking my head. It was for a precription pain medication, although it took about half the length of the commercial before that was clear. The commercial itself was the longest I have ever seen for a drug--either a minute or a minute and a half. It purported to discuss both the risks and benefits of this drug, while comparing it to similar drugs. This class of drugs, NSAIDs, have been shown to cause heart risks. The commercial was completely graphic--no actors playing tennis or gardening. And it went on and on. But what most astonished me was that for the first 30 seconds, it seemed almost like a public service announcement (PSA) talking about the various dangers of this type of drug, and specifically pointing out the dangers of the drug being advertised!!! It was weird.\n\nIf you want to know the name of the drug, please email me and then you can talk to your doctor about it!','Talk to your doctor','','publish','open','open','','talk-to-your-doctor','','','2008-02-09 09:20:04','2008-02-09 14:20:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=16',0,'post','',0),(17,4,'2008-03-12 08:12:37','2008-03-12 13:12:37','Direct mail is an industry on to itself, with an association (Direct Marketing Association) and a whole class of direct marketing specialists. The idea is that direct mail is the ultimate targeted medium. It is also ultimately invasive. Who does not get letters and catalogs overflowing the mailbox? Of course, some of this direct mail comes from organizations (usually nonprofits) to which you have contributed or otherwise been involved with. Some catalogs come from stores you have shopped in. Although not solicited, these items seem to be less junk than other junk. What is junk, in my mind, are the thousands of unsolicited credit card applications and circulars that we get. Those aren\'t targeted at all. Especially not the circulars (although I am sure there is a circular manager out there that will argue they are targeted by zip code and all that). But as a writer, there is a difference between convincing an existing or former donor to consider giving again to a charity and a mass mailing for window blinds or steam cleaning services. For the latter, direct mail is just another form of advertising. It is basically the same as their electronic or print advertising, and may even be part of a package (newspapers often sell this as an added value...advertise in the newspaper and we will add you to our weekly circular to zip codes you choose, etc.)\n\nThe trouble is many people just toss out all direct mail, especially circulars. Thus the garbage can is really the targeted audience. Also, the amount of paper these mailings generate has become the target of many environmentalists out there. Yet the mailings keep coming.  I was just in Australia where many mailboxes carry the sign \"no junk mail.\" Unfortunately, we don\'t have this here in America. And, from what I understand, the mail carrier is required by law to deliver the circulars and other mail to your box.\n\nIt would be better for both the direct mailer and the direct mailee if there were choice involved. If I choose to receive a mailing, I may pay attention to that mailing. If all I do with unsolicited mail is throw it out, the message is not being heard and there is actual harm being done to the environment.','Direct mail or junk mail?','','publish','open','open','','direct-mail-or-junk-mail','','','2008-03-12 08:12:37','2008-03-12 13:12:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=17',0,'post','',1),(1248,4,'2008-03-13 08:50:14','2008-03-13 13:50:14','Thanks to Tony Attwood, from the U.K.-based Hamilton House, a direct mail enterprise, for pointing out that telemarketing call are more intrusive than junk mail. I quite agree and that is why the U.S. government was right to create the \"Do Not Call List.\" It is about choice. We can reduce the \"junk mail\" and\"junk calls\" we get. Of course, we can always just hang up the phone when we realize it is a telemarketing call. Particularly offensive, in my opinion, are those recorded calls you get on your cell phone.\n\nThis got me to thinking about telemarketing calls. Somewhere, a marcomm person wrote a script for those calls. Ideally, the caller should move the call receiver to some sort of action--buy something, subscribe to something, donate money, etc. As in direct mail, these calls do have a success rate, and I am sure it varies by product or service and all by telemarketer ( I have had rude telemarketers call me. Needless to say, they don\'t get very far. ).\n\nThe media was busy reporting this week that a new nuisance is text spam, in which you get unsolicited sales messages as text messages on your cell phone.  Email spam is noxious, primarily because it is unsolicited and often advertises pharmaceuticals or sex-related services.  We have legitimate email solicitations, which feature an opt-out option. But we don\'t pay per email message. We do pay for text message.  Text spam may be even more nefarious than email spam.\n\nBack to telemarketing--there is a role for direct calls in a marketing campaign. Clearly, politicians use this technique quite a lot, since they are trying to reach people \"directly\" and motivate them to vote. In some cases, it can backfire. If I get too many recorded messages, I get irritated. I wonder if telemarketing is more effective to retirees or people who are homebound. To these people a call is not an intrusion as much as chance to connect with someone. Somebody who has been on the phone all day and just wants to relax in the evening may find unsolicited calls from telemarketers very intrusive.\n\nFrom a marketing standpoint, my advice about telemarketing is to proceed with caution. Certainly, the more targeted your message and your list, the more successful. Telemarketers who ignore common sense (calling too early or too late or too often) or run afoul of the Do Not Call list will not help the product or service they are trying to sell.','Junk calling','','publish','open','open','','junk-calling','','','2008-03-13 08:50:14','2008-03-13 13:50:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=18',0,'post','',1),(1249,4,'2008-03-13 19:11:38','2008-03-14 00:11:38','Well, according to Bloom, very different. Zany songs and even \"zanier\" commercials are portraying Bloom as the store with a smile. I guess smiling at the supermarket would be different.\n\nAccording to its website, Bloom is  a happy shopping experience, hassle-free even.  In a sense, I think the commercials work because they do make you kind of shake your head, maybe even smile. The one I saw today was a classic comedy move--the response is not appropriate to the situation. For instance, a guy says he is thinking about his daughter, clearly worried about her, and the Bloom shopping associate says something like, check this watermelon out, it\'s one of hundreds of fresh produce items. Huh? Are we supposed to go shopping at Bloom to forget our troubles? Or, is Bloom a place where there are no troubles? Or is the commercial trying to be memorable? All of the above. Maybe I should go to Bloom, there I would forget why I had issues with their advertising.','How different can a supermarket be?','','publish','open','open','','how-different-can-a-supermarket-be','','','2008-03-13 19:11:38','2008-03-14 00:11:38','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=19',0,'post','',1),(1250,4,'2008-03-14 08:36:54','2008-03-14 13:36:54','Love it or hate it, direct marketing is here for the time being. However, it seems that more people hate it than love it. Or at least are more vocal about it. Other than the character Sammy, in Kristen Gore\'s funny book Sammy\'s Hill, I don\'t know anyone who talks to telemarketers.  This blog just received a post from a group that is seeking to limit political \"robo-calls.\" All this begs the question, if so many people are annoyed, why do marketers continue doing it? I know the \"robo-calls\" were particularly insidious in the last election.  Perhaps marketers are looking to cover all bases. Even a four percent return on investment might make the difference. But what if it creates bad will? Does a little bit of good will compensate for a lot of bad will?\n\nAgain, as a marketing person, I think all messaging should be targeted and tailored. Calls generated by computer are targeted geographically, but lack the personalization that helps make direct marketing more successful. I also think it is much easier to hang up on a recorded voice than it is to hang up on a live person asking to speak to Mr. or Mrs. butchered last name.','Intrusive marketing hits a nerve','','publish','open','open','','intrusive-marketing-hits-a-nerve','','','2008-03-14 08:36:54','2008-03-14 13:36:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=20',0,'post','',0),(1251,4,'2008-03-14 11:04:47','2008-03-14 16:04:47','Have you seen the new commercials for Macy\'s? I just saw one featuring Usher, selling his perfume, and Martha Stewart. Martha is talking about how much time she spent in research and development. Usher says he worked on two products and asks her how many products she did. She answers 2000 or so. He shakes his head and says, when do you sleep girl? Cute, funny. Take on the whole Martha Stewart quest for perfection. My question is, does this make people go to Macy\'s? Is it image advertising? Am I supposed to think Macy\'s is perfect? Or is it that Macy\'s is funny? Or that Macy\'s attracts top names like Usher and Martha Stewart? Actually the tag line for the campaign is something like \"where the stars are.\" Their logo is a star. I am starting to get it.\n\nMacy\'s is one of the biggest newspaper and television advertisers. But how are their sales doing? Is their advertising working? Well according to a story in the Wall Street Journal, as of March 2008, Macy\'s will no longer release their monthly sales figures. Today, the Washington Post reports that discount retailers have seen sales go up while traditional stores have had sales go down, as a result of general belt-tightening in the U.S. economy.  Begs the question...','Good Ol\' Martha Stewart','','publish','open','open','','good-ol-martha-stewart','','','2008-03-14 11:04:47','2008-03-14 16:04:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=21',0,'post','',5),(1252,4,'2008-03-17 08:23:22','2008-03-17 13:23:22','How much spam email do you get every day? I get at least 20 spam emails, even though I have some sort of mailguard. I delete them immediately. However, somewhere, someone, is opening spam, and responding to it. Otherwise, why would spam exist? Whether it is cheap medication or some financial scheme, some people out there are intrigued by their spam email. That shows me a few things: 1) headlines (subject lines) are tremendously important; 2) the offer is what makes the sale; 3) there is an audience for everything!\n\nSpam operates on the same principle of any direct mail--a good Return on Investment (ROI). In fact, most direct mail averages a 4 percent success rate, but that 4 percent actually buy something or donate to the cause, making the mailing worthwhile.  With spam, postage is not an issue, so spammers can afford to have a very very low success rate--even less than 1 percent. This is why spam has proliferated. There is no tangible cost (postage or printing).  The cost boils down to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) fee, and the spammers time. And they don\'t spend a ton of time on those emails--how many have egregious spelling mistakes?\n\nBottom line is that spam is direct marketing gone awry. It is direct marketing without principles. Their target demographic is reduced to people who have email. Spam really is another get rich quick scheme that preys on the uninformed. When spam is phishing, it is even more insidious--targeting careless or naive people to get their credit card/account/other ID information.','Is Spam Marketing?','','publish','open','open','','is-spam-marketing','','','2008-03-17 08:23:22','2008-03-17 13:23:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=22',0,'post','',0),(1253,4,'2008-03-18 08:22:36','2008-03-18 13:22:36','Certain things are just not advertised, but you know about them anyway. That is the power of buzz. I think one of the most buzzed about items is Facebook. Even I am buzzing about it. Yet, you probably haven\'t ever seen a Facebook ad, received a piece of mail about Facebook or picked up a Facebook brochure. In fact, if you are on it, it is because you got invited to \"friend\" someone you know. Or, you read about it (Facebook does engage in public/media relations). In fact, in the last couple weeks I have read two articles in women\'s magazines about Facebook. One talked about the addictive quality of Facebook, and the collecting of friends, where the other discussed pros and cons versus the other large social networking site, MySpace.\n\nI just bought some prints on Shutterfly. You never see ads for it, or its competitors like Snapfish. Yet everyone is using these sites to print out their digital photos. Or at least it seems like everyone is doing it--and that is exactly what buzz is about. Truly, buzz marketing is the ultimate type of marketing. It puts in question the future of people like me and other marketing people. Buzz depends on word of mouth. It creates an epidemic, to borrow from Malcolm Gladwell\'s excellent The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. In fact, The Tipping Point is buzz\'s bible, since it explains just how the buzz phenomenon can \"tip\" something, that is, making it bigger and badder. According to Gladwell, ideas move through society because of three types of people: connectors, mavens and salespeople. Basically, they all influence their circles and in interconnection, they influence the larger sphere.  Facebook is a great example of something that has tipped. Today, it has become a larger phenomenon than its competitors and it is everywhere around the world.','The buzz','','publish','open','open','','the-buzz','','','2008-03-18 08:22:36','2008-03-18 13:22:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=23',0,'post','',0),(1254,4,'2008-03-19 06:15:05','2008-03-19 11:15:05','Today\'s <b>Washington Post</b> reports that the United States Postal Service in association with the Direct Marketing Association are working hard to quash \"do not mail\" initiatives. Read the full article here  <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/18/AR2008031802893.html\" title=\"Efforts to Block Junk Mail Slowed\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/18/AR2008031802893.html</a>\n\nMost consumers who want out of direct mail want to stop the flow of paper into their homes. They are concerned about the environment and the wastefulness of unwanted mail. Yet the USPS and the DMA are blocking this initiative. According to the article, the DMA went so far as to write their members and instructing them to ignore requests from Catalog Choice, a service that allows consumers to opt out of receiving catalogs.\n\nIn my opinion, this is another example of marketing gone awry. I understand that direct marketers and their affiliates (printers, writers, mailhouses, and the USPS) make money off direct mail. They stand to make less money if less people opt to get direct mail. However, there are two major issues at play here: 1) REAL concerns about the environment and 2) disinterested parties. It is high time that businesses take a more thoughtful approach to environmental issues. More and more, the public is concerned, and rightfully so, about the long-term impact of human action on the earth and the very real consequences of global warming.  In their own interest, why not market only to those people who are receptive to marketing? To send dozens of unwanted letters, catalogs, credit card offers into the homes of consumers who not only don\'t want them but are actively seeking to stop this barrage will surely cause ill will on their part.  Remember targeted marketing?\n\nThe bottom line is that marketers are looking at their bottom line. And holding on to outdated modes of communication. My suggestion to them is for them to evolve. When the Internet starting taking over, what did banks do? They started online banking. Why not reinvent direct marketing so that it becomes environmentally acceptable? Why not think of new ways to reach your targets without creating harmful waste?','Junk Part II','','publish','open','open','','junk-part-ii','','','2008-03-19 06:15:05','2008-03-19 11:15:05','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=24',0,'post','',1),(1255,4,'2008-03-20 07:48:06','2008-03-20 12:48:06','Do you have specific questions about a marketing issue? Just post here and I will attempt an answer.','Questions','','publish','open','open','','questions','','','2008-03-20 07:48:06','2008-03-20 12:48:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/questions/',0,'page','',2),(1256,4,'2008-03-20 08:12:08','2008-03-20 13:12:08','I just bought a new vacuum cleaner.  My old vacuum cleaner was just losing suction every day. There were several types, brands and price points in the vacuum section at my local discount store. The range went from $39  Dirt Devil stick vacuums all the way to $350 Dysons. It\'s been ten years since I last bought a vacuum, a Eureka. Naturally, I checked out Eurekas, and also the Hoovers and Bissells and Dirt Devils. Dyson was just out of my price range. But you know what kept going through my head? \"Bissell, We Mean Clean.\" That is the power of great tagline. So I bought a Bissell. But before you think that the tagline made me buy it, I chose it MAINLY because of price and features. The price was right and the features were good (bagless, 12 amps, lighter than the Eureka, onboard tools, HEPA filter).\n\nI figured that Bissell had to be good. I didn\'t check out consumer reports. I didn\'t ask around to see what other people had. However, I have seen countless commercials for Bissell. It is not an unknown. That is the power of branding. You come to know and believe in a brand. Brand is not always enough to influence purchase. I know, for instance, that Dyson never loses suction (according to their commercials), but $350 is just not in my budget for a vacuum cleaner. I have been using a Eureka without problems for 10 years, but the Eureka model in the store was four pounds heavier than the Bissell.\n\nAre there any brands that you won\'t give up on, regardless of price and features? For one,  I always buy Tylenol, not store brand acetaminophen.  But I stopped buying branded zip top and  trash bags when I found the store brand was practically the same and a lot cheaper.','Do you believe in the power of branding?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-believe-in-the-power-of-branding','','','2008-03-20 08:12:08','2008-03-20 13:12:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=26',0,'post','',1),(1257,4,'2008-03-24 11:24:06','2008-03-24 16:24:06','According to an article in the Baltimore Business Journal --available here, but may be for subscribers only: <a href=\"http://\" title=\"Baltimore Business Journal Article on Podcasting\" target=\"_blank\">http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/03/24/focus1.html?b=1206331200^1607621&amp;page=1 </a> podcasting is the most targeted way to reach an audience. Perhaps I am showing technological resistance, but I have yet to go to a business or philanthropic website and listen to a podcast. The article states that companies don\'t yet know how to best use podcasting.\n\nCertainly in today\'s new media/social media environment, organizations have to be as cutting edge as possible.  A good website is no longer enough--it must be updated. Blogs have definitely had an impact, but unless they are updated frequently with information that is useful, they are useless. I know of a graphic designer who has a blog with nothing on it other than some self-serving news. Why not talk about design? And now the move toward audio and video via podcasts. Again, you must have something relevant to say, and as the article above points out, production values are important. So a cheesy do-it-yourself podcast may end up hurting you and not helping you by making you look unprofessional or amateurish.\n\nI don\'t know if I agree that podcasting is the next frontier in targeted marketing. I think it is just another tool in an expanding arsenal of online possibilities. Thoughts out there?','Podcasting, really?','','publish','open','open','','podcasting-really','','','2008-03-24 11:24:06','2008-03-24 16:24:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=27',0,'post','',0),(1258,4,'2008-03-25 08:04:34','2008-03-25 13:04:34','I once worked with a graphic designer who told me the Mac and its software were just tools, same as pen and paper. He was 100% right. Just having the tools does not mean you know how to use them, or better yet, use them effectively.  Many people today have access to InDesign, Publisher, Dreamweaver, Photoshop and a myriad of other design software. And these people use these tools without any clue as to what goes into design. You can see the results in poorly designed, often unattractive brochures, ads and other marketing communications materials. It\'s the same with writing. We all know how to write, but not everyone knows how to write well.\n\nDesign is the first thing we notice about a piece, whether it be the color scheme or the layout, the font or the images. A good designer knows how to entice you to read the piece and also to use the design to communicate certain elements of the product or service. I have been fortunate to work with great designers and I have also worked with mediocre designers. There is a difference. But either way, any professional designer is better than an amateur who thinks he or she knows what she is doing. We should all acknowledge our areas of expertise and leave some stuff to the professionals. It makes a tremendous difference.  Here are some things a professional considers: readability, flow of information, aesthetics, color palette, suitable typeface  and amount of white space. Another item that a professional brings to the table: creativity.\n\nYou wouldn\'t go to an amateur to build your house, why would you use an amateur to create your brand identity for the world to see?','Design counts','','publish','open','open','','design-counts','','','2008-03-25 08:04:34','2008-03-25 13:04:34','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=28',0,'post','',2),(1259,4,'2008-03-27 12:09:39','2008-03-27 17:09:39','Last night, I attended a forum on politics and the Internet. The Internet has changed the way politicians campaign. Every self-respecting candidate has a website AND an Internet strategy. Candidates have Facebook/MySpace profiles and supporters use YouTube and other social media to post items in favor of their candidate/opposing the other candidates. It certainly has opened the playing field far and wide. Yet candidates are still spending millions of dollars on TV advertising. It seems that only 50% of Americans have broadband access so the various graphics/videos available on the Internet are not available to everyone. People still watch TV, but do people still read newspapers? I do, but declining numbers have certainly been the trend in recent years.  As more and more people get there information ONLINE (even from newspapers websites) and as more people are concerned about environmental issues (paper=trees), are printed newspapers going to disappear? The biggest advertisers in print are retailers. Everyone has seen the full page ads for Macy\'s and other department stores. In fact, I would bet that 90% of all print ads are retail oriented. In this case, printed newspapers are not going away soon. It is not the same to peruse a website for news as it is to read through a newspaper and look at the ads, especially if you are looking for a specific item or a sale. But will retail traffic be able to save newspapers in a recession-bound economy? I am not sure. Also, the younger generation definitely does not read newspapers and baby boomers are headed toward senior citizen status. Perhaps in another generation or so the newspaper will go the way of the videotape and become a recollection of how things USED to be done.','Will Newspapers Survive?','','publish','open','open','','will-newspapers-survive','','','2008-03-27 12:09:39','2008-03-27 17:09:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=29',0,'post','',0),(30,4,'2008-03-30 21:53:51','2008-03-31 02:53:51','My apologies to Martin Luther King, Jr., but some advertisers have to work to overcome any bad feelings customers have about them. Comcast is a case in point. There are Comcast customers out there who have had a less than positive experience. In fact, Comcast has a pretty bad perception to overcome. Some of their commercials are rather funny...the one with the Slowskys, the family of turtles who prefer DSL because its slow, for instance. But does the humor help overcome the negativity? This is when the product has to live up to the advertising. Same with Verizon. I happen to like the Verizon Wireless ads--you know, \"it\'s the network.\" And Verizon indeed has the network, but it is plagued by similar customer service problems to Comcast. So in the end, the commercials help to bring in people that don\'t already have an opinion, but when a STRONG and/or NEGATIVE opinion exists, no amount of funny and/or clever advertising is going to help. I am sure there are many other examples of companies that have great advertising, but negative public perception.','We shall overcome','','publish','open','open','','we-shall-overcome','','','2008-03-30 21:53:51','2008-03-31 02:53:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=30',0,'post','',1),(31,4,'2008-04-01 09:00:52','2008-04-01 14:00:52','We all know how much the Internet has changed the way we do business. We no longer fax or express mail--we email and upload instead. When I started working at an advertising agency way back in the early \'90s, we were still faxing signed insertion orders and overnighting ad films! And boy, could that cause problems, especially when publishers didn\'t get materials by deadline. The panel I mentioned a few posts back, about the Internet and politics, discussed how much the Internet is affecting campaigning and public opinion. But for our purposes, what is really changing is the whole scope of marketing communications.\n\nFirst, traditional broadcast or print ads are just not enough. All ads and printed materials today point consumers to a website. The website has to be good and has to be UPDATED (I can\'t stress that enough). But that is not yet enough. There are online ads--banners, AdWords on Google, search engine optimization. There are email campaigns. Because of the search for more targeted media, marketers have turned to all sorts of social media. Groups on Facebook/MySpace and the creation and posting of events. In the media relations field, we\'ve seen a rise in subscription newsletters such as Daily Candy. So now PR practitioners send their materials to traditional and online media, and some also to major bloggers (not me, not yet anyway).\n\nBut what is really interesting is that because everything that is on the Internet is available to anyone without a blocked Internet connection, anywhere, at any time, what is said about a company, organization or even an individual, is out there, perhaps even permanently. This is the reality of the Internet. Remember how Tylenol had a problem with tainted medicine or Odwalla with tainted juice? Those cases have made it into print, but can easily be found today on the Internet. You think the Southwest issue with the cracked fuselages has to make it into print to affect their image? No. It was reported by all media, who then post it on their websites, and even though I haven\'t researched it, I would bet that the blogosphere discussed it. In fact, even if something is in printed format, there are many databases out there that could be accessed (some for a fee of course) that would give you a nice PDF of whatever information you are seeking. That type of searching used to limited to scholars or journalists on a mission and with an expense account.\n\nThe newest issue then for marketers is to limit the damage or correct the image whenever possible. There are positions now such as \"Social Media Manager.\" Here\'s a link to a blog that explains this <a href=\"http://\" title=\"Social Media Manager\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/03/23/the-need-for-the-social-media-manager/</a>\n\nIn fact, this blog has received comments from such people. These people work for a company, like Comcast, and they scour the Internet for any mentions of their company. They then work to correct the mention or work to diminish its impact. See the comment to post We Shall Overcome immediately below.\n\nIn sum, with the Internet, the job of a marketing manager has become both easier and harder. We can collaborate more easily and we can find what we need at lightning speeds, but now we have a huge, not easy to control mass medium that knows no borders. Marketing managers today have to be concerned about image both on and off line.  Big job!','Ever Evolving','','publish','open','open','','ever-evolving','','','2008-04-01 09:00:52','2008-04-01 14:00:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=31',0,'post','',2),(1260,4,'2008-04-01 09:50:35','2008-04-01 14:50:35','Update to post below--Advertisers are turning to gaming online. Read this article in the New York Times:\n\n<a href=\"http://\" title=\"Online Gaming\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/business/media/01adco.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin </a>','More evolution','','publish','open','open','','more-evolution','','','2008-04-01 09:50:35','2008-04-01 14:50:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/more-evolution/',0,'post','',0),(1261,4,'2008-04-03 07:30:47','2008-04-03 12:30:47','Have you heard of Yael Naim? No? You probably have heard her song New Soul. Let\'s say if you watch any TV at all, and have seen the commercials for MacBook Air then you have heard it. It seems Steve Jobs personally chose her song for the commercial and it has now propelled the song, and Naim, into new popularity. Anyway, her song is catchy and has a very specific sound that has helped brand MacBook even further. Apple has been using music in their commercials for a long time--sometimes using previously lesser known artists like Naim, and sometimes using megabands like U2. Their strategy seems to be working. If you ever walk past an Apple store, you will notice that it is NEVER empty. People respond to music and when U2 appears in a commercial for ITunes, people listen.\n\nBut how many advertisers can afford to pay U2? Not many. So is this a level playing field? No way! For instance, there are many MP3 players out there and the most popular is the Ipod. I would argue that some MP3 players are better or have more features than an Ipod (and are certainly less expensive) yet Ipod rules. In my opinion, this boils down to having Apple, its advertising agency, and a big budget behind it.','Musically inclined','','publish','open','open','','musically-inclined','','','2008-04-03 07:30:47','2008-04-03 12:30:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=33',0,'post','',0),(1262,4,'2008-04-04 06:59:08','2008-04-04 11:59:08','Drug advertising, by its nature, is full of pitfalls. Obviously, drug companies that advertise are pushing their medication. One problem is that many of the medications are expensive (generally, they are still under patent and not available in the generic). Another problem is that advertising, even with all the small type, can\'t address all the pros and cons of drugs. We\'ve all seen or read the ads for drugs, \"which may cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, drowsiness, lethargy, cancer, etc.\" Also, patients are now armed with the brand name of a drug and can inquire about it directly to their doctors.  Drug companies spend millions on research and development, so they then spend millions on marketing to make sure the drug sells before its patent expires.  But the biggest problem with this massive marketing is that not all of these drugs are safe or effective\n\nThe latest drug to be exposed is Vytorin, a cholesterol medication. According to news reports, studies have found that Vytorin is no more effective than other cholesterol-lowering drugs available in the generic. Remember, generic is usually cheaper. Schering-Plough, the makers of Vytorin, have actually had layoffs and a reorg. However, today, there was a full two-page spread in the Washington Post for Vytorin. On the one hand, I understand why they do it. On the other hand, it seems like they think that readers of the Washington Post would dismiss the findings of the study simply because of a large ad in the newspaper. The ad does not address the findings, but really, how could it? Vytorin\'s USP (unique selling proposition) is that it addresses two sources of cholesterol. So this ad continues to tout this two-prong approach even though it is not better than statins at lowering cholesterol.\n\nWe are a free society and a market-driven one at that. However, marketing for drugs that have potential complications or don\'t work as well as advertised does need to be regulated. Public health is at stake. And I, for one, do not think the bottom line trumps health and wellbeing ever.','Drugged Up','','publish','open','open','','drugged-up','','','2008-04-04 06:59:08','2008-04-04 11:59:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=34',0,'post','',0),(1263,4,'2008-04-06 07:48:41','2008-04-06 12:48:41','Marketing really has driven the drug business says Melody Petersen in the new book Our Daily Meds. Review can be found in today\'s Washington Post, link here: <a title=\"WP Review of Our Daily Meds\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303377.html</a>','Update: New Book about Drug Marketing','','publish','open','open','','update-new-book-about-drug-marketing','','','2008-04-06 07:48:41','2008-04-06 12:48:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=35',0,'post','',0),(1264,4,'2008-04-07 11:05:19','2008-04-07 16:05:19','Well...the flavor of course! But how do you even try a beer you haven\'t tasted before? Recommendations from friends and bartenders, magazines and ADVERTISING. Case in point, Stella Artois, a Belgian beer with a long history. If you\'ve ever gone to an independent or art house movie theater, you\'ve probably seen Stella Artois advertised. These commercials usually have no talking, and feature Old World settings. Generally, the idea of most of them is that you would always rather have Stella or that you won\'t give up your Stella, no matter what. I saw one on cable television recently. It showed two robbers who have just dug their way to a pot of money. They toast with Stella Artois, and while they are doing this, the pot of money catches fire. For a split second they consider using the beer to put out the fire, but think better of it. Moral: no amount of money is better than a nice cold Stella Artois.\n\nDemonstrating the power of persuasion, I was faced with a choice of beers recently that included Stella. I had to try it. After all, they claim it would make me happier than a pot of money. (It was fine, I would drink it again, in case you are wondering.)\n\nBottom line is that this advertising is effective because it has a very specific point shown in outrageous ways. It also uses the images to convey a European/historical feel for Stella Artois. In my opinion, this type of advertising is far more persuasive than the American beer advertising we see for the big companies like Budweiser and Michelob. In any case, the taste of those beers speaks for itself.','What makes a beer worth drinking?','','publish','open','open','','what-makes-a-beer-worth-drinking','','','2008-04-07 11:05:19','2008-04-07 16:05:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=36',0,'post','',0),(1265,4,'2008-04-07 17:56:56','2008-04-07 22:56:56','Viagra sponsored the limited-commercial edition of tonight\'s ABC News. On the one hand, this makes sense. Evening news generally skews toward an older demographic. On the other hand, ABC News has a new in-depth series, on what it\'s like to be 21 in different places. So how does this make sense for Viagra?\n\nViagra, an ED drug certainly faces competition (I could pun here, but...) from Levitra and Cialis. All three drugs spend lots of ad dollars on high production value tv commercials. I am not sure which drug has the biggest market share, but here\'s another example of marketing driving the drug companies.','Viagra on ABC News','','publish','open','open','','viagra-on-abc-news','','','2008-04-07 17:56:56','2008-04-07 22:56:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=37',0,'post','',0),(1266,4,'2008-04-09 06:28:47','2008-04-09 11:28:47','In the end, consumer behavior  is stimulated either by needing something or wanting something. Guess where marketing communications plays the bigger part?  As I mentioned some posts earlier, Comcast has some very funny commercials. It doesn\'t make me WANT to be a Comcast customer but I am a Comcast customer. Why? Because, at the time, they were the only cable tv alternative available to me.  I NEEDED to sign up with them. Yet no amount of advertising is going to make me get their voice package. Why? Because I already have a telephone service I am satisfied with, so I have no NEED or WANT.\n\nThis need vs. want dichotomy explains why you never see advertisements for certain items. How often do you see an ad for plain rice? Never. Uncle Ben\'s Wild Rice? More often. You probably need plain rice, but you have to <strong>want</strong> wild rice. The whole advertising business is built around the idea of creating desire. That is the AIDA theory--Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. An ad is supposed to catch your attention and then create a want for something, which will lead you to spend money on something. It\'s not all nefarious--charities do this to. Who hasn\'t seen pictures of starving children in Africa and not wanted to help?\n\nSuccessful marcomm will stimulate a want. We get what we need anyway. You\'ll want to try new brands, new items, new services, all because the advertiser has convinced you that they have some unique or special attribute.','Need vs. Want','','publish','open','open','','need-vs-want','','','2008-04-09 06:28:47','2008-04-09 11:28:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=38',0,'post','',0),(1267,4,'2008-04-11 08:45:26','2008-04-11 13:45:26','Tag lines are not slogans, although they could be.  Slogans can serve as tag lines, as in Nike\'s \"Just do it.\" Tag lines help the advertiser define the service or product beyond its name or the headline on the ad. As you can imagine, they can be hugely important. Today, an ad for a mattress store caught my eye. It is called Sleepy\'s. Not sure I care for the name, but the tag line \"The Mattress Professionals\" just didn\'t do it for me. In fact, Mattress Professionals would be a better name for a store. Sleepy\'s is a fairly \"unprofessional\" name. But they want you to think they know what they are talking about. I think professionals is the not best choice...it doesn\'t match. I guess \"Sleep experts\" must be taken...that would have been better. Or \"we know mattresses.\"  In any case, to me this illustrates a disparity between a brand name and its brand identity.  You want to keep those separate.\n\nPlease keep in mind that I have never been to a Sleepy\'s store and this is just a commentary on a particular element of a particular ad.\n\nAny thoughts?','Tagging it','','publish','open','open','','tagging-it','','','2008-04-11 08:45:26','2008-04-11 13:45:26','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=39',0,'post','',0),(1268,4,'2008-04-11 19:33:29','2008-04-12 00:33:29','Today, I picked up new glasses at For Eyes. The name is brilliant. And the tag is great: The store for people who can\'t see spending a lot for glasses.  I love this! Clever but not at the expense of making sense. And, I really like their ads...generally funny. Plus, I got good service and what I hope are a nice pair of glasses at a reasonable price.','More tagging','','publish','open','open','','more-tagging','','','2008-04-11 19:33:29','2008-04-12 00:33:29','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=40',0,'post','',0),(1269,4,'2008-04-14 07:45:35','2008-04-14 12:45:35','I used to be quite a fan of Meet the Press and other Sunday morning talk shows. At the time, Orrin Hatch was a favored guest, and boy, he was ALWAYS on. So I stopped watching. I also really liked David Brinkley, and of course, he passed on. Now, I only  watch the programs occasionally. What hasn\'t changed is the advertisers and type of advertising. Sunday morning public affairs shows have image advertising, rarely retail. Back in the day, a huge advertiser on Sunday was the Archer Daniel Midlands company. Or BASF (we don\'t make the plastic we make the plastic better). This past Sunday, I noticed image advertising for Boeing. Clearly, viewers are not shopping for their very own 737. These commercials are mostly designed to promote the company as a do-gooder or a well run company and really, are designed to appeal to the company\'s own stakeholders (employees, shareholders and other internal audiences). It is a very unique segment of advertising.  The idea also is that policy wonks and other influential people tune in to these Sunday morning shows and these image commercials are meant to create name recognition for these companies. Of course, at some point, policy wonks will be involved in an airline requisition and may have to choose between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. I wonder if these image campaigns truly influence these types of choices. After all, there is a large difference between choosing Jif Peanut Butter instead of Skippy and deciding to buy a Boeing 727 over a MD-80.','Sunday mornings','','publish','open','open','','sunday-mornings','','','2008-04-14 07:45:35','2008-04-14 12:45:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=41',0,'post','',0),(1270,4,'2008-04-15 10:00:27','2008-04-15 15:00:27','The 2008 election is being played out across new media. From the YouTube debates to the Facebook pages every candidate seems to have. I heard recently that Chelsea Clinton is asking everyone to \"friend\" her on Facebook, presumably so she can then have an email list of potential supporters for her mother. Today, I saw something very interesting. John McCain (or rather one of his campaigners) posted a question on LinkedIn.  LinkedIn has a great tool called Answers. Through it, people can ask for advice and experts can share their knowledge. McCain used the Answers feature to ask what issues are top priority for Americans. I think this is brilliant on his campaign\'s part. First, the campaign will receive some honest answers from Americans around the United States, some who probably would not have this type of access to a campaign. McCain will also create interest and some good will, because he is asking what is important. It makes his campaign look new media savvy as well.\n\nIn short, 2008 will show us just how effective social marketing can be. Obviously, campaigns think it is important. It helps raise visibility. The test will be in November and to see how many voters turn out, and why they turned out.','Social Marketing at the Presidential Level','','publish','open','open','','social-marketing-at-the-presidential-level','','','2008-04-15 10:00:27','2008-04-15 15:00:27','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=42',0,'post','',0),(1271,4,'2008-04-17 08:13:19','2008-04-17 13:13:19','Yesterday, I received an email announcement from US Airways. It is about something they call \"choice seats.\" As part of the growing trend to nickel and dime air travelers, USAir is getting into the fray by offering window and aisle seats in the front of the cabin for purchase. They are attempting to sell this as a benefit. By labeling it choice seats, and offering it for free to their Preferred Dividend Miles members, they are ensuring everyone else is stuck in middle seats. What I find so unsavory about this practice is that they are publicizing it.  And making it seem like a good thing. The only people who will benefit from this practice is the USAir higher ups. Gate agents will be even more harrassed as people jockey for better seats, now not available UNLESS you pay.  Honestly, this makes me sick. Playing to peoples disgust with flying these days, and seeing an opportunity to extract some more money from the public, USAir will sell you a right to a better seat. If you don\'t pony up some cash, you can rest assured you will be seated in the last row , in the middle, next to the bathroom. Lovely.','Cynical marketing','','publish','open','open','','cynical-marketing','','','2008-04-17 08:13:19','2008-04-17 13:13:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=43',0,'post','',0),(1272,4,'2008-04-21 08:39:52','2008-04-21 13:39:52','It is not a new phenomenon that the airlines sell advertising. Their main selling points always involve the terms \"captive audience,\" since at 25,000 feet no one is going anywhere. On my USAir flight on Friday, I noticed that the airline has certainly been working this captive audience angle. All ticket jackets had an ad for Geico and its ubiquitous gecko. And one flight segment, the tray tables were covered over with a ad on a sticker. The interesting thing is that although I did use the tray table, I cannot recall what the advertiser was. I do recall the product--it was virtual voicemail. I think that this is the challenge for advertising on board--you can\'t take action and you may not have pen and paper readily available to make a note to check when you get back on the ground. Or you may be wrapped up in your book or traveling companion\'s conversation to even notice.\n\nOn the other hand, Skymall must be somewhat successful. They have had their catalog onboard for many years. Skymall offers the most unusual selection of goods (whether you NEED any of these is another discussion). People who board a flight without any reading material or other forms of entertainment nearly always end up perusing the catalog. I wonder if any buy or if it\'s just a source of amusement.\n\nIn any case, the airlines are desperate for additional sources of income. As discussed a few days ago, USAir is set to start charging for \"premium\" seats in economy class, and all airlines will start charging fees for the second piece of checked baggage come May. It will not surprise me if soon we start seeing ads being played on the TV monitors at full volume for at least the first few minutes of the flight. It will also not surprise me if the flight attendants start pushing a product other than the airlines\' own credit card/frequent flyer program.','Advertising in the Friendly Skies','','publish','open','open','','advertising-in-the-friendly-skies','','','2008-04-21 08:39:52','2008-04-21 13:39:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=44',0,'post','',0),(1273,4,'2008-04-23 09:37:44','2008-04-23 14:37:44','Earth Day makes everyone go green, right? Yesterday, once again, I saw a television commercial for Chevron that touted how a gas company can do good for the environment. It\'s a long commercial--probably one minute long, and it shows \"green\" images such as fields of wheat, etc. I wonder what the target is. Do you buy gasoline based on green practices?  Do you believe oil companies can be green? After all, the commercial did not mention specific initiatives that Chevron is invested in, it only claims they are working on \"human\" interest. In fact, the whole commercial is so stylized and designed for an emotional response that it made me doubt its sincerity and accuracy.\n\nObviously, being green is an important attribute these days. Some companies have the actions to back up the claims. Whole Foods has banned plastic bags at check out, for instance. Some companies print on recycled paper and make a note of it. Some companies try to use recyclable paper and inks for the printed materials. But I can\'t recall a green campaign that has made me sit up and take notice. I know it is the hot topic du jour, but companies can use the current interest in the environment both to their advantage and to help the planet. If they can actually walk the walk, and tell people about it at the same time, they are truly ahead of the game. That is why the Chevron commercial did nothing for me. They are telling me how interested they are in the environment, but they are not actually telling me specifics.','Going green is all the rage','','publish','open','open','','going-green-is-all-the-rage','','','2008-04-23 09:37:44','2008-04-23 14:37:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=45',0,'post','',0),(1274,4,'2008-04-25 09:57:43','2008-04-25 14:57:43','I have been thumbing through old magazines, which is a quick way to see just how fast graphics and tastes change. If you were to pick up a magazine from 1990 you would really feel the difference. Some of it is more sophisticated tools, but some of it is just changing taste. In any case, I came across a print ad for a Fig Newton Snack Bar that is  \"just 100 calories.\" (When will this fascination with 100 calories end? What is so magical about 100???) I don\'t think Nabisco makes these anymore, but the tag line \"Snack Happy\" is still in use. Why? Because it\'s good. Period. What more do you want from a tag line? It is short, succinct and connotes at least two emotional states: guilt-free and contentment (or guilt-free contentment). So Nabisco has kept the tag line and got rid of the \"snack fairy.\" Remember the snack fairy? It was some guy dressed in a tutu that gave you snacks you could enjoy, EVEN if you were on a diet.  I just did a quick search and now Nabisco is running a \"Snack Purple\" campaign to celebrate women (huh?). In any case, this is not even close to being as enduring and clever as Snack Happy. Snack Purple? First of all, how does purple connote women? And second, who eats a color other than orange?\n\nA marketer should aim to create those enduring tag lines. MasterCard of course has \"For everything else there is MasterCard.\" Nike has \"Just Do It.\" These endure because they transcend whatever the image/graphic/fad of the moment is and communicate quickly and effectively to their intended audience. If you can think of other great tag lines, please let me know.','What\'s good endures','','publish','open','open','','whats-good-endures','','','2008-04-25 09:57:43','2008-04-25 14:57:43','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=46',0,'post','',0),(47,4,'2008-05-05 07:57:46','2008-05-05 12:57:46','Radio advertising has its own challenges. Pretty faces and stunning photography just don\'t work in radio. The spoken word is key. And the spoken word must break through tons of clutter. Just how do you differentiate your speaking voice from the radio station\'s on-air personalities? How do you communicate figures, facts and numbers without the benefit of a visual? In short, it takes a really good copywriter and some great voice actors to create a memorable radio commercial.\n\nThis struck home the other day as I was driving in South Florida, where one drives A LOT. Thus, one is one\'s car, with the radio on generally, for long stretches of time. I heard a commercial for AT&amp;T Wireless. It was about getting a cell phone for Mother\'s Day, but warning kids that Moms don\'t always understand texting. It was funny and it struck a chord about the differences between generations. It was clever and it got my attention...a very difficult job when one can change channels in seconds. In this case, you had to remember that the advertiser was ATT (not Verizon or Sprint). Thus the commercial had to both draw you in, and repeat key information.\n\nThe other problem that radio advertising faces is ability to act (or rather inability to act). If you are home, watching TV, and you see something interesting, you can write down a phone number or a website, and immediately call or visit. In radio, you are most likely out and about, without access to a pen or a computer. So the commercial must strike a chord and then be so memorable that when you get home you will remember the name of the advertiser and look it up. Of course, with political advertising, you just have to remember the name. In this realm, radio advertising is very effective. You can be repetitious and through frequency, make sure potential voters know your name and a few of your ideas.\n\nThe debate in radio advertising is (at least in media buying departments of ad agencies) of reach versus frequency. The answer of course is to find the best balance of both,  but I think in the cluttered world of radio, you need to aim for frequency.','A face for radio','','publish','open','open','','a-face-for-radio','','','2008-05-05 07:57:46','2008-05-05 12:57:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=47',0,'post','',2),(1275,4,'2008-05-07 09:53:24','2008-05-07 14:53:24','Yesterday, I was watching the local evening news. The anchor was reporting on health issues, including how teenage girls view their bodies. The anchor said that media images, which are often manipulated, affect body image, giving women an unrealistic expectation of what is perfect. So far so good. However, the anchor started talking about a new COMMERCIAL from Dove, regarding how the media manipulates these images.\n\nA year or two ago, Dove started an ad campaign to \"celebrate\" women\'s bodies by using \"real\" women as models. Apparently, they have upped the ante and now are using documentary style commercials to criticize the media. There are a couple of issues here. First of all, this entire campaign was created to generate buzz for Dove. To obtain free publicity in the form of media reports about a different campaign, etc. So the anchor of this local newscast became a publicity agent for Dove, and used their images to talk about the serious issue of teenage body issue. OK, but what is Dove trying to do? It is trying to position itself as a company that does not exploit women\'s issues with body image. Why? To sell product, of course! Dove does not advertise purely to help women deal with their body image issues. It is trying to make viewers think that it cares about women, that its products are \"women-friendly.\" Clever? Yes. Different? Yes. Why do I have an issue with it? Because in the end, no for-profit company is doing any public service without expecting something in return. And when their commercials are being touted as if they were bona fide documentaries, we have a problem.','Free advertising','','publish','open','open','','free-advertising','','','2008-05-07 09:53:24','2008-05-07 14:53:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=48',0,'post','',0),(1276,4,'2008-05-08 10:19:04','2008-05-08 15:19:04','It has become commonplace to use celebrity voice-overs for television and radio ads. In fact, I remember reading that it had become a kind of game to identify who the celebrity was. For instance, I am pretty sure Ann Curry does the Detrol ads. And I just heard a radio commercial for Kaiser Permanente, which I am almost certain was read by Allison Janney. Which brings me to my point: is it worth the money to have a highly-paid (and probably telegenic) celebrity do a voice-over for your radio commercial? Of course, voices, like faces, can connote emotions and create associations. Voices can have distinctive tones and timbres. Allison Janney\'s voice connotes assuredness and practicality. So I can understand Kaiser Permanente using her, but I wonder if it truly is worth the additional expense. I am sure there is radio talent out there with similar characteristics.','Radio Face Part 2','','publish','open','open','','radio-face-part-2','','','2008-05-08 10:19:04','2008-05-08 15:19:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=49',0,'post','',0),(1277,4,'2008-05-12 16:05:45','2008-05-12 21:05:45','Not only have movie prices increased to reach almost $10, but the theaters are increasingly showing full length commercials before the trailers and the movie. Clearly, advertising has become an important source of additional revenue. One can easily see the appeal--a captive audience with nothing else to do but to watch the commercials and the ability of advertisers to select audience by geography/zip code.  Mind you, advertising in theaters is nothing new. For years, there were stills being shown before the trailers, and of course, promotions for movie theater related \"stuff\" like popcorn and soda. Recently, I have noted the commercials are lengthier and with higher production values than the stuff we see on TV. Because advertisers know that movie goers are going to see a film that probably cost tens of millions of dollars to produce, they also are producing high quality commercials that seem movie-like. Stella Artois (as mentioned in my post on beer commercials) has been doing this for a while. Last Friday, I saw a great commercial with Martin Scorsese...the kicker is I can\'t remember the advertiser! I think it may have been AT&amp;T.\n\nMovie advertising is here to stay. The good thing is that we can almost certainly count on it to be entertaining.','Before the trailers','','publish','open','open','','before-the-trailers','','','2008-05-12 16:05:45','2008-05-12 21:05:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=50',0,'post','',0),(1278,4,'2008-05-14 09:38:56','2008-05-14 14:38:56','No secret here. The power of advertising is to suggest that you need something. Sometimes you didn\'t even know you needed that something.  Such is the case in some types of medical advertising. Is your skin red and flushed looking? It might be rosacea! Trouble falling asleep? Get some Ambien! On MSNBC.com today there is an article about Requip, the medicine for \"restless legs syndrome.\" Apparently, since the drug got approved in 2005, the company has been advertising and inquiries about the \"syndrome\"and the drug have increased dramatically. However, the drug is just about to go generic, and thus, Requip will no longer be advertised as heavily. They are expecting a drop in people with \"restless legs syndrome.\" Read the story here <a title=\"MSNBCstory on Requip advertising\" href=\"http://\">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24603237/</a>\n\nIn any case, this speaks volumes about the power of suggestion (and persuasion). And really, about the power of advertising. We tend to believe what we see on TV. And we are concerned about our health, so advertising on TV about our health seems to be very effective.','The Power of Suggestion','','publish','open','open','','the-power-of-suggestion','','','2008-05-14 09:38:56','2008-05-14 14:38:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=51',0,'post','',2),(1279,4,'2008-05-17 07:00:31','2008-05-17 12:00:31','Existing and new home sales are down across the country due to the mortgage/credit crises. So what is a home seller to do? Advertise of course! In the past few weeks, I have been receiving more and more postcards featuring condos or townhomes in the area. In fact, on Thursday alone, I got three such over-sized, glossy postcards addressed to \"resident.\" This tells me that these advertisers (Ryan Homes was one of them) are pulling all the stops to be able to sell homes that were probably built or planned for before the real estate bubble blew. They are offering incentives and slashing prices while advertising heavily via direct mail and in the real estate section of the newspaper and even on television. The construction companies need to make up some if not all of their investment and know they need to sell those units, almost at all cost. Have you noticed an uptick in real estate advertising too?\n\nOn a completely unrelated note, a few weeks ago, Starbucks unveiled its new (\"and improved\") logo. It is brown instead of green and shows a more detailed mermaid than before. Apparently, some groups are offended by the more anatomically correct mermaid (of course). The question is: was it necessary to tinker with a perfectly good and highly recognizable logo? Fortunately, the chain has already built a huge customer base. However, we all know Starbucks by its green logo. Brown may not fly. I don\'t think the new logo will hurt their sales, but I don\'t think it will help either. You can read a story on this on MSNBC.com. Here\'s the link:<a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Story on Starbucks\' New Logo\" href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24671066/\" target=\"_blank\"> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24671066/</a>','Real Estate Advertising and Starbucks Logo','','publish','open','open','','real-estate-advertising-and-starbucks-logo','','','2008-05-17 07:00:31','2008-05-17 12:00:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=52',0,'post','',0),(1280,4,'2008-05-19 07:09:14','2008-05-19 12:09:14','In case you have been living under a rock, the newest Indiana Jones movie is opening this weekend. It is being accompanied (or should I say anticipated) with lots of media hoopla and a re-release of all previous Indiana Jones movies. Of course! This franchise has a lot of life to it. Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first Indiana Jones movie, came out in 1981. Harrison Ford has aged since then, but apparently he is still running around in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. He is also running around doing the media circuit. In fact, media is really driving the potential audience for this movie.  This media relations blitz probably originated on both ends. News programs know that Indiana Jones will probably be a winner and seek to book Harrison Ford and have \"first looks\" at the movie. The movie is definitely marketing and aiming to become the biggest hit of the summer. First, it is opening on Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the start of summer. They are pushing the movie everywhere. Harrison Ford is doing interviews from Cannes to the CBS Early Morning Show.  The movie was screened for the first time in Cannes, and apparently there has been build-up on the Internet since the movie was announced more than a year ago. Read this<a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Hollywood blog\" href=\"http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/indiana_jones/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"> blog (Thompson on Hollywood) </a>to see more about the media push.\n\nIn any case, Indiana Jones will be a success. I would argue mostly because people enjoyed the first three movies and know and like Indy. But certainly, the build-up in expectation will create anticipation and desire to see the movie. I would bet on it to be a very large opening weekend.\n\nMovie advertising for a blockbuster like Indiana Jones shows what an unlimited marketing budget can do. It also demonstrates the integrated marketing communications approach--that is, using all marketing vehicles (advertising, public relations, social media, etc.) to get a unified message out. You could just be exposed to one media outlet and still know that this movie will be opening next weekend.','Are you going to raid the lost ark?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-going-to-raid-the-lost-ark','','','2008-05-19 07:09:14','2008-05-19 12:09:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=53',0,'post','',0),(1281,4,'2008-05-20 07:46:01','2008-05-20 12:46:01','Sometimes it is hard to know where the PR pitch ends and the feature story begins. Such is often the case on Food Network (even so, one of my favorites). Last night, on a program called Heavyweights, three very large fast food chains were featured. It was a \"behind the scenes\" look at everything these retailers do to produce a particular meal or the innovations they have created. In a sense, this was a puff piece. There was no critical look or journalist doing the interviewing. In fact, the spokespeople for each of these chains was telling the public, directly, all the great things the chains do to bring \"great\" food to the consumer. This is beyond a feature piece or a review. I am sure it must be a way for Food Network to give added value to certain advertisers. There is no other explanation. They have other shows like this too. Is it wrong? No. It is a boon to these advertisers, which receive an editorial type endorsement and lots of great exposure. But is it real TV? No. It is an advertorial and it is too bad it is not labeled as such. Magazines have been doing this for years--creating special sections for say, the hotel industry--and pitching it to advertisers as a chance to tell their own story, without the journalistic filter. But the difference is, these sections are nearly always listed (maybe in very fine print) as advertising or advertorial.','Blurring the line','','publish','open','open','','blurring-the-line','','','2008-05-20 07:46:01','2008-05-20 12:46:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=54',0,'post','',0),(1282,4,'2008-05-21 11:30:57','2008-05-21 16:30:57','Well, it must because these sexist ads keep on appearing. You know the kind--where women appear as sexual objects, there to look pretty and please men. Or where every 1950s notion of male and female roles are reprised (women cook, men work, women clean, men work, women simper, men work). Women\'s magazines are filled with these images, plus they also tend to create the unattainable ideal of women courtesy of starving models and/or Photoshop. Why do these tendencies toward objectifying women continue in 2008, when for the first time in the United States a woman had a viable shot at being president of the country? Because its societal and because men are still in charge at most large U.S. advertising agencies. What can we do? Continue to disagree with this state of affairs, and be vocal about it. The University of Michigan houses the  Sexual Attack Prevention and Awareness Center, which is running a campaign to stop sexism in advertising. <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Anti-sexism campaign\" href=\"http://www.umich.edu/~sapac/sia/2007/\" target=\"_blank\">Read about it here.</a>','Does sexism sell?','','publish','open','open','','does-sexism-sell','','','2008-05-21 11:30:57','2008-05-21 16:30:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=55',0,'post','',0),(1283,4,'2008-05-22 19:13:37','2008-05-23 00:13:37','Please visit my guest blog on <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Guest post\" href=\"http://generationygive.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\">Generation Y Give.</a>','Gen Y','','publish','open','open','','gen-y','','','2008-05-22 19:13:37','2008-05-23 00:13:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=56',0,'post','',0),(1284,4,'2008-05-23 06:55:04','2008-05-23 11:55:04','Such is the case of a chicken sandwich being debuted at McDonald\'s, apparently based on a similar sandwich at Chick-fil-A, and being marketed to different ethnic groups across the country. The <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Which came first?\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/business/media/22adco.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin\" target=\"_blank\">story</a> is in the New York Times, and points to the importance of advertising in promoting a food product. McDonald\'s has a very large ad budget, and the big advertising agencies on it side. It also has restaurants everywhere. But there is one thing McDonald\'s does not have: a reputation for being a chicken place. Yes, they have chicken, but they are known for burgers and fries. This is their core business while, as its name implies, chicken is the thing at Chick-fil-A. It will be interesting to see if the chicken sandwich takes off at McDonald\'s, and whether it hurts Chick-fil-A\'s business or not.','Same product, different marketing, different retailers','','publish','open','open','','same-product-different-marketing-different-retailers','','','2008-05-23 06:55:04','2008-05-23 11:55:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=57',0,'post','',0),(1285,4,'2008-05-25 13:15:17','2008-05-25 18:15:17','American Airlines says it knows why we fly. In any case, \"we know why you fly\" is their tag line for the current ad campaign. The campaign shows people traveling for various reasons, most of them to do with going to visit family or going on vacation.  It seems somewhat dissonant that if American knows why we fly, and its all feel good, and they are the company that takes us where we want to go, when we want to go, that they now turn around and start charging ridiculous fees (like $15 for your first checked bag, each way). Also, they are planning to cut back routes as well. Dissonance is just that--something is said or done that does not jibe with reality. There is a tremendous amount of dissonance in other advertising too. Like McDonald\'s aiming for the healthy market or something. The truth is that American has to make the public feel like it cares about them. Because everyone who has flown knows the reality is far from rosy. We\'ve been packed into flights that are often delayed, and given an option to buy crappy sandwiches if there is food at all. Once we get to our destination, we may or may not see our luggage. These days, to be a passenger takes a lot of stamina. You have to put up with security at the airport and lousy service on the airlines. But, as American knows, we are flying to go on vacation, to get away , to visit loved ones. So they cling on to that notion in their advertising. Maybe it isn\'t dissonance at all--maybe it is cynicism.  Since they know why we fly, they know we will put up with all sorts of crap.','Dissonance ','','publish','open','open','','dissonance','','','2008-05-25 13:15:17','2008-05-25 18:15:17','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=58',0,'post','',1),(1286,4,'2008-05-27 11:04:51','2008-05-27 16:04:51','Tylenol is currently running a campaign with \"feel better\" as a tagline. There are several ads in the campaign, each posing a scenario and then finishing with the tagline. I saw one today that said that sometimes you get a headache when you are dehydrated, so drink a glass of water. The message seems to be that Tylenol cares about you, and that you don\'t always need to take a Tylenol. It is supposed to make us feel good about Tylenol as a company. They are caring, they provide good information and of course, they want us to feel better. There is nothing wrong with this strategy, but again, I wonder if it doesn\'t somewhat underestimate the consumer. We take Tylenol because it makes the pain go away.  If the pill didn\'t work, we would take something else. Would we care if the company cares how we feel?','Feel good','','publish','open','open','','feel-good','','','2008-05-27 11:04:51','2008-05-27 16:04:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=59',0,'post','',0),(1287,4,'2008-05-30 06:38:18','2008-05-30 11:38:18','Marketing is all about creating perception. We use ads, public relations, coupons, whatever, to shape the public\'s perception of our product or service. Take for instance Geico. How do you perceive the insurer, which started life as a the Government Employees Insurance Company? Chances are you think of them as cheap insurance. Why? Because for years they have been using the tagline \"15 minutes could save you 15% or more.\" They also use a humorous approach to make them seem accessible. (I do love the new James Lipton commercial, where he \"interviews\" a \"real\" Geico customer.)\n\nOK. So not all perception is accurate. Giant, a supermarket here in the mid-Atlantic, runs an ad campaign that makes it seem that Giant is the place to get everything you need and save money. So not true. Many products at Giant are more expensive than elsewhere. This is where marketers can get into trouble, or where we see a disconnect between a marketing department and an operations department. The marketers are being told go out and make it look like we offer great deals on a great selection of food.  Yet price points are really high for many items.\n\nIn Washington, yesterday and today, the hoopla is all about Scott McClellan\'s new book, \"What Happened.\" Why? Because McClellan, who was press secretary for Bush, and who was in charge of shaping the public\'s perception about issues such as the Iraq war, has turned. The book is highly critical of Bush and his advisers, and claims they actively used him to deceive the American public. There is a perception problem though--why should we believe McClellan now? What is motivating him to come out against Bush (to whom he was loyal for years) NOW?  In fact, the press does not seem to know what to make of this. I saw Martha Raddatz interview McClellan last night on ABC News and she asked him point blank if he thought the Bush White House were liars. He stopped short of saying that. What McClellan has to contend with it that he is perceived as a spinner. In fact, Martha called him on it--telling him he was spinning! It was unbelievable. <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Martha Raddatz interview with Scott McClellan\" href=\"http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=4958262&amp;page=1\" target=\"_blank\">Read the transcript here.</a>\n\nSo there is often a gap to bridge between the truth and perception. In public affairs, if the bridge is shaky, the public will find out eventually. I think this is the case here. All governments spin the facts. That is a fact. But not all governments take the country to war. The truth is yet to be told, and the perception about the Iraq war has been crumbling for a while. Will Scott McClellan\'s book bring this bridge down completely? I am not sure. Like I said before, he has a perception problem himself. Reporters don\'t trust him. Dana Milbank (whose commentary I think is somewhat juvenile) pokes fun at McClellan in today\'s <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Dana Millbank\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/29/AR2008052903675.html?hpid=topnews\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post</a>. It will play out eventually. Stay tuned.','Perception, perception, perception.','','publish','open','open','','perception-perception-perception','','','2008-05-30 06:38:18','2008-05-30 11:38:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=60',0,'post','',0),(1288,4,'2008-06-04 14:17:47','2008-06-04 19:17:47','We\'ve all heard that sticks and stones can break your bones but words can\'t. Words may not break bones but they can be a call to action that could result in broken bones. Speech can be powerful. As many PR/marketing practitioners know, writing a speech can be one of the most difficult tasks. You want to get across a message, while maintaining a tone that resonates with the audience. You have to choose words carefully and you have to use humor judiciously. In short, it\'s a difficult task. But a good speech and more importantly, a well delivered speech can really sway minds.\n\nI had the privilege of listening to Barack Obama speak this morning. He\'s a fantastic orator. I also heard John McCain speak on Monday. Obama is a stronger speaker than McCain, and that is something that can\'t be underestimated. This contest will really come down to the power of speech because a good speech can certainly influence opinion. President Reagan was known for his speaking abilities and I would say that is what won him the presidency and kept him there through two terms. George Bush is not known for being a good speaker. Yes, he won the presidency but he won against Kerry, who is certainly not a good speaker. Gore also was known as sounding very wooden. So the bottom line is that it is important what you say (this is where the speechwriters earn their money) but how you say it can make all the difference.','Speech is powerful','','publish','open','open','','speech-is-powerful','','','2008-06-04 14:17:47','2008-06-04 19:17:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=61',0,'post','',1),(1289,4,'2008-06-08 09:33:30','2008-06-08 14:33:30','Seriously. This isn\'t about working all night on the re-branding project, it\'s about what certain words connote in a religious context. Apparently, the Alexandria. VA-based Baptist Temple was suffering from dwindling membership. What did they resolve to do? Hold a membership drive? No! Re-brand the church. See, apparently the name \"Baptist Temple\" carries bad or unclear connotations. Baptist is tied to the far right conservative movement, and this church is progressive. And temple? Well, apparently that made this place sound hippy-dippy.  So, they pastor begged his flock to rename the church and the new name is...Commonwealth Baptist Church. They didn\'t stop there. With true branding and marketing savvy, they will add a tagline, which has not been chosen yet but may be something like \"A Progressive Community of Faith.\"\n\nRead the whole <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Article on Baptist Temple\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/07/AR2008060700924.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article </a>for more information. This is such a great example of how a name can make all the difference. It goes back to what I was saying before about perception. I find it interesting that the pastor in this church thought that by changing their name, they would literally save their church. I will be interested to see if it does make a difference.','Getting religious about branding','','publish','open','open','','getting-religious-about-branding','','','2008-06-08 09:33:30','2008-06-08 14:33:30','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=62',0,'post','',0),(1290,4,'2008-06-10 07:58:17','2008-06-10 12:58:17','Sometimes due to budget constraints or sometimes due to plan, advertisers choose to go the simple and cheap route. I noticed one such attempt yesterday. I saw a simple lawn sign, by the side of busy road here in Bethesda, that said simply Single? and then the advertisers URL. It was in black and white, and I didn\'t see another sign around. This is cheaper than cheap, so any return on investment has got to be high. But does this work? Is a small sign enough to drive traffic to a website? There are several advantages to this approach. Clearly, the headline says it all. And there is no clutter around it. Geographically targeted. The disadvantages are that since there is no frequency, perhaps the URL does not get across. Is it measurable?\n\nPoliticians have been using lawn signs for years. But those are more a sign of solidarity than a call to action. It does prove however, that sometimes simple is all you need (as a start) when your message is simple. When you have to explain attributes or compare your product or service, you will need a bigger forum than a lawn sign. Of course, that is where the URL comes in. Certainly a website gives you the space to make your case.','So simple and so effective?','','publish','open','open','','so-simple-and-so-effective','','','2008-06-10 07:58:17','2008-06-10 12:58:17','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=63',0,'post','',0),(1291,4,'2008-06-13 08:06:06','2008-06-13 13:06:06','Sometimes it takes crisis for companies to understand that communicating (actually, communicating effectively) is important. Washington\'s Metro has been having a really bad couple of weeks. First, the tracks at one station were blocked by a freak storm. Then there was a derailment, then a kink in the tracks and today, they have a fire in one of the tunnels. (All of which begs the question how safe is Metro, but that is another story). Metro has been repeatedly criticized for not communicating effectively with its customers. The problem starts with really bad PA systems, which make it impossible to understand what is being said. Then, they have internal communications issues, where headquarters knows something that people on the ground don\'t or vice versa. In fact, the general manager of Metro was on the air this week saying that they can always improve their communications. Of course they can. They have to! When there is a bad situation, people want to know about it so they can make a decision on how they will respond. If there is a delay on Metro of over an hour, maybe it is worth it to take a cab or walk or whatever. Same thing happens on the airlines. It is frustrating when you are sitting in a gate area seeing the minutes tick by and not knowing why you haven\'t boarded yet.\n\nClear and real communications are important in all situations, but more so in a crisis situation. In Metro\'s case, they need a complete overhaul of their communications systems. In other cases, it is almost common sense. Tell people what is happening. Don\'t misinform or propagandize. People see through that or will resent it. You know the drill--nothing is happening, just a minor delay. Instead say, there is a delay and we do not yet know the extent of it. We will get you more information as we get it.','Communication is important. No, really?','','publish','open','open','','communication-is-important-no-really','','','2008-06-13 08:06:06','2008-06-13 13:06:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=65',0,'post','',0),(1292,4,'2008-06-13 18:46:07','2008-06-13 23:46:07','Tim Russert died today at 58. He was too young and he was too wise. In TV news, where too often people talk nonsense, he did not. I started watching Russert when he became moderator of Meet the Press. I watched the show almost religiously for many years. I always enjoyed his questions and his guests. From what I have heard through the years, and especially in tributes tonight, Russert was a family oriented person, who really seemed to care about those he worked with.  I can only say he was a fine journalist, and I am sad the he will no longer be on the air. My condolences to his family. I think many political junkies are sharing in your sadness.','A fine journalist','','publish','open','open','','a-fine-journalist','','','2008-06-13 18:46:07','2008-06-13 23:46:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=66',0,'post','',0),(1293,4,'2008-06-19 09:09:26','2008-06-19 14:09:26','We may tend to think of branding as limited to logos, ads, boilerplates in press releases, corporate identity kits that define colors on  websites, or any number of marketing tools that are used to create a cohesive image. Of course, that is the part of branding that a marketing communications person would be involved with. But there is a part of branding that is more elusive but I think as important: the front lines of your organization or company. What do I mean by front lines? I mean the first impression that your company gives a visitor when he or she is visiting in person. The front line is the receptionist, the waiting area or lobby, the building, the office, whatever the visitor sees first. You can learn a lot about a company from observing this space. Recently, I went to an office where the receptionist greeted me coldly, the waiting area was cold in feel and by design. It was all marble, with nary a magazine or any other reading material in sight. There company logo had a cold, stark look to it. In short, it was not very welcoming. I sat there (because the person I was waiting for was running late...another bad impression) and thought about what they were trying to convey. Perhaps they were aiming for efficiency? Or they didn\'t want anyone to linger? Or most likely, they did not give a thought to the image they are giving off. In my experience, this is a very weak link in most organizations\' image creation \"plans.\"  Last year, I had a client that was trying to promote high end, expensive products. You would think that the store would be rich and comfortable. it was not. I tried to convince the client that no matter how brilliant our marketing plan was, potential customers would be turned off when walking in to the store. In other words, we could get people there but we couldn\'t make people buy.  It would be in lots of companies\' best interest to take a tour of their reception areas with new eyes. Is the receptionist courteous? Presenting the company image (whatever that may be---professional or casual)? How would a visitor feel in the waiting area? How do you look to an outsider? Is that look in line with your mission/vision?\n\nFirst impressions count, right?','The branding that goes beyond','','publish','open','open','','the-branding-that-goes-beyond','','','2008-06-19 09:09:26','2008-06-19 14:09:26','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=67',0,'post','',0),(1294,4,'2008-06-22 06:42:51','2008-06-22 11:42:51','If a celebrity you admire is touting a product, do you buy it? Apparently, you do. Today, the New York Times has a v<a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"NYT Article on Celebrity Sells\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/business/media/22celeb.html?pagewanted=1&amp;_r=1&amp;adxnnlx=1214133945-VQjn10GWTRs2cJpxfa%20VYA\" target=\"_blank\">ery interesting article  about celebrity endorsements</a>. It discusses among other items, Totes\' (umbrella makers) decision to use Rihanna (pop singer) as a celebrity endorser. Rihanna had a hit song called, aptly enough, Umbrella, which made Totes\' executive think this was a good match.\n\nI think celebrity endorsements are overrated. The article talks about Nicole Kidman appearing for Chanel #5 and Ellen Degeneres appearing for American Express. I like both these actresses yet I would not get either product. I happen to think the AmEx ads are great--always entertaining. It boils down to relevance and need. I don\'t need another credit card, so it is irrelevant that Ellen hawks AmEx. Sometimes, I just don\'t believe the celebrity actually uses the product. You are going to tell me that Queen Latifah uses Cover Girl? Or that Jennifer Love Hewitt uses Hanes? Please! One of the most annoying ads on TV today, in my opinion, is the Jamie Lee Curtis ad for Danon Activia. Why on earth is this a good idea?\n\nCelebrity endorsements are almost a way to get rid of advertising creativity. Here, look, this celebrity uses the product, and so should you. So the adoring masses go and buy the product. That is the thought process the marketing execs are using. Instead, a creative team would have to think of all the great product attributes and come up with an interesting/funny/smart way to promote the product. Hmm...which is more labor intensive?','Do you buy celebrity?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-buy-celebrity','','','2008-06-22 06:42:51','2008-06-22 11:42:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=68',0,'post','',1),(1295,4,'2008-06-27 13:05:48','2008-06-27 18:05:48','Yes they do--on Southwest. What a great campaign for them.  As the \"legacy\" carriers tack on more and more fees, cut flights, increase fares and generally screw the passenger, Southwest is going gangbusters (relatively speaking). They are actually adding routes and eschewing bag fees. Who do you think will keep or increase its customer base?\n\nOn the other hand, American cut all flights to Albany, NY and is charging $30 roundtrip for the first checked bag, $50 for the second. Additionally, they have added many fees and surcharges for everything from checking odd-sized bags, flying with a pet and changing your ticket.\n\nI fail to see the marketing sense in what the large carriers are doing. If you are hurting for money, do you do everything you can to make sure your customers think twice about doing business with you? If what you are doing is ridiculed by many, and fodder for anger, is this not a public relations nightmare? What good news are you hearing about the airlines? Is there any additional perk that is being given to passengers who are paying through the nose? Why would you fly if you can drive for less money? Bottom line is that Southwest seems to get it and American, et al just don\'t. All you have to do is look at JetBlue. They started flying as the other airlines had started cutting back on the perks of travel. JetBlue gave passengers are real alternative, that cost less and get this: was more comfortable and had more amenities. This made JetBlue an extremely popular airline.  In fact, the only reason JetBlue is not the biggest airline, in my opinion, is that they travel to secondary airports.\n\nI just read <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"More fees on airlines\" href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/27/news/companies/airlines_capacity/index.htm?cnn=yes\" target=\"_blank\">an article on CNN</a> regarding the fees and cutbacks. The article also quotes travel experts who think the fares will keep climbing. I wonder if the airlines will be forced to slow down fare increases and nickel and diming if enough customers say no way. Southwest is definitely capitalizing on these sentiments and running an enticing campaign plus putting in place some smart operational plans.','Bags Fly Free','','publish','open','open','','bags-fly-free','','','2008-06-27 13:05:48','2008-06-27 18:05:48','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=69',0,'post','',1),(1296,4,'2008-06-30 09:31:56','2008-06-30 14:31:56','Marketing books is tough. So many get published and in order to make a profit, the publishers have to sell quite a number. Good reviews help tremendously. Word of mouth, author talks, buzz...all help to sell a book. If an author is not established, he/she faces a long road ahead. Of course, an Oprah review catapults any book to the top of the heap. Today, however, I saw a posting on Craig\'s List that really amazed me. An author is trying to create buzz/readership for his book via social networking. The deal is that you write him, he sends you a  of his book and you review and share it with your social network and his social network. According to him, the return is that you make lots of new contacts, and obviously for him, the return is that he gets you and your contacts as potential book buyers and some self-created buzz.  I haven\'t seen it before but I bet this is the new it thing to do for book publishers and writers. Increasingly, we are skipping the middleperson and going to the masses. Is this really what Web 2.0 is aiming for?  If you\'ve read Malcolm Gladwell\'s <em>The Tipping Point,</em> you know that the mavens are the ones who have the info who they pass to the salespeople who in turn use connectors to get the word out to a larger audience. I can see it now--through Twitter hundreds of people get updated that so and so just read It Book and they now can get on their IPhone and order it directly from Amazon. The book shoots up the charts and now we have a new bestseller.','Who needs book reviews?','','publish','open','open','','who-needs-book-reviews','','','2008-06-30 09:31:56','2008-06-30 14:31:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=71',0,'post','',2),(1297,4,'2008-07-01 21:47:13','2008-07-02 02:47:13','According to <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Diabetes Perception\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/01well.html?em&amp;ex=1215057600&amp;en=f510164769b0d7bb&amp;ei=5087%0A\" target=\"_blank\">an article in the New York Times</a>, people perceive diabetes as a disease that is not as serious as heart disease or cancer. Apparently this perception is wrong and can be deadly. Diabetes is very serious and has many ill effects on the body.\n\nThe story illustrates just how important communication can be in educating people about disease and treatment. But it also shows that some diseases face a branding problem. Diabetes has not been properly \"branded\" as a deadly disease. We all know cancer is serious, but we don\'t feel the same about diabetes. I will be interested to see what the American Diabetes Association does, from a communications standpoint to communicate the seriousness and change this misperception.','When perception can be dangerous','','publish','open','open','','when-perception-can-be-dangerous','','','2008-07-01 21:47:13','2008-07-02 02:47:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=73',0,'post','',0),(1298,4,'2008-07-07 10:31:11','2008-07-07 15:31:11','It\'s no easy feat. After all, insurance is one of those burdens in life, something we need but don\'t necessarily want. Lately I have seen some funny commercials for Nationwide, but the humorous trend goes back to Geico. Geico has had great ads for a long time and their tag line \"15 minutes or less could save you 15% or more on car insurance\" is ubiquitous. Unlike other insurers, they run several advertising campaigns at once. You might see ads featuring the Gecko, the Cavemen or the Celebrity Spokesperson. It keeps it fresh. If you\'ve ever wondered where these ideas came from, here\'s <a class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Geico VP of Marketing \" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/06/AR2008070601874.html\" target=\"_blank\">an interview with Geico\'s marketing VP,</a> from today\'s Washington Post.','Making insurance interesting','','publish','open','open','','making-insurance-interesting','','','2008-07-07 10:31:11','2008-07-07 15:31:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=74',0,'post','',0),(1299,4,'2008-07-10 07:38:01','2008-07-10 12:38:01','A couple months back I wrote about the in-flight advertising I encountered, and apparently it is a growing trend. Here\'s <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Practical Traveler\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/travel/06pracads.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin\" target=\"_blank\">an article</a> from the New York times about it.  In a nutshell, the airlines are trying to raise revenue in whatever way they can, so we can expect to see more and more ads and offers while on board. I would rather they plaster the cabin with ads as long as they stop charging for checking suitcases and other odds and ends. Why don\'t beverage companies have promotions on board? Try our new beverage (for free of course) and get a coupon or whatever. This is an area that the airlines have paid attention to but haven\'t been terribly creative with. After all, all transit systems in the US seem to use advertising as a way to offset costs. Metro here in Washington certainly stepped up advertising availabilities when they needed more money, and they have a long way to go to match other transit systems. Buses have had ads on their sides for years! It makes sense...generally, these ads are geographically targeted (on specific bus routes) or have captive audiences (inside the bus).  In any case, we should certainly expect to see ads on everything the airline gives us (if they still give us anything).','Ads on board','','publish','open','open','','ads-on-board','','','2008-07-10 07:38:01','2008-07-10 12:38:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=75',0,'post','',1),(1300,4,'2008-07-14 11:30:34','2008-07-14 16:30:34','Literally! You may remember a few months back I bought a Bissell vacuum, basically because price being equal, I believed its tagline: Bissell means clean. Well, my experience has proven otherwise. The vacuum is hard to handle and seems to have lost suction power already. Based on this experience, I\'d be hard pressed to recommend Bissell. Which leads me to my topic--marketing should be more than great taglines and fun ads. It should be more than a great media relations campaign or unified branding. It should be about products and services that are good, that work as described, that do offer the goods. Unfortunately, many times marketing DOES operate in a vacuum. Marketing people are relegated to their offices, and most of their dealings are with agencies and other marketing affiliates. How many marketing people actually visit a production line or test a product? I would bet not many.  Sometimes, marketing people are the last to know about changes or production timetables. Years ago, when I worked at an ad agency in Boston, we had put together a media buy for the launch of a laptop computer. Guess what? The computer was not going to be available by the time the ads were scheduled to run. That hurt both the agency and the product. We had to scramble to change or cancel buys, and the media weren\'t too terribly impressed by our client.\n\nIn a sense, companies undervalue their marketing departments, but marketing departments sometimes are not quick enough to get involved with the overall operations of a company. I am sure Bissell loves its tagline--its great after all. But the truth is that marketing something that doesn\'t deliver its promise is a mistake. In my case, Bissell means not so clean. There is a saying, the proof is in the pudding. Let\'s make sure the pudding is always really yummy (and preferably chocolate).','Marketing doesn\'t operate in a vacuum','','publish','open','open','','marketing-doesnt-operate-in-a-vacuum','','','2008-07-14 11:30:34','2008-07-14 16:30:34','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=76',0,'post','',0),(1301,4,'2008-07-17 08:50:40','2008-07-17 13:50:40','I did not know, until today, that there is an Emmy for Outstanding Commercial. Now I will have to investigate this further. Although the ad industry gives out Clios and Addys, I think an Emmy is well deserved. After all, a good commercial is entertaining, and it is competing with the (supposedly) very entertaining TV we are watching. As those who work in ad production know, putting together a commercial is akin to making a small film. Casting, special effects, location scouting, and more are all involved.\n\nThe nominees for the Emmy this year are:\n<table class=\"bodytext2\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\" width=\"521\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"2\" align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"></td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"><strong>Brother Of The Bride - Hallmark</strong>\nPYTKA, <em>Production Company</em>\nLeo Burnett, <em>Ad Agency</em></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"2\" align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"></td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"><strong>Carrier Pigeons - FedEx</strong>\nMJZ, <em>Production Company</em>\nBBDO New York, <em>Ad Agency</em></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"2\" align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"></td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"><strong>Delivery - Travelers</strong>\nMJZ, <em>Production Company</em>\nFallon, <em>Ad Agency</em></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"2\" align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"></td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"><strong>It\'s Mine - Coca Cola</strong>\nMJZ, <em>Production Company</em>\nWieden + Kennedy, <em>Ad Agency</em></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"2\" align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"></td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"center\"><strong>Swear Jar - Bud Light</strong>\nHungry Man, <em>Production Company</em>\nDDB Chicago, <em>Ad Agency</em></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody></table>','And the Emmy goes to...this gread ad!','','publish','open','open','','and-the-emmy-goes-tothis-gread-ad','','','2008-07-17 08:50:40','2008-07-17 13:50:40','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=78',0,'post','',1),(1302,4,'2008-07-21 07:27:18','2008-07-21 12:27:18','Alltelll is competing with all other cell phone providers, but particularly with Verizon. I know this from the commercial that Alltel is currently running, featuring a family in an RV discussing cell phone plans with representatives of all other wireless networks, prominent among which is the Verizon \"rep\" with the company name inscribed on his red shirt (red also being one of Verizon\'s colors).  Quizno\'s \"meaty\" sub is far meatier apparently than a comparable meat sub at Subway. They told me so.\n\nWe see this side by side comparison frequently in political ads but not as often in product/service ads. Why? Because it is risky. First, there is the risk of libel. If you say anything really bad about the rival, especially something unfounded, then you can be sued. Second, you place yourself in direct competition with something particular, practically begging for people to compare and contrast. As an advertiser, you have to be supremely confident in your product/service to attempt this. Remember the cola wars? Pepsi and Coke challenged people to taste tests!\n\nAnother issue with mentioning your competition by name is that you are revealing to the competition just who/what you consider your biggest competitor.  For Quizno\'s, it is Subway. Subway knows this. A while back, Subway started offering \"toasted\" sandwiches. Quizno\'s is known for their warm offerings.\n\nI understand why you would challenge your competition. You want to prove superiority. However, this strategy can backfire in some cases.','Identifying (with) the competition','','publish','open','open','','identifying-with-the-competition','','','2008-07-21 07:27:18','2008-07-21 12:27:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=80',0,'post','',0),(1303,4,'2008-07-22 20:47:02','2008-07-23 01:47:02','Yeah, it\'s Comcastic! If you are a Comcast subscriber you have seen these commercials, extolling the wonders of cable versus the slow DSL service of the phone company. You\'ve seen the Slowskys, a family of turtles who much prefer DSL. Funny, yes. Accurate, not really. Apparently, one of the problems with \"Comcastic\" service is the LACK of service.  The Washington Post wrote <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Comcast lack of service\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/22/AR2008072202685.html?hpid=topnews\" target=\"_blank\">a story</a> about how Comcast\'s growth has come at the expense of its customers.','Truth in advertising','','publish','open','open','','truth-in-advertising','','','2008-07-22 20:47:02','2008-07-23 01:47:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=83',0,'post','',0),(1304,4,'2008-07-25 08:42:35','2008-07-25 13:42:35','A few months back I wrote about companies that check on what is being said about them online. I had written a post about Comcast and their lack of customer service and I myself got a comment from Comcast. I theorized that this was a new outreach program for them, and today\'s New York TImes has <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Online reputation NYT\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/technology/25comcast.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin\" target=\"_blank\">a story confirming this</a>. They compare it to a sort of outbound customer service department, trying to fix things before they get out of hand. I will give kudos to Comcast simply for acknowledging how important blogs, social media and other online forums have become and how they can affect reputations.\n\nReputations are perceptions and thus changeable. We\'ve all heard of sterling reputations, and we should all aim for that. Bad reputations can be damaging in a  very real, economic way. This blog will always deal with companies and never with individual reputations. However, this new online world order can damage individual reputations as well. I saw a story on TV not long ago (I can\'t remember which TV news show or I woulld link to it) where an individual had the same name as a famous rock star. Clearly, his online reputation would be somewhat buried because 99% of mentions referred to the rock star. He went to create an online reputation agency that charges lots of money to clean up companies\' (and individuals) images. In any case, this is an ongoing issue and one that more companies will be expending effort to deal with.','Online reputations','','publish','open','open','','online-reputations','','','2008-07-25 08:42:35','2008-07-25 13:42:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=85',0,'post','',0),(1305,4,'2008-07-31 09:16:16','2008-07-31 14:16:16','Warning--this is a political commentary.\n\nWe are in full swing into the political campaign season and for sure we will be seeing many ads tagged as \"I am (fill in candidate\'s name) and I approved this message.\" In the past few days I have seen many anti- Obama ads approved by John McCain. About a month or so ago, McCain said he would steer clear of personal attacks and talk about the issues.  So now, he is attacking Obama personally. There is a<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"McCain attack ads\" href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080731/ap_on_el_pr/angry_mccain\" target=\"_blank\"> story on Yahoo </a>about this. The question is whether this tactic will backfire. To me the question is why McCain has chosen this route. We will probably always see attack/negative ads during political campaigns. But to me, it is a mark of desperation. McCain\'s campaign knows that Obama has more personal appeal than McCain, and they also know that people are not always convinced by the issues but more by personality. McCain\'s attack on Obama highlights what I have been noting about the Republican candidate--he\'s a bit rough around the edges.\n\nFor those who are 100% in McCain\'s camp and/or are Obama haters, these ads will serve to bolster their position. They will feel even better that Obama is whatever adjective they want to use. However, for those that are undecided, this tactic is so old-fashioned that I do think it will backfire. It doesn\'t give anyone reasons to think McCain will have better policies.','Undermining character','','publish','open','open','','undermining-character','','','2008-07-31 09:16:16','2008-07-31 14:16:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=87',0,'post','',0),(1306,4,'2008-08-07 09:29:39','2008-08-07 14:29:39','Freecreditreport.com does. It says it\'s free. And says that if you don\'t know your credit score, you could be up the creek, without a paddle. Trouble is, freecreditreport.com is not free. You have to enroll to get your report, which by the way, you could get free from annualcreditreport.com. The US Congress passed a law a few years ago allowing consumers access to their all important credit reports, for free, on a yearly basis. As an aside, you still have to pay for your FICO score. Regardless, freecreditreport.com still advertises itself as free, even though it isn\'t. And it has a bunch of different commercials, all with catchy jingles about what could happen to you if you don\'t know the score. My favorite is the one where the guy ends up working at a tourist fish restaurant. So tragic. Read about the campaign <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"freecreditreport commercials\" href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26061279/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, courtesy of MSNBC. And remember, free isn\'t always free. So much for truth in advertising.','Did we say \"free?\"','','publish','open','open','','did-we-say-free','','','2008-08-07 09:29:39','2008-08-07 14:29:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=89',0,'post','',0),(1307,4,'2008-08-09 16:37:20','2008-08-09 21:37:20','As no doubt you have read or heard, Anheuser-Busch, parent of Budweiser beer, has been bought by an Belgian-based company, InBev. The news spawned lots of hand wringing about what this would do to the \"all-American\" beer and could red-blooded Americans drink a product owned by (pause) Belgians. Well the answer can be seen in the newest Budweiser/image commercial, which is airing during the Olympics. The new commercial is about all things American, you know, Nascar and the Statue of Liberty. I may have seen a slice of apple pie somewhere in there. Clearly this ad is designed to celebrate America and to make sure to make the connection between Budweiser and America (and Americana). It makes sense. If anything, Budweiser has always had very good commercials (how else to explain the appeal of this most watered down of beers). This one deals with the issue at hand--the company is no longer American-owned. But the beer is still the \"Great American Beer.\"  In one word, the commercial is patriotic. It\'s meant to build on people\'s patriotism while watching the greatest of international sporting events, the Olympics, but in reality, it is meant to address head-on, any concern Bud consumers may have about the new ownership, or even to obfuscate the change.','The All-American Beer is Not','','publish','open','open','','the-all-american-beer-is-not','','','2008-08-09 16:37:20','2008-08-09 21:37:20','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=91',0,'post','',1),(1308,4,'2008-08-11 07:25:50','2008-08-11 12:25:50','If you have ever doubted that blogs are important then take a look at Pete Snyder. Snyder, at 35, is a multi-millionaire today because he understands the importance of blogs and created New Media Strategies, a firm devoted to checking up on what blogs are saying about its clients. \"Trolling\" if you will. I have written about this phenomenon before, but had no idea a single person made so much money checking up on online mentions and reputations. Read the entire <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Web 2.0\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/10/AR2008081001988.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post story</a> here.\n\nMore and more, we will hear about Web 2.0. In fact, I am not sure that traditional public relations moves such as sending press releases will continue to work at all. Many people no longer read newspapers, unless they are online. Newspapers are consolidating and there are fewer reporters to target. Small community newspapers may still pay attention to press releases, but overall, people are using the Internet more often to obtain and disseminate news.\n\nRecently, I attended a meeting with other writers. Some of them were woefully uneducated about the powers of social media. Indeed, if there is a Networking 2.0 it is social media. I know people who have hundreds of connections on LinkedIn and/or Facebook. These networks are the new Rolodexes. People who refuse to join will simply be tapped out of the new currency. It\'s like people who refused to have cell phones. It also always surprises me to find businesses without a website. What is that about? It seems today that aside from Mom and Pop neighborhood shops (drycleaners, card stores) everyone has to have a website. How else to find out more about someone?\n\nAll in all, the Web is the place. How many people have flocked to the IPhone because they want access to the Web wherever they are?','Web 2.0 Squared','','publish','open','open','','web-20-squared','','','2008-08-11 07:25:50','2008-08-11 12:25:50','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=93',0,'post','',2),(1309,4,'2008-08-12 12:05:51','2008-08-12 17:05:51','I found this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Jamieson analysis\" href=\"http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/08/12/campaign_ads/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">in-depth article</a>, analyzing the presidential candidate\'s tv ads on Salon.com and wanted to share with you. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is a well known expert in the area of political advertising, something I was very interested in when I was in graduate school. In fact, I looked up many of her articles to do my Master\'s project, which was a marketing campaign for a third-party candidate. But enough about that.\n\nThis campaign is going to play out across two electronic arenas--television and Internet. I have said before that I think McCain\'s ads are not going to help him, as long as he continues a personal attack against Obama. I know McCain has to discredit Obama, and especially, he has to strike at the issue of experience. The truth is that Obama does not have much national experience, and McCain does. However, the generation of voters that will make the difference in this election, in my opinion, is GenY. And they certainly don\'t care about experience per se. I think they are idealistic and don\'t tend to think that the older you get, the better you are.\n\nOn the Internet, Obama has shown prowess in collecting money. He has a well thought out social media and Internet marketing campaign. This will help with GenY voters. Recently, it was reported that McCain is not very astute on the computer. This is such a strike against him.  So of course, McCain\'s main tactic will be to portray Obama as inexperienced. They will also try to make him out to be \"foreign.\" This was reported yesterday in the media...it was one of the tactics offered to the Clinton campaign, and which was wisely ignored. McCain certainly can lay claim to the patriotic mark--after all, he fought in Vietnam and was a POW. The question remains, is it sufficient to win over hearts and minds?','Political Ads Analyzed','','publish','open','open','','political-ads-analyzed','','','2008-08-12 12:05:51','2008-08-12 17:05:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=95',0,'post','',0),(1310,4,'2008-08-13 11:17:45','2008-08-13 16:17:45','I have written before that marketing communications goes beyond nice brochures, great ads and a fabulous website. There is an element of marketing that is more personal--it is how each and every customer, or potential customer, views your company or organization. With the rise of social media and the ability of posters such as myself to critique anything and everything, this has become even more important.\n\nLast week I had my hair cut at a salon in DC. I went there because a friend recommended it. Check. However, I got there, and waited for my appointment. This in spite of the fact that they charge YOU if you are late for your appointment. The hairdresser never apologized. She was neither good nor bad, but she did tell me, weirdly enough, that she had been written up \"on one of those sites on the Internet\" and she hated the Internet for this reason. My answer is that if more than one person is saying the same thing, there is a problem. I checked on the salon and indeed lots of people had mixed reviews of the place, some worse and some better. However, many of the complaints had to do with attitude. Things like the receptionist was rude or was not very accomodating. Now listen to me--these things MATTER. More today than ever.\n\nSimilarly, in everyday interactions with businesses, businesses should really take care with details. Here are a couple of examples from my experiences. I went on a long trip back in February, and used a travel agent because of the complexity of the trip. She was not very good and since I wasn\'t spending the type of money she is used to dealing with, she barely gave me the time of day. Additionally, she gave bad advice! I wrote a letter to the travel agency owner. And guess what--I never heard from her. Not one word of acknowledgment or apology. So PORTFOLIO TRAVEL on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, DC, you will never see my business again, and certainly I will never recommend you.\n\nLast week, someone asked me for a proposal. I sent it to her by COB, the same day. She claimed she would get back to me by the end of last week. She did not. I followed up on Monday and she did not  even have the courtesy to respond to my email. Why would I ever want to work with someone like that?\n\nSo in summary, every personal interaction with a member of the public has the potential to get you good or bad publicity. Every. Single. Interaction. When people are upset these days, they make their voices heard through a very public forum, the Internet. There are dozens of sites like Yelp.com devoted to rating businesses and products. Some health care insurers are now allowing you to rate your doctor too. No one is immune. There is an expression, \"mind your ps and qs.\" Or \"cross your ts and dot your is.\" Whatever it takes, remember that every time you interact with the public you are representing your company. You are a marketing ambassador. Act like it.','Yeah, it\'s personal','','publish','open','open','','yeah-its-personal','','','2008-08-13 11:17:45','2008-08-13 16:17:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=97',0,'post','',0),(1311,4,'2008-08-20 11:39:16','2008-08-20 16:39:16','','p8200840','Johnsons Nourishing Lotion','inherit','open','open','','p8200840','','','2008-08-20 11:39:16','2008-08-20 16:39:16','',1313,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200840.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1312,4,'2008-08-20 11:41:28','2008-08-20 16:41:28','','p8200843','Johnson\'s Nourishing Green Tea Moisturizer','inherit','open','open','','p8200843','','','2008-08-20 11:41:28','2008-08-20 16:41:28','',1313,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200843.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1313,4,'2008-08-20 11:54:29','2008-08-20 16:54:29','<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\"></div>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_100\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"224\" caption=\"Johnson&#39;s Nourishing  Renewal Lotion\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200840.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-100\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200840.jpg?w=224\" alt=\"Johnsons Nourishing Lotion\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis is Johnson\'s Nourishing Renewal Lotion, which purports to restore youthful baby softness to one\'s skin.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_101\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"224\" caption=\"Johnson&#39;s Green Tea Moisturizer\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200843.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-101\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8200843.jpg?w=224\" alt=\"Johnson\'s Nourishing Green Tea Moisturizer\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnd here\'s the exact same lotion, except the label and name have been changed. Now the lotion only claims to give you \"healthy, beautiful looking skin.\"\n\nIf you often shop for the same products you may find that products change their names or attributes, but if you look closely at the ingredients, the products are still the same. In this case, Johnson\'s has added the word \"green tea,\" even though nowhere in the ingredients is green tea listed.  In fact the label goes on to say that the lotion \"contains natural antioxidants found in green tea. The previous label said that the lotion contains \"vitamins A &amp; E, shea butter &amp; essential oils.\" The old label more accurately describes the product in my opinion, but because green tea has become such a big a buzz phrase in marketing, the powers that be decided to tinker with the label.  This strategy can be positive if you are trying to attract new customers who may be drawn to the perceived value of green tea. However, the strategy can backfire, because existing customers looking for their regular lotion will have to figure out if this is still the same. They, like I, will realize that it is the same, but has changed its name and NOTHING else.\n\nProducts go through name changes all the time. Packaging is also changed periodically, to entice new shoppers.  At some point, purely cosmetic changes (no pun intended) don\'t add any value to the consumer. In this case, I am not getting any green tea benefits, just the same natural antioxidants found in green tea.\n\nDo you have any examples of packaging that has changed but the product remains the same?','Packaging buzz words','','publish','open','open','','packaging-buzz-words','','','2008-08-20 11:54:29','2008-08-20 16:54:29','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=99',0,'post','',0),(1314,4,'2008-08-20 11:55:45','2008-08-20 16:55:45','','p8180834','Writing from the nation\'s capital','inherit','open','open','','p8180834','','','2008-08-20 11:55:45','2008-08-20 16:55:45','',1237,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8180834.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1315,4,'2008-08-22 06:08:31','2008-08-22 11:08:31','Here in the Washington DC area, there are two major supermarket chains, Giant and Safeway. There are other smaller chains like Harris Teeter, and national chains such as Trader Joe\'s and Whole Foods. When I first moved to the area, I went to Giant. I was shocked and appalled--compared to the Publix in Florida, the prices were higher and the produce inferior.  I pretty much abandoned Giant in favor of shopping in several other places. There doesn\'t seem to be one place that has it all. Trader Joe\'s has good prices but does not carry certain things and does not have good produce. Whole Foods has good produce at extremely high prices. And so forth.\n\nLately, Giant has been suffering from lost market share and has begun redesigning its stores, lowering its prices (supposedly) and now, redesigning its logo. The <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Giant Logo Redesign\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/21/AR2008082103508.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post</a> reports that its old logo has been in use since 1963. It was certainly time for an update. The supermarket has also been advertising itself as the place for a bargain. The new commercials play on the economic climate. One of them says to the viewer that if he or she has been thinking of buying a cow to have cheaper milk, then he or she should just come to Giant, where milk costs XX a gallon.\n\nTime will tell if the new look and logo will bring more customers in.  And whether the store really has better prices. In a sense, supermarkets are in a hypercompetitive environment and apparently, customers are now looking for an \"experience.\" Safeway also redesigned its stores to have wood floors and more upscale look. Overall, I think consumers are looking to  save a buck and  find what they need in one place.  Giant and Safeway can look prettier and more inviting, but if the food bill is still expensive, then they will continue to lose market share.  For one, I want to check out the \"new\" Giant. But whether I shop there, remains to be seen.\n\nP.S. This more \"positive\" shopping experience, with brighter colors etc., has been played up by Bloom Supermarkets. I blogged a while back about their weird commercials and their \"happy\" shopping experience.','It\'s a Giant logo','','publish','open','open','','its-a-giant-logo','','','2008-08-22 06:08:31','2008-08-22 11:08:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=106',0,'post','',0),(1316,4,'2008-08-25 08:12:04','2008-08-25 13:12:04','Have you seen the TV commercials for Holiday Inn? There are a couple campaigns--one is about the hot breakfast bar \"scene\" at the Inn and the other tells you how if you stay at a Holiday Inn you can just about perform brain surgery the next day. It\'s all part of Holiday Inn\'s branding strategy under the tag line \"stay smart.\" If you read the literature in the room, they have \"smart\" labeling in place. So, shampoo is  just called \"wash,\" and soap is \"cleanse\" and conditioner is \"tame.\" This is in case you couldn\'t figure out that shampoo is used to wash your hair, etc. I think it is a way to have a house brand instead of paying the royalties and/or higher cost for a name brand product like the ones found in other hotels.\n\nI think \"stay smart\" is a smart tagline. Unfortunately,  this is a case of marketing not being in touch with reality. For the past three nights I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Rochester, NY. I didn\'t sleep through one single night. Why? Because hotels are not built to be soundproof. That is not SMART. Why are people generally staying at a hotel? Because they need a place to SLEEP. Sure, some people use hotels as party suites or as places for a quick romp, but I would venture that most travelers are using the hotel as a base and a place to spend the night.  The phenomenon of noise in hotels is not unique to Holiday Inn, but very few hotels are claiming that staying with them will make you act smarter. Very few people act smarter or otherwise with just a few hours of sleep.  If Holiday Inn wants to be truly smart they will investigate how to make their rooms more friendly to sleep.','Staying Smart','','publish','open','open','','staying-smart','','','2008-08-25 08:12:04','2008-08-25 13:12:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=115',0,'post','',0),(1317,4,'2008-08-26 14:33:22','2008-08-26 19:33:22','Promotional products or advertising specialties have been around for quite a long time. Wikipedia claims that there were commemorative buttons for George Washington back in 1789. The<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Promotional Product Association\" href=\"http://www.ppa.org/default\" target=\"_blank\"> Promotional Products Association International</a> (PPAI), the trade association for the industry, was founded more than 100 years ago in 1904.\n\nPromotional products should be part of any marketing campaign. According to research by the PPAI, promotional products help create a positive brand image. As for hard numbers, according to a PPAI research study, 52% of business travelers who received a promotional product did business with the advertiser. <em>That is more than half</em>.  That same study found that three quarters of respondents recall the advertiser name on a product that they received. And last year, the industry set a new record by selling $19.4 billion in promotional products. This sales volume indicates that promotional products outperform other marketing communications such as sponsorships, cable TV, and outdoor advertising.\n\nAccording to Sean McColl, vice president at <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"PromoCorp\" href=\"http://www.promocorp.com\" target=\"_blank\">PromoCorp, Inc.</a>, an Alexandria, VA based promotional products company, \"having something tangible in hand is increasingly a way to be noticed.\" Sean points out that we are being bombarded with electronic communication--everything from radio ads to text messages--so the coffee mug emblazoned with a company logo sitting on your desk stands out. It isn\'t going anywhere, and chances are, you may be using it on a daily basis. It can certainly help with brand awareness and recognition.\n\nIn order to be effective, a \"promotional product should be the right product for the right target market. Something that the user will hold on to,\"  says Sean. For instance, a recent college graduate is interested in different products than a CEO.  Sean counsels his clients to be creative and to use a tiered approach for products. For instance, at a trade show, you should have an inexpensive piece such as a pen or customized candy for general consumption. If you talk to a prospect for a while longer and you think the prospect may be interested in further discussion, you could hand him or her a slightly more expensive item, say in the $5 range. And finally, if you speak to a decision-maker with whom want to have a more in-depth conversation, you may give him or her a $20-$25 specialty. This approach makes sense. It gives customers several ways to remember you and it gives you as an advertiser, a way to reward potential business.\n\nSean says that promotional products are an integral part of a marketing campaign and can be used in many ways. They can be used as a thank you gift, or a follow up to a trade show, they can be a leave-behind or an introduction. A very popular product right now is known as the \"sticky drive.\" This is a flash drive pre-loaded with information or a link to a website. The drive also has plenty of space to store your files, and a logo on the outside. More and more, companies are getting creative with the look of the flash drives. There is one shaped like a ballpoint pen, that is indeed a working pen, with an LED light, and a pointer. What a great idea in today\'s multi-task oriented world.\n\nSince there are thousands of items to choose from, you should consider how you will use the product and how you will get it to your prospects. The old stand-bys--stress balls, mugs, pens and apparel--may still be the most effective. But as shipping prices go up, you may want to consider flat items that can be mailed via the regular mail.  Because of shipping cost considerations, Sean says a popular item for Christmas this year is a customized CD, featuring the name of your company and offering a selection of music.\n\nAll in all, my favorite promotional products are pens. As Sean says, they are inoffensive, useful and inexpensive. I bet you have company pens on your desk right now--I do.\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLL\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpollcontainer\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpoll\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:5px 5px 0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLquestion\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;font-weight:bold;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\"><a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLquestionlink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/poll/Business/16345\">Which promotional product do you prefer?</a></div>\n<div id=\"TWIIGSPOLL16345\" class=\"TWIIGSPOLLresponse\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswers\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\">\n<ul class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselection\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Pens</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Mugs</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> USB/Flash Drives</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Mouse Pads</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> T-Shirts</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Candy</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Music CDs</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpostinfo\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:none;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:right;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\">Created on Aug 26, 2008</div>\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLvote\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<p class=\"TWIIGSPOLLbutton\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:2px 0;padding:0;\"></p>\n<p class=\"TWIIGSPOLLdisplayresults\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:2px 0;padding:0;\"><a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLlink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/poll/Business/16345?results=1\">View Results</a></p>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<img style=\"clear:none;display:inline;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;line-height:normal;outline-style:none;clip:auto;overflow:hidden;vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://www.twiigs.com/pixel.png?pid=16345\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" />\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpolllink\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:right;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n\n<a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLmorelink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/\">poll by twiigs.com</a>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><em>This post is based on a live interview with Sean McColl of PromoCorp, Inc. PromoCorp Inc. can be reached at 1-888-385-2162.</em></p>\n\n</div>\n</div>','Products that promote','','publish','open','open','','products-that-promote','','','2008-08-26 14:33:22','2008-08-26 19:33:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=117',0,'post','',0),(1318,4,'2008-08-28 07:45:53','2008-08-28 12:45:53','Hi all, please read an article I wrote about translation on <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"DB on Habla\" href=\"http://www.wardspeaking.com/blog/\" target=\"_blank\">Habla Blog</a>. Thanks!','Guest post on Habla Blog','','publish','open','open','','guest-post-on-habla-blog','','','2008-08-28 07:45:53','2008-08-28 12:45:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=128',0,'post','',0),(1319,4,'2008-09-02 09:20:12','2008-09-02 14:20:12','I have blogged about this before but I don\'t think it can be stressed enough: do your materials provide enough information to your prospects?  Lately, I have come across several websites, notably, government websites, that simply do not provide enough information or make it difficult to find said information.  Here are some examples:\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"US Capitol Tours\" href=\"http://www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\">US Capitol tours</a>: no information regarding using public transportation to get there or a map pointing out the nearest Metro stops.  Very little information about anything else. How long is the tour? What is permitted and not permitted? Not to mention how unfriendly this site is. If a government bureaucrat didn\'t personally design and write this, one of his/her scared minions did.\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"USNA\" href=\"http://www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/VC/\" target=\"_blank\">US Naval Academy tours</a>: When do the tours start? Where is there parking? How about using public transportation to get to the academy? How long are the tours?\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Glen Echo Park\" href=\"http://www.glenechopark.org/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Glen Echo Park</a>: Typical of most National Park Service websites, minimal information. The home page has a link for direction at the very bottom of the page. The About Us has another link to directions. What about hours? Not listed at all, except for the cafe.\n\nThis list is simply from my personal experience in the past three weeks. How many more websites are out there that just don\'t give enough information?\n\nIf you have a website, you would do well to look at it from an outsider\'s perspective. Here are is a small list of items to consider:\n<ul>\n	<li>Is your contact information easily accessible?</li>\n	<li>If I have never before heard of your business or organization, will I understand what you do?</li>\n	<li>Have you listed your services and explained them?</li>\n	<li>If you are open to the public, are your hours, admissions fees, directions to your facility, parking and transportation and other information the public needs to know clearly and prominently posted?</li>\n	<li>If you are a restaurant, have you posted a sample menu?</li>\n	<li>If I don\'t understand what you have written, is there an alternative way to contact you?</li>\n	<li>Is your information up to date?</li>\n	<li>Is your layout (including fonts, etc) easy to read and navigate? Things to consider are busyness (too much information or graphics), font size, background, colors and optimization for different web browsers.</li>\n</ul>','Information that bears repeating','','publish','open','open','','information-that-bears-repeating','','','2008-09-02 09:20:12','2008-09-02 14:20:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=130',0,'post','',0),(1320,4,'2008-09-03 08:55:16','2008-09-03 13:55:16','My friend Jennifer sent me a link to <a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://www.8164.org/presidential-design/\" target=\"_blank\">her friend\'s blog</a> in which Barack Obama\'s website DESIGN is discussed. So thanks Jennifer and behold the power  of social media.  In any case, after reading Jin\'s blog entry (not sure of the name of the blog), I decided to visit both John McCain\'s and Obama\'s websites and see for myself. Mind you, <strong>I am not comparing the candidates on issues</strong>, though they both have a drop down menu of issues (Obama has more issues and goes more in-depth). I am just looking at what they have both done to appeal to voters.\n\nI had visited both  sites before and certainly McCain changed his--fonts and layout, to look less \"militaristic\" and more friendly,I think more like Obama\'s. See for yourself.\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"McCain website\" href=\"http://www.johnmccain.com/\" target=\"_blank\">John McCain</a>:\n\nThe pros:\n<ul>\n	<li>nice splashy home page</li>\n	<li>you can \"personalizle\" by home state or whether you are a supporter or not.</li>\n	<li>a blog and a shop for \"gear\"</li>\n</ul>\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Obama website\" href=\"http://www.barackobama.com/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Barack Obama</a>\n\nThe pros:\n<ul>\n	<li>Has a splash page collecting funds for Hurrican Gustav victims</li>\n	<li>Clean upbeat design</li>\n	<li><strong>A tab for Spanish (only problem is that it is not updated to include Biden)\n</strong></li>\n	<li>Blogs and gear too</li>\n	<li>You can create a \"MyBO\" page</li>\n	<li>You can connect on almost all social media</li>\n</ul>\nI think both candidates realize the importance of the web, but Obama\'s campaign has fine tuned more toward GenY and Social Media users. He has also included Spanish speaking voters. Both candidates make it  easy to donate and to volunteer. As to contact information, McCain\'s site is more straightforward than Obama\'s and offers a telephone number.\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLL\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpollcontainer\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpoll\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:5px 5px 0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLquestion\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;font-weight:bold;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\"><a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLquestionlink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/poll/Politics/16682\">Which candidate\'s website do you think has a better design?</a></div>\n<div id=\"TWIIGSPOLL16682\" class=\"TWIIGSPOLLresponse\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswers\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\">\n<ul class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselection\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> McCain</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Obama</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Can\'t decide</li>\n	<li class=\"TWIIGSPOLLanswerselectionitem\"> Both</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpostinfo\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:none;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:right;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0 0 8px;padding:0;\">Created on Sep 3, 2008</div>\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLvote\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<p class=\"TWIIGSPOLLbutton\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:2px 0;padding:0;\"></p>\n<p class=\"TWIIGSPOLLdisplayresults\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:2px 0;padding:0;\"><a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLlink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/poll/Politics/16682?results=1\">View Results</a></p>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<img style=\"clear:none;display:inline;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;line-height:normal;outline-style:none;clip:auto;overflow:hidden;vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://www.twiigs.com/pixel.png?pid=16682\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" />\n<div class=\"TWIIGSPOLLpolllink\" style=\"overflow:hidden;background-color:transparent;background-image:none;clear:none;display:block;float:none;position:static;visibility:visible;height:auto;line-height:normal;width:auto;outline-style:none;clip:rect(auto, auto, auto, auto);vertical-align:baseline;z-index:auto;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:right;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal;border-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\"><a class=\"TWIIGSPOLLmorelink\" href=\"http://www.twiigs.com/\">poll by twiigs.com</a></div>\n</div>','Campaigning on a website and a prayer','','publish','open','open','','campaigning-on-a-website-and-a-prayer','','','2008-09-03 08:55:16','2008-09-03 13:55:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=132',0,'post','',0),(136,4,'2008-09-05 10:11:14','2008-09-05 15:11:14','In marketing, what makes you special is your unique selling proposition or USP. You are supposed to find it and exploit it, because it is what sets you apart from your competition and defines you to the public. It should be specific and it should be real. Lots of products claim they are \"improved\" or \"best\" or \"new.\" Those aren\'t USPs--at best they are qualifiers. If your product is a skin lotion, what sets it apart from the 100s of other lotions on the market? Does it have more of one ingredient? Is the only product with a certain ingredient?\n\nThe truth is many products out there just don\'t know what their USP is or actually don\'t have one. That is why we see so many boring ads for products that don\'t motivate us to buy. (OK, I know sometimes the boring is also a creative problem but I have to stay on topic here.)  So first step in any marketing campaign is to figure out what makes you special. Perhaps unique is no longer attainable, but you have to figure out what your single biggest strength is and exploit that.\n\nA company that has figured it out, finally, is the US Postal Service (USPS). Believe it or not, their latest campaign is a stroke of genius. It exploits their true USP. This USP is that they don\'t have fuel surcharges. It seems insignificant until you look at the fact that the other delivery companies such as UPS and FedEx are charging an additional fee for fuel. Have you shipped anything lately? It ain\'t pretty. So here is the good old post office, trying to make headway into the overnight delivery market, and boom, they found their USP against the other guys--they don\'t charge for fuel. It is a cost-savings for the consumer and a check mark for the USPS. In fact, it is a USP check mate.','What makes you special','','publish','open','open','','what-makes-you-special','','','2008-09-05 10:11:14','2008-09-05 15:11:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=136',0,'post','',2),(140,4,'2008-09-07 11:17:11','2008-09-07 16:17:11','Here\'s a <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"DB Guest Blog\" href=\"http://wardspeaking.com/blog/index.php/conduct-a-marketing-audit-a-six-step-approach/#comments\" target=\"_blank\">link</a> to another  article I wrote for Habla Blog.','Another guest post','','publish','open','open','','another-guest-post','','','2008-09-07 11:17:11','2008-09-07 16:17:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=140',0,'post','',0),(142,4,'2008-09-08 10:53:59','2008-09-08 15:53:59','Marshall McLuhan wrote an influential piece called \"The Medium is the Message.\" It dealt with the advent of electronic media and how that had subverted ideas, etc.  And he didn\'t even mean the Internet... Anyway. Here we are in the middle of a hotly contested presidential race where each side is upping the stakes. And what is the media doing? It is trying to even the playing field. Yes, that is right. The media is so busy being \"fair\" that it is not being informative.\n\nEveryone reported that Sarah Palin\'s speech was \"dazzling.\" Huh? Perhaps because there were zero expectations for her performance... In any case, no one in the mass media has had the nerve to be really critical of her. It is now considered sexist to talk about her ability to be a leader or to question her choices in regards to her family. Newspapers are talking about the mommy wars...again. And the blogs are responding.  Sure women can balance a lot. And I agree that men should participate in childrearing and houshold chores, but I don\'t believe women should have children simply to hand them over to a nanny as they pursue their careers. But the media won\'t actually get into a fair discussion of this...they will all use soundbites (something to do with lipstick comes to mind).\n\nToday, Yahoo News reports that the race between Obama and McCain is giving McCain a slight edge. Why are these numbers being reported? Who does that help? Are they trying to dissuade Obama supporters? LIft McCain supporters? During the campaign season, we are innundated with polls that are simply designed to incite. They are not useful. Many people are undecided, or more importantly, NOT POLLED.\n\nOf course the media loves conflict and triumph. So they are showing Palin being greeted by mobs of women shouting out her name. What they don\'t tell you is that these women are Republicans, rounded up by Republican volunteers at a Republican rally. Have they gone out and talked to \"average\" Americans? Palin is also being featured on the covers of various pop magazines. Sure she is more photogenic than Biden, but is it over the top to feature her as a cover girl?\n\nBottom line is that media compete for ratings. And they think that people want to hear more and see more of Sarah Palin. So they create a virtual maelstorm of publicity that helps create the impression that she has more support than she has. This is where the media have become the message. They craft a story, based on their take on what is happening, and they pursue it. Soon, we all buy in to this story. In many senses, this is marketing 101.  Follow the AIDA principal (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action). BUT, politics is not simply about marketing. There are ideas at stake that WILL influence the course of the country in the years to come. Issues and thoughts don\'t lend themselves to the soundbite world so well which is why if I ask you what each of the candidates think you can probably only quote a soundbite on different issues.\n\nI am not sure how to fix this, but I do know that it is broken. For years to come we will wonder if sexism brought Hillary Clinton down or propped Sarah Palin up. And we will never know just how much those pesky polls influence the elections.\n\nUPDATE: Frank Rich  of the NY Times wrote an<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Frank Rich\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21rich.html?_r=1&amp;em&amp;oref=slogin\" target=\"_blank\"> opinion piece</a> about \"truthiness\" or lack thereof, in the news media.  The media is supposed to shine light not act as a filter.','Is the media the message? (An editorial)','','publish','open','open','','is-the-media-the-message-an-editorial','','','2008-09-08 10:53:59','2008-09-08 15:53:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=142',0,'post','',0),(144,4,'2008-09-11 10:51:03','2008-09-11 15:51:03','I had the radio on to my favorite rock station and suddenly, I was exposed to one of the most annoying radio commercials I have ever heard. The main \"character\" was a woman jabbering on about her free trip she got from getting an oil change. She kept going on and on in the world\'s most annoying voice. It was a one sided conversation, as if we were overhearing her on the telephone. Surely, one of the most annoying things in life is to be forced to listen to a one-sided phone conversation at inordinate volume.\n\nIn sum, I had to turn the radio off. If I hear the hint of this commercial again I will switch stations. Yuck!!!!\n\nHave you ever had that happen? When you can\'t stand a certain ad? Well, of course, not every ad is universally accepted and liked, but I am sure certain ones get on lots of people\'s very last nerve. And that creates backlash. You refuse to patronize the establishment, purchase the service or the product. And you do what I am doing now--complain about it.\n\nAds should not annoy--in my opinion, it is not a good tactic.  Cajole, tempt,  demonstrate, appreciate, yes.  Make listeners/viewers upset, not so much.','When ads annoy','','publish','open','open','','when-ads-annoy','','','2008-09-11 10:51:03','2008-09-11 15:51:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=144',0,'post','',0),(146,4,'2008-09-12 06:44:10','2008-09-12 11:44:10','Much like the Coke-Pepsi taste wars, Microsoft is vying with Apple to be the taste of a new generation. You\'ve probably seen the Apple commercials showcasing the young Justin (standing in for Mac) and the old man (standing in for PC). PC  is so out of touch, so many problems while Mac is just a breeze. Somehow, PCs are still in the majority... But Microsoft is pulling out all the stops--they hired Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates to shill the MS Operating System. Seriously. And I caught part of the TV commercial yesterday, and all I can say is what the??? It didn\'t make sense, it was dumb and a complete waste of Jerry Seinfeld\'s  comedic talents. And Bill Gates is going to convince me Microsoft is better than Mac? We know he thinks its better--he made millions off it (or is it billions?).  Bottom line, the ads are just not as hip as the Apple ads.','Another advertising what?!?! moment','','publish','open','open','','another-advertising-what-moment','','','2008-09-12 06:44:10','2008-09-12 11:44:10','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=146',0,'post','',0),(148,4,'2008-09-16 06:40:28','2008-09-16 11:40:28','As we saw yesterday, we are officially in a era of market volatility and our financial institutions are in freefall. I am speaking of course of the 500 point drop the Dow experienced due in no small part to the Lehman Brothers failure and the Bank of America buyout of Merrill Lynch. This has spawned talk of the security of regular deposits at commercial banks and the Fed\'s ability to actually insure this money. At the same time, oil prices fell below $100 because investors fear a drop in demand. OK. Are we economically unstable? YES. Are the fundamentals of our economy as strong as John McCain thinks they are? I don\'t think so.\n\nIn this steadily worrisome environment, United Airlines announced that it will raise the price of a second checked bag to $50, affecting one in seven of their customers. The company continues to claim that the rising price of oil has forced it to continue to squeeze its customers. This comes after  United scrapped a plan to provide only cold meals, for purchase, on international flights. Now, I am not a United frequent flyer, or an investor, so I did not receive a communique from the company. The news media reported these changes and all  I can say is, I am not inclined to fly United, ever.  These fees and changes are being reported but they don\'t seem to be creating a public relations problem for United. But they should. A company that continues to increase its fees to its customers is not doing enough to examine if it operates efficiently. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines has seen an opening here and has a very clever commercial that tallies the additional fees other airlines are charging and compares it to its non-additional fee fare. Who do you think wins?\n\nThis brings me to banking. As mentioned above, there may be real worries relating to the safety of your deposits.  Today, I received a email from ING Direct, the online bank where I have an account, thanking me for my business and continued trust. The email assures me that my deposit is safe and that ING is not engaging in selling off loans etc, like Lehman and Merrill did (that is subtext).  In any case, this is smart customer communications. Talk about a problem and show how you are dealing with it. I think it is smarter that what United seems to be doing--talking about a problem that affect the company and NOT assuring customers but rather using them as additional piggy banks.  What succesful companies know is that customers are the reason they exist. Without customers, there is no business. Alienating customers is never a good policy!\n\nBottom line: kudos to ING Direct for its direct (albeit somewhat self-serving) communication and thumbs-down to United to continuing to raise the bar on fees to customers, and announcing it via press release.','Customer communications in an unstable era','','publish','open','open','','customer-communications-in-an-unstable-era','','','2008-09-16 06:40:28','2008-09-16 11:40:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=148',0,'post','',0),(151,4,'2008-09-21 17:04:16','2008-09-21 22:04:16','It used to be that the primary concern for advertisers was whether their ad \"would play in Peoria,\" shorthand for would middle America like it. More and more we are seeing ads that don\'t play in Peoria or anywhere else than the ultra chic world of Manhattan advertising agencies. Microsoft is a case in point. The company is now withdrawing its weird Bill Gates-Jerry Seinfeld ads after only two weeks. The ads were just too strange and didn\'t get across their point. Unfortunately, this is not the only case, nor will it be the last. Now, I am all in favor of \"pushing the envelope\"  creatively and approaching things differently, but ultimately, the target audience has to appreciate the ad or else it is literally missing its target.\n\nThis morning, I was watching the news and they were talking about what to do during this financial mess. One of the advisers recommended holding off on any big purchases such as real estate and hanging on tight to any money. Not sure if I agree, but I know that mortgages are hard to get right now. Not five minutes later during commercial break, Coldwell Banker had an ad for its services, ENCOURAGING people to buy now BECAUSE of the economic climate. Huh? Dissonance!!!!! I thought to myself, are these advertisers really thinking that people will be buying during this type of economic crisis? Is this another case of not taking Peoria into consideration?\n\nUpdate on Microsoft: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Microsoft Vista ads\" href=\"http://www.newsweek.com/id/160064\" target=\"_blank\">Here\'s a story from Newsweek about how Microsoft is failing to shine Vista\'s reputation.</a>','Will it play in Peoria?','','publish','open','open','','will-it-play-in-peoria','','','2008-09-21 17:04:16','2008-09-21 22:04:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=151',0,'post','',0),(158,4,'2008-09-25 08:22:07','2008-09-25 13:22:07','We are in the middle of rough times economically and politically in the United States. We have to deal with real economic worries, chiefly about the safety of our money within the banking system. So, now, what used to be a footnote on all bank ads, has become a selling opporutnity: the FDIC logo.  All banks want to reassure their customers that the FDIC backs their assets. Some banks have increased the size of FDIC logo and others such as Schwab are using it during commercials on TV. Schwab clearly created their newest campaign to reassure its clients that their assets are safe. Another banking opportunity seems to be the CD. You may have noticed that more banks are advertising their CDs, with their \"higher\" APYs.  Today\'s Washington Post featured ads for both Commercial Bank and Wachovia CDs. Again, these are FDIC insured and promise \"real\" returns, unlike the volatile stock market.\n\nA couple of days ago I saw Laura Bush being interviewed by CNN. This woman can teach everyone how to speak, convincingly and politely. She is a real pro! The interviewer asked if Mrs. Bush thought that Gov Palin had enough foreign policy experience. Mrs. Bush said no, she didn\'t because it wasn\'t her role. She also said she was excited to be able to vote for a woman on a Republican ticket. I can\'t do Laura Bush justice by paraphrasing her, but I can assure you she answered the questions, not with obfuscation (as Sarah Palin does) but with tact and diplomacy. She knows how to communicate assuredness. She is calm and can stick to talking points without sounding like she is sticking to talking points. Overall, I think she is the best thing in the Republican party.','On seizing opportunity and speaking diplomatically','','publish','open','open','','on-seizing-opportunity-and-speaking-diplomatically','','','2008-09-25 08:22:07','2008-09-25 13:22:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=158',0,'post','',0),(161,4,'2008-09-26 07:49:40','2008-09-26 12:49:40','We\'ve seen lots of mud-slinging via commercial during this year\'s presidential election. Negative ads work to some extent or they wouldn\'t be used. However, this morning, I saw Barack Obama\'s newest commercial. It is all  about his economic plan, and he is on camera and talking for all of it. I think it was effective--he laid out his principles and what he wants to do for the American people, and of course, he dealt with the hottest topic du jour, the economy. It made him look serious and proactive. Let\'s see what McCain responds with. In a way, I think Obama is trying to look presidential to conteract McCain\'s grandstanding of these past two days.','What kind of political ad works best?','','publish','open','open','','what-kind-of-political-ad-works-best','','','2008-09-26 07:49:40','2008-09-26 12:49:40','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=161',0,'post','',0),(163,4,'2008-09-27 09:02:15','2008-09-27 14:02:15','Clipping coupons is a sometimes denigrated activity which nonetheless helps thousands of Americans keep to their grocery budgets. In this sense, coupons play a significant role in marketing communications. Many people buy the product for which they can get the best price, and coupons (especially in stores that double their face value) can help lower prices. So, for example, if you are shopping for detergent, and you have a 50-cent coupon for Tide and a 75-cent coupon for Purex, you may decide to buy Purex, either as a trial or because it will be cheaper.\n\nManufacturers also use coupons to introduce products and to stimulate sales. And, often, I think, they use coupons to experiment with campaigns. After all, coupons are traceable. You can gauge if something is working just by the number of coupons that are redeemed.\n\nToday I saw an interesting juxtaposition of coupons for Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid. One was for traditional Palmolive (you know, the green stuff that claims to save your hands from the harshness of doing dishes) and for \"New Palmolive Pure +  Clear.\" This new product claims to have no unnecessary chemicals, no heavy fragrances, non-irritating dyes and no harmful residue on dishes.\" This is from the same people who manufacture the other Palmolive. Are they saying that regular Palmolive has unnecessary chemicals, irritating dyes and leaves harmful residue???? Do you see how this is dangerous for the Palmolive brand? Although I applaud them for their new product I think that this where branding can be defeated. If you introduce a new product that in a sense contradicts your existing product, you should use a different brand, right? Or, is the thought process that the brand is strong and now they can provide an alternative for people looking for a less chemically harsh dish liquid? Will this lead eventually to a complete change in the Palmolive brand?  I really wonder. Also, do people think about the ads or do they just take it at face value?\n\nWhat do you think?','On coupons and reinventing your product','','publish','open','open','','on-coupons-and-reinventing-your-product','','','2008-09-27 09:02:15','2008-09-27 14:02:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=163',0,'post','',0),(166,4,'2008-10-03 12:46:11','2008-10-03 17:46:11','Knowing your target audience is the primary task of any marketer. How can you craft your message if you don\'t know who you are speaking to? How can you make sure your potential clients buy your product if you don\'t where they live, what they like and the other elements that make up your demographic profile?  Often, ads don\'t work because they don\'t target the right audience. Or, they target the right audience but don\'t communicate properly. So this brings me to Sarah Palin and Joe Biden during the debate last night. It was very clear that each of them knew who their target audience was and used the proper language to communicate with it. Palin used her folksiness to establish connection with \"Joe Six Pack and Hockey Moms\" around the US. She used terms like doggone it and gosh darn it to make the point that she is an average person from Main Street Wasilla.  Biden spoke in a more formal fashion, to  communicate with an intellectual audience and to those seeking a traditional politician. He threw in references to Scranton and Home Depot to assure \"Main Street\" that he\'s also in touch with them. In the end, I think both politicians understand who they need to communicate to and did so well.  I think if you are a liberal Democrat with environmental leanings, Sarah Palin rubbed you the wrong way. But then again, you are not her target. She knows she can\'t connect with you. On the other hand, if you are someone who feels politicians are out to get you with their misguided policies, then you loved that Palin spoke to you.\n\nIf there is a problem with appealing solely to your target audience during a presidential campaign is that you don\'t motivate the other side to vote for you. This debate proved that--neither side did much to convince the other to switch allegiances.','On knowing your target audience','','publish','open','open','','on-knowing-your-target-audience','','','2008-10-03 12:46:11','2008-10-03 17:46:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=166',0,'post','',0),(168,4,'2008-10-06 11:44:52','2008-10-06 16:44:52','Are your efforts working? You advertise and send direct mail but are getting no results. What do you attribute that to? Chances are you are not communicating effectively. Here are a few things to consider:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>Target audience</strong>: Are you sure you are targeting the right demographic? Are you reaching the target effectively?</li>\n	<li><strong>Clarity of message</strong>: Are you using jargonese? Using complicated terms? Really saying what you mean to say?</li>\n	<li><strong>Timing</strong>: Is your timing on target? Are you giving your audience enough time to make a decision?</li>\n	<li><strong>Attractiveness</strong>: As in dating, in communications the visual can take precedence over content. Are your marketing materials designed to be easy to read? Are they attractive and professional looking?  What image are you conveying?</li>\n	<li><strong>Outside opinion</strong>: Have you shown your campaign/materials to an impartial observer? Have you tested it with a focus group or a potential customer?</li>\n</ol>','Improve your marketing communications','','publish','open','open','','improve-your-marketing-communications','','','2008-10-06 11:44:52','2008-10-06 16:44:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=168',0,'post','',0),(170,4,'2008-10-08 12:34:12','2008-10-08 17:34:12','In the end, as consumers (of products and of media), we see things the way we want to see them. If anything has become clear with this presidential campaign, is that voters (consumers) see what they want to see, and so does the media. There is no such thing as lack of  bias. Everyone knows Fox News hangs to the right, and in their eyes, McCain won the debate last night. CNN is considerably more liberal, although they throw in two Republican strategists to their panel for a mix, and they say Obama won. My personal view is that neither candidate did well and that the town hall format was a mess.\n\nIt continues to shock me just how different people see the same thing differently. Where some people see patriotism (Sarah Palin speaking about America) other people see racism (her saying that Obama is un-American). If you do a search for Sarah Palin\'s racist remarks on Google, you will find an AP story about this, along with a great many blogs decrying this. I found a blog today that claims, erroneously, that Obama is a Muslim. And so the social media and the mainstream media can really serve to muddle the facts. Of course, we are seeing an upsurge in \"fact checking\" from organizations such as Factchecker.org. But where are those \"facts\" coming from? Which facts are we choosing to check?\n\nI think that as consumers of media, we need to acknowledge what we are looking for and we need to question the motivation of media outlets. Remember too that media is paid for by advertising dollars and ultimately, that makes the most difference. Remember a few years ago that when Ellen DeGeneres was on the sitcom Ellen and she came out, some groups threatened to boycott the advertisers that advertised on that show? It works the other way too...some advertisers won\'t advertise on one channel because of bias. And more importantly, some commentators will not interview somebody because they disagree. For instance, Campbell Brown of CNN had a spat with the McCain campaign that led to McCain canceling his appearance on Larry King Live.\n\nNow more than ever we need to understand that what we see is not the whole story. As consumers, we need to find out what the story is and our best chance in the political season at least, is to read each candidate\'s position papers (via web or campaign) and to watch the debates and perhaps skip the \"analysis.\" In the end we need to develop our own way of seeing. And the media needs to be more transparent about why they see what they see.','Ways of seeing','','publish','open','open','','ways-of-seeing','','','2008-10-08 12:34:12','2008-10-08 17:34:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=170',0,'post','',0),(173,4,'2008-10-11 09:14:07','2008-10-11 14:14:07','As a marketing communications case, Barack Obama\'s campaign is the clear winner. The campaign has chosen a message (the economy is really bad because of the Republican\'s mismanagement of it and Obama can do better) and stuck with it. People are concerned about this message and are responding well to it.  The McCain campaign on the other hand has not found its core message. We know that McCain is concerned about mortgages, taxes, and....Obama\'s association with Bill Ayers. Although all of these are legitimate issues to focus on, the campaign has not crystallized into one overarching message that can be delivered time and again.\n\nMcCain may have the ideas and the experience, but his \"marketing\" is getting muddled. And that may cost him the election. Obama, on the other hand, early on grasped the importance of the Internet in attracting younger voters, has stayed on message and has a flexible ad budget that has allowed him to put money in the states he considers more important. McCain\'s most recent ad strategy, in spite of the overwhelming economic news, was to place ads talking about Obama\'s relationship with Ayers. It has backfired, no doubt. At a campaign stop on Friday, McCain had to spend time assuring the crowd that they shouldn\'t be scared of Obama, that he is decent (subtext--he is not a terrorist).\n\nThe bottom line for any campaign, political or otherwise, is to choose a message that resounds with the target audience and stick to it.','The Virtues of Staying On Message','','publish','open','open','','the-virtues-of-staying-on-message','','','2008-10-11 09:14:07','2008-10-11 14:14:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=173',0,'post','',0),(175,4,'2008-10-16 07:43:18','2008-10-16 12:43:18','Given the uncertainty in the economy, many people are cutting back on discretionary spending.  Restaurants are especially hard hit during economic downturns, as people stop eating out. And in marketing, you can see two extremes: cutting out marketing dollars or excessive/over the top marketing spending. Which approach makes sense?\n\nTo cut out marketing completely is really akin to shooting yourself in the foot.  Perhaps you keep your shoes, but you will no longer be able to walk very far.  It is conventional wisdom that advertising and public relations agencies lose clients during economic recessions. Advertisers look to cut back on something so they go for what seems to be frivolous.  But is advertising your business frivolous? How else are you going to get customers? On the other hand, the concept of guerilla marketing is successful because it uses cheaper methods of attracting and retaining customers. But the key to both is that businesses only survive if they have customers and must do SOMETHING to get them or retain them.\n\nTo go over the top in marketing is probably unnecessary.  And wasteful. As I was thumbing through a women\'s interest magazine yesterday, I came across an elaborate three dimensional print ad for Fruit of the Loom. It caught my interest but did not make me any more likely to buy than a regular print ad. It got me to thinking that Fruit of the Loom feels it has to do what it can to attract customers. Of course, this ad was probably conceptualized well before our financial meltdown, but I won\'t be surprised if we see this type of excessive spending from some advertisers in spite of finances.  Christmas will be very telling, as retailers especially look to increase their revenue.\n\nSo in sum, a tough economy means that you have to get tougher in looking for customers. Keep marketing yourself, perhaps in different ways. Maybe this is the time to try something different. But don\'t cut out advertising or go over the top. Neither will help your bottom line.','Marketing and Economy','','publish','open','open','','marketing-and-economy','','','2008-10-16 07:43:18','2008-10-16 12:43:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=175',0,'post','',0),(177,4,'2008-10-25 21:01:28','2008-10-26 02:01:28','And sometimes clever is too clever. But. There are times when that clever wordplay is just right. For instance, MetLife. For the <strong>if </strong>in life. You see,<strong> if</strong> is right there in the middle of the word <strong>life</strong>. And what does MetLife do? It sells insurance, and you get insurance for the what ifs in life. Rarely does something like this work so well. So kudos to MetLife. I love that wordplay. On the other hand, there campaign also centers around Snoopy. Why? Who knows. The big plus is that it is recognizable.\n\nCan you think of other really clever ads? I will try to keep a list.','Sometimes clever works','','publish','open','open','','sometimes-clever-works','','','2008-10-25 21:01:28','2008-10-26 02:01:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=177',0,'post','',0),(179,4,'2008-11-03 09:35:23','2008-11-03 14:35:23','There is a pizza joint across the street from my building. It\'s one of those take-out/delivery places that also serve subs and other greasy food. A couple of weeks ago, there was a sign posted that it was under new managements. And then, the renovations followed. They added floor to ceiling windows, painted the place yellow and added a new sign, using the same name as before but with new fonts and color scheme. So all in all, they have spiffed up the old hole-in-the-wall that needed it.  I suspect that there is no new management but rather the realization that when things get tough, the tough get going (excuse the cliche).  The pizza place realized it had to make changes, in this case, aesthetic improvements, to attract new customers or lure back former customers. (It remains to be seen how the pizza will taste, and that will be another story)\n\nThe same holds true for any business identity. Have you been using the same logo for the past 20 years? When was the last time you examined your branding effort? Is it time for a change? Does your tagline still communicate what you do? Does your marketing identity synch with your business personality?\n\nIn short, if things aren\'t going well now due to the economic situation, it is a perfect time to take stock of how you are marketing yourself, and decide if you need to make changes. The same old does not always work.\n\nThis also brings me to one of the most successful political campaigns in modern times: Barack Obama\'s. What is his campaign slogan? Change we can believe in.  Change is big right now and Obama knows that the public wants a change from the Bush years. As opposed to McCain\'s slogan of Country First, I think that Obama\'s slogan speaks directly to what people are looking for and communicates it effectively.\n\nWe\'ll know (hopefully) on Wednesday morning if Obama\'s slogan won more hearts and minds than McCain\'s. But regardless of who wins this election, we are in for a few months (at least) of tough economic times. It\'s time to change, right?','Is it time for a change?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-time-for-a-change','','','2008-11-03 09:35:23','2008-11-03 14:35:23','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=179',0,'post','',0),(181,4,'2008-11-04 11:14:22','2008-11-04 16:14:22','Well, it finally is here. Election Day. Never before in my lifetime have I seen such a long election cycle, and yet so much interest. We have seen positive ads and negative ads. We\'ve seen staying on message and going off message. We saw how the current economic situation shifted the message. But the bottom line is that each candidate used MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS to reach his/her TARGET AUDIENCE.  Yes indeed. An election is a real live, measured test of the success of your marketing communications. If you got your message across and people bought, you win.  Simple. And the voters get their say today. For the past year, we\'ve heard from the candidates. Today, they hear from us. What we bought and what we didn\'t buy.  In fact, I dare say that political communication is the pinnacle of this field...it uses all methods of communication from simple lawn signs, to expensive TV ads to social media. It needs strategy and it has to appeal to the largest majority. I am jealous of anybody in an American politics class this semester. What a way to see and understand the process.\n\nSo, did you vote today?','Political communication is a two-way street','','publish','open','open','','political-communication-is-a-two-way-street','','','2008-11-04 11:14:22','2008-11-04 16:14:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=181',0,'post','',0),(183,4,'2008-11-05 16:30:07','2008-11-05 21:30:07','I was just watching television and I saw a response to the credit crisis. It is something called Purchasing Power. Apparently, it is a payroll deduction system for paying for stuff you can\'t  afford. So instead of paying a credit card issuer, you have your pay docked each pay period until you pay off your debt. This approach is as old as the hills, but it hasn\'t been in the public eye before or in this format. This is the perfect time for this company to advertise its services. Americans will continue to want things they cannot afford, so there is an opportunity to step in where credit cards are stepping out.\n\nThe commercial for this company was somewhat low-tech. And I don\'t want to give the company additional publicity by linking to their website, but it struck me that when marketing yourself, you need to find the opportunities, even in spite or maybe due to an economic downturn.','Where there is chaos there is opportunity','','publish','open','open','','where-there-is-chaos-there-is-opportunity','','','2008-11-05 16:30:07','2008-11-05 21:30:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=183',0,'post','',0),(186,4,'2008-11-11 13:12:28','2008-11-11 18:12:28','That\'s the name of a new song by Will.I.Am (most clever singer name ever, IMO). But it is also a new day in marketing. Marketers are trying to find new ways of doing old things--that is, getting people in the door (and better yet, to make a purchase). A couple of stories in the <em>Washington Post</em> this week make this point. In today\'s post, there is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Shopper\'s Psyches\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111002331.html?hpid=topnews\" target=\"_blank\">an article </a>about a trend toward retailers creating an emotional connection with shoppers and also having gatherings in stores, to get people literally in the door. Although this is not new per se, it\'s application is. It seems that generalized advertising is just not doing the trick. Marketers think that by encouraging positive contact and context, consumers will part with their money.\n\nThe other story (which I cannot for the life of me find on line to link to) is one regarding credit card and other offers by mail. It seems that, finally, issuers of these offers are cutting back. Although I do think that direct marketing can be a good way to reach a target audience, I think unsolicited and unwanted credit card offers do little more than sully the environment further. This trend has much to do with the availability of credit as well. The article also reports that Neiman Marcus is cutting back on its famous Christmas catalog--sending out fewer copies and making it thinner.','It\'s a new day','','publish','open','open','','its-a-new-day','','','2008-11-11 13:12:28','2008-11-11 18:12:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=186',0,'post','',0),(188,4,'2008-11-16 21:06:47','2008-11-17 02:06:47','OK...now I have heard all types of advertising. I am listening to a rock station here in DC and a local church just advertised its \"services\" (almost a wordplay, right?).  The speaker (hard to say if it was the pastor) quoted, get this, the SPICE GIRLS (about stuff in your past). If this is not a naked attempt to appeal to a younger set, I don\'t know what is. In any case, the speaker informs us that therapy and/or drugs can never help us get rid of guilt--only forgiveness can (of course one can forgive or be forgiven through the help of therapy, but whatever). And then, he tells us to go to a website to learn more.  Now, I have heard of membership drives and spreading the word, but I truly haven\'t heard a church advertise on a mainstream radio station. This tells me two things--the church is seeking to increase its membership from a certain age demographic and the church has decided to do things in a more 21st Century fashion--get them where they are.  Interesting. I would be very interested in knowing if this type of appeal works. In theory, it should, at least stimulate some interest. I wonder if the church hired an ad agency, or a pr agency. This certainly is part of larger recruiting campaign.','Churches...advertising?','','publish','open','open','','churchesadvertising','','','2008-11-16 21:06:47','2008-11-17 02:06:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=188',0,'post','',0),(190,4,'2008-11-17 17:40:12','2008-11-17 22:40:12','In the case of Verizon FIOS, about 100 million messages ago. OK, I am exagerating, they could have stopped at 1000. In all seriousness, Verizon is marketing the hell out of FIOS. They want everyone who has ever been near a Verizon phone to sign up.  There is TV advertising, telemarketing (these people have been calling my house at least 3 times a week for the past 8 weeks easily, even though I already told them I AM NOT INTERESTED) and direct mail. I get a direct mail piece from them roughtly once a week--whether it be a postcard or a full blown letter, like I got today.  What a great offer...they will bundle TV, Internet and Phone for $100 a month PLUS taxes and fees for one year (translation--you are locked in for a year no matter what and then your price will go up).  Still, I am not interested. I hate Verizon, and this marketing onslaught is making me hate them more. At some point, the costs outweigh the returns, and the many dollars they are spending trying to get me to sign up are ill spent, especially since, as I mentioned before, I AM NOT INTERESTED.  For anybody worried about the economy, I would like to point out that Verizon is both making money and spending money. They aren\'t asking for a government bailout, they are asking you to upgrade to their system. Of course, Comcast, their biggest competitor in this area, has a similar package. And they also try like hell to get you to sign up for it. It makes me wonder how big those margins really are.  They must be really big for there to be a decent ROI (return on investment) on this.','When does it become too much?','','publish','open','open','','when-does-it-become-too-much','','','2008-11-17 17:40:12','2008-11-17 22:40:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=190',0,'post','',2),(192,4,'2008-11-20 08:41:59','2008-11-20 13:41:59','As if. But MacDonalds, the king of marketing, would like you to believe so. Or at least it is trying to use mothers as emissaries for this message--they call it their \"quality correspondents program.\"  I am not making this up. It is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"McDs is healthy\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/19/AR2008111903618.html?hpid=artslot\" target=\"_blank\">reported in today\'s Washington Post</a>, and it is an attempt  to maintain already high levels of fast food consumption high.  Apparently, if mothers make the argument that french fries aren\'t so bad for you, other moms will listen. And if moms think its OK, then kids will be free to consume the \"healthy\" fries. What MacDonald\'s claims it\'s doing, is making sure through this type of PR, that people know they are concerned with food safety and quality.\n\nI have several issues with this. First of all, french fries are not healthy, period. They are deep fried and carry most of their calories from fat. It is inane for McDonald\'s to pretend otherwise. Perhaps a small order of fries does not have the calorie content say, of a quarter pounder with cheese. If someone wants to eat fries, they do so because they enjoy the taste and not because it is a virtuous choice on the menu.\n\nSecond, this type of person-to-person marketing, based on manipulated information, is not what I would call transparent. It is surreptitious. It is pretend.  If a woman who is my friend or acquintance tells me something, I have no reason to disbelieve what she is saying. I also don\'t have enough information. Lots of marketing shifts the burden for more information to the consumer, but this type of marketing is more opaque. Moms aren\'t going to include a website link to the company, or are they?\n\nWhat I really wonder is why McDonald\'s needs to this at all. They are a ubiquitous part of the landscape, and everyone knows what kind of food they sell. Lots of people eat there--what are the up to, zillions served? They have great brand identity, brand knowledge and good advertising. And in a weak economy, fast food places generally do good business since they are cheap and easy.  No one goes to McDonald\'s expecting fine or healthy dining. And as far as I know, everyone assumes you will have low-quality standards maintained across the board--clean and fast is what you expect, not high quality and good for you.','Fast food is healthy','','publish','open','open','','fast-food-is-healthy','','','2008-11-20 08:41:59','2008-11-20 13:41:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=192',0,'post','',1),(194,4,'2008-11-21 15:59:45','2008-11-21 20:59:45','Nothing makes a celebrity like publicity. In fact, without publicity, there would be no celebrities. Yet, we often hear of scuffles between celebrities and the paparazzi or stars taking tabloids to court. Of course there is a not so fine line between publicizing and slandering, and anybody should be careful of crossing that line.  Some celebrities are known for being private (quite an oxymoron) and some for being rabble-rousers (Lindsay Lohan anyone?). In both cases, this is part of their carefully crafted public persona. They attempt to control the media\'s portrayal of them, to suit their purposes.\n\nIn today\'s New York Times, there is an <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Angelna Jolie\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/business/media/21angelina.html?scp=2&amp;sq=angelina%20jolie&amp;st=cse\" target=\"_blank\">interesting article about Angelina Jolie </a>and her masterful control of the media.  Apparently, part of the negotiation involved in giving her twins\' pictures to People Magazine included a clause for positive coverage. If this is true, and People denies it, it calls to question whether People can be considered a journalistic endeavour or simply a celebrity publicity outlet. Chances are, it\'s a bit of both. In any case, People would not exist without celebrities to cover and celebrities would not be celebrities if they were not covered. So, in a sense, People can\'t afford to alienate celebrities.\n\nI am not sure what I think of Jolie\'s \"carefully crafted\" persona. In a sense, what she has done is rehabilitate her image through the use of new imagery (adoptive children from underdeveloped countries, nomadic lifestyle, Brad Pitt). Prior to that, she was a tattooed, blood vial wearing wife of Billy Bob Thornton. In any case, Jolie is a case in point, in that what the media show about you, is what people perceive you as.  A lesson that is good for all organizations concerned about image.','Publicizing your image','','publish','open','open','','publicizing-your-image','','','2008-11-21 15:59:45','2008-11-21 20:59:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=194',0,'post','',0),(196,4,'2008-11-24 10:08:45','2008-11-24 15:08:45','The economic-banking-credit crisis has spawned some new advertising selling points and language for financial institutions. These seek to reassure current and potential customers that their money-investments-assets are safe.  For instance, SunTrust Bank is using a new tagline: \"Live Solid. Bank Solid.\" Obviously, solid is a good word to describe a bank, especially in light of recent bank failures. Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the US, is still going with the \"Keep the Change\" campaign, and a headline to their newest ad is \"If you\'re going to spend, spend smart.\"\n\nI have seen lots of ads featuring words like secure, safe, solid,  smart, trust and so on. It is not about high returns or great investments any more, it is about keeping what you have in an increasingly turbulent marketplace.\n\nMeanwhile, Commerce Bank, which was a bank operating mainly in the Northeast, got \"rebranded\" into TD Bank due to a merger with TD BankFinancial Group of Canada.  Commerce, who used red as its color, is now green. The change was quite sudden and confusing. I am sure that current customers were aware of an impending change, but others must have been taken by surprise.','New selling points','','publish','open','open','','new-selling-points','','','2008-11-24 10:08:45','2008-11-24 15:08:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=196',0,'post','',0),(199,4,'2008-11-30 19:33:08','2008-12-01 00:33:08','Something very interesting happened this Black Friday...it went well for retailers. But it wasn\'t expected to. The news media kept reporting that sales were expected to be lower, with fewer people shopping and shopping for fewer items. In fact, they reported this while they reported that people were camping out for sales and even that people trampled to death a security guard in their rush to enter a New York Walmart store. The final numbers are not in yet, but apparently, sales were better than expected and may even have been higher than last year.\n\nThis is interesting because a narrative has been formed in the media: economy is bad and people are not shopping, not matter what. Economy is bad,and people are not traveling not matter what. And yet, planes and roads are full and there is no parking to be had at local malls. Even my local bookstore was packed on Black Friday, even though they had no special sales.  In short, there seems to be a disconnect between what is being reported (or what reporters think) and what is actually happening.  Often, what is reported is not real but BECOMES real. In this case, it seems to be the opposite. I wonder if the panicked reporting about the dire state of the economy is partially a desire to create a black and white narrative or a true appraisal of reality. What do you think?','Reality versus reporting','','publish','open','open','','reality-versus-reporting','','','2008-11-30 19:33:08','2008-12-01 00:33:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=199',0,'post','',0),(201,4,'2008-12-05 12:31:07','2008-12-05 17:31:07','Used car (and for that new car) salespeople are known for driving a hard sell.  And generally, consumers hate a hard sell. In fact, certain car dealerships (CarMax and Saturn) made their USP (unique selling proposition) the fact that what you see is what you get, and that you won\'t get hassled. Somehow, Verizon has not gotten the memo. I want to understand what the Verizon marketing folks are thinking, because from my perspective, they are driving a really hard sell, and not only that, they are being tremendously wasteful  (not getting the ROI they should). As I mentioned a few days ago, Verizon is in the middle of selling FIOS. I have received about two marketing pieces a week (direct mail), three to four hangups from Verizon on my phone (telemarketing) and have been exposed to more Verizon TV ads than I care to think about. The bottom line is, as I have told Verizon, I AM NOT GETTING FIOS!!!! Stop selling me PLEASE!!!\n\nAt some point, they have to stop. But they won\'t. Why? Because they have spent millions of dollars in research, development and roll-out of FIOS and until every single Verizon customer signs up, they probably will not make up the difference. They may have miscalculated that people would be all over FIOS, or they rolled out FIOS at a time when people are cutting back on everything. In either case, Verizon believes that marketing FIOS will eventually bring in the numbers. Otherwise, they would not spend the money. However, I think their approach is extremely wasteful (yes, even in an environmental way).\n\nSo, my bottom line is that Verizon is the used car salesperson I will avoid at all costs. I am not buying a car (or new TV/phone service) any time soon. So sell away but all you are doing is irritating me and making me consider alternatives.','The hard sell','','publish','open','open','','the-hard-sell','','','2008-12-05 12:31:07','2008-12-05 17:31:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=201',0,'post','',0),(203,4,'2008-12-08 09:20:38','2008-12-08 14:20:38','I\'ve had lots of occasion this past week to think about branding as I led writing groups for a business school class on marketing. The undergrads had to write a marketing paper dealing with some sort of marketing strategy. Most of them wrote about \"brand extension,\" where a new product is introduced under the existing brand name.  The students had a bit of trouble relating theory to real world practice, but if anyone doubts the power of marketing and branding, they should look no further than <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Marketing\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120600136.html\" target=\"_blank\">this article </a>in yesterday\'s <em>Washington Post</em>. The article talks about how exposure to certain brands (Coke is one of them) actually fires up areas in the brain that are also akin to RELIGIOUS experience. Why? Because marketers have spent years creating messaging that forms emotional connections for the brand. Of course, Coke is the prime example. I think it has the highest (here\'s another marketing term) brand equity of all brands. It logo is instantly recognizable, and they have had a particularly successful marketing campaign. When we think of Coke we may think \"a Coke and a smile\" or Santa or fuzzy bears or any number of campaigns designed to appeal to our emotions.  The bottom line is that good marketing and branding do work to create positive associations.\n\nMost everything that we are exposed to through the media has a (yet another marketing term) brand essence or personality. We associate certain behaviors/attributes/lifestyles/etc. to certain brands/products/people and countries? At least Howard Fineman of<em> Newsweek </em>seems to think that countries have brand personalities. And perhaps they do. However, he <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Branding the US\" href=\"http://www.newsweek.com/id/172573\" target=\"_blank\">writes</a> that Barack Obama is engaging in a branding exercise for the United States simply by the choices he\'s making for cabinet positions. Although I agree with the premise, I think Fineman is a bit sketchy on the details.\n\nBottom line: branding works. When something is not well known, it is because that something does not have a strong brand identity. Branding works for products (how many people out there have a preference Coke versus Pepsi versus store cola?) and it works for organizations. Apparently, branding also works for countries (let\'s see...England is traditional, some might say stodgy, Iran, more apt to incite violence, New Zealand has lots of dairy...).','The power of branding','','publish','open','open','','the-power-of-branding','','','2008-12-08 09:20:38','2008-12-08 14:20:38','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=203',0,'post','',2),(206,4,'2008-12-09 12:36:19','2008-12-09 17:36:19','','photo_173_20080825','FreeDigitalPhotos.net','inherit','open','open','','photo_173_20080825','','','2008-12-09 12:36:19','2008-12-09 17:36:19','',205,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/photo_173_20080825.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(205,4,'2008-12-09 12:37:53','2008-12-09 17:37:53','I am sure that you heard of the Republican National Commitee\'s robo-calls during the 2008 election. People were very irritated to get them. And why wouldn\'t they? After all, it is bad enough to get an unsolicited call but then to pick up the phone to be greeted by a robotic voice? You can\'t talk back to a robot! You can\'t ask the caller to please never call you again.  And what is most interesting is that there is no data that show that these types of calls work. Here is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Robocalls\" href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9978.html\" target=\"_blank\">an article in Politico</a> from earlier in the year pleading with the campaigns not to use robo-calls.  The author claims that one of the main reasons that these calls are employed is because they are cheap.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_206\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"FreeDigitalPhotos.net\"]<a><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-206\" title=\"photo_173_20080825\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/photo_173_20080825.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"FreeDigitalPhotos.net\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis leads me to the latest in the Verizon FIOS push. Today, I got a robo-call. My only guess is that Verizon is conducting a marketing experiment to see which method works.  And hey, robo-calls are cheap! Especially if you are the phone company--you don\'t even have to pay for phone time.  In my opinion, Verizon\'s marketing geniuses are thinking that somehow they will get me to sign up. So they will try each option numerous times.  Meanwhile, have they checked the blogosphere for what is being said about them? No...haven\'t gotten a single comment. When I wrote about Comcast a few months ago, a representative contacted me to try to rectify the situation.  Verizon does not care what you or I think. The company only cares that you sign up for its services. I will tell you one reason I won\'t sign up for FIOS--because if something goes wrong with my TV/phone/Internet I will be forced to talk to Verizon. And I don\'t want to talk to Verizon, ever.','Now it\'s robo-calls','','publish','open','open','','now-its-robo-calls','','','2008-12-09 12:37:53','2008-12-09 17:37:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=205',0,'post','',0),(208,4,'2008-12-10 13:47:06','2008-12-10 18:47:06','And writing clearly even harder? As a writer, I make mistakes and my stuff has typos. Occasionally, I use the wrong word. But most of the time, I catch these mistakes. However, most people seem to have no idea. Recently, through my work,  I encountered the frequent misuse of the following words:  effect/affect and ensure/assure. Check out this useful <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Commonly misused words\" href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/commonly-misused-words/\" target=\"_blank\">post on Copyblogger</a> about frequently misused words, which is helpful for reference. Another frequent mistake is using the word which instead of that or vice versa. In general terms, we use which only after a comma, to set off a separate phrase. Also, referring to businesses or corporations as \"them\" or \"they.\" Use it/it\'s (the corporation, although employing people, is an entity not a person or a collection of people). Another pet peeve of mine is when people use that instead of who when referring to other human beings, as in: \"you know Julie that lives in DC?\" It should be \"you know Julie who lives in DC.\"\n\nBut what is most sad to me is how infrequently people even recognize mistakes. Grammatical mistakes abound in spoken English, especially on TV. I can\'t tell you how many times I have heard an anchor or reporter use a completely convoluted sentence. We are human and we make mistakes, but we can also correct mistakes and improve, right? In my opinion, this dearth of writing skills is linked directly to lack of reading. Readers, especially avid readers, are exposed to good writing. Readers can recognize spelling, grammar, usage by exposure. I know that this is true for me. I don\'t often know the grammatical terminology for something, but I recognize if it is used correctly.\n\nI may start keeping  a log of  writing goofs. If you would like to share some, please do so in the comments.','Why is writing so hard?','','publish','open','open','','why-is-writing-so-hard','','','2008-12-10 13:47:06','2008-12-10 18:47:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=208',0,'post','',0),(211,4,'2008-12-11 09:36:11','2008-12-11 14:36:11','You\'ve got to hand it to Dell. It has figured out what its customers want--customer service that is understandable, and responsive. This customer service is not what its currently offers, since most likely if you call Dell you will end up talking to Raj in Bangalore or Juan in the Philippines (and by talk, I mean trying to make yourself understood to someone who has some understanding of computers and less regarding English). In response to this desire to talk to people who might understand what you are asking, and give you instructions you might be able to use, Dell has instituted a program called Your Tech Service Team, in which you will talk to support people right here in the U.S. The kicker is that it will CHARGE you a premium ($12.95  a month, which ends up being $155.50 a year).  So let\'s recap: for a mere $155 a year, you will get customer service in understandable English from an American company. Sounds like a hell of a marketing program.  If you think I am making this up, please read <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Bangalore Tech support\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/10/AR2008121003574.html\" target=\"_blank\">the article</a> in the <em>Washington Post</em>.\n\nOn the other hand, the same article points out that Jitterbug, a cell phone company, has decided to 1) keep call centers in the U.S. because its customers prefer it and 2) it uses this as a point of differentiation.  Sadly, I think this is a good USP. If I was given a choice of computers, and told where customer service was located for each company, I would most certainly choose the one with U.S. based service. Having had a Dell myself, and having had to call Raj, I can tell you that Raj was NOT helpful. Raj did not understand me and I didn\'t understand him. This served to frustrate me and ultimately made me decide not to buy a Dell again. Unfortunately, most other computer and software manufacturers have also decided to cut costs and install their customer service centers in various South Asian locations. See the movie Slumdog Millionaire to see how this has impacted India, for instance.\n\nWhat is frustrating about Dell marketing this service at a premium is that it stems from an understanding that its customers are unhappy with receiving tech support from another continent. Instead of correcting the situation, they have opted to squeeze their customers some more. It is just like the airlines. The airlines know that you don\'t want a middle seat,  and that you want some sort of meal or beverage when you are shut up in the flying tube, so they will charge for the privilege.  <strong>All because companies actually know what customers want.</strong>\n\nSo much for the idea that companies aren\'t responsive to customer complaints.','USP: English that you can understand!','','publish','open','open','','usp-english-that-you-can-understand','','','2008-12-11 09:36:11','2008-12-11 14:36:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=211',0,'post','',0),(214,4,'2008-12-11 12:32:28','2008-12-11 17:32:28','Here are few terms that I use often:\n\n<strong>USP</strong>: Unique selling proposition; what sets a brand/product/service apart from everybody else.\n\n<strong>ROI</strong>: Return on investment; what you aim for in your marketing expenditure.\n\n<strong>Brand equity</strong>:  The value (in dollars and in positive associations) for a brand.\n\n<strong>Brand personality</strong>: How a brand is perceived.\n\n<strong>CPM: </strong>Cost per thousand\n\n<strong>Target market: </strong>Who you are trying to reach. Defined by demographics (age, income, gender, location) and psychographics (lifestyle, personality, preferences).','Marketing terms/Glossary','','publish','open','open','','marketing-termsglossary','','','2008-12-11 12:32:28','2008-12-11 17:32:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?page_id=214',0,'page','',0),(217,4,'2008-12-13 20:14:22','2008-12-14 01:14:22','How important is price when you are shopping? Do you ever buy store brands (also known as private labels) to save money? If you are like many Americans, increasingly the answer is yes, price is important. More and more, private labels are gaining market share, as is reported in this  <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Store brands\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/business/13private.html\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times article</a>. As the article points out, people are flocking to store branded staple items  and sticking to brands only for certain items. One such item, the article points out, is Heinz ketchup. I would bet other legacy brands like Tide detergent, Crest toothpaste and Coke are still doing well.  For certain things, like milk or eggs, brand does not mean much. For others, brand means quality or taste.\n\nWhat is interesting about the private label versus national brand struggle, is that it probably depends on the particular private label. Those who have experienced Wegmans probably have no compunction buying Wegmans brand. On the other hand, are you as likely to buy private label products from a lesser quality grocery store? Here in DC, we have Safeway, Giant, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe\'s, Whole Foods and a couple other markets. I wonder if the \"cache\" of each store translates into higher private label sales. For instance, would you be more likely to buy Whole Foods canned tomatoes than Giant tomatoes, prices being similar?\n\nThe bottom line is that price-sensitive consumers have always bought the cheaper alternative. But in tough times, everyone has become more price-sensitive, and thus willing to check out private labels, giving them increasing market share.','Brand versus Price','','publish','open','open','','brand-versus-price','','','2008-12-13 20:14:22','2008-12-14 01:14:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=217',0,'post','',0),(219,4,'2008-12-15 09:39:52','2008-12-15 14:39:52','If something is wrong with your product, don\'t you want to know about it? I think you do (and if not, you should!). Well, many marketers sometimes \"forget\" to include an essential piece of information: an address and/or telephone and/or email address that can be used for feedback. Some marketers don\'t want to be deluged with calls or emails so they either exclude this information or make it very hard to find. This is not a good tactic. It can backfire--you could lose a customer or many, especially if the issue is one that is repeatable. Let me give you two examples.\n\nI had bought anti-virus software at a big-box store. I installed it, and it worked great. Of course, after  a year, it told me I needed to update. The update was more expensive (of course) and could only be received via online download. Long story short, the update did not work. It screwed up my computer, and worse, I couldn\'t get it completely off my computer. I had to have a computer guy come remove the hard drive and delete all files relating to the software. Well, I tried to contact this software company. Was there a customer service number or an email? No. For tech support yes (the aforementioned Raj in India was not very helpful getting resolution to the problem). In any case, I had no recourse and the company was not going to find out that their software has a bug in it. I will NEVER buy from this company again. Ever. Again.\n\nSecond case is maddening. For years, since I started my business, I advertised on a marketing site. I got a good number of hits from there, and so I paid for premium positions. Well, with very little fan fare, the site changed, and the writer category was transferred to a new domain. Apparently, the company did not advertise the new domain as well as the old one, and I got not ONE hit from the new domain. Meanwhile, every two months or so, I get an email from the site asking me to upgrade to a premium (read paid) subscription. I wanted to email that I would not because the site was not sending any hits. There was absolutely no email address to write to. And so when I see the emails coming from the company, I delete them. Is the owner of the site wondering why a former advertiser is no longer advertising? Is he concerned? If he is, he certainly doesn\'t want MY feedback. He only wants my credit card number. He can\'t even begin to address my concerns if he doesn\'t have them.\n\nBottom line, feedback is essential. Without it, you could have a defective or malfunctioning product on the market and no way of knowing about it. I am sure getting a ton of email can be a problem, but a bigger problem can happen if you start getting bad word of mouth and your sales start tanking. It\'s like putting a coin in the meter--it\'s annoying but not as annoying as getting a ticket!','Why getting feedback is important','','publish','open','open','','why-getting-feedback-is-important','','','2008-12-15 09:39:52','2008-12-15 14:39:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=219',0,'post','',0),(221,4,'2008-12-17 08:53:16','2008-12-17 13:53:16','A couple of nights ago, I saw an ad in Burger King\'s new campaign \"Whopper Virgins.\"  The ad, which is shot in a documentary style, and takes us around the world to tiny villages (mostly in Asia) where \"people who have never tasted a burger before,\" are asked to sample a Whopper and a another burger. The villagers seem to prefer the Whopper.  Thus, \"Whopper virgins\" prefer Burger King, and so should you. Case closed, right? No.\n\nI was a bit astounded by this campaign.  First, I feel that labeling people and using the term\"Whopper virgin\"  is a bit tacky. And then, there is the negative reaction the ad has gotten, as is described in<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Whopper Virgins\" href=\"http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-burger-king-1216dec16,0,7830011.story\" target=\"_blank\"> this article</a> in the <em>Chicago Tribune</em>, which also ran today in the <em>Washington Pos</em>t.  The article claims the ad missed its mark. Other people are writing about this too, saying the ad is ignorant, or colonialistic or worse. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Motley Fool\" href=\"http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2008/12/04/whats-a-whopper-virgin.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Motley Fool</a>(the finance \"educators\")  analyzed the ad, in light of Burger King\'s other \"risky\" ad campaigns, and says the company \"may have bitten off more than it can chew.\"  BK even issued a press release saying they are investing in the lands of the Whopper Virgins. This also sounds colonialistic.\n\nI am not sure it plays to the best in America to find people who have never had a burger and expose them to the lowest echelon of American cookery--the fast food burger.  I get the concept--people who are not biased like our product better--let\'s run with it. But the final product might be crossing a few boundaries of \"taste.\" In the end, this is typical ad agency behavior (in this case, Cripin Porter): let\'s sell a concept and then execute in a way that will be funny (to us). In fact, this campaign seems like it took the movie<em> Borat</em> to heart, and decided that it would reverse it. Take <em>Borat</em> back out to the country.  The thing is <em>Borat</em> was funny...but it was hugely offensive.\n\nUPDATE: BK is now selling Flame--a beef scented cologne. Retails for $4, available online. What a wonderful gift idea--perhaps the Whopper Virgins would enjoy. <strong>http://tinyurl.com/6pp2ra</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>','Selling Whoppers or selling stupid?','','publish','open','open','','selling-whoppers-or-selling-stupid','','','2008-12-17 08:53:16','2008-12-17 13:53:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=221',0,'post','',0),(225,4,'2008-12-18 17:50:18','2008-12-18 22:50:18','Public relations practitioners are generally good about getting their pitch across. There are those who do it with a soft touch, and then there is this story I had to share with you: <strong>http://tinyurl.com/3ka5h8</strong> I found it through Peter Shankman\'s twitter feed, regarding a woman who calls herself a PR person, but is really a list provider/spammer. And she\'s nasty (probably bitter).  Public relations is about building positive relations with your target audience, generally using media as a go-between. Insulting the media is never a good idea!!!!','How not to do p.r.','','publish','open','open','','how-not-to-do-pr','','','2008-12-18 17:50:18','2008-12-18 22:50:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=225',0,'post','',0),(227,4,'2008-12-19 09:43:08','2008-12-19 14:43:08','Macy\'s is probably one of the nation\'s largest retail advertiser.  During the year, it probably runs a few full page ads a week in all major newspapers. With Christmas, a make-or-break time, coming up, Macy\'s seems to have pulled out all the marketing stops.  At least in the Washington Post, it has been running several junior or full page ads EVERY day. It has had a sale or coupons or both for practically every day of the week. And today, there is an ad that says that Macy\'s stores will be open 24 hours a day from Saturday until Christmas Eve.\n\nTo me, this seems almost desperate.  What is the ROI on this media expenditure? Of course, media prices go down with frequency, and Macy\'s must be on the highest frequency tier. I will be interested in seeing retail figures for December when they come out.','Macy\'s pulls out all the stops','','publish','open','open','','macys-pulls-out-all-the-stops','','','2008-12-19 09:43:08','2008-12-19 14:43:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=227',0,'post','',0),(229,4,'2008-12-22 13:05:17','2008-12-22 18:05:17','If you have ever wondered how some movies end up getting Oscars and others don\'t, the answer just may be public relations. There are people devoted to publicizing movies to Oscar voters. This pretty much guarantees that smaller budgets will not likely get Oscars unless they are \"sleeper\" hits that everyone watches and loves. It takes money to make sure every Motion Picture Academy voter sees your movie, or at least hears good buzz.  The Washington Post had an excellent article on this topic, called: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Oscar Publicists\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/19/AR2008121900747.html\" target=\"_blank\">For your Consideration: The Oscar Publicists.</a>\n\nWhen a client asks you if public relations has any value just point them to the Oscar movie you love to hate (in my case, it is Brokeback Mountain, which I thought was terribly made).  There is a good chance the reason it won is because it had the best PR/publicity campaign.','How did that movie win an Oscar?','','publish','open','open','','how-did-that-movie-win-an-oscar','','','2008-12-22 13:05:17','2008-12-22 18:05:17','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=229',0,'post','',0),(231,4,'2009-01-06 19:31:31','2009-01-07 00:31:31','After a nice year-end 2008 vacation, I am back.  I\'d like to wish you all a happy, productive 2009. New posts will be coming shortly!','It\'s a new year!','','publish','open','open','','its-a-new-year','','','2009-01-06 19:31:31','2009-01-07 00:31:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=231',0,'post','',0),(233,4,'2009-01-12 09:58:13','2009-01-12 14:58:13','It\'s no wonder, given the sour state of the U.S. economy, that advertisers are choosing to portray their products or services as the most economical.  One such advertiser is NetZero. For those of you not familiar with it, or who don\'t watch any TV, NetZero is a dialup Internet Service Provider (ISP).  For years, NetZero has been saying it can take us to the \"same\" Internet for only $9.95 a month. However, NetZero has rarely said that it is the same Internet, yet slower compared to your more expensive broadband connection. Until now. A couple of nights ago, I saw NetZero\'s new campaign in which the company says each individual could save $300 a year using NetZero. The first ad in the campaign went so far to say that you don\'t really need speed if you can save money.  The rest of the ads have been truncated versions just focusing on the dollar savings and not on the speed loss.\n\nWhat makes this ad so interesting is that it is all about saving money. In fact, that is NetZero\'s USP--cheaper than broadband. I guess if all you are doing is getting text emails, and perhaps visiting a non-graphic website, you don\'t need more than dialup. If, however, you transmit files or you share pictures or you simply want to visit and see mainstream websites, you would be very badly served having dialup.  But yes, if you switch to dialup (and I am not sure who else provides this service), you could save some $20-$30 a month.\n\nI think we will be seeing more of these ads from diverse companies. They will focus on how cheap they are (this is what Walmart is doing with its Live Better campaign) and ignore any other issues. The feeling seems to be people want to/have to save money, and if we tell them they can save money using our company, they will buy our product or service.  A year ago I would have said there is no way this approach can work. People do not buy simply on cost...they buy on experience, promise, and whole slew of other issues. But today, when accounts are dwindling, jobs are being lost and people feel panicky, perhaps simply saving money is the way to go.','Save, save, save','','publish','open','open','','save-save-save','','','2009-01-12 09:58:13','2009-01-12 14:58:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=233',0,'post','',0),(236,4,'2009-01-12 17:40:36','2009-01-12 22:40:36','I find this report hard to believe, but apparently, drug advertising is not resulting in patients asking for a drug by name. Read the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Drug advertising\" href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28584952/\" target=\"_blank\">MSNBC article</a> here.  I can only theorize that the drugs that are advertised the most (Levitra, Viagra, Jenuvia) are for conditions that don\'t affect that many people. Hmm...','What? Brand advertising doesn\'t work?','','publish','open','open','','what-brand-advertising-doesnt-work','','','2009-01-12 17:40:36','2009-01-12 22:40:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=236',0,'post','',1),(238,4,'2009-01-14 09:32:15','2009-01-14 14:32:15','Obviously, 2008 was not a banner year for anyone, except maybe foreclosure specialists and some lawyers.  It certainly was not a good one for print media. We heard of closures (<em>Christian Science Monitor</em> for one) and declines in subscriptions. Today, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Ad  revenue\" href=\"http://www.foliomag.com/2009/consumer-magazines-take-huge-ad-hit-2008\" target=\"_blank\">Folio reported </a>that ad pages fell 11.7 percent as compared to 2007.  Wow. As anyone who works in media knows, advertising is the lifeblood of publishing. No advertising, no publishing. Subscriptions and newsstand sales alone don\'t make up the income stream needed to publish a magazine. I am sure the cost of paper is up, as well as transportation costs. In short, as it has become more expensive to actually publish the magazine, the main source of revenue has declined. To me this spells a tough year ahead for magazines in 2009. I think we will see more magazine closures and consolidations. Some may cut back to fewer issues per year. I think it will be worse for newspapers. A few days ago it was reported that the<em> Seattle Post-Intelligencer</em> was looking for a buyer. If it does not get a buyer in two months, it will fold. This is the MAIN newspaper in a large city.\n\nIn short, I think the future of print advertising is less growth. I don\'t think it will disappear just yet, but I am sure online advertising will continue to grow while print advertising continues its decline.','What is the future for print advertising?','','publish','open','open','','what-is-the-future-for-print-advertising','','','2009-01-14 09:32:15','2009-01-14 14:32:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=238',0,'post','',0),(240,4,'2009-01-16 10:38:41','2009-01-16 15:38:41','We\'ve established that advertising and publishing are symbiotic, right? Well, today I found more bad news affecting newspapers across the country, courtesy of Mediabistro.com.: The <em>Boston Globe</em> is cutting up to 50 jobs and the Minneapolis <em>Star Tribune </em>is filing for bankruptcy.  This is a case where it could be the chicken or the egg. Did advertising drop and cause financial losses at the newspapers or did cutbacks and diminishing influence of print media lead to less print ad expenditure? Not sure which, but maybe a bit of both.\n\nOf course, newspapers are still relevant. I would bet most people check out a newspaper every day, albeit, online.  Perhaps we can brace now for an all electronic future.','What is the future of print advertising, part II','','publish','open','open','','what-is-the-future-of-print-advertising-part-ii','','','2009-01-16 10:38:41','2009-01-16 15:38:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=240',0,'post','',0),(242,4,'2009-01-20 08:03:02','2009-01-20 13:03:02','Inside today\'s <em>Washington Post</em> not only was there a special \"commemorative\" inauguration insert, but another insert that is titled \"Progress\" and has today\'s date on the bottom. You could be forgiven for thinking it is yet another adulatory piece about Barack Obama, due to the progressive, historic nature of his inauguration today. However, you would be wrong. It is about Audi, the car company. This insert tries to define progress for me--for instance, \"Grown men spraying giant bottles of champagne,\" and \"leaving behind yesterday\'s idea of luxury.\"  These inane headlines are being equated to \"progress is a woman dominating a man\'s sport,\" and most egregiously, to the idea that our country is finally embracing a person of color as president.  Audi wants you to believe that the company is just as progressive as the United States. What exactly makes Audi progressive?  That of course, is not answered.\n\nI have seen lots of advertising that takes advantage of momentous events. Many companies advertise during special events in what is generally image advertising or brand-building. And I get that Audi is engaging in the same. However, I wonder what the strategy is. The insert, even though it is on newsprint and not glossy, is expensive. Audi is also running the same campaign online.  So is the idea that people will buy today\'s newspaper as a keepsake so they will also read the Audi ad? Is the idea to equate Audi with Barack Obama? In my opinion, this will fall flat.  Like I said before, I don\'t find evidence in the insert of Audi\'s \"progressive\" nature.  Also,  people who buy the paper today will be totally focused on two things: information about the nuts and bolts of the inaugural and info on Obama. An extra supplement that is irrelevant will get thrown out.\n\nDid you see this insert/campaign? If so, what did you think of it? Please leave comments.\n\nUPDATE: Also, Audi sponsored Inauguration night\'s NBC and ABC newscasts, so that they could be presented with limited commercial interruption. That\'s a lot of marketing dollars....and again, is it worth it?','Trying too hard?','','publish','open','open','','trying-too-hard','','','2009-01-20 08:03:02','2009-01-20 13:03:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=242',0,'post','',2),(244,4,'2009-01-21 10:48:28','2009-01-21 15:48:28','One of the first things that signaled the start of the new Obama administration was the changeover of the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"WH Official Web\" href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/\" target=\"_blank\">Whitehouse.gov</a> website. The new website, which shares many elements with the Obama campaign website, was up and running at 12 noon, even before the flubbed swearing-in took place. In a sense, the new website is the product of people who haven\'t been in the White House very long. It still has the campaign feel, talking about the Agenda, and showing the Whistle Stop tour Obama and Biden took the weekend before the Inaugural. What is more updated about the website is that you can now sign up for email updates and like many other organizational websites in America today, it has a blog. And, as the website claims:\n\n\"WhiteHouse.gov will be a central part of\nPresident Obama\'s pledge to make his\nthe most transparent and accountable\nadministration in American history.\"\n\nThe website has been getting a lot of attention. Here\'s <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"WH website\" href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090121/pl_politico/17709\" target=\"_blank\">an article from Politico via Yahoo</a> on the presidential bios on the website.\n\nObama will certainly be a more \"electronic\" president. Much has been made about his BlackBerry \"addiction.\" He was able to garner much of his support among the GenY/media/social media savvy people because of his campaign know-how regarding Web 2.0.  Let\'s see how this plays out.\n\nUpdate:  <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Obama PR\" href=\"http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/22/raudonised0122.html\" target=\"_self\">Interesting take</a>from the<em> Atlanta Journal-Constitution</em> on the PR skills of the new administration, helping create a positive perception, and apparently an area where Bush was not as media-savvy.','The dawn of a new (communications) era','','publish','open','open','','the-dawn-of-a-new-communications-era','','','2009-01-21 10:48:28','2009-01-21 15:48:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=244',0,'post','',0),(247,4,'2009-01-22 10:56:33','2009-01-22 15:56:33','I have never been a huge fan of shelter magazines, mostly because they make me feel very inadequate in both the decorating and housing areas. However, they are usually at least inspirational...some day, maybe, I will have the taste and the money to decorate my house with shabby chic or whatever. However,  I may lose inspiration (and jealousy) because many shelter magazines have ceased publication, including <em>Home and Garden</em>,<em> Oprah at Home</em>, <em>Martha Stewart Blueprint</em> and others. The <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Home magazines\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012101128.html\" target=\"_blank\">article</a> in today\'s  <em>Washington Post</em> blames low ad revenue and not declining circulation. So folks, we have our answer to the print question. It is all about advertising. Advertisers are cutting back on their print advertising budgets, and thus, magazines are dying. What this may lead to is a rise in advertising costs as fewer magazines are left to provide ad pages. Demand vs.  supply. And  then, fewer advertisers will want to advertise.','Shelter magazines ','','publish','open','open','','shelter-magazines','','','2009-01-22 10:56:33','2009-01-22 15:56:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=247',0,'post','',0),(250,4,'2009-01-26 19:35:41','2009-01-27 00:35:41','You know how you recoil when someone starts telling you much more than you want to know about his or her personal life? We call it TMI, and there\'s a good reason for it. We don\'t need to know EVERYTHING.  We understand that some things just are better kept private. Well, apparently the folks at Pfizer in charge of marketing Celebrex do not believe in TMI. Currently, Pfizer is running a really long (at least 1 minute) commercial for Celebrex, airing on the ABC World News with Charles Gibson. It goes into way too much detail  about the RISKS of Celebrex, and other NSAIDS. You may recall that NSAIDS  have been linked to heart problems. This is not the first time that Celebrex goes this route. Last year, they ran a two and  a half minute commercial, in the same, graphic style (no actors, just voice over).\n\nThe problem for me is that the message is lost. In fact, I am not sure what the message is meant  to be.  Is it to recap the various risks of NSAIDS? Is it to say Celebrex is just as risky as other NSAIDs? The commercial mention benefits, but I didn\'t see those communicated clearly.  That is why I  think this commercial is faulty...it doesn\'t make me want to consider Celebrex (not that I need it, but that is another issue).  As a marketing professional, it makes me question Celebrex\'s savvy.\n\nJudge for yourself. Here\'s  a link to the commercial on the Celebrex website: <a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://tinyurl.com/26cqok\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://tinyurl.com/26cqok</strong></a>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>','Too much information','','publish','open','open','','too-much-information','','','2009-01-26 19:35:41','2009-01-27 00:35:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=250',0,'post','',0),(253,4,'2009-01-28 16:01:19','2009-01-28 21:01:19','No,  this isn\'t about about Paris Hilton\'s Carl Jr.\'s commercial or about Janet Jackson having a \"wardrobe malfunction.\"  Instead, it is about PETA\'s new commercial promoting vegetarianism, because, get this, it leads to better sex. NBC has effectively denied the commercial the right to appear during the high-stakes Super Bowl. I found out about it on CNN\'s Headline News, which gave the commercial lots of free publicity, and maybe, that was the whole point.\n\nI am not sure where to start on this one. First of all, NBC\'s shows are full of sexual innuendo and actual sex talk, so I am not sure where NBC  thinks it is drawing the line. But then, there is the commercial itself, which shows women flouncing around in skimpy underwear holding (and caressing) vegetables. I get it. The  Super Bowl is seen by  a bunch of men who love to see attractive women in various states of undress. GoDaddy certainly ran a fairly racy commercial showing some nearly-naked woman.  But then, I don\'t get how showing women as sexual objects furthers PETAs cause.  I am not sure that beer-drinking, nacho-devouring men watching the Super Bowl are suddenly going to give up the tailgate burgers and steaks because being veggie is sexy.\n\nI am not sure which irritates me most: NBC\'s false sense of \"morality,\" especially in light of its programming, or PETA\'s  decision to use sex, and sexist visions of women to sell their message.\n\nSee the commercial and commentary<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"PETA commercial\" href=\"http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/01/27/hot-peta-ad-banned-from-superbowl-sex-doesnt-sell.html\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>\n\nThoughts?','Too sexy for TV','','publish','open','open','','too-sexy-for-tv','','','2009-01-28 16:01:19','2009-01-28 21:01:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=253',0,'post','',0),(255,4,'2009-01-29 12:26:51','2009-01-29 17:26:51','Sometimes speaking your mind, especially when you are in the public eye, is not a good idea. Media trainers really hate the idea of their proteges saying whatever comes to mind, and for good reason. President Obama may have just learned this the hard way. Yesterday, prior to talking about the economic stimulus package, he \"joked\" with reporters about how Washington, DC is not as tough as Chicago when it comes to snow. I saw the exchange on live television, and I thought to myself that some people (namely Washingtonians) would be insulted by this. Sure enough, the comment was carried on tons of Internet sites like DCist, WJLA.com, and even on the network news. Some people did not see what was so funny about icy, slippery sidewalks,  especially when they figured the President does not have walk outside to get to work at all.\n\nOf course, of all the things that Obama could have said, this was not close to being the worst. However, it should teach him that nothing is off the record and that joking comments are not always seen as such.  Obama has been in such a bubble of adulation that it was almost refreshing to see people bristle at this comment. He will have to adjust to the idea that people will be listening to his every word, and many will be looking for missteps and mistakes.\n\nSo to wrap up PR 101--don\'t speak off the cuff, ESPECIALLY if there are journalists in the room.','Speaking off the cuff','','publish','open','open','','speaking-off-the-cuff','','','2009-01-29 12:26:51','2009-01-29 17:26:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=255',0,'post','',1),(257,4,'2009-01-30 17:31:28','2009-01-30 22:31:28','I don\'t really care much about the Super Bowl this year, although I will probably be rooting for the Arizona Cardinals. However, I do care about the most expensive ads on TV. So, I will be Twittering on Super Bowl Sunday. Follow me at twitter.com/dbmc\n\nOn Monday, I will post a round up.\n\nHave a happy weekend!','Super Ad Twitter','','publish','open','open','','super-ad-twitter','','','2009-01-30 17:31:28','2009-01-30 22:31:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=257',0,'post','',0),(259,4,'2009-02-01 18:37:54','2009-02-01 23:37:54','First off, go Cardinals! Super Bowl 43 is on.\n\nFrom what I have seen so far, here are a few predictions (about the ads)\n\nMovies will be big--they have already shown a trailer for a movie openining in August. Movies do well in recessions.\n\nSaving/Smart/Value/Solid--all touchwords for tonight\n\nEnjoyment will be a theme\n\nAnother theme: Get ahead if you can, in spite of the economy (Careers.com, Monster.com and Avon will carry this message)\n\nWe are a scrappy people (continuation of above).\n\nWe\'ll see lots of commercials for beer. (No duh)','Super Thoughts','','publish','open','open','','super-thoughts','','','2009-02-01 18:37:54','2009-02-01 23:37:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=259',0,'post','',0),(262,4,'2009-02-02 09:15:56','2009-02-02 14:15:56','Last night,  I suffered through a football game in which the team I was rooting for lost. I was in it for the ads in any case, and that also was a bit underwhelming. As I had predicted, there were lots of ads for movies (about 10 by my count), some of them not opening until late summer. The beer ads were as always for Budweiser, Bud Light, and Bud Lime, plus one for Heineken (again, that I saw).  There were ads from CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com and Avon touting the time to change your career.  Other advertisers included:\n\nIn the automotive category:  Hyundai, Toyota, Audi, cars.com, carmax.com, Bridgestone tires, Castrol Oil\n\nBeverages (non-alcoholic) : Pepsi, Coke ,  SoBe Lifewater, Super G (I think this was Gatorade)\n\nFood: Taco Bell, McDonalds, Cheetos, Doritos\n\nProducts and Services: Etrade, GoDaddy.com, H&amp;R Block, Teleflora, GE, Cash4Gold.com, Overstock.com, Kellogs Frosted Flakes, Pedigree adopt-a-dog campaign.\n\nOverall, some of the best (and more memorable)  ads came from the usual suspects, Pepsi and Coke. Pepsi seemed to have taken over the Obama logo and used Bob Dylan and Will.I.Am. Coke went the animation route (this is after all the company that brought us cola drinking polar bears). Budweiser had two memorable commercials-one in which business people are having a budget meeting while drinking Bud Light (what?) and one of the recommends, albeit jokingly that they cut out the Bud to save money and gets booted out the window. The other featured the Clydesdale horses recounting their epic immigration to the United States. Bridgestone used Mr. Potato Head. SoBe used ballet-dancing  football players.\n\nMy least favorite ads by far were for GoDaddy.com.  Not only were they juvenile but they were also sexist. I am not sure what their target audience is for their services, but unless they are only trying to appeal to teenage boys and immature men, they missed the mark. I also did not like the CareerBuilder.com commercial. There was something so patronizing about it. Just like last year, I didn\'t get the Doritos ads.  And Cheetos ads  were funny, but disturbing: women who eat snack foods can tap in to their inner witch.\n\nI think when the tallies come out, this year was not the year for Super Bowl ad spending. Many of the ads (and some of the funniest, actually0 were for NBC and their shows. I especially liked the one dealing with the LMAO. That was funny.\n\nIf you missed the game, but want to see the ads, you can go to Hulu.com.','Not so super if you ask me','','publish','open','open','','not-so-super-if-you-ask-me','','','2009-02-02 09:15:56','2009-02-02 14:15:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=262',0,'post','',0),(268,4,'2009-02-05 08:33:04','2009-02-05 13:33:04','Although we think of marketing communications as mostly printed and electronic promotional pieces, there is one part of the communication process that is completely personal--you. Most of us represent our companies or even ourselves, if we are looking for a job or a project. We may have nice business cards but what else are we doing to market ourselves? Yesterday, I attended a networking/educational event where I saw <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Kate Perrin\" href=\"http://www.prstaffing.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kate Perrin</a>, a fabulous networker and business person. We discussed (among other things like the Daschle debacle) how people present themselves.  This area, which I consider personal marketing, is rarely addressed but it is crucial nonetheless.\n\nWhy is your personal presentation a part of marketing? Simply,  because  <em>all marketing is about perception</em>, and how we look (how we are dressed, our body language, our demeanor in general) determines the perception others have of us. If I show up to an interview in sloppy clothes, doesn\'t it seem that I didn\'t put any effort in and that I really don\'t care what people think? Similarly, if I go to a business  event where everyone is wearing \"business attire\" and I am wearing flip-flops and shorts, don\'t I look out of place? Creative people generally dress creatively and corporate people also tend to dress in corporate attire. There is a reason for this--they are branding themselves.  This extends to business  cards as well. A lawyer probably will hand you a linen embossed card and a designer might give you a colorful one.\n\nA few months ago, I attended a networking event. The woman in charge was a business owner, and had a direct marketing firm. She talked about email campaigns and such. However, I was distracted from her message because she was dressed in a suit circa 1985, and had  unstyled long hair. She was clearly stuck in an earlier era, so my impression of her was that in no way could she conduct a 21st Century direct marketing campaign.\n\nOf  course not everyone should be cookie-cutter, dressed in navy blue suit and showing no hint of personal style. But there are some generalities about personal marketing:\n<ul>\n	<li>Clothing style reflects your brand--what do you want your brand to be?</li>\n	<li>Sloppiness never looks professional</li>\n	<li>Business cards are part of your  personal marketing package</li>\n	<li>Your handshake speaks volumes about you</li>\n	<li>A smile goes a long way</li>\n</ul>','Personal marketing and communications','','publish','open','open','','personal-marketing-and-communications','','','2009-02-05 08:33:04','2009-02-05 13:33:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=268',0,'post','',2),(266,4,'2009-02-05 08:35:10','2009-02-05 13:35:10','By various reports over the past week or so,  it was clear that Pope Benedict does not understand PR. Why? Well, the Vatican recently revoked the excommunications of four priests, one of whom has publicly denied the Holocaust ever happened, going so far as to claim that Jews were never gassed and that at most 300,000 Jewish people lost their lives  not the 6 million. Now, Holocaust denial is outlawed in certain countries, most notably Germany and Austria. Holocaust deniers in other countries such as England, have been taken to court. Jewish groups were outraged and Angela Merkel, Germany\'s premier, spoke out against the Pope.  Finally, today, the Vatican called for the priest to recant and retract his statements about the Holocaust. (Here\'s the NYT Times article)\n\nIn my opinion, the damage is done, and in more ways than one. First, it makes the Vatican appear  callous in the face of an outraged public. And second, it makes the Vatican seem to finally buckle, but only under pressure. Either way, it is not good public relations practice.  Public relations is concerned with how your publi\n\nTo extract for more real world/corporate settings, here are a few thoughts:\n<ul>\n	<li>Vet your candidates properly (this goes for President Obama too)</li>\n	<li>If  there is a problem  with someone you are publicly supporting, immediately look into the matter. Do not pretend everything is A-OK.</li>\n	<li>Do not let others dictate your response--then you have lost credibility</li>\n	<li>Deal with problems as they arise,  especially with sensitive matters</li>\n</ul>','Vatican is a bit late in the PR game','','publish','open','open','','vatican-is-a-bit-late-in-the-pr-game','','','2009-02-05 08:35:10','2009-02-05 13:35:10','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=266',0,'post','',0),(271,4,'2009-02-09 07:58:33','2009-02-09 12:58:33','<em>Fitness Magazine\'s</em> latest issue contains an insert...of coupons, just like you would find in newspapers. <em>Newsweek</em> is revamping its content/look and will try to up its price to subscribers  (<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Newsweekchanges\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/business/media/09newsweek.html?_r=2&amp;ref=media\" target=\"_blank\">story</a> from the <em>New York Times</em>). Last week, I looked up <em>Pink</em> magazine in the store, and found a thin magazine that resembled a supermarket tabloid or newsmagazine instead of a more solid (thick) magazine a la <em>Real Simple</em>. Why? Very little advertising. I can predict now that <em>Pink</em> will be folding within a year or going to a completely online iteration.The changes in the print world continue as magazines and newspapers try to grapple with a new economic panorama. Basically, magazines are looking for any source of additional revenue or cutting back to save costs.\n\nThe reality is advertisers are cutting back, but why? Why are advertisers circumventing print advertising?  Print used to be attractive because it was targeted and print media have two things going for them: shelf life (especially for special editions) and something called readership, which is the total amount of readers per issue (not to be confused with circulation, which is the number of issues that are distributed). Has print advertising become too expensive? We know for certain magazine subscriptions were unchanged, so it is not the drop in circulation.\n\nAnd in a related change, there is a new company in Germany producing a light plastic reader that can serve as a place to read newspapers or magazines electronically. The company is claiming that this way fewer trees will suffer the fate of the paper pulp machines. That might be the end of print altogether...\n\n<strong>UPDATE: Reuters is reporting <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Magazine sales down\" href=\"http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssMediaDiversified/idUSN0951724720090209\" target=\"_blank\">here </a>that magazine sales in supermarkets and at newsstands fell 11% during the last quarter of 2008. Apparently consumers are saving money and not buying magazines. This is truly bad news for the print industry. </strong>This does impact circulation AND readership numbers and makes it even a harder sell to advertisers. Brace for more closings....','Those changes in print--UPDATED','','publish','open','open','','those-changes-in-print','','','2009-02-09 07:58:33','2009-02-09 12:58:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=271',0,'post','',0),(275,4,'2009-02-10 13:32:33','2009-02-10 18:32:33','If you are active in marketing communications, you  most certainly do want to attract attention for your organization or yourclients, right? Well, here is how NOT to do it:\n\n1) Have a lousy website: The uglier the better,  extra points if it looks like it was self-designed, designed in 1995, or has a distinctly 80s look and it is 2009.\n\n2) Never put out news about your organization. And make sure any news you do have on your website or other place is from two-three years ago.\n\n3) Ignore social media, after all, it\'s something the kids are doing, nobody serious. Who needs Twitter, LinkedIn, and all that stuff. Hard to keep up with all that stuff.\n\n4) Never network. On the rare ocasion that you do wander out, be sure to forget your business cards and dress sloppily.\n\n5) Don\'t sweat the small stuff. Sure, it\'s a great name for a book, it should be a great thing to do. Don\'t spell check, or keep your phone numbers updated on your website, or let your memberships lapse, don\'t pay bills...\n\n5) Be rude. After all, if someone contacts you,  they shouldn\'t expect a response, right?\n\nHow many marketers do you know that are dead-set on not getting any attention?','How to not attract attention','','publish','open','open','','how-to-not-attract-attention','','','2009-02-10 13:32:33','2009-02-10 18:32:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=275',0,'post','',0),(277,4,'2009-02-16 09:08:59','2009-02-16 14:08:59','<strong>UPDATED INFORMATION</strong>\n\nEver since the steep rise in gasoline costs last summer, we\'ve seen a steep rise in image/issue advertising from energy providers. What is interesting is that it continues, even months later. The big ones here are traditional oil companies like Chevron and Exxon/Mobil, the coal and natural gas industries  and nuclear energy. Steadily, these three are competing for attention, one has to wonder from whom and to what end. And of course, before I forget, there is T.Boone Pickens, the millionaire, who is self-paying for ads pushing wind and natural gas energy as a way to \"stop our dependence on foreign oil.\" Pickens is part of <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Clean Energy\" href=\"http://www.cleanenergyfuels.com/main.html\" target=\"_blank\">Clean Energy</a>, an outfit promoting natural gas.\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Chevron\" href=\"http://www.chevron.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Chevron</a> is running a campaign that is centered around the tag line \"human energy.\" It is designed to make gasoline look environmentally friendly (in fact,  that is exactly what all three types of energy want you to think--that they are the most eco-friendly). There are two types of commercial--one saying Chevron is a company concerned about the human race, and the future and another about conserving energy--for instance unplugging more. I am not certain who the target audience is for the campaign, nor am I certain the campaign works.\n\nMeanwhile,  the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Nuclear\" href=\"http://www.nei.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Nuclear Energy Institute </a>(I think) is running a commercial with the tagline \"nuclear--clean air energy.\"  In searching for info about the ad,  I came across <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"AREVA\" href=\"http://advertising-us.areva.com/ad-campaign.php\" target=\"_blank\">AREVA</a> (a nuclear company) that was running an ad campaign with the tagline \"pure energy.\" You see the theme here?\n\nAnd finally, there is the omnipresent commercial <span style=\"text-decoration:line-through;\">for the clean coal</span> oil and natural gas industry. You\'ve seen it--a woman in a black pant suit is walking around talking about how we can tap our own<span style=\"text-decoration:line-through;\"> (clean) </span>energy resources at home. This commercial has been running fairly steadily since before the election last year, <span style=\"text-decoration:line-through;\">and still, I can\'t find a link to it.  (If you can, will you send it to me or post in the comments?).  Of course, clean coal has come under fire, because apparently, there is no such thing.</span>I saw the commercial again last night and saw that it is for the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Energy Tomorrow\" href=\"http://energytomorrow.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Oil and Natural Gas  Industry</a>. The concept really is not about eco-friendliness but rather using American resources (you know, drilling more at home). It is quite anachronistic in a way because it has no mention or acknowledgment of the impact of the energy industry on the environment.\n\nIn the end, <span style=\"text-decoration:line-through;\">all</span> some of these energy sources are trying to prove to us that they are the most ecological/green alternative. The gas/oil  industry is the one running the most scared. After the rise in fuel prices last summer, people made changes in their energy usage, and are now demanding fuel alternatives. So, gas has to position itself as somehow clean and friendly.\n\nDo you find any of these commercials compelling or convincing?','Energy (ad) wars','','publish','open','open','','energy-ad-wars','','','2009-02-16 09:08:59','2009-02-16 14:08:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=277',0,'post','',0),(280,4,'2009-02-18 10:09:57','2009-02-18 15:09:57','In case you haven\'t heard by now, Facebook had silently changed their terms of service a few days ago and then, when caught by a media observer and reported all over the news, was forced to backtrack because of public outrage over the ownership of information.  What is interesting about this is that yet again, Facebook shows a complete lack of awareness about public opinion, and more importantly, how to handle such public opinion. It may have something to do with the very young, and obviously not media savvy, CEO Matt Zuckerberg.  Facebook is a new concept and a new company, and as such, does not have methods in place to disseminate information effectively to both its members and the public at large. It does not seem to understand that there is always someone watching and that you must have a plan to deal with issues as they arise.\n\nUnfortunately, this is the second time that Facebook is being reactionary because of public outrage. The first was last year when it announced a rather invasive advertising plan based on various items on people\'s  profiles, and then selling things to their friends based on those profiles. There was outrage over privacy. In fact, privacy seems to be Facebook\'s Achilles\' heel. The company cannot seem to find the right balance between protecting its users\' privacy and the needs to grow revenue and membership.\n\nIt hurts any company\'s credibility to have the media inform its customers of a change in terms of service. It hurts Facebook to have to retract and retrace steps. Many people are now confused about what is private or not private on their profiles.  It will cause some people to get off Facebook and others to change the way they use Facebook. In short, a failure to communicate clearly and directly has created a load a negative publicity for Facebook, and has alienated its core customer base.\n\nI hope that this time Facebook reconsiders its public relations program, if indeed it has any. I would advise Facebook to hire PR counsel and to focus on how to best communicate with its public.','Information dispatch','','publish','open','open','','information-dispatch','','','2009-02-18 10:09:57','2009-02-18 15:09:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=280',0,'post','',0),(283,4,'2009-02-23 09:58:07','2009-02-23 14:58:07','A couple of weeks ago, The Washington Post decided to merge its online personality (washingtonpost.com) with it print personality by using the print Washington Post brand online.  The company had decided a while back to separate it online content from the print content although it was mostly the same. Now, it is definitely trying to make it all one.\n\nI think  that in the next few month we are going to see changes in print and online newspapers as subscriptions go down and costs go up, as advertisers continue to dial down their presences.  Eventually, newspapers will have to deal with the fact that they are giving away all of their content for free online.  It begs the question of why someone should subscribe to the print edition.  Of course, some people do not have online access or simply prefer to read printed matter. But those people  are probably a distinct minority. Overall,  most people that follow news are online and comfortable reading news online.  The other question for newspapers is how can they make money from their online ventures? There is online advertising, but what kind of metrics are they giving their advertisers? With print, you have geographic based demographic information. But online, anyone can read the content on a site. What will this do to local advertisers?\n\n[polldaddy poll=1395553] ','In print or online','','publish','open','open','','in-print-or-online','','','2009-02-23 09:58:07','2009-02-23 14:58:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=283',0,'post','',0),(285,4,'2009-02-23 17:03:24','2009-02-23 22:03:24','Sometimes, when you are writing or speaking to a group you try to frame things by using examples or metaphors.  Nothing wrong with that. Except when your audience doesn\'t get it.  The other day I was listening to a professor speak and he referred to the Iran-Contra affair. Nothing wrong with the example but it did not work as a frame of reference for the students, many of them born well after the time.  Or perhaps you use cliched expressions like \"you sound like a broken record.\"  Guess what--kids probably have never ever seen a record. In fact, I am starting to think they will rarely see a CD.  Lots of our jokes and references are generational--and we need to consider this as we try to communicate with the younger set.\n\nDo you have good examples of generational frames of reference? Please post in the comments.','Frames of reference','','publish','open','open','','frames-of-reference','','','2009-02-23 17:03:24','2009-02-23 22:03:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=285',0,'post','',0),(287,4,'2009-02-24 06:02:09','2009-02-24 11:02:09','Yesterday was a good news day for the airlines, specifically for US Airways and United Airlines. Why? Because both apparently have engaged in some good, old-fashioned PR.  Both companies released good stories about themselves, that then translated into major and positive coverage. Just like it is supposed to be.\n\nUSAir posted a story about how it is going to bring back free soft drinks to its economy cabins as of March 1. The news was reported across the board, from wire services to the evening news. And, USAir released this out as a news item before it sent out a notification to its frequent fliers. The company was seeking to get as much good mileage as it could out of this trite bit of news.  USAir \"admitted\" that it miscalculated the negative impact of charging for beverages and that this negative coverage undermined its gains in on-time performance and baggage handling. I am sure it is also undermined employee morale as people silently shook their heads when asked to pay $1 for a cup of lukewarm, ill-tasting coffee on board.\n\nUnited did USAir one better. NBC Nightly News ran a piece about how United is now really cleaning airplanes between flights, something that had gone by the wayside. The piece talked about a guy dubbed \"Mr.Clean\" who has a title something like Director of Cabin Appearance. The point was to show that United is taking steps to improve customer experience onboard its aircraft. Again, this is classic PR.  I am sure the airline pitched the angle that most airlines are filthy (they are)  because in these economic times, airlines are cutting corners on cleaning crews or the amount of times a plane gets fully cleaned. United is bucking the trend because United wants to enhance its passengers\'s experiences. Here\'s a link to NBC\'s Daily Nightly<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daily Nightly\" href=\"http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/23/1805702.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">\' blog </a>discussing the story.\n\nBottom line: A bit of positive news can go a long way. Proof positive that PR works!\n\n[polldaddy poll=1398136]\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa100m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/a-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa101m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa102m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa103m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa104m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa105m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;Title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa106m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;title=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa107m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa108m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;t=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa109m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Fa-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines%2F&amp;h=A%20litte%20old-fashioned%20PR%20(for%20the%20airlines)\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa110m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa111m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','A litte old-fashioned PR (for the airlines)','','publish','open','open','','a-litte-old-fashioned-pr-for-the-airlines','','','2009-02-24 06:02:09','2009-02-24 11:02:09','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=287',0,'post','',0),(290,4,'2009-02-26 09:26:32','2009-02-26 14:26:32','In the midst of economic crisis, we don\'t flaunt wealth or advertise luxury goods.  Instead, we emphasize savings and value.  A few weeks ago, I wrote about banks emphasize how solid they are,  and how some retailers like Walmart are running campaigns about saving. In fact, Walmart is currently running a commercial that talks about eating in as a saving strategy (and you can get all your ingredients at Walmart). And in today\'s <em>Washington Post</em> there is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"DIY\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022504009.html?hpid=topnews\" target=\"_blank\">an article </a>that says Americans are doing more things for themselves, things they used to pay someone else to do.  Things like mowing the lawn, walking the dog, dying hair, and others. The Post reports on one retailer that is using the trend in its advertising: Target, with its \"brand new day\" campaign. Target\'s advertising has consistently been cutting-edge.  In the ads, which you may have seen, against a catchy tune, Target shows you how several products it carries can be used to save money. It is clever and it is really responsive to the culture.\n\nIn general, advertisers are most definitely acknowledging the new economic realities. More and more I see the word \"save\" or \"savings\" in ads, across the board.  Big Lots is running an ad showing a couple who bought a dining set for a lot less than it would have cost elsewhere.  So basically the theme is you can save money but please buy from us.  I wonder what advertising was like during the Great Depression. It must have been similar, putting emphasis on value and savings.  If anyone has any examples, please share in the comments.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa100m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/diy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa101m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa102m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa103m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa104m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa105m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;Title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa106m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;title=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa107m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa108m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;t=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa109m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Fdiy-and-other-…omic-realitiesdiy-and-other-economic-realities&amp;h=DIY%20and%20other%20economic%20realities\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa110m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa111m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','DIY and other economic realities','','publish','open','open','','diy-and-other-economic-realities','','','2009-02-26 09:26:32','2009-02-26 14:26:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=290',0,'post','',0),(293,4,'2009-03-01 09:55:16','2009-03-01 14:55:16','We\'ve spoken about it before on this blog, and the bad news for newspapers continues to come in.  As you probably know, the <em>Rocky Mountain News</em>, Colorado\'s oldest newspaper, ceased publication as of Friday (Feb. 27). Add to that, the continual bad news concerning all print media, and you know that the outlook for newspapers in particular, and print media in general, is not good.  The reasons boil down to: 1) fewer advertisers/less ad dollars; 2) the Internet and 3) the environment (and perhaps not in that order).  We\'ve seen the print news industry has been battered by reductions in advertising, and also, in reductions in people buying the print edition since they can get most content for free online. And some people are not buying paper because of the environmental consequences. So there you have it-- we know the reasons why print media is going to be gone sooner rather than later.  But how will we get our news if there are no newspapers?\n\nIn today\'s <em>Washington Pos</em>t there are two articles I\'d like to bring to your attention. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Newspapers\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/28/AR2009022801964.html\" target=\"_blank\">In one,</a> Howard Kurtz, the Post\'s media commentator, discusses this phenomenon in detail. And <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Marc  Fisher\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/28/AR2009022801964.html\" target=\"_blank\">another</a>, by Marc Fisher, has to do with the lack of reporters covering Washington news. Indeed, this is the problem. If there are no newspapers, there are no reporters. With no reporters, there is no news.\n\nOf course,  part of the answer is adaptation. Newspapers will have to figure out a revenue stream from the online versions of their products and they will have to adapt what was essential reporting for print to reporting for the Internet age.  However, the issue of advertising and paying for content will be just as relevant for the online versions of newspapers. If advertisers are cutting back, they are cutting back across the board. And if people are watching their pennies, they will also not pay for content.\n\nWell, time will tell. In the meantime, I will continue to read my print newspaper as long as it continues to exist. And I will also read it and other newspapers online (after all, I am a news junkie). What will you do?\n\n[polldaddy poll=1413884]\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa100m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/the-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa101m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa102m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa103m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa104m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa105m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;Title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa106m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;title=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa107m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa108m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;t=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa109m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F01%2Fthe-death-of-newspapersthe-death-of-newspapers&amp;h=The%20death%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa110m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa111m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','The death of newspapers','','publish','open','open','','the-death-of-newspapers','','','2009-03-01 09:55:16','2009-03-01 14:55:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=293',0,'post','',0),(297,4,'2009-03-03 16:28:15','2009-03-03 21:28:15','Print ads need to work hard for you. They must grab your attention and then they must tell you something interesting. Lastly, they should motivate action. Generally speaking, this is the AIDA model (attention, interest, desire, action).  It is not always easy to do all this within the constraints of a small space. If you are a small business, chances are you can\'t afford a full page, or even a half page. So you have to pack it in to small ads. The smaller the ad the more you have to think about what you write.\n\nI came across an ad for a ballet studio in a local women\'s magazine.  The headline says: \"4 Week Introductory Sessions $30.\"  That left me thinking--does this mean  four  weeks for $30? How many classes per week? Does the introductory session last four weeks? Already not clear.\n\nThe body copy goes like this:\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><span style=\"color:#888888;\">Teen &amp; Adult Classes</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><span style=\"color:#888888;\">Jazz,Ballet, Pilates, Zumba, Musical Theater</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><span style=\"color:#888888;\">Just for you!This wonderful program will ignite your passion for dance and exercise. Our extraordinary teachers will guide you every step of the way with a specialized curriculum in our lovely studios. Join us in class! (Telephone number and email address follow).</span></p>\n\nOK. What is missing here? LOCATION! From the phone, I know it is located in Maryland, but that could be anywhere in a 30-mile radius. No website either--I can figure it out from the email. Basically, missing key details.\n\nWhat about the copy? Well, its like someone looked up adjectives and strung them all together in a sentence: wonderful, extraordinary, lovely, specialized.  Those meaningless (and overused) words take up valuable real estate. Also,  the copy refers to a (single) program, yet they tell me they offer at least five different types of classes.\n\nMy conclusion is that this ad does not work.  If you are a small business, and you are going to spend money on advertising, think about what you want to accomplish. Of course, a professional can help you with this, but using some common sense is always helpful.\n\n<strong>UPDATE:  I checked out the studio\'s website,  and it turns out they have multiple locations. However, the website was not updated to reflect the aforementioned classes. If you are going to start running advertising, you better have information to back it up. Don\'t make potential customers work so hard to find out!!!!</strong>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa100m01.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/its-all-in-the-details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa101m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa102m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa103m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa104m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa105m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;Title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa106m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;title=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa107m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa108m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;t=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa109m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F03%2Fits-all-in-the-details&amp;h=It\'s%20all%20in%20the%20details\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa110m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa111m01.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','It\'s all in the details','','publish','open','open','','its-all-in-the-details','','','2009-03-03 16:28:15','2009-03-03 21:28:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=297',0,'post','',0),(303,4,'2009-03-04 19:02:08','2009-03-05 00:02:08','<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">I love this! Check out the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"National Grammar Day\" href=\"http://nationalgrammarday.com/\" target=\"_blank\">National Grammar Day</a> website.  I especially like the Top Ten Grammar Tips. CRUCIAL reading for anyone who writes for a living (or just writes).</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">Thanks to <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Inkthinker\" href=\"http://inkthinkerblog.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kristen King</a> for tweeting and blogging about this.</p>\n\n<a class=\"a2a_dd\" href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=Happy%20Grammar%20Day!&amp;linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F04%2Fhappy-grammar-dayhappy-grammar-day%2F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Share/Save/Bookmark\" width=\"171\" height=\"16\" /></a>','Happy Grammar Day!','','publish','open','open','','happy-grammar-day','','','2009-03-04 19:02:08','2009-03-05 00:02:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=303',0,'post','',0),(306,4,'2009-03-05 15:59:28','2009-03-05 20:59:28','As I was driving up Wisconsin Avenue,  fairly congested and busy road here in Bethesda, I saw those yellow signs plastered in the windows of two stores: Store Closing! Going Out of Business! Everything Must Go! It got me thinking about what message that sends us. On the one hand, the bargain hunter in us always goes into alert mode when we see those blaring signs. Perhaps we can get a great deal. And that is the main reason those signs go up, and are so prominent. But, if we are not shopping say, for Oriental rugs, then what do we think when we see those signs? I, for one, see them as the tangible signs of the economic recession. And I think that it adds to the burdens of the troubling economic news we see every day.  It adds to the perception that business is buckling completely under the strain of the economic downturn.  It also makes you feel it is everywhere. Another bad sign (sorry for the inevitable play on words) is all the For Lease signs in now empty store windows. Restaurants and retailers are closing their doors and all the landlords can do is post signs. But if you see too many For Lease signs on one block or area, what do you think?\n\nWhat do you think about this? Should businesses blare that they are closing?\n\n<strong>Update:  On Reuters I found a story on what a town in England is doing about empty shop windows: displaying art. I tried to link here but could not. </strong>','Everything Must Go!','','publish','open','open','','everything-must-go','','','2009-03-05 15:59:28','2009-03-05 20:59:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=306',0,'post','',0),(308,4,'2009-03-06 09:12:46','2009-03-06 14:12:46','Two separate items caught my attention this morning on Yahoo! News.\n\nFirst, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer may become an online-only newspaper. Its owner, Hearst, has been unable to find a buyer and had threatened to close  down the paper completely. Read the story <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Seattle PI\" href=\"http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090306/ap_on_hi_te/seattle_p_i_online\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\n\nThe second item has to do with President Obama. Apparently, he NEVER gives any speech, to large or small audiences, without using a teleprompter.  According to<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Teleprompter\" href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090305/pl_politico/19663\" target=\"_blank\">the article  (found on Yahoo! but originally from Politico.com)</a>, he wanted to wean himself off this habit during the campaign, but when he has given a speech without the help of  visual aids, he has stumbled. His aides say it is especially important during this time to not mess up.  I find it interesting that everyone compliments Obama\'s oratory, but the truth is he only gives good speeches when he can read them (they are canned). He has shown what happens when he ad-libs:  he screws up. A few weeks ago I wrote about him speaking off the cuff, and now I know he truly has a problem being casual.\n\nSo, the moral of these stories is simple. The future of print is online and it is important to stay on message.','Going online and staying on message','','publish','open','open','','going-online-and-staying-on-message','','','2009-03-06 09:12:46','2009-03-06 14:12:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=308',0,'post','',0),(316,4,'2009-03-10 11:09:22','2009-03-10 16:09:22','You\'ve probably seen or heard some words or phrases  in ads/commercials  so much that they have become meaningless. They do nothing to bring you in or tell you anything about the product or service.  Yet, you will continue seeing and hearing  them. Why? Because copywriters and in certain cases the advertising manager is enamored of the word or words and can\'t think of others.\n\nAt the top of my list of most overused words in advertising (and thus most meaningless) is the word <strong>unique</strong>.  You\'ve heard things  like \"a unique product,\" \"unique way,\" etc. BTW, this is also overused in PR.  Very few things in this world are unique, and then ad folk decide that some things are not only unique, but truly unique. Truly? (as opposed to fakely?).  Other words/phrases  that are overused as to become meaningless are:  special, best, time of your life, out of the box, outside the lines, and so on.\n\nIf you find yourself about to use an overused phrase, think to yourself, is this a cliche? What other thing can be highlighted about my product? What is its USP--and that can\'t be that it is unique, but what MAKES it unique. No, it is not easy, and that is why we see these words and phrases used over and over. But if you want your materials to communicate the essence of what you are trying to sell, then you will benefit from being unique in avoiding this word.\n\nWhat are your most overused words?\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m03.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/overuse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;Title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;title=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;t=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Foveruse-syndromeoveruse-syndrome%2F&amp;h=Overuse%20syndrome\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m03.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Overuse syndrome','','publish','open','open','','overuse-syndrome','','','2009-03-10 11:09:22','2009-03-10 16:09:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=316',0,'post','',0),(320,4,'2009-03-13 07:57:58','2009-03-13 12:57:58','The bad news for print continues to pour in. New <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Pew\" href=\"http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1147/newspapers-struggle-public-not-concerned\" target=\"_blank\">research from Pew </a>indicates that many Americans do not consider having a local newspaper important.  It is as if management knows this. McClatchy, the owner of the M<em>iami Herald </em>and other newspapers, just announced personnel cuts this week. The bottom line is that newspapers are hurting and many people don\'t care. Why? Because many people get their news online or from TV.\n\nRecently, I read how a PR guy was lamenting the downfall of trade publications. I read this on his BLOG. He, like many PR folk, schooled in the \"old\" days, learned that to do media relations you reached out to print journalists.  A nice, print piece in a trade magazine was truly a prize for the client. I also learned to do PR this way. And nothing was more exciting than seeing your client\'s name in the newspaper, especially on the front page. But the reality has shifted. More and more, the news is being reported on and broken online. Many people do not read the newspaper, and during the day, certainly do not watch TV. What these people do however, is access the Internet. Many offices allow unlimited Internet access, and certain folk, do their work ON the Internet.  In any case, it is time for PR people, and advertising people, and in fact, all communications people, to accept this reality.\n\nInstead of lamenting that blogs now are main sources of  information, and that no one is reading trade publications, you must ADAPT to the new realities. Of course, newspapers are not quite dead yet, but teach yourself how to use the online world. Here are a few suggestions:\n\n1) Are there<strong> influential blogs</strong> in your area of expertise? Find out and follow. Not every blog is created equal. The PR guy I mentioned before made the blanket statement that blogs are unreliable. How wrong he is.  Very few people would call The Huffington Post or Politico or the Daily Beast unreliable. Yes, they contain opinion, but it is LEADING opinion.\n\n2) <strong>Learn where your potential clients/customers/target audience goes to get their news AND entertainment.</strong> After all, the Web is not just about information. Lots of people play games on the Internet, listen to music and find out about their hobbies.\n\n3) Enhance your <strong>web writing skills</strong>. Writing for the web is not the same as writing for print. You have to be more concise. You have to be more choppy. People read differently online than in print.\n\n4) <strong>Explore multimedia.</strong> People are more visual on the web. And the web allows for video/audio in addition to text.\n\nIn sum, stay ahead of the game. Nothing is to be gained from wringing our hands and lamenting the end of print. Instead, find new opportunities. I am sure in the late 1940s, PR people everywhere were concerned about the box in everyone\'s livingroom. By now, most PR agencies are experts at B-roll and media training. Right?\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/time-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;Title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;title=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;t=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Ftime-to-sharpe…-online-skillstime-to-sharpen-your-online-skills&amp;h=Time%20to%20sharpen%20your%20online%20skills\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Time to sharpen your online skills','','publish','open','open','','time-to-sharpen-your-online-skills','','','2009-03-13 07:57:58','2009-03-13 12:57:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=320',0,'post','',0),(330,4,'2009-03-17 16:25:06','2009-03-17 21:25:06','Well folks, Facebook has done it again. It has irritated its legions of users by changing its layout. Apparently the folks at Facebook are not too savvy when it comes to public perception. If this was the first time, then we could let it pass. After all, Matt Zuckerberg is all of 12 years old or something such. But this is the upteenth time the company does something that alienates its core public, and thus creates NEGATIVE publicity for itself. Case in point, read this<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Facebook redesign\" href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-willman/facebooks-lousy-facelift_b_175358.html\" target=\"_blank\"> blog entry</a> in the Huffington Post.  Facebook has been down this road before. And it doesn\'t learn. I really wonder if Facebook understands anything at all about public relations. I don\'t expect Zuckerberg to understand, but he should know enough to hire somebody that can provide him with communications counsel. If the company keeps doing stuff like this, it will become the Tylenol Poisoning example for the next generation (you know, how Tylenol dealt with crisis back in the 80s when someone tampered with its products...).  This is not a crisis, per se, but it creates ill will. Some people will use Facebook less, and that translates into fewer eyeballs for its one major source of revenue, the ads. And do I have to spell out what less revenue means? If so, let me introduce you to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, now online only.\n\nIt is ironic in the nth degree that Facebook is an online meeting place for friends. Friends like each other, generally speaking, and I am not liking Facebook right now.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/how-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;Title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;title=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;t=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fhow-not-to-make-friendshow-not-to-make-friends%2F&amp;h=How%20Not%20to%20Make%20Friends\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','How Not to Make Friends','','publish','open','open','','how-not-to-make-friends','','','2009-03-17 16:25:06','2009-03-17 21:25:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=330',0,'post','',0),(334,4,'2009-03-18 09:29:44','2009-03-18 14:29:44','In today\'s <em>Washington Post</em>, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"AIG\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703022.html?hpid=topnews&amp;sid=ST2009031703578\" target=\"_blank\">Steven Pearlstein writes </a>about Wall Street executives (more specifically AIG executives) who are so blind to public perception that they keep stumbling and looking worse.  In case you have been avoiding the news, AIG gave some of its top executives millions of dollars in bonuses, while on the receiving end of government/taxpayer money. Nobody but AIG is happy about this. Currently and mostly due to the economic crisis, there is a tremendous amount of populist rage and ill will toward Wall Street and \"fat cats\" such as Bernie Madoff, who seem to be living the high life while many people are down in the dumps.\n\nYesterday I wrote about the Facebook redesign and many others have been writing/complaining across the blogosphere and in real life.\n\nWhat do AIG and Facebook have in common? Not understanding how they are perceived and that perception matters. Both companies have proceeded with business as usual without so much a look in the rear view mirror. Perception is currency, in the most real, dollar sense, which is why the practice of public relations exists. Companies hire PR agencies to help them manage and in most cases improve the public perception of them.\n\nSometimes, as in the case of Facebook, there seems to be a complete disregard for how core audiences will react to news and changes. There are simple ways to prevent this: testing in the form of focus groups or surveys or even simple conversations with current users.  It\'s about getting outside the bubble. Come to think of it, don\'t bubbles always burst? Soap bubbles, housing bubbles, tech bubbles to name a few.\n\nIn the case of AIG, it has much to do with Wall Street culture, in which greed is good (as the movie Wall Street pointed out) and money is king. The more money, the better.  After all, Wall Street is not some nonprofit organization with some altruistic purpose in mind. The whole raison d\'etre for it is to make money. So it stands to reason that the only thing AIG execs understand is money. Something soft and unmeasurable like public anger is a small price to pay. Except when it isn\'t. I think the fat cat era may be nearing its end (at least until the next bubble forms).\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m03.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/again-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;Title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;title=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;t=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fagain-with-public-perceptionagain-with-public-perception&amp;h=Again%20with%20public%20perception\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m03.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Again with public perception','','publish','open','open','','again-with-public-perception','','','2009-03-18 09:29:44','2009-03-18 14:29:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=334',0,'post','',0),(338,4,'2009-03-21 10:11:26','2009-03-21 15:11:26','<strong>Is it HFCS?</strong>\n\nIn the past few months, the Corn Refiners Association has been running some ads featuring the much-maligned high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). In case you haven\'t heard, many doctors and researchers blame HFCS for the obesity epidemic because HFCS is found in millions of food items and seems to be metabolized differently in the body. Recently some research found that the way HFCS is manufactured causes the release of mercury. Bottom line, corn refiners had to act. After all, their product is beginning to be perceived as bad for you.\n\n<strong>The commercial</strong>\n\nI am sure you\'ve seen the commercials. A couple is sitting on blanket in a park (oh so idyllic) and she offers him a ice pop made with HFCS. When he recoils, she counters telling him it is made from corn and it\'s fine in moderation.\n\nYou can see the commercials and read the \"facts\" about HFCS at the Corn Refiners Association <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"HFCS\" href=\"http://www.sweetsurprise.com/\" target=\"_blank\">website</a>.\n\n<strong>The backlash or the return of sugar</strong>\n\nIt turns out that sugar is not about to roll over and play dead. It is making a comeback. In fact, many products are using it as a selling point, as pointed out in this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Sugar\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/dining/21sugar.html\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times article</a>. Of course, some products are just advertising that they are not made with HFCS (like the Thomas English Muffins\' package that blares no high fructose corn syrup).\n\n[polldaddy poll=1474842]\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/21/whats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;Title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;title=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;t=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F21%2Fwhats-making-you-sweetwhats-making-you-sweet&amp;h=What\'s%20making%20you%20sweet%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','What\'s making you sweet?','','publish','open','open','','whats-making-you-sweet','','','2009-03-21 10:11:26','2009-03-21 15:11:26','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=338',0,'post','',0),(340,4,'2009-03-23 10:58:57','2009-03-23 15:58:57','<strong>Is it just me?</strong>\n\nOr is it the 24 news cycle, but it seems that more and more the media is reporting on the media. Witness the Jon Stewart-CNBC debacle. It was reported on in every other media outlet.  Today, on a<em> Washington Post</em> blog, instead of doing any original reporting or commentating, the writer posted video of President Obama\'s interview with 60 Minutes.  As well as there was a large piece in the Style section about Steve Kroft, who conducted the aforementioned interview.\n\nHas the media itself become more newsworthy? Doubtful.','It\'s the media','','publish','open','open','','its-the-media','','','2009-03-23 10:58:57','2009-03-23 15:58:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=340',0,'post','',0),(343,4,'2009-03-26 12:09:19','2009-03-26 17:09:19','<strong>Are you a small business with a tight marketing budget?</strong>\n\nIf you are, you probably have fallen prey to the idea that you should do (marketing)  things as you can afford them. You know, an ad here, a brochure there. Budget-wise, this may make sense. After all, you can\'t afford a large campaign, or an ad agency. Branding-wise, not so much. It\'s tough to build up an image on unconnected pieces of the puzzle. The missing link is the connection, or the reason, behind each piece.\n\n<strong>Think strategically</strong>\n\nIn business, there is strategy and there are tactics. Often companies fall into tactics without thinking about the strategy.  Many people can\'t tell the difference. Here\'s a quick example:  sending a press release is a tactic, achiving positive publicity is a strategy.  Ideally, tactics should follow your strategy.\n\n<strong>You must know what you want to accomplish so that you can figure the steps to make it happen.</strong>\n\nOften, small business owners are overwhelmed with trying to do everything: managing staff, invoicing, doing the books, buying inventory, negotiating. Marketing may be a distant thought, something to do when there is down time. This is unfortunate because marketing will bring business in. Neglecting your marketing will result in a business downturn, for sure.\n\n<strong>Develop a  basic marketing plan</strong>\n\nThe easiest thing to do is to devote some time to thinking about what you want to accomplish. Perhaps you want more female customers, or larger organizations. Write these goals down. Figure out who your current customers are. Figure out how much budget you can afford to devote to marketing. See what you already have and what you need.\n\nHere are some elements of a marketing plan:\n<ul>\n	<li>Current situation/Situation analysis</li>\n	<li>Goals</li>\n	<li>Target audience</li>\n	<li>Budget</li>\n	<li>Tactics for reaching target audience (and this is where your ads, brochures, press releases fit in)</li>\n</ul>\nRemember, doing marketing piecemeal will only result in getting small chunks of  your target audience.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/on-doing-things-piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;Title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;title=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;t=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fon-doing-things-piecemeal&amp;h=On%20doing%20things%20piecemeal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','On doing things piecemeal','','publish','open','open','','on-doing-things-piecemeal','','','2009-03-26 12:09:19','2009-03-26 17:09:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=343',0,'post','',0),(346,4,'2009-03-28 11:09:12','2009-03-28 16:09:12','<strong>How do you respond when someone asks you for a favor?</strong>\n\nIdeally, when someone asks you for a favor (some information, a quote, some advice) you respond nicely. Sometimes you may not be able or willing to grant the favor, and in this case, you still should be nice. Why? because people do business with people they like. And being not nice makes people not like you.\n\n<strong>Sample negative conversation</strong>\n\nMe: Hi, I am looking for a web designer for my client, and I am wondering if I could get a quote from you.\n\nGraphic designer (sounding grouchy): (Big sigh) well, I don\'t know. What kind of website?\n\nMe: Mostly static, about 10 pages or so, and with some room to make changes, like on the staffing page.\n\nGD (mumbling and sounding pissed): Hmm, well, we work with CMS, and it\'s hard to just give you a quote, but you know websites start around $20,000.\n\nMe: Well, it sounds like we aren\'t a good fit for each other. Thanks.\n\nGD (sounds relieved to not have to deal with me): OK.\n\nThis graphic designer, whom I had found listed through the AIGA (contact me if you want her name), was downright nasty. I have made many of these calls, and for the most part, the designers I have spoken to have been helpful. They ask questions, and they say they will get back to me with an estimate. Even if the estimate is not in my ballpark, I now have a graphic designer contact. You never know what can come up.\n\n<strong>What would have made this conversation go better.</strong>\n\nIf she had said something like: \"Thanks for your call. I am happy to do an estimate for you, but you should know our website designs start at $20,000. Is that within your budget?\"\n\nMarketing is personal because it is people who make decisions,  and personal biases affect decisions. Like I said before, we\'d rather do business with people we like (or at least respect). Sometimes it is not your credentials, or your abilities, or your writing skill or your design skill, it is your likeability. Being polite and being nice can go a long way to getting you business, and conversely, being rude and being nasty can almost assure you of losing business.\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m03.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/marketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;Title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;title=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;t=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F28%2Fmarketing-is-personalmarketing-is-personal%2F&amp;h=Marketing%20is%20personal\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m03.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Marketing is personal','','publish','open','open','','marketing-is-personal','','','2009-03-28 11:09:12','2009-03-28 16:09:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=346',0,'post','',0),(349,4,'2009-03-31 10:43:58','2009-03-31 15:43:58','<strong>Newspapers are in a downward spiral</strong>\n\nEvery day there is more bad news for the newspaper industry. The <em>New York Times</em> will eliminate its City section, Chicago Sun-Times is filing Chapter 11, <em>Washington Pos</em>t is offering its fourth buyout in 6 years, and on and on.  Even CBS Sunday Morning covered the coming \"death\"  of newspapers.\n\n<strong>Paid opinions</strong>\n\nOne area that is fairly unique to newspapers is the paid opinion ad. Usually a full page, this ad will carry the unadultarated opinion of an organization, group, industry or even individual. The target is public opinion and/or lawmakers. We\'ve seen \"it\'s our fault\" ads and \"you\'re wrong and here\'s why\" ads. In fact, this is a time honored way of getting opinions across without the filter of an editor or a reporter.\n\n<strong>Where will they go?</strong>\n\nSure there is advertising on the Internet, between pop ups and banners, we\'re often inundated with advertising messages. However, we can pretty much ignore these ads. Only if we are in the market for say, acai diet supplement, do we click to find out more. Opinion ads use the full page newspaper format because they need the space to communicate a complicated message. It\'s not about a sale or product attributes. I can\'t see how these type of ads will subsist in an Internet-only market.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://comm.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/the-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;Title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;title=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;t=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2Fthe-opinion-adthe-opinion-ad&amp;h=The%20opinion%20ad\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','The opinion ad','','publish','open','open','','the-opinion-ad','','','2009-03-31 10:43:58','2009-03-31 15:43:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=349',0,'post','',2),(354,4,'2009-04-04 04:12:37','2009-04-04 09:12:37','<strong>Advertising dollars</strong>\n\nIt doesn\'t make it into the news too often, but radio is hurting from the same causes as the newspaper industry is: advertising losses. In radio\'s case, it has a lot do with Ipod and MP3 players. But it has a lot to do with the recession too.\n\n<strong>Format change! That\'s the solution!</strong>\n\nI was just reading this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Cerph\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/03/AR2009040304084.html\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Washington Post </em>article</a> about a classic rock station here in Washington that is (AGAIN) changing formats to adult/pop contemporary.  The station\'s owners seem to think this will attract a younger, female audience. It might, if it weren\'t for the fact that nearly every other radio station in the market plays Pop and AC. It seems inane/insane to switch formats in this economy. The article says that they station had good numbers, yet it was not enough.\n\n<strong>You can\'t (and shouldn\'t) please everybody</strong>\n\nIt seems to me this has something to do with what brought Wall Street down: GREED. The idea that you have to have the most, and by a large margin, to be the absolute leader. It does not serve the listener, and it certainly will not accomplish it in the end. People become fiercely loyal to a radio station and its DJs. Whenever there is a format change there will be upheaval and resentment. And frankly, in this market, this particular change causes a homogenization that is truly unbearable.\n\n<strong>What about segmentation and target audiences?</strong>\n\nWhen all radio stations play the same music, you can assume they all have the same audience, right? So, if you are trying to reach older people, where are you supposed to advertise in Washington? My point is that a variety of formats allows media buyers to reach different target audiences. Not everybody is seeking for women, 18 plus. Some may want adults, 40 plus or another segment.  In a sense, format changes affect the entire market.\n\n<strong>Losing sight of what you are</strong>\n\nIt seems to me that when you aim for the mass, you actually end up losing what makes you special. This particular radio station has gone through several format changes and I predict will either change again or go off the air. In the era of the Ipod/MP3 player and declining revenue, the solution is to offer something that can NOT be found elsewhere. That is how you find an audience, and more importantly, how you build a LOYAL following.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/are-we-losing-radio-too/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;Title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;title=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;t=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fare-we-losing-radio-too%2F&amp;h=Are%20we%20losing%20radio%20too%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Are we losing radio too?','','publish','open','open','','are-we-losing-radio-too','','','2009-04-04 04:12:37','2009-04-04 09:12:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=354',0,'post','',0),(360,4,'2009-04-06 07:51:24','2009-04-06 12:51:24','There is a commercial that annoys me because its tag line is just plain stupid. OK, there are probably several commercials like that, but I just saw the one for Smucker\'s this morning. You know Smucker\'s --it makes jam and jelly. It is widely available. It may even be good (if you happen to like a little High Fructose Corn Syrup in your jam). But Smucker\'s assumes that you and everyone else on the planet thinks Smucker\'s is good. They can be forgiven for that, after all, they are in the business of promoting their product. What I can\'t fathom is why they think their name conveys the goodness of their product. Smucker\'s? It looks remarkably like a word in Yiddish that is not exactly complimentary. And yet, the company\'s marketers tell us: With a name like Smucker\'s, it has to be good. I am left thinking, really? Why? What is it about the NAME Smucker that makes it good? Is Smucker will known for all the good things he did? Am I missing something? If the tag simply said: With Smucker\'s, it has to be good, then I would buy it. But the name is meaningless to me and other than we know that Smucker\'s makes jams, we don\'t know from the name alone that they are good.\n\nDo you have a tag line that makes you wonder or even cringe? Let me know in the comments!\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/when-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;Title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;title=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;t=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F06%2Fwhen-the-tag-l…-doesnt-add-up%2F&amp;h=When%20the%20tag%20line%20doesn\'t%20add%20up\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','When the tag line doesn\'t add up','','publish','open','open','','when-the-tag-line-doesnt-add-up','','','2009-04-06 07:51:24','2009-04-06 12:51:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=360',0,'post','',0),(365,4,'2009-04-07 11:00:13','2009-04-07 16:00:13','A few months ago, I wrote about airline advertising. You have probably all seen the ads on traytables and on the backs of tickets. This is fine as long as it keeps the beverages free and keeps the airlines flying. But today I am writing about airport advertising. Airports have always had plenty of places to advertise, from the bag carousels to the luggage carts. But now, I have seen the most unusual type of airport advertising yet: advertising on the outside of the gate connector.\n\nYesterday I was at Miami International Airport, not my favorite airport but that would be the subject for a whole other blog,  and as our airplane pulled up to the gate, I noticed that all the gate connectors were sporting HSBC Bank advertising.\n\nI have never seen this type of advertising before, and I wonder two things, how much it costs and how much impact it can have. Sure, lots of passengers are potentially trapped audiences for this type of advertising, but why would a bank choose this type of advertising? More sense would be for a fast food restaurant (one with a branch inside the airport) or a soft drink or something that you would buy soon, but a bank? Are you going to go open an account because you see that it is advertised quite literally on the airport structure itself?\n\nIn any case, this shows that advertising can be placed almost everywhere.  Creativity or business greed?','Everything can be bought','','publish','open','open','','everything-can-be-bought','','','2009-04-07 11:00:13','2009-04-07 16:00:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=365',0,'post','',0),(367,4,'2009-04-12 07:58:58','2009-04-12 12:58:58','It\'s on the minds of people everywhere: should I Tweet on Twitter? Some people think it is silly. Some people think it is stupid. Some people think it is a waste of time. I even saw a letter to the editor in the Washington Post where some guy was saying that he was above hearing all about how people enjoyed breakfast or whatever (he must be down to brass tacks guys, because God knows, in real life everybody talks about extremely important stuff all the time).  Well folks,  in order to answer this question, I have decided to let you see what other people out in the blogosphere think about it:\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Is twitter worth it\" href=\"http://janetfouts.com/is-twitter-worth-the-time/\" target=\"_blank\">Janet Fouts from Social Media Enabler,   says it is worth it.</a>(I found this post through <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Social Media Today\" href=\"http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/\" target=\"_blank\">Social Media Today,</a> worth a look through if you are interested in this topic)\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Neil Patel\" href=\"http://www.quicksprout.com/2008/04/29/twitter-is-it-really-worth-using/\" target=\"_blank\">Neil Patel from QuickSprout</a> sees pros and cons.\n\nCopyblogger says you can <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Business with Twitter\" href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/grow-business-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">grow your business with Twitter</a> and that you can <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Twitter Writing\" href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/twitter-writing/\" target=\"_blank\">improve your writing </a>with it.\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Twitter\" href=\"http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2009/03/16/do-you-twitter-heres-why-its-worth-it/\" target=\"_self\">Work it Mom</a> is in favor of Twitter\n\nAnd finally, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Chris Winfield Twitters\" href=\"http://www.10e20.com/blog/2008/06/18/twitter-ultimate-time-waster-or-great-tool/\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Winfield uses Twitter </a>to find out if it is a time waster or not.\n\nAnd me? I think you can\'t beat the ROI. Twitter is free, and if I learn something it is totally worth it, and if I am wasting my time, it is also worth it.\n\nThoughts from the peanut gallery?\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/the-question-o…ttter-worth-it\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;Title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;title=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;t=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fthe-question-o…ttter-worth-it&amp;h=The%20question%20of%20the%20day%3A%20Is%20Twittter%20Worth%20It%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','The question of the day: Is Twittter Worth It?','','publish','open','open','','the-question-of-the-day-is-twittter-worth-it','','','2009-04-12 07:58:58','2009-04-12 12:58:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=367',0,'post','',0),(371,4,'2009-04-14 10:03:08','2009-04-14 15:03:08','<strong>Does change frighten you?</strong>\n\nIf so, you are not alone. Many people are so frightened of change that they cling to outmoded things.  For some people, it is that shoulder-padded 1980s look that keeps them grounded. In business, especially the marketing business, resistance to change may not look as jarring as a 1980s ensemble, but it still causes plenty of pain.\n\n<strong>The only constant is change</strong>\n\nFortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, change is constant. Technology is especially fond of change and this kind of change is not only hard to deal with but expensive. Upgrade to Vista anyone?  A few years ago, we would have never dreamed that we would be communicating with each other in warp speed via text messages or Twitter, but yet here we are.\n\nI have noticed that many people in the marketing industry resist change. Some PR practitioners may stil insist on sending out press releases via fax or regular mail. Some may keep their website static, never updating. Many scoff at Twitter or blogs or Facebook, thinking that they are flavor of the moment and quickly gone.\n\nWhether Twitter will be here a year from now is debatable, but what is not debatable is that it changes the way people communicate and connect. If anything has derived from the new social media world, is how close connections can be to anyone anywhere. One can be in contact with an Australian designer or a French writer. And the other reality is that there is more information out there than ever before. It IS hard to keep up. But ignoring it because you don\'t like it will not make it go away. I have heard many people say they \"don\'t have time for blogs or for Twitter.\" Do you also not have time for the news and for email? My point is that the way people are communicating and learning is changing, and by resisting that change, especially if you are a marketing person, you are staying behind the times.\n\nThis reminds me of a friend who refuses to be on Facebook. She and I were catching up and she relayed information about a mutual friend, whom I haven\'t spoken to in a while. I told her I already knew. She wondered how I knew. I told her I saw it on Facebook.  The point is people communicate with each other via social media, and it is necessary for marketing people to understand where people find out things.\n\nLet me know what things you are resisting, and why. I really want to know!','Resisting change','','publish','open','open','','resisting-change','','','2009-04-14 10:03:08','2009-04-14 15:03:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=371',0,'post','',0),(374,4,'2009-04-15 14:39:02','2009-04-15 19:39:02','We judge people by their appearance\n\nHave you heard about the lastest YouTube sensation? Apparently, on the show<a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/15/talent.show/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Britain\'s Got Talent,\"</a> a woman who is not a) young; b) thin or c) beautiful wowed the judges, because, get this, she can sing.  The show is about talent, and yet the woman was pre-judged on her appearance.\n\nWhile I think that judging talent by appearance is not wise, it remains part of how the world operates. We do judge the book by its cover. What does this mean for your marketing?\n\nEvaluate what people are seeing about you: website, brochure, business cards, etc.  Will people think you have less talent because your website is outdated or your cards have typos?\n\nAre you projecting what you want people to think? I have written before about this, but if you have a dated look (a website designed in the 90s) are people going to think you are  \"with it?\"  If you are a graphic designer and you have no samples on your website, what does that say?\n\nAppearance is easy to fix. Talent/quality is a lot harder.','It\'s all about appearance','','publish','open','open','','its-all-about-appearance','','','2009-04-15 14:39:02','2009-04-15 19:39:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=374',0,'post','',0),(379,4,'2009-04-21 10:38:50','2009-04-21 15:38:50','Nothing in the online universe is more annoying than spam. This past week, my email host was not working properly and a lot of spam got through. As I was busy deleting unwanted email, I got to thinking about what spammers do that works and what they do that doesn\'t.\n\nWhat works:\n\n1) Spammers know exactly what they are selling (online drugs, weight loss promises and other items).\n\n2) Identifying the keywords associated with their product and focus on those words.\n\n3) Trying again and again.\n\n4) Using official-looking return addresses to look legitimate\n\n5) Personalizing emails (which is scary but effective)\n\nWhat does not work\n\n1) Typos and spelling/grammar mistakes  in the subject line\n\n2) Using foul language\n\n3) Not targeting\n\nMost spam does a bit of both these lists, which is why, ultimately, many of us don\'t open this junk. You may wonder why they keep trying. Simple: it costs next to nothing to send these emails out. And there are always people looking for a fix, so someone must click on these emails.\n\nDo you open spam? Do you report spam? Have you ever seen a great spam subject line? If you have, let me know in the comments.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m01.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/what-we-can-learn-from-spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;Title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;title=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;t=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-spam&amp;h=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20spam\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m01.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','What we can learn from spam','','publish','open','open','','what-we-can-learn-from-spam','','','2009-04-21 10:38:50','2009-04-21 15:38:50','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=379',0,'post','',0),(382,4,'2009-04-23 08:54:15','2009-04-23 13:54:15','Does your business have a tagline? If yes, does it accurately convey what you do?  If not, why not?\n\nEvery business should have a tagline, no doubt. <strong>A tagline is an additional bit of information that clarifies what you do to your potential customers.</strong> Now, a tagline is not a motto. Webster\'s defines a motto as \"a short expression of a guiding principle.\"  A motto could be something generic, like \"we always do our best,\" which can be seen as something your employees rally around but that does not communicate anything about what your business does.\n\n<strong>What is a slogan? </strong>Webster\'s gives three definitions: 1) a war cry; 2) phrase used to express a characteristic position or goal; 3) attention-getting phrase used in promotion.  Clearly definition number 1 is not what we are after. And the difference between two and three is really the difference between a slogan and a tagline. A slogan should be unchanging, something that is more universal (your goals or your purpose) and your tagline can change for a particular ad campaign. And yes, a slogan and a tagline can be one and the same.\n\nFor instance, if you are a hospital or clinic, your slogan might be your commitment to a healthy future for all. If you are running an ad campaign, you might focus on a certain aspect of your practice like cardiology and your tagline might focus on helping patients achieve heart health. All the while your motto could be something about maintaining  the highest standard in hygienic practices.\n\nSo, how do you develop a tagline? First make sure you are not developing a motto.  Be more specific about what you are trying to communicate about your product or service.\n\nSteps:\n\n1) <strong>Understand your product or service and its USP</strong>. This seems fairly obvious but you would be surprised at how very few people can communicate succintly what they do. You might start with a short description of your product and service. Think about attributes, descriptors and differentiators\n\n2)<strong> Brainstorm</strong>. Write out 10-20 short lines (5-10 words) about your product or service. Incorporate some descriptors and attributes from above.\n\n3) <strong>Evaluate. </strong>Which is catchy? Which is comprehensive? Which is too generic? Eliminate anything that is cliche, generic, or just doesn\'t say enough.\n\n4) <strong>Narrow down your list</strong> to 3-5 choices and show them to your principal stakeholders.\n\n5) Have a<strong> vote</strong>. Generally, one tagline will emerge as the best one.\n\nOne more thing. People often confuse  logo and slogan. A logo is a GRAPHIC representation of your slogan/motto.  A logo is never a written piece. And logos are best left to design professionals. I would strongly counsel you to not try doing this at home!\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/how-to-develop-a-tagline/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;Title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;title=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;t=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fhow-to-develop-a-tagline%2F&amp;h=How%20to%3A%20Develop%20a%20tagline\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','How to: Develop a tagline','','publish','open','open','','how-to-develop-a-tagline','','','2009-04-23 08:54:15','2009-04-23 13:54:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=382',0,'post','',1),(387,4,'2009-04-30 13:38:36','2009-04-30 18:38:36','If you are a media buyer, and you are given the choice of only the online edition or the print edition of your local daily newspaper, which do you choose? Kind of a tricky question, right?\n\nLast week, I attended a panel on business news and media, specifically tailored for public relations people. One of the panelists was the tech writer at the Washington Post. He told us how his column on personal tech runs in the paper on Sunday but is posted online on Friday.  When I heard this I thought that the Post is cannibalizing itself. After all, if you can get the exact same content plus  links and commentaries, online, why ever would you subscribe to the Post? (Note to self: think about whether I should cancel Post subscription).\n\nBut, apparently, the two editions (print and online) have different audiences. Most people who exclusively read online NEVER read the print edition, and those who read the print edition will only go to the online version when they want more information. This is what came out of a survey of the attendees to this panel (put on by the Washington Network Group Communications Roundtable).\n\nWhat online offers that print does not is a multimedia experience, plus more (more info, links, comments, blogs).  Online is also more current, updated frequently and that is what people expect.\n\nAnother panelist, the editor for the Washington Business Journal, said that they do have different content online than on the print edition, and it is more updated. However, they just started a blog, get this, TWO WEEKS ago.  But WBJ may have an older base, who still wants the print edition and may not even visit the online edition.\n\nBottom line to answer the question is this:  is the online version better than the print version? And, what is your core target audience? If the online version is better, and has a better readership, certainly buy online only. If the online version is a skeleton version of the print, buy the print. And ultimately, look at the audience numbers. You want to buy where most of your audience is.\n\nYour thoughts and experiences welcome!\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m01.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/print-or-online/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;Title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;title=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;t=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fprint-or-online%2F&amp;h=Print%20or%20online%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m01.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Print or online?','','publish','open','open','','print-or-online','','','2009-04-30 13:38:36','2009-04-30 18:38:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=387',0,'post','',0),(390,4,'2009-05-04 10:53:28','2009-05-04 15:53:28','<span style=\"color:#993366;\">UPDATE: A GenY blogger, Josh Groth made some great comments. (His blog is </span><a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Echodemic\" href=\"http://echodemic.blogspot.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://echodemic.blogspot.com/</a>) <span style=\"color:#993366;\">Please read them in the comment section. But some stuff he pointed out is that GenY uses email for business communications and Facebook for personal use. They look stuff up on Wikipedia when they don\'t understand something. And they subscribe to magazines. I would love more input from anybody else out there who is a GenY person.</span>\n\nFull disclosure: I am a member of Generation X.  I have been \"fortunate\" to meet many members of GenY and have come across some universal behavior that impact communications with this young group of people.\n\n<strong>GenY loves to text.</strong> In fact, if you want a GenYer to respond to you, you should send a text first. Do not call and do not email.\n\n<strong>GenY loves Facebook.</strong> Well, so do many other people, but GenY is the first generation to adopt Facebook, and it could be argued, it was designed for them.\n\n<strong>GenY does not read printed materials </strong>as in a daily newspaper. Online baby! Yes, they read the Washington Post/NY Times/LA Times, but ONLINE only. I would venture to guess that the subscription level among this group for printed newspaper hovers near 0%.\n\nOther things to bear in mind when communicating with a 20-something:\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Frame of reference.</span> They are not historically minded and will not get a reference to Ronald Reagan or LP records or anything that happened prior to 1990.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">They tend to be conflict-averse.</span> GenY has been brought up to get along well with others (thanks to Rodney King and other influencers). If they don\'t like you (your product, your service) they won\'t argue or discuss, they will IGNORE.  You probably won\'t get much feedback unless you ask them nicely. Via text.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Their social mores are more fluid than previous generations</span>. They aren\'t easily shocked.\n\nAny other tips for communicating with GenY? Please comment.\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/communicating-with-geny/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;Title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;title=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;t=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F04%2Fcommunicating-with-geny%2F&amp;h=Communicating%20with%20GenY\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Communicating with GenY','','publish','open','open','','communicating-with-geny','','','2009-05-04 10:53:28','2009-05-04 15:53:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=390',0,'post','',1),(393,4,'2009-05-06 11:36:15','2009-05-06 16:36:15','Keywords. They are the mantra of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) people.  Some websites are written in a weird, keyword heavy format to make them seem like candy for the search engines.  Websites also have metatags and alt-text and other areas for keywords. Search engines read text, which is why content is king on the Internet. Search engines do not read images, unless they are labeled or tagged.\n\nSome companies set up blogs just to increase their likelihood of being found. And SEO people think you should have keywords there too.\n\nIf you ever doubted that keywords are important, then do a little experiment on Twitter. Use a keyword like marketing, writing, or golf (if that is your thing) and see how many people start following you. Yesterday, I re-tweeted a story about the Christian Science Monitor getting rid of its religion reporter (fairly ironic, and that is why I shared it). Guess what, no less than three people of a heavy Christian persuasion started following me. Even though none of my posts and my bio say anything about Christianity. These people were simply keyword surfing and leeched on to the word Christian in Christian Science Monitor.\n\nSo, how do you create a list of keywords? Easy.  Start with your industry and work from there. Say you are a civil engineer. You would have the following: engineering, civil engineering, building, and so on. The important thing is to think of variations and related words. If you are in advertising, you would naturally choose marketing, and perhaps sales.  You may also want to include location (city, state, country) and specialties. You may want to use the names of your principals. <strong>Just ask yourself: what would people ask if they needed to find me or someone that does what I do? </strong>\n\nFinal thought: a popular word on this blog has been Twitter. In fact, I am sure if I tagged this article with the word Twitter, I will get plenty of search engine hits.  <strong>\n</strong>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m05.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/words-are-key/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;Title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;title=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;t=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwords-are-key%2F&amp;h=Words%20are%20Key\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m05.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m05.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Words are Key','','publish','open','open','','words-are-key','','','2009-05-06 11:36:15','2009-05-06 16:36:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=393',0,'post','',0),(399,4,'2009-05-13 08:06:37','2009-05-13 13:06:37','OK, not quite as sexy as Sex, Lies and Videotape...\n\nLately, I have been reading/hearing a lot about comments on blogs. Most people seem to favor comments. One of the ways we know that people are responding or finding what we write interesting and worthwhile is when we get comments. It is also a way to know what our audience is thinking.  Others are not so keen on allowing comments because there might be some negative or disparaging statements, and opening up you/your organization to what the public thinks.\n\nClearly, some organizations are more likely to want to know how the audience thinks and some are not so inclined. <strong>I would counsel those who want to remain hermetic not to have a blog. A blog, almost by definition, is a forum (it can be internal, but nevertheless it is about exchange of ideas). </strong>\n\nThose who are OK with audience interaction should probably have guidelines to govern the comments. In fact, you don\'t HAVE to publish each and every comment if you don\'t want. Right here on Caffeinated we\'ve received some fairly self-serving comments along with some out of left field observations that we have decided to let live in the netherworld.\n\nCourtland Milloy, a columnist at the <em>Washington Post</em>, has <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Courtland Milloy\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051203181.html\" target=\"_blank\">a piece in today\'s paper</a> about nasty/ignorant/vicious comments. He wants readers to tone down the invective. I agree with him--I have followed some comment streams on opinion pieces and people give wind to the most disagreeable thoughts.  And Milloy argues that even though these commenters are counted as visitors to the site, some advertisers may not want to be associated with them.  Is this true? I am not sure that advertisers/marketers look at comments other than as a numbers game. We all know that there are some kooky people out there who are bored/irritated/deranged and take it out on comments boards. <strong>What we endorse as marketers is the content on the site, not the comments.</strong>\n\n<strong>As marcomm folks, what we need to worry about is our policy for comments</strong>.  I don\'t think you should discourage comments, but you should make clear that not everything is fair play and that not every utterance will see the light of the blogosphere. You may want to set this out in a terms and conditions somewhere on your blog.\n\nDavid Griner, in his blog, The Social Path, has had a series of articles on comments. It is worthwhile to read<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Social Path\" href=\"http://www.thesocialpath.com/2009/05/blog-comment-chaos3.html\" target=\"_blank\"> this one,</a> about whether you are LEGALLY liable for comments made on your blog. As I point out above, this type of concern should be part of the policies that govern your site, and something you must consider if you do have a blog.\n\nYour thoughts? Comment, but please no racist, slanderous, sexist remarks!\n<h5>Copyright 2009 Deborah Brody All Rights Reserved</h5>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m01.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/blogs-comments-and-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;Title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;title=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;t=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F13%2Fblogs-comments-and-marketing%2F&amp;h=Blogs%2C%20comments%20and%20marketing\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m01.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Blogs, comments and marketing','','publish','open','open','','blogs-comments-and-marketing','','','2009-05-13 08:06:37','2009-05-13 13:06:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=399',0,'post','',0),(402,4,'2009-05-20 14:09:06','2009-05-20 19:09:06','There are hundreds of professional associations, representing every imaginable industry and career path. There is even an association for associations (or at least for association executives): ASAE. The ASAE has been advertising itself on TV lately, something I have never seen before. It is doing it mostly on Sunday morning talk shows, and the campaign is called the Power of A.\n\nAssociations, like other donor or member-based organizations, have to work to maintain the number of donors or members. A drop is serious, as it means a cut in income. At the same time, these associations or organizations have to work extra hard to entice people to join.\n\nIn the last few weeks, several associations I could be a member of because of my profession, have been having membership drives. They are offering one or more of the following:\n<ul>\n	<li>Reduced membership costs</li>\n	<li>Gifts with membership</li>\n	<li>Waived application fees</li>\n</ul>\nDo these enticements work? I think the one that works the best is reduced membership costs, <strong>IF </strong>there is sufficient benefit to joining. And therein lies the problem. Often, these associations have events that are open to the public. Non-members pay more than members.  If you like what you see, and you want to go to more events, perhaps membership is worth it, in pure cash value. However, you can still go when you want even if you aren\'t a member. But what else does membership offer? What exclusive, member-only benefits does the association offer? What can you get nowhere else?\n\nIn some cases, people want the \"cachet\" of being a member. Or they want the opportunity to network, or raise their leadership profile by serving on committees and boards. All these are valid reasons to join.  Being an association member shows that you are really  interested in/committed to the field.\n\nAnother issue is that there may be several associations representing your field. Which do you choose? In my case, I could be in the American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, the Association for Women in Communications, and so forth. For me, the problem is the cost of joining is not subsidized by an employer, since I work for myself.  I have to choose carefully. And yes, the money incentive works. Making it more affordable to join is an incentive.\n\nBottom line is memberships have to do with cost and value.  Providing sufficient value for members makes membership worthwhile.\n\nWhat makes you join an association? Is it worth it?\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/marketing-prof…l-association\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;Title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;title=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;t=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fmarketing-prof…l-association&amp;h=Marketing%20professional%20associations\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Marketing professional associations','','publish','open','open','','marketing-professional-associations','','','2009-05-20 14:09:06','2009-05-20 19:09:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=402',0,'post','',1),(406,4,'2009-05-25 09:22:00','2009-05-25 14:22:00','It was a matter of time, I suppose.  The newspaper industry has finally woken up and realized it needs to defend itself. It is as if the newspapers industry decided to say to the world, much like  Mark Twain did, the rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.\n\nToday (which is Memorial Day), buried in the Style section of the Washington Post (which makes me wonder) is a half-page ad entitled: The Reality About Newspapers, paid for by the Arlington, VA-based Newspaper Association of America.  The ad attempts to defend the viability of newspapers. It proposes to set the record straight about the following \"myths:\"\n<ol>\n	<li>No one reads newspapers (they say more than 104 million people read every day --in the US? Worldwide?)</li>\n	<li>Young people don\'t read newspapers (they say 61 percent of 18-24 year olds read a paper or visit a newspaper website)</li>\n	<li>Newspaper readership is tanking (They say newspaper readership declined a \"mere 1.8% compared to 10% decline in prime time TV viewership)</li>\n	<li>Many newspapers are going out of business (they say newspapers remain profitable????)</li>\n	<li>Newspaper advertising doesn\'t work (Google research says 56% of consumers researched product that they saw in a newspaper)</li>\n	<li>No creative options in newspapers (says who?)</li>\n	<li>If newspapers close, you will still be able to get news from other sources (newspapers are the premiere source of journalism--no quibble there)</li>\n</ol>\nThe ad concludes with the idea that the newspaper industry is transforming itself, and invites you to visit <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Newspaper Association\" href=\"http://www.newspapermedia.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.newspapermedia.com</a>.\n\nI am not sure that these are all  \"myths,\" or that they are widely held, and I am not sure the ad did a good job of refuting them. The facts don\'t all add up and they don\'t clarify who is reading newspapers and where. Additionally, the placement day and place within the newspaper makes it highly unlikely that many people will see this. Besides, isn\'t printing an ad about defending newspapers in the newspaper preaching to the choir?\n\nIt was time to hear the newspaper side of the story. But the facts are there:  several newspapers have closed their doors in the past few months and many are seeing falling ad revenues and decreasing readership.  If the Newspaper Association wants to salvage its industry it must do a better, more clever job of getting its message across. This may be one of the lamest ads I have ever read, and I read a newspaper every day!!!!\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/the-defense-of-newspapers/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;Title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;title=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;t=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F25%2Fthe-defense-of-newspapers%2F&amp;h=The%20defense%20of%20newspapers\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','The defense of newspapers','','publish','open','open','','the-defense-of-newspapers','','','2009-05-25 09:22:00','2009-05-25 14:22:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=406',0,'post','',0),(409,4,'2009-06-02 07:16:53','2009-06-02 12:16:53','According to Netflix, the British/BBC series Gavin and Stacey garners four and a half stars. This is why I added it to my queue. But I watched the first season (all on one DVD) and I rated the thing two stars. (Quick plot explanation: Gavin, who lives in Essex, and Stacey, who lives in Wales,  meet over the phone and decide to meet in person after six months. They fall in love. Meanwhile, they each have a best friend: Smithy for Gavin and Nessa for Stacey, who also get involved.)\n\nI have no doubt that many people find Gavin and Stacey hilarious. In fact, some of the acting is very good, and some of the situations are painfully relevant. However, it is clear that the intended audience is British. For instance, the whole Wales is another country joke. In the United States, we would be hard pressed to find Wales on the map of the UK, and for the British, Wales is quite literally another country (just like Scotland). There is rivalry between them, and there is some kind of joke on how the Londoners can\'t understand what the Welsh are saying. OK, I get it, but I don\'t really get it in the way a British person would.\n\nAnd then, there is the culture of a place. Apparently, smoking is still a normal thing to do in Britain. There is smoking indoors and out, by everyone. In the U.S., we have steered away from showing this much smoking, and I don\'t think I have seen much on TV. In Britain, the culture is OK with smoking. To me, it is jarring (and adds nothing to the plot).\n\nIn short, I didn\'t find Gavin and Stacey quite as amusing as if I had been British. That is because the series is written by the British for the British. Yes, some things are universal (weird in-laws, weird friends, not wanting to reveal secrets), which is why we can watch programs from different countries and get it. Humor though, is harder to convey.\n\nThe bottom line is that you write for your audience. To do this, you must understand who your audience is and what makes them tick. We define audiences in all sorts of ways: demographically, geographically and so on.  Case in point: you would not write an ad directed to a 65 plus demographic using teen slang. It just wouldn\'t make sense.\n\nUnderstand your audience and tailor your word choice and message to their needs and sensibilities.\n<h6>Copyright 2009 Deborah Brody</h6>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/writing-for-your-audience/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;Title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;title=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;t=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fwriting-for-your-audience%2F&amp;h=Writing%20for%20your%20audience\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Writing for your audience','','publish','open','open','','writing-for-your-audience','','','2009-06-02 07:16:53','2009-06-02 12:16:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=409',0,'post','',0),(413,4,'2009-06-04 13:16:38','2009-06-04 18:16:38','We can dub it newspaper suicide when newspapers do things that are guaranteed to reduce subscription rates, and I don\'t mean by endorsing an unpopular candidate or showing bias on their pages. It is by cannibalizing their own print readers.\n\nLet me give you a case in point about my local newspaper, the fabled Washington Post. Last Friday, I am checking the weather and blogs on the Washington Post website, and lo and behold, I see columnist Mark Fisher\'s LAST column. I read it to learn that he is leaving the Post, why, etc. Fast forward to Sunday. I settle in with my ever-thinner newspaper, and guess what, I see Mark Fisher\'s last column in PRINT.  Now let me rephrase this in monetary terms. I read Mark Fisher\'s column on Friday online for FREE, and I read the same column in print for a price.  (P.S. you can read lots of Sunday print columns online, on Friday).\n\nThen, if this is not enough to get me thinking that I am a sucker for paying to have the newspaper delivered to me when all I have to do is turn on my computer to read the same stuff online, that I see that TV Week has now become an opt-in to the paper, meaning I have to actually call the Post to tell them that I want to continue receiving this handy-dandy TV guide.  Let me repeat this again: I have to tell them to deliver it.\n\nA couple of months ago, the Post folded its printed Book World supplement, making it online only. And in fact, if you want a listing of paperback bestsellers in the DC area, you have to go online, because the printed edition just lists the hardcover bestseller list.\n\nAnd here\'s another piece of the suicide pact that the Post seems to have: they are now touting a special online only investigation on the front page of the printed paper. So, it seems, they want me, a reader of the print version, to go online. If I haven\'t been online before, then I will realize that the entire newspaper plus much more is available for free.\n\nIn effect, the newspaper is driving me to go online. Special investigations, columns available before their print date, up to date event reviews, blog posts, discussions....why would I want to pay to get a newspaper delivered? I am asking that every day, and I bet a bunch of people are too. The thing is the paper is still making money from subscriptions and print advertising, right? So why are they not giving subscribers more not less????\n\nIn my opinion, this is a conscious attempt to drive people to the online version so that they can stop issuing a print version. Then, they will save printing and delivery costs, and finally, start charging for the online version once the printed version disappears.  You will only pay for something if there is no alternative, right? The Post has been doing this piecemeal, but we are seeing the effects in a much reduced printed version, a heftier online version and a mandate for all reporters to blog, Tweet, and have a Facebook page. Obviously, the future in online.\n\nWhat do you think?\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/how-newspapers…ing-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;Title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;title=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;t=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fhow-newspapers…ing-themselves%2F&amp;h=How%20Newspapers%20Are%20Killing%20Themselves\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','How Newspapers Are Killing Themselves','','publish','open','open','','how-newspapers-are-killing-themselves','','','2009-06-04 13:16:38','2009-06-04 18:16:38','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=413',0,'post','',0),(416,4,'2009-06-05 11:55:57','2009-06-05 16:55:57','When you host an event, you want people to attend, right? If you don\'t think so, just ignore this post.\n\nSo, how do you get people to attend your event? It may seem self evident, but many organizations do not follow these promotional tips:\n\n<strong>0) Before you start, be sure to have all the following info for inclusion: title and purpose of event, date of event, hours of event, exact location and directions to event, cost, contact information, whether you need to RSVP or not (and who the RSVP contact is).  You would be surprised at how many invitations miss some of this critical data.</strong>\n\n1) Invite people.  Be sure to send out an invitation to all members, interested parties, people who have attended your events in the past, etc.\n\n2) Post the event on your website or blog or both. Ask a third party to check and see if you have included all necessary information.\n\n3) Send a calendar item listing to your local newspaper, event aggregator, tv station.\n\n4) Include in your newsletter. If it is an annual event, add to your signature line on email and include on all communications, internal and external.\n\n5) Remind people. There are many events competing for people\'s attendance, so be sure to send reminders. This is where social media like Twitter could be useful.\n\n6) Create an event page on Facebook or other social media sites.\n\n7) To be really efficient, you may want to use an electronic event management database to help you to keep track of attendees, send out invites and take RSVPs. Two that come to mind are <a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://www.cvent.com/\" target=\"_blank\">CVent</a> and <a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EventBrite</a>.\n\nA note about timing:  You want to give people enough time to plan to attend, but not too much time so that they may forget about the event. Perhaps you can invite three to four weeks in advance, and remind people two weeks and one week before the event.\n\nAgain, the most important thing about publicizing an event is to provide all the information somebody would need to attend the event. Don\'t take this for granted. I can\'t tell you how many events I have seen listed that lack basic info such as DATE!\n\nIf I have overlooked anything, please remind me in the comments!\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m02.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/are-you-hosting-an-event\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;Title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;title=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;t=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fare-you-hosting-an-event&amp;h=Are%20you%20hosting%20an%20event%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m02.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m02.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Are you hosting an event?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-hosting-an-event','','','2009-06-05 11:55:57','2009-06-05 16:55:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=416',0,'post','',1),(420,4,'2009-06-08 10:18:15','2009-06-08 15:18:15','You\'ve probably heard of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, right? Well it doesn\'t exist anymore. It changed its name to the Susan G. Komen GLOBAL Race for the Cure.  This is the second year I participated and I think the rebranding is bogus and confusing. From a marketing perspective I understand why they would do it. After all, now they are able to call it the \"first ever\" global Race.  But that is BS. It is not the first Race and anyone who has ever participated knows that.\n\nWhat this rebranding accomplish? Not much that I can tell. In fact, this year the Race here in the Washington DC area had fewer participants (45,000 vs. 50,000 last year) and raised less money.  Last year, Cynthia Nixon and Condoleeza Rice addressed the participants, and participated in the Race. Also, Mayor Adrian Fenty raced. This year, the only \"celebrities\" were Jill Biden and her husband.\n\nIn any case, I think that any established cause or organization needs to carefully evaluate what it aims to get from a rebranding. Is it worth the cost? Is it worth the confusion?\n\nUltimately, I felt that the \"Global\" Race for the Cure was very disorganized compared to last year. I did not feel appreciated for raising money or participating and I don\'t think I will participate next year. And I did not get that it was global in nature (other than the very long and ridiculous speech by some \"royal\" from Bosnia). In fact the whole point of Komen is to raise funds for the LOCAL community.\n\n[polldaddy poll=1689540]\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m03.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/thoughts-about-a-rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;Title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;title=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;t=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Fthoughts-about-a-rebranding&amp;h=Thoughts%20about%20a%20rebranding\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m03.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m03.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Thoughts about a rebranding','','publish','open','open','','thoughts-about-a-rebranding','','','2009-06-08 10:18:15','2009-06-08 15:18:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=420',0,'post','',3),(424,4,'2009-06-16 13:21:04','2009-06-16 18:21:04','I recently read that to get leads for your business, white papers are the answer. (For those that don\'t know, white papers are backgrounders, in-depth write ups about a subject area.) For one second I thought, yeah! that is the answer and I was about to put it on my to-do list. But wait, I thought, there is never ONE answer to marketing. That is the magic bullet thinking that gets lots of people in trouble.\n\nMarketing should be about using a mix of strategies and tactics that can promote your service or product to its target audience. For instance, say you are marketing denture paste. You could advertise in the AARP magazine (if the budget allows) or in a local seniors newspaper. You could sponsor an event targeting those 65+. You could do many things, but you wouldn\'t necessarily advertise in Blender Magazine or choose a skateboarding teen as your spokesperson. You have to go where your target audience goes.\n\nSo, my advice to you is that if someone tells you that to market your business, all you need to do is this one thing, walk away. Walk away fast. There is never a one-size solution nor any kind of magic bullet. Marketing is about creating awareness and that can take time and many forms.\n\nI had a client once who was looking for the magic bullet. So, he hired me to re-do some copy, and he hired a PR guy to get some publicity, and he redesigned his website. He thought that each thing he did would bring a huge influx in business. And none of it did. Sure he got a better website, and good publicity, but because nothing was strategic and everything was a quick response to I need to get more business, it didn\'t work. And he kept wasting money wanting to find the one thing that would work instead of working on many different tactics that would give his brand cohesiveness.  I could never make that client happy because one piece of copy or one press release is not going to turn you into a million dollar business.\n\nA couple of nights ago, I was watching CNBC and they had a show entitled The Oprah Effect. As you no doubt know, anything that is seen on Oprah, almost automatically becomes a bestseller. You may think then that Oprah is a magic bullet. Well, yes and no. It does get you tremendous exposure, but in order to get on Oprah, you have to have a good product, good marketing and a good story. Those are part of the marketing mix. You also have to be ready to play in the big leagues. What if you can\'t deliver? Then your business is going down the tubes.\n\nIn sum, stop looking for one solution and look at the whole picture. What do you need to do to give yourself a marketing boost?\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m04.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/the-answer-to-…arketing-needs/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;Title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;title=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;t=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-answer-to-…arketing-needs%2F&amp;h=The%20answer%20to%20your%20marketing%20needs\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m04.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m04.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','The answer to your marketing needs','','publish','open','open','','the-answer-to-your-marketing-needs','','','2009-06-16 13:21:04','2009-06-16 18:21:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=424',0,'post','',1),(427,4,'2009-06-17 12:43:25','2009-06-17 17:43:25','How many of you use enewsletters? I bet a fair amount do, and a larger amount receive many enewsletters each day.\n\nCertainly enewsletters are more environmentally-friendly than printed newsletters, and are more timely, since there is no lag time getting to a printer. And for sure, enewsletters are cost-effective, costing nothing to a few centers per newsletter. But, and this is a big but, are enewsletters effective in achieving their objective?\n\nAn enewsletter intends to inform or to promote or both.  There are internal and external enewsletters too. Some serve as employee communications, others as corporate communications.\n\nWhat I am wondering is with the overwhelming amount of information (email, Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds, blogs, news aggregators) that we are exposed to each day, are enewsletters serving their purpose? Or have they become one more piece of nuisance in our inboxes? I am not sure, but I sure would like to hear your opinions. Vote in the poll or send me thoughts in the comments.\n\n[polldaddy poll=1714351]\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa200m01.png\" alt=\"\" /><a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/enewsletters/\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa201m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Facebook\" /></a><a href=\"http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa202m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Digg\" /></a><a href=\"http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa203m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Del.icio.us\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa204m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Stumbleupon\" /></a><a href=\"http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa205m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Reddit\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.blinklist.com/index.php?Action=Blink/addblink.php&amp;Description=&amp;Url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;Title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa206m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Blinklist\" /></a><a href=\"http://ma.gnolia.com/bookmarklet/add?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;title=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa207m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Ma.gnolia\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.technorati.com/faves?add=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa208m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Technorati\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.furl.net/storeIt.jsp?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;t=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa209m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Furl\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fenewsletters%2F&amp;h=Enewsletters\" target=\"_blank\"><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa210m01.png\" alt=\"Add to Newsvine\" /></a><img style=\"border:0;margin:0;padding:0;\" src=\"http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gsa211m01.png\" alt=\"\" /></p>','Enewsletters','','publish','open','open','','enewsletters','','','2009-06-17 12:43:25','2009-06-17 17:43:25','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=427',0,'post','',0),(430,4,'2009-06-19 10:19:04','2009-06-19 15:19:04','<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Radio Commercials</span>\n\nDoes it seem to you that every time you are listening to the radio, and a commercial break comes on,  you get commercials on all other stations as well? Does it also seem to you that commercial breaks/DJ gab fests on radio go on for way too long?\n\nIt\'s great that there is still so much advertising on radio, but I think that by making the commercial breaks so long radio stations risk losing their listeners. If I am listening to station, and a long commercial break comes on, I switch stations until I find one that is playing music. If these breaks were shorter, there would be less risk of alienation, IMO.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Different name, same location</span>\n\nWhy is it that store owners think that by changing the name of a store they will get tons of new business? I was just walking home and saw that a day spa/salon just changed their name (and to something a lot more utilitarian). I thought, well, the problem was not the name of the salon, it is the location! Hard to get to, off the beaten path, etc. I don\'t know if the salon was sold to another owner, but in any case, when I see too many names on the same store front I tend to think problems.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">As if we thought Iran was democratic</span>\n\nI am not sure why Iran bothered to hold elections. Why pretend they are a democracy? Let me point out that the actual leader of Iran is not the president but the Ayatollah, the so-called Supreme Leader. Anytime you have someone ruling a country who is not elected and calls himself the Supreme Leader you are not dealing with a democracy. The problem is that the west wanted to believe that elections=democracy. They do not. It is not good marketing for Iran to hold elections and then repress the protests when it appears the election is a sham. Talk about a public relations fiasco!','Random thoughts','','publish','open','open','','random-thoughts','','','2009-06-19 10:19:04','2009-06-19 15:19:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=430',0,'post','',0),(433,4,'2009-06-24 09:13:14','2009-06-24 14:13:14','As you have no doubt read somewhere else, the governor of North Carolina, Mark Sanford, had disappeared for a few days and no one seemed to know where he was. His staff first said they didn\'t know, and then they said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. Well, it turns out the good governor was a lot farther away...he was in Argentina. And when he arrived back in the United States he expressed surprise about the amount of coverage.\n\nFirst, let\'s start with the public relations aspect of this.  Sanford screwed up, and not by going out of town, but by being secretive about it. He could have easily said he was taking a few vacation days and that would have been the end of the story. Instead, he chose secrecy and his staff chose disinformation or misinformation. These decisions reflect poorly on the governor\'s and his staff\'s judgements. Clearly, these poor folks don\'t understand how the media works. News is instantaneous and has a wide net. Everyone reported his \"disappearance\" and they also reported the explanation and now they are reporting (and commenting) on what really happened.  Not being able to understand the consequences of your actions is the definition of lack of judgement.\n\nWhen you are in a political position you are also in a public position. It is probably hard to adjust to losing your privacy but that is the what happens when you get elected to office. President Obama has made comments to this effect, about how he is living in a bubble and so forth. Nonetheless, it is best to acknowledge and deal with the situation. Not understanding that the public is now invested in an elected official\'s moves is not understanding how politics works.\n\nIn any case, this case shows that a being upfront is good policy and good politics. Not talking or being secretive always carries a negative connotation. People imagine the worse and in today\'s hyperfast communications environment, negative comments can transverse the globe in seconds.\n\nYou can read great insight on this situation in <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Politico\" href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24131.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico.com</a> and on <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"The Fix\" href=\"http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/sanford-from-bad-to-worse.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Fix blog</a> in the Washington Post.','Being upfront is good policy','','publish','open','open','','being-upfront-is-good-policy','','','2009-06-24 09:13:14','2009-06-24 14:13:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=433',0,'post','',0),(435,4,'2009-06-30 07:59:19','2009-06-30 12:59:19','Evening news broadcasts skew older on audience demographics, which is why you will often see medications for cholesterol, ED, and other diseases that affect older people advertised there.  Of all three network evening news, I would venture to say that ABC World News with Charles Gibson skews the oldest, simply because Charlie is the oldest anchor.  Lately, all evening newscasts have been tending to soft news, with a smattering of hard news. NBC Nightly News has a segment called Making a Difference and ABC does the New Normal. If you want hard news, you\'d turn to BBC or the Internet. If you want in-depth news, you\'d probably tune into the News Hour with Jim Lehrer on PBS.\n\nLast week, there were at least four celebrity deaths. Per usual, all were covered by all networks. On Friday night, ABC World News covered the Michael Jackson death for the entire broadcast, except for about one minute devoted to other news. The other networks did much the same, except for PBS.  In my opinion, this is more reflective of the news editors interests than of the news viewers interests, and it will result in more audience loss for ABC, etc. Don\'t believe me. Read viewers responses to the ABC news decision to devote its broadcast to Jackson\'s death <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"ABC News Comments\" href=\"http://abcnews.go.com/comments?type=story&amp;id=3029898\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\n\nWorld News for sure lost me as a viewer. I watch the evening news broadcasts for the news, as quaint as that may seem. I understand some coverage of the premature death of a pop star, but I don\'t understand the 24-7 coverage that has been going on, in spite of some pretty major international and domestic news.  From now on, I will watch the News Hour.  Less hype, more news (maybe too much news, but that is another story).  I will be curious to see Nielsen ratings for this week. It seems to me that people interested in the Jackson story do not watch ABC World News. They watch Access Hollywood or Inside Edition.\n\nI have written of this before, and I will continue to defend this position. You communicate to your core/target audience first. Perhaps ABC was seeking a younger demographic,  or trying to appeal to people who normally don\'t watch Charlie Gibson. However, what they did was ignore their core audience and even alienate said core audience.  The core audience, the audience who watches Charlie every evening because they admire his editorial choices, was disgusted as is apparent in the comments made to ABC. And, the \"new\" audience is not sticking around for Person of the Week next week, unless said person is Michael Jackson.','Ignore your core audience at your peril','','publish','open','open','','ignore-your-core-audience-at-your-peril','','','2009-06-30 07:59:19','2009-06-30 12:59:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=435',0,'post','',0),(437,4,'2009-07-14 11:41:56','2009-07-14 16:41:56','Last week, I was working at a conference. I was hired to write reports about several workshops. Two other women were hired in the same role. One of these women was warm and friendly. She wanted to chat and have lunch. She swapped business cards. The other was very reserved. She did not seem interested in having lunch, chatting, or even the conference itself. The friendly woman has her own business. She says it\'s going well. The second woman had recently been laid off. She was searching for work and was using the conference as an additional source of income. She had business cards from her previous employer, which obviously was not the correct contact information.\n\nHere are a few lessons on personal marketing this second woman could learn:\n<ul>\n	<li>Friendliness can create connection. Connection can lead to other opportunities. Also people will want to help if they can, but not if they don\'t like you.</li>\n	<li>Business cards are important. If you have been laid off, use an online service like Vista Print to get cards printed cheaply or free. Print pertinent contact information on the card.</li>\n	<li>Look beyond the current opportunity and be future oriented.</li>\n</ul>\nIt is hard to gauge how you are presenting yourself. However, why not try and see how people are responding to you. Are they smiling, interested in what you have to say? Or are you sending signals that you are not interested?You never know where the next opportunity could come from, or what you can learn from other people. Closing yourself off is not a good path to expand your opportunities.','More thoughts on personal marketing','','publish','open','open','','more-thoughts-on-personal-marketing','','','2009-07-14 11:41:56','2009-07-14 16:41:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=437',0,'post','',0),(441,4,'2009-07-15 07:52:47','2009-07-15 12:52:47','Electrasol  is now called finish. Brinks Home Security is now Broadview.  My question is why? Why would two established brands change names?  And in this case, the new names are a whole lot more generic than the originals. Electrasol has a lot more stand-alone recognition than finish. Finish, after all, is a verb. It is not a name. Same with Brinks. Every one knows Brinks--why would you become Broadview? That is one of those meaningless marketing names that doesn\'t really separate you from the crowd. It\'s as if Hertz changed its name to Roadview.  Makes it less memorable.\n\nBrand or company name changes should be few and far between. It is confusing and dilutes your brand/name recognition. Obviously, sometimes a personnel change makes it necessary, as in the band Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, which added/lost Young.  But when you have a time-honored name, such as Electrasol (or Cascade, its largest competitor) you make  it harder for the consumer who has been using your brand for years to find you if you change your name. And, I don\'t think in this case \"finish\" is going to attract any younger/new consumers.\n\nPerhaps you want to be \"cooler\" or more in step with the times. We know AT&amp;T stands for Atlantic Telephone and Telegraph, but clearly, they had to lose the Atlantic and the telegraph parts if they wanted to be known as a national telephone company. So they used their initials. Same with KFC. They have not changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken but they wanted to be known for more than fried food, so they use their initials instead.\n\nOwnership changes bring about name changes as in the case of New England Telephone, which later became Nynex and now is Verizon.\n\nIn sum, some name changes are necessary and some are just gimmicky and maybe even plain stupid. In my eyes, finish and Broadview fall in this category.\n\nWhat do you think?','Name changes','','publish','open','open','','name-changes','','','2009-07-15 07:52:47','2009-07-15 12:52:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=441',0,'post','',0),(445,4,'2009-07-16 06:02:34','2009-07-16 11:02:34','William Shatner pitches Priceline and Catherine Zeta-Jones represents T-mobile. They are just two of the many celebrities that are paid big bucks to endorse a product or appear in advertising for the product.  The question really, is does it work? I think it works to gain attention but not necessarily to stimulate sales.\n\nThere was a poll, sponsored by Adweek, on LinkedIn, to see if celebrities make people likely to buy a product or not. The overwhelming response (78%) was that it made no impact at all.  You can access the poll <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"LinkedIn Poll\" href=\"http://polls.linkedin.com/poll-results/47171/aoqcb\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\n\nAre you swayed by celebrity?','So, did the celebrity make you buy it?','','publish','open','open','','so-did-the-celebrity-make-you-buy-it','','','2009-07-16 06:02:34','2009-07-16 11:02:34','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=445',0,'post','',0),(447,4,'2009-07-20 11:42:01','2009-07-20 16:42:01','This post is about \"about\" pages. You know, the pages that describe your organization. On blogs, the about pages gives a sense to visitors who the author is.  I would say this is crucial information. It helps us judge the trustworthiness of the content. Say that I am a student of public relations,  at the PhD level, and I say so on my about page. You may surmise that my content has a scholarly bent based on my research. However, say that I am a student, in high school. And I write about public relations.  You may conclude that I am still learning and that my blog is an attempt to explore social media.\n\nI have come across many blogs lacking an about page. That is a mistake. A big mistake. Your about page does not have to be long and fancy. Just tell me who you are and what you are doing. That\'s it. Use it to build your credibilty.\n\nJust today I came across this blog: http://prnext.wordpress.com/ It purports to be a monthly ezine about PR. It gives some rather dubious advice and info (like PR took a backseat to advertising in the 90s, really? says who?). In any case, I want to know who is behind the blog, and guess what, the about page is blank. Immediately, I think these people do not know ANYTHING about PR if they don\'t even have any basics about themselves.  So, their credibility is challenged.\n\nTake a look at your blog, your website, your LinkedIn. What have you done in the about sections? Have you communicated who you are and what you do, at the very least?\n\nIn','What\'s it all about?','','publish','open','open','','whats-it-all-about','','','2009-07-20 11:42:01','2009-07-20 16:42:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=447',0,'post','',0),(450,4,'2009-07-23 06:19:48','2009-07-23 11:19:48','Work to find out who you are,  is what I mean.\n\nYesterday, I was perusing the various coupons in the ValPak mailing. Along with the usual assortment of restaurant discounts and bathroom re-fitter ads, there was a simple coupon for $10, $15 or $20 off (depending on the amount of purchase) at Finish Line.  I am pretty certain Finish Line is a sporting goods store, but short of their website URL, there was no other information. No tag line. No locations. Nothing other than a logo with what could be interpreted as a runner, that would indicate what this store is.  In fact, for all I knew, it\'s online only.\n\nI went to the Finish Line website and discovered they are indeed an athletic equipment purveyor. They are located in many states, so perhaps that explains the lack of specificity in the ad.\n\nHere\'s a note to the Finish Line marketing department: customers don\'t want to work to figure out why they should patronize your store. It is YOUR job to tell them. For sure, give them your Web address, but don\'t expect them to visit without a reason.\n\nThere was no headline or tagline on the ad. And unless you were familiar with Finish Line, the simple enticement of money off is not going to attract you unless it is something that you want to buy.\n\nIn any case, this is an example of narcissism in marketing. Everyone knows who I am therefore I don\'t have to tell them. There are a few brands that can do that--Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds. But Finish Line is not one of those brands.\n\nAds need to motivate customers to buy. That is the intent. A savings coupon for something I don\'t know I want is not going to do the trick.\n\nProduct shots, headlines, taglines are all used in advertising for a reason. You know?','Customers don\'t want work','','publish','open','open','','customers-dont-want-work','','','2009-07-23 06:19:48','2009-07-23 11:19:48','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=450',0,'post','',0),(453,4,'2009-07-27 15:44:51','2009-07-27 20:44:51','The best marketing is positive word of mouth, no doubt about it. Think about it: If  a trusted friend raves about something or someone, you are more likely interested. Even if your friend just gives you a name without a rave, you are more likely to check it out.\n\nCompanies do not seem to grasp the importance of positive word of mouth and instead rely on expensive ad campaigns. Take Comcast for instance. They spend mucho dinero on all sorts of  print and broadcast messages, but everyone knows someone who has had a bad customer service experience with Comcast. In fact, Comcast probably NEEDS to spend that much money to overcome all the negative reviews out there.\n\nOn the other hand, no company should rely solely on word of mouth. For instance, near me there is a pizza shop. It is always jammed at lunch, which is a good indicator. However, the store does not list its hours. It doesn\'t have a website, or provide menus, or have flyers in the local coupon book. Unless you are in the know it seems, you don\'t know.\n\nWhat are your thoughts?','The best marketing','','publish','open','open','','the-best-marketing','','','2009-07-27 15:44:51','2009-07-27 20:44:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=453',0,'post','',0),(456,4,'2009-08-04 07:29:47','2009-08-04 12:29:47','It\'s hard to remember what communications was like back even a decade ago. When I started in advertising, we faxed insertion orders and delivered artwork. When I started in PR, we faxed press releases and mailed photos. Now, we all just use the Internet.  In the past two or three years, we\'ve evolved past email and launched into new media: blogs, Twitter, social networks, and so forth. \"Old\" media is dying a bit more every day. Newspapers are disappearing or slimming down. News broadcasts are relying on Twitter and Facebook for user interaction. We\'ve become a nation of citizen journalists, wielding our cameraphones and uploading our viewpoints. I read somewhere that a large liquour advertiser will be spending 90% of its ad budget on new media.  On the other hand, a study showed that 60% of Americans use print media to make shopping decisions.\n\nIn any case, there is a new paradigm in how people acquire information. Fewer people are turning to traditional media and more people are turning to new media. That is the reality and your communications efforts must reflect that.\n\nA few days ago, I was having a conversation with a graphic designer. He\'s pretty old school, to such an extent, that although he has worked in web design, he had never heard of Wordpress.  I spoke with a technical writer who knows nothing about blogs, and dismissed them as useless. Do you think these people are ready for the present, not to mention the future? In my opinion, they will be left behind.\n\nI believe that if you are in communications, you must learn about new media. You may not use it, but you need to know about it. People are making lots of money training other people on how to use blogs and Twitter for communications efforts.  In fact, for a mere $395 you can go to an all-day Twitter conference.  Why would people spend this type of money?Because we are looking to know what the next big thing will be. In the early 90s, glossy magazines were the big thing. In the early 00s, dot-com/websites were the rage. Now we are in the blogosphere.\n\nIn a sense, communications is way more challenging now than ever. We have a very segmented audience and extremely targeted media. I am not sure we have much left in the way of mass media.  Communications practitioners have to become adept at many forms of media.\n\nSo, to answer my own question, no, you cannot succeed in communications without new media.\n\nWhat do you think?','Can you succeed in communications without new media?','','publish','open','open','','can-you-succeed-in-communications-without-new-media','','','2009-08-04 07:29:47','2009-08-04 12:29:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=456',0,'post','',1),(459,4,'2009-08-12 12:37:04','2009-08-12 17:37:04','Last night I saw the movie Julie &amp; Julia,  about Julia Child and Julie Powell. Julie Powell wrote a book about her experience blogging about cooking her way through Child\'s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I liked the movie and would recommend it, especially if you enjoy food and want to feel inspired.\n\nBut this is not a movie review blog, it is about marketing communications. And here\'s the thing: the movie has stimulated the sales of Julia Child\'s books, biographies and of course, of Julie Powell\'s Julie &amp; Julia.  In fact, there is a renaissance in interest in all things Julia Child. This is probably due to Meryl Streep\'s excellent personification of Julia on screen and a compelling storyline about following your dreams and believing in yourself.\n\nThe marketing lesson to draw from the success of Julie and Julia is that interest stimulates action. It goes back to the AIDA principle we have discussed before: attention, interest, desire and action.  If you make something interesting, you will stimulate action on the part of your intended target audience. The movie made all things Julia and Julie interesting. The audience was loving the food, and now, naturally, wants to partake in it. The audience was inspired to learn more about Julia (and Julie for that matter).\n\nMovies are great marketing vehicles because they reach mass, captive audiences. This is why we see so much product placement in the movies, and why there is advertising at the movie theater. A good movie is by nature, interesting. If it has to do with a historical figure, we want to learn more. If it showcases music (like Walk the Line did for Johnny Cash), you want to go out and listen to the music again.\n\nThe other lesson is to put things in front of the right audience. In Julie &amp; Julia\'s case, the thing is both cooking and following dreams, for a female audience. Last night, I would say that 90% of the audience was female, and I would venture to say that most were under 45.\n\nIn any case, Julie &amp; Julia reached its intended audience and is proving that people always want to know more if they are stimulated to do so.\n\nDid you see the movie? What did you think?','Interest and Julie & Julia','','publish','open','open','','interest-and-julie-julia','','','2009-08-12 12:37:04','2009-08-12 17:37:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=459',0,'post','',0),(461,4,'2009-08-13 07:31:33','2009-08-13 12:31:33','If you are a new business, or a small business, or any business at all, there are a couple essentials for your marketing. I am assuming you already have a business name and have done all the necessary paperwork to get yourself set up.\n\nThe number one item you need is a website. Buy your own domain. If you can\'t afford a fully designed website you can use templates through vendors such as Network Solutions or Go Daddy. If you are more technologically inclined, you can use WordPress, but host it at your domain name. Your website, at minimum, should answer these questions: who are you, what do you do, why should anyone hire you or purchase your product, how to reach you. If you are a restaurant or deal with the public, include your hours and directions to your location. Remember, this is a minimum. If you are a restaurant, you could also include menus. Service businesses could include case studies, client lists, testimonials.\n\nThe number two item you need is business cards. You can get them for cheap or you can have them professionally designed. Whatever you do your business cards should have your name, primary phone, website URL and email address (preferably at your domain).\n\nIf you have money or a good friend who is a graphic designer, get a logo and letterhead package done.\n\nOnce you are set up, you may consider developing a tagline or a slogan for your business. Use it on everything.\n\nThese are the essentials. There are plenty of other marketing communications collateral materials you could develop for yourself, including brochures, ads, press releases, white papers and so forth. You also have to think about your social media strategy: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for starters.\n\nStart with the essentials. Work from there.\n\nIf you want help figuring out what marketing materials you need, contact me.','New business: marketing essentials','','publish','open','open','','new-business-marketing-essentials','','','2009-08-13 07:31:33','2009-08-13 12:31:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=461',0,'post','',1),(463,4,'2009-08-19 08:37:12','2009-08-19 13:37:12','<a title=\"Thank You by 2Shutter, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257372@N02/2239533936/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2239533936_76f6203779.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>\n\nThank you for reading this post, and thank you for reading my blog. I probably haven\'t thanked you before, so I apologize, because this post is about how thank you is really a marketing tool.\n\nWe\'ve all heard of customer appreciation. Often, it is a deal available to new customers. Sometimes it is a gift with purchase. In many cases, the customer has to do something additional to get appreciated--sign up for a new service or buy more.\n\nWhat about customers that just use a service, like a gym, cable, phone and have been using it for years. Do they ever get thanked? No, they often don\'t. Why? Because companies take the bulk of their customer base for granted. They imagine that if they are providing the service, and there is no problem, the customer will remain loyal. But in fact, customers are not always loyal. They will switch for lower prices, or better service. They may also switch because a company does not seem to appreciate they have a choice in service providers. This is why more banks and customer service agents start any conversation with you by saying things like \"thank you for banking with us.\"\n\nThe bottom line is that saying thank you is about expressing appreciation. And most everyone likes to be appreciated.  And yet, thank yous are sometimes hard to come by.\n\nIn your personal marketing or personal branding, saying thank you may be even more important. Think about it: What are you saying when you don\'t say thank you? You are communicating that you are uninterested, unappreciated, or that you take the gesture for granted.  It makes you seem rude and self-involved.  Some people will claim they are too busy to respond. Are you too busy to make sure that you are perceived properly?\n\nRemember, no one is forced to be your customer unless you are a monopoly. And no one is required to help you out unless he or she wants to. It is simple to say thank you.  Saying thank you boosts the perception that you care, that you are aware that what the customer or friend has given you has some value.','Why a thank you is good marketing','','publish','open','open','','why-a-thank-you-is-good-marketing','','','2009-08-19 08:37:12','2009-08-19 13:37:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=463',0,'post','',7),(466,4,'2009-08-20 11:48:05','2009-08-20 16:48:05','Did you hear about <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"jetblue all you can fly\" href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/12/news/companies/jetblue_unlimited_flight_pass/?postversion=2009081312\" target=\"_blank\">JetBlue\'s unlimited pass</a>? For $599  you can go anywhere during a month.  You probably already heard about it, but now you can no longer get the pass because it is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"JetBlue sells out\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/20/business/AP-US-JetBlue-All-You-Can-Jet.html\" target=\"_blank\">sold out</a>. That\'s right, in just about a week, JetBlue was able to create so much demand that it was able to  sell out. To me, that is the definition of a great marketing campaign.\n\nWhy is this such a great marketing campaign? For many reasons:\n<ul>\n	<li>First and foremost it <strong>sold product</strong>, in this case, seats on planes.</li>\n	<li>It was <strong>creative</strong> and different from most airline promotions. It caused JetBlue to stand apart.</li>\n	<li>Its creativity created buzz, and loads of<strong> publicity</strong>. Google is telling me that there were at least 226 articles about the promotion, and 50 articles about the selling out.</li>\n</ul>\nJetBlue has tapped into something customers want: lower cost air travel. But its not all about being cheap--Spirit Airlines is also cheap, but it does not offer the same experience. JetBlue is comfortable, offers snacks, TV in each seat, and it\'s generally a good experience. But it also distinguishes itself  for being cutting edge.  JetBlue has embraced Twitter by offering their \"cheeps\" (travel promotions). And its tries hard to provide good customer service.\n\nIt is a really good day in marketing when a promotion reaches its target while generating front page news, all for a comparatively low marketing dollar investment.','JetBlue sells out ... in a good way','','publish','open','open','','jetblue-sells-out-in-a-good-way','','','2009-08-20 11:48:05','2009-08-20 16:48:05','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=466',0,'post','',0),(468,4,'2009-08-25 09:52:43','2009-08-25 14:52:43','I came across this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Useful Lunacy\" href=\"http://usefullunacy.typepad.com/useful_lunacy/2009/08/doing-the-hard-stuff.html\" target=\"_blank\">blog post</a> from copywriter Tim Brunelle regarding tired tactics, and how sometimes strategy is ignored. That got me thinking about the topic. Usually each piece of marketing material is a tactic: the brochure, the press release, even the website. Hopefully, each piece is guided by a strategy.\n\nIf you are launching a marketing campaign, it should never start with \"we\'ll run an ad.\" It should start with figuring out who you want to reach, where those people are located and what you want them to do with the information you want to share with them.\n\nA few months ago, a potential client contacted me. He wanted me to write copy for an ad. He was about to open up a new business and wanted to promote it. My first thought was \"wait a second, what?.\" I asked him who his target audience was. He told me. I asked him where this ad would run. He told me he thought it should run in one of those free newspapers so common on the subway. I asked why. His reasoning was lots of people read that (true) and the cost is relatively low (true). But what this guy was missing completely was a strategy, a vision, a long term plan. Sure, running a \"cheap\" ad in a mass publication could promote your business. But spending a few dollars here and few dollars there does not further your purpose and it certainly does not strengthen your brand. In fact, you have to think about the larger picture to create a brand personality and make sure that you are not hurting yourself with some misplaced tactics.\n\nPeople are sold tactics by ad sales reps because those reps are there to sell advertising now and not to tell you how to create a brand image for yourself. Many times, small businesses fall into this trap. The local paper will call and tell them they are running a special and so forth. It sounds reasonable. And boom, a tactic is launched which may or may not have something to do with your larger strategy.\n\nSave yourself some marketing dollars and think of each tactic as a piece of the marketing strategy puzzle. Instead of blindly following some promotion because it is inexpensive, figure out whether that furthers your overall goals.','Strategy vs. Tactics','','publish','open','open','','strategy-vs-tactics','','','2009-08-25 09:52:43','2009-08-25 14:52:43','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=468',0,'post','',0),(470,4,'2009-09-01 15:12:02','2009-09-01 20:12:02','Perhaps I should have titled this blog post \"Back to Basics,\" because it is all about hitting the essential notes. When marketing anything, you need to show the potential buyer why he or she would want to buy something. Seems fairly obvious. And yet, how many times have you seen products advertised for which there is no clear reason given that would cause buyers to buy?\n\nI got the following anecdote from Sara Cormeny (who is a web developer at <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Paper Lantern\" href=\"http://www.paperlantern.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.paperlantern.com. )</a>Please note I edited slightly:\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">I just recently purchased a product on Amazon called the Standers Bed  Cane, for my dad.  It\'s a handle that you attach to the side of your  bed, in order to have something secure and sturdy to hold onto as you get in and out of bed.</p>\n\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">For  people who are still having a hard time convincing a parent  to get one, I noticed that they have cleverly added an organizer pouch, useful for holding glasses, the remote control, a pen, etc.  More than\none of the Amazon user reviews mentioned that her mom was willing to  consider the Bed Cane because she actually thought the organizer was  worth it, even if she insisted that she didn\'t need one of those cane-\nassists.\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">I thought it was really clever that the makers added this to the  product -- now it appeals to both parties who are likely to be  involved in the buying process, and lets the user save face with a  product that screams \"old lady who can\'t get in and out of bed on her  own.\"</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">I was also impressed that the seller  included  five photos of the product, which were clearly taken and showed it in  use with a person in the bed, in a close-up attached to the bed  without a person, and two photos of it removed from the bed so you  could see all the parts and see it folded up for storage.  For me, all  the photos made it so much easier to understand how it would work and  how it would fit with my parents\' bed, and that was really what sold  me (along with the competitive price).\"</p>\n\nWhat Sara is pointing is that there should be COMPELLING reason to buy and also proof, in the way of pictures, that the product serves the purpose. Any marketing should include these basics.  Advertising and marketing should not always leave everything to the imagination. Being clear and transparent is often the way to go (more on this on my next post).\n\nThoughts? Have you bought something because the photographs made it clear how the product worked?','A reason to buy (plus photographs)','','publish','open','open','','a-reason-to-buy-plus-photographs','','','2009-09-01 15:12:02','2009-09-01 20:12:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=470',0,'post','',0),(475,4,'2009-09-03 09:19:08','2009-09-03 14:19:08','I am sure you have heard by now that Charlie Gibson is stepping down from the anchor position at ABC World News and that Diane Sawyer will be taking his place come January. It was probably Charlie\'s time to go, he looked tired and somewhat out of touch. I am not a huge Diane Sawyer fan, although I think she will do well in the slot. However, is Diane going to be judged solely by her accomplishments? No. Absolutely not. She will be judged by her gender. It has already started. All the talk about how \"historic\" it is that now there will two female evening news anchors, blah blah blah.  I have news for all (mostly male) pundits and TV critics out there: It is 2009. There are women everywhere.  This is not news. Katie Couric is in third place not because she is a woman, but because she has a bad delivery for news, in my opinion. Diane has much more gravitas. But it will be inevitable that they will be compared on things like appearance and clothing.\n\nUPDATE: Carole Simpson opines that Diane Sawyer being promoted to network news is too little, too late. Simpson thinks that network news is in tremendous decline, and that with women at the helm, they may end up being blamed. Interesting take. Here\'s the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Carole Simpson\" href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/08/simpson.sawyer/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">link to her piece on CNN.</a>\n\nGender is old news. For Generation Y especially (not that they watch the evening news) the idea of judging someone based on something innate like gender, race or sexual orientation is anathema.  So here\'s a plea to all the old fogies that are stirring up flames about how amazing it is that there will two female anchors--drop it! Concentrate on real news. Judge all anchors on their ability to deliver the news, on their editorial choices and not on the shape of their genitals.\n\nIt was Marshall McLuhan who said the medium is the message. Well, the message is the message. Here\'s a<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Health Care Obama\" href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/03/obama.social.media.health.care/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"> piece from CNN </a>on how Obama is losing the health care fight because of social media. No, Obama is losing the health care fight because his MESSAGE is not resonating. It is not the medium, it is the message.\n\nThoughts?','Gender and Message','','publish','open','open','','gender-and-message','','','2009-09-03 09:19:08','2009-09-03 14:19:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=475',0,'post','',2),(479,4,'2009-09-09 10:53:28','2009-09-09 15:53:28','We\'ve all heard of MDs, MBAs, and PhDs.  We usually deal with a CPA once a year. I don\'t have to tell you what these stand for. You know. You are familiar with them, and therefore you understand their value.  What about MPS? Do you know what that is? I don\'t. The point is that titles are important, but only if you know what they mean.\n\nWould you go to a doctor that didn\'t have a MD after his or her name? Probably not.  MD stands for medical doctor. You may need to go to a PsyD, which is a doctor of psychology. You may want your lawyer to be a JD and he or she probably uses the abbreviation to Esquire in his/her cards.\n\nThere are some titles that are obscure, like the MPS. Does it mean anything at first glance? Probably only to those who have it. MP, on the other hand, stands for Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, which may be a pretty important title.  Some organizations, such as the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) and the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) issue certificates like the ABC and APR respectively. The problem is that no one outside of a small circle knows what it means. In fact, you can be a business communicator or a public relations practitioner WITHOUT being accredited. On the other hand, you cannot practice medicine legally without your proper degree.\n\nMy point is that we all like titles. In fact, some cultures love titles. However, if you are going to use them as a marketing point, you better be sure that people know what the title is and what it stands for.  I got an invitation to an event where the speaker is the aforementioned \"MPS.\" Am I supposed to be impressed?  I  don\'t even know what it stands for!\n\nAnybody have a title they have seen and don\'t know what it is?','The value of a title','','publish','open','open','','the-value-of-a-title','','','2009-09-09 10:53:28','2009-09-09 15:53:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=479',0,'post','',1),(481,4,'2009-09-10 09:00:44','2009-09-10 14:00:44','Now, I am not claiming that I don\'t use profanities. I do, probably too much, in private conversations or when I am in the car behind some incompetent driver. However, I never use profanity in a public forum such as Twitter or Facebook.\n\nProfanities can get you in trouble.  People have varying degrees of comfort toward the use of profanities.  The point is you have to watch out for what you put out there. People will judge you. And some people get in trouble. A state senator in California was forced to resign because of some salacious comments he made, which were recorded and replayed.  A few weeks ago, a local religious-sponsored organization here in DC used unnecessary expletives in its Twitter stream. I cringed when I read that. It is public, and it\'s on the record.\n\nThere is a self-important blog expert here in DC who has an Internet radio show. I tuned in only to hear him use an expletive every other word, apparently because he could. It made him sound dumb, and my respect for him is now non-existent.\n\nIn general, marketing communications should never contain profanities.  Unless you are communicating with a target audience that enjoys using expletives every other word, you will offend someone, somewhere. Not to mention that using expletives can make you seem rude and coarse. In an age where manners are dwindling, it is important to be mindful of our PUBLIC language, especially language that may be etched in cyberspace, just waiting for someone to find it.','Profanities','','publish','open','open','','profanities','','','2009-09-10 09:00:44','2009-09-10 14:00:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=481',0,'post','',0),(484,4,'2009-09-11 10:09:56','2009-09-11 15:09:56','Yesterday, I attended a networking/information lunch put on a by a group to which I had never been before. The topic was business strategies. This was the fall kick-off event and I thought it was a good time to think about strategy as I move forward with my business and so forth. Well, the speaker was more interested in telling us about how he doesn\'t take clients under $20,000. He made the point that we should think about doing strategy and not tactics. No word about how to develop strategies for your business.  He also took a bunch of self-centered questions from the audience. In a word, the event was disappointing. Not to mention expensive and not very satisfying.\n\nThe group put out a survey and I gladly responded that the event did not meet my expectations and why. The organizer wrote me and said that \"he had no control over the speaker\" even though he agreed with me about content. He asked me to give the group another chance.\n\nHere are my thoughts.\n\n1) Organizers do have some control over the speaker. It is not total of course, but the organizer could have reminded the speaker of the topic, and OUTLINED EXPECTATIONS FROM THE SPEECH, QUESTIONS AND TOPIC TO BE COVERED.\n\n2) It is not enough to ask me to try again.  It was money out of my pocket, and perhaps he could have offered a discount for next time or something such.\n\n3) The organizer needs to be aware that you only get one chance to make a first impression. If you don\'t make a good first impression, YOU MUST make a better second impression or else all is lost. My second impression is that the organizer doesn\'\'t get it. He did not take full responsibility. Etc.\n\nOh, and when I arrived at the event, there was no name tag for me, even though I pre-registered. Nothing irritates me more at these types of events than having a handwritten Hello, I am... tag. Awful. My handwriting is not that clear and I think it looks unprofessional.\n\nIronically, this group is a public relations related group.  What is the saying about doctors healing themselves?\n\n','You only have one chance to make a first impression','','publish','open','open','','you-only-have-one-chance-to-make-a-first-impression','','','2009-09-11 10:09:56','2009-09-11 15:09:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=484',0,'post','',1),(488,4,'2009-09-14 08:34:35','2009-09-14 13:34:35','<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><strong>Dos and Don\'ts</strong></p>\n\n<strong>Do have a business card,</strong> even if you don\'t yet have a business off the ground. There is nothing worse than people who go to networking events and don\'t have business cards. Go get plain cards with your name, phone and email at the very least. When you are more set up then spend more money.\n\n<strong>Do use both sides of the card.</strong> The other side can hold more information about your services. It is extra real estate space, use it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t make your cards super unusual.</strong> Cards that are odd sizes, vertical instead of horizontal or folded are hard to put away easily. Most people either put them in a Rollodex of some sort or scan them. If your card is too small or too big for these applications it will get lost. I particularly hate vertical cards and folded cards.\n\n<strong>Do use a professional design</strong>. When possible, hire a graphic designer to do your entire letterhead package. It looks nicer.\n\n<strong>Don\'t go too cheap.</strong> Unless you are brand spanking new, don\'t go for the cheapest black ink on white crappy paper cards from your inkjet if you can all avoid it. It looks, well, cheap.\n\n<strong>Don\'t use other people\'s cards.</strong> If you work for yourself do not under any circumstances just fill out your name on someone else\'s card. Looks bad.\n\n<strong>Do make sure you have the correct information.</strong> By this I mean, your card should have your name, company name, phone number, email address, at a minimum. You can add street address, fax, cell phone number, Twitter handle, and other info.\n\n<strong>Don\'t sacrifice legibility for information.</strong> If you have to use a ridiculously small point size to fit in too much information on the card, forget about it. The point of the card is to let people find you EASILY, without the help of a magnifying glass.\n\nI have said it before and I will say it again, if you are in business of any kind, you need a business card. It is an easy way to provide other people your information. Before you go to your next networking event, take a look at what you are giving out. Does it help or hinder you?','Business cards','','publish','open','open','','business-cards','','','2009-09-14 08:34:35','2009-09-14 13:34:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=488',0,'post','',3),(491,4,'2009-09-15 09:31:35','2009-09-15 14:31:35','Have you seen the latest USPS ad campaign? It says that you can send anything that fits in a box, anywhere in the country for a flat fee.  Fabulous USP. Great deal. Easy.\n\nBut, and here is the rub, you have to deal with the post office unless your handy dandy mail carrier comes by to pick up your packages. Folks who don\'t work in offices or who work out of home actually have to make the trek down to the post office. And guess what, at the post office you are going to have to wait. And wait. And wait some more.\n\nI was at the post office today. There were at least 10 people in line. And only two clerks were working. The supervisor was not working. And one of the clerks was trying to get people to use the automated machine, with her help, which sort of defeats the purpose of AUTOMATION.  At one point, only one clerk was helping customers. All I needed was one international stamp, for which I wanted to pay cash.  I was frustrated but realized this is the perfect example of marketing disconnect.\n\nWhat is marketing disconnect?  It is when the marketing does not match the product. Let\'s say you see a gorgeous ad for a luscious chocolate shake. You go buy it, and the product you get is far from luscious, in fact, it tastes more like talcum powder than chocolate. That is marketing disconnect. What happens is that you will never buy that product again. And heck, you may stop trusting advertising altogether.\n\nSame here. Why would you want to continue dealing with the post office if you don\'t have to? Which, is probably why more and more people are paying bills on line. The USPS is hurting. In fact, they are thinking of closing branches (which of course means that you will have longer waits because more people have fewer places to go). I felt bad for them until today. The USPS is often a model of inefficiency, when it comes to customer service. I think the back end people and the letter carriers do a tremendous job.\n\nFor marketing to continue working, operations and products need to be in line with the offering. In this case, if the post office wants to boost the sales of the flat fee packages it must also do something about the customer service experience in its offices.','USPS: Marketing Disconnect','','publish','open','open','','usps-marketing-disconnect','','','2009-09-15 09:31:35','2009-09-15 14:31:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=491',0,'post','',0),(494,4,'2009-09-17 08:25:38','2009-09-17 13:25:38','Mom was right about minding your manners. Although behaving appropriately and properly seems to be lost these days,  it is still the best way to behave, especially if you care about your personal brand and personal marketing.\n\nThis evening I was at an event about social media. Lots of people were tweeting and in this context that is acceptable behavior. However, lots of people, especially a very obnoxious man behind me, were chit-chatting during the panel presentation. This is not acceptable. It shows lack of respect for the speakers, the audience, and very poor manners. Of course, this is no way compares to the congressman shouting \"you lie\" to the president or the obnoxious rants of a self-absorbed, self-important rap/pop star (I am omitting the names because you know who I am talking about and I am sick of giving them any more publicity).\n\nManners and considerate behavior are in free fall in our society and we should be concerned from a personal branding and marketing perspective, among others. Why? Because someone who has bad manners shows him/herself to be very self-absorbed, even narcissistic. And do you want to do business with someone like that? In the end, we always want to do business with people we like and maybe even respect. Let me tell you, if I ever see the man whom I mentioned  was seated behind me, I will not want to meet him. And why should I? He has shown me through his behavior that he lacks common courtesy.\n\n<strong>The takeaway is this: mind your manners to show the world your best self, and in the process you will help improve your personal brand perception.</strong>\nOn Monday, Kami Huyse discussed this very issue on her blog, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Personal branding and character\" href=\"http://overtonecomm.blogspot.com/2009/09/beyond-personal-brand-to-character.html\" target=\"_blank\">Communication Overtones</a>. She came to a different conclusion. She thinks the overemphasis on personal branding has allowed character to fall by the wayside. I think society and culture have more to do with that.  I was thinking about it this evening and really, I don\'t think you can fault personal branding at all. In fact, as I said before, if you care about your personal brand, you should aim to be civil, be polite. It is better to be known for your ideas, your experiences than for your crassness and lack of manners. Right?\n\nWhat are your thoughts on this subject?','Proving once again Mother was right','','publish','open','open','','proving-once-again-mother-was-right','','','2009-09-17 08:25:38','2009-09-17 13:25:38','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=494',0,'post','',0),(498,4,'2009-09-18 12:08:07','2009-09-18 17:08:07','Many of us have blogs to help our business, express our opinions or other reasons. I\'d like to have a more scientific approach. If you have a blog, please complete the following survey (it will take about 1 minute):\n\n<a href=\"http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bCzG8BZ1DHZsLnBfuj7m8g_3d_3d\">Click Here to take survey</a>\n\nThanks! I will post results here.','Why we blog','','publish','open','open','','why-we-blog','','','2009-09-18 12:08:07','2009-09-18 17:08:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/why-we-blog/',0,'post','',0),(499,4,'2009-09-22 09:59:25','2009-09-22 14:59:25','I just finished reading Malcolm Gladwell\'s very insightful <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Outliers\" href=\"http://www.gladwell.com/outliers/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Outliers</a>. I recommend it if you want to think about success as being a meeting of opportunity, chance and ability. And,  my friend and colleague Daria Steigman just posted a question about culture in social media on her blog, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daria Steigman\" href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Independent Thinking</a>.\n\nDaria wants to know if culture affects communication. Outliers can answer this question. Without a doubt, the answer is yes. In Outliers, Gladwell talks about the Avianca plane crash a few years ago on Long Island, NY. The plane crashed because it had run out of fuel after circling for hours due to bad weather in the area. Gladwell thinks that if the culture of the first officer flying the plane had allowed him to be less deferential toward the JFK control tower, he would have been able to make an emergency landing at Kennedy. Instead, he was not forceful in telling the tower that the plane was dangerously low on fuel. I highly recommend you read the book to fully understand this concept.\n\nSuffice it to say that different cultures expect different communications from different people. Some cultures are more hierarchical and others less so. Some are more cooperative. Some are more focused on results. Whatever the differences are, any communications messages must reflect these nuances.\n\nIn Spanish, for instance, there is a difference between the more familiar \"tu\" and the more formal \"usted.\" In certain Spanish-speaking countries, everyone uses tu and it is considered old-fashioned to use usted. In other countries, if you don\'t know someone, you automatically use usted. Clearly, an ad written in one of the pronouns that doesn\'t take into consideration the norm of the country may insult or offend or not reach its intended audience.\n\nCulture matters in communications. A good communicator always knows his or her target audience, and one of the most important qualifiers to that target is culture.','Culture in communications','','publish','open','open','','culture-in-communications','','','2009-09-22 09:59:25','2009-09-22 14:59:25','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=499',0,'post','',2),(501,4,'2009-09-23 10:28:25','2009-09-23 15:28:25','\"Quick, acute, and intuitive cognition.\" That is how Merriam-Webster defines perception. It is a quick assessment of what is before us. It is how we form impressions and judgments.\n\nHave you ever considered how you are perceived by a potential client?  Potential friend? Man/woman on the street? Obviously, we may not care how a complete stranger perceives us, but in business we should definetely be concerned with the image we are giving potential customers, clients or partners (a partner can be anyone who we do business with--from someone we network with, to someone who refers business to us or an acquaintance we run into occasionally).\n\nThere are many angles from which you are perceived:\n<ul>\n	<li>Personal appearance and demeanor</li>\n	<li>How you sound</li>\n	<li>Online presence, which includes your websites, what is written about you, your blog, and your social media presence</li>\n	<li>Articles about you</li>\n	<li>Articles you\'ve written</li>\n	<li>Your marketing materials (brochures, postcards, reports, etc)</li>\n	<li>Your behavior and actions</li>\n	<li>Your associations</li>\n</ul>\nIf people have a positive perception of you it will help get business. A negative perception on the other hand will impede your success.\n\n<strong>How to assess</strong>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">Start with a simple Google search on yourself to see what comes up. Negative, positive or neutral?</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">Turn a critical eye on your website and/or blog. Would a visitor to your site know what you do and why you are qualified to do what you do? What would he/she think of your services?</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">How are people responding to you on social media? How many followers do you have? More importantly, who is following you? Quality is important here. How about on Linked In--do people accept your requests for connection? Are you giving them enough for them to want to connect with you?</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">When you go to an event, do you feel confident? Do you ever feel unprepared or frazzled? If so, what aspects of you appearance and demeanor need work?</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">It is hard to self-assess from all these angles so it may be best to ask a trusted friend or colleague to give you some feedback.  A marketing consultant (such as me!) can help assess your marketing materials.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\">Have you assessed how you are perceived? Please let me know how you did it and what helped.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left;\"></p>','How are you perceived?','','publish','open','open','','how-are-you-perceived','','','2009-09-23 10:28:25','2009-09-23 15:28:25','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=501',0,'post','',0),(504,4,'2009-09-25 10:12:47','2009-09-25 15:12:47','<strong>A Caffeinated Op-Ed</strong>\n\nToday I want to question the Washington Post. Specifically, I want to know why it bothers searching for subscribers, and indeed, printing its newspaper every day.  It seems to me, more and more, that the Post wants to get rid of subscribers and concentrate on giving away its content for free.\n\nI often visit washingtonpost.com to see the weather, latest news, blogs, etc. I also get a subscription to the paper because I like to read printed material with my morning coffee.  Today, as I was checking the WaPo website I saw that they have redesigned the Sunday magazine. And this is the kicker--all of it is available online for free, two days earlier than subscribers get the same material.\n\nSubscribers PAY. Website visitors do not pay. Why on earth would you make MORE content available earlier at NO COST? How is this a smart business decision? Why would you not embargo content until paid subscribers can access it?\n\nIt seems to me that the Post is doing what it can to make sure people do not buy or subscribe to the printed newspaper. Anyone looking to save 75 cents per issue can just log on to the website and get all the content of the printed piece plus early content and not pay a cent. That translates to at least a $6.00 per week (the Sunday paper costs $1.50).\n\nShould I cancel my subscription? I ask that to the Washington Post. Why on earth should I continue to pay for something I could get for free????','Why bother with print?','','publish','open','open','','why-bother-with-print','','','2009-09-25 10:12:47','2009-09-25 15:12:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=504',0,'post','',0),(508,4,'2009-09-29 10:48:39','2009-09-29 15:48:39','We know of course that a good slogan or tagline is key in helping to make a business stand out. Slogans should be short and sweet and descriptive.  Many slogans lack this last one: descriptive. They may be short and sweet, and maybe even clever, but they don\'t say anything.\n\nI came across this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Slogans\" href=\"http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/09/central_americas_tourism_sloga.html?wpisrc=newsletter\" target=\"_blank\">wonderful blog entry </a>in Budget Travel\'s blog about travel slogans. The post talks about some memorable slogans such as \"Virginia is For Lovers\" and other not so memorable ones.  The author talks about many of the Central American tourism slogans that just don\'t seem to translate. El Salvador uses \"Impressive!\" and Guatemala uses \"The Soul of the Earth.\"\n\nIn any case, let this be an example about why you should choose your slogan carefully. Although brevity is good, description is better. What do you do? What makes you special? (The answer to this is never that you are unique...as I have said before few things are unique).\n\nDo you have examples of slogans that you just love? Or that you just hate? Please share!','Slogans have impact','','publish','open','open','','slogans-have-impact','','','2009-09-29 10:48:39','2009-09-29 15:48:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=508',0,'post','',0),(510,4,'2009-09-30 12:49:50','2009-09-30 17:49:50','Are you trying to sell something?  A product or a service? You probably are if you are reading this post, and my blog generally. You want more people to know about what you do, what you produce, what you sell. That is the entire point of any marketing communications effort.\n\nHowever, beyond your product brochure, your social media strategy and your web page lies something much more important in your quest to sell: what it is that you are selling, exactly. Are you selling a product? If so, what is that product? What makes it good? What gives it the edge over other similar products in the marketplace? Are you providing a service? What does that service do for the customer?  Why does the customer need that service?\n\nI bring these questions up because the number one marketing tip is  this:\n\n<strong>Know your product or service. </strong>\n\nIf you don\'t, you will not be able to sell it to anyone. Period.\n\nLet me give you an example. I was shopping for mascara the  other day at a department store cosmetics counter. I wear contact lenses so mascaras that flake are not an option, since it would make my eyes water. I had been buying one particular type but wanted to try something different. I asked the saleswoman about several different types. She could not explain what the differences were, and whether they would be suitable for me other than to assure me that they would be fine. I was not convinced because she did not seem to understand her product. I ended up buying the same old product because I knew it. She did not sell me. And the reason she did not sell me is because she simply did not know her product.\n\nI don\'t care if you are selling mascara or high end real estate. If you don\'t know what you are selling people will not buy it. It really is that simple.','The number 1 marketing tip','','publish','open','open','','the-number-1-marketing-tip','','','2009-09-30 12:49:50','2009-09-30 17:49:50','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=510',0,'post','',0),(512,4,'2009-10-06 11:22:20','2009-10-06 16:22:20','Yesterday came the news that Conde Nast will be folding its long running and popular publications Gourmet and Modern Bride. A few other magazines are also ceasing publication, resulting in more people being laid off at Conde Nast. The reason? Decline in both ad sales and circulation.\n\nWhat does it mean?\n\nIt means that print is on its last legs. With advertising down across the board, and people abandoning print for various reasons (cost, environmental concerns, can get content online), I see a not-so-distant future where there will be no print magazines at all. The costs to print will outweigh the revenue generated, as was the case with Gourmet and Modern Bride.\n\nEven with loyal readers, quality content and a weighty history, Gourmet will print its last issue in November. For now, C-N plans to keep printing Bon Apetit. Modern Bride\'s last issue is the current one. Brides will up its printing to monthly. Mergers in the print world mean less choice for advertisers.  We may see ad prices jump.  And then, will advertisers stick with print? Doubtful.\n\nWhat are your thoughts?','What does the folding of Gourmet and Modern Bride mean?','','publish','open','open','','what-does-the-folding-of-gourmet-and-modern-bride-mean','','','2009-10-06 11:22:20','2009-10-06 16:22:20','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=512',0,'post','',0),(514,4,'2009-10-08 09:21:31','2009-10-08 14:21:31','Do you attend many networking events? I have gone to my fair share. Some are better than others. Here\'s what I think makes a good event:\n\n1) <strong>A topic. </strong> I appreciate that happy hour events draw people interested in getting a drink after work, but they don\'t inform or give you anything to talk about. Having a topic and a speaker gives events an edge.\n\n2) <strong>Allocating time to networking</strong>. Many times there is a speaker and/or a meal and no time to meet and mingle.  Specifically allocated meet and mingle time is very important.\n\n3) <strong>Easy access. </strong>If you are asking people to drive to your event, make sure there is plenty of parking (preferably free). If you want people to take public transport, then be close to the bus/subway stop.\n\n4)<strong>The right price.</strong> Too expensive can be a real turnoff to people. The price should reflect the value, but it should also be within the range of other similar events. This morning I saw an event about social media that was comparable to other events I have been to/seen advertised, but was priced twice as much. Would I go? No.\n\n5) <strong>Organizational ambassadors.</strong> Some people are shy. If you are hosting an event, have members of your organization or group be hosts: greet people, tell them about your group and introduce them to others.\n\n6) <strong>Choosing  day and time carefully</strong>. Your event can be derailed by competing events. If possible, try to avoid conflicts.\n\nUpdate: How could I forget this one?\n\n7) <strong>Food and drink.</strong> There is nothing worse than going to an event that offers nothing. I once went to a wine and cheese that had neither wine nor cheese. Instead, we got leftover SoyJoy bars from another event and water. I kid you not.\n\nWhat would you add?','Elements of a successful event','','publish','open','open','','elements-of-a-successful-event','','','2009-10-08 09:21:31','2009-10-08 14:21:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=514',0,'post','',6),(519,4,'2009-10-12 15:58:03','2009-10-12 20:58:03','HGTV (one of my favorite channels) has a show called <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Real Estate  Intervention\" href=\"http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate-intervention/show/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Real Estate Intervention</a>. It features a truth-telling real estate agent Mike Aubrey who brings a dose of reality to homeowners who are having a hard time selling their house.  While we could discuss the fact that HGTV has had to adjust to the reality of a hard housing market (as <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Wallepop\" href=\"http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/07/10/hgtvs-real-estate-intervention-a-new-housing-show-for-a-new-er/#comments\" target=\"_blank\">this blog</a>discusses) what I want to talk about is giving advice.\n\nAs a marketing consultant, I am required to give advice. I deal with questions like should you do a brochure, update your website or what your tag line should be. You would think that clients, who are paying for my opinion, would listen to it, but often, this is not the case. Many times, people want an outsider to bolster their ideas. For instance, if you think your website is fine as is, you want me to agree. If I don\'t agree, you dismiss me.\n\nIn the Real Estate Intervention show, people seem  reluctant to listen to Mike because they often do not like what he has to say. His advice (usually, lower your asking price) is not what they want to hear. In spite of the fact that Mike shows comparable houses that sold for much less, the homeowners seem to believe that their houses are better and that people would pay much more money for it (even though they have not been able to sell their house at the asking price). The show really illustrates how hard it is to give advice.\n\nAdvice is tricky because people have preconceived notions. Most people think that they know as much or more than you know and if your advice does not match up to their ideas, then you must be wrong. Even when all evidence points to the contrary.  We\'ve seen lots of businesses pushing back against social media, for instance. Business owners don\'t believe it can help. Even though it does. But because it is not their reality they push back.\n\nWhat can you do if you are in the business of giving advice? Well, the best is to be like Mike Aubrey. Make your case in the most concrete way possible. Facts and figures are very helpful. Never say \"because I think so.\" That won\'t cut it. In the end, advice will only be received well by someone who is receptive. Accept this.','A bit of advice','','publish','open','open','','a-bit-of-advice','','','2009-10-12 15:58:03','2009-10-12 20:58:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=519',0,'post','',0),(522,4,'2009-10-16 07:53:28','2009-10-16 12:53:28','Organizations that deal with the public typically have one or more frontline people. These people deal directly with the public, perhaps by giving directions, meeting and greeting or assisting in some way. Many times, these frontline people are also some of the least well compensated in the organization. But they are crucial in shaping how the public perceives the organization.\r\n\r\nHave you ever walked into an office where the receptionist didn\'t even bother to greet you? Have you stood waiting for help at a \"customer service\" booth? Then you know that your interaction with people that are supposed to assist you can color how you perceive the organization that they represent.  However, many organizations don\'t seem to grasp this simple concept and continue to deploy people in \"helping\" positions that are unwilling or unable to help, therefore damaging the credibility and perception of the organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s a tip: if you are hiring someone to help you to deal with the public make sure that persons LIKES helping people. </strong>\r\n\r\nOn my last trip, I had trouble checking in on the kiosk. So, a very unhelpful, surly guy came over, growled at me and told me to go wait in line. He was absolutely rude and unpleasant. Do you think that makes me feel positive toward the airline in question?\r\n\r\nYesterday, I was in downtown DC to meet with a client. She had her laptop with her and we needed to go somewhere with WiFi. I couldn\'t think where the nearest Cosi was, but DC has deployed Downtown DC people in the Gallery Place area. I went up a woman with the Downtown DC jacket and asked her if she knew where the nearest Cosi was. She did. She gave us specific, perfect directions. She was helpful (and right). Contrast that with an exchange I had witnessed earlier inside a Metro station. A gentleman had approached the booth to ask a question, and the  lady in the booth was BERATING him for tapping on her window. Does that make Metro look helpful? (BTW, I have had similar experiences with people in the booths...they just don\'t want to be bothered to do their jobs, that is, assisting people.)\r\n\r\nAs a marketing consultant, I can advise you to take a good look at who is dealing with public in your organization. These people are crucial because they create the first (and maybe the only) impression the public will have of your organization.','Who is helping you to help others?','','publish','open','open','','who-is-helping-you-to-help-others','','','2011-08-14 07:34:03','2011-08-14 07:34:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=522',0,'post','',0),(1362,4,'2018-02-12 15:51:56','2018-02-12 20:51:56','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\n<h2><a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">NEW! Brand Identity Kit</a></h2>\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\n<h2><a title=\"Copy Editing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/copy-editing/\">Copy Editing</a></h2>\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>\nIf you need further information, or want to discuss how we can work together, please book a free 15-minute consultation with me.','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-12 15:51:56','2018-02-12 20:51:56','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/14-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2154,4,'2011-11-21 14:37:02','2011-11-21 14:37:02','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Translation\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/translation/\">Translation</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communication Audit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communication-audit/\">Communications Audit</a></h2>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2011-11-21 14:37:02','2011-11-21 14:37:02','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/14-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(526,4,'2009-10-19 15:38:36','2009-10-19 20:38:36','Here\'s a tip: if something does not work the first 50 times, don\'t do it again.  Seriously. Stop. Re-evalauate. Don\'t waste your efforts.\r\n\r\nSure, practice makes perfect, if you are headed to Carnegie Hall. With marketing, practice (repetition) can lead to annoyance and disconnect.\r\n\r\nLast November, I started collecting all the marketing mail that relates to FIOS, Verizon\'s fiber-optic service.  To date, I have received nearly five pounds of direct mail and many robo-calls (although I finally got them to stop the robo-calls). Here\'s the clincher though: I have not signed up for FIOS. Verizon keeps sending me the same marketing pieces, over and over and over and over. Most egregious is the one that is marked:<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Important Information About Your Verizon Service. </span>Really, how many times do you think I am going to fall for this? Once, maybe twice, but not dozens.\r\n\r\nI am not sure what Verizon\'s strategy is here, but in my case, they are wasting tons of money and not to mention, killing many trees (yeah, I know you want me to switch to paperless billing, but I bet if you just cut out excessive direct mail you would save a ton).\r\n\r\nMy other example is from a online listing service I used to pay for.  It changed, without informing me, and suddenly, I was getting no inquiries or  even visits to my website from it. I stopped paying for the premium service. I tried to inform them why. No feedback form or even email address was available. And the guy who runs the service sends me emails at least twice a week asking me to sign up again. The same exact email, twice a week. I am not exaggerating. Again, why would you continue to do something again and again if you are getting no results from it? Do you think I missed the email the first 25 times?\r\n\r\nIn any case, marketing communications is about strategy and tactics. You use certain tactics to implement your overall strategy. The thing is, you have many tactics at your disposal and you should fine tune your tactics so that you are achieving the result you want. If a tactic does not seem to work, shelve it. Put it away.\r\n\r\nYour adaptability will help set you apart. Trust me on this. Don\'t waste your resources with tired tactics that don\'t work.','Don\'t try the same trick over and over','','publish','open','open','','dont-try-the-same-trick-over-and-over','','','2011-08-14 07:33:38','2011-08-14 07:33:38','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=526',0,'post','',2),(530,4,'2009-10-23 10:30:03','2009-10-23 15:30:03','Have you seen signs/logos/headlines that make you stop, and not because you are intrigued, but rather because you are confused? If you have, you know what I mean.\n\nI just say a delivery truck with the following sign:\n<blockquote>Sanford Foods\n\nPoultry Distributor\n\nPork Beef Supplies</blockquote>\nThe \"Poultry Distributor\" part was highlighted. So I thought to myself, what is it?  Poultry or pork? Yes, I know they distribute all of it, but why highlight poultry? My point is that there is too much contradictory information in a few words. It is not clear. They could have said: Sanford Foods: Distributors of Fine Poultry and Meats. And that would have been fine.\n\nMy advice is to have one overarching message in your logo or slogan. Too much is confusing.\n\nThoughts? Or better yet, examples?\n\n','Whatever do you mean?','','publish','open','open','','whatever-do-you-mean','','','2009-10-23 10:30:03','2009-10-23 15:30:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=530',0,'post','',0),(533,4,'2009-10-26 07:11:15','2009-10-26 12:11:15','I came across an item in Reuters today that says that Verizon Communications had an increase in revenue (i.e more subscribers) but a decrease in profit in the third quarter of 2009.  What this means is that the company\'s expenses are rising.  Expenses could be anything from salaries to office supplies to marketing. One area where I believe Verizon is probably bleeding expenses is in marketing. I wrote before that I have received nearly five pounds of direct mail from the company during the past year. Multiply five pounds by millions and you will get a sense of the amount of paper Verizon has generated just to market one product: FIOS. In my opinion, this is wasteful and useless.\n\nIf Verizon spent as much on customer service as on their repetitious direct mail campaign, they might have a more satisfied customer base. That would strengthen their revenue and profit streams.\n\nThis is just my opinion. I do not work for Verizon or any Verizon affiliated business or with any of Verizon\'s competitors.  My only affiliation with Verizon is as a customer.\n\n','Revenue is good, but not at the expense of profit','','publish','open','open','','revenue-is-good-but-not-at-the-expense-of-profit','','','2009-10-26 07:11:15','2009-10-26 12:11:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=533',0,'post','',0),(536,4,'2009-10-27 08:14:49','2009-10-27 13:14:49','Newspapers are in decline. It\'s a fact.\r\n\r\nThis is the first paragraph from a <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Newspapers\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/26/AR2009102603272.html?wprss=rss_business\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article entitled \"The accelerating decline of newspapers by Frank Ahrens</a>:\r\n<blockquote>\"U.S. newspaper circulation has hit its lowest level in seven decades, as papers across the country lost 10.6 percent of their paying readers from April through September, compared with a year earlier.\"</blockquote>\r\nThe numbers were released by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), which measures circulation for print media across the United States.  Some interesting (and sad)  facts from the study:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>30.4 million Americans buy daily newspapers, 40 million on Sundays</li>\r\n	<li>Daily circulation has been declining since 1987</li>\r\n	<li>In 1940, 31 percent of Americans bought a newspaper. Today, it is 13%.</li>\r\n	<li>The top five newspapers are:  Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post (all except the Journal have lost readers)</li>\r\n	<li>USA Today suffered the highest reader loss, declining by 17.2%, due in part to a decline in the travel industry</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAs fewer people buy print newspapers, fewer advertisers will pay fewer dollars for the chance to display their ads therein. What will happen to the industry? More cuts and less paper, that is for sure. The New York Times recently announced another round of layoffs from its newsroom. The Washington Post is desperate to reinvent itself and recently went through a complete redesign.\r\n\r\nIs there a solution? Your thoughts?','Numbers don\'t lie','','publish','open','open','','numbers-dont-lie','','','2011-08-14 07:33:09','2011-08-14 07:33:09','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=536',0,'post','',0),(1360,4,'2009-10-19 15:38:36','2009-10-19 20:38:36','Here\'s a tip: if something does not work the first 50 times, don\'t do it again.  Seriously. Stop. Re-evalauate. Don\'t waste your efforts.\n\n[picapp src=\"0285/a01e718c-884d-4663-a8b2-4af514245669.jpg?adImageId=6209289&amp;imageId=289428\" width=\"234\" height=\"331\" /]\n\nSure, practice makes perfect, if you are headed to Carnegie Hall. With marketing, practice (repetition) can lead to annoyance and disconnect.\n\nLast November, I started collecting all the marketing mail that relates to FIOS, Verizon\'s fiber-optic service.  To date, I have received nearly five pounds of direct mail and many robo-calls (although I finally got them to stop the robo-calls). Here\'s the clincher though: I have not signed up for FIOS. Verizon keeps sending me the same marketing pieces, over and over and over and over. Most egregious is the one that is marked:<span style=\"color:#ff0000;\"> Important Information About Your Verizon Service. </span>Really, how many times do you think I am going to fall for this? Once, maybe twice, but not dozens.\n\nI am not sure what Verizon\'s strategy is here, but in my case, they are wasting tons of money and not to mention, killing many trees (yeah, I know you want me to switch to paperless billing, but I bet if you just cut out excessive direct mail you would save a ton).\n\nMy other example is from a online listing service I used to pay for.  It changed, without informing me, and suddenly, I was getting no inquiries or  even visits to my website from it. I stopped paying for the premium service. I tried to inform them why. No feedback form or even email address was available. And the guy who runs the service sends me emails at least twice a week asking me to sign up again. The same exact email, twice a week. I am not exaggerating. Again, why would you continue to do something again and again if you are getting no results from it? Do you think I missed the email the first 25 times?\n\nIn any case, marketing communications is about strategy and tactics. You use certain tactics to implement your overall strategy. The thing is, you have many tactics at your disposal and you should fine tune your tactics so that you are achieving the result you want. If a tactic does not seem to work, shelve it. Put it away.\n\nYour adaptability will help set you apart. Trust me on this. Don\'t waste your resources with tired tactics that don\'t work.\n\n','Don\'t try the same trick over and over','','inherit','open','open','','526-revision','','','2009-10-19 15:38:36','2009-10-19 20:38:36','',526,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/10/526-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(541,4,'2009-10-28 15:12:12','2009-10-28 20:12:12','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee078.jpg','cropped-coffee078.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee078-jpg','','','2009-10-28 15:12:12','2009-10-28 20:12:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee078.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(542,4,'2009-10-28 15:17:53','2009-10-28 20:17:53','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0781.jpg','cropped-coffee0781.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee0781-jpg','','','2009-10-28 15:17:53','2009-10-28 20:17:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0781.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(543,4,'2009-10-28 15:19:40','2009-10-28 20:19:40','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0782.jpg','cropped-coffee0782.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee0782-jpg','','','2009-10-28 15:19:40','2009-10-28 20:19:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0782.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(544,4,'2009-10-28 15:20:53','2009-10-28 20:20:53','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0783.jpg','cropped-coffee0783.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee0783-jpg','','','2009-10-28 15:20:53','2009-10-28 20:20:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0783.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(545,4,'2009-10-28 15:23:12','2009-10-28 20:23:12','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0784.jpg','cropped-coffee0784.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee0784-jpg','','','2009-10-28 15:23:12','2009-10-28 20:23:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cropped-coffee0784.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(546,4,'2009-10-29 10:34:07','2009-10-29 15:34:07','Last night, I was fortunate to visit a magnificent exhibition at the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"US Holocaust Museum\" href=\"http://www.ushmm.org\" target=\"_blank\">United States Holocaust Memorial Museum</a>, entitled State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda.\r\n\r\nAs the curator explained, propaganda is inherently linked with advertising and public relations. In the beginning of modern advertising and PR, propaganda people were running the show. Edward Bernays, the \"father of modern PR\" was a propagandist. But propaganda is not inherently negative. Propaganda is simply the propagation of an idea, using various means.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, as with Hitler and the Nazis, propaganda has been used to propagate evil and incite violence and murder. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that the Holocaust was as widespread and supported as it was.\r\n\r\nThe Nazis understood the power of mass media, and they understood the power of symbolism and word choice. They understood that you had to dehumanize your enemy. They used words that had emotional appeal to the Germans of the day, like \"freedom.\"\r\n\r\nThe Nazis made radios cheaper and widely available, and then proceeded to use radio as a way to send out their propaganda within music shows. It became illegal in Nazi Germany to listen to foreign radio broadcasts, punishable by long imprisonment. So the way propaganda worked within Nazi Germany was to use all media possible and by the suppression of all opposing viewpoints.\r\n\r\nIn any case, the lesson to learn is that words are powerful.  We that work in the promotion business, be it advertising, PR or marketing have the power to persuade and that is not something to be taken lightly.','Propaganda','','publish','open','open','','propaganda','','','2011-08-14 07:32:43','2011-08-14 07:32:43','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=546',0,'post','',1),(550,4,'2009-10-30 10:03:06','2009-10-30 15:03:06','What is better is to speak and write plainly, a lesson that is being forced on the U.S. Government according to the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Federal Diary\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102904525.html\" target=\"_blank\">Federal Diary column</a>by Joe Davidson  in the Washington Post. To make that happen (I could have written: In order to facilitate the transition), there will be a symposium on plain language this afternoon at the National Press Club, held by the<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Center for Plain Language\" href=\"http://www.centerforplainlanguage.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> Center for Plain Language</a>.\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt that the government (and many in the legal community) loves to make things complicated. The more obtuse, the better. The more wordy the better. Passive voice? They love it. Big words when smaller words would do, check.\r\n\r\nBut, more disturbing in my opinion (since I already expect government/legal communications to be convoluted), is that marketing folk are jumping on the complicated bandwagon.  This blog post, from the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Branding Strategy Insider\" href=\"http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Branding Strategy Insider</a>, claims that \"<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Complex Language\" href=\"http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2009/10/complex_language_weakening_brands.html\" target=\"_blank\">Complex Language Weakens Brands.\"</a> As the post says:\r\n<blockquote>A serious impediment to communications is this constant upgrading of the language. No aspect of life is left untouched by the upgrade police. Not only does a term have to be politically correct, it has to be as long and as complicated as possible.</blockquote>\r\nA great example from the post is that UPS went from being in the parcel delivery business to being a logistics company. How many people on the street instinctively understand what logistics is???? Not many, my friends. The only people who understand logistics are in logistics.\r\n\r\nIn any case, if you want to be clear, speak and write plainly. Using big words when small ones would do does NOT make you look more intelligent (if anything, it makes you look less so). From the Center for Plain Language website:\r\n<blockquote>A communication is in plain language if the people who are the audience for that communication can quickly and easily\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>find what they need</li>\r\n	<li>understand what they find</li>\r\n	<li>act appropriately on that understanding</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</blockquote>\r\nI think the bullet points above are the point of ANY communications.\r\n\r\nAnd you thought plain vanilla was the boring choice.','Plainly speaking, it is better','','publish','open','open','','plainly-speaking-it-is-better','','','2011-08-14 07:32:16','2011-08-14 07:32:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=550',0,'post','',0),(1358,4,'2009-10-29 10:34:07','2009-10-29 15:34:07','Last night, I was fortunate to visit a magnificent exhibition at the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"US Holocaust Museum\" href=\"http://www.ushmm.org\" target=\"_blank\">United States Holocaust Memorial Museum</a>, entitled State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda.\n\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n[picapp src=\"3/b/e/9/HOLOCAUST_MUSEUM_SHOOTING_45bd.JPG?adImageId=6981117&amp;imageId=4976299\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nAs the curator explained, propaganda is inherently linked with advertising and public relations. In the beginning of modern advertising and PR, propaganda people were running the show. Edward Bernays, the \"father of modern PR\" was a propagandist. But propaganda is not inherently negative. Propaganda is simply the propagation of an idea, using various means.\n\nUnfortunately, as with Hitler and the Nazis, propaganda has been used to propagate evil and incite violence and murder. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that the Holocaust was as widespread and supported as it was.\n\nThe Nazis understood the power of mass media, and they understood the power of symbolism and word choice. They understood that you had to dehumanize your enemy. They used words that had emotional appeal to the Germans of the day, like \"freedom.\"\n\nThe Nazis made radios cheaper and widely available, and then proceeded to use radio as a way to send out their propaganda within music shows. It became illegal in Nazi Germany to listen to foreign radio broadcasts, punishable by long imprisonment. So the way propaganda worked within Nazi Germany was to use all media possible and by the suppression of all opposing viewpoints.\n\nIn any case, the lesson to learn is that words are powerful.  We that work in the promotion business, be it advertising, PR or marketing have the power to persuade and that is not something to be taken lightly.\n\n','Propaganda','','inherit','open','open','','546-revision','','','2009-10-29 10:34:07','2009-10-29 15:34:07','',546,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/10/546-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(554,4,'2009-11-11 16:36:24','2009-11-11 21:36:24','If you are in marketing communications -- advertising, public relations, direct marketing, design or anything else involving promotion, you should be conversant in social media. You should know what it is and you should be using some social media tools yourself.  How will you be able to recommend \"new media\" to clients if you are not on any social networks yourself?\n\nI am not covering any new ground here, I know.  However, I am continually shocked when I meet people who are in the marketing biz and who are completely out of the loop in terms of social media. Or, what I think is worse, is people in marketing who have dipped their tippy toes into social media only to have Twitter accounts they never use, or incomplete LinkedIn profiles with 10 connections or a blog that was last updated in 2007. Do you know these people?  Are you one of these people? Don\'t be!\n\nOK. If you buy in to the paragraphs above let\'s proceed.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">LinkedIn--your professional social networking site</span></strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Set up your profile, and include a photograph of yourself.  You can most likely use the same photograph on other networks as well. Make sure you have a robust description of what you do now, and an informative headline. If you have older profiles, get rid of them. Make it easy for people who know you to find you.</li>\n	<li>If you own your company, set up a profile for your company. Include your company logo and website.</li>\n	<li>Link your blog to your profile.</li>\n	<li>Grow your network! When you meet people you\'d like to do business with, see if you can add them to your network.</li>\n	<li>Answer questions. LinkedIn has an \"answers\" section...see if you can contribute to it.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Blog already!</span></strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>If you have a website, that is fine. But keep in mind that websites are static and don\'t invite interaction. If you can add a blog to your website you will keep it fresher.</li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"><strong>Twitter</strong></span>\n<ul>\n	<li>Set up a twitter account. If it is personal, use your name. If it is business, use your business name. Getting long and complex doesn\'t pay off. Remember, your name is part of any re-tweeting, so don\'t take away precious characters from the 140 you are given.</li>\n	<li>Your Twitter profile should have either a photograph of you or your company logo. Do not use the Twitter bird. Be sure to write up a bio and include your website or blog URL.</li>\n	<li>Follow people. Make lists (the newest Twitter feature)</li>\n	<li>Tweet! Have something to say.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Facebook</span></strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>In my book, Facebook is personal. However, you can and should set up a fan page for your business. It is a no-cost way of promoting your business.</li>\n</ul>\nTo succeed in social media, you must invest some time, be consistent and be persistent.\n\nTo recap, get on one or more social networks already!!!!\n\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','Your minimum social media presence','','publish','open','open','','your-minimum-social-media-presence','','','2009-11-11 16:36:24','2009-11-11 21:36:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=554',0,'post','',0),(557,4,'2009-11-17 08:50:45','2009-11-17 13:50:45','Have you ever wondered why some ads work and some don\'t?  Some ads don\'t work because they are missing crucial information or they are too convoluted or weird. Some ads just don\'t stimulate interest or excitement. And some ads miss their target completely by being placed in the wrong medium.\r\n\r\nYes, sometimes, it is the marketing effort that is to blame. Sometimes the creativity wasn\'t there or the strategy was not the best.\r\n\r\nBut (of course there is a but), sometimes it is what you are selling, your offer, that is to blame.  In other words, your marketing is fine but your offer is not.\r\n\r\nMany times I get dozens of emails advertising an event. The event is posted everywhere. All the correct information is there. Perhaps there is a great headline. But the date conflicts with something else. But the price is too high. But you just bought something similar. <strong>The offer is off. </strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes, what you are offering is not what the customer wants.\r\n\r\nFor instance, a local marketing association is having an event about LinkedIn. Another organization in town had a similar event just a few weeks ago. Furthermore, the event costs $60. It is too much for me.  There was nothing wrong with the marketing for the event except the offer didn\'t entice me (in this case it was the cost).\r\n\r\nIf you are failing to bring in people to your event or buyers to your store, examine your offer. Is the offer fair? Is the offer special? Do people like the offer? Don\'t blame your marketing until you make sure you have a good offer.\r\n\r\nSometimes you have to think, it\'s not you, it\'s me.\r\n\r\nDo you have examples of an ad with a bad offer? Please share!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s not you, it\'s me','','publish','open','open','','its-not-you-its-me','','','2011-08-14 07:31:32','2011-08-14 07:31:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=557',0,'post','',0),(1357,4,'2009-10-30 10:03:06','2009-10-30 15:03:06','What is better is to speak and write plainly, a lesson that is being forced on the U.S. Government according to the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Federal Diary\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102904525.html\" target=\"_blank\">Federal Diary column</a>by Joe Davidson  in the Washington Post. To make that happen (I could have written: In order to facilitate the transition), there will be a symposium on plain language this afternoon at the National Press Club, held by the<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Center for Plain Language\" href=\"http://www.centerforplainlanguage.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> Center for Plain Language</a>.\n\nThere is no doubt that the government (and many in the legal community) loves to make things complicated. The more obtuse, the better. The more wordy the better. Passive voice? They love it. Big words when smaller words would do, check.\n\n[picapp src=\"0181/f294844b-5c9f-40ef-9512-b62697ae4b04.jpg?adImageId=7005915&amp;imageId=185271\" width=\"234\" height=\"312\" /]\n\nBut, more disturbing in my opinion (since I already expect government/legal communications to be convoluted), is that marketing folk are jumping on the complicated bandwagon.  This blog post, from the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Branding Strategy Insider\" href=\"http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Branding Strategy Insider</a>, claims that \"<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Complex Language\" href=\"http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2009/10/complex_language_weakening_brands.html\" target=\"_blank\">Complex Language Weakens Brands.\"</a> As the post says:\n<blockquote>A serious impediment to communications is this constant upgrading of the language. No aspect of life is left untouched by the upgrade police. Not only does a term have to be politically correct, it has to be as long and as complicated as possible.</blockquote>\nA great example from the post is that UPS went from being in the parcel delivery business to being a logistics company. How many people on the street instinctively understand what logistics is???? Not many, my friends. The only people who understand logistics are in logistics.\n\nIn any case, if you want to be clear, speak and write plainly. Using big words when small ones would do does NOT make you look more intelligent (if anything, it makes you look less so). From the Center for Plain Language website:\n<blockquote>A communication is in plain language if the people who are the audience for that communication can quickly and easily\n<ul>\n	<li>find what they need</li>\n	<li>understand what they find</li>\n	<li>act appropriately on that understanding</li>\n</ul>\n</blockquote>\nI think the bullet points above are the point of ANY communications.\n\nAnd you thought plain vanilla was the boring choice.\n\n','Plainly speaking, it is better','','inherit','open','open','','550-revision','','','2009-10-30 10:03:06','2009-10-30 15:03:06','',550,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/10/550-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(561,4,'2009-11-23 15:03:06','2009-11-23 20:03:06','Say you want to sell something. You think: I\'ll place an ad to get buyers. Buyers will come, see the item and pay for it. Deal done. For simple transactions, this simple paradigm works. Take note of all the individual ads for used furniture, bikes and other stuff on Craigslist.\r\n\r\nHowever, there must be more thought put in when you are trying to market for a large store, retail operation or national distributor.  First, you are selling more than one item. When you are advertising for a larger operation you are trying to accomplish at least two things. One is to move product and another is to get people in your store. The idea being that if someone is there to buy 2-for-1 widgets, he or she may also buy some gidgets.\r\n\r\nSo your ad agency created a great ad, the pricing is great both for the customer and for your bottom line, and you\'ve done a comprehensive media buy. All you have to do now is sit back and wait. Right? Wrong!\r\n\r\nRetailers, from the smallest to the largest, have to be a bit more proactive. First, they have to make sure they have enough stock of what they are attempting to sell. Second, they have to have contingency plans if the demand is too large. Are you going to honor the same price when a new shipment arrives? Are you going to give rainchecks?\r\n\r\n<strong>In short, advertising must be connected to your operations and customer service policies.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me share a misadventure I had at a well known office supply store (email me if you want the name).  They had advertised a certain desk chair on sale. On the second day of the sale, I showed up at a store and wanted to buy said desk chair . The store was \"out of stock.\" In fact, most every store in the area was out of stock. I had to ask the manager to locate stores with the chair in stock and both had only one chair. At no point did he offer to call and have the other store hold the chair for me. The manager also did not offer to give me a coupon or the same price on a similar chair.  In fact, the whole experience was illustrative of terrible customer service, but also of the disconnect  between advertising and operations.\r\n\r\nThe store had advertised a sale for an item that it did not have in stock. Perhaps it was bait and switch and perhaps it was the fault of the advertising manager.Whatever the reason, it did not result in a sale, quite the opposite, it resulted in an irritated potential customer who will think twice before going to this store for anything, much less anything advertised in the weekly circular.\r\n\r\n<strong>Advertising gets people to the door but it does not make the sale.  Customer service and sales staff make the sale. </strong>\r\n\r\nThe truth is advertising alone is rarely enough.','Advertising is not enough','','publish','open','open','','advertising-is-not-enough','','','2011-08-14 07:30:29','2011-08-14 07:30:29','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=561',0,'post','',0),(1356,4,'2009-11-17 08:50:45','2009-11-17 13:50:45','Have you ever wondered why some ads work and some don\'t?  Some ads don\'t work because they are missing crucial information or they are too convoluted or weird. Some ads just don\'t stimulate interest or excitement. And some ads miss their target completely by being placed in the wrong medium.\n\nYes, sometimes, it is the marketing effort that is to blame. Sometimes the creativity wasn\'t there or the strategy was not the best.\n\nBut (of course there is a but), sometimes it is what you are selling, your offer, that is to blame.  In other words, your marketing is fine but your offer is not.\n\nMany times I get dozens of emails advertising an event. The event is posted everywhere. All the correct information is there. Perhaps there is a great headline. But the date conflicts with something else. But the price is too high. But you just bought something similar. <strong>The offer is off. </strong>\n\n[picapp src=\"0168/1d557998-f397-45c1-938d-75ec415931ac.jpg?adImageId=7569637&amp;imageId=172510\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nSometimes, what you are offering is not what the customer wants.\n\nFor instance, a local marketing association is having an event about LinkedIn. Another organization in town had a similar event just a few weeks ago. Furthermore, the event costs $60. It is too much for me.  There was nothing wrong with the marketing for the event except the offer didn\'t entice me (in this case it was the cost).\n\nIf you are failing to bring in people to your event or buyers to your store, examine your offer. Is the offer fair? Is the offer special? Do people like the offer? Don\'t blame your marketing until you make sure you have a good offer.\n\nSometimes you have to think, it\'s not you, it\'s me.\n\nDo you have examples of an ad with a bad offer? Please share!!!\n\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','It\'s not you, it\'s me','','inherit','open','open','','557-revision','','','2009-11-17 08:50:45','2009-11-17 13:50:45','',557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/11/557-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(564,4,'2009-11-28 11:23:03','2009-11-28 16:23:03','Perhaps we have been lulled into thinking that our writing is OK because we have spell-check on our word-processing programs. Or perhaps we just think that we make no mistakes. But we do make mistakes, and some are just awful.\n\nHere\'s a paragraph from a story posted on the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"WJLA\" href=\"http://www.wjla.com/\" target=\"_self\">WJLA</a> website, today, about Virginia\'s smoking ban:\n<blockquote>For the first time, patrons will walk through the doors without smelling smoke for the first time in15 years at Ireland\'s Four Courts in Arlington. Friday morning, work started before dawn.</blockquote>\nHow many mistakes can one short paragraph have? Apparently, WJLA does not believe in copyediting or editing of any sort. I have seen more mistakes on this one website than on any other major news website I visit. You know what it does? It makes me think that they don\'t check ANY aspect of the stories they post. How can you trust what they say if they can\'t even say it right?\n\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','We still need editors','','publish','open','open','','we-still-need-editors','','','2009-11-28 11:23:03','2009-11-28 16:23:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=564',0,'post','',0),(567,4,'2009-12-01 10:34:45','2009-12-01 15:34:45','What do I need to know in order to make a decision about hiring you? That is what your ABOUT section on your blog or website must answer.  On the rare occasion that someone is going to make a decision about contracting services or buying products from you, that person will want to know your credentials.\r\n\r\nHere are a few questions that you should answer:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>How long have you been in business?</li>\r\n	<li>What is your experience?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you have any special credentials?</li>\r\n	<li>What makes you special?</li>\r\n	<li>Who are you?</li>\r\n	<li>Where or with whom have you worked?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nRecently, I was \"shopping\" for a doctor. The insurance website listing is not helpful other than to give me the distance the doctor is located from my house and where he or she went to school. So I checked to see if some of the practices had websites. I found one that was very simple yet answered questions I had: does the practice do its own lab work? What kind of healthcare do they practice? What are the doctors\' backgrounds?  It all sounded good to me and now I have an appointment. I will let you know.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, I came across a new marketing company\'s website. Their \"About us\" says this:\r\n<blockquote>We are uniquely qualified “marketing experts” as our seasoned management team has a combined 50 years of success in executing revenue generating strategies across numerous industries.  We’ve been the leaders of Sales, Marketing, Business Development and Product Marketing teams.  We have made cold calls, designed and launched products, catapulted public relation campaigns, pontificated press releases, and of course, successfully executed hundreds of marketing campaigns for small, medium, and large businesses.\r\n\r\nOur team not only creates the programs, they are on the front lines executing and analyzing them.  However, our success isn’t measured in our experience and ROI alone.  We are customers too and know the importance of rapport-building and customer service.  We treat each customer as honor, and mind our customer’s marketing campaigns as they were for our own company.</blockquote>\r\nWhy not tell me who you are, with whom you have worked, and where you are located, for starters?  Hell, I am a \"seasoned marketing expert\" myself, right? (Not to mention the excessive capitalization.)\r\n\r\nWhat other things do you look for when you are looking to hire/contract/buy services? Comments please!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why should I hire YOU?','','publish','open','open','','why-should-i-hire-you','','','2011-08-14 07:29:59','2011-08-14 07:29:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=567',0,'post','',0),(1355,4,'2009-11-23 15:03:06','2009-11-23 20:03:06','Say you want to sell something. You think: I\'ll place an ad to get buyers. Buyers will come, see the item and pay for it. Deal done. For simple transactions, this simple paradigm works. Take note of all the individual ads for used furniture, bikes and other stuff on Craigslist.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=advertisement&amp;iid=5075860\" src=\"4/8/9/7/Sale_advertisment_on_f89e.jpg?adImageId=7763211&amp;imageId=5075860\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nHowever, there must be more thought put in when you are trying to market for a large store, retail operation or national distributor.  First, you are selling more than one item. When you are advertising for a larger operation you are trying to accomplish at least two things. One is to move product and another is to get people in your store. The idea being that if someone is there to buy 2-for-1 widgets, he or she may also buy some gidgets.\n\nSo your ad agency created a great ad, the pricing is great both for the customer and for your bottom line, and you\'ve done a comprehensive media buy. All you have to do now is sit back and wait. Right? Wrong!\n\nRetailers, from the smallest to the largest, have to be a bit more proactive. First, they have to make sure they have enough stock of what they are attempting to sell. Second, they have to have contingency plans if the demand is too large. Are you going to honor the same price when a new shipment arrives? Are you going to give rainchecks?\n\n<strong>In short, advertising must be connected to your operations and customer service policies.</strong>\n\nLet me share a misadventure I had at a well known office supply store (email me if you want the name).  They had advertised a certain desk chair on sale. On the second day of the sale, I showed up at a store and wanted to buy said desk chair . The store was \"out of stock.\" In fact, most every store in the area was out of stock. I had to ask the manager to locate stores with the chair in stock and both had only one chair. At no point did he offer to call and have the other store hold the chair for me. The manager also did not offer to give me a coupon or the same price on a similar chair.  In fact, the whole experience was illustrative of terrible customer service, but also of the disconnect  between advertising and operations.\n\nThe store had advertised a sale for an item that it did not have in stock. Perhaps it was bait and switch and perhaps it was the fault of the advertising manager.Whatever the reason, it did not result in a sale, quite the opposite, it resulted in an irritated potential customer who will think twice before going to this store for anything, much less anything advertised in the weekly circular.\n\n<strong>Advertising gets people to the door but it does not make the sale.  Customer service and sales staff make the sale. </strong>\n\nThe truth is advertising alone is rarely enough.\n\n','Advertising is not enough','','inherit','open','open','','561-revision','','','2009-11-23 15:03:06','2009-11-23 20:03:06','',561,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/11/561-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(572,4,'2009-12-05 09:45:12','2009-12-05 14:45:12','This is not or should not be a newsflash, but social media has changed public relations.  Yet many people are resisting.\n\nYesterday, I was fortunate to have attended a presentation on social media strategy given by Sally Falkow, and hosted by the PRSA-NCC, here in Washington DC. Ms. Falkow presented a case for social media (newspapers in decline, people looking for new sources of information) and gave some advice on how to use social media to achieve public relations/marketing goals. You can access this valuable presentation here:\n\n﻿[slideshare id=2655269&amp;doc=prsadcsocialmedia-091205063755-phpapp02]\n\nAlthough her presentation gave me lots of new perspectives and ideas, what fascinated me the most was the audience reaction. Specifically three or four people, who are decidedly old school, immediately started questioning Ms. Falkow. One person in particular, who claimed she had been a White House reporter, was quite acid about new media, saying \"no one has time to watch video news releases\" and \"blogs are not credible.\"  Obviously, this woman is not keen on social media, and thinks it just is not up to snuff,  certainly not comparable to old media.\n\nThese questioners actually were quite disruptive, but mostly, they were a sad reminder that some people will fight change. This is why so many organizations are having a difficult time communicating these days. Sure, I know that getting a clip in a major newspaper or coverage from a major broadcaster felt good and was the result of good media relations. But that is not where the majority of the audience is these days. Newspapers are dying, major news broadcasts are losing ground, and more importantly, legions of people have embraced social media.  Although you could ignore this situation, you would be doing it at your own peril.\n\nIf you practice PR, or advertising, or marketing, you MUST consider social media. It is not optional any more. It is not just a way to get young people or techies. It is where a large majority of people are getting their news and information.  Railing against it, questioning its legitimacy and refusing to change your ways will only result in your public relations efforts going to waste. You will be left out in the cold.\n\n','Social media has changed PR','','publish','open','open','','social-media-has-changed-pr','','','2009-12-05 09:45:12','2009-12-05 14:45:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=572',0,'post','',3),(577,4,'2009-12-08 14:15:03','2009-12-08 19:15:03','Check out my guest post: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"GBA\" href=\"http://www.greenbuzzagency.com/the-golden-rule-of-marketing-4-actions-your-company-should-take\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Golden Rule of Marketing: 4 Actions your Company Should Take\"</a> at the Green Buzz Agency blog.\n\nLet me know what you think!\n\n','Be consistent!','','publish','open','open','','be-consistent','','','2009-12-08 14:15:03','2009-12-08 19:15:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=577',0,'post','',0),(581,4,'2009-12-10 08:55:44','2009-12-10 13:55:44','It is too bad that marketing people often are  not involved in the pricing process within a company. Because as you probably know, price is one of the four \"Ps\" (product, placement, price, promotion) involved in marketing. Often, especially if you are in a  public relations/advertising agency, you had absolutely no input on price. None. And yet, you are being asked to promote a product/service that may not be priced correctly.\r\n\r\nWhat is the correct price? The one the public will pay for that product or service.\r\n\r\nFor instance, say you see a great ad campaign for a product. You go look for it, but it is priced too high. You don\'t buy it. Of course, perhaps you are not the target audience. Perhaps the target is people with higher household incomes than you. That is possible.\r\n\r\nHowever, I often see pricing that is more reflexive of a small committee of people who decide the price than of market research or a target audience strategy.\r\n\r\nPrices can be too high and they can be too low. If something is too cheap, you may doubt its value.\r\n\r\nIn any case, if as a marketing communications person you can participate in talks about price, do so. If you can get market research to back up price decisions, do so.  The right price can sell a product more readily than any campaign, press release or social media blitz.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?','The price is right!','','publish','open','open','','the-price-is-right','','','2011-08-14 07:29:14','2011-08-14 07:29:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=581',0,'post','',0),(1354,4,'2009-12-01 10:34:45','2009-12-01 15:34:45','What do I need to know in order to make a decision about hiring you? That is what your ABOUT section on your blog or website must answer.  On the rare occasion that someone is going to make a decision about contracting services or buying products from you, that person will want to know your credentials.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=why&amp;iid=92499\" src=\"0088/d2b1497e-b34e-4a65-b807-da66a7111dbc.jpg?adImageId=7963926&amp;imageId=92499\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nHere are a few questions that you should answer:\n<ul>\n	<li>How long have you been in business?</li>\n	<li>What is your experience?</li>\n	<li>Do you have any special credentials?</li>\n	<li>What makes you special?</li>\n	<li>Who are you?</li>\n	<li>Where or with whom have you worked?</li>\n</ul>\nRecently, I was \"shopping\" for a doctor. The insurance website listing is not helpful other than to give me the distance the doctor is located from my house and where he or she went to school. So I checked to see if some of the practices had websites. I found one that was very simple yet answered questions I had: does the practice do its own lab work? What kind of healthcare do they practice? What are the doctors\' backgrounds?  It all sounded good to me and now I have an appointment. I will let you know.\n\nOn the other hand, I came across a new marketing company\'s website. Their \"About us\" says this:\n<blockquote>We are uniquely qualified “marketing experts” as our seasoned management team has a combined 50 years of success in executing revenue generating strategies across numerous industries.  We’ve been the leaders of Sales, Marketing, Business Development and Product Marketing teams.  We have made cold calls, designed and launched products, catapulted public relation campaigns, pontificated press releases, and of course, successfully executed hundreds of marketing campaigns for small, medium, and large businesses.\n\nOur team not only creates the programs, they are on the front lines executing and analyzing them.  However, our success isn’t measured in our experience and ROI alone.  We are customers too and know the importance of rapport-building and customer service.  We treat each customer as honor, and mind our customer’s marketing campaigns as they were for our own company.</blockquote>\nWhy not tell me who you are, with whom you have worked, and where you are located, for starters?  Hell, I am a \"seasoned marketing expert\" myself, right? (Not to mention the excessive capitalization.)\n\nWhat other things do you look for when you are looking to hire/contract/buy services? Comments please!\n\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n\n','Why should I hire YOU?','','inherit','open','open','','567-revision','','','2009-12-01 10:34:45','2009-12-01 15:34:45','',567,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/12/567-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(586,4,'2009-12-11 08:09:08','2009-12-11 13:09:08','What does it say about the publishing industry when the venerable, 108-year-old trade journal covering the industry is folding?Read the story <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Crains NY Biz\" href=\"http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091210/FREE/912109995/1040\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nIt seems inevitable that we will see continued downturn in the magazine market. More and more, people are turning to digital media for all their news and information. And why not? It is there, at your fingertips. It is continually updated and often, you don\'t have to pay for it.\r\n\r\nMagazines are starting to seem as quaint as LPs (vinyl records for those who don\'t remember).','Editor & Publisher to shut down','','publish','open','open','','editor-publisher-to-shut-down','','','2011-08-14 07:28:48','2011-08-14 07:28:48','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=586',0,'post','',0),(1353,4,'2009-12-10 08:55:44','2009-12-10 13:55:44','It is too bad that marketing people often are  not involved in the pricing process within a company. Because as you probably know, price is one of the four \"Ps\" (product, placement, price, promotion) involved in marketing. Often, especially if you are in a  public relations/advertising agency, you had absolutely no input on price. None. And yet, you are being asked to promote a product/service that may not be priced correctly.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=price+tag&amp;iid=5276512\" src=\"3/8/f/6/Blank_price_tag_0c55.jpg?adImageId=8192228&amp;imageId=5276512\" width=\"234\" height=\"234\" /]\n\nWhat is the correct price? The one the public will pay for that product or service.\n\nFor instance, say you see a great ad campaign for a product. You go look for it, but it is priced too high. You don\'t buy it. Of course, perhaps you are not the target audience. Perhaps the target is people with higher household incomes than you. That is possible.\n\nHowever, I often see pricing that is more reflexive of a small committee of people who decide the price than of market research or a target audience strategy.\n\nPrices can be too high and they can be too low. If something is too cheap, you may doubt its value.\n\nIn any case, if as a marketing communications person you can participate in talks about price, do so. If you can get market research to back up price decisions, do so.  The right price can sell a product more readily than any campaign, press release or social media blitz.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n','The price is right!','','inherit','open','open','','581-revision','','','2009-12-10 08:55:44','2009-12-10 13:55:44','',581,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/12/581-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(590,4,'2009-12-14 13:17:37','2009-12-14 18:17:37','<strong>Prescriptives:  One Customer\'s Quest for Makeup</strong>\n\nToday, I went to the mall in search of a replacement for my dwindling bottle of Prescriptives foundation, which I love. First I went to Nordstrom, where I originally found it. The Prescriptives counter was very small, and a salesperson from a different counter \"helped\" me.  She was not very familiar with the brand and she said they were out of what I needed. Next stop, Bloomingdales. I looked everywhere and no Prescriptives counter. I asked someone who answered me with a look as if I had just asked for Cover Girl, that Prescriptives does not have a counter at Bloomingdale\'s. I walked out.\n\nNext stop was Macy\'s. A young sales guy informs me that Prescriptives is being discontinued. This is news to me. I ask whether I can purchase the foundation online. He tells me no, but that he can custom blend some foundation from me at exactly double the price. I asked if I could find a similar foundation with the parent company, Estee Lauder. He says probably, and walks me over to the Estee Lauder counter, where he explains what I need to a saleswoman who then proceeds to ignore me. No joke. I walk out.\n\nFinally, I get to Lord &amp; Taylor. I find their Prescriptives counter and the salesperson tells me they are sold out of that particular foundation. She shows me a couple of others,  which I don\'t like. She assures me I can find something similar at Estee Lauder. We go over there, and the Estee Lauder looks up in her sales book and yes, she finds the \"equivalent\" to my foundation in the Estee Lauder lineup. OK. She is a good salesperson. She is nice and helpful and I buy the Estee Lauder offering.\n\nI get home. I check on the Internet and guess what? I can buy my exact foundation online. I do it.\n\nWhat is the moral of this makeup quest? A company must communicate with its associates and the public just a wee bit better.\n<ul>\n	<li>First, I did not know Prescriptives was being phased out. It is probably buried in some news somewhere but a large ad would have made that clear to me.</li>\n	<li>Second, the counter people did not know enough to say the following: Prescriptives is being phased out. You can still purchase our existence here or check online until X date. One of these sales people even had the wrong information. Not helpful.</li>\n	<li>Third, the physical displays/counters at the stores did not have any of the above information.</li>\n</ul>\nPrescriptives is part of Estee Lauder. It is in EL\'s best interest to make sure that Prescriptives customers migrate to one of their brands, and be happy about it. In order to do this, the company needs to communicate better. Period. End of story.\n\nHave you ever had to deal with a brand that was being discontinued? What did you do?\n\n','Lack of communication may cost you a sale','','publish','open','open','','lack-of-communication-may-cost-you-a-sale','','','2009-12-14 13:17:37','2009-12-14 18:17:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=590',0,'post','',1),(593,4,'2009-12-15 09:05:23','2009-12-15 14:05:23','When you are surrounded by something, you assume everyone else is as well. You are taking for granted that everyone has the same experience. But, this is simply not so. And taking things for granted results in bad communication, for sure.\n\nHow many times have you tried to talk to a real tech-y person? Chances are you ended up nodding your head because it was easier than asking what each word meant or gadget or program did. This happens whenever you try to communicate with someone who is immersed in a world, and does not realize you aren\'t.\n\nOn Saturday, I was at a talk about research on the Internet. Some terms came up like \"delicious\" or \"brand reputation,\" which did not strike a chord amongst the attendees.  You have to know who your audience is and adjust your explanations accordingly. If you are tweeting on Twitter,  you don\'t have to explain what a tweet up is. If you are in a room where people feel very cutting edge because they finally put up a picture of their dog on Facebook, you will have to explain, and it will not be as obvious as you think.\n\nA rule for good communication is not to take things for granted. Explain what you mean using common terms. Avoid jargon. Jargon is the ultimate insider language, and it takes for granted that you understand it.  Remember, just because it is obvious to you does not mean it is obvious to everyone else.\n\n','Taking things for granted','','publish','open','open','','taking-things-for-granted','','','2009-12-15 09:05:23','2009-12-15 14:05:23','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=593',0,'post','',0),(597,4,'2009-12-28 15:04:39','2009-12-28 20:04:39','As the last year in the first decade of 21st century, 2009 was certainly a year of flux. We saw lots of changes in media. Many magazines were shuttered, and some newspapers became online only.  The Internet, in the Web 2.0 format was king. Twitter flourished, as did Facebook. Blogs continued to pop up everywhere.  All the mainstream newscasts routinely place more information, video, interviews  online. The divide between haves and have-nots is certainly growing.\r\n\r\nSome trends that I personally disliked:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The rise of personal branding to the level of ridiculous self-promotion.</li>\r\n	<li>The failure of old guard public relations/advertising practitioners to embrace new media</li>\r\n	<li>The idea that new media/social networks are THE solution (they are not)</li>\r\n	<li>Social media \"experts\" (having a Twitter account and a blog does not make anyone an expert)</li>\r\n	<li>Endless self-promotion on multiple platforms of social media</li>\r\n	<li>Linking every Tweet to Facebook and LinkedIn and everything in between</li>\r\n	<li>Feeling the need to tweet everything, have hashtags for everything and  \"follow Friday\"</li>\r\n	<li>Rise in sexist images in advertising</li>\r\n	<li>Decline in thoughtful public relations campaigns</li>\r\n	<li>Decline in traditional media, especially print journalism</li>\r\n	<li>Endless hype/hysteria about the supposed big story of the minute (Tiger Woods, Octomom, Balloon Boy, etc.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBut on the bright side\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Social media has presented great opportunities for small businesses</li>\r\n	<li>The new PBS NewsHour</li>\r\n	<li>Increased desire for measurement and return on investment</li>\r\n	<li>Twitter, in spite of the above problems, has allowed for new relationships and allegiances, not to mention new parlance (tweetup, tweetsgiving, etc)</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptance of blogs as legitimate journalistic outlets</li>\r\n	<li>Citizen journalism and subsequent empowerment</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat are your best/worst for the year?','Was 2009 a good year for marketing communications?','','publish','open','open','','was-2009-a-good-year-for-marketing-communications','','','2011-08-14 07:28:05','2011-08-14 07:28:05','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=597',0,'post','',1),(602,4,'2010-01-06 10:44:56','2010-01-06 15:44:56','We all have gone to see a movie that our best friend raved about only to find we thought it was just OK.  Same happens with restaurants that receive glowing reviews. What happens is that our expectations have been set too high and naturally, we are disappointed with reality.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a like a present that is wrapped beautifully....what will be inside? Will it be better than its wrapping?\r\n\r\nBuzz is about forming expectations and then exploiting them.  Marketing people love buzz or WOM (word-of-mouth) because few things are as powerful as a recommendation from someone we know.\r\n\r\nThe down side of creating high expectations is having to deliver or even over-deliver on such expectations.  We can have stuff go very wrong when things don\'t live up to expectations.\r\n\r\nLately, I have been paying attention to hotel websites and ratings. Usually, there is a picture of a perfect room. We don\'t see anything wrong.  But what happens if we book this room, and show up at the hotel only to find that the bathroom is filthy, the carpets (which did not show up in the room picture) are grimy and the noise level is unbearable. What happens is that we are very unhappy. But what makes it worse is that we <em>expected </em>better.\r\n\r\nClearly there is a fine line to walk for marketing people. We have to create expectations  and we have to be able to meet them in a reasonable way.\r\n\r\nTastes differ of course, so what I absolutely love, you may hate. Humans are more forgiving of taste not being met, but with service and other issues that are quantifiable we are not so forgiving. For instance, I went to a restaurant with a friend. We both order the same thing, and I like it but she doesn\'t. Taste  is at play (she prefers less spicy). However, we can both agree on the service (good), ambience (lovely), parking (difficult).\r\n\r\nMarketing that succeeds creates high enough expectations to attract a customer without creating a situation that the customer may actually be upset. The latter happens a lot with sales. Stores run a sale, drawing customers expecting to get a great price on an item they really want. Expectations are not met and tempers are raised if the item is out of stock or is not as it appeared.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do to create reasonable expectations? How do you navigate this  line?','Expectations','','publish','open','open','','expectations','','','2011-08-14 07:27:41','2011-08-14 07:27:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=602',0,'post','',0),(1351,4,'2009-12-28 15:04:39','2009-12-28 20:04:39','As the last year in the first decade of 21st century, 2009 was certainly a year of flux. We saw lots of changes in media. Many magazines were shuttered, and some newspapers became online only.  The Internet, in the Web 2.0 format was king. Twitter flourished, as did Facebook. Blogs continued to pop up everywhere.  All the mainstream newscasts routinely place more information, video, interviews  online. The divide between haves and have-nots is certainly growing.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=calendar+planner&amp;iid=76650\" src=\"0073/08c3ff1e-7f6b-42e0-b817-62f37ccc72c2.jpg?adImageId=8702577&amp;imageId=76650\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nSome trends that I personally disliked:\n<ul>\n	<li>The rise of personal branding to the level of ridiculous self-promotion.</li>\n	<li>The failure of old guard public relations/advertising practitioners to embrace new media</li>\n	<li>The idea that new media/social networks are THE solution (they are not)</li>\n	<li>Social media \"experts\" (having a Twitter account and a blog does not make anyone an expert)</li>\n	<li>Endless self-promotion on multiple platforms of social media</li>\n	<li>Linking every Tweet to Facebook and LinkedIn and everything in between</li>\n	<li>Feeling the need to tweet everything, have hashtags for everything and  \"follow Friday\"</li>\n	<li>Rise in sexist images in advertising</li>\n	<li>Decline in thoughtful public relations campaigns</li>\n	<li>Decline in traditional media, especially print journalism</li>\n	<li>Endless hype/hysteria about the supposed big story of the minute (Tiger Woods, Octomom, Balloon Boy, etc.)</li>\n</ul>\nBut on the bright side\n<ul>\n	<li>Social media has presented great opportunities for small businesses</li>\n	<li>The new PBS NewsHour</li>\n	<li>Increased desire for measurement and return on investment</li>\n	<li>Twitter, in spite of the above problems, has allowed for new relationships and allegiances, not to mention new parlance (tweetup, tweetsgiving, etc)</li>\n	<li>Acceptance of blogs as legitimate journalistic outlets</li>\n	<li>Citizen journalism and subsequent empowerment</li>\n</ul>\nWhat are your best/worst for the year?\n\n','Was 2009 a good year for marketing communications?','','inherit','open','open','','597-revision','','','2009-12-28 15:04:39','2009-12-28 20:04:39','',597,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/12/597-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(607,4,'2010-01-08 06:44:19','2010-01-08 11:44:19','You may remember that back last spring a big announcement was made that Leno would be in prime time, every day at 10:00 p.m, and Conan O\'Brien would have the Tonight Show. The idea seemed to be that Leno is pretty popular, and a variety show is cheaper to produce than say a quality show like Law &amp; Order, so why not have Leno take up this real estate which had so long been the province of the good TV dramas.\r\n\r\nWell, the programming folks over at NBC are now discussing moving Jay Leno back to his original 11:35 p.m. spot, after the news.\r\n\r\nAnyone could have told NBC that this would fail. In fact a TV station in Boston was going to refuse to run Leno, because they thought it would hurt their lead for the late night news. It did. They were right. NBC strong-armed their stations into accepting the Leno show by saying they would be dropped if they did not go along.\r\n\r\nWhat this shows, in my opinion, is the isolated world that TV programming folks live in. It shows hubris. It shows lack of research and a lack of common sense. I think most people questioned whether Leno could succeed at the earlier hour. Especially, up against what ABC and CBS offer at that hour. Leno is about about late night humor. He is not Barbara Walters, up to interviewing all sorts of folks.\r\n\r\nIn the end, the Leno Show was not bringing in the viewers that the 11:00 p.m. news needed (a very profitable franchise). NBC was probably bleeding viewers at the 10:00 pm and 11:35 pm hours too (Conan was no Jay). Bottom line, it was costing money to produce a lower costing show.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think?\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Steven Pearlstein, columnist for the Washington Post hits the nail on the head regarding what NBC did in business terms. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Pearlstein\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011203671.html\" target=\"_blank\">Read his column here</a>.</strong>','The unmaking of Jay Leno/UPDATED','','publish','open','open','','the-unmaking-of-jay-leno','','','2011-08-14 07:27:04','2011-08-14 07:27:04','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=607',0,'post','',1),(610,4,'2010-01-11 15:31:04','2010-01-11 20:31:04','Although I am not a fan of New Year\'s resolutions, I think January is a great time to set goals for oneself. You have a whole year ahead of you to meet those goals. And goals are tangible. You either meet them or not, whereas resolutions like \"I want to be healthier\" are vague.\r\n\r\nHere are some personal marketing goals:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Upload a headshot to LinkedIn</li>\r\n	<li>Answer at least one question a month on LinkedIn</li>\r\n	<li>Refine your LinkedIn headline</li>\r\n	<li>Increase your LinkedIn contacts by 25% (minimum)</li>\r\n	<li>Get business cards if you don\'t have them</li>\r\n	<li>Update and polish your elevator speech and then practice it!</li>\r\n	<li>Attend networking events at least twice a month</li>\r\n	<li>Join a professional association</li>\r\n	<li>Join a committee or volunteer group</li>\r\n	<li>Start a blog if you don\'t have one (Posterous is easy!) or post regularly on your existing blog</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat goals are you setting for yourself?','Personal marketing goals for 2010','','publish','open','open','','personal-marketing-goals-for-2010','','','2011-08-14 07:26:21','2011-08-14 07:26:21','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=610',0,'post','',0),(1349,4,'2010-01-08 06:44:19','2010-01-08 11:44:19','You may remember that back last spring a big announcement was made that Leno would be in prime time, every day at 10:00 p.m, and Conan O\'Brien would have the Tonight Show. The idea seemed to be that Leno is pretty popular, and a variety show is cheaper to produce than say a quality show like Law &amp; Order, so why not have Leno take up this real estate which had so long been the province of the good TV dramas.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=jay+leno+show&amp;iid=5813316\" src=\"c/9/f/7/Summer_TCA_Tour_d3f7.jpg?adImageId=8858848&amp;imageId=5813316\" width=\"234\" height=\"254\" /]\n\nWell, the programming folks over at NBC are now discussing moving Jay Leno back to his original 11:35 p.m. spot, after the news.\n\nAnyone could have told NBC that this would fail. In fact a TV station in Boston was going to refuse to run Leno, because they thought it would hurt their lead for the late night news. It did. They were right. NBC strong-armed their stations into accepting the Leno show by saying they would be dropped if they did not go along.\n\nWhat this shows, in my opinion, is the isolated world that TV programming folks live in. It shows hubris. It shows lack of research and a lack of common sense. I think most people questioned whether Leno could succeed at the earlier hour. Especially, up against what ABC and CBS offer at that hour. Leno is about about late night humor. He is not Barbara Walters, up to interviewing all sorts of folks.\n\nIn the end, the Leno Show was not bringing in the viewers that the 11:00 p.m. news needed (a very profitable franchise). NBC was probably bleeding viewers at the 10:00 pm and 11:35 pm hours too (Conan was no Jay). Bottom line, it was costing money to produce a lower costing show.\n\nWhat do you think?\n\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\n\n<strong>Steven Pearlstein, columnist for the Washington Post hits the nail on the head regarding what NBC did in business terms. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Pearlstein\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011203671.html\" target=\"_blank\">Read his column here</a>.</strong>\n\n','The unmaking of Jay Leno/UPDATED','','inherit','open','open','','607-revision','','','2010-01-08 06:44:19','2010-01-08 11:44:19','',607,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/01/607-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(614,4,'2010-01-14 08:00:22','2010-01-14 13:00:22','There are followers and lists and getting many of each seems to be the focus for many people on Twitter.  Some people make pleas for more followers and then there is \"Follow Friday\" in which people recommend to their followers other people to follow.\r\n\r\nIf this sounds a bit like a high school popularity contest, it is, for some people.  Many people use Twitter to give and get information and ideas, but there is a subset of people who use Twitter to prove their hotness/coolness/hipness/in-the-knowness.  These people go so far as to form cliques on Twitter, endlessly referencing their clique friends in every Tweet. They converse in public with each other and rarely engage with non-clique/inner circle people. Several of these people are \"social media experts,\" which is ironic since they are not being very social (I must credit <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daria Steigman\" href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Daria Steigman of Steigman Communications</a> with this idea).\r\n\r\nI have theories as to why Twitter becomes like a high school for these people but I won\'t share them here.  It is important to remember what social networks are for, and that is to make it easy to create connection. If all you are doing on Twitter is sending shout-outs to your five closest buddies or endlessly promoting yourself, you are not using Twitter to its full potential. I can\'t say that you are not using Twitter for what it is intended because I have no idea what its founder was thinking when he created the microblogging site.\r\n\r\nTwitter is a great learning tool and it is a great sharing tool. It democratizes access and can really serve to mobilize people around causes. Eugene Robinson makes excellent observation in today\'s Washington Post, saying:\r\n<blockquote>Twitter and other networking sites are unfiltered by editors or other gatekeepers. They rely on the wisdom of the crowd to sort out what is accurate and what is not. To someone (like me) who has spent his career as a gatekeeper, this was tremendously unsettling -- at first. During the Iran protests, I saw how quickly Twitter users identified misinformation that was being posted by government propagandists. The self-policing capability of the medium is impressive.\r\n\r\nThe other big difference is that social networking offers not just information, but also the opportunity to take action. Twitter users were able to work together to mask the identities of the Iranian demonstrators who were using the site to tell the world what was happening. Last night, along with the news from Haiti came suggestions for how the Twitter community could most effectively help the relief effort.\r\n\r\nIs this “news” the way we used to think of it? No. But it’s news people can use.\r\n\r\nRead <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Eugene Robinson\" href=\"http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/01/following_the_earthquake_in_ha.html#more\" target=\"_blank\">complete article</a> here.</blockquote>\r\nTo  those popularity hounds on Twitter I say put high school behind you.  If you have something worthwhile to say people will follow you no matter who your friends are or aren\'t.','Is Twitter a High School for Adults?','','publish','open','open','','is-twitter-a-high-school-for-adults','','','2011-08-14 07:25:57','2011-08-14 07:25:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=614',0,'post','',2),(619,4,'2010-01-18 16:31:44','2010-01-18 21:31:44','I am not sure if it is just another way to establish your influence or another popularity measure on Twitter, but now there are several tools to measure your rank and influence on Twitter.\n\nThis<a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://www.cio.com/article/515966/Got_Twitter_Clout_New_Tools_Rate_You_?page=1&amp;taxonomyId=3119#readerFeedback\" target=\"_blank\"> post</a> from CIO presents five options to measure your Twitter clout.:\n<ul>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://www.buzzom.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Buzzom</a></li>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://topsy.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Topsy</a></li>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://twinfluence.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Twinfluence</a></li>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://twitter.grader.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter Grader</a></li>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://twscore.net/\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter Score</a></li>\n</ul>\nTwo other tools not mentioned in the article are:\n<ul>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://klout.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Klout</a></li>\n	<li><a class=\"wp-caption\" href=\"http://twitteranalyzer.com/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Twitteranalyzer</a></li>\n</ul>\nI tested my score on a couple of these.  I liked both Twitter Grader and Klout,  although they do not coincide. According to Twitter Grader I have a 95 out of 100 whereas on Klout it is 25. Hmm...\n\nI did not like Twitter Score.  Twinfluence tells you who has the most followers and does not really help you with your own effectiveness.\n\n<strong>In my opinion, the most important measure for your communications effectiveness is how often you are being re-tweeted. If you share good material, people will share it. </strong>\n\nDid you try any of the above? What is your take?\n\n','Got clout?','','publish','open','open','','got-clout','','','2010-01-18 16:31:44','2010-01-18 21:31:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=619',0,'post','',0),(621,4,'2010-01-20 07:41:07','2010-01-20 12:41:07','We\'ve all heard it before, \"it is not what you say, but how you say it. \"  Well, in my opinion,  it is both. What you say is also important, but how you say it makes the difference in how it is received. One person who does not seem to understand or care about this is President Obama\'s press secretary, Robert Gibbs.  Gibbs is forever being snarky, sarcastic and just plain unpleasant. I would lay bets that most, if not all, of the White House press corps despise his guts.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, Gibbs is one of the worst press secretaries I have ever seen. He can\'t answer questions straight on, he uses big words he doesn\'t seem to understand, but worst of all, he seems bored and above the job. This morning, I read a great <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Robert Gibbs \" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/19/AR2010011904347.html?hpid=opinionsbox1\" target=\"_blank\">column on Gibbs in the Washington Post, by Dana Milbank</a>. Most of the time, Milbank\'s own sarcasm and unpleasantness make his column a must-skip, so imagine my surprise when he points out his own apparent dislike of Gibbs\' snark. Here\'s an excerpt from the column:\r\n<blockquote>Gibbs acts as though he\'s playing himself in the movie version of his job. In this imaginary film, he is the smart-alecky press secretary, offering zippy comebacks and cracking jokes to make his questioners look ridiculous. It\'s no great feat to make reporters look bad, but this act also sends a televised image of a cocksure White House to ordinary Americans watching at home.\r\n\r\nThis is the most visible manifestation of a larger problem the Obama White House has. Many Obama loyalists from the 2008 race still seem, after a year on the job, to have trouble exiting campaign mode. They sometimes appear to be running a taxpayer-funded rapid-response operation</blockquote>\r\nIf Obama is sinking in the polls, and his agenda is failing (and now he has managed to lose a historically Democratic Senate seat, although that may have had more to do with the Democratic candidate\'s lack of campaign skills --Read this great blog post on it by my friends over at <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Fresh Ground on Mass elections\" href=\"http://itsfreshground.com/2010/01/mass-election/\" target=\"_blank\">Fresh Ground Communications</a>). It may have something to do with HOW the White House is communicating its message, which is poorly.  Gibbs\' holier-than-thou approach to everything and everyone is not helping one bit. If Obama wants to regain some footing I would suggest he replace Gibbs with someone a bit kinder, a bit gentler.  Replace Gibbs with someone who gets that how you say things really does make a difference.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you like Gibbs? How about a poll:\r\n\r\n[polldaddy poll=2560587]','How you say it','','publish','open','open','','how-you-say-it','','','2011-08-14 07:25:30','2011-08-14 07:25:30','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=621',0,'post','',1),(626,4,'2010-01-26 12:10:20','2010-01-26 17:10:20','','McCann\'s Old Package','McCann\'s Irish Oatmeal Before Redesign','inherit','open','open','','img013','','','2010-01-26 12:10:20','2010-01-26 17:10:20','',624,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img013.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(627,4,'2010-01-26 12:12:13','2010-01-26 17:12:13','','McCann\'s new package','McCann\'s Irish Oatmeal Redesigned Packaging','inherit','open','open','','img014','','','2010-01-26 12:12:13','2010-01-26 17:12:13','',624,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img014.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(625,4,'2010-01-26 12:17:46','2010-01-26 17:17:46','You can judge a book by its cover because it is what initially attracts you to even pick it up. In a bookstore with thousands if not millions of titles vying for your attention, a boring cover will make you pass it over. But the cover is also the title, and this is also why titles (and headlines) that grab your attention are so important.\n\nHowever, I am not here to write about books today. What I want to talk about is packaging and how important it is.  Packaging helps sell a product, and yet, I bet, nine out of ten times, packaging design is NOT handled by the marketing department.\n\nSometimes, product packaging needs a redesign. Much has been written about Tropicana\'s redesign (last year) where the familiar Tropicana interface was replaced with a minimalist approach, which some thought looked generic. Redesign is important, but companies need to be careful not to alienate their core buyers.\n\nI am a huge McCann\'s Irish Oatmeal fan. I have been eating it for years, and thus buying the boxes for a long time.  This is what I have always bought:\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_626\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\" caption=\"McCann&#39;s Irish Oatmeal Before Redesign\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img013.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-626\" title=\"McCann\'s Old Package\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img013.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"295\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe other day, I was getting my supply of oatmeal, and I was momentarily confused when I saw this:\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_627\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"281\" caption=\"McCann&#39;s Irish Oatmeal Redesigned Packaging\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img014.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-627\" title=\"McCann\'s new package\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img014.jpg?w=281\" alt=\"\" width=\"281\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIs this what I have always bought? It doesn\'t look the same, nor does it tell me that it is a new packaging design anywhere. In fact, I think McCann\'s not only redesigned the package but changed the contents slightly. And they did not bother to tell me. As I mentioned, I am a long time consumer of McCann\'s and there was no indication of whether this was the same Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal.\n\nIn any case, the moral is definitely, redesigns can be good, but tread carefully.  Don\'t confuse your customers or you may lose them.\n\n','Yep, you can judge a book (or your oatmeal) by its cover','','publish','open','open','','yep-you-can-judge-a-book-or-your-oatmeal-by-its-cover','','','2010-01-26 12:17:46','2010-01-26 17:17:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=625',0,'post','',0),(631,4,'2010-02-01 10:37:06','2010-02-01 15:37:06','Are you a social (media) butterfly?\r\n\r\nSocial media and social networks are not new anymore. In fact, there is talk of a Web 3.0.  Social media is mainstream. After all, you have the White House and most television anchors tweeting and lots of businesses have Facebook  pages.  I bet your grandmother is on Facebook and your grandpa is blogging.  Social media has served to connect lots of people, across demographics and geography.\r\n\r\nWith the rise of social media,  and its usefulness in \"friend\" raising, being social is becoming a bigger asset. How social are you?\r\n\r\nTake the following quiz to gauge your sociability:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Do you read blogs regularly?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you use a reader? (extra points if you can define RSS)</li>\r\n	<li>Do you ever comment on other people\'s blogs?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you have  a blog?  If so, do you blog regularly, or was your last post last summer?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you have a Twitter account? Do you actually tweet?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you know what Foursquare is?</li>\r\n	<li> Do you use a service to post your blog content to your Twitter stream? If so, have you customized the settings?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you respond to @ tweets and DMs?</li>\r\n	<li>Have you met anyone from your social media world in real life?</li>\r\n	<li>Have you ever been to a Tweet-up?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nIf you answered yes to all 10 questions, you are a certified social media butterfly.\r\n\r\nIf you answered yes to at least five questions, you are earning your social media wings.\r\n\r\nIf you answered yes to less than three questions, you are a social media wallflower.','Hello there social butterfly!','','publish','open','open','','hello-there-social-butterfly','','','2011-08-14 07:25:01','2011-08-14 07:25:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=631',0,'post','',1),(638,4,'2010-02-03 11:27:11','2010-02-03 16:27:11','Our inboxes are cluttered with hundreds of email messages--some from friends asking us to join for dinner and most from companies looking to sell us something.  We may have signed up for a few enewsletters. We may have met some people at networking events. Regardless, our inboxes  are overwhelmed with email.\r\n\r\nIn the past week, my company sent out its enewsletter. It got two unsubscribes, one report for spam (the person who did it may have had some sort of personal vendetta, not sure) and a fairly good open rate. I am going to call it a moderate success.  The newsletter did not have a call to action, so it is hard to measure its effectiveness.\r\n\r\nIn the past couple of day, I got two emails from two sources. Both caught my eye for different reasons. The first was from someone I met a while back who just started a new business venture. The subject line said \"Hi Deborah.\" The body was the following (with identifying info cut out):\r\n<blockquote>Dear Mr.  Sample:\r\n\r\nPlease allow me to  introduce myself.  My name is XXXX,  Director of Media Services for XXXX and XXXX– two truly groundbreaking companies that have recently joined together to  become one of Washington’s newest and most innovative full-service production  resources.  If you’re in the  neighborhood, I hope you’ll stop by for a tour of our facility, just off XX here in downtown D.C.\r\n\r\nOur owner-operators  are award-winning media professionals with more than 25 years of experience, and  our list of long-term clients include companies like X, Y and Z, together with advertising and public relations  agencies, corporations, associations and government agencies, both local and  nationwide.\r\n\r\nWe’d like to show  you exactly what we can do.  By  addressing your creatitve and technical needs with our deep expertise in all  forms of broadcast and corporate production, creative editorial, 2-D and 3-D  graphics, sound design and audio mixing.   With our detailed approach to client service, we can easily guide your  next project from concept through completion.\r\n\r\nFeel free to look  through our demo reels and check out the bios of our skilled artists, editors  and producers.  Just go to (website)  and (website) to find out more. Or  give me a call personally, at 999-999-9999   I’ll be happy to answer your questions or set up a convenient time when  you can pay us a visit.  I look forward  to the opportunity to meet you in person.\r\n\r\nWarm  Regards,</blockquote>\r\n<strong>W</strong><strong>hat is wrong with this email? </strong>First, the personalization is not working. Second, the formatting was off. Third, there are several grammatical mistakes (and at least one typo).  The first paragraph is a waste.  The sender could have mentioned a reason that I would be interested in this email and new venture. Instead it is an \"introduction\" to someone I met already. The email was sent out in plain format--and this is a multimedia production company? Why not make it look pretty and professional? There is no signature from the sender.  No way of opting out of the email. No permission. I could go on and on.\r\n\r\nThe other email I got was announcing a group trip. But guess what? No dates were listed for the trip on the email, forcing me to go to the website. Maybe this was on purpose, to get a click-through to the website.  In my opinion, when you don\'t give people some basic information, you lose them at hello.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lessons about email marketing:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a call to action.</li>\r\n	<li>Mind your ps and qs--details like grammar are important.</li>\r\n	<li>Include relevant information: dates, locations, contact information, pricing (don\'t make me work so hard to figure it out).</li>\r\n	<li>If possible, personalize.</li>\r\n	<li>Make it look nice (there are many enewsletter/email marketing companies out there at various price points).</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with SPAM laws. Give people a way to opt-out. Explain why they are receiving your email.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat drives you crazy when you get an email?','Improve your email marketing!','','publish','open','open','','improve-your-email-marketing','','','2011-08-14 07:24:35','2011-08-14 07:24:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=638',0,'post','',0),(1345,4,'2010-02-01 10:37:06','2010-02-01 15:37:06','Are you a social (media) butterfly?\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=butterfly&amp;iid=307505\" src=\"0304/0000304219.jpg?adImageId=9781108&amp;imageId=307505\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nSocial media and social networks are not new anymore. In fact, there is talk of a Web 3.0.  Social media is mainstream. After all, you have the White House and most television anchors tweeting and lots of businesses have Facebook  pages.  I bet your grandmother is on Facebook and your grandpa is blogging.  Social media has served to connect lots of people, across demographics and geography.\n\nWith the rise of social media,  and its usefulness in \"friend\" raising, being social is becoming a bigger asset. How social are you?\n\nTake the following quiz to gauge your sociability:\n<ol>\n	<li>Do you read blogs regularly?</li>\n	<li>Do you use a reader? (extra points if you can define RSS)</li>\n	<li>Do you ever comment on other people\'s blogs?</li>\n	<li>Do you have  a blog?  If so, do you blog regularly, or was your last post last summer?</li>\n	<li>Do you have a Twitter account? Do you actually tweet?</li>\n	<li>Do you know what Foursquare is?</li>\n	<li> Do you use a service to post your blog content to your Twitter stream? If so, have you customized the settings?</li>\n	<li>Do you respond to @ tweets and DMs?</li>\n	<li>Have you met anyone from your social media world in real life?</li>\n	<li>Have you ever been to a Tweet-up?</li>\n</ol>\nIf you answered yes to all 10 questions, you are a certified social media butterfly.\n\nIf you answered yes to at least five questions, you are earning your social media wings.\n\nIf you answered yes to less than three questions, you are a social media wallflower.\n\n','Hello there social butterfly!','','inherit','open','open','','631-revision','','','2010-02-01 10:37:06','2010-02-01 15:37:06','',631,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/02/631-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(643,4,'2010-02-08 14:49:45','2010-02-08 19:49:45','I watched part of the Super Bowl last night, but really wasn\'t interested in the game. I wanted to report on the commercials--those famous, expensive spots that seem to make advertising history each year.  But, I just didn\'t have the patience to sit there and watch them. And you know what? The ones I did see offended me. Apparently, advertising agencies have been taught to believe that:\n\n1) Only men watch football\n\n2) Aforementioned men prefer to drink Bud Light while trying to fulfill every male stereotype out there\n\n3) Sexism sells\n\nThe absolute worst from the sexist standpoint was the Dodge Charger commercial, where a man is emasculated by having to do everything his wife nags him to do, and makes up for it by taking a ride in this ridiculous car.  Close behind is the always offensive GoDaddy, a company that believes men will buy websites if scantily clad women appear in the ads.\n\nMy vote is that as marketers we stop paying heed to this one time event. We give these commercials too much power by endlessly commenting and analyzing them.  The bottom line is that it is a one-time deal that proves certain companies have outmoded advertising ideas---thinking that by advertising during the big game they will get so many eyeballs they won\'t have to do much else.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n','Super sexist','','publish','open','open','','super-sexist','','','2010-02-08 14:49:45','2010-02-08 19:49:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=643',0,'post','',0),(647,4,'2010-02-10 08:20:13','2010-02-10 13:20:13','','Buried under two feet of snow','','inherit','open','open','','p2060181','','','2010-02-10 08:20:13','2010-02-10 13:20:13','',645,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/p2060181.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(646,4,'2010-02-10 08:23:16','2010-02-10 13:23:16','Both Toyota and snow are causing lots of problems for people, that is what these two have in common. But that is where the similarity ends.\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/p2060181.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-647\" title=\"Buried under two feet of snow\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/p2060181.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a>\n\nAlthough snow does not have an official representative (although lots of people keep talking about Mother Nature), it has a leg up on Toyota. People who deal with snow (utility companies, county government,  forecasters) are all telling us what is going on, almost every second of every day of the storm (s). If you live in the Washington, DC area you have no doubt seen interviews with representatives from various organizations involved in snow removal, such as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). You have seen the PEPCO (Potomac Electric Power Company) spokesperson explain why power hasn\'t been completely restored and so forth. You know what is going on.\n\nToyota, on the other hand, has not, apparently, been telling us what is going on. As you no doubt know, Toyota is having a \"few\" problems with many of its most popular models, including the Prius. Problems include sudden acceleration and braking issues. Dangerous stuff.  Yet, apparently, Toyota was slow to realize there was a mechanical/electronic problem in the cars\' manufacturing process. At first, they blamed faulty floor rugs. Now, they have recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles, stopped production at some plants and have finally taken to the airwaves, paid advertising and even <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Toyoda oped\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020803078.html\" target=\"_blank\">op-ed pieces </a>to explain what happened and defend the integrity of the company.\n\nBut the damage has been done. Not communicating with your customers, especially when there is a problem, is a recipe for disaster. This is the essence of crisis communication. One has to wonder what type of communications counsel Toyota has received. Clearly, it is of the \"too little, too late\" variety.  Of course, there is the possibility that Toyota management ignored communications counsel, which in addition to their inability to realize the problem, says that management is completely out of touch.\n\n<strong>More communication is always better that no or too little communication. People want to know what is going on, whether how long the snow is going to last or what to do about their faulty Toyota vehicle.</strong>\n\n','What do Toyota and snow have in common?','','publish','open','open','','what-do-toyota-and-snow-have-in-common','','','2010-02-10 08:23:16','2010-02-10 13:23:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=646',0,'post','',0),(651,4,'2010-02-19 10:17:42','2010-02-19 15:17:42','Are you by chance speaking in jargon? Why are you doing that?\r\n\r\nAs a writer and a consultant, I often ask my clients what their \"keywords\" are. It is helpful, and sometimes crucial, to use the right terminology for any given industry.  Especially when you are working in a business to business environment, you need to know how these businesses look for the services/products that they need. But when an outsider lands on one of these B-to-B web pages or marketing materials,  he or she will most likely end up not understanding a word.  For instance, a client of mine uses the terms \"professional services.\"  For general marketing purposes, this is the emptiest phrase out there, but in the client\'s world, it carries a specific meaning.\r\n\r\nSetting aside the need for industry-specific terminology, and recognizing the importance of specific terminology in a B-to-B setting, what is going on with language today? Why are so many people talking in gobbledy-gook? Lately, I have heard the following phrases/terms on TV, in conversation and seemingly, everywhere else:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Drilling down (apparently, this means getting to the heart of the issue or talking specifically)</li>\r\n	<li>Sweet spot (as in where the perfect opportunity lies)</li>\r\n	<li>Being out of pocket (never got this one although it means being unreachable)</li>\r\n	<li>Getting your ducks all in a row (oldie but goodie, means be prepared)</li>\r\n	<li>Leveraging an opportunity (making the most of something)</li>\r\n	<li>Staying ahead of the curve (presumably, leveraging opportunities to get to your sweet spot)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn a sense, these universally used phrases serve as a crutch. Use them and other people will understand what you mean, even when the meaning isn\'t entirely clear. Sometimes, using touch phrases makes someone look like an insider, someone who is in the know.\r\n\r\nIn the end, jargon and catch phrases muck up your meaning. It\'s one thing to use these in conversation where I can stop and ask you what you mean. It\'s another to use them in writing.  When things are written (especially printed) there is no easy or quick way to ask the writer what he or she means.\r\n\r\nCatch my drift?','What language are you speaking?','','publish','open','open','','what-language-are-you-speaking','','','2011-08-14 07:23:40','2011-08-14 07:23:40','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=651',0,'post','',0),(1344,4,'2010-02-03 11:27:11','2010-02-03 16:27:11','Our inboxes are cluttered with hundreds of email messages--some from friends asking us to join for dinner and most from companies looking to sell us something.  We may have signed up for a few enewsletters. We may have met some people at networking events. Regardless, our inboxes  are overwhelmed with email.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=inbox&amp;iid=86001\" src=\"0082/a30fdd89-9ecc-42fd-80a7-42ec67bf3b69.jpg?adImageId=9872274&amp;imageId=86001\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nIn the past week, my company sent out its enewsletter. It got two unsubscribes, one report for spam (the person who did it may have had some sort of personal vendetta, not sure) and a fairly good open rate. I am going to call it a moderate success.  The newsletter did not have a call to action, so it is hard to measure its effectiveness.\n\nIn the past couple of day, I got two emails from two sources. Both caught my eye for different reasons. The first was from someone I met a while back who just started a new business venture. The subject line said \"Hi Deborah.\" The body was the following (with identifying info cut out):\n<blockquote>Dear Mr.  Sample:\n\nPlease allow me to  introduce myself.  My name is XXXX,  Director of Media Services for XXXX and XXXX– two truly groundbreaking companies that have recently joined together to  become one of Washington’s newest and most innovative full-service production  resources.  If you’re in the  neighborhood, I hope you’ll stop by for a tour of our facility, just off XX here in downtown D.C.\n\nOur owner-operators  are award-winning media professionals with more than 25 years of experience, and  our list of long-term clients include companies like X, Y and Z, together with advertising and public relations  agencies, corporations, associations and government agencies, both local and  nationwide.\n\nWe’d like to show  you exactly what we can do.  By  addressing your creatitve and technical needs with our deep expertise in all  forms of broadcast and corporate production, creative editorial, 2-D and 3-D  graphics, sound design and audio mixing.   With our detailed approach to client service, we can easily guide your  next project from concept through completion.\n\nFeel free to look  through our demo reels and check out the bios of our skilled artists, editors  and producers.  Just go to (website)  and (website) to find out more. Or  give me a call personally, at 999-999-9999   I’ll be happy to answer your questions or set up a convenient time when  you can pay us a visit.  I look forward  to the opportunity to meet you in person.\n\nWarm  Regards,</blockquote>\n<strong>W</strong><strong>hat is wrong with this email? </strong>First, the personalization is not working. Second, the formatting was off. Third, there are several grammatical mistakes (and at least one typo).  The first paragraph is a waste.  The sender could have mentioned a reason that I would be interested in this email and new venture. Instead it is an \"introduction\" to someone I met already. The email was sent out in plain format--and this is a multimedia production company? Why not make it look pretty and professional? There is no signature from the sender.  No way of opting out of the email. No permission. I could go on and on.\n\nThe other email I got was announcing a group trip. But guess what? No dates were listed for the trip on the email, forcing me to go to the website. Maybe this was on purpose, to get a click-through to the website.  In my opinion, when you don\'t give people some basic information, you lose them at hello.\n\n<strong>Lessons about email marketing:</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Have a call to action.</li>\n	<li>Mind your ps and qs--details like grammar are important.</li>\n	<li>Include relevant information: dates, locations, contact information, pricing (don\'t make me work so hard to figure it out).</li>\n	<li>If possible, personalize.</li>\n	<li>Make it look nice (there are many enewsletter/email marketing companies out there at various price points).</li>\n	<li>Be careful with SPAM laws. Give people a way to opt-out. Explain why they are receiving your email.</li>\n</ul>\nWhat drives you crazy when you get an email?\n\n','Improve your email marketing!','','inherit','open','open','','638-revision','','','2010-02-03 11:27:11','2010-02-03 16:27:11','',638,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/02/638-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(656,4,'2010-02-23 07:52:39','2010-02-23 12:52:39','If you work in any aspect of marketing, you know that appearance matters. We look at various marketing materials and we judge whether they look professional, or home-made, cutting-edge or stuck in time. We advise our clients to re-do logos, update brochures, set up Facebook pages. Our goal is to make sure that their appearance is up to par with the expectations in the marketplace.\n\nRecently, I wrote<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Book cover\" href=\"http://wp.me/paBca-a5\" target=\"_blank\"> a post </a>saying that you CAN judge a book by its cover. After all, designers spend a lot of time designing that cover to entice you to read it. Perhaps the book won\'t be up to your literary standards, but as a marketing piece you know the book accomplished its mission (getting you to buy it if not to read it).\n\nIn personal marketing, appearance matters even more. Again, I have written about this before, but I want to revisit it. If you are in the market for a job, say, then you are ALWAYS job hunting. If you are going to a networking meeting, you must look professional. If you look sloppy or like you just rolled out of bed then you will be perceived as someone who doesn\'t care.\n\nLast Friday, I was indulging a guilty pleasure and watching <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"What not to wear\" href=\"http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/whatnottowear.html\" target=\"_blank\">What Not to Wear on TLC</a>.  The episode was about a 38-year old professor of non-verbal communication who dressed frumpily. She actually looked at least 20 years older than her age. Stacy and Clinton (the show\'s hosts, in case you haven\'t seen it) kept telling her that she was communicating to her students that she just didn\'t care about her appearance, and thus did not care about herself. She had a hard time understanding that what she wore, how she wore it, indeed her appearance, was undermining her message that we send out all sorts of nonverbal cues.  It was fascinating to watch because here is a case of someone who understands that everything you put out there (clothing, etc.) is communication. In the end, she came around and by the end of the show she looked much closer to her age than when she started. She also looked far more professional and modern.\n\nIt is hard to judge how we appear. We see ourselves day after day and we lose perspective. Same can be said for our marketing materials. This is why we often need to get a third-party opinion. And we need to listen carefully to that third-party. Perhaps they are saying something we don\'t want to hear. For your graphics and marketing pieces, an expert can do wonders. Sometimes an update makes the difference. For personal appearance, start with trusted friends or associates, and if you are very serious, hire an image consultant.\n\n<strong>We are judged by our appearance. And our appearance contributes to how people perceive us. Take control of your appearance. Make sure people perceive you the way you want to be perceived.</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F23%2Fappearance-matters%2F&amp;linkname=Appearance%20matters\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F23%2Fappearance-matters%2F&amp;linkname=Appearance%20matters\">\n</a>','Appearance matters','','publish','open','open','','appearance-matters','','','2010-02-23 07:52:39','2010-02-23 12:52:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=656',0,'post','',0),(660,4,'2010-02-25 08:40:31','2010-02-25 13:40:31','The definition of obtuse I am referring to is this one, from Merriam-Webster: difficult to comprehend; not clear or precise in thought or expression.\n\nHave you ever visited a website or picked up a brochure that makes you wonder what is really being said? Sometimes there is too much information, sometimes there is not enough and sometimes what is there is hard to understand, unclear. And in certain cases, the information is being presented in a hard to comprehend way ON PURPOSE.\n\nLet me tell you why I am writing this.  I ordered my business cards from a place called Overnight Prints. I have ordered my cards there before, and they are of good quality. They are also fast. As the name implies, they print \"overnight.\" Well, I ordered my cards on Thursday and on the next Tuesday, it occurred to me that I had not received a notification that the cards had shipped. I checked my account on line, and it told me that the order was \"in process.\" I wrote an email to their customer service asking why my cards had not yet printed. A few hours later I received a notification that my cards had shipped. Hmmm.\n\nMore than 24 hours later I received an email response from customer service telling me that my cards had shipped. I replied telling them that when I checked the cards had NOT shipped, and that I expected they would have shipped by Monday at the latest, and that a more than 24 hour response was not acceptable.  The CSR replied that their new policies suggest that if you choose ground shipping (the least expensive choice) your cards are also printed later. I replied that shipping time is not equal to printing time. Amazon, for instance, will ship your book within 24 hours, and depending on how you pay for it, you may get it the next day or the next week.  I also told the CSR that perhaps they should make this little rule of theirs clearer by saying: We expect to print your order on DATE and ship on DATE.  Fairly simple and straightforward in my opinion. Well, apparently Overnight Prints is committed to being obtuse. This is the response I got back from them:\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"3\" height=\"28\" valign=\"top\">Our print and ship time differs by product. Please see charts below  for more details. For Business Cards &amp; 4x6 Postcards the print &amp; ship  times are as follows:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"54\" height=\"102\"></td>\n<td width=\"562\" align=\"middle\" valign=\"top\">\n<table border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#e3ebf3\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\"><strong>Shipping Service</strong></td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\"><strong>Your Order Will  Ship...</strong></td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\"><strong>Your Order Will Arrive  In...</strong></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<table border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Next Day Air</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">The Next Business Day</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">2 Business Day</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<table border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#e8e8e8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">2 Day Air</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">The Next Business Day</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">3 Business Days</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<table border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">3 Day Select</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Next Business Day</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">4 Business Days</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<table border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#e8e8e8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Ground w/ Priority Printing</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Next Business Day</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">4-6 Business  Days</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<table border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Ground</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">Within 3 Business Days</td>\n<td width=\"33%\" align=\"middle\">5-7 Business  Days</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\nClearly, if you truly want overnight printing from Overnight Prints you need to pony up more money for SHIPPING.  If you pay less money for SHIPPING, your PRINTING will also be delayed.\n\nAs a customer, I am irritated. I have ordered from this outfit before and I am still paying a fairly high price for printing as well as a high price for ground shipping. I know the shipping will be slower, but the printing should  be the same. If you have changed your policies, it is not clear. Your wording is not clear. And when I point that out to you, you revert to your unclear wording. Why endanger a customer relationship over lack of clarity?\n\n<strong>In any case, it is a good exercise to try to see what your customers are seeing when they read your marketing materials. Are you being clear?  Or are you being obtuse?</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fare-you-being-obtuse%2F&amp;linkname=Are%20you%20being%20obtuse%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Are you being obtuse?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-being-obtuse','','','2010-02-25 08:40:31','2010-02-25 13:40:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=660',0,'post','',0),(663,4,'2010-03-04 08:05:15','2010-03-04 13:05:15','Today, March 4th, is officially designated here in the United States as <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"National Grammar Day\" href=\"http://nationalgrammarday.com/\" target=\"_blank\">National Grammar Day.</a> How will you celebrate?\n\nIf I may offer some suggestions:\n<ul>\n	<li>Read a grammar book or my favorite book about punctuation:  Eats, Shoots &amp; Leaves by Lynne Truss</li>\n	<li>Mind your apostrophes (here\'s a hint: apostrophes do not make a word plural)</li>\n	<li>Practice gender neutrality, but don\'t use \"they\" to signify ONE person.</li>\n	<li>Read a well written book, any book.</li>\n	<li>Try to effect change by not using big words you don\'t understand (it affects how people perceive your writing and speaking)</li>\n</ul>\nWhat would you like to see on National Grammar Day?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F04%2Fits-national-grammar-day%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20National%20Grammar%20Day!\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','It\'s National Grammar Day!','','publish','open','open','','its-national-grammar-day','','','2010-03-04 08:05:15','2010-03-04 13:05:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=663',0,'post','',0),(667,4,'2010-03-08 14:15:54','2010-03-08 19:15:54','Timing is everything. You\'ve heard it when you walk up to a fast food counter,  and breakfast is no longer being served.  So perhaps it\'s more accurate to say good timing is everything.  So many times it seems that had you shown up five minutes earlier, called two days later, or whenever was the \"right\" time, your outcome may have  been different.\r\n\r\nOf course, the right timing is also key in communications. For instance, if you are promoting an event, you want to send out calendar listings and email blasts with plenty of lead time, but not too much lead time so that the event gets buried. If you have an enewsletter or a printed newsletter, you also want to make sure that any highlighted events don\'t happen before the newsletter gets to its audience.  I know this seems like plain common sense, and yet how many times have you gotten an invitation that is not timed right?\r\n\r\nAnother aspect is when to send things out. In media relations, if you want to bury some news, you release the news on Friday. Same goes for a press conference. Often, you don\'t reach out to broadcast venues during busy times in the broadcast day cycle (right before the evening news for example).\r\n\r\nGood timing is about finding the right time to reach your audience, or when your audience will be most receptive.  I would never send out an enewsletter on Monday. Why? Because Mondays are catch up days, and people are busy getting back into the groove of the work week.\r\n\r\n<strong>Consider your audience and what works best in order to figure out the right time to communicate.</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F08%2Ftiming-is-everything%2F&amp;linkname=Timing%20is%20everything\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Timing is everything','','publish','open','open','','timing-is-everything','','','2011-08-14 07:22:45','2011-08-14 07:22:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=667',0,'post','',1),(673,4,'2010-03-11 10:16:37','2010-03-11 15:16:37','Obviously,  as a marketing communications person, I believe that marketing is helpful and mostly necessary if you want to promote an event, sell a product or service or obtain support. If people don\'t know you are there, they can\'t  buy from you or support your cause.  However, at some point marketing ends and customer service starts.\n\nLet me share a story with you.  I have been going to a hair salon in DC for a bit over a year.  It doesn\'t advertise much and really depends on word of mouth. They have my business solely based on my experience.  My last visit was last week.  I had to wait and then the hairdresser, who has been cutting my hair for a year, did not remember me. It was as if I had never been there. She was unfriendly and she made me late for my next appointment. My hair did not  look good. I felt upset and in general, the experience was bad. Would I go back? Absolutely not. Would I recommend the place to anyone? Not a chance. So Fiddleheads on17th Street, NW in Washington, DC, not only have you lost a customer but you have lost my word-of-mouth marketing on your behalf.\n\nCould this situation be averted? Yes. Communication would have helped, as would a system where the salon keeps track of its customers, their preferences, when they\'ve visited, etc. Can it be fixed retroactively? No. There is nothing that can fix a bad experience once it has happened. I would never trust my hair to this nasty woman who clearly does not care who she is working with.\n\nMy point is that marketing, including word-of-mouth marketing can only go so far. T<strong>he service/product/cause has to live up to the expectation or else you won\'t buy it or use it or support it</strong>.  I want to point you also to this article on Adweek, by Joseph Jaffe, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Customer Service Adweek\" href=\"http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/community/columns/other-columns/e3i755f10fb8f89b6263fef173da51c5c3e\" target=\"_blank\">\"Customer Service is Key Strategy.</a>\"  Give it a read.  Jaffe\'s point is that customers are lifeblood to a business and serving them should be one of your marketing strategies (interestingly, the article changed names from when I read it earlier today, when it said Customer Service is a Key Differentiator).\n\nWhat are your experiences? Have you ever been turned off by a service experience to such an extent that you never bought from the vendor? Heck, let me do a poll:\n\n[polldaddy poll=2827189]\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Fwhere-marketing-ends%2F&amp;linkname=Where%20marketing%20ends\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Where marketing ends','','publish','open','open','','where-marketing-ends','','','2010-03-11 10:16:37','2010-03-11 15:16:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=673',0,'post','',0),(677,4,'2010-03-16 13:05:00','2010-03-16 18:05:00','<strong>PLEASE READ UPDATES AT THE END OF POST</strong>\n\nIn the last couple of weeks, I have come across a few blogs where the authors are complaining about inappropriate public relations  overtures  or of getting mass and untargeted pitches.  I have come across a great deal of grammatically incorrect, spelling challenged and generally poorly written PR material.\n\nI also have met several PR people who don\'t really follow the news  or ever read a newspaper (including online). A few months ago I witnessed a gathering of PR professionals who expressed fear of social media, and resistance to change.\n\nToday I came across this excellent and cautionary article, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"PR Forbes\" href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/15/public-relations-mistakes-leadership-managing-obama_2.html\" target=\"_blank\">Almost Everyone Gets PR Wrong  by Nick Morgan</a> in Forbes, about public relations and public perception, and how PR folk just don\'t seem to know how to shape the narrative. Morgan writes the following:\n<blockquote>Executives everywhere take note: Beware the power of the narrative. Stop  keeping score, and instead look at your organization from the outside.  What is your basic job, as far as the world is concerned? And what is  the story that has developed over the years? That\'s where your PR  efforts should be focused. That narrative has to be simple, consistent  and all about your functional role in the world. You\'ve only got one  story. Make it a good one.</blockquote>\nAll this made me think about what makes a good public relations person (no matter if he/she specializes in media relations, crisis communications or strategic communication).  Following a list of qualities a PR pro should have, in my opinion:\n<ul>\n	<li>Ability to use the language correctly (grammar, spelling, word usage), both written and spoken</li>\n	<li>Common sense: being able to see what is important and what won\'t make a difference</li>\n	<li>Interest in the news and the news business</li>\n	<li>People skills and emotional intelligence (e.g. being able to pick up cues)</li>\n	<li>Understanding what public relations attempts to accomplish (getting the big picture)</li>\n	<li>Ability to network (meeting people and being able to connect with them is a learned and important skill)</li>\n	<li>Eager to learn new skills and communication trends</li>\n	<li>Seeing the possibilities and being creative (\"thinking outside the box\")</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>UPDATE: As per the two comments below: </strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Listening skills (not as easy as it sounds!)</strong></li>\n</ul>\nIn short, a PR pro should be a great communicator and should be able to understand how communications works to shape perception.\n\n<strong>UPDATE: Just read this <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"14 attributes\" href=\"http://davefleet.com/2009/08/14-key-attributes-public-relations-professionals/\" target=\"_blank\">great post about the 14  attributes for new PR practitioners.</a> Matches up quite nicely.</strong>\n\nWhat makes a PR pro in your opinion?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Fqualities-of-a-pr-pro%2F&amp;linkname=Qualities%20of%20a%20PR%20Pro\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Qualities of a PR Pro','','publish','open','open','','qualities-of-a-pr-pro','','','2010-03-16 13:05:00','2010-03-16 18:05:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=677',0,'post','',5),(684,4,'2010-03-19 06:23:27','2010-03-19 11:23:27','This morning\'s Washington Post is full of interesting media/marketing news.  First is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"FDA cigarette advertising\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803004.html\" target=\"_blank\">the announcement</a>that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has enacted tough new rules on cigarette/tobacco advertising as part of the agency\'s new authority to regulate the industry.\r\n\r\nAccording the Post, tobacco companies will be banned from sponsoring sports and entertainment events and from offering free samples, among other restrictions. The FDA also tried to limit advertising to text only (banning color and graphics) but a judge has ruled in favor of the tobacco companies, which the FDA is appealing.\r\n\r\nTobacco advertising and the federal response to it  has always been fascinating.  Tobacco is a  legal product, sold and taxed in stores like any other product, but when used as directed, causes wide-ranging health problems (cancer, heart disease) not only to smokers but those exposed to smoke. The Feds have tried to curb the appeal of smoking by restricting advertising and putting warnings on cigarette packs.  This has always raised the question of first amendment rights--after all, the companies that manufacture cigarettes are trying to sell a legal product. But the government is concerned that increased sales of tobacco mean increased health risks.\r\n\r\n<strong>The point here is that advertising and marketing efforts, when done right, are powerful. They can steer consumer behavior.</strong> Personally, I abhor smoking and I applaud the FDA for stepping up regulation of tobacco marketing. To me,  marketing tobacco is marketing death, yet the issue of free speech remains. The real issue may well be why we allow companies continue to produce and market a product that kills.\r\n\r\nAnother piece of news that is fascinating is that Christiane Amanpour, the famed CNN war reporter, will move over to ABC, to host This Week. If ever there was a least likely candidate for this position it was Amanpour, who is more comfortable confronting dictators and dodging bullets in war-torn areas.  I think David Brinkley would turn over in his grave! Will the round table with George Will, Cokie Roberts and the rest continue? I doubt it. And I doubt that with Amanpour at the helm, This Week will be able to compete with Meet the Press on domestic political coverage. <strong>But that seems to be the point--hiring Amanpour is meant to change This Week into a program with a more international focus.  And differentiate it will, but will that also result in increased viewership? That is the question.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F19%2Fads-are-powerful-differentiation-is-important%2F&amp;linkname=Ads%20are%20powerful%3B%20differentiation%20is%20important\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Ads are powerful; differentiation is important','','publish','open','open','','ads-are-powerful-differentiation-is-important','','','2011-08-14 07:22:21','2011-08-14 07:22:21','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=684',0,'post','',0),(1342,4,'2010-03-08 14:15:54','2010-03-08 19:15:54','Timing is everything. You\'ve heard it when you walk up to a fast food counter,  and breakfast is no longer being served.  So perhaps it\'s more accurate to say good timing is everything.  So many times it seems that had you shown up five minutes earlier, called two days later, or whenever was the \"right\" time, your outcome may have  been different.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=clock&amp;iid=6278118\" src=\"0/7/b/5/Clock_on_wall_720c.jpg?adImageId=11113175&amp;imageId=6278118\" width=\"234\" height=\"174\" /]\n\nOf course, the right timing is also key in communications. For instance, if you are promoting an event, you want to send out calendar listings and email blasts with plenty of lead time, but not too much lead time so that the event gets buried. If you have an enewsletter or a printed newsletter, you also want to make sure that any highlighted events don\'t happen before the newsletter gets to its audience.  I know this seems like plain common sense, and yet how many times have you gotten an invitation that is not timed right?\n\nAnother aspect is when to send things out. In media relations, if you want to bury some news, you release the news on Friday. Same goes for a press conference. Often, you don\'t reach out to broadcast venues during busy times in the broadcast day cycle (right before the evening news for example).\n\nGood timing is about finding the right time to reach your audience, or when your audience will be most receptive.  I would never send out an enewsletter on Monday. Why? Because Mondays are catch up days, and people are busy getting back into the groove of the work week.\n\n<strong>Consider your audience and what works best in order to figure out the right time to communicate.</strong>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F08%2Ftiming-is-everything%2F&amp;linkname=Timing%20is%20everything\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Timing is everything','','inherit','open','open','','667-revision','','','2010-03-08 14:15:54','2010-03-08 19:15:54','',667,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/667-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1341,4,'2011-08-14 07:21:56','2011-08-14 07:21:56','This morning\'s Washington Post is full of interesting media/marketing news.  First is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"FDA cigarette advertising\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803004.html\" target=\"_blank\">the announcement</a>that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has enacted tough new rules on cigarette/tobacco advertising as part of the agency\'s new authority to regulate the industry.\r\n\r\nAccording the Post, tobacco companies will be banned from sponsoring sports and entertainment events and from offering free samples, among other restrictions. The FDA also tried to limit advertising to text only (banning color and graphics) but a judge has ruled in favor of the tobacco companies, which the FDA is appealing.\r\n\r\nTobacco advertising and the federal response to it  has always been fascinating.  Tobacco is a  legal product, sold and taxed in stores like any other product, but when used as directed, causes wide-ranging health problems (cancer, heart disease) not only to smokers but those exposed to smoke. The Feds have tried to curb the appeal of smoking by restricting advertising and putting warnings on cigarette packs.  This has always raised the question of first amendment rights--after all, the companies that manufacture cigarettes are trying to sell a legal product. But the government is concerned that increased sales of tobacco mean increased health risks.\r\n\r\n<strong>The point here is that advertising and marketing efforts, when done right, are powerful. They can steer consumer behavior.</strong> Personally, I abhor smoking and I applaud the FDA for stepping up regulation of tobacco marketing. To me,  marketing tobacco is marketing death, yet the issue of free speech remains. The real issue may well be why we allow companies continue to produce and market a product that kills.\r\n\r\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=christiane+amanpour&amp;iid=8238522\" src=\"7/1/9/9/The_Daily_Beast_17c6.jpg?adImageId=11436100&amp;imageId=8238522\" width=\"234\" height=\"293\" /]\r\n\r\nAnother piece of news that is fascinating is that Christiane Amanpour, the famed CNN war reporter, will move over to ABC, to host This Week. If ever there was a least likely candidate for this position it was Amanpour, who is more comfortable confronting dictators and dodging bullets in war-torn areas.  I think David Brinkley would turn over in his grave! Will the round table with George Will, Cokie Roberts and the rest continue? I doubt it. And I doubt that with Amanpour at the helm, This Week will be able to compete with Meet the Press on domestic political coverage. <strong>But that seems to be the point--hiring Amanpour is meant to change This Week into a program with a more international focus.  And differentiate it will, but will that also result in increased viewership? That is the question.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F19%2Fads-are-powerful-differentiation-is-important%2F&amp;linkname=Ads%20are%20powerful%3B%20differentiation%20is%20important\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Ads are powerful; differentiation is important','','inherit','open','open','','684-revision-2','','','2011-08-14 07:21:56','2011-08-14 07:21:56','',684,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/684-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(691,4,'2010-03-25 09:14:18','2010-03-25 14:14:18','Yesterday, I attended a networking event. It was your typical meet and greet with many real estate salespeople and financial advisors of all stripes. Many of these people believe in numbers, that is, the greater number of business cards they pass out, the better the outcome. I don\'t like this approach. Why?  Because if I get a card with no context, why would I contact that person? Especially for a very personal service like financial planning?\n\n<strong>Lesson #1: Do not do a mass pass of your business cards. That is not marketing, it is just a waste of cards.</strong>\n\nThe event was set up so a sponsor would deliver his talk and be able to provide more information (brochures, etc). The person who did this yesterday did a good job with his 10-minute speech. But his brochure and card were not so good. The brochure was printed on one side, leaving the other side blank. That other side is valuable real estate. There was no website listed on his business cards or his brochure.\n\n<strong>Lesson #2 Use your marketing materials to their fullest potential. Be more creative and never leave blank space. Definitely include your website URL!!!!</strong>\n\nEveryone in the room stood up and gave a 15-second introduction. Most did well.\n\n<strong>Lesson #3 Have a concise 15-second elevator speech ready to go, and be certain to tell people why they should work with you. One reason is sufficient.</strong>\n\nThe organizer was diligent about reminding people about the  low cost of joining this group, but he concentrated more on the numbers than the quality. He talked about all you could get for the price (lots of lunches and happy hours).  He did not say that the group fomented meaningful connections or anything about the type of people who go to his events.  And he kept offering add-ons--joining on the spot gave you a gift certificate, for instance. As one attendee said, it was like an infomercial: and if you buy right now, we will also give you...\n\n<strong>Lesson #4 The value is not just about money.  If there is no real value, people will not respond, no matter how good the money offer is.</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F25%2Flessons-from-a-networking-session%2F&amp;linkname=Lessons%20from%20a%20networking%20session\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Lessons from a networking session','','publish','open','open','','lessons-from-a-networking-session','','','2010-03-25 09:14:18','2010-03-25 14:14:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=691',0,'post','',1),(697,4,'2010-03-26 12:03:12','2010-03-26 17:03:12','We go to networking events. We chat. We shake hands. We exchange business cards. And then we follow up. Or at least that is what we are \"supposed\" to do.\n\nHere\'s my take: you follow up with whom you want to stay in touch with or want to do business with. Can you follow up just to be polite? Yes, of course. Nothing wrong with it. But if your time is limited, then be selective.\n\nNow, if you are following up, there is a wrong way, a better way and the best way.\n\nThe<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"> wrong way</span> is like this follow up email I received:\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\">Hi Deborah: </span>\n\n</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\">It was good to hear  about what you do for companies. I hope to see you soon. </span>\n\n</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\">Sincerely, </span>\n\n</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\">(name of person)</span>\n\n</div>\n<div>\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\">The thing is, I never spoke to this guy directly. He got my card somehow. And it is vague. And impersonal. And gives me no reason to follow up with him.</span>\n\n</div>\n<div>\n\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Better</span> is the following:</span>\n\n</div>\n<span style=\"font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-size:x-small;\"> </span>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">It was nice meeting you yesterday.  Attached please find a brochure about  our company.  Please feel free to email this out to other business owners. We  are happy to pay a 10% referral fee (minimum of $1,000) when you refer a  business owner to us.</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Look forward to seeing you at the next event.</div>\n<div>I did meet this person, who is giving me more information about her business.  However, there is no personal note. She doesn\'t seem to say anything about me.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Best</span> is something like this:</div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Hi Deborah,</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">You had great ideas and suggestions. Thanks for sharing the information.</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">I\'ll contact you in two weeks. As I mentioned, I am working on a XXX program for XXX. I\'ll share  with you the structure that I am developing.</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Best regards,</div>\n<div style=\"padding-left:30px;\"></div>\n</div>\n<div>A little about me and a little about her. A firm follow up time frame, and something particular to discuss.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>What do you look for in a follow up call/email? What are your best practices?</div>\n<div></div>\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F26%2Ffollowing-up%2F&amp;linkname=Following%20up\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Following up','','publish','open','open','','following-up','','','2010-03-26 12:03:12','2010-03-26 17:03:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=697',0,'post','',0),(701,4,'2010-03-30 09:04:36','2010-03-30 14:04:36','Ralph Waldo Emerson is often quoted as saying that consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. The quote actually says that it is a <em>foolish </em>consistency.\n\nIn communications, consistency is a necessity. Case in point, using your logo. If you use your logo only some times, you are not building your brand identity. On the other hand, if you use your logo all the time, then you are consistently working on reinforcing your brand.\n\nIf you blog, you should blog consistently. If you abandon your blog for months, your readers will abandon you. If you run a networking group, you should have meetings on a consistent basis. If not, then your group may think you are no longer in business.\n\nI just read this blog post about <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"tips\" href=\"http://unclutterer.com/2010/03/30/incredibly-obvious-tips-to-save-you-time/\" target=\"_blank\">obvious tips to save you time</a> on Unclutterer.com. In communications there may be one obvious tip to communicate more effectively: be consistent!\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F30%2Fconsistency%2F&amp;linkname=Consistency%20\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Consistency ','','publish','open','open','','consistency','','','2010-03-30 09:04:36','2010-03-30 14:04:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=701',0,'post','',0),(705,4,'2010-04-05 10:45:48','2010-04-05 15:45:48','Yes, we all make mistakes. But the key is to realize our mistakes and correct them, right? And yet, I see the same grammar mistakes over and over again. And the people who are making said mistakes work in a language-based industry like PR, advertising, social media consulting and so forth.\n\nI have seen the following grammar mistakes so many times I want to scream:\n<ul>\n	<li>Affect versus effect. No one seems to know or recognize the difference.</li>\n	<li>Me versus I. So many people refer to themselves as I in the reflexive.</li>\n	<li>Assure versus ensure. They mean different things, really.</li>\n</ul>\nI am currently reading Grammar Girl\'s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty. I suggest reading it too. Or check out Mignon\'s tips  online at<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Grammar Girl\" href=\"http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl</a>.\n\nLike I said, we all make mistakes. But let\'s learn how to avoid them.\n\nThe bottom line is that bad grammar makes you sound ignorant.\n\nWhat do you think? What grammar mistakes do you see repeated?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F05%2Fgrammar-rules%2F&amp;linkname=Grammar%20rules\">\n</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F05%2Fgrammar-rules%2F&amp;linkname=Grammar%20rules\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Grammar rules','','publish','open','open','','grammar-rules','','','2010-04-05 10:45:48','2010-04-05 15:45:48','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=705',0,'post','',6),(709,4,'2010-04-06 14:37:35','2010-04-06 19:37:35','I think I hit a nerve yesterday with my post Grammar rules. I got the second highest number of visitors in one day to my blog in its two plus years of existence. And, several of you commented.  First, let me say thanks for checking it out, and second, let me issue a plea to everyone who works with words, spoken or written, pay attention! Make grammar, spelling and proper usage a priority in your communications.\n\nThe response made it clear that many people are irritated by the lack of care we are seeing in English usage. Please take a look at the comments to the post to see what different people are experiencing.\n\nWhat is not so clear is the reason behind the lapse in grammar. Is it laziness? Is it improper/insufficient instruction? Is is sheer ignorance? What do you think?\n\nHow do we change this? Mignon Fogarty, \"Grammar Girl,\" gives seminars on grammar across the country. She has also written a couple of books on the subject. But how do we get people to a) realize they need to improve their grammar and b) learn what they are doing wrong?\n\nPlease let me know your ideas. I am so frustrated when I see my colleagues and otherwise educated folk use English so poorly.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F06%2Fgrammar-rules-again%2F&amp;linkname=Grammar%20rules%20again\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Grammar rules again','','publish','open','open','','grammar-rules-again','','','2010-04-06 14:37:35','2010-04-06 19:37:35','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=709',0,'post','',1),(714,4,'2010-04-08 10:16:47','2010-04-08 15:16:47','You\'ve probably heard about the flap involving Bob McDonnell, Virginia\'s new Republican governor. McDonnell issued a proclamation calling April Confederate History Month in his state. But he had omitted a key belief of the Confederacy--its support of slavery. Naturally, there was outrage from civil rights leaders, African-Americans and the media.  And guess what, McDonnell had to amend his statement to include language about slavery.\n\nNow, I think McDonnell was speaking his mind the first time. I also think Virginia has a large racist population who would be happy to be Confederate once again. And clearly, I think the whole Confederate declaration is a ridiculous, shameful attempt to pander to the more right-wing, racist elements in Virginia. But, from a public relations perspective, I want to know what was McDonnell thinking? Indeed, was he thinking?\n\nMcDonnell either is unaware that large segments of the population consider slavery an outrage or he has really bad advisors or simply is ignorant of how the media works. Anybody could have told him that many people would be offended by this offensive proclamation. And furthermore, that the media would pick it up and tear it apart. Sure, he reacted within a day and issued a\n\"fix\" and an apology, but why on earth was the governor not aware of the furor his decision would cause?\n\nOn the one hand, I think that McDonnell probably does not realize that being associated with confederacy equals racism because he does not see that as racist. He buys the whole Confederate argument that the Civil War was a fight about states\' rights. On the other hand, I also think McDonnell does not understand public perception or perhaps he lacks in the public relations advice department.\n\nWhether on purpose, or unwittingly, McDonnell has contributed further to the perception that he is a good ol\' boy, happy to maintain Virginia\'s commitment to Confederate ideals where African-Americans are second class citizens, if citizens at all.  McDonnell did not even consider that African-Americans live in his state and that they may not share his rosy view of the importance of celebrating Confederate history.\n\nSo, what was he thinking? He was not thinking nor was he receiving any type of credible public relations advice when he issued the proclamation. Obviously, once the criticism started, his PR folks woke up or showed up to the office.\n\nThe moral of this story is that perception matters, and that if you do or say something offensive, and you are in public office, you will have to face the music.\n\nUPDATE: Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney makes very good points in his<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Wa po Column\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/07/AR2010040704956.html?hpid=news-col-blog&amp;sid=ST2010040705182\" target=\"_blank\"> column today</a>.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Fwhat-was-he-thinking%2F&amp;linkname=What%20was%20he%20thinking%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What was he thinking?','','publish','open','open','','what-was-he-thinking','','','2010-04-08 10:16:47','2010-04-08 15:16:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=714',0,'post','',0),(719,4,'2010-04-16 09:06:27','2010-04-16 14:06:27','Are you looking for the magic bullet? The one solution to your marketing problems? Well, I can\'t help you. That\'s right--I can\'t help you find the magic bullet because there is no  magic bullet!\r\n\r\nA while back I had a client who was trying to re-grow his dwindling business. So he launched a social responsibility program. And when that failed to work as planned, he tried a new product and used postcards to sell it. And then that didn\'t work, so he tried doing do-good projects and used press releases to promote them. And then that didn\'t quite work either. You know why? Because all of these are tactics and there was no overall strategy or vision. One tactic, whatever it may be, will not result in sustained and increased sales.\r\n\r\nWhen I was in grad school, we learned all about a new concept at the time: Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). The concept was that your marketing efforts should integrate various tools, such as advertising, public relations, sponsorships, other one umbrella. I have always believed in this view.\r\n\r\nToday, people seem to believe that the magic bullet is social media. Build a Facebook Fan Page and you will get clients! Be on Twitter and you will get clients! Write a blog and you will get clients! No, no, no!!! You certainly should consider social media, but one or all of these tools will not guarantee marketing success, especially if you are pursuing each of them haphazardly without an overarching strategy.\r\n\r\nThere really is no magic bullet. Marketing communications is about strategy and also about trial and error. Some things will work better than others. Something close to a magic bullet may be measurement. If you measure success, you will find out what works best for you. If you don\'t measure, how will you know your impact?\r\n\r\nHave you been looking for a magic bullet? What have you found?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F16%2Flooking-for-the-magic-bullet%2F&amp;linkname=Looking%20for%20the%20magic%20bullet...\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Looking for the magic bullet...','','publish','open','open','','looking-for-the-magic-bullet','','','2011-08-14 07:20:49','2011-08-14 07:20:49','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=719',0,'post','',0),(1340,4,'2010-03-19 06:23:27','2010-03-19 11:23:27','This morning\'s Washington Post is full of interesting media/marketing news.  First is <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"FDA cigarette advertising\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803004.html\" target=\"_blank\">the announcement</a>that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has enacted tough new rules on cigarette/tobacco advertising as part of the agency\'s new authority to regulate the industry.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=cigarette+advertising&amp;iid=3079259\" src=\"2/7/5/2/Supreme_Court_Rules_ec52.jpg?adImageId=11436178&amp;imageId=3079259\" width=\"234\" height=\"171\" /]\n\nAccording the Post, tobacco companies will be banned from sponsoring sports and entertainment events and from offering free samples, among other restrictions. The FDA also tried to limit advertising to text only (banning color and graphics) but a judge has ruled in favor of the tobacco companies, which the FDA is appealing.\n\nTobacco advertising and the federal response to it  has always been fascinating.  Tobacco is a  legal product, sold and taxed in stores like any other product, but when used as directed, causes wide-ranging health problems (cancer, heart disease) not only to smokers but those exposed to smoke. The Feds have tried to curb the appeal of smoking by restricting advertising and putting warnings on cigarette packs.  This has always raised the question of first amendment rights--after all, the companies that manufacture cigarettes are trying to sell a legal product. But the government is concerned that increased sales of tobacco mean increased health risks.\n\n<strong>The point here is that advertising and marketing efforts, when done right, are powerful. They can steer consumer behavior.</strong> Personally, I abhor smoking and I applaud the FDA for stepping up regulation of tobacco marketing. To me,  marketing tobacco is marketing death, yet the issue of free speech remains. The real issue may well be why we allow companies continue to produce and market a product that kills.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=christiane+amanpour&amp;iid=8238522\" src=\"7/1/9/9/The_Daily_Beast_17c6.jpg?adImageId=11436100&amp;imageId=8238522\" width=\"234\" height=\"293\" /]\n\nAnother piece of news that is fascinating is that Christiane Amanpour, the famed CNN war reporter, will move over to ABC, to host This Week. If ever there was a least likely candidate for this position it was Amanpour, who is more comfortable confronting dictators and dodging bullets in war-torn areas.  I think David Brinkley would turn over in his grave! Will the round table with George Will, Cokie Roberts and the rest continue? I doubt it. And I doubt that with Amanpour at the helm, This Week will be able to compete with Meet the Press on domestic political coverage. <strong>But that seems to be the point--hiring Amanpour is meant to change This Week into a program with a more international focus.  And differentiate it will, but will that also result in increased viewership? That is the question.</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F19%2Fads-are-powerful-differentiation-is-important%2F&amp;linkname=Ads%20are%20powerful%3B%20differentiation%20is%20important\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Ads are powerful; differentiation is important','','inherit','open','open','','684-revision','','','2010-03-19 06:23:27','2010-03-19 11:23:27','',684,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/684-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(723,4,'2010-04-19 14:37:03','2010-04-19 19:37:03','<strong>Who are you? Why are you here? </strong>\r\n\r\nLots of people ask themselves these questions, especially around milestone birthdays and during the \"mid-life crisis.\"  For individuals, there is no one right answer. Some people spend their whole lives seeking for the answers and some people just go for \"one day at a time\" philosophy.\r\n\r\nBut what do you do if your business has an identity crisis? First,  determine if your business does have an identity crisis. Here are some signs:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>You offer many types of services or products that can\'t easily be grouped together</li>\r\n	<li>Your company name and tagline do not readily communicate what you do/everything you do</li>\r\n	<li>You have several different logos/different taglines</li>\r\n	<li>You don\'t have clear-cut branding (no signature color, font, tagline, key messages)</li>\r\n	<li>If someone asks you what you do, it takes several sentences to explain (you just can summarize it in one phrase)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you answered yes to even one of these descriptors, you probably are suffering from an identity crisis. You brand is not  strong and your business mission is not clear.\r\n\r\nHaving a business identity crisis can result in your business going under. Just down the street from where I live was a \"wellness center.\"  It was a retail outlet that sold vitamins and baby clothes made from organic cotton. They offered massages and facials. They held yoga and qi gong classes.  They probably would have described themselves as a lifestyle store, which is  generic. They weren\'t known for any of these offerings. And they closed.  To me, this was a classic example of an identity crisis.  Too many products and service offerings. No clear differentiation. And a vague description that can mean different things to different people.\r\n\r\nIn a crowded marketplace, differentiation can make the difference (I am so punny). You won\'t be able to differentiate if you have an identity crisis.\r\n\r\nDoes your business suffer from an identity crisis?  Time to ask yourself some hard, existential questions.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F19%2Fidentity-crisis%2F&amp;linkname=Identity%20crisis\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Identity crisis','','publish','open','open','','identity-crisis','','','2011-08-14 07:20:21','2011-08-14 07:20:21','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=723',0,'post','',0),(1339,4,'2010-04-16 09:06:27','2010-04-16 14:06:27','Are you looking for the magic bullet? The one solution to your marketing problems? Well, I can\'t help you. That\'s right--I can\'t help you find the magic bullet because there is no  magic bullet!\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=bullet&amp;iid=190986\" src=\"0187/898bfdba-7a53-427e-af34-11892e2b48c3.jpg?adImageId=12494427&amp;imageId=190986\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nA while back I had a client who was trying to re-grow his dwindling business. So he launched a social responsibility program. And when that failed to work as planned, he tried a new product and used postcards to sell it. And then that didn\'t work, so he tried doing do-good projects and used press releases to promote them. And then that didn\'t quite work either. You know why? Because all of these are tactics and there was no overall strategy or vision. One tactic, whatever it may be, will not result in sustained and increased sales.\n\nWhen I was in grad school, we learned all about a new concept at the time: Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). The concept was that your marketing efforts should integrate various tools, such as advertising, public relations, sponsorships, other one umbrella. I have always believed in this view.\n\nToday, people seem to believe that the magic bullet is social media. Build a Facebook Fan Page and you will get clients! Be on Twitter and you will get clients! Write a blog and you will get clients! No, no, no!!! You certainly should consider social media, but one or all of these tools will not guarantee marketing success, especially if you are pursuing each of them haphazardly without an overarching strategy.\n\nThere really is no magic bullet. Marketing communications is about strategy and also about trial and error. Some things will work better than others. Something close to a magic bullet may be measurement. If you measure success, you will find out what works best for you. If you don\'t measure, how will you know your impact?\n\nHave you been looking for a magic bullet? What have you found?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F16%2Flooking-for-the-magic-bullet%2F&amp;linkname=Looking%20for%20the%20magic%20bullet...\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Looking for the magic bullet...','','inherit','open','open','','719-revision','','','2010-04-16 09:06:27','2010-04-16 14:06:27','',719,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/04/719-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(727,4,'2010-04-21 11:34:55','2010-04-21 16:34:55','I love Twitter.  I love reading articles others share, seeing what people are up to, and generally the no-boundaries community that exists on the micro-blogging site. I follow and am followed by people in other states, countries, continents.  In a sense, Twitter connects the world!\n\nBut there is a downside to Twitter: the people who don\'t use Twitter wisely.  These people can ruin the experience, until you block them. These people are the reason for my top-ten  list of Twitter pet peeves:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>Following and unfollowing and following again.</strong> This tactic is meant to getting followers but if I didn\'t follow you the first time, or the second, chances are I AM NOT INTERESTED.</li>\n	<li><strong>Excessive self-promotion.</strong> Tweets that always start with I or include the word me.  Being on Twitter exclusively to promote self and not offering any value.</li>\n	<li><strong>Lurking. </strong>People who follow you and never engage or retweet.  They are just watching you. Why?</li>\n	<li><strong>Not giving credit</strong>. If I tweeted something that you think is so worthwhile that you re-tweeted it, just credit me, please?</li>\n	<li><strong>Follow Friday.</strong> I hate this. It makes Twitter into a popularity contest, and makes you ripe for spamming. Thanks for the shout-out but don\'t add me to your list.</li>\n	<li><strong>Being super selective.</strong> You have thousands of followers, yet you start your mornings saying hi to five of your favorite friends. I remind you: Twitter is not high school and all of us can see you didn\'t single us out. If you want to say hi to just a few people, might I recommend DM or (gasp) EMAIL?</li>\n	<li><strong>Spammers.</strong> People who send you @messages that have nothing to do with anything except what they are trying to get you to buy. There is a special place in hell for you.</li>\n	<li><strong>Incomplete profiles.</strong> If you don\'t have a bio, or a website, or preferably both, on what should I base my decision to follow you? Your inability to fill out your profile? This also goes for not posting a picture.</li>\n	<li><strong>Cursing. </strong>I curse all the time in real life, but I don\'t want to read obscenities on my Twitter stream. It generally is not necessary to put that out to the world.</li>\n	<li><strong>Never acknowledging retweets or @messages.</strong> Sure I understand that reporters or celebrities with tens of thousands of followers can\'t possibly respond to all these messages, but if you have under 500 followers, most likely you can spend a couple minutes each day responding. Remember you are on Twitter to create community!!!</li>\n</ol>\nOf course, these are MY pet Twitter peeves. You may not agree. Which is why you can feel free to leave your top Twitter peeves on the comments! (Or hey, write your own blog!)\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F21%2Ftweeting-and-not-failing-a-top-ten-list%2F&amp;linkname=Tweeting%20and%20not%20failing%20(a%20top%20ten%20list)\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Tweeting and not failing (a top ten list)','','publish','open','open','','tweeting-and-not-failing-a-top-ten-list','','','2010-04-21 11:34:55','2010-04-21 16:34:55','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=727',0,'post','',5),(732,4,'2010-04-22 11:51:10','2010-04-22 16:51:10','<strong>Editorial</strong>\n\nSocial media has definitely changed the Internet, marketing,  news gathering. Many people feel more in touch with long lost friends because of social networks. In short, there is lots to praise and like about social media. But, because it is social, and mostly free, social media has increased the reach of hate groups, racists and other people who previously relied on getting their message out only to a small circle of similar miscreants.\n\nTake for example a group on Facebook that is dedicated to \"praying\" for President Obama\'s death. I won\'t link to it here but this hateful group has already amassed almost one million followers (or likers in the new Facebook parlance).  As you know, social media works as an amplifier.  So if someone sees one of their friends likes organic yogurt, then he or she can also like said product. Same thing happens with these hate groups. And then it becomes a numbers game. Sadly, many people join these groups because they think its \"funny\" or as a joke. But what they are doing is lending weight, via numbers, to a hateful cause.\n\nRemember the Holocaust Museum shooter? Well he had several rantings on the Web. And the guy who killed a bunch of women at a gym in Pittsburgh, and then killed himself? He had an entire blog devoted to his hatred of women.  Social media is easy to access and has little or no cost. Anyone can set up a blog or a website, a Facebook page or a Twitter stream.\n\nThere is a lot of hate and plenty of malcontents out there. It\'s unfortunate that social media, which generally serves to build community and share interesting ideas, can also be used to share the hate and spread the ignorance.  I am not sure what, if anything, we can do about this.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Fthe-dark-side-of-social-media%2F&amp;linkname=The%20dark%20side%20of%20social%20media\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','The dark side of social media','','publish','open','open','','the-dark-side-of-social-media','','','2010-04-22 11:51:10','2010-04-22 16:51:10','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=732',0,'post','',2),(736,4,'2010-04-23 09:38:47','2010-04-23 14:38:47','Mark Zuckerberg has done it again. He has made some serious threats to your privacy, if you are a Facebook user. Zuckerberg does not believe in privacy, he has said so in those very words, so it is not too surprising that he further damaged your privacy to enhance his bottom line.\n\nThere are tons of articles about the new issues with privacy that came out of the f8 conference. This <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Facebook privacy\" href=\"http://gigaom.com/2010/04/22/your-moms-guide-to-those-facebook-changes-and-how-to-block-them/\" target=\"_blank\">one on GigaOm</a> is a good one (and thank you to Downtown Women\'s Club for posting it on Facebook...the irony).  Sadly, most Facebook users will never know about these changes, which directly affect them.\n\nI have been a steady Facebook user for more than two years. I had rarely logged out and usually checked in several times a day to see what everyone is up to. I also recently launched a Facebook Fan Page, which is now called a like page. But today, I logged out. I will log out every single time I visit Facebook and furthermore, I will limit my visits to Facebook. I am just not comfortable with what they are doing over there. And more pernicious, is that other sites I visit, like CNN and Washington Post now have my information and friends. Unless I logout of Facebook, CNN knows who my friends are and what they are doing online. Talk about Big Brother!\n\nI also hate the new \"like\" feature on Facebook. A Fan page is not a \"like\" page. They are inherently different. Like Kim Woodbridge from <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Kim Woodbridge\" href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anti Social Development</a> said to me about the change:  \"I like peas, but I am not a fan of peas.\"\n\nI am not sure that Facebook cares what people think.  It is feeling high because it has 400 million users worldwide, and that gives the company a lot of power, not to mention marketing might. For now, if you care about your privacy, protect yourself. Do not let Facebook use you for its gain. So logout, opt out, or do what you have to do.\n\nFeel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Are you a fan of the Facebook?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F23%2Fthoughts-on-the-new-facebook%2F&amp;linkname=Thoughts%20on%20the%20new%20Facebook\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Thoughts on the new Facebook','','publish','open','open','','thoughts-on-the-new-facebook','','','2010-04-23 09:38:47','2010-04-23 14:38:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=736',0,'post','',4),(743,4,'2010-05-05 08:29:24','2010-05-05 13:29:24','Although marketing communications can help brand your business, differentiate you from the crowd and even increase sales, it cannot make your business succeed.  To succeed in business, you have to provide something useful or necessary--a product or service people want or need. And you have to provide that something consistently. You can have great advertising, but if your product is not available or is not of good quality, guess what? You are going to get nowhere fast.\n\nLots of people spend time on their marketing strategies. And they develop great websites and fabulous collateral materials. Some people spend lots of time coming up with fancy names and lovely logos. But what they fail at is defining AND providing their product/service.\n\nThis morning I read <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Philly Biz Jrnl\" href=\"http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/othercities/philadelphia/stories/2010/04/26/smallb2.html?b=1272254400^3234551&amp;s=sbc:3&amp;ana=e_sol\" target=\"_blank\">an article from the Philadelphia Business Journal</a> about two local small businesses: a gas/service station and a dry cleaner. Both business owners work very hard and show up every day to run their businesses. People can count on them.  Neither business does much in the way of marketing because they don\'t need to. If you need your car fixed, you go to one, and if you need some shirts cleaned, you go to the other.\n\nYesterday, I came across <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Myth of Beautiful Design\" href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/myth-of-beautiful-design/\" target=\"_blank\">this post over on Copyblogger</a>. It is about how it doesn\'t matter whether you have a beautiful website if you don\'t have a message. I would go further--you have to know what you are doing, and to quote Nike, just do it.\n\nTime and again I meet successful business people. You know why they are successful? Because they provide the goods. On the other hand, how many times have you seen a restaurant fail? Probably dozens of times. You know why restaurants fail? Because people didn\'t go there to eat. And why didn\'t they go? Probably because the food was bad or the service was bad.\n\nBasically, it boils down to having the product or the service. Of course, if you want to increase your market presence and/or let people know you are there, you are going to have to engage in marketing. But marketing alone will not get you business.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fbeyond-marketing%2F&amp;linkname=Beyond%20marketing\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Beyond marketing','','publish','open','open','','beyond-marketing','','','2010-05-05 08:29:24','2010-05-05 13:29:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=743',0,'post','',1),(747,4,'2010-05-11 13:47:07','2010-05-11 18:47:07','Perhaps this post should be called Marketing 101, but it is about marketing one to one, person to person.  It is perhaps the most basic of marketing techniques, yet the most dismissed.\n\nCompanies spend lots of time and money and effort coming up with brilliant marketing/communications plans. They develop beautiful websites, and attention-grabbing ads. They do media outreach and get great publicity. And then the potential customer walks in the door, and the surly receptionist (or clerk or bank teller or any other frontline person) ruins the experience. He or she makes the customer feel unwelcome, unwanted, unserved. And guess what, the customer either walks away never to come back, or he/she becomes a NEGATIVE brand ambassador, sharing negative stories about your organization wherever he/she goes.\n\nYou see, many, if not all organizations, forget that marketing is really about getting people to buy your products or services or mission. It is about making it easy for them to realize how your product/service/mission fits in with their lifestyle and needs.  <strong>It is about people. </strong>\n\nPeople want to be treated nicely and politely.  It really is that simple.  I would argue that part of your marketing  plan should be to train your frontline employees to treat people nicely  and politely. If your sales are down, perhaps you should try to figure  out what is going on at the point of contact.  We\'ve discussed the four  \"Ps\" here before:  price, product, promotion, place. What is the place  of contact with your customer? What is happening there?\n\nWith the rise of Internet commerce, we are losing the sense of the importance of people--their feelings, their needs--when making a purchase. But in a bricks-and-mortar world it should definitely be front and center.\n\nI am writing this post because of two positive (gasp, right?) interactions I had today on the phone.  I was making a doctor\'s appointment at an office I have not been to, and the receptionist was helpful, informative and friendly. She made me feel confident that I will get professional service when I arrive there.  The other was the reminder phone call from the hair salon where I have an appointment tomorrow. The receptionist was polite (called me Ms. Brody) and friendly. I asked a question and he nicely answered me. It shows me that the salon VALUES its customers.\n\nAre you showing your customers you value them? Are you treating them as people? Are you making sure that the one on one interactions with your organization are positive?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fmarketing-one-to-one%2F&amp;linkname=Marketing%20one%20to%20one\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Marketing one to one','','publish','open','open','','marketing-one-to-one','','','2010-05-11 13:47:07','2010-05-11 18:47:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=747',0,'post','',2),(751,4,'2010-05-12 12:12:02','2010-05-12 17:12:02','Recently, I have been noticing jobs that require someone with technology skills (html, programming) to handle web development and social media. It is interesting that in some organizations social media efforts are housed under the IT umbrella. But should they be?  I don\'t think so.  That is like asking the kitchen installer to cook a meal. Just because you know the appliances and how to work them does not mean that you can use them to their best potential.\n\nLast week, I attended a social media workshop (not worth my while, but that is a topic for another post). One of the presenters was a tech guy, and he came out and said that he didn\'t know marketing.  He understood the power and importance of social media tools, but not how to use them for marketing purposes.\n\nThen there is the whole web developer versus web designer issue.  A web designer is concerned with the aesthetics of the website, and the web developer makes the site work.  Some people claim to provide both services, but in my experience, a web developer\'s websites never look pretty. And a web designer who does his/her own development probably can\'t do complex back-end stuff.\n\nIt boils down to what technology can and cannot do. Technology is a tool, a very specialized tool. And in the \"internet age,\" keeping up with evolving technology is crucial. But technology alone cannot communicate, it cannot market. A superior tech website with no communications strategy or well written content will not do the job.  Technology is not communication.  Tech people are notorious for being hard to understand.  They speak a specialized language and have skills that your average communications person just doesn\'t have.\n\nThe bottom line is that to have your IT department handle social media does not make good marketing sense.  Social media is completely about communication. It is not about the technology that allows said communication. I don\'t have to understand how Twitter works to use it for marketing promotion. I need to understand how people communicate, what information they are seeking. This is not to say you shouldn\'t involve your IT department--they can probably help facilitate what you are trying to do.  Just leave the communicating to the communicators.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F12%2Ftech-vs-communication%2F&amp;linkname=Tech%20vs.%20communication\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Tech vs. communication','','publish','open','open','','tech-vs-communication','','','2010-05-12 12:12:02','2010-05-12 17:12:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=751',0,'post','',0),(755,4,'2010-05-19 09:58:53','2010-05-19 14:58:53','Are you truly making the best use of the many marketing opportunities out there? Probably not.  This is understandable since there are so many things we can do and only a finite amount of time and staff to do it in. However, there are some opportunities that you SHOULD NOT be missing out on.  These are:\n<ul>\n	<li>Responding to your emails</li>\n	<li>Tracking your mentions on the Web and social media</li>\n	<li>Responding to social media mentions</li>\n	<li>Following up when necessary</li>\n</ul>\nLet me provide you with one example of a really big missed opportunity. A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to visit a coworking space in Baltimore. I sent an email to see if I could just drop by. It took someone there more than 24 hours to respond (the answer was yes, just come on by).  With that in mind, I did just that. I was welcomed and given a spot to sit. I tweeted about it. No one responded, even a week later. No one asked me for my card or information. In fact, no one said much of anything. There was absolutely no follow up. Even though I believe the coworking space offers a great convenience and is a wonderful concept, I think this particular one won\'t survive. They are missing opportunities to engage with potential customers, and they are doing nothing to market themselves.\n\nIf we\'ve learned anything about social media and the Internet, it is that people expect a response (most expect an immediate response).  My website host is on Twitter, and if I tweet them, they certainly respond. Why? Because they realize that it is giving them an opportunity to engage with a customer and try to fix any problem that is happening.\n\nWhen you don\'t respond to what is being asked of you or being said about you, you are truly missing an opportunity. Social media makes it easy to find out when people are talking about you. Perhaps you can\'t monitor it all day, but do it once a day and make sure to engage.\n\nIf you want to make the most of easy opportunities, track and respond, and do so sooner rather than later.  What are you doing to make sure you are responsive?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fmissing-opportunities%2F&amp;linkname=Missing%20opportunities%20\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Missing opportunities ','','publish','open','open','','missing-opportunities','','','2010-05-19 09:58:53','2010-05-19 14:58:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=755',0,'post','',0),(759,4,'2010-05-20 09:00:13','2010-05-20 14:00:13','As you have no doubt read elsewhere, Facebook keeps changing privacy settings. It has created marketing partnerships with other sites, that now have access to your preferences and can customize their offerings to you. And just yesterday Facebook unilaterally decided that only Facebook Fan Pages with more than 10,000 fans can have customized landing pages, only to apparently back down today.\n\nAll these changes have a few things in common:\n<ul>\n	<li>They are surreptitious, behind-the-scenes changes that are not well communicated</li>\n	<li>They assume what the consumer wants.</li>\n	<li>They are difficult to understand and have no clear rationale</li>\n	<li>The advantage may be wholly for Facebook with little if no benefit to consumers.</li>\n</ul>\nThere has been a growing backlash against Facebook, although the site is in no danger of going under.\n\nThere are some marketing take-aways:\n<ul>\n	<li>Customers want upfront communications.</li>\n	<li>Customers do not want to be taken for granted.</li>\n	<li>Customers want to feel as if they have some level of control, especially over their personal information.</li>\n	<li>Customers do not want to feel excessively marketed to.</li>\n</ul>\nFacebook is one of the few companies that could actually survive this type of backlash. Why? Because people like what it offers, and it is free. If people paid for services, then this would definitely not fly.\n\nNext time you are planning a big marketing change or push, think of Facebook.  Are you going to raise concerns? Will you have to backtrack and explain yourself?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Fwhat-the-facebook-fracas-can-teach-us-about-marketing%2F&amp;linkname=What%20the%20Facebook%20fracas%20can%20teach%20us%20about%20marketing\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What the Facebook fracas can teach us about marketing','','publish','open','open','','what-the-facebook-fracas-can-teach-us-about-marketing','','','2010-05-20 09:00:13','2010-05-20 14:00:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=759',0,'post','',2),(762,4,'2010-05-26 09:29:09','2010-05-26 14:29:09','Marketing communications is about persuading people that your product, service or organization offers something that is of value to them. It\'s really that simple.  <em>How</em><em> </em> you do it may not be so simple as there are many different strategies and tactics that you can use. Perhaps you will show the benefits of the product, perhaps you will make people feel good about choosing your service. But, whatever you do, you should not alienate your audience.\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations can alienate their customers and supporters by taking certain negative actions.  Perhaps it is raising prices or cutting back services. Sometimes unpopular actions are necessary, which is why how you communicate those actions becomes even more important. In fact, taking a negative action does not have to translate into alienation if it is handled correctly. Perhaps, you work on making the case more forcefully.\r\n\r\nYet, how often do we see companies doing things that alienate their  audiences?   We see it  often.  Two recent examples stand out for me:  Facebook with its privacy  problems and Spirit Airlines with its decision to charge for carry-on  bags. Both situations have been widely reported in the media, and both companies have done a mediocre job of explaining why they have taken those decisions. Facebook seems to think that what benefits it as a company should benefit you as customer. And Spirit actually claims that by charging for carry on baggage you benefit from lower fares. Both companies insult their customers\' intelligence, thus, alienate them.\r\n\r\nHere are a few tips to avoid alienating your customers\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>If you must take a negative action, explain it from your own perspective before the media/others do it for you.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t underestimate your audience\'s intelligence: they can usually see right through a bad explanation.</li>\r\n	<li>When you communicate, avoid being too self-promoting or too self-serving. You customers and supporters are more interested in what you can do for them than in what you did for yourself.</li>\r\n	<li>Be forthright and say what you mean.</li>\r\n	<li>Research! It is amazing how many organizations and companies don\'t understand who their audiences are and what they want.</li>\r\n	<li>Offer good-will gestures. If you\'ve done something that is bad (cancelled a concert for instance), give your customers a carrot (make it easy to get money back, give an additional discount, etc.).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHow do you think companies can avoid alienating customers?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F26%2Favoid-alienating-nearly-anybody%2F&amp;linkname=Avoid%20Alienating%20(nearly)%20Anybody\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Avoid Alienating (nearly) Anybody','','publish','open','open','','avoid-alienating-nearly-anybody','','','2011-08-14 07:19:41','2011-08-14 07:19:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=762',0,'post','',0),(1338,4,'2010-04-19 14:37:03','2010-04-19 19:37:03','<strong>Who are you? Why are you here? </strong>\n\nLots of people ask themselves these questions, especially around milestone birthdays and during the \"mid-life crisis.\"  For individuals, there is no one right answer. Some people spend their whole lives seeking for the answers and some people just go for \"one day at a time\" philosophy.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=identity+card&amp;iid=5212228\" src=\"2/c/4/c/mid_section_view_86a0.jpg?adImageId=12563260&amp;imageId=5212228\" width=\"234\" height=\"310\" /]\n\nBut what do you do if your business has an identity crisis? First,  determine if your business does have an identity crisis. Here are some signs:\n<ul>\n	<li>You offer many types of services or products that can\'t easily be grouped together</li>\n	<li>Your company name and tagline do not readily communicate what you do/everything you do</li>\n	<li>You have several different logos/different taglines</li>\n	<li>You don\'t have clear-cut branding (no signature color, font, tagline, key messages)</li>\n	<li>If someone asks you what you do, it takes several sentences to explain (you just can summarize it in one phrase)</li>\n</ul>\nIf you answered yes to even one of these descriptors, you probably are suffering from an identity crisis. You brand is not  strong and your business mission is not clear.\n\nHaving a business identity crisis can result in your business going under. Just down the street from where I live was a \"wellness center.\"  It was a retail outlet that sold vitamins and baby clothes made from organic cotton. They offered massages and facials. They held yoga and qi gong classes.  They probably would have described themselves as a lifestyle store, which is  generic. They weren\'t known for any of these offerings. And they closed.  To me, this was a classic example of an identity crisis.  Too many products and service offerings. No clear differentiation. And a vague description that can mean different things to different people.\n\nIn a crowded marketplace, differentiation can make the difference (I am so punny). You won\'t be able to differentiate if you have an identity crisis.\n\nDoes your business suffer from an identity crisis?  Time to ask yourself some hard, existential questions.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F19%2Fidentity-crisis%2F&amp;linkname=Identity%20crisis\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Identity crisis','','inherit','open','open','','723-revision','','','2010-04-19 14:37:03','2010-04-19 19:37:03','',723,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/04/723-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(766,4,'2010-05-28 08:13:42','2010-05-28 13:13:42','Some companies just don\'t get it.  They actually seem to want to lose customers. Here are two examples.\n\n<strong>Citibank</strong>\n\nJust one day after I wrote my last post on alienating customers, I got a letter from Citibank informing that my credit card  account is changing.  But not to fear, these changes include several \"enhancements.\"  But the changes are not enhancements. They are making the card even more useless--no more picture ID, no more 2% cash back for supermarket and drugstore purchases, AND, they are changing the name of the card and issuing a new number.  The thing about the account number was in the last paragraph.\n\nYou know what this is: it is a way of further alienating me as a customer. Why? Because first, it insults my intelligence. I know an enhancement when I see one--it usually involves something positive for me as a customer. Second, it forces me to do some work. Now, I have to call places where I have recurring charges to change my card number. And third, it is giving me something I didn\'t ask for nor did I want AGAINST MY WILL, WITH NO OPT-OUT.\n\n<strong>Verizon</strong>\n\nAlthough I have few service issues with Verizon, when I do, it is a nightmare to deal with this company. Its customer service truly is atrocious.  I dread having to call them for anything.  I usually get a phone tree, followed by an inept customer service rep who then drops the call when transferring me to the correct department. Just ugh. So, the idea of adding any services with this company is unthinkable.\n\nVerizon seems to think that if they send me enough direct mail, I will buckle in and get FIOS. So, every single week, I get a minimum of one piece of direct mail with an offer to install FIOS. This week, I got three pieces. This has been going on for two years.  Every time I see a letter from Verizon it goes in the trash and I think what a stupid company this is. Spending millions of dollars on direct mail, killing trees and for what? If they had an inkling on how to get customers they would figure out what customers want, and work on serving those needs first (better customer service comes to mind). Instead of doing real work, Verizon keeps sending useless direct mail. How many people are signing up? I bet not many.\n\nHow to alienate people and lose customers? Keep hitting them over the head with offers they don\'t want, insult their intelligence and make them do all the work.  On that end, Citibank and Verizon, you are doing a great job.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F28%2Fhow-to-alienate-people-and-lose-customers%2F&amp;linkname=How%20to%20alienate%20people%20and%20lose%20customers\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','How to alienate people and lose customers','','publish','open','open','','how-to-alienate-people-and-lose-customers','','','2010-05-28 08:13:42','2010-05-28 13:13:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=766',0,'post','',4),(770,4,'2010-06-01 08:14:23','2010-06-01 13:14:23','We all have pet peeves and things that make us go bonkers. Right? Unfortunately, we can\'t always tell what will make other people feel like they are listening to nails scratching a blackboard, and sometimes our communications misfire because of it.\r\n\r\nI wish I could say these are universal peeves and that you should avoid them at all costs (you <em>should </em>avoid them with me), instead I am asking you to think of what makes you crazy and what you would like to see avoided. Please be sure to share in the comments.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Using words that you don\'t understand or saying something complicated when simple would do (like utile--why can\'t you say useful?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Having really obvious grammatical mistakes (example: using I instead of me or having problems with subject-verb agreement)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n(Please read this entry over at OpenForum: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Open Forum\" href=\"http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/marketing/article/5-common-word-usage-mistakes-that-make-you-sound-stupid-or-worse-pompous-ann-handley\" target=\"_blank\">5 Common Word Usage Mistakes that Make You Sound Stupid</a>)\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Capitalizing Everything Instead of Bolding: more and more people are doing this in white papers and other texts. <strong>Capitals are for proper names and the beginning of sentences only.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Threatening: If you don\'t do it this now... For instance, I got an email from the IPRA (a division of the PRSA-NCC) about an event, and then I got another email, and another. Then, I got one that said \"final notice.\" Like if it was an overdue bill and I hadn\'t paid it. And then I get an email telling me it\'s my \"last chance.\" Here\'s a newsflash IPRA: threatening me is not going to make me more interested in seeing Mike McCurry,  who sold out his boss for the chance to sell his book. Nope.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Saying or claiming things that are obviously not true: I am planning to write a post about this specifically, but what I am referring to are ads or brochures that seem to ignore reality.  Like those Cox Communications commercials that claim the company has great customer service, when plenty of people can attest to the opposite. Or American Airlines claiming to be empathetic, telling me they know why I fly.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Insulting my intelligence: enough said.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Excessive self-promotion:  I see this a lot on Twitter and Facebook. When you feel the need to tell me how great you are all the time, I immediately think you are insecure.  I used to follow someone who was very proud of her WeightWatchers progress. And that is fine, but she needed all her followers to pat her on the back too. There is a moving line somewhere between excessive self-promotion (and neediness) and genuine pride and promotion of accomplishments. Figure out where it lies.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat\'s on your list?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2Fthings-that-make-me-crazy%2F&amp;linkname=Things%20that%20make%20me%20crazy\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Things that make me crazy','','publish','open','open','','things-that-make-me-crazy','','','2011-08-14 07:19:12','2011-08-14 07:19:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=770',0,'post','',0),(1337,4,'2010-05-26 09:29:09','2010-05-26 14:29:09','Marketing communications is about persuading people that your product, service or organization offers something that is of value to them. It\'s really that simple.  <em>How</em><em> </em> you do it may not be so simple as there are many different strategies and tactics that you can use. Perhaps you will show the benefits of the product, perhaps you will make people feel good about choosing your service. But, whatever you do, you should not alienate your audience.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=disgust&amp;iid=275463\" src=\"0272/25010306-707f-4a9e-8022-c505f8386590.jpg?adImageId=12993817&amp;imageId=275463\" width=\"319\" height=\"480\" /]\n\nBusinesses and organizations can alienate their customers and supporters by taking certain negative actions.  Perhaps it is raising prices or cutting back services. Sometimes unpopular actions are necessary, which is why how you communicate those actions becomes even more important. In fact, taking a negative action does not have to translate into alienation if it is handled correctly. Perhaps, you work on making the case more forcefully.\n\nYet, how often do we see companies doing things that alienate their  audiences?   We see it  often.  Two recent examples stand out for me:  Facebook with its privacy  problems and Spirit Airlines with its decision to charge for carry-on  bags. Both situations have been widely reported in the media, and both companies have done a mediocre job of explaining why they have taken those decisions. Facebook seems to think that what benefits it as a company should benefit you as customer. And Spirit actually claims that by charging for carry on baggage you benefit from lower fares. Both companies insult their customers\' intelligence, thus, alienate them.\n\nHere are a few tips to avoid alienating your customers\n<ul>\n	<li>If you must take a negative action, explain it from your own perspective before the media/others do it for you.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t underestimate your audience\'s intelligence: they can usually see right through a bad explanation.</li>\n	<li>When you communicate, avoid being too self-promoting or too self-serving. You customers and supporters are more interested in what you can do for them than in what you did for yourself.</li>\n	<li>Be forthright and say what you mean.</li>\n	<li>Research! It is amazing how many organizations and companies don\'t understand who their audiences are and what they want.</li>\n	<li>Offer good-will gestures. If you\'ve done something that is bad (cancelled a concert for instance), give your customers a carrot (make it easy to get money back, give an additional discount, etc.).</li>\n</ul>\nHow do you think companies can avoid alienating customers?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F26%2Favoid-alienating-nearly-anybody%2F&amp;linkname=Avoid%20Alienating%20(nearly)%20Anybody\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Avoid Alienating (nearly) Anybody','','inherit','open','open','','762-revision','','','2010-05-26 09:29:09','2010-05-26 14:29:09','',762,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/05/762-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(774,4,'2010-06-07 07:28:41','2010-06-07 12:28:41','Have you heard of Milton Glaser?  Perhaps you haven\'t heard of him by name, but you certainly have seen his work. Glaser was the originator of the I (heart) NY concept, the co-founder of New York Magazine, and designer behind Ms. Magazine and countless other publications.\r\n\r\nLast night I watched <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"You Tube Trailer\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdHBOv6utks\" target=\"_blank\">MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT. </a>What a revelation. Every communicator should watch this documentary to learn both how good design can transform, and the importance of communicating simply and directly.\r\n\r\nGlaser rightly believes that design can transform the world, that better design leads to better communication. One campaign that gave him great pleasure was working on supermarket design--from the layout to the signage and the logo. He made it easy for people to find what they were looking for. We take things like this for granted, and we really shouldn\'t.  How many times do we have trouble finding something because signage is lacking?\r\n\r\nGlaser attended New York City\'s famed (and in fact on which the movie Fame! was based) La Guardia High School of Art&amp;Music and Performing Arts.  The high school approached him about redesigning its logo, and first he suggested changing the high school\'s name to LaGuardia Arts, as being simpler. And then he did a fabulous logo that he says can be sung. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"LaGuardia Arts\" href=\"http://www.laguardiahs.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">See it here</a>.\r\n\r\nI have seen people take short cuts with design--trying to save a few bucks or thinking it is no big deal. But design is a big deal. Good design will make communication easier.  For those of you who have clients who think this way, show them MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT.','Communicating better by design','','publish','open','open','','communicating-better-by-design','','','2011-08-14 07:18:41','2011-08-14 07:18:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=774',0,'post','',2),(778,4,'2010-06-09 13:10:53','2010-06-09 18:10:53','Unless you are in a highly specialized field, you are facing increased competition.  Bricks-and-mortar stores are facing competition from Internet retailers.  And goodness, if you have an Internet-only storefront, you are facing more competition than ever.\n\nThere are two big reasons for the increase in competition:\n<ol>\n	<li>The economy. Because many people have been laid off/lost their jobs, many are becoming entrepreneurs.</li>\n	<li> The Internet.  It is easy and relatively inexpensive to set yourself up with a website/blog and to promote said website/blog.</li>\n</ol>\nWhat do you do?\n\n<span style=\"color:#ff0000;\">First let me tell you what NOT to do: nothing. Doing nothing ensures that you will remain less visible. Nothing also refers to not pursuing opportunities or answering inquiries. There is more competition out there, and if prospects don\'t sign up with you, it is easy for them to find someone else.</span>\n\nHere are a few things to do:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>Research your competition.</strong> What are they doing that you are not doing? What are you doing that they are not?</li>\n	<li>Based on your research, <strong>figure out what you offer that is different than your competition</strong>:  do you have better turn-around times, better prices, more experience?</li>\n	<li><strong>Figure out who your real target audience</strong> is. Are you wasting time and energy by targeting the wrong people?</li>\n	<li><strong>Assess your materials</strong>: website, brochure, business cards, blog, Twitter stream. Does anything need tweaking? Are you really transmitting your message?</li>\n	<li><strong>Network</strong>. I know this is not new advice, but people you know are more likely to give you work/buy your product or refer you.</li>\n</ol>\nI\'d like to thank<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Michele Lerner\" href=\"http://michelelerner.com/Michele_Lerner/Home.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Michele Lerner</a> for the idea for this post--we were discussing the freelance writing market this morning. And if you are looking to buy a home, check out Michele\'s book: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Homebuying\" href=\"http://www.internationalpubmarket.com/clients/cap/books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=213957\" target=\"_blank\">Homebuying: Tough Times, First Time, Anytime. </a>\n\nWhat are you doing to deal with competition?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F09%2Fwhat-to-do-when-theres-too-much-competition%2F&amp;linkname=What%20to%20do%20when%20there%27s%20too%20much%20competition\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','What to do when there\'s too much competition','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-when-theres-too-much-competition','','','2010-06-09 13:10:53','2010-06-09 18:10:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=778',0,'post','',2),(785,4,'2010-06-11 14:28:47','2010-06-11 19:28:47','Sometimes we are all about the how and why, and we forget about the when. When is just as important.\r\n\r\nTiming can really make a difference in what you do. Yesterday, I watched a salesman be turned away by a restaurant manager because as she said \"we are in the middle of lunch service.\" If your beat is restaurants, shouldn\'t you be aware of when is a good time to visit said restaurants? It seems logical that a restaurant will be busy during lunch and dinner.  If you do nightclubs, you would not go after 9 p.m.  Right?\r\n\r\nThe same idea applies to events. Plan your event for a time when people are able to attend. If you are trying to get busy professionals, perhaps daytime is not a good time.  In busy places like Washington DC you can never really find a day that doesn\'t have an event already planned. You can\'t avoid all events, but you should avoid planning events too close to other similar events. For instance, a local medical organization may want to avoid planning an event on the same day as a local surgeon\'s meeting. There may be too much crossover.\r\n\r\nTiming will affect how your message is received and whether its effective. If you invite people to an event with one day\'s notice, you are going to lose a lot of possible attendees. Similarly, publicizing an event too far in advance will guarantee people will forget about it.\r\n\r\nPutting out a press release on a Friday is a good way to bury it, and in my opinion, doing it on Monday achieves the same result.\r\n\r\nSo next time you are busy planning a communication strategy or an event, go beyond the what, where, how and why and think about the when.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F11%2Fits-when-you-do-it%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20when%20you%20do%20it\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','It\'s when you do it','','publish','open','open','','its-when-you-do-it','','','2011-08-14 07:17:41','2011-08-14 07:17:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=785',0,'post','',0),(1335,4,'2010-06-07 07:28:41','2010-06-07 12:28:41','<p>Have you heard of Milton Glaser?  Perhaps you haven\'t heard of him by name, but you certainly have seen his work. Glaser was the originator of the I (heart) NY concept, the co-founder of New York Magazine, and designer behind Ms. Magazine and countless other publications.</p>\n<p>[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=i+love+ny&amp;iid=5067476\" src=\"http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/5067476/love-new-york-key-chains/love-new-york-key-chains.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=5067476\" width=\"234\" height=\"undefined\" /]</p>\n<p>Last night I watched <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"You Tube Trailer\" href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdHBOv6utks\" target=\"_blank\">MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT. </a>What a revelation. Every communicator should watch this documentary to learn both how good design can transform, and the importance of communicating simply and directly.</p>\n<p>Glaser rightly believes that design can transform the world, that better design leads to better communication. One campaign that gave him great pleasure was working on supermarket design--from the layout to the signage and the logo. He made it easy for people to find what they were looking for. We take things like this for granted, and we really shouldn\'t.  How many times do we have trouble finding something because signage is lacking?</p>\n<p>Glaser attended New York City\'s famed (and in fact on which the movie Fame! was based) La Guardia High School of Art&amp;Music and Performing Arts.  The high school approached him about redesigning its logo, and first he suggested changing the high school\'s name to LaGuardia Arts, as being simpler. And then he did a fabulous logo that he says can be sung. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"LaGuardia Arts\" href=\"http://www.laguardiahs.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">See it here</a>.</p>\n<p>I have seen people take short cuts with design--trying to save a few bucks or thinking it is no big deal. But design is a big deal. Good design will make communication easier.  For those of you who have clients who think this way, show them MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT.</p>\n','Communicating better by design','','inherit','open','open','','774-revision','','','2010-06-07 07:28:41','2010-06-07 12:28:41','',774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/06/774-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(792,4,'2010-06-22 09:36:42','2010-06-22 14:36:42','Last week was Digital Capital Week here in Washington, DC.  The event consisted of workshops, meet-ups, parties and other events. It was well attended and well tweeted. As is now the custom, event attendees tweet out the little nuggets of shareable information followed by a hashtag, thus sharing with their following and publicizing the event.\n\nHere are some that I saw:\n\n\"Be authentic.\"\n\n\"Search your name on YouTube to see if there is any videos of you that you\'ve forgotten.\"\n\n\"Engage with your followers.\"\n\n\"Blogging is hard work.\"\n\nMy reaction to these on my Twitter stream: Really? Is that so? I have never heard that before.\n\nOn my Google Reader this morning, I came across this piece from HubSpot: \"Responding to a Social Media Crisis: #Intuit Outage Takeaways.\"  Here are its four rules for dealing with such a crisis:\n<blockquote><strong>1. Practice what you preach</strong>.  If you tout the  importance of transparency, then make sure that you can be transparent  during a crisis, too.  For example, at HubSpot, we use <a href=\"http://trust.hubspot.com/\">trust.hubspot.com</a> to show our  portals and report on downtimes.\n\n<strong>2.  Respond fast, respond often</strong>.  You’re only  hurting yourself if you wait too long before releasing information, and  when you finally do speak up there isn’t a lot of substance to what  you’re saying.  Give frequent updates, even if the update is just “no  new information”.\n\n<strong>3.  Apologize for the right thing</strong>.  Make sure you  aren’t alienating your customers further with your apology.  They may be  more upset if they feel like you are not addressing how the error  impacted their livelihood.\n\n4)   <strong>Make amends</strong>.  Try to find a way you can make it  up to your customers.  They are the backbone of your business, so it\'s  in your best interest to keep them happy.</blockquote>\n<div>Read more:  <a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/6101/Responding-to-a-Social-Media-Crisis-Intuit-Outage-Takeaways.aspx#ixzz0raltVJsj\">http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/6101/Responding-to-a-Social-Media-Crisis-Intuit-Outage-Takeaways.aspx#ixzz0raltVJsj</a></div>\n<div>All these pieces of advice are fine.  They aren\'t saying anything new, but we are supposed to think that social media somehow needs these rules. Being authentic and credible? Yes, you should be IN ALL ASPECTS of life. Engage with your audiences? Yes, of course you should.  And the Hubspot advice to deal with a \"social media\" crisis? That is just plain crisis communication 101.</div>\n<div>Social media may be new media, but the communications \"rules\" and advice that apply to older media apply here too. Perhaps because so many people are coming into media/communications because of social media, that so-called experts can recycle this advice and call it social media expertise.</div>\n<div>My conclusion is that people are very eager to learn, but they are being snookered by the \"social media experts\" who seem to recycle advice and bring very little value to the conversation. So my advice, and this you should definitely not ignore, is to question any advice social media experts give.</div>\n<div>P.S. If you need someone to tell you that being authentic and credible is important, then I really don\'t want to do business with you.</div>\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F22%2Fadvice-you-shouldnt-ignore%2F&amp;linkname=Advice%20you%20shouldn%27t%20ignore!\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Advice you shouldn\'t ignore!','','publish','open','open','','advice-you-shouldnt-ignore','','','2010-06-22 09:36:42','2010-06-22 14:36:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=792',0,'post','',2),(797,4,'2010-06-24 11:43:28','2010-06-24 16:43:28','As anyone who has been through media training knows, what you say to a journalist is always on the record, even if you think it\'s not. When you talk to a journalist, he or she is gathering information, and whether you are quoted directly or not, you have been used as a source.\r\n\r\nRecently, there have been two widely publicized media gaffes.  The most recent involves comments made by General Stanly McChrystal and his staff to Rolling Stone magazine. Those comments, widely seen as being proof of insubordination, led to McChrystal\'s resignation from his post as commanding officer of the war in Afghanistan.\r\n\r\nIt is hard to believe that McChrystal, a former head of Special Ops, would be so candid with a journalist not knowing his comments would make it to print.  Anyone who has had as much exposure to the media would know that a journalist is always pursuing a story. In my opinion, McChrystal knew exactly what he was doing, and had his own motivations for getting on the record with his views of President Obama and the direction of the war in Afghanistan.\r\n\r\nThe other media gaffe also cost a job. I am talking of Helen Thomas and her anti-Semitic barrage, caught on video by a citizen journalist and blogger.  Thomas, when asked on her views on Israel, did not hold back her contempt or her extremist views. Some have asked whether she understood the implications of talking to a non-journalist.  In her fifty years plus of experience, Thomas must have come across a hand-held camera before. As a journalist herself, she knows that anything you say in front of other people can be quoted or at least, used as source material. Even if Thomas had not been captured on video, the Rabbi who interviewed her could have publicized her comments.\r\n\r\nBecause, as we said before, now more than ever, NOTHING is off the record. And all of us are going on the record all the time, on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and wherever else we are interacting. We need to be mindful that what we say can and will be used against (or for) us.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fits-always-on-the-record%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20always%20on%20the%20record!\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','It\'s always on the record!','','publish','open','open','','its-always-on-the-record','','','2011-08-14 07:17:08','2011-08-14 07:17:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=797',0,'post','',0),(1334,4,'2010-06-11 14:28:47','2010-06-11 19:28:47','Sometimes we are all about the how and why, and we forget about the when. When is just as important.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=clock&amp;iid=7277784\" src=\"http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/7277784/portrait-businessman/portrait-businessman.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=7277784\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nTiming can really make a difference in what you do. Yesterday, I watched a salesman be turned away by a restaurant manager because as she said \"we are in the middle of lunch service.\" If your beat is restaurants, shouldn\'t you be aware of when is a good time to visit said restaurants? It seems logical that a restaurant will be busy during lunch and dinner.  If you do nightclubs, you would not go after 9 p.m.  Right?\n\nThe same idea applies to events. Plan your event for a time when people are able to attend. If you are trying to get busy professionals, perhaps daytime is not a good time.  In busy places like Washington DC you can never really find a day that doesn\'t have an event already planned. You can\'t avoid all events, but you should avoid planning events too close to other similar events. For instance, a local medical organization may want to avoid planning an event on the same day as a local surgeon\'s meeting. There may be too much crossover.\n\nTiming will affect how your message is received and whether its effective. If you invite people to an event with one day\'s notice, you are going to lose a lot of possible attendees. Similarly, publicizing an event too far in advance will guarantee people will forget about it.\n\nPutting out a press release on a Friday is a good way to bury it, and in my opinion, doing it on Monday achieves the same result.\n\nSo next time you are busy planning a communication strategy or an event, go beyond the what, where, how and why and think about the when.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F11%2Fits-when-you-do-it%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20when%20you%20do%20it\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','It\'s when you do it','','inherit','open','open','','785-revision','','','2010-06-11 14:28:47','2010-06-11 19:28:47','',785,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/06/785-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(802,4,'2010-06-28 11:39:56','2010-06-28 16:39:56','Promotion is one of the four \"Ps\" of marketing (the others being price, product, place).  You can\'t market effectively without promotion, and in fact, marketing communications is all about promotion. MarComm people don\'t deal with price, product or place, other that to give input.\n\nSo, to sell a product, a service or an idea, you will promote. Promotion could go many ways, from traditional advertising, to blogging, to a public relations campaign.  That\'s all fine and good. However, with the rise of social media as a prime promotion vehicle, we run into some problems.  In social media, we rely on user-generated content, whether through blog entries or sharing thoughts and ideas via social networks.  We now have the term \"citizen journalist.\"\n\nEnter <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Wikepedia\" href=\"http://www.wikipedia.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wikipedia</a>. Wikipedia is an online, USER-GENERATED encyclopedia. Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia. There is very little if any editorial control over content.  Products, people, historical events, music and any number of other topics are covered over at Wikipedia. Wikipedia entries tend to come up pretty high in Google searches too.  It seems obvious that someone looking to promote something or someone would add a Wikipedia entry.  Right?\n\nFrom a marketing perspective alone, of course you would add Wikipedia as a target for your social media/SEO/SEM efforts. It makes complete sense. However, as a consumer you have to be wary. If anyone can post anything on Wikipedia, then how accurate is that information? Can you rely on in? Should you rely on it? Are people questioning what they find on Wikipedia and if so, how is that affecting Wikipedia entries?\n\nI don\'t have the answers to this.\n\nYou have all heard of personal branding right? And personal branding has everything to do with promotion, and more specifically, self-promotion. You see people on Twitter promoting links to their blogs, to their parties, to their businesses. This is OK (although I have a problem with people who endlessly self-promote but that is another blog post).  And to link it back to Wikipedia, individuals are now creating Wikipedia entries about themselves.  Again, it makes sense on a macro-scale.\n\nStill, perhaps I am  being \"old school\" but a self-provided entry on Wikipedia is meaningless. A third party endorsement, like an article in a newspaper, has much more weight. Presumably, the third party (perhaps a journalist) did some fact-checking. If I can put down whatever I want in Wikipedia, what is stopping me from inflating reality or straight-out making stuff up? And worse, people think of Wikipedia as a real source for information, not unlike an Encyclopedia Britannica.\n\nThe bottom line is this: maybe using Wikipedia to promote yourself or your product is a good strategic, social-media-savvy move, but is it ethical?\n\nWhat do you think?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F28%2Fwiki-promotion-and-self-promotion%2F&amp;linkname=Wiki%20promotion%20and%20self-promotion\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Wiki promotion and self-promotion','','publish','open','open','','wiki-promotion-and-self-promotion','','','2010-06-28 11:39:56','2010-06-28 16:39:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=802',0,'post','',0),(806,4,'2010-07-05 09:59:58','2010-07-05 14:59:58','Over the past five years, since I moved to Washington, I have seen the Washington Post decline as its price continues to climb. When I got here, you could get the paper for 50 cents. Now, it is 75 cents. Subscription costs also continue to rise. And yet, the paper gets smaller and more irrelevant. It\'s almost like the Post wants to get rid of its subscribers and print edition readers.\r\n\r\nHere are several questionable moves the Post has engaged in over the past couple of years:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Increased subscription rates and got rid of the ability to pay for more than 8 weeks at a time (there used to be an option to pay for 12 weeks, etc., thus locking in a price)</li>\r\n	<li>Made TV Week opt-in and then charged 15 cents for each copy</li>\r\n	<li>Got rid of separate business section and folded it into front section</li>\r\n	<li>Created Capital Business \"for subscribers only\" and is charging $50 per year for it</li>\r\n	<li>Posts print content online a day or two before it is published, effectively making newspaper content available sooner to the entire world for FREE.</li>\r\n	<li>Cut back substantially on copy editors and other newsroom personnel, making the newspaper rife with errors (grammatical, spelling and factual)</li>\r\n	<li>Publishes the Express, a smaller version of the Post, for FREE</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAll these moves seem (with the exception of publishing all content online for free) seemed to be designed to increase the Post bottom line AT THE EXPENSE OF ITS BASE.  The most loyal readers are those that pay to get the newspaper, and yet, the Post is basically screwing those readers by charging them MORE to get what others get for free.\r\n\r\nClearly, it is not a financially wise move to subscribe to the Post, so why do we continue to subscribe? Often, it is because of habit. Many of us still like reading a paper newspaper with our morning coffee.  And some of us love the puzzles. Otherwise, the printed Washington Post has NO value. Everything in the printed edition is available online, for free. If I want to take it with me, I can pick up an Express.  There is absolutely no financial incentive to subscribe. And the Post seems to be doing everything in its power to get me to stop subscribing.\r\n\r\nIf the Post continues down this path, it will reduce its circulation numbers substantially, which in turn will affect the amount of money they can charge advertisers. As ad revenue goes down, along with subscriber revenue, the newspapers bottom line will suffer. And then they will want to charge for online content.  Online readers will probably not pay since plenty of other quality content is available elsewhere for free.\r\n\r\nCan the Post reverse course? Probably not thus leaving us with a crappy newspaper we are paying more for...good thing some of us have birdcages to line.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F05%2Fis-the-washington-post-trying-to-alienate-subscribers%2F&amp;linkname=Is%20the%20Washington%20Post%20trying%20to%20alienate%20subscribers%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Is the Washington Post trying to alienate subscribers?','','publish','open','open','','is-the-washington-post-trying-to-alienate-subscribers','','','2011-08-14 07:16:46','2011-08-14 07:16:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=806',0,'post','',1),(810,4,'2010-07-06 09:50:02','2010-07-06 14:50:02','Any business that does not have a website in 2010 is probably at a huge disadvantage.  Back in the day, people used phone books to look things up. Not anymore. Google is the phone book of the 21st Century, and woe to those who are not being found by the search engine.\n\nBut you have a website, right? And not only do you have a website, you value your website too. You know it\'s as good as gold in getting business (or for nonprofits, supporters/volunteers/donors) for your product/service?  But, too many organizations take their website for granted. They either don\'t touch it once it is up or they are always changing it up.\n\nTake CNN.com for instance. The web site was redesigned a few months ago, and in my opinion, made it completely difficult to find the news, which, presumably, is what CNN offers. I used to visit CNN all the time. Now, I don\'t.  This is not to say that you should never redesign your website. You should. Your website should be as updated as possible.  Say I go to a restaurant\'s website, and the only menu posted is the winter menu. But it is summer.  You get my drift.\n\n<strong>Valuing your website means providing your visitors with what they need and expect.</strong>\n\nDo you value your website? How many of the following do you agree with?\n<ul>\n	<li>I had my website professionally designed</li>\n	<li>I have had a third-party evaluation of my website to check content, ease of navigation and usability.</li>\n	<li>My website is fully up to date</li>\n	<li>I have made sure to make my website search engine friendly</li>\n	<li>I have a list of keywords and I have used the on my website</li>\n	<li>I have a blog</li>\n	<li>I have a newsroom or similar in which I post my organization\'s latest news</li>\n	<li>My latest news is dated no earlier than 2010</li>\n	<li>My web host is reliable and I have very little if any downtime</li>\n	<li>I have made my website social media friendly (share buttons, Twitter/Facebook links, etc.)</li>\n</ul>\nHow did you fare? To really value your website, you should have agreed with most, if not all, of these statements.\n\nLisa Barone has written an excellent blog post:<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"11 website tips\" href=\"http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/11-reasons-customers-don%E2%80%99t-trust-your-web-site.html\" target=\"_blank\"> 11 Reasons Customers Don\'t Trust Your Website</a>, which points out 11 things to watch out for.  And according to Daniel Kehrer at Small Business CEO, one of the <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"13 biz mistakes\" href=\"http://www.smbceo.com/2010/07/05/mistakes/\" target=\"_blank\">13 Mistakes that Can Jinx your Business,</a> is to let your website go dormant.\n\nValue your website. It is a primary source of business.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F06%2Fdo-you-value-your-website%2F&amp;linkname=Do%20you%20value%20your%20website%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','Do you value your website?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-value-your-website','','','2010-07-06 09:50:02','2010-07-06 14:50:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=810',0,'post','',0),(817,4,'2010-07-12 11:33:42','2010-07-12 16:33:42','This past weekend I stayed in a hotel in Rochester, NY.  The hotel\'s website is nice, modern (although it has music) and tells me they have refurbished their rooms. In a tourist magazine that I picked up at the airport, the hotel has an ad that tells me that hot breakfast is included in the price. The website says only they offer \"complimentary breakfast.\"\r\n\r\nThe hotel does not offer a hot breakfast. It offers what is better known as a \"continental breakfast.\"  That is, a selection of muffins and breakfast pastries, cold cereals, fruit and yogurt. They also provide a microwave where you can reheat a Jimmy Dean breakfast muffin or heat up your instant oatmeal.  Nothing wrong with the complimentary breakfast but it is not a hot breakfast. Hot breakfast means eggs, waffles, pancakes and other cooked items. None of those were offered.\r\n\r\nAs for refurbishing--I think this means the hotel  added new linens and flat screen tvs.  The bathrooms seemed dated and nothing seemed particularly modern (certainly not the alarm clocks or the phones).  The room had a safe (not something you see very often in a hotel). In fact, the hotel highlights the safe as a room feature,not mentioning any where that they charge guests $1 per day just to have the safe, regardless of whether it is used or not.\r\n\r\nIn short, this hotel, while not bad, did not live up to its promises made on its website or in its advertising. It also failed to mention that something that they include in your hotel room is actually fee-based.\r\n\r\nIn this case, these lapses are not disastrous for the hotel.  However, generally, saying something in your marketing that is simply not true in \"real life,\"  will result in broken trust and lost customers. And yet, how many times have you seen ads that are inaccurate? Promises that start with free or assurance of 100s of satisfied customers. Marketers sometimes play hard and fast with these formulas, but if you product or service is not able to back it up, you are going to turn off your potential customers. It is that simple.\r\n\r\nLive up to your marketing promises, and be transparent.  Don\'t hit up customers with fees for services you seem to imply are included. Don\'t promise things you can\'t or won\'t deliver.  Customers will resent these things and will be cautious in choosing to do business with you again.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F12%2Fare-you-keeping-your-promises%2F&amp;linkname=Are%20you%20keeping%20your%20promises%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Are you keeping your promises?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-keeping-your-promises','','','2011-08-14 07:16:22','2011-08-14 07:16:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=817',0,'post','',0),(1332,4,'2010-07-05 09:59:58','2010-07-05 14:59:58','Over the past five years, since I moved to Washington, I have seen the Washington Post decline as its price continues to climb. When I got here, you could get the paper for 50 cents. Now, it is 75 cents. Subscription costs also continue to rise. And yet, the paper gets smaller and more irrelevant. It\'s almost like the Post wants to get rid of its subscribers and print edition readers.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=%22washington+post%22&amp;iid=4696897\" src=\"http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/4696897/washington-post-announces/washington-post-announces.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=4696897\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nHere are several questionable moves the Post has engaged in over the past couple of years:\n<ul>\n	<li>Increased subscription rates and got rid of the ability to pay for more than 8 weeks at a time (there used to be an option to pay for 12 weeks, etc., thus locking in a price)</li>\n	<li>Made TV Week opt-in and then charged 15 cents for each copy</li>\n	<li>Got rid of separate business section and folded it into front section</li>\n	<li>Created Capital Business \"for subscribers only\" and is charging $50 per year for it</li>\n	<li>Posts print content online a day or two before it is published, effectively making newspaper content available sooner to the entire world for FREE.</li>\n	<li>Cut back substantially on copy editors and other newsroom personnel, making the newspaper rife with errors (grammatical, spelling and factual)</li>\n	<li>Publishes the Express, a smaller version of the Post, for FREE</li>\n</ul>\nAll these moves seem (with the exception of publishing all content online for free) seemed to be designed to increase the Post bottom line AT THE EXPENSE OF ITS BASE.  The most loyal readers are those that pay to get the newspaper, and yet, the Post is basically screwing those readers by charging them MORE to get what others get for free.\n\nClearly, it is not a financially wise move to subscribe to the Post, so why do we continue to subscribe? Often, it is because of habit. Many of us still like reading a paper newspaper with our morning coffee.  And some of us love the puzzles. Otherwise, the printed Washington Post has NO value. Everything in the printed edition is available online, for free. If I want to take it with me, I can pick up an Express.  There is absolutely no financial incentive to subscribe. And the Post seems to be doing everything in its power to get me to stop subscribing.\n\nIf the Post continues down this path, it will reduce its circulation numbers substantially, which in turn will affect the amount of money they can charge advertisers. As ad revenue goes down, along with subscriber revenue, the newspapers bottom line will suffer. And then they will want to charge for online content.  Online readers will probably not pay since plenty of other quality content is available elsewhere for free.\n\nCan the Post reverse course? Probably not thus leaving us with a crappy newspaper we are paying more for...good thing some of us have birdcages to line.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F05%2Fis-the-washington-post-trying-to-alienate-subscribers%2F&amp;linkname=Is%20the%20Washington%20Post%20trying%20to%20alienate%20subscribers%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Is the Washington Post trying to alienate subscribers?','','inherit','open','open','','806-revision','','','2010-07-05 09:59:58','2010-07-05 14:59:58','',806,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/07/806-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(822,4,'2010-07-15 08:44:28','2010-07-15 13:44:28','This is not a post about marketing communications per se, but it does have to do with communications.  This is also not in any particular order.\n\n<strong>Heads in the sand</strong>\n\nI wrote a few days ago about my stay in a Rochester hotel that did not live up to its advertising. Like I said then, there was nothing WRONG with the hotel, but it wasn\'t particularly right.  Since I made my reservation online, I got the following email from the hotel:\n<blockquote>Thank you for staying with us at the XXX. We sincerely hope you  enjoyed your visit with us and that we were able to exceed your expectations. We  look forward to serving you again when your travel plans bring you back to the XXX area.</blockquote>\nThey \"hope\" they exceeded my expectations. Well, they barely met my expectations but are they interested in knowing what my expectations and experiences were? No.  I responded to them that if they cared about my expectations they would ask for feedback, and guess what, I have gotten no reply to that.\n\nIf you want to stick your head in the sand about your product or service, you are doing so at your own peril. If you are wondering why sales are down or employee morale is low, perhaps you need to FIND OUT instead.\n\n<strong>How you present yourself (or, there are other people in the room)\n</strong>\n\nI was at a couple professional development events yesterday. In both cases, there was at least one audience member who, during the Q&amp;A, seemed to forget that there were other people in the audience. In the first case, the questioner went on and on about her business and finally got in a question (if asking a question that applies only to you is asking a question).  In the second case, the questioner shared a very personal, and in my opinion, inappropriate, story as a a set up to her comment (no real question).  Both these people clearly see the world as subordinate to their own personal needs and desires.\n\nThis last thought leads me t:\n\n<strong>Self promotion, arrogance and the cult of celebrity</strong>\n\nAlthough the rise of social media and citizen journalism is,in general, a good thing, there has also been a rise in the amount of people who think they are superior to all the rest of us, and now, because they can harness great followings and share their every thought with the masses, have become ubiquitous and often, quite obnoxious. I wrote recently about people who actually create Wikipedia entries for themselves (talk about arrogant), and yesterday, my friend and colleague, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daria Steigman\" href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Daria Steigman</a> told me about the hoopla surrounding a \"famous\" PR person and a comment on a blog. Read the whole thing<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Kami Huyse\" href=\"http://overtonecomm.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-dont-have-time-to-google-you-micro.html\" target=\"_blank\"> here </a>and draw your own conclusions.\n\nHowever, let me add my conclusion, I think Kami Huyse is generally right that people have become arrogant, but what she doesn\'t realize is that she herself is being arrogant by claiming \"I don\'t have time to Google you.\"  Why is her time more important? Now let me be clear--people who think that \"Google me\" is a response to other people who ask how to contact you or more about you are clearly arrogant. BUT, if I truly want to know more, chances are I WILL Google you.\n\nIn the end, it is up to each of us to give attention to the people we  respect. If we don\'t respect someone or we think they are arrogant, then let\'s NOT follow them or read their blogs or buy their books or attend their parties or whatever. Self-promoting and arrogant people will eventually lose their followings IF enough people realize that just because other people think someone is great does not mean that he or she really is great (after all, lots of people liked Stalin ...).\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F15%2Fsome-non-connected-thoughts%2F&amp;linkname=Some%20non-connected%20thoughts\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Some non-connected thoughts','','publish','open','open','','some-non-connected-thoughts','','','2010-07-15 08:44:28','2010-07-15 13:44:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=822',0,'post','',2),(828,4,'2010-07-19 10:38:51','2010-07-19 15:38:51','Sometimes it\'s what you don\'t do or say that hurts you.\n\nThis is what I am talking about:\n<ul>\n	<li>When you don\'t say thank you</li>\n	<li>When you don\'t acknowledge a phone call or an email</li>\n	<li>When you don\'t respond</li>\n	<li>When you don\'t say \"I\'m sorry\" when you are in the wrong</li>\n	<li>When you don\'t do what you say you are going to do</li>\n</ul>\nThese omissions hurt you both personally and professionally. On a personal level, we know these types of non-actions lead to misunderstandings and hurts. They often ruin relationships. On a professional level, they are just as damaging, if not more, since there is a monetary aspect involved.\n\nLet\'s take a few professional examples. Say you are a charity, and you received a donation (the amount really doesn\'t matter). You don\'t acknowledge or thank the donor. What are the chances the donor will <strong>want </strong>to give to you again?\n\nSay you are a consultant, and you promised your client you would have the report by end of the week. The client is waiting on this report to make a big decision. You don\'t deliver. What happens? You\'ve let down the client, and you have seriously undermined your credibility.\n\nYou you get an inquiry about your product or service. You don\'t respond (excuses don\'t matter!). You have just lost potential business.\n\nPerhaps you are overworked and overwhelmed. Perhaps the message got lost. Perhaps you just didn\'t think about it.  In the end, no matter what the reason or excuse is, the result is the same. Not saying or doing or not being civil and polite creates a perception about you, about what you value, about how you interact with others.\n\nPerhaps you just don\'t care how you are perceived.  However,  if you don\'t care about perceptions, then you shouldn\'t be in marketing communications.\n\nMarCom is about creating positive perceptions for the product/service/organization/cause we are promoting. Being civil, being responsive, showing you care are part and parcel of creating positive perceptions.\n\nWhat do you think? Have you lost business because you didn\'t say or do what you should have said or done?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F19%2Fhow-what-you-dont-say-or-do-can-hurt-you%2F&amp;linkname=How%20what%20you%20don%27t%20say%20or%20do%20can%20hurt%20you\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','How what you don\'t say or do can hurt you','','publish','open','open','','how-what-you-dont-say-or-do-can-hurt-you','','','2010-07-19 10:38:51','2010-07-19 15:38:51','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=828',0,'post','',0),(834,4,'2010-07-20 09:14:43','2010-07-20 14:14:43','What do you do when your CEO is giving you lots of PR problems? We\'ve been seeing a slew of PR missteps by CEOs, from Tony Hayward of BP to Ben Baldanza of Spirit Airlines.\n\nBen Baldanza seems to be quite the character. He recently said that luggage is not essential when traveling, and this is why Spirit is now charging for bringing carry-ons on board. BudgetTravel just wrote a post about it<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"BudgetTravel\" href=\"http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2010/07/it_turns_out_members_of.html?wpisrc=newsletter\" target=\"_blank\"> here </a>(and please read the comments, which is where we can start to see the PR dimensions).\n\nWhen the charge was announced earlier this year (it will start being implemented in August), Baldanza set out an letter to his email subscribers describing how carry-on fees actually make flying cheaper.  Anybody who has a half-brain and has flown anywhere before knows that this is simply spin. When you have to pay to check baggage and you have to pay to check carry-ons, it doesn\'t matter how cheap airline tickets seem because you will end up paying more.\n\nSteve Jobs recently showed a considerable degree of hubris when telling journalists that the way people were holding the IPhone 4 was responsible for the loss of signal. Huh? Inc. Magazine has a great article about this misstep <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Inc Magazine\" href=\"http://www.inc.com/tech-blog/a-is-for-apple-and-arrogance.html\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\n\nI am not even going to discuss Tony Hayward.\n\nUnfortunately, many people in leadership positions do not have leadership qualities.  These folks tend to be arrogant, often believe that they know best and that underlings should remain quiet. It is not easy to deal with this situation professionally, but it is nearly impossible to rectify from a public relations perspective.\n\nThese cases illustrate a real conundrum for marketers. The CEO is the  public face of any company, and if he or she is saying things that hurt  the company, what do you do? Chances are the CEO is the one with the  ultimate power to hire or fire PR counsel. Or the person who refuses to  listen to counsel.\n\nAs PR counsel in this type of case, you are in a delicate position. The best thing to do is to point out how the CEO may be affecting the bottom line. You may need statistics, like sales or stock prices. Make a case as to what should be done, and why it will be better. If your CEO refuses to listen to you, he/she may listen to outside counsel.\n\nThere is a chance your CEO will not listen to anyone and he/she may bring the ship down. Is there a recourse? Probably stockholders or your board of directors are interested in remaining profitable and keeping the public happy.  If no one seems to think bad PR is a problem, well then you really have a problem!\n\nWhat do you think?','When your CEO is giving you PR nightmares','','publish','open','open','','when-your-ceo-is-giving-you-pr-nightmares','','','2010-07-20 09:14:43','2010-07-20 14:14:43','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=834',0,'post','',0),(837,4,'2010-07-21 07:53:27','2010-07-21 12:53:27','Yesterday, I talked about nightmare CEOs. And today, I came across two very good business articles, one about the biggest brand disasters of the year,  and the other about the decline in crisis PR. It seems to me that perhaps the lack of good crisis communications strategy is directly to blame for these brand failures.\n\n<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daily Finance brand disasters\" href=\"http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/the-10-biggest-brand-disasters-of-2010/19560366/\" target=\"_blank\">Daily Finance lists a top ten list of brand disasters,</a> which include:\n<ul>\n	<li>BP</li>\n	<li>Goldman Sachs</li>\n	<li>Toyota</li>\n	<li>Google</li>\n</ul>\nEach of these companies had plenty of headlines this year, most of them negative. But what made each of their particular situations worse was the inappropriate reactions from their CEOs, and their response to the situation.\n\nIt seems fairly clear to me that although the situations that each company faced were bad, the public response to the situations made the situations even worse. In Toyota\'s case, the first response to reports of accidents tied to flaws in their vehicles was DENIAL. Toyota insisted for some time that there was nothing wrong with their vehicles, that the people were somehow to blame. Then, they insisted that small fixes were needed--like with the floor rugs (come on, the floor rugs cause sudden acceleration?). Finally, they had to face the music as the government stepped in with all sorts of evidence, but the damage was already done.\n\nAccording to <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Crisis PR\" href=\"http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/judgments/2010/07/20/crisis-crisis-pr?page=0,0\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew DeBord, writing in Big Money,</a> the problem may lie in the 24-7 Internet news cycle, and the inability of PR firms to adapt to the new realities. He writes:\n<blockquote>But now, the new crisis paradigm is spinning hopelessly in the dark.  By mid-2010, the stories were changing too rapidly to control, much less  revise. Like a violent postmodern vortex, the bad news sucked down all  who struggled to escape it. Unsurprisingly, the Internet is to blame.  But it goes beyond the 24/7 news-and-comment cycle, and forces the PR  world to confront something far more disruptive—and something that will  undercut its $700-per-hour fees.\n\nThe lesson now for companies that screw up is that you really have no  chance: The currents are against you from the get-go. The courts of  Twitter and online video sharing and the forming of Facebook groups to  deplore the transgressions of an enterprise will overwhelm even the most  crafted crisis battle plan. The profession, quite simply, is at a  crossroads. And it isn’t in a position to ride out the bumps, because  it’s up against the kind of high-altitude turbulence that can shred the  airframe.</blockquote>\n<strong>There is no doubt that with Twitter, YouTube, blogs and the rest, bad news travels fast, faster than good news for sure! No news is not good news--it is an opportunity for bad news to stay at the top of people\'s minds.</strong>\n\nCompanies and organizations who want to avoid first-class meltdowns must invest in crisis planning and strategizing. If the big names like Toyota and BP can suffer the erosion from bad news, what makes smaller companies think they will survive a crisis?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2Fis-the-lack-of-crisis-pr-to-blame-for-brand-failure%2F&amp;linkname=Is%20the%20lack%20of%20crisis%20PR%20to%20blame%20for%20brand%20failure%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Is the lack of crisis PR to blame for brand failure?','','publish','open','open','','is-the-lack-of-crisis-pr-to-blame-for-brand-failure','','','2010-07-21 07:53:27','2010-07-21 12:53:27','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=837',0,'post','',0),(841,4,'2010-07-29 06:57:33','2010-07-29 11:57:33','For some, giving a speech is just part of the job. These people are constantly doing sales pitches or addressing the board. For others, giving a speech is an opportunity to establish their credentials or gain more visibility. In any case, not everyone is a good speaker, and some people have really annoying habits when giving a speech.\n\nI was at a two-day conference last week and I heard A LOT of speeches. Some were good, some were fine and some were just plain annoying. Here is a list of actual behaviors observed last week. If you are giving a speech, please keep your audience in mind and try to avoid any of these!\n\n<strong>Talking too loudly:</strong> do not  yell into a microphone please!\n\n<strong>Talking too softly</strong>: yeah, the microphone amplifies your voice, but won\'t help if you are whispering. Besides, to me talking softly means that you are unsure of yourself.\n\n<strong>Sounding unsure:</strong> mostly this happens when you end each and every sentence with a question mark, so your speech sound like  this: Hi? Today I am going to be talking about widgets? Widgets are the fastest growing segment in the market?\n\n<strong>Sounding too sure: </strong>also known as sounding arrogant or dismissive.\n\n<!-- 		@page { margin: 0.79in } 		P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --><strong>Self promoting:</strong> say you are asked to talk about literature in the eighteenth century, but all you talk about is the book you just wrote, inspired by the 18th century.\n\n<strong>Being off-topic:</strong> you were given a topic, try to address it. No one came to hear your views on extra-terrestrials if the topic was the planetary system.\n\n<strong>Hogging the spotlight:</strong> if you are speaking on a panel, that means the other people get to speak to. If you are told you have five minutes, we should not still be hearing from you fifteen minutes later.\n\n<strong>Not answering questions: </strong>this applies to speeches that have an audience Q&amp;A component. If you don\'t know the answer to a question, it is OK to say that you don\'t know. It is not OK to go off on a tangent or ignore the content of the question and add more time to your speech.\n\nDo you have any pet peeves about speeches? Any advice? Please share in the comments.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F29%2Fgiving-a-speech%2F&amp;linkname=Giving%20a%20speech%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Giving a speech?','','publish','open','open','','giving-a-speech','','','2010-07-29 06:57:33','2010-07-29 11:57:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=841',0,'post','',0),(846,4,'2010-07-30 07:08:47','2010-07-30 12:08:47','Marketing communications is a large, unwieldy term. It covers a bunch of stuff, from public relations to advertising, to printed materials and trade show displays. Really, marketing communications is any communications that helps to market your product/service/organization. This why you should consider customer communications also part of your marcom effort.\n\nLet me illustrate how a failure to communicate with customers can have a marketing impact:\n\nI ordered a book from one of the Amazon sellers (the individuals or businesses that sell books for cheaper than Amazon does).  I have done this many times before, in fact, just the week previous I had received both a book and a DVD I ordered this way. I received confirmation on July 6 that the order was received and on July 7 I got an email telling me that my order had shipped, and I could expect it any time between July 14 and 28.\n\nMy experience told me that usually it takes about a week to get your stuff, and I diligently checked with my front desk to see if my package had arrived. By July 21, two weeks after the seller said my stuff was shipped, there was no sign of the book. I started to suspect that a) they sent ground mail through China or b) that they had never sent it at all.  On July 24 I contacted the seller through their website. By Tuesday I had received no answer, so I contacted them through Amazon. The response was this:\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate your patronage and interest in our  merchandise. Our records indicate that this order was shipped via USPS Bound  Printed Matter, which usually arrives within 4-14 business days. This method is  not traceable, and we cannot provide a definite date for delivery. We apologize  that there was confusion regarding the delivery times you could expect. The  listing for each item includes a statement \"usually ships in 1-2 business days\".  Although it does state that the item will be shipped in two business days,  delivery may take 4-14 business days. We have noticed that the expectation  created by these messages can create confusion and we are working diligently to  correct this situation. Please feel free to contact us if you have any  additional questions.</p>\nSincerely,\nCustomer  Service\nSuperbookdeals\nAB\n\n<strong>Notice how they tell me that Amazon is creating false expectations, and that they don\'t offer to do ANYTHING for me.</strong>\n\nBy July 28, officially the last day I could receive the package before filing a claim, I still had not received anything and wrote them again. This is their response.\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate your patronage and interest in our  merchandise. Our records indicate that this order was shipped via USPS Bound  Printed Matter, which usually arrives within 4-14 business days. This method is  not traceable, and we cannot provide a definite date for delivery. We apologize  that there was confusion regarding the delivery times you could expect. The  listing for each item includes a statement \"usually ships in 1-2 business days\".  Although it does state that the item will be shipped in two business days,  delivery may take 4-14 business days. We have noticed that the expectation  created by these messages can create confusion and we are working diligently to  correct this situation. Please feel free to contact us if you have any  additional questions.</p>\nSincerely,\nCustomer  Service\nSuperbookdeals\nAB\n\nLook familiar? Same response as before. No attempt to resolve the situation, and no information whatsoever.\n\nI got the book on July 29.  The order, according to the invoice inside the package, had been processed on July 19 and had not shipped until July 21.  The seller sent the package two weeks later than they claimed to Amazon.  Basically, they lied. How likely am I to shop with these people ever again? Not very. In fact, I gave them the lowest rating and complained to Amazon about it.\n\nBetter customer communications would have nipped this problem in the bud. Say the seller wrote me and said we\'re sorry, we made a mistake with your order, and we were unable to ship when we promised. Wouldn\'t I have been more understanding? Of course I would. Instead, they sent me a canned response, taking absolutely no responsibility for the situation and actually blaming Amazon instead. Additionally, there is no good way to reach the seller directly nor a name of a person.\n\nCustomer communications are your one-on-one way to promote your company/service/organization. If you can\'t market one-to-one you should not be marketing on a larger scale.\n\nSadly, this turns me off from the Amazon seller program. It tells me that Amazon is not vetting its sellers enough and that you don\'t know what you are going to get.\n\nBottom line is if you want to keep your customers happy, do a good job communicating with them.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F30%2Fcustomer-communications-is-part-of-marcom%2F&amp;linkname=Customer%20communications%20is%20part%20of%20marcom\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Customer communications is part of marcom','','publish','open','open','','customer-communications-is-part-of-marcom','','','2010-07-30 07:08:47','2010-07-30 12:08:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=846',0,'post','',1),(850,4,'2010-08-04 09:48:42','2010-08-04 14:48:42','This past weekend I took a little trip out to the beach in Rehoboth, Delaware. The weather was great and hanging out near the ocean is always relaxing. You see all types out on the beach but what struck me as I looked around was how many obese people were there. In fact, I am seeing more and more obese people everywhere. The<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"NY Times\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/health/nutrition/04fat.html?_r=1\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times reports that obesity rates are rising,</a> so it really is no surprise.  Pretty close to one out of three Americans is obese.\r\n\r\nAs the New York Times article points out, obesity is a national health epidemic. Obesity can be tied to many deadly diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.\r\n\r\nIs marketing to blame for obesity? On the boardwalk in Rehoboth it is hard to avoid the aroma of french fries and candied popcorn. Candy stores are everywhere, and healthy food is hard to find. There were a lot of people jogging on the boardwalk, but there were many more people just sitting on the beach. Fast food and junk food don\'t really have to market too much--they just have to be available. Which begs the question, if healthy options were available (and made to look as tantalizing), would people choose to buy those instead?\r\n\r\nIs there an effort being made by public health authorities to market a healthier lifestyle? I don\'t see any evidence of it. Obviously, it is hard to change people\'s habits. And when on vacation, people tend to want to reward themselves with treats like fried dough and salt water taffy. How many people want to use vacation to start a healthy eating plan? Not many--because it is not appealing.\r\n\r\nIf marketing has a fault in the obesity epidemic, is that not enough is being done to market healthy choices, or the benefits of  NOT being obese. Or perhaps, more should be done to show people the MORTAL DANGERS of obesity. It is not just about looks--our society certainly markets thinness as an equivalent to beauty--but about health. Fat people are at risk, and the sad thing is they can do something about it: eat less, exercise more.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How can society convince people to stop piling on the pounds?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F04%2Fa-big-fat-problem%2F&amp;linkname=A%20big%2C%20fat%20problem\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','A big, fat problem','','publish','open','open','','a-big-fat-problem','','','2011-08-14 07:15:33','2011-08-14 07:15:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=850',0,'post','',0),(1331,4,'2010-07-12 11:33:42','2010-07-12 16:33:42','This past weekend I stayed in a hotel in Rochester, NY.  The hotel\'s website is nice, modern (although it has music) and tells me they have refurbished their rooms. In a tourist magazine that I picked up at the airport, the hotel has an ad that tells me that hot breakfast is included in the price. The website says only they offer \"complimentary breakfast.\"\n\nThe hotel does not offer a hot breakfast. It offers what is better known as a \"continental breakfast.\"  That is, a selection of muffins and breakfast pastries, cold cereals, fruit and yogurt. They also provide a microwave where you can reheat a Jimmy Dean breakfast muffin or heat up your instant oatmeal.  Nothing wrong with the complimentary breakfast but it is not a hot breakfast. Hot breakfast means eggs, waffles, pancakes and other cooked items. None of those were offered.\n\nAs for refurbishing--I think this means the hotel  added new linens and flat screen tvs.  The bathrooms seemed dated and nothing seemed particularly modern (certainly not the alarm clocks or the phones).  The room had a safe (not something you see very often in a hotel). In fact, the hotel highlights the safe as a room feature,not mentioning any where that they charge guests $1 per day just to have the safe, regardless of whether it is used or not.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=promises&amp;iid=186404\" src=\"http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/186404/speed-limit-and-name-city/speed-limit-and-name-city.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=186404\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nIn short, this hotel, while not bad, did not live up to its promises made on its website or in its advertising. It also failed to mention that something that they include in your hotel room is actually fee-based.\n\nIn this case, these lapses are not disastrous for the hotel.  However, generally, saying something in your marketing that is simply not true in \"real life,\"  will result in broken trust and lost customers. And yet, how many times have you seen ads that are inaccurate? Promises that start with free or assurance of 100s of satisfied customers. Marketers sometimes play hard and fast with these formulas, but if you product or service is not able to back it up, you are going to turn off your potential customers. It is that simple.\n\nLive up to your marketing promises, and be transparent.  Don\'t hit up customers with fees for services you seem to imply are included. Don\'t promise things you can\'t or won\'t deliver.  Customers will resent these things and will be cautious in choosing to do business with you again.\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F12%2Fare-you-keeping-your-promises%2F&amp;linkname=Are%20you%20keeping%20your%20promises%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Are you keeping your promises?','','inherit','open','open','','817-revision','','','2010-07-12 11:33:42','2010-07-12 16:33:42','',817,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/07/817-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(855,4,'2010-08-09 10:10:44','2010-08-09 15:10:44','Let me make a blanket statement: if you can\'t communicate, you can\'t lead. Leaders need, above all, to be able to communicate, because without communication, they will have no followers and no impact. This is why we prefer loquacious, friendly people as leaders. They want to communicate and they do it well. Tight-lipped, terse people do not inspire following. In fact, people shy away from this type of person.\n\nRecently, a volunteer-run, non-membership based group here in DC had a crisis in leadership. The president gave birth and is on maternity leave, and her second-in-command is on paternity leave at the same time.  There is a vacuum at the top. But what is most disturbing about this is that there has been no communication about this vacuum from this communications group!!!  They have a blog, and it has not been updated since June.  Impending motherhood is fairly predictable in that you know you will have a baby, and even near which date. If you are a leader of a group, perhaps you can make some plans for your absence and COMMUNICATE them? BTW, to my knowledge, this group does not have a Twitter feed or a Facebook page. They do have a group on LinkedIn.\n\n<strong>If you don\'t communicate with your followers, your followers have no way of knowing what is going on. If they think you are no longer there, they will no longer follow you. It is that simple.</strong>\n\nLeadership means being able to communicate, and means being able to plan for the instance when you can\'t communicate (this may be called crisis communication planning). If an organization\'s leader (CEO, president, manager, whatever) is no longer able to communicate, the organization must have a plan in place to deal with this. A true leader will have the foresight to make planning a part of his/her leadership strategy.\n\nThoughts?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F09%2Fcommunications-is-part-of-leadership%2F&amp;linkname=Communications%20is%20part%20of%20leadership\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Communications is part of leadership','','publish','open','open','','communications-is-part-of-leadership','','','2010-08-09 10:10:44','2010-08-09 15:10:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=855',0,'post','',0),(859,4,'2010-08-10 08:57:18','2010-08-10 13:57:18','http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/cropped-coffee078.jpg','cropped-coffee078.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-coffee078-jpg-2','','','2010-08-10 08:57:18','2010-08-10 13:57:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/cropped-coffee078.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(860,4,'2010-08-11 13:20:55','2010-08-11 18:20:55','Editorial\n\nFrom the start of the Obama presidency, I have been surprised at the lack of good communications advice given (or maybe it is received) by the president.  Last year, the president irritated DC residents by saying they weren\'t tough enough about winter. Robert Gibbs, the current press secretary, has gotten himself in many a bad situation, most recently calling left wing critics of the president \"crazy.\"\n\nAnd then there are two more troubling, recent missteps. First, Michelle Obama chose to take a mother-daughter trip to Spain, and did so at considerable expense. The trip was roundly criticized as being in poor taste as many Americans are in dire financial straits. <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Kathleen Parker\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081004224.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kathleen Parker in today\'s Washington Post</a> calls the trip \"tone deaf.\"  It\'s like Michelle Obama had no reality check, no perception check before embarking on her trip. I am sure that she could have found a great place to vacation, with her entourage in tow, in the United States.  In my opinion, Obama\'s Spain trip is the result of a lack of communications counseling. Someone at the White House is not thinking in terms of public perceptions.\n\nThe other recurring and ongoing communications issue is President Obama\'s apparent obsession with blaming George Bush. Instead of referring to the current GOP power base, Obama keeps blaming Bush\'s policies for the economic slump.After nearly two years in office, this economic mess is Obama\'s, not Bush\'s. Also, as Frank Rich pointed out in the excellent New York Times opinion piece, <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Frank Rich\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08rich.html?ref=frankrich\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to Lose an Election Without Really Trying,\" </a>many ideas that Obama is saying are Bush\'s are not.  Again, this is a lack of communications advice. People are looking for reasons to vote for the Democrats, not reasons to vote against the Republicans. Most people have lost track of George Bush and are more interested in knowing what OBAMA is going to do.\n\nWhat the White House needs is better communications advice. And stat. As midterm elections approach, people are going to be deciding to vote for Republicans or Democrats, and if the Republicans gain momentum, they may kick out Obama out of office in 2012.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F11%2Feditorial-the-obamas-need-better-communications-advice%2F&amp;linkname=Editorial%3A%20The%20Obamas%20need%20better%20communications%20advice\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Editorial: The Obamas need better communications advice','','publish','open','open','','editorial-the-obamas-need-better-communications-advice','','','2010-08-11 13:20:55','2010-08-11 18:20:55','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=860',0,'post','',0),(864,4,'2010-08-16 07:45:37','2010-08-16 12:45:37','Lots of communications people --journalists, PR folks, ad people--are on Twitter.  I am too, and I follow many communications types.  You can get a lot of good information, and interesting facts from your Twitter stream. But you can also learn a lot about the people you follow.\n\n<strong>What you tweet about:</strong> Obviously, what you tweet about shows what you are interested in, and what you are more knowledgeable about. If you are in health care, you may tweet about the latest health research. If you are constantly tweeting about personal stuff, you are communicating that your business is not as important to you as your personal life. If you never tweet about personal stuff, you are saying that you view Twitter as only business.\n\n<strong>When you tweet: </strong>Do you tweet during the day? Chances are that you incorporate Twitter into your work life. Do you only tweet on the weekend?  Timing shows how much you understand how Twitter works. Although we have the ability to look a people\'s stream history, Twitter tends to be about immediacy. If you are tweeting in the middle of the night, you are saying you don\'t care whether people see your tweets, you just want to share.\n\n<strong>How much you re-tweet: </strong>If you re-tweet stuff, it shows you are really reading what the people you follow share, and also, that you find it useful. You also are saying you are willing to share credit. If you never re-tweet, well, maybe you haven\'t found anything worth sharing.\n\nYour Twitter stream really communicates a lot to those who follow you. Twitter is about building your network, and it is about sharing.  I would argue that Twitter is also about branding.  If you haven\'t locked your tweets, anyone can see what you are putting out there, and can form an opinion about who you are and what you do.\n\nWhat does your Twitter stream say about you?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F16%2Fwhat-does-your-twitter-stream-communicate%2F&amp;linkname=What%20does%20your%20Twitter%20stream%20communicate\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What does your Twitter stream communicate','','publish','open','open','','what-does-your-twitter-stream-communicate','','','2010-08-16 07:45:37','2010-08-16 12:45:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=864',0,'post','',2),(867,4,'2010-08-18 07:31:09','2010-08-18 12:31:09','When you visit  a website, particularly for a company you may want to do business with, do you check out the \"about\" page? I always do. I want to know who I am dealing with.\r\n\r\nWhen I write an \"about\" page for a client, I always concentrate on facts. In a sense, I am doing the journalism 101 treatment: who, what, where, when, why and how.  In my book, that is what an \"about\" page should answer for website visitors. If you go to my website, my about page has my bio (the who, why, when, where) and my business philosophy (the how).\r\n\r\nAnother thing to remember when you are writing an about page: people do business with people. People don\'t do business with concepts or grand ideas. People choose you based on your qualifications (and maybe your likability, who you know, what you know).\r\n\r\nRecently, I came across a business and checked out their about page. I wanted to know who was behind this company. And this is part of what I found:\r\n<blockquote>XXX provides business integration solutions, our focus is on helping  organizations capitalize on information management by designing programs  that sustain business goals and objectives. With  expertise in Business Process Management, Enterprise Architecture and  Knowledge Management; XXX are passionate about helping  organizations increase customer satisfaction, providing solid frameworks  for continuous improvement and aligning technology catalog with core  business objectives. XXX merges the right technology solutions with sound  information management practices to provide customers with smart  customized, future-forward, business integration solutions.</blockquote>\r\nI blocked out the company name of course, but does this description tell you anything? I have no idea what these people do or who they are, but I do know they love jargon.  What the heck is a \"smart customized, future-forward, business integration solution?\"\r\n\r\nAs they say on Twitter, this is a FAIL!\r\n\r\n<strong>The Caffeinated take-away:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>To have a truly useful \"about\" page, go back to basics. Who are you? What do you do? Where are you located? When did you start doing what you are doing? How do you do what you do? Why do you do it? Answer those questions and get yourself a good description. It may actually help your business.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F18%2Fwhat-are-you-all-about%2F&amp;linkname=What%20are%20you%20all%20about%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What are you all about?','','publish','open','open','','what-are-you-all-about','','','2011-08-14 07:15:08','2011-08-14 07:15:08','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=867',0,'post','',1),(874,4,'2010-08-26 09:47:19','2010-08-26 14:47:19','Sometimes a perfectly good product is ruined because of bad communications.  But good communications will not fix a bad product. Eventually, people won\'t buy it, no matter how good your public relations or advertising or marketing is.\n\nThis past weekend I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina (which, by the way, is a great place for a vacation: lots to do, lots to see, good shopping and fantastic food). I stayed in a small hotel, which had a great location, close to many restaurants, the waterfront and sightseeing. I received an email from the hotel before my trip telling me they looked forward to my visit, and how to find the place. Nice gesture.  After my trip, I received another email from the hotel thanking me for my visit and encouraging me to submit comments and suggestions. Again, nice example of customer communications.\n\nOn the communications front, the hotel is doing well. However, on the actual product the hotel offers, there was a lot lacking. The rooms were very small, with no outside windows. You could hear the phone ringing in the reception area. The included breakfast was on par with the Holiday Inn\'s (that is, nothing special). The place was musty. Some of the front desk attendants had a slight attitude problem and a lack of professionalism.  Overall, not my favorite hotel by a long shot.\n\n<strong>Bottom line is that if your product has flaws, no amount of  communications will fix those flaws. You can have a snazzy website, great PR and excellent customer service, but if your product doesn\'t work, it won\'t sell. </strong>\n\nWhen I go back to Charleston, I will look for another hotel. Not because the hotel I stayed at did a poor job communicating with me but because I need a hotel where the rooms have windows to the outside and offers some privacy.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F26%2Feven-good-communications-dont-fix-bad-products%2F&amp;linkname=Even%20good%20communications%20don%27t%20fix%20bad%20products\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Even good communications don\'t fix bad products','','publish','open','open','','even-good-communications-dont-fix-bad-products','','','2010-08-26 09:47:19','2010-08-26 14:47:19','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=874',0,'post','',0),(880,4,'2010-08-30 08:24:21','2010-08-30 13:24:21','Although I think many people who march to the beat of their own drummer are interesting, some folks are just plain clueless. This past weekend I went on an organized hike. Most hikers were dressed in hiking clothes of one stripe or another, except for someone my friend  dubbed \"Disco Dan.\"  \"Disco Dan\" was attired in short shorts made of corduroy and of a peach hue, to match his multicolored button down shirt. Furthermore, \"Disco Dan\" was wearing non-hiking shoes.  To say the least, \"Disco Dan\" stood out, and not in a good way.\n\nAlthough \"Disco Dan\" was harmless and mildly amusing, it made me think about how people act in a societal context. Most people are adept enough to fit in. Some people, like Dan, either don\'t get it or don\'t care to get it, and still others are avant-garde, doing today what most of us won\'t do for months or years.\n\nHow is this a marketing issue? First, responding to social cues is  important in personal marketing. If you are trying to get people to buy you, the product, you can\'t be out of touch with what is socially acceptable. For instance, if you are interviewing at a law firm and you show up in jeans and a t-shirt, you are saying with your clothing choice that you don\'t understand the law firm ethos, or that you are going to do what you are going to do, no matter what.\n\nSecondly,  observing and listening to  understand what is socially acceptable and what is not, is essential  when marketing. I would say that if you have trouble with social cues  you are not going to be able to create great ad copy or be in public  relations or in event planning. Say you are tasked with writing copy directed at senior citizens. You use the terms that GenY appreciates but that seniors don\'t understand. You are being tone-deaf to the needs of your audience. Or a more common occurrence, you go for the intentionally hip or what you think is really funny, but that your audience just doesn\'t get.\n\nUnfortunately, as more people lose the ability to interact directly with other people due to the over reliance on electronic gadgets like smart phones and gps, the less they are able to pick up on social cues. It is common to see people with headphones on walking around in their own personal bubble, and when they are looking for something, instead of asking a live person nearby they go to Twitter or Facebook and ask there.\n\nThe bottom line is that we live together in a society, where some things are more acceptable than others. When you want to be like Disco Dan and wear what you want because you want to, you are only communicating to the world that you don\'t care or that you don\'t get it.  Either way, it creates a degree of alienation.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Have you noticed an increase in people who don\'t react to social cues?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F30%2Fsocial-cues%2F&amp;linkname=Social%20cues\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Social cues','','publish','open','open','','social-cues','','','2010-08-30 08:24:21','2010-08-30 13:24:21','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=880',0,'post','',0),(884,4,'2010-09-03 09:11:53','2010-09-03 14:11:53','Here we go into the last \"official\" summer weekend of the year. It is September and soon enough, the bustle of Fall, back-to-school, holidays will be upon us.\n\nOn a long weekend, the best thing you can do is chill out, relax, take it easy. Too many people today are busy working all the time, or at least being connected all the time. Believe me, as of next week, everything will accelerate and you will wish for some breathing room.\n\nWe celebrate Labor Day by taking the day off--seems ironic. And we celebrate Labor Day by having sales. Shopping is how we celebrate in the United States.\n\nAs you think about the back to work and busy season that is Fall and the end of  the year, how will you make the most of the remaining third of 2010? What steps will you take to get more business? Will you revamp your marketing strategy? Redesign your website? Blog more? Get on social media? Learn something new? Attend more networking events? I will be doing all of the above!\n\nWith that said, I wish you a great, relaxing and re-charging Labor Day Weekend. When we meet here again next, we can get back to the business of marketing!\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F03%2Flabor-day-thoughts%2F&amp;linkname=Labor%20Day%20thoughts\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Labor Day thoughts','','publish','open','open','','labor-day-thoughts','','','2010-09-03 09:11:53','2010-09-03 14:11:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=884',0,'post','',0),(889,4,'2010-09-08 09:24:31','2010-09-08 14:24:31','Perhaps no other sales strategy is better than good customer service. Think about it, when you get good service, you develop a good impression, right?\n\nI just had the pleasure of flying on Taca Airlines, a Central American airline. It was great. The flight crew were pleasant, helpful. They served a snack, free of charge. I got to my destination on time, on a clean, comfortable, new airplane. I made my reservations with an agent who was patient and who did not charge me for ticketing. Given my druthers, I would fly Taca again in a heartbeat.\n\nI have never seen an ad for Taca, but had heard word-of-mouth how good their service is. It\'s true. I am sold and all because of great customer service.\n\nYour thoughts?','Is customer service your best marcom strategy?','','publish','open','open','','is-customer-service-your-best-marcom-strategy','','','2010-09-08 09:24:31','2010-09-08 14:24:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=889',0,'post','',0),(894,4,'2010-09-15 10:22:03','2010-09-15 15:22:03','All the advertising in the world is not going to make a frog into a prince. People respond to things personally--especially to things (like politics) that affect them directly.\n\nIn Washington DC, incumbent mayor Adrian Fenty lost the democratic primary to his opponent council member Vince Grey. Why? Partially because people preferred Grey, but in larger part, because people did not like Fenty\'s arrogance and leadership style. You can read an article in the Washington Post that further delves into this <a title=\"Washington Post\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091500834.html?hpid=topnews\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\n\nWould you vote for someone you don\'t like? Probably not, even if he or she had the nicer ads, the flashier website.  My advice to political strategists is people respond to people they like more than to ads they like.','Personality and style communicate','','publish','open','open','','personality-and-style-communicate','','','2010-09-15 10:22:03','2010-09-15 15:22:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=894',0,'post','',0),(897,4,'2010-09-17 13:52:17','2010-09-17 18:52:17','There\'s a lot of hand wringing about whether the \"C-suite\" (fancy jargon term for the higher ups in a corporation) is on social media.  Does it matter? Does the CEO have to be on social media for it to be worthwhile? The answer is no.  For social media to matter it has to be the conduit to your audience or your supporters.\n\nSay for instance you are the CEO of a kid\'s cereal manufacturer. You advertise your highly sweetened concoction on children\'s shows on Saturday morning. Do you also have to watch those shows, or even those TV channels? No! Of course not. Presumably, your marketing department did some research and found that a certain percentage of your target audience watches shows and therefore if you advertise your cereal there, those kids will be begging their parental units to buy it for them.\n\nSocial media is not for everyone. But that does not mean it is not effective in reaching some people. It is more effective for certain applications and among certain demographics. This is why social media is part of the arsenal in your marketing mix.\n\nLet me emphasize again: social media is part of the marketing mix. There is more to marketing communications than social media, and if your chief executive is not tweeting or blogging or Facebooking, that is OK.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F17%2Fis-social-media-all-that%2F&amp;linkname=Is%20social%20media%20all%20that%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Is social media all that?','','publish','open','open','','is-social-media-all-that','','','2010-09-17 13:52:17','2010-09-17 18:52:17','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=897',0,'post','',1),(900,4,'2010-09-20 11:11:57','2010-09-20 16:11:57','Last week I wrote that<a title=\"DB\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/is-social-media-all-that/\" target=\"_blank\"> social media is not all that</a>.  Even if I do believe in the importance of social media, I don\'t think everyone HAS to be on it.  And now, <a title=\"Pew \" href=\"http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=1072\" target=\"_blank\">Pew Research has found that 1 out of 5 Americans do NOT use the Internet</a>. This means if you are still aiming for high coverage you cannot rely on Internet ads/social media marketing alone. Traditional media (I know, it sounds old-fashioned) is still viable when attempting to reach those Americans who won\'t or can\'t access the Web.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F20%2Fdont-go-knocking-traditional-media%2F&amp;linkname=Don%27t%20go%20knocking%20traditional%20media\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Don\'t go knocking traditional media','','publish','open','open','','dont-go-knocking-traditional-media','','','2010-09-20 11:11:57','2010-09-20 16:11:57','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=900',0,'post','',0),(904,4,'2010-09-24 07:53:01','2010-09-24 12:53:01','In the age of self-publishing and social media, it\'s easy to put out information about your brand or yourself out there. It\'s easy to gain \"followers.\"  The lack of filters makes it easy to connect directly with people. But that doesn\'t mean that what you are saying is true. Keep that in mind. Just because you put in on your blog and somebody shared it on Twitter DOES NOT MAKE IT FACTUAL OR TRUE OR EVEN RIGHT.  It just means that someone liked what you have to say.\n\nIn fact, just yesterday the disheveled leader of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmanidejad, claimed to the United Nations General Assembly that the U.S. was behind the 9-11 attacks and that most of the world believes that. To a rational person, this is hogwash, and yet there are nutcases out there who agree with this maniac.  <strong>Let me emphasize again: having followers does not make you right or true.</strong>\n\nMany people and companies are falling prey to the lure of large numbers.  They believe that because they have large numbers of followers, they are \"all that.\" They may be, but they should question it. Just today, I read a blog post by a book author, talking about herself and her concentration. It was purported to be about happiness, but it really was all about her. Another popular blog shared this morning what the blog author does as a morning routine, as if this is what we all need to do. What is happening is that because it was easy to get ideas out there, and to get positive publicity for such ideas, these people believe that everyone cares and everyone agrees with them. But that is just not accurate.\n\nI am not saying that you should not self-publicize or promote yourself or your brand. <strong>I am just saying you should not fall prey to the numbers game. Just because you have supporters does not mean everyone supports you</strong> (go over to the Washington Post and read what happened to Mayor Adrian Fenty if you want a real-life example of buying your own PR at the expense of a reality check).\n\nIf I can paraphrase a famous line: publicity corrupts, absolute publicity corrupts absolutely.\n\n(And for some comic relief, <a title=\"Elliott\" href=\"http://www.elliott.org/first-person/deltas-ausband-customer-service-is-the-core-of-what-we-do/\" target=\"_blank\">read Christopher Elliott\'s interview with Delta\'s head of customer service,</a> who thinks Delta has the best customer service. Clearly, she hasn\'t flown Delta.)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F24%2Fdont-buy-your-own-pr%2F&amp;linkname=Don%27t%20buy%20your%20own%20PR\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Don\'t buy your own PR','','publish','open','open','','dont-buy-your-own-pr','','','2010-09-24 07:53:01','2010-09-24 12:53:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=904',0,'post','',0),(907,4,'2010-09-28 13:44:32','2010-09-28 18:44:32','<strong>It is what you do. </strong>\n<ul>\n	<li>Do you live up to your commitments?</li>\n	<li>Do you deliver the goods?</li>\n	<li>Are you reliable? Responsive? Responsible?</li>\n	<li>Do you reply to people or just to tweets?</li>\n</ul>\nThere are a lot of folks out there in the social media stratosphere developing massive followings, writing blogs, sending enewsletters, even writing e-books, but <strong>all they are doing is saying what they do. They don\'t actually do what they say they do. They seem to think talking makes up for acting. </strong>\n\nFor instance, if you are in public relations, you need to create a strategy for your client. Tweeting all day is not a strategy--it is a tactic, and if it is not part of a larger, thought-out plan, it is good for nothing.\n\nAlthough social networks are valuable, the people you know in real life may be more valuable because get this, you actually know them and they know you.  If you are blowing off your in-the-flesh connections so that you can develop lots of virtual friends, you will be left with lots of virtual reality and little real reality.\n\nUse social media, but use it to do stuff, not to say you do stuff.\n\n<strong>The above is a commentary by the author of this blog. It represents her views in every possible way.</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F28%2Fits-not-what-you-say-you-do%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20not%20what%20you%20say%20you%20do\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','It\'s not what you say you do','','publish','open','open','','its-not-what-you-say-you-do','','','2010-09-28 13:44:32','2010-09-28 18:44:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=907',0,'post','',0),(911,4,'2010-10-05 15:01:32','2010-10-05 20:01:32','Your representative could affect you reputation. And yet, how many times have you seen big firms and/or top tier colleges represented at a job fair or college fair by a young, inexperienced person? When you go to trade shows, who is sitting at the booths? Top brass? Fat chance--most likely, exhibitors at a trade show are represented by someone from the marketing department.\n\nHave you ever gone to a networking event and met someone from a company who does not have any idea of what the company message is?\n\nThe other day, I was at a fair here in Bethesda. A very young girl handed me a flyer for a political candidate. The flyer tells me the candidate \"has the experience to work for us,\" and yet her representative was probably not even out of college. The rep did not back up the message.\n\nI got a phone call the other day from a marketing company.  I had been seeing their name pop up on my caller ID for weeks, calling at all hours and on the weekend. When I finally answered it turns out they were representing a charity. I thought it was a telemarketer and I told the young man at the other end of the call to remove from his list. He launched into the rigamarole about charities are exempt blah blah. And then I said I was irritated that they kept calling me never leaving a message. He then started to tell me how the charity is busy helping people in need (so my concerns are not quite as legitimate). I hung up. He was not a worthwhile representative for the charity.\n\nWho is sitting at your front desk/reception area? Who is out a chamber events representing your company? Do you know? What have you taught your representatives about your key messages? Can they give an elevator speech for your company?\n\nRemember, your representative is you.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F05%2Fwho-is-your-rep%2F&amp;linkname=Who%20is%20your%20rep%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Who is your rep?','','publish','open','open','','who-is-your-rep','','','2010-10-05 15:01:32','2010-10-05 20:01:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=911',0,'post','',0),(914,4,'2010-10-07 08:33:28','2010-10-07 13:33:28','Amy Webb, principal of<a title=\"WebbMedia\" href=\"http://www.webbmediagroup.com/home.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> Webbmedia Group</a>, spoke yesterday to a <a title=\"WWPR\" href=\"http://www.wwpr.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR)</a> Executive communicators brown bag lunch.  She is very knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic about technology and has made a business consulting on the various trends and applications of the new tech stuff.\r\n\r\nSome of us are a bit recalcitrant about tech stuff.  There  are so many changes that it is hard to keep up.  Most of all, tech is changing the way things are done and change is hard.\r\n\r\nHowever, we must learn about tech and how it is affecting the marketing/communications space. Just this week, long time Washington Post writer Howard Kurtz announced he is leaving the Post to go to the online-only Daily Beast. Print is giving way to online more and more.\r\n\r\nAmy Webb talked about being in the space where the consumers are--even if you aren\'t on there--places like Facebook, Foursquare, Tivo and mobile apps. She sees the world of media (traditional media, the web, mobile, e-readers, tablet pcs) as all connected by social media. Social media is part and parcel of all forms of media, not a separate entity.\r\n\r\nWebb divides the social media world into:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Geo social (Foursquare)</li>\r\n	<li>Corporate social (Yelp)</li>\r\n	<li>Social commerce (Groupon)</li>\r\n	<li>Social content (YouTube)</li>\r\n	<li>Mobile social (Loopt)</li>\r\n	<li>Pure play (Facebook)</li>\r\n	<li>Social curation (Digg, Delicious)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOther key take-aways from Webb:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Keep your taglines and messaging simple for sharing</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Curation is huge right now simply because there is too much information out there to make sense of.</li>\r\n	<li>Personalization is becoming more important. Journalists don\'t want mass press releases or multitmedia releases but rather personalized content.</li>\r\n	<li>Whatever you have done on line can be found by anyone with a bit of research knowledge</li>\r\n	<li>Before launching a brand--make sure the name you want is not being used on social media.</li>\r\n	<li>Tablet PCs are really big, witness the huge sales for the IPad, and there are many more on the horizon</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nMy conclusion is that you must know tech. As Amy Webb suggested, read Mashable and/or Techcrunch every day to keep up with technology.\r\n\r\nHow is tech affecting your marketing life?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F07%2Fyou-must-know-tech%2F&amp;linkname=You%20must%20know%20tech\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','You must know tech','','publish','open','open','','you-must-know-tech','','','2011-08-14 07:14:09','2011-08-14 07:14:09','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=914',0,'post','',0),(1329,4,'2010-08-18 07:31:09','2010-08-18 12:31:09','When you visit  a website, particularly for a company you may want to do business with, do you check out the \"about\" page? I always do. I want to know who I am dealing with.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=about&amp;iid=225726\" src=\"http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/225726/business/business.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=225726\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nWhen I write an \"about\" page for a client, I always concentrate on facts. In a sense, I am doing the journalism 101 treatment: who, what, where, when, why and how.  In my book, that is what an \"about\" page should answer for website visitors. If you go to my website, my about page has my bio (the who, why, when, where) and my business philosophy (the how).\n\nAnother thing to remember when you are writing an about page: people do business with people. People don\'t do business with concepts or grand ideas. People choose you based on your qualifications (and maybe your likability, who you know, what you know).\n\nRecently, I came across a business and checked out their about page. I wanted to know who was behind this company. And this is part of what I found:\n<blockquote>XXX provides business integration solutions, our focus is on helping  organizations capitalize on information management by designing programs  that sustain business goals and objectives. With  expertise in Business Process Management, Enterprise Architecture and  Knowledge Management; XXX are passionate about helping  organizations increase customer satisfaction, providing solid frameworks  for continuous improvement and aligning technology catalog with core  business objectives. XXX merges the right technology solutions with sound  information management practices to provide customers with smart  customized, future-forward, business integration solutions.</blockquote>\nI blocked out the company name of course, but does this description tell you anything? I have no idea what these people do or who they are, but I do know they love jargon.  What the heck is a \"smart customized, future-forward, business integration solution?\"\n\nAs they say on Twitter, this is a FAIL!\n\n<strong>The Caffeinated take-away:</strong>\n\n<strong>To have a truly useful \"about\" page, go back to basics. Who are you? What do you do? Where are you located? When did you start doing what you are doing? How do you do what you do? Why do you do it? Answer those questions and get yourself a good description. It may actually help your business.</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F18%2Fwhat-are-you-all-about%2F&amp;linkname=What%20are%20you%20all%20about%3F\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What are you all about?','','inherit','open','open','','867-revision','','','2010-08-18 07:31:09','2010-08-18 12:31:09','',867,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/08/867-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(920,4,'2010-10-14 12:27:40','2010-10-14 17:27:40','Back when I was in grad school, I studied mass communications. The theory was that advertising, public relations and journalism all reached mass audiences. Back then, there was no Twitter, no one blogged or even had a website. Cable existed but lots of people still watched the broadcast channels. People still read the newspaper. Magazines were everywhere. Mass media was alive and well.\n\nToday, mass media are dying. Witness the declining numbers for the broadcast channels. An article in Fortune Magazine about Oprah said that one of the reasons she is going to her own cable channel is because her audience on regular TV is declining. We have all seen magazines disappear and newspapers shrink (and become more irrelevant).\n\nThe question is how do we communicate messages to the masses when the masses are getting more and more segmented? People are demanding personalization. No one seems to listen to the radio anymore, they listen to their own playlists on their MP3 player.  In social media, we follow those we want to follow.\n\nThere are messages that must get to the masses.  For instance, last year we had the H1N1 \"pandemic.\" Health information had to be sent out to the largest number of people.\n\nWhat got me thinking about this is that we have had an increasing number of pedestrians being struck and killed by cars here in the DC area. Clearly, more people are driving either drunk or distractedly, and are speeding on top of it. In the past week alone, we have seen more than half a dozen people KILLED not to mention others who are injured. How do we combat this? How can we get the word out if there is no mass medium that is effective?\n\nIn the age of Twitter, where  would a PSA make real impact?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F14%2Fmass-comms%2F&amp;linkname=Mass%20comms\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Mass comms','','publish','open','open','','mass-comms','','','2010-10-14 12:27:40','2010-10-14 17:27:40','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=920',0,'post','',1),(924,4,'2010-10-15 10:58:10','2010-10-15 15:58:10','Today is Blog Action Day (and I would link to the website but it is down) and the topic is water. I found out about it from Daria Steigman\'s post <a title=\"Steigman\" href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/2010/10/15/water-is-life/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Water is Life\" </a>and also from a post on Conversation Agent: <a title=\"Conversation Agent\" href=\"http://www.conversationagent.com/2010/10/ten-facts-about-water-blog-action-day-2010.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Ten Facts About Water.\"</a>\n\nThe idea is to get bloggers to post on a common topic to get the word out. Just yesterday, I wrote about the death of mass communications and in a sense, Blog Action Day is a way to use social media in our extremely segmented world to inform people and get them to act around a common cause.\n\nWhen I visited Australia in 2008, there was a lot of talk on the media about bottled water. Tap water in Australia is drinkable and yet people were spending money (and at about $3 per 1/2 liter, a lot of money) for bottled water. The problem with bottled water of course is waste. The bottle is not always recycled.  Australia is mostly desert, and in the summer, it can get very very dry. Australians tend to be active--always running, walking, swimming, surfing.   Since it is necessary to keep hydrated,  having access to water is a necessity and bottled water can be very convenient. How do you change people\'s habits?\n\nAnother water habit that I encountered in Australia was a campaign to reduce showering time. In my hotel in Melbourne was a card and a timer inviting me to keep my shower to four minutes. I always wondered why this wasn\'t done in the US too. Australia was certainly in a drought state. The United States is not there yet, but could be. Again, how do you change people\'s habits? How do you get people to think about the length of their showers and how this impacts the environment?\n\nDo you think Blog Action Day can help make a difference? What would a mass information campaign look like in our social media age?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F15%2Fblog-action-day%2F&amp;linkname=Blog%20Action%20Day\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Blog Action Day','','publish','open','open','','blog-action-day','','','2010-10-15 10:58:10','2010-10-15 15:58:10','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=924',0,'post','',1),(929,4,'2010-10-18 10:34:16','2010-10-18 15:34:16','Do you want to easily market yourself? I have a great tip: make your content (blog, website, social media stuff) shareable. I don\'t mean that you should simply create stuff people want to share--which is a given--but make it easy to share. By this I mean have a social media sharing button/widget on your blog or website (such as the one at the end of this post). If you don\'t know how to get one, here are a few to try:\n<ul>\n	<li><a title=\"Add to Any\" href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Add to any</a> (which is what I have here)</li>\n	<li><a title=\"Twitter\" href=\"http://twitter.com/goodies/tweetbutton\" target=\"_blank\">\"Tweet this\" button </a>from Twitter</li>\n	<li><a title=\"Add this\" href=\"http://www.addthis.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Add this</a></li>\n</ul>\nYou can find other individual service sharing buttons at this Wiki:\n<ul>\n	<li><a title=\"Sharing Buttons\" href=\"http://www.sharingbuttons.org/Buttons\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.sharingbuttons.org/Buttons</a></li>\n</ul>\nWordpress.com recently started its own sharing widget.\n\nFind one that works with your blog/website and deploy it. B<strong>y allowing your content to be easily shared, you will increase your reach.</strong> The word to note is EASILY.  There are ways I can share your content without your help...but if you make it easy for me, then I will most likely do it. And that is why you create great content, right?\n\n<em>Important clarification for Wordpress users : If you have a Wordpress.org blog (self-hosted), you may be able to find these buttons as plug-ins. Wordpress.com users CANNOT use plug-ins, but can add these manually to each post or find the Wordpress.com sharing button.</em>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F18%2Fan-easy-marketing-tip%2F&amp;linkname=An%20easy%20marketing%20tip\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','An easy marketing tip','','publish','open','open','','an-easy-marketing-tip','','','2010-10-18 10:34:16','2010-10-18 15:34:16','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=929',0,'post','',2),(934,4,'2010-10-21 08:03:53','2010-10-21 13:03:53','When you are trying to market your services or your product, you will naturally try to make the product or service look appealing. That\'s fine, as long as you are not overselling or over-promising. If you oversell or promise something you can\'t deliver, you will run into problems.\r\n\r\nLet me give you an example, drawn from my experience this week with the US Postal Service.\r\n\r\nMy mother sent me an express package on Monday. It was guaranteed to be delivered by noon on Tuesday. It wasn\'t. I called the 1-800 to track it and find out where it was. After some problems with the automated attendant (that is a whole other issue), I got through to a representative. She had no idea where my package was or when I would get it. At one point, she put me on hold. During this interlude, I found out that:\r\n<blockquote>For delivery you can rely on, choose the United States Postal Service.</blockquote>\r\nIs that supposed to be a joke? My \"express\" package arrived more than 24 hours after it was \"guaranteed\" to arrive. And as I learned from the customer service agent, the guarantee is really about your money. They don\'t actually guarantee the arrival of the express packages at their destination, but rather, if your package doesn\'t arrive when they say it will, they will give you your money back.\r\n\r\nI guess that when you absolutely, positively need it there by a certain time, don\'t use the USPS, use Fedex (or UPS). For those of you who don\'t remember the Fedex ad, here it is\r\n\r\n[youtube id=31yxkSIIn9A&amp;fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0]\r\n\r\nThe quickest thing you can do ruin your reputation is to promise that you will do something that you can\'t or won\'t do. And reputation is important in marketing. What do you think my impression is of the USPS?\r\n\r\nSo, when you are prepping your marketing materials (and especially your tag line), be careful about what you say.  Daily Blog Tips has a great post on <a title=\"Daily Blog Tips\" href=\"http://www.dailyblogtips.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-sales-copy-today/\" target=\"_blank\">10 Tips to Improve Your Sales Copy Today</a>. Note that their number two tip is:  <strong>Don\'t Make a Promise You Can\'t Keep.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2Fcan-you-keep-your-promise%2F&amp;linkname=Can%20you%20keep%20your%20promise%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Can you keep your promise?','','publish','open','open','','can-you-keep-your-promise','','','2011-08-12 00:44:45','2011-08-12 00:44:45','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=934',0,'post','',0),(940,4,'2010-10-25 09:36:35','2010-10-25 14:36:35','Are your efforts paying off? Is your marketing achieving results?\r\n\r\nHow do you know? Obviously, the first sign is that you are generating numbers: sales, impressions.\r\n\r\nBut how do you know what people think about you, your product, your service and your marketing efforts? This is a harder question to answer. If people don\'t attend your event, it could be for a myriad of reasons (don\'t have time, costs too much not interested). Same thing with your product or service. How do you know why people aren\'t buying?\r\n\r\nIt comes down to requesting feedback, and to listening to what your audience has to say.\r\n\r\nFirst, you should ALWAYS request feedback from attendees to your event and people who buy your product. Make it easy for people to provide comments on your website. Have an email address specifically for feedback.\r\n\r\nSecond, listen to what exactly  is being said about you in the comments  you receive. Also,  cast a wider net: check out <a title=\"Social Mention\" href=\"http://www.socialmention.com/\" target=\"_blank\">SocialMention</a> (or other social media monitoring tools) to see what is being said about you or your brand.\r\n\r\nLast week, I tweeted to a local marketing networking group that they were sending me too many email messages. In fact, it got to a point that I would just delete rather than read. The organizational response to me via Twitter  was to tell me they would be happy to remove me from the list. I told them to take my comment seriously. I was giving them FEEDBACK. They didn\'t want to listen.\r\n\r\nYou will not know if you are hitting the mark with your marketing efforts if you don\'t make an effort to gather feedback. You may get some people to buy your product or attend your event, but you may be missing a host of others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F25%2Fare-you-hitting-the-mark%2F&amp;linkname=Are%20you%20hitting%20the%20mark%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Are you hitting the mark?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-hitting-the-mark','','','2011-08-14 07:12:54','2011-08-14 07:12:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=940',0,'post','',0),(1328,4,'2010-10-07 08:33:28','2010-10-07 13:33:28','Amy Webb, principal of<a title=\"WebbMedia\" href=\"http://www.webbmediagroup.com/home.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> Webbmedia Group</a>, spoke yesterday to a <a title=\"WWPR\" href=\"http://www.wwpr.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR)</a> Executive communicators brown bag lunch.  She is very knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic about technology and has made a business consulting on the various trends and applications of the new tech stuff.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=technology&amp;iid=9924841\" src=\"http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9924841/frankfurt-book-fair-2010/frankfurt-book-fair-2010.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9924841\" width=\"234\" height=\"173\" /]\n\nSome of us are a bit recalcitrant about tech stuff.  There  are so many changes that it is hard to keep up.  Most of all, tech is changing the way things are done and change is hard.\n\nHowever, we must learn about tech and how it is affecting the marketing/communications space. Just this week, long time Washington Post writer Howard Kurtz announced he is leaving the Post to go to the online-only Daily Beast. Print is giving way to online more and more.\n\nAmy Webb talked about being in the space where the consumers are--even if you aren\'t on there--places like Facebook, Foursquare, Tivo and mobile apps. She sees the world of media (traditional media, the web, mobile, e-readers, tablet pcs) as all connected by social media. Social media is part and parcel of all forms of media, not a separate entity.\n\nWebb divides the social media world into:\n<ul>\n	<li>Geo social (Foursquare)</li>\n	<li>Corporate social (Yelp)</li>\n	<li>Social commerce (Groupon)</li>\n	<li>Social content (YouTube)</li>\n	<li>Mobile social (Loopt)</li>\n	<li>Pure play (Facebook)</li>\n	<li>Social curation (Digg, Delicious)</li>\n</ul>\nOther key take-aways from Webb:\n<ul>\n	<li>Keep your taglines and messaging simple for sharing</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Curation is huge right now simply because there is too much information out there to make sense of.</li>\n	<li>Personalization is becoming more important. Journalists don\'t want mass press releases or multitmedia releases but rather personalized content.</li>\n	<li>Whatever you have done on line can be found by anyone with a bit of research knowledge</li>\n	<li>Before launching a brand--make sure the name you want is not being used on social media.</li>\n	<li>Tablet PCs are really big, witness the huge sales for the IPad, and there are many more on the horizon</li>\n</ul>\nMy conclusion is that you must know tech. As Amy Webb suggested, read Mashable and/or Techcrunch every day to keep up with technology.\n\nHow is tech affecting your marketing life?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F07%2Fyou-must-know-tech%2F&amp;linkname=You%20must%20know%20tech\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','You must know tech','','inherit','open','open','','914-revision','','','2010-10-07 08:33:28','2010-10-07 13:33:28','',914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/10/914-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(945,4,'2010-11-01 14:56:05','2010-11-01 19:56:05','If you blog, for yourself or for your organization, do you know what your blog looks like to the outside world? How are your readers seeing you? Are they subscribing in a reader, via email or just visiting your blog?  Are those visitors sharing your blog? If so, how are they doing it?\n\n<a title=\"Easy Tip\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/an-easy-marketing-tip/\" target=\"_blank\">(Caffeinated tip of  a few days ago was to make sure your blog is shareable</a>.)\n\nMany bloggers out there, including those that blog for large organizations, are NOT checking to see how their blog looks. I can tell you because there are several I follow in my Google Reader. Here are several fixable mistakes these bloggers are making:\n<ul>\n	<li>Duplicating entries</li>\n	<li>Having no title appear for the blog or having a generic title like \"Most Recent Entries.\"</li>\n	<li>No sharing button</li>\n	<li>Sharing button that does not fill in information when you share so the post only has a link and no title.</li>\n	<li>Only sharing the first line of the post</li>\n	<li>Not allowing sharing from the  reader</li>\n	<li>Not having a visible RSS feed or email subscription tab on your blog</li>\n</ul>\nHappily, all these are fixable.  Start by following your own blog via RSS feed in a reader and via email subscription. Use your sharing button to see how (and if) it works. You may be overlooking something that will turn off one of your readers.  You should probably view the blog on someone else\'s computer too.\n\nYou may be overlooking something. Protect your brand and your blog!','You may be overlooking something','','publish','open','open','','you-may-be-overlooking-something','','','2010-11-01 14:56:05','2010-11-01 19:56:05','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=945',0,'post','',0),(950,4,'2010-11-03 09:24:56','2010-11-03 14:24:56','A Caffeinated editorial\n\nThe Democrats lost because they lost the message.  President Obama, his administration and certainly the House leadership did a poor job of communicating what they accomplished and of refuting the sometimes crack-pot ideas the Republicans, and especially the Tea Party candidates were offering.\n\nCommunications matter in shaping perception. The Tea Party was especially successful in convincing the public that Obama was \"socializing\" the country. The perception of the Democrats as un-American was instilled.  Did Obama prove otherwise? No.  He didn\'t seem to grasp that how he communicated what his administration achieved was just as important as what he actually did. He didn\'t make the case that the changes he made may have helped stem the recession. He also didn\'t make the case that jobs were his number one priority. What was? Health care reform.\n\nTiming is crucial in communications and in politics.  If Obama had put health care on the back burner (or at least seemed to) he may have been able to say he prioritized jobs.\n\nThis mid-term election is a tremendous failure for Democrats. The Republicans were led by someone who constantly put his foot in his mouth, Michael Steele, and yet managed to win control of the House. Sarah Palin, arguably  the most superficial politicians of all time, is the voice of the Tea Party on a national stage. She talks in platitudes and unsupported statements, and yet the Democrats couldn\'t find a way to reduce her credibility.\n\nNancy Pelosi, who is a brilliant politician, failed to make the case. Obama failed to make the case. And the many incumbents who lost their seat, failed to make the case.\n\nIt all comes down to communications and having a message that is relate-able, repeatable, and that resonates with voters. Democrats did not have this in 2010.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F03%2Fwhy-the-democrats-lost%2F&amp;linkname=Why%20the%20Democrats%20lost\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Why the Democrats lost','','publish','open','open','','why-the-democrats-lost','','','2010-11-03 09:24:56','2010-11-03 14:24:56','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=950',0,'post','',0),(955,4,'2010-11-05 06:40:07','2010-11-05 11:40:07','In an interview to 60 Minutes (which is excerpted<a title=\"CBS\" href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/05/earlyshow/main7025168.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"> in this CBS News piece</a> and which will air on Sunday, November 7), President Obama says:\n<blockquote>﻿\n<span style=\"color:#888888;\">\"I think that\'s a fair argument. I think that, over the course of  two years we were so busy and so focused on getting a bunch of stuff  done that, we stopped paying attention to the fact that leadership isn\'t  just legislation. That it\'s a matter of persuading people. And giving  them confidence and bringing them together. And setting a tone,\" </span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#000000;\">Leadership is about inspiring people to follow you. Inspiration requires that you have an ability to communicate. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color:#888888;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\">I will be interested to see if the White House changes how it communicates.  And to see what the Democratic leadership does--will Harry Reid still be Majority Leader in the Senate?  Perhaps not such a great idea, since his failure to communicate nearly lost him his seat to an extreme candidate.</span>\n</span>','And President Obama agrees','','publish','open','open','','and-president-obama-agrees','','','2010-11-05 06:40:07','2010-11-05 11:40:07','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=955',0,'post','',0),(958,4,'2010-11-08 08:12:59','2010-11-08 13:12:59','If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you will have seen many of your \"friends\" tell you that they are at Starbucks or at the airport. Some of them are \"mayors\" and some have \"badges.\" It\'s all about the Foursquare check-in. Many nonprofit marketing consultants, and more for-profit marketing consultants, are advising that organizations/companies should get on Foursquare (or other location-based services).  The idea is to have people in the vicinity know you are there--offer those people special deals or more information just for checking-in.\n\nBut. There is a problem: only four percent of  adults online \"check-in\" or use geo-location services,<a title=\"Pew\" href=\"http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1793/geosocial-location-based-service-foursquare-gowalla\" target=\"_blank\"> according to research from Pew. </a>\n\nTo me, the rush to embrace check-ins and geo-location has more to do with the fact that marketers have lots of friends using Foursquare, and less to do with reality. To suggest to nonprofits that they must be on location-based services is based on what exactly?  It is based on the desire to be cutting-edge, to suggest something \"ahead of the curve.\" What it is not is practical. Nonprofits have many many other communications and marketing challenges to fix, other than having people check-in.\n\nIn my opinion, the check-in is really great for retail and restaurants/bars, especially if you are promoting a special or a sale or trying to build interest. But,  just realize that there is an element of unfairness to those patrons who don\'t have smart phones, or don\'t do check-ins (apparently 96% of the population).\n\nPerhaps people are not so eager to share their locations. It does seem big-brother to me. And this is what the article <a title=\"NYT\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/weekinreview/07brustein.html\" target=\"_blank\">Tag-Along Marketing </a>in the New York Times talks about.\n\nWill check-ins take off in the future? It\'s questionable. And you should not base marketing advice on something that is still in the works.','Go check-in somewhere else','','publish','open','open','','go-check-in-somewhere-else','','','2010-11-08 08:12:59','2010-11-08 13:12:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=958',0,'post','',0),(961,4,'2010-11-09 14:19:39','2010-11-09 19:19:39','Lots of people describe themselves as addicted to Twitter or Facebook,  or to social media in general.\n\nAre you addicted?\n\nWith alcohol, there is <strong>social use </strong>(drinking in social situations), <strong>habitual use</strong> (drinking consistently, part of your usual routine) and <strong>alcoholism </strong>(where you <em>need</em> to drink, can\'t function without alcohol and which is a medical condition requiring treatment).\n\nWith social media, I think most people are not addicts, they are habitual users. Just like we have become habitual users of email, but we are not addicted to it. We use social media in our everyday life, it is part and parcel of our work life. But do we NEED social media to do what we do? No. We can use other tools to communicate (although lots of people can\'t seem to use the phone to have actual conversations) Can we live without it? Yes (if Twitter went down you would still know how to get in touch with people, right?).\n\nAre we ruining our health by using it? Only if you never leave your computer or smart phone and limit your physical activity to keying in.\n\nThe key is to realize that social media is a tool and not a substitute for interaction, strategy, etc.  You may use social media habitually, even heavily, but you probably are not addicted to it. You could shut down the computer or power off your smart phone and still talk to people. Right?\n\n[polldaddy poll=4060801] ','Addicted?','','publish','open','open','','addicted','','','2010-11-09 14:19:39','2010-11-09 19:19:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=961',0,'post','',0),(968,4,'2010-11-22 09:09:15','2010-11-22 14:09:15','By now, you have probably heard about George W. Bush\'s new book/memoir Decision Points. Bush went on a media blitz to promote the book and appeared on the Today Show and Oprah, among other venues. Many have said Decision Points is about trying to  recast how the Bush II presidency is viewed. It certainly is a chance for Bush to explain why he did what he did. But the question is--will the book change the public\'s perception of Bush?\n\nI heard a pundit (I can\'t remember who or on what show) say that if you liked Bush before, you will like him now, but if you didn\'t like Bush then, you will certainly not like him more after reading the book. Perhaps only if you had no opinion or were undecided would you change your perception of Bush after reading this book.\n\nWhy? Because sometimes it isn\'t about marketing. Products or services are good or not good, useful or not useful, and no amount of marketing changes that. If you are a Bush hater, no matter how many positive books are written about him and how many accolades he receives, you are not going to change your mind.\n\nSame thing happens with housing. I know a Realtor who is trying to sell a house.  The house itself is very roomy, with a great layout and other nice features--except it is very close to a major highway. The Realtor is marketing the house in all the usual ways--open houses, brochures, well worded descriptions, etc. But unless you don\'t mind having a view of traffic, you are not going to buy the house. It is not about the marketing. It is about the product.\n\n&nbsp;','Sometimes, it isn\'t about marketing','','publish','open','open','','sometimes-it-isnt-about-marketing','','','2010-11-22 09:09:15','2010-11-22 14:09:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=968',0,'post','',0),(971,4,'2010-11-23 10:09:00','2010-11-23 15:09:00','Perhaps you heard yesterday that Netflix is adding a streaming-only option and increasing its rates.  It was reported on various different blogs, websites and of course, Twitter. Here\'s a sampling (and notice the date/time):\n\n<a title=\"LA Times\" href=\"http://http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/11/netflinx-launches-streaming-only-plan-raises-prices-for-dvd-plans.html\" target=\"_blank\">L.A. Times</a>\n\n<a title=\"ABC\" href=\"http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=12217283\" target=\"_blank\">ABC News</a>\n\n<a title=\"Consumerist\" href=\"http://consumerist.com/2010/11/netflix-offers-799-streaming-only-plan-raises-prices-on-existing-plans.html\" target=\"_blank\">Consumerist</a>\n\nI am a Netflix customer, and guess what, <strong>I heard about it from Netflix directly last night, through a company email that arrived at 6:38 p.m.</strong> Of course, by then I already knew that I was going to be paying more.\n\nCompanies should tell their own customers about changes to ANYTHING (pricing, service, hours, etc.) before they release the information publicly. Customers should not find out that their service provider or bank or whatever will be changing its ways from third parties. It does not make good business sense. It alienates customers.\n\nWhen communicating news, you must have a hierarchy:\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">First, communicate changes to your internal organization.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Second, communicate to your users/customers.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">Third, communicate to the public at large using media relations, advertising or other mass channels.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;text-align:left;\">&nbsp;</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left:30px;\">&nbsp;</p>\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F23%2Finform-your-customers-first%2F&amp;linkname=Inform%20your%20customers%20first\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Inform your customers first','','publish','open','open','','inform-your-customers-first','','','2010-11-23 10:09:00','2010-11-23 15:09:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=971',0,'post','',1),(975,4,'2010-11-25 10:51:25','2010-11-25 15:51:25','Today, on Thanksgiving Day, many people are sitting around plotting how to tackle \"black Friday.\" What stores should they visit? Whose gifts should they get? How early should they get there? And so forth.\n\nMany of these folks are swayed by the promise of getting AMAZING! deals. Low low prices! Doorbusters! But are the deals worth the hassle? Hard to say.\n\nThe truth is that we can be swayed by many things. For instance, the reports about the TSA\'s new invasive procedures. It was widely reported on TV, yet it seems that few if any people participated in Opt-Out day. At least that is what is being reported today. The Washington Post has yet another editorial supporting the TSA, and a front page article saying that very few people protested the TSA.  Does that sway you?\n\nA new movie opened yesterday starring Jake Gylenhaal and Anne Hathaway called Love &amp; Other Drugs. The Washington Post gave it one and a half stars. Roger Ebert gave it three. Which review sways you? When you are deciding whether to spend $10 plus, which reviewer will make you go to a movie or not?\n\nMy point is that we are swayed by opinions, news reporting, public relations and advertising but we are not always aware of what is making feel one way or another. These forces are powerful--they surround us and provide us information.\n\nOh and the force that seems to sway the most people is what their peers are doing. If everybody is going around using Foursquare, then we are too. And on this week of Thanksgiving there has been the often disingenous need to express gratitude publicly. On Twitter, there\'s a hashtag for that.\n\nI am not against gratitude or expressing thanks. But if I do it, it is not because I am swayed because 400 people in my Twitter stream are expressing all the blather they are thankful for.\n\nWhat sways you this Thanksgiving and holiday season? Why do you do what you do?\n\nHappy Thanksgiving to all, and thank you for reading.\n\n&nbsp;','What sways you?','','publish','open','open','','what-sways-you','','','2010-11-25 10:51:25','2010-11-25 15:51:25','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=975',0,'post','',0),(978,4,'2010-11-30 10:08:27','2010-11-30 15:08:27','At my gym, I see several folks doing the same thing, day after day.  Some of these people even use the exact same machine at the same time, every day. Are they getting more fit? Probably not, because to get more fit you have to challenge yourself, you have to change things up.\n\nThose gym rats always doing the same thing are stuck. Stuck in a routine (perhaps best to call it a fitness rut).\n\nAre you stuck in your marketing routine?\n<ul>\n	<li>How long has it been since you updated your website?</li>\n	<li>How long have you been using the same brochure?</li>\n	<li>When did you develop your tagline?</li>\n	<li>How long have you had your logo? (Yes, logos need to be refreshed...typography changes!)</li>\n	<li>Have you experimented with social media marketing?</li>\n	<li>Have you experimented with <em>anything</em>?</li>\n</ul>\nIf you are stuck--that is, you are doing the same things over and over, not changing things up, even a little bit, it\'s OK.  <strong>It\'s OK if you want to remain where you are and not move forward.</strong>\n\nIf, on the other hand, you want to move forward, now is the perfect time to get unstuck. Historically, December is more about partying than productivity, so you will have plenty of time to review and revise. What needs to be changed? What will bring your more value?\n\nIf you need some advice to get started, here is a good article from the <a title=\"Business Insider\" href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/10-steps-to-small-business-success-in-2011-2010-11#\" target=\"_blank\">Business Insider</a>.\n\nWhat will you do to get unstuck? Please share in the comments.','Are you stuck?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-stuck','','','2010-11-30 10:08:27','2010-11-30 15:08:27','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=978',0,'post','',0),(982,4,'2010-12-01 10:32:42','2010-12-01 15:32:42','There are some people (agencies, businesses, etc.) that excel at marketing, and others, not so much. I want to share two examples with you--one of something that worked well and one of something that didn\'t.\n\n<strong>Alchemy Salon--Customizing the Experience (What Works Well)</strong>\n\nA couple of weeks ago I tried a new hair salon. When I arrived, I was asked to fill out a form. I then got my hair cut/styled and all looked good. A couple of days ago I got a HANDWRITTEN card in the mail, thanking me for visiting Alchemy and inviting me to use their online appointments option. Also, they sent me instructions how to access the online \"Alchemy Rewards Program.\"\n\nThe good here:\n<ul>\n	<li>Personalized response</li>\n	<li>Smart use of online options</li>\n	<li>Invitation to a loyalty rewards program</li>\n	<li>Follow up/thanking me for business</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Everything But the Turkey Volunteer Program at the DCJCC (What Doesn\'t Work Well)</strong>\n\nThe Everything but the Turkey programs asks people to sign up and pay $10 to prepare the side dishes (yams, etc) for Thanksgiving meals to be given out by a food bank.  Hundreds of pounds of sides are prepared and shipped to the food bank for distribution. I have participated at least twice in the past few years. This year, as part of the GENERAL DCJCC events email, I was told about the program. I did not receive any personal invitation. For various reasons, I didn\'t choose to participate this year, but mostly, because I was not motivated enough to give up an evening.\n\nThe bad here:\n<ul>\n	<li>Lack of personalization (no acknowledgment that as someone who volunteered before, I may want to volunteer again)</li>\n	<li>No follow up</li>\n	<li>No burning reason to participate</li>\n</ul>\nWhen you send out any type of marketing piece you are \"touching\" your audience. You can do so successfully or you can fail to leave a good impression.  Think about what you are sending out and what you intend the recipient to do. Now, are you doing something that works or something that doesn\'t?\n\nAnd lastly, many marketers do not <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">measure success.</span> In Alchemy\'s case, if I join their online rewards program, they will have a way to measure whether I responded to their marketing. In the DCJCC\'s case, clearly, they are not correlating the marketing to the volunteer database, so they have NO way of knowing if volunteers from last year signed up again.\n\nI am interested in specific examples of marketing that works (or doesn\'t work). Please share with me in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing that works and marketing that doesn\'t','','publish','open','open','','marketing-that-works-and-marketing-that-doesnt','','','2010-12-01 10:32:42','2010-12-01 15:32:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=982',0,'post','',0),(985,4,'2010-12-03 09:33:59','2010-12-03 14:33:59','The best, most award-winning ad in the world won\'t sway an unhappy customer\'s mind.  Keep that in mind as you tinker with your marketing and you don\'t check in with your customer service.\n\nIf you live in Washington, DC or Maryland, you probably have PEPCO as your electric company.  And if you were around this past summer or during the massive blizzards of February, you probably lost your power.  You tried calling PEPCO only to get bad information or no information at all. Then you found out that PEPCO is rated very poorly among all electric utility companies in the United States. You probably weren\'t surprised.\n\nFast forward to the Fall of 2010. PEPCO is busy running a TV commercial featuring the company president assuring the viewers that PEPCO is responding to customer concerns.  But, is it true?\n\nYesterday, I had to call PEPCO. I was on hold for 21 minutes. And there was no emergency. Can you imagine what hold times will be when there are outages?\n\nThis is a case where PEPCO is investing money in its marketing without investing money in customer service. This is a major mistake. Customers don\'t care if you are running a great ad campaign, have well written brochures and a redesigned website, if they cannot get through to an agent to resolve their problems.\n\n<strong>Customers will judge a company on it service, not on its marketing. Marketing may get customers through the door, but it will not retain them or make them think positively about your company or organization (this applies to nonprofits as well). </strong>\n\nBefore you spend any money on a marketing campaign, make sure that you have budgeted for customer service.','Want to improve your marketing? Start with your customer service.','','publish','open','open','','want-to-improve-your-marketing-start-with-your-customer-service','','','2010-12-03 09:33:59','2010-12-03 14:33:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=985',0,'post','',1),(988,4,'2010-12-06 08:54:26','2010-12-06 13:54:26','Last Friday, I wrote about how Pepco needs to concentrate on customer service and less on marketing. In fact, the company will have to deal with lots of damage control because the <a title=\"WaPo on Pepco\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/04/AR2010120403887.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post published a devastating article</a> on Sunday that finds that Pepco has TERRIBLE reliability and that it has nothing to do with trees and storms but rather with equipment failure.  In response, Pepco will have a press conference today to discuss their five-year improvement plan.\n\nAgain, Pepco would be best advised to spend money fixing the problem than spending thousands on an ad campaign to make the company appear to care about its customers. In the end, customers don\'t have a choice when it comes to power companies. I understand the latest Pepco ad campaign is about image...but again, customers will develop an image based on their own experiences. Everyone who suffers power outages frequently (Pepco customers suffer power outages 70% more frequently than counterparts in other large cities) knows Pepco is NOT reliable, and does not work hard enough to restore power quickly. Today\'s full-color ad in the Washington Post (with the tagline \"We\'re working for you) is not going to change minds.\n\nDo you think Pepco can fix its image? Is image even the problem?','UPDATE: Pepco and reliability','','publish','open','open','','update-pepco-and-reliability','','','2010-12-06 08:54:26','2010-12-06 13:54:26','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=988',0,'post','',1),(991,4,'2010-12-09 10:47:54','2010-12-09 15:47:54','As I mentioned in my last post, the Washington Post published a pretty devastating expose of Pepco\'s failings and today, there are several letters to the editor that provide some insight into public unhappiness with the utility company. Additionally, Post columnist <a title=\"Robert McCartney\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120807912.html\" target=\"_blank\">Robert McCartney has a pretty strong take on Pepco</a> and its excuses.\n\nPepco is facing a public relations crisis. As McCartney points out, Pepco\'s PR strategy of saying that customer\'s expectations are too high is unsatisfactory and, frankly, ridiculous. The last time I checked, the United States is a first-world country, and Washington, D.C. is its capital. As such, it is not out of line to expect power to be 100% reliable. If, however, this was Haiti, then maybe expectations of electrical service would not be met.\n\nPepco\'s brand promise SHOULD be about reliability. Instead the brand has come to mean LACK OF RELIABILITY.  In order to restore its brand, Pepco is going to have to engage in communications that are responsive to real concerns, but further, should absolutely engage in FIXING THE PROBLEM. As I stated before, no amount of communications is going to satisfy a customer who has experienced frequent, extended power outages.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2Fpepco-post-number-3%2F&amp;linkname=Pepco%20Post%20Number%203\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Pepco Post Number 3','','publish','open','open','','pepco-post-number-3','','','2010-12-09 10:47:54','2010-12-09 15:47:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=991',0,'post','',1),(995,4,'2010-12-14 06:59:54','2010-12-14 11:59:54','Have you seen the new UPS commercials? It\'s about logistics.  There are several different iterations, but they all talk about how important logistics are, and of course, UPS is all about logistics.  Really? I thought UPS was about shipping. But I guess I am supposed to now think of shipping as just the visible part of the complex web that is logistics.\r\n\r\n[youtube id=mRAHa_Po0Kg&amp;fs=1&amp;hl=en_US]\r\n\r\nWhat\'s good:\r\n\r\nSong is memorable. Logistics is a new USP for UPS. It has definitely caught my attention.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s bad:\r\n\r\nLogistics? Really? Is that why I would ship with UPS over Fedex?\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?','Logistics?','','publish','open','open','','logistics','','','2011-08-14 07:11:50','2011-08-14 07:11:50','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=995',0,'post','',1),(998,4,'2010-12-17 13:49:31','2010-12-17 18:49:31','The social media news of the moment is that Yahoo! is shutting down Delicious, the social bookmarking site. I have used Delicious intermittently over the past couple of years, and I am sure there are several interesting articles stored over there. I am told that it is fairly easy to transfer them to another site, but the issue remains, what happens when we become dependent on any website?\n\nMany of us depend on Facebook to share pictures and news with friends and family. Others depend on LinkedIn to keep track of our professional network.  We use readers to keep our RSS feeds all in one place.  We are using cyberspace to keep our cyber activities organized. And yet, websites can be shut down at any moment and all our carefully curated information could be lost in an instant.\n\nHow do we become independent from the websites we depend on? First, figure out what information you must positively have access to and keep it in a hard (printed) format. I am talking about addresses, website URLs, email addresses and anything else you need to contact your clients, friends, network in general. Perhaps it is a good idea to keep a hard copy list of the blogs you read too.\n\nOn a totally unrelated topic, I have been reading a lot about John Boehner (incoming Republican Speaker of the House) and his crying. The man opens up the waterworks at the mere mention of his humble origins. <a href=\"http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/the-tears-of-john-boehner/?src=me&amp;ref=general\" target=\"_blank\">This fabulous piece from Timothy Egan in the New York Times Opinionator blog </a>says its mere hypocrisy as Boehner\'s policies do more harm than good to people of humble origins in this country. The marketer in me thinks there is more to the crying than meets the eye. I think it is a very calculated move on Boehner\'s part to seem sensitive. Either that, or he has no emotional control.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Are you dependent on your social media? And is Boehner just a big cry-baby?','On becoming dependent and thoughts on crying','','publish','open','open','','on-becoming-dependent-and-thoughts-on-crying','','','2010-12-17 13:49:31','2010-12-17 18:49:31','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=998',0,'post','',2);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (1001,4,'2010-12-21 12:35:42','2010-12-21 17:35:42','Nothing is more disappointing than a tease. A tease will always let you down after getting your attention because a tease is nothing more than an <strong>unfulfilled promise</strong>. And yet, we see teases in marketing all the time.\n\nTeaser rates are those rates that sound so great that you are drawn to a financial institution, only to learn that you don\'t qualify. Marketers love these because they get  people in the door, but at what cost? If your potential customers are disappointed, will they come back?\n\nMy personal least favorite tease is the blog post or website article that isn\'t.  You see a headline that reads something like this: Learn how to fold sheets in 2 minutes flat. Then, when you go to read the post ,there\'s little more  than the headline  and a link to an e-book on sheet folding.\n\nTo me, teasing readers on your blog with misleading headlines betrays trust. I have stopped reading a great many blogs because the authors of those blogs just want me to buy something. They don\'t want to share with me.\n\nNow, I understand you can\'t give it all away for free. You may have a book to sell or a seminar to fill. But don\'t insult your readers/public\'s  intelligence. They can see that you pulled them in just to sell them something--and they won\'t come back.\n\nTeases are annoying--and their actions teach others to avoid them.\n\n&nbsp;','Are you a tease?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-a-tease','','','2010-12-21 12:35:42','2010-12-21 17:35:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1001',0,'post','',0),(1004,4,'2010-12-24 09:38:17','2010-12-24 14:38:17','<strong><span style=\"color:#993300;\">Wishing all Caffeinated readers a very happy holiday, and all the best for a prosperous, peaceful, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1c8wCDOrk8&fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0] ','Happy Holidays!','','publish','open','open','','happy-holidays','','','2010-12-24 09:38:17','2010-12-24 14:38:17','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1004',0,'post','',0),(1008,4,'2011-01-03 16:22:52','2011-01-03 21:22:52','To create real, actionable marketing resolutions for 2011, you need to do two things.\n<ul>\n	<li>First, you will need to review 2010 and figure out what worked and what didn\'t work.</li>\n	<li>Second, you should ask yourself what are you going to do differently this year to achieve your marketing goals?</li>\n</ul>\nIf there is one thing most people could do differently is to follow up.  Few people go the extra mile. Recently, I have been looking for contractors for a couple of jobs in my house. Out of five contractors, three followed up. The two who didn\'t follow up don\'t have  snowball\'s chance in Hawaii to do business with me. If they don\'t even want to know whether I got their estimates or if I have any questions, clearly my business is just not that important to them.\n\nTo follow up  means doing your due diligence with a contact--any type of  contact. If you met someone at an event, follow up and make a second contact. If you left a voice mail or sent an email, and didn\'t hear back, call again and make sure to speak to someone in person. If you sent a proposal or met with a lead, make sure to contact the lead soon after your initial interaction.\n\nNot following up means that you don\'t care enough to make the effort. Following up shows you care, that you are interested.\n\nAgain, marketing is not all about the great looking ad or the slick brochure. It is about personal interaction with the people who you want to buy your product or service.\n\nSo how about it, will you join me in resolving to make following up a marketing resolution in 2011?','Following up: your number one marketing resolution for 2011','','publish','open','open','','following-up-your-number-one-marketing-resolution-for-2011','','','2011-01-03 16:22:52','2011-01-03 21:22:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1008',0,'post','',2),(1012,4,'2011-01-04 10:15:03','2011-01-04 15:15:03','Have you been to the movies lately? The ticket prices keep creeping up and this past Sunday I paid $10.75 to see True Grit (a great movie, by the way, and worth watching). Just a few months ago, tickets were $10, and before that $9.50 and back in the last century, one could catch a flick for about $5.\n\n<a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2011/01/movie-ticket-sales-last-year-lowest-since-1996.html\" target=\"_blank\">Consumerist reports</a> that movie ticket sales were at their lowest point since 1996 (back in the last century) in 2010. At the same time, movie prices are at their highest point in history. Coincidence? I think not.  The article also says more people are staying home to watch streaming video or waiting the shorter time between a movie\'s theatrical release and its DVD release.  But, I think, the real cause is the high cost of the movies versus the cost of staying home/watching online or on DVD.\n\nWhat this illustrates is that no matter the quality of your product (and there are some excellent movies out there) or the frequency of your advertising or the success of your public relations efforts there are reasons that people will not buy your product (or service). Consumers will determine whether your product offers value and whether they are willing to pay for that value.\n\nWhen movies cost $10.75 and you have a family of four, or you are taking your significant other out for a date, or you are just killing time, you may think twice about it. After all $10.75 could buy you a meal or even a book. Pricing matters and higher costs will translate into lost customers. There is a balance point where you are charging more to fewer people and still making money--and that probably is the holy grail of pricing.\n\nHow does movie price affect your movie watching? Are you going to the movies in spite of the higher costs?\n\n&nbsp;','When movies cost $10.75','','publish','open','open','','when-movies-cost-10-75','','','2011-01-04 10:15:03','2011-01-04 15:15:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1012',0,'post','',0),(1019,4,'2011-01-06 09:13:41','2011-01-06 14:13:41','To quote Aretha Franklin: \"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.\" (I do wish I could sing this to you but...)\n\nWe do business with people and brands we respect.  This is why we see the rise in rating websites like Yelp and Angie\'s List. We are looking not only for value and good quality, but to respect who we are doing business with.  On Angie\'s List, one of the parameters used to rate service providers is professionalism. Professionalism is about whether a person exhibits good judgment, whether he or she treats his or her customers with respect.\n\nIt is said that respect is earned. That is true.  To earn respect, you have to act in ways that garner trust. For instance, if you read a newspaper and find interesting and informative articles there, you continue reading it. You respect and trust the information it provides. But once you start seeing factual mistakes, typos and lapses in editorial judgment, you start losing respect and trust for the publication (or its editors). Same goes for blogs, company newsletters, anything.\n\nAs a marketer, one of your tasks should be to earn your customers\' respect and make sure they trust your product or service.  You do that by providing honest information. If you are marketing an office supply store and you say in your advertising that you carry everything for the office, but when a customer is looking for a desk or a file cabinet, and can\'t find that at your store, you are not being honest with your customers. Your customers will lose respect for you. If you say you match pricing from any other store (and you make that really large print) and then list exceptions (in very small print), you are not being honest with your customers. And yes, that will cost you respect.\n\nIt does come down to R-E-S-P-E-C-T.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','R-E-S-P-E-C-T','','publish','open','open','','r-e-s-p-e-c-t','','','2011-01-06 09:13:41','2011-01-06 14:13:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1019',0,'post','',0),(1023,4,'2011-01-12 15:33:32','2011-01-12 20:33:32','Those of us who work in communications appreciate the power of choosing words well. We sweat it out over how to phrase a headline or a tagline because we know words matter. Different words carry different meanings, connotations, appeal and can sway your audience one way or another.\n\nIn the aftermath of the Arizona shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of six people by a deranged Jared Lee Loughner there has been A LOT of discussion over whether political discourse contributed to this heinous act. In truth, the only person who can answer if there is a direct correlation is Loughner, but I doubt we will be getting a sane answer from him. And many people on both sides of the political spectrum are pointing fingers at each other, at the heated rhetoric, etc.  In my opinion, words do matter. They may not have been the cause in this particular instance, but when you are continually demonizing the other by labeling (job-killing, un-American, etc.) you create chasm and you create distrust. You create or stoke hatred.  You reinforce the idea that those you attack are different than you, that they cannot be trusted, that they are out to get you.\n\nSo, although Sarah Palin\'s rhetoric and demagoguery are not what made Loughner go into a store to buy a gun and then shoot innocent people, and she is right to claim she is being wrong accused, that does not make it right for her to accuse the media of a \"blood libel.\" First, because Palin (and her communications crew) clearly do not understand the meaning of phrase and second, as my friend Daria Steigman pointed out, using the word \"blood\" in the aftermath of a bloody tragedy is just plain poor choice of words.\n\nHere are a few articles to read about Palin\'s word choice:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.frumforum.com/what-palin-needed-to-say-after-giffords-shooting\" target=\"_blank\">David Frum on what she should have said.</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/palin-calls-criticism-blood-libel/?hp\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times\' The Caucus</a>\n\nPalin seems to be a master manipulator of words, and making herself the victim of a conspiracy against her (which is what I believe she meant to say with blood libel) is no error. She should be taken to task. I will be waiting to see what she says next now that the criticism is mounting.\n\nThe bottom line is that what we say and how we say it does matter and it does influence perception. Advertising and public relations people know this better than most.','It\'s never \"just words\"','','publish','open','open','','its-never-just-words','','','2011-01-12 15:33:32','2011-01-12 20:33:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1023',0,'post','',0),(1026,4,'2011-01-14 09:33:18','2011-01-14 14:33:18','If you do just one thing, I can almost guarantee you will improve your social media success:\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><strong>Post a good (perhaps even professional) picture of yourself on your social media profiles.</strong></p>\nFirst a caveat: I said a GOOD picture of yourself. Not some quirky, smirky mugshot<em> a la</em> Jared Lee Loughner (that is guaranteed to drive people away).  I know that good is subjective, but aim for some of these adjectives: professional, pleasant, smiling, poised, polished, approachable.\n\nThe reason is simple: people do business (and connect) with people.\n\nA few days ago, an acquaintance of mine who is notoriously shy and quiet, posted her company logo as her LinkedIn profile picture. What a bad move (and I told her so). After all, are people seeking to connect with her company (where she is an employee and not an owner) or with her?\n\nFor some people, putting up a picture seems like an invasion of privacy. For some, there is fear of being judged by looks or the worry that they don\'t look good enough. I have heard of women who want to lose weight before posting a picture.  Unfortunately, these excuses don\'t fly. Social media is social, and social means people. People are not icons or images or logos. They are themselves, and generally a photo captures this.\n\nAccording <a href=\"http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/01/business-opportunities-find-you-linkedin.html\" target=\"_blank\">to this blog post by Todd Taskey on Small Business Trends,</a> a PROFESSIONAL photo will increase your chances of having business opportunities find you on LinkedIn. More reason to go out and get a professional portrait done. It truly is a worthwhile investment.\n\n&nbsp;','One move to guarantee social media success','','publish','open','open','','one-move-to-guarantee-social-media-success','','','2011-01-14 09:33:18','2011-01-14 14:33:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1026',0,'post','',0),(1029,4,'2011-01-18 13:50:39','2011-01-18 18:50:39','How do you communicate with your present or potential customers or clients? Whether you do it successfully can mean a difference to your bottom line.\n\n<strong>Provide the information requested.</strong> Yes it sounds self evident, but so many times businesses dance around a question without an answer. For instance,  I recently requested costs to create a pdf form from a virtual assistant. There was a whole lot of emails back and forth: just what type of form, how long, with logo or without, etc. And never a quote. I can\'t do business with someone who can\'t provide an estimate for me.\n\n<strong>Be realistic. </strong>Often, people think that if they say something is going to take a couple of days when it really takes a week the customer will sign up. But if the job actually takes longer you will risk angering your customer.  For instance, if  you are a service provider and you can\'t fit someone for two weeks, say so.  Don\'t say that you can possibly squeeze a customer in just because that is his/her timetable. If you can\'t accommodate something, you will end up with an unhappy customer\n\n<strong>Don\'t sugarcoat bad news.</strong> If you need to cancel or the price has gone up, say it quickly and directly.\n\n<strong>Apologize if warranted, but say what you will do to fix it</strong>. Apologies are all fine and good, but not sufficient. Most people don\'t care if you are sorry that you screwed up, they want to know how you are going to make it better.\n\n<strong>Don\'t make excuses.</strong> The dog ate my homework didn\'t fly in grade school and will certainly not fly in the face of a customer relationship and yet how many times do you hear excuses from service providers? I am having my floors done and the service provider underestimated the time it would take his crew, but he keeps telling me it is because they weren\'t able to work on the weekend. That is an excuse and it doesn\'t fly.\n\n<strong>Be timely.</strong> If you say you are going to call a customer, call! If there is going to be a problem, call your customer sooner rather than later. Don\'t let your customer call you with something you said you would get.\n\n<strong>Be pleasant.</strong> Again, it seems self-evident. Just today I called my auto insurance company. I had a change to make, and the woman who helped me was really pleasant. It made the transaction easy. It left a good impression.\n\nAnything you would add? What works best for you?\n\n&nbsp;','Tips to improve your customer communication','','publish','open','open','','tips-to-improve-your-customer-communication','','','2011-01-18 13:50:39','2011-01-18 18:50:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1029',0,'post','',1),(1032,4,'2011-01-21 16:10:32','2011-01-21 21:10:32','<a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/shashib\" target=\"_blank\">Shashi Bellamkonda</a> from Network Solutions gave the keynote yesterday at <a href=\"http://wwpr.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Women in PR\'</a>s annual luncheon. Here is a link to<a href=\"http://www.networksolutions.com/blog/2011/wwpr-annual-luncheon-keynote-theme-its-all-about-human-relationships/\" target=\"_blank\"> his presentation</a>, which is well worth a read if you work in PR and/or social media.  He spoke about the importance of establishing connections, in person when possible. He\'s absolutely right. Too many people substitute an email or my least favorite, a text, for a phone conversation or an in-person meeting.  I have said it before on this blog but it bears repeating: people do business with people.\n\nRecently, I met David Heyman in person. Up to that time, I knew him on Twitter only as <a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/dcborn61\" target=\"_blank\">@dcborn61</a>.  We have had breakfast together and chatted. We\'ve also done business. That is the power of connection.\n\nI first met Shashi as @shashib on Twitter too.  I met him in person at a casual Tweet up and have had the fortune of seeing him at many other events since.\n\nGet to know someone better. Go for coffee or a beer. Try to connect in person--you will get to know each other better.\n\nHow do you connect?','Connecting in person','','publish','open','open','','connecting-in-person','','','2011-01-21 16:10:32','2011-01-21 21:10:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1032',0,'post','',2),(1036,4,'2011-01-23 08:39:41','2011-01-23 13:39:41','Several years ago, I was asked to join the board of a local education nonprofit. This particular organization was tiny, and operating in the red. The executive director was a very young and inexperienced person, who was getting paid a salary and benefits that the organization just could not afford. Clearly, funds were the issue, as they are in most nonprofit organizations.\n\nThere is a tension between marketing communications and nonprofit organizations.  As a marketer, you want your communications to look professional and put-together. I have always advocated for professional design. However, professional design does not come cheap, and it certainly is not free.  But good design pulls in eyeballs and may actually help drive traffic to your website/brochure/etc.  So what is a nonprofit to do? In my opinion, a nonprofit needs to commit resources to its communications needs--carefully. For instance, a cheap website will not attract donors. An overly glitzy website could potentially turn off donors. Somewhere in between---a website that has the necessary elements, looks clean and modern, has the ability to receive donations--is probably where nonprofits need to go.\n\nBack to the nonprofit organization I was involved with. The board was committed to having a printed brochure, which was mailed to the mailing list of members and former students. Because the executive director was lazy (there is no other word), she paid first-class postage instead of the more labor-intensive bulk nonprofit mailing rate. The brochure was printed in two-colors on heavy bond paper, adding both mailing costs and printing costs. The executive director laid out the newsletter in Publisher, and it was very difficult to edit and to update. Additionally, the organization had very little idea of who attended the classes offered or where they came from. In other words, they had no demographic information.\n\nI recommended moving the brochure to an electronic format and mailing out only to those who requested printed copies. I recommended using the nonprofit rate. I recommended getting a logo designed by graphic designer. I recommended getting all content in Word, edit and correct it, and then lay it out. I recommended conducting a survey to get a sense of who is taking the classes. Guess what? They did not show any interest in any of these recommendations. It was so frustrating that I quit the board. A few months later the executive director left, and they hired someone more mature part-time. Last I know, they don\'t have any executive director.\n\nThis organization is now sending out an even less graphically appealing printed brochure (I just got one the other day and it ended up in the trash). It is still being printed on heavy bond paper, without color though. And they are using their nonprofit bulk rate instead of first-class stamps. I wonder if this is working for them.\n\nFirst of all, who are they trying to attract? An older, less sophisticated audience might not mind a brochure that looks like a secretary in the 1990s put it together.  Why am I still getting their mailing? I haven\'t attended a class there for years, which indicates to me they haven\'t cleaned up their database.\n\nWhen you have limited funds, you should use them wisely. In this case, the organization is spending too much money on printed materials that are not visually appealing.  I would bet that they are not achieving good return on investment.\n\nDo you have examples of other nonprofits that are not doing things \"right?\" Please share stories and examples.','Nonprofit communications: how not to do it','','publish','open','open','','nonprofit-communications-how-not-to-do-it','','','2011-01-23 08:39:41','2011-01-23 13:39:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1036',0,'post','',1),(1040,4,'2011-01-27 12:39:37','2011-01-27 17:39:37','This past Monday, I attended the <a href=\"http://whatsnextdc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">What\'s Next DC </a>marketing communications conference put on by <a href=\"http://www.greenbuzzagency.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Green Buzz Agency</a>. For a nice recap, please read Daria Steigman\'s <a href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/2011/01/27/is-your-marketing-team-obsolete/\" target=\"_blank\">post on the Independent Thinking blog</a> and also <a href=\"http://storify.com/tinu/whats-next-dc-presentations-overviews-takeaways\" target=\"_blank\">check out slides</a> from the conference.\n\nMost speakers at the conference talked about social media, and how traditional marketing is dead (the press release is dead, social media shouldn\'t even be called that, etc.). And although I agree that social media has transformed the marketing landscape, making everyone \"networked\" as one speaker put it, it has not changed the fundamentals of marketing nor the viability of old school marketing channels.  One speaker said marketers need to be \"remarkable.\" To put it in old school terms, what is it to be remarkable if not to find your USP (unique selling proposition)?\n\nIn my opinion, marketing is still marketing regardless of whether the tools have changed. If you don\'t know what you are selling, or what sets you apart, you will not succeed, no matter how many Twitter followers you have or how much of a \"digital native\" you are.\n\nYesterday, I experienced true old school marketing. I had a leak in my refrigerator and needed to find someone to fix it ASAP (before the snow that hit us yesterday), but had no Internet access or Smart Phone. I couldn\'t tweet out my concern or go to Angie\'s List  (my go-to spot for all matters home related).  What did I do? First, I remembered a electrical/plumbing place I have seen advertised in the paper and online. I called 411, got the number and called them. They don\'t do appliances. Back to square one. Then, it dawned on me that I have PHONE BOOKS/Yellow Pages.  I looked up appliance repair, called a place that said they do emergencies, and about two hours later, a technician was at my house fixing the fridge.\n\nThe moral of this story is don\'t give up on old school marketing just yet. Not everything is solved by the Internet or Twitter. In fact, today, many people in Maryland are sitting without power or Internet access due to the snow. Many don\'t have Smart Phones. Some may not have Internet access, or only have it at work.  This is why ads still work. The Yellow Pages still work. And yes, well written press releases still work too.\n\nAre you still marketing old school?','Marketing old school','','publish','open','open','','marketing-old-school','','','2011-01-27 12:39:37','2011-01-27 17:39:37','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1040',0,'post','',1),(1043,4,'2011-01-30 11:37:14','2011-01-30 16:37:14','Being personal. That\'s the one thing that will make you stand out.\n\nWe are living, increasingly, in an electronic world. People send email and texts instead of picking up the phone. People tweet out questions to strangers in the hopes of getting the wisdom of the crowd. But, as <a href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/connecting-in-person/\" target=\"_blank\">we talked about here,</a> people want to connect personally, one to one.  Although we <em>feel </em>more connected, we are more isolated from other people. It is now possible for you to know what your friend from elementary school had for breakfast (on Facebook) while not knowing who your neighbor is.\n\nThis morning, on CBS Sunday Morning, Steve Hartman <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/24/assignment_america/main7279295.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;2\" target=\"_blank\">investigated the handwritten thank you note.</a> He has never been a fan, but his colleague Byron Pitts is. Pitts sends out thank you notes to the people he interviews, to others who have helped him. This makes Pitts stand out. Those people will remember the gesture.\n\nI am not sure if it is generational, cultural or personality-driven, but some people just don\'t seem to get that people want to be treated like people. If someone is sick or has been sick, you ask about their health. If someone is facing a problem, you offer support.  Yet many people don\'t do this even though it takes very little effort for a big reward. Some politicians have gotten far because they treat people like people.  George Bush gained popularity in part because he was personal--asking people about their families, following up, sending thank you notes.\n\nDon\'t underestimate the power of reaching out, of being personal. It could be a handwritten note, or it could be a telephone call. Reach out to people, and you will stand out to them.','One thing that will make you stand out','','publish','open','open','','one-thing-that-will-make-you-stand-out','','','2011-01-30 11:37:14','2011-01-30 16:37:14','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1043',0,'post','',0),(1047,4,'2011-02-01 13:12:11','2011-02-01 18:12:11','No, this is not a post about the power of positive thinking. It\'s about the power of positive reviews.\n\nHow many times have you bought a book, gone to a movie, hired a contractor, eaten at a restaurant because you read/heard a positive review? I would bet that the answer is many times.\n\nCase in point. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030203491.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Washington Post raved about Helen Simonson\'s book</a>,  <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Major Pettigrew\'s Last Stand</span>. In fact, many other reviewers also raved.  So I went out to buy it. And guess what, I am not liking it quite that much. But the sale has been made.\n\nGetting a third-party positive review is definitely worth its weight in gold. This is why public relations is so valuable, even in the age of social media. You get one great review, and you will get lots of interest (and possibly lots of sales).  The sticking point lies in whether the product/service/movie/restaurant delivers the goods. You may get an initial sale but no follow up sales if the product does not live up to its review.\n\nAs companies look to save money, many are doing away with PR help. This is not good business. Good PR can lead to good reviews, which in turn, may lead to increased sales.\n\nWhen has a review turned your opinion? Please share any stories.','Positive Power!','','publish','open','open','','positive-power','','','2011-02-01 13:12:11','2011-02-01 18:12:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1047',0,'post','',0),(1052,4,'2011-02-02 09:48:40','2011-02-02 14:48:40','Two items from today\'s Washington Post caught my eye.  One was about Jay Carney, the new White House press secretary and the other was a letter to the editor regarding Pepco.\n\n<strong>Speaking for the White House</strong>\n\nJay Carney is taking over from Robert Gibbs as White House press secretary. Carney was a journalist, and many people think he will bring a journalist\'s viewpoint to the White House briefing room. Dana Milbank wonders \"Can Jay Carney Hack it as a Flack\" in an<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020105165.html?hpid=opinionsbox1\" target=\"_blank\"> op-ed in today\'s Washington Post</a>. Few people will miss Gibbs, so maybe by comparison, Carney will already do better. I wrote about Gibbs snark <a href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/how-you-say-it/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> If one thing Carney can learn from Gibbs is how not to act. I think the press corps are looking for information without sarcasm.\n\n<strong>Proving advertising doesn\'t turn the lights back on</strong>\n\nAnother hot topic this week (other than the ongoing protests in Egypt) is Pepco. If you live in the DC area you know that Pepco failed, once again, to restore power in a timely fashion following a weird snow storm last week. At one point, they had 300,000 customers without power and in many cases, it took them three or four days to restore power to all of them.  Witness how people felt about it, and more importantly, about how Pepco mishandled communications by reading<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020105906.html\" target=\"_blank\"> letters to the editor in today\'s Post.</a> Notice the title of the piece includes the word \"outrage.\"\n\nThis latest episode in Pepco\'s ongoing reliability struggle proves <a href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/update-pepco-and-reliability/\" target=\"_blank\">my point</a> that no matter how many nice ads and promising assertions you make, you have to back them up with real action. As you recall, Pepco started running an ad campaign talking about all the stuff they are doing to make themselves more reliable and responsive. Well, sadly, it was just words. No one believed it then, and certainly, no one believes it now. Instead of spending lots of ad dollars on an image campaign, Pepco should spend some money figuring out how to increase its reliability, responsiveness and communications with customers.\n\nThe bottom line for both these stories is that communications matter a whole lot. How you handle communications, what you say, when you say it, can truly impact public opinion and your image.','WaPo: Carney hopes and Pepco failures','','publish','open','open','','wapo-carney-hopes-and-pepco-failures','','','2011-02-02 09:48:40','2011-02-02 14:48:40','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1052',0,'post','',0),(1055,4,'2011-02-14 09:39:46','2011-02-14 14:39:46','Have you checked your website lately? Chances are good that you haven\'t, especially if it is built on a non-blogging platform. But go ahead, check it for these four items today.\n<ol>\n	<li><strong> Does it load quickly?</strong> How long does it take for the average person to open your website? If it takes too long, you may lose that person.</li>\n	<li><strong>Does it load correctly?</strong> Are all the pages formatted correctly, and is the format readable? I have opened pages only to find HTML gobbledygook.</li>\n	<li><strong> Is the contact information current and accurate?</strong> The basics--address, phone, email--should all be up to date and you should make sure they are correct.</li>\n	<li> <strong>Do you provide the information your prospective customers or clients need?</strong> If you are a retail location, do you have your hours posted? If you are a restaurant, do you have your menu posted? If you are a salon, do you have a listing (including pricing) of your services?</li>\n</ol>\nIt is worth remembering that people go to websites to find useful information. If they can\'t access your website or find the information they need, THEY WILL GO ELSEWHERE.\n\nWhat types of things do you look for in a website? What turns you away?','4 items to check on your website','','publish','open','open','','4-items-to-check-on-your-website','','','2011-02-14 09:39:46','2011-02-14 14:39:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1055',0,'post','',0),(1058,4,'2011-02-22 08:53:02','2011-02-22 13:53:02','How many blogs have you stopped reading? How many products have you stopped buying? How many ads do you ignore?\n\nIf you answered just one to any of these questions, the reason is because whatever the blog/ad/product/service has become irrelevant.\n\nSome irrelevancy is by attrition--meaning that you will stop buying a product because you no longer need it (like baby diapers when your child is potty trained). Other irrelevancy is because you just don\'t care anymore or the information does not ring true.\n\nHow do you become irrelevant?\n\nIf you are a blogger:\n<ul>\n	<li>You write about things that people don\'t care about or are not interested in.</li>\n	<li>You write about the same things over and over.</li>\n	<li>You write about you, you and more about you.</li>\n	<li>You never update your blog.</li>\n</ul>\nIf you are an advertisment:\n<ul>\n	<li>You advertise the same offer, over and over</li>\n	<li>You advertise an offer with tons of small print</li>\n	<li>You advertise things that are just not true (we beat any price, for instance).</li>\n	<li>What you advertise does not match reality.</li>\n</ul>\nIf you are a product:\n<ul>\n	<li>You don\'t work as promised.</li>\n	<li>You don\'t fill a need.</li>\n	<li>You are not well priced.</li>\n</ul>\nIf you are a website:\n<ul>\n	<li>You have outdated information.</li>\n	<li>You look like you were designed in 1999.</li>\n	<li>Your visitors can\'t find the information they need to make a purchase/visit your location/etc.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Basically, you become irrelevant when you forget what your audience needs or wants. </strong>\n\nWhat makes you tune out marketing? Let me know what makes blogs/ads/websites/brochures irrelevant.','How to become irrelevant','','publish','open','open','','how-to-become-irrelevant','','','2011-02-22 08:53:02','2011-02-22 13:53:02','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1058',0,'post','',0),(1061,4,'2011-02-28 08:57:06','2011-02-28 13:57:06','Sometimes it seems like everywhere you turn someone is telling you to be on Twitter, Facebook and so forth. Lots of companies are now advertising that you should follow them.\n\nLet me say there is a huge benefit to being on social media. Some companies will find most if not all  of their target audience on social networks.  But, and there always is that but, if you are not prepared to be on social media, don\'t be on it. It can hurt more than help.\n\nLet me give you an example of how being on social media when you are not ready can actually cause more damage than any benefit.  Last week, I bought a mattress from Sleepy\'s, \"the mattress professionals.\"  The mattress was supposed to be delivered on Tuesday, between 3 pm and 7 pm (and, no, this is not the cable company although Sleepy\'s gives them a run for their money). By 6 pm, it was obvious the delivery was going to be delayed. I tweeted to @sleepys several times. No answer. Mattress finally got delivered at nearly  9 pm.  I did not receive a tweet back from Sleepy\'s until nearly<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"> 5 pm the next day, </span>asking me to email  my concern. The next day, they tweeted to email my concern (which I already had done.). By Friday, I had an email from them asking me to test the email address!!!! And, someone from customer service finally called me Friday afternoon.\n\nAlthough there are many things wrong with Sleepy\'s (and if you are interested in my opinion of this company just drop me a line),<strong> it adds insult to injury for them to be on social media and not to respond to social media.</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color:#ff0000;\">Social media for companies, whether it be for customer service or for image, requires a sizeable time investment.  It requires monitoring for mentions. It requires responsiveness. </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Is social media the right venue for you? Here\'s a checklist to determine the answer:</strong>\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>I have the time and/or the staff to manage social media.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>I have the understanding of how social media works.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>I will respond to customer complaints on social media like I do on traditional outlets.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>I will monitor for mentions consistently/constantly.</strong></li>\n</ul>\nIf you can\'t commit to this checklist, social media may not be the right venue for you.\n\nIf your company does not have the staff/time to deal with social media,  do yourself a favor, and do not get it to the game. You will make  matters worse. By saying you have social media outlets, you are  encouraging your customers to contact you there. If you are not there,  then your customers will become even more frustrated. Frustration can  lead to anger and upset. And because of the power of amplification, the  problem will get transmitted to more and more people.\n\nYour thoughts?','Is social media the right venue for you?','','publish','open','open','','is-social-media-the-right-venue-for-you','','','2011-02-28 08:57:06','2011-02-28 13:57:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1061',0,'post','',0),(1063,4,'2011-03-07 15:35:58','2011-03-07 20:35:58','Last week, I found out my accountant is in the hospital. His partner cannot take on new work and the only remedy I was offered was to file an extension. When I asked for a referral to another accountant, the partner was not able (or willing) to give me a name. In short, my accountant apparently had no plan B, no contingency plan in case of emergency.\n\nMost of us do not plan for contingencies. We have our plan A, and we rarely think about what could happen if things do not go as expected. In cases of emergency, in communications having a plan B is also known as crisis communication planning or management. Well-managed organizations will have some sort of crisis plan.\n\nMany people do not like to think about the what if. It makes them nervous. When consulting with a nonprofit recently, it turned out that the organization had absolutely no crisis plan. And, by the way, a crisis does not necessarily have to  your fault or an emergency, or something horrible.\n\nContingency planning in general has to do with having alternative plans.  Say that the Internet goes out, are there other ways people can find information about you? If so, where? You cannot plan for every situation but you can have a general sense of what scenarios are most likely to happen, and what the procedures and communications are for each of those top situations. For instance, if you have a spokesperson, you may want to plan for the day the spokesperson is out with the flu (as I mentioned before, it doesn\'t have to be a dire situation). Who is the alternate spokesperson?\n\nIn short, because life will not go as planned, you should always plan for that fact.\n\n(Note to the accountants: you could set up a list of trusted accountants you refer to or you could hire temporary help for tax season.)\n\nHow do you create contingency plans?','Plan B...do you have one?','','publish','open','open','','plan-b-do-you-have-one','','','2011-03-07 15:35:58','2011-03-07 20:35:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1063',0,'post','',2),(1066,4,'2011-03-08 13:07:22','2011-03-08 18:07:22','Today, I got this precious direct marketing letter:\n<blockquote>Dear Deborah:\n\nAgain congratulations on the purchase of your home [address omitted].We hope that it has been a pleasant experience for you.\n\nWe have been trying to contact you regarding our termite warranty but have been unable to do so. We also did not receive a response to our previous letter. Please call [name and contacted omitted0 at your earliest convenience so that we may discuss this important matter with you. A<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">lso, be sure to ask about our PEST CONTROL SERVICE PLAN for as low as $376 per year. This will be our final effort to contact you by mail. This will be our final effort to contact you by mail.</span></blockquote>\n(Yes, in the letter the last sentence is repeated and it is underlined.)\n\nLet\'s break this down. This company is trying to get me to buy a service plan at $376 per year.  They are direct mailing me off a list of recent home buyers.  Apparently, I should contact them immediately and if not, they will do what? Apparently, they will start contacting me by other means other than mail. Will they be sending out their bully squad to my door to get me to purchase their plan?\n\nAlso, they claim they have been trying to reach me. What they have been doing is sending this same letter at least three times.\n\nWhat this letter is doing, plain and simple, is bullying me.  This company thinks that sending a letter like this will get me to call them, when all it does is make me think that they just don\'t get it.\n\nWhat do people do when they are being bullied? Do they turn around and do business with you or do they run the other way?','Are you trying to bully your customers?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-trying-to-bully-your-customers','','','2011-03-08 13:07:22','2011-03-08 18:07:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1066',0,'post','',0),(1072,4,'2011-03-16 10:30:42','2011-03-16 15:30:42','There are things that I see happening on social media and on the web that are irritating. They happen way too often. Here are my top peeves (and least of this week).\n\nOne of my top ten peeves of all time, and which I have discussed before, is the i<strong>mpersonal invitation to connect on LinkedIn.</strong> In the past few weeks, I have received at least four or five invitations from people I don\'t know and who haven\'t made the slightest attempt to personalize the LinkedIn generated note \"I\'d like to add you to my professional network.\"  I got one this morning, and I fired back a note telling the person in question that we hadn\'t ever met, and that a tip for her would be too personalize the note.  She wrote back this really clueless note:\n<blockquote>Please accept my sincere apologies. I must have mistaken you for someone else. I  thought I had met you at a XXXX function. I never send blind invitations.\nI  am currently writing for a couple of online magazines and am building local pr  connections.\nSo sorry to be an annoyance.</blockquote>\nWhy is this clueless? Because, a)  she did send a blind invitation. She could have written something like, \"We met at a XXX event last week, and I would like to connect with you here.\"  And b) she is telling me she is using LinkedIn to build connections, which I interpret as using this forum to send out countless queries and newsletters , etc.  So, she is not seeking to build a connection with ME, she is seeking to build her network to profit her work.\n\nOther irritants are:\n\n<strong>Blog posts that are not shareable on social media. </strong>And ironically, <a href=\"http://allthings.womma.org/2011/03/15/applying-dating-%E2%80%9Cdos-and-don%E2%80%99ts%E2%80%9D-to-social-media-marketing-best-practices-you-know-more-than-you-think-you-do/\" target=\"_blank\">this post,</a> from the All things WOM, from the Word of Mouth Association, IS NOT SHAREABLE. Has no share buttons. Really. How stupid is this.\n\n<strong>Web redesigns that are not useful to the reader.</strong> The Washington Post redesigned their website and recently re-launched it. As far as I can tell, readers were not consulted.  In a note to readers, sent THREE days after the re-launch the Post says:\n<blockquote>The Washington Post is now even more essential and more in tune with the way you interact with  news.\n<ul>\n	<li>Follow  stories as they develop and share your ideas as they evolve</li>\n	<li>Watch  events unfold with new video programs</li>\n	<li>Know  what\'s getting the most buzz and what\'s really happening in D.C.</li>\n	<li>Get  straight to your favorite coverage with destination hubs for Politics, Local,  Sports and Opinions</li>\n</ul>\n</blockquote>\nI guess what they mean by \"more essential\" is less stuff to read. Now I have to dig through the site to get to local news. And where are the blogs? Oh, and by screwing around with the site, lots of the Post\'s blog RSS feeds were messed up. Nice going.\n\n<strong>Using swear words on Twitter</strong>. I have written about this before, and I will again in light of <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/business/media/16adco.html?_r=1\" target=\"_blank\">this article</a> in the New York Times. I swear all the time, just not on Twitter. Because Twitter is a broadcast medium that is also archived. What you say here is on the record for ALL to see.  It shows a lack of thought to use your words carelessly.\n\n<strong>Promoting yourself endlessly or worse, showing off on Twitter</strong>. There is one particular person, whom I just unfollowed today, who felt it necessary to be a braggart at every turn.  It was things like this: \"aren\'t you jealous of my fabulous view?\" with an attached picture. Why do I want to read this? Why do I care? Again, Twitter is a broadcast medium. What you say can be seen by 1000s of people.\n\n<strong>Sending too many (or useless) email marketing messages.</strong> The AMA-DC was sending me four emails A WEEK. I told them it was too much. They unsubscribed me for criticizing them. And here is<a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/2011/02/why-customers-fans-and-followers-unsubscribe-unlike-and-unfollow.php?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+entrepreneur%2Fdailydose+%28Entrepreneur+-+Small+Business+News%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\" target=\"_blank\"> Entrepreneur\'s take </a>on why people stop following you. Read it and see that too many emails or too many posts irritate people.  (And get this, I keep getting Comcast\'s marketing missives, even though they CANCELLED my account.)\n\nAny of these get your goat too?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Web and social media irritants','','publish','open','open','','web-and-social-media-irritants','','','2011-03-16 10:30:42','2011-03-16 15:30:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1072',0,'post','',5),(1074,4,'2011-03-18 09:43:01','2011-03-18 14:43:01','Yesterday, <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/business/media/18times.html?_r=1&amp;hp\" target=\"_blank\">the New York Times announced its new subscription plan</a>. Basically, you can read 20 articles on their site per month for free, and if you want continued access you will need to pay $15 a month. This applies to your IPad subscription too. If you are a print subscriber, your digital access is included.\n\nIt is very telling that this announcement generated more than 2,000 comments on the New York Times site (more would have come in but the NYT shut down comments). I started reading through them, and the majority of what I read seemed to indicate that readers will not pay for access. The biggest argument: it is too expensive.  The second biggest argument: NYTimes.com already carries lots of advertising.\n\nWill the pay wall work? In my opinion, it will backfire for various reasons:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Human nature</strong>:  People do not like to pay for what they used to get for free. And, there are plenty of other news sites on the Web that are still free.</li>\n	<li><strong>Work arounds:</strong> If you click through on a Facebook or Twitter link to a New York Times article, you get around <strong>the paywall.</strong></li>\n	<li><strong>Too much money</strong>: People are looking for ways to save money and paying for a digital subscription is probably an easy budget cut.</li>\n	<li><strong>Fewer readers=lost revenue: S</strong>o say some people continue to pay for the content on the New York Times site. It will never be the same amount as the people accessing it for free.  With fewer numbers, they will either have to charge less for their online ads (and lose revenue) or lose advertisers unwilling to pay for fewer impressions.</li>\n</ul>\nFor many years, I was a subscriber to the New York Times print edition. I was a huge fan of their crossword puzzle and I loved the Sunday Times. But, the price was exorbitant. I had to stop my subscription. I missed the crossword puzzle, yes, but not the huge bill. People will do the same with the NYTimes.com site. They will miss it at first, but they won\'t pay for it because of budgetary constraints.\n\nUPDATE: Just came across <a href=\"http://emediavitals.com/content/metered-model-gains-traction-digital-pay-option\" target=\"_blank\">this article from emedia vitals,</a> which says that some sites using the \"metered model\" have actually gained visitors. Is it that you think you get what you pay for?\n\nYour thoughts? Take my poll.\n\n[polldaddy poll=4741554]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fthe-new-york-times-pay-wall%2F&amp;linkname=The%20New%20York%20Times%27%20Pay%20Wall\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','The New York Times\' Pay Wall','','publish','open','open','','the-new-york-times-pay-wall','','','2011-03-18 09:43:01','2011-03-18 14:43:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1074',0,'post','',1),(1080,4,'2011-03-21 12:14:50','2011-03-21 17:14:50','Last week, I attended a <a href=\"http://www.wwpr.org\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Women In PR</a> (WWPR) panel on \"The Art of Storytelling.\" WWPR\'s Past President Debbie Friez has a <a href=\"http://www.burrellesluce.com/freshideas/2011/03/the-art-of-storytelling/\" target=\"_blank\">great recap on the BurellesLuce blog. </a>\n\nWhile I agree with the concept that creating a story will help your organization to connect with its target audience, one thing was not answered. What makes the story work?\n\nDanny Harris of<a href=\"http://peoplesdistrict.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> People\'s Distric</a>t said that stories help \"show the texture,\" which I take to mean give life and detail to otherwise dry and boring concepts. For instance, if I tell you I saw a homeless person on a street corner, that means nothing. But if I tell you that I stopped to talk to the homeless person, and he was able to tell me that because of a health issue he lost his job, and then his house, now you understand the situation. The story fills in the details.\n\nStories should be memorable, ideally. But then again, not every story, and certainly not corporate stories, is memorable.  Stories should aim to create recognition and let you find commonality with them through the details they impart. Yet what details will resonate with your audience?\n\n<strong>One thing not one person on the panel said and which I think is absolutely critical for storytelling is this: authenticity</strong>.\n\nAlthough it is a much-vaunted word (especially on social media), authenticity is a concept that is often lacking in marketing communications. When something doesn\'t ring true it is because it is not authentic. Case in point:  my criticism of Pepco\'s ads about customers being first. Those ads were simply not authentic. Why? Because anyone who has had to deal with Pepco knows that customers are NOT first. Same goes for Comcast (Here is a total aside, I went to Comcast to return equipment and saw a sign that said \"Customers are our first priority.\" Of course, the customer service office was a small cramped affair where a dozen people were waiting in line for one or two surly customer service reps. Yes, I am sure Comcast puts customers first.)\n\nIf you are going to use stories to relay your marketing message you have to be sure they are authentic. People see through the BS. And people who see through it will now have a really bad impression about your organization.\n\nWhat do you think makes stories work?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F21%2Fwhat-makes-stories-work%2F&amp;linkname=What%20makes%20stories%20work%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What makes stories work?','','publish','open','open','','what-makes-stories-work','','','2011-03-21 12:14:50','2011-03-21 17:14:50','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1080',0,'post','',0),(1086,4,'2011-03-22 10:53:36','2011-03-22 15:53:36','Being a small business, I don\'t often get cover letters and resumes, although once I got a perfume-scented resume on blue letterhead that went directly in the trash.  Yesterday, I got a cover letter that was truly stunning, and not in a good way. It was stunning because it was such a good example of how NOT to write a letter. I am posting it here, with comments (and with identity removed, of course).\n<blockquote>To  Whom it May Concern:</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">No personalization...unforgivable since I am the only person listed on my website.</span>\n<blockquote>I  would like to be considered for employment with your company, so here is a  little background on my education and experiences.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">Doesn\'t mention what type of employment is being sought.</span>\n<blockquote>I  have a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from [XXX ]University, where I double majored in Marketing and Business  Management.  I also earned a minor in  Professional Communications.  I  achieved a GPA of 3.49, while also being extremely involved in extra-curricular  activities and community service opportunities on campus.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">Would have put this down further...or talked about what subjects I learned about, more specifically.</span>\n<blockquote>I’ve  gained experience relevant to the business industry through two internships, one  with[xxx}- a marketing firm, and the other with[xxx}.  These internships  allowed me to utilize the information I had been learning at[the University] and  have allowed for me to gain experience in the marketing field.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">No specificity: the writer could have given examples of specific tasks or information learned.</span>\n<blockquote>Before  you ask, I’ll go ahead and answer the big questions in your mind.  Yes, I am currently in [other state]  No, I do not plan to work from here; I’m  ready and willing to relocate.  And  finally, No, I understand that I’m entry-level and do not expect to receive  relocation funds.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">Geez. Now you are a mind-reader. Don\'t assume anything.</span>\n<blockquote>I  have enclosed my resume for your review.   Also, my LinkedIn profile can be viewed at[LinkedIn],  if that better fits your viewing preferences.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">This is nit-picky but you have attached not enclosed your resume, since this is an email. </span>\n<blockquote>I  would be happy to aid you and your company in future endeavors, if you will  please contact me at [telephone and email] I would welcome the chance to discuss  openings.</blockquote>\n<span style=\"color:#3366ff;\">Notice that nearly every paragraph and sentence starts with I. It\'s all about the writer and nothing about my company.</span>\n<blockquote>Thank  you for your consideration.\n\nSincerely,</blockquote>\nI wrote the author of this email back and told her there were no opportunities. I also gave her a couple of tips. She didn\'t reply. I am pretty positive this letter will get her nowhere.\n\nHere are my top three tips on how to write an effective cover letter:\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>Personalize: </strong>Have a name (or at the very least a department or title). Mention the name of the company you are applying to, and why you are interested in working at that company.</li>\n	<li><strong>Summarize your background, but in relation to the potential job</strong>: In college, you probably took arts classes and sociology, etc. but perhaps you took a really great writing class that would help you be a copywriter, right?</li>\n	<li><strong>Talk about what you can do for the company: </strong>Can you bring in business, deal with clients, sweep the floor really well? What do you bring to the table?</li>\n</ol>\nWhat are your tips? What are the biggest mistakes you see when you get cover letters?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fhow-not-to-write-a-cover-letter%2F&amp;linkname=How%20Not%20to%20Write%20a%20Cover%20Letter\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','How Not to Write a Cover Letter','','publish','open','open','','how-not-to-write-a-cover-letter','','','2011-03-22 10:53:36','2011-03-22 15:53:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1086',0,'post','',1),(1091,4,'2011-03-24 12:29:00','2011-03-24 17:29:00','It seems lots of people and companies out there are trying hard to leave a bad impression.  If you want to join their ranks, here are a few tips:\n<ul>\n	<li>Don\'t respond to inquiries. If someone calls or emails, free free to ignore.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t say thank you. If someone buys a product from you or gives you a contact or anything, don\'t bother saying thank you. That would be nice.</li>\n	<li>Keep pounding away with the same message. Send the same offer over and over, a couple of times of day if possible.</li>\n	<li>Solicit free advice. Ask around for all the free advice you can. After all, it\'s just advice, right?</li>\n	<li>After you get your free advice, feel free to ignore it. Someone\'s an expert but that doesn\'t mean he/she knows what she/he is saying.</li>\n	<li>Cancel or change plans at the last minute. Your time is more valuable than anybody else\'s.</li>\n	<li>Use foul language. If you are on Twitter, go ahead, drop an f-bomb or two.</li>\n	<li>Be crass, self-involved, self-promoting. It\'s all about you.</li>\n</ul>\nMy question is: how hard are you trying to leave a bad impression?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F24%2Fhow-to-leave-a-bad-impression%2F&amp;linkname=How%20to%20leave%20a%20bad%20impression\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','How to leave a bad impression','','publish','open','open','','how-to-leave-a-bad-impression','','','2011-03-24 12:29:00','2011-03-24 17:29:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1091',0,'post','',1),(1095,4,'2011-03-28 12:32:20','2011-03-28 17:32:20','Unless you are Verizon, a company that seemingly has no cap on the amount of marketing dollars it can spend promoting FIOS, you have a budget. Use your budget wisely. Sounds simple yet how many companies don\'t get this?\n\nYou may be wasting your marketing dollars (and creating bad blood along the way) if:\n<ul>\n	<li>You are sending enewsletters without permission or too many times a week or without a clear, easy opt-out</li>\n	<li>You are sending non-targeted direct mail</li>\n	<li>You are using robo-calls to mass dial anyone in an area code (this is not only stupid, it is illegal)</li>\n	<li>You are using threatening language</li>\n	<li>You are sending multiple pieces and none of them have the same offer</li>\n	<li>You are sending marketing pieces that contain typos, grammatical and/or spelling mistakes</li>\n	<li>You are sending marketing pieces that look home-made (and not in the enticing, chocolate chip cookie kind of way)</li>\n	<li>You are mistaking the fact that someone once gave you a business card for the opportunity to blanket him/her with marketing messages</li>\n	<li>You are using your social media platforms to sell, sell, sell...never bothering to interact/engage</li>\n	<li>Your marketing does not match reality (you say you offer 24/7 support but what that means is that you can hold for assistance for 24 hours or more)</li>\n</ul>\nMarketing that works is strategic and thoughtful. Sending out hundreds of letters to people who have no need for your service (like sending coupons for garage door openers to people who live in apartment buildings) is a waste. Use your dollars wisely.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F28%2Fdont-waste-your-marketing-dollars%2F&amp;linkname=Don%27t%20Waste%20Your%20Marketing%20Dollars\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Don\'t Waste Your Marketing Dollars','','publish','open','open','','dont-waste-your-marketing-dollars','','','2011-03-28 12:32:20','2011-03-28 17:32:20','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1095',0,'post','',0),(1099,4,'2011-04-01 09:02:06','2011-04-01 14:02:06','Several days ago, a blogger on a well-respected site that I frequently read  stated that the gender gap on wages was a myth. He said that if women don\'t earn as much as men it is because they don\'t work as much (really, he said this).  He used all sorts of manipulated information that failed to address the underlying issues, such as women are usually also responsible for child care. I suspect that he was trying to be contentious to receive more traffic. I called out the post on Twitter, and the author attacked me personally saying I was acting like a victim. I am not making any of this up.\n\nA couple days after the Gender Gap is  a Myth post, a woman posted a strong rebuttal on the website, which pointed out some inconsistencies and omissions by the male blogger. In my mind, it made the male blogger look even worse. For me, the end result has been that I will not read anything the male blogger writes anymore because a) I have lost any respect for his assertions and b) I think that he writes to get a rise out of his audience rather than to inform. His reputation is ruined for me, and there is very little he can do to change it (if he even cares).\n\nThe bottom line here is that what you publish online (on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc), how you respond to comments and how you interact with others who disagree with you all influence your reputation. You can create a reputation for being fair, or for being smart, or on the other hand, you could create a reputation for being a raconteur or a complete ass.  Your reputation matters. And it will influence what people think of you, what they say about you and whether they continue to read your stuff/subscribe to your blog and so forth.\n\n<strong>Reputation can indeed affect your bottom line.</strong>\n\nWhat is your reputation? What do you think people think  about you based on what you put out there? Do you think it matters? And if you don\'t think it matters, why?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F01%2Freputation-matters%2F&amp;linkname=Reputation%20matters\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Reputation matters','','publish','open','open','','reputation-matters','','','2011-04-01 09:02:06','2011-04-01 14:02:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1099',0,'post','',0),(1105,4,'2011-04-12 09:26:21','2011-04-12 14:26:21','Last week, our elected officials took the whole country to the brink. Whether you think it was ideology, intransigence, real economic crisis or plain circus, we all got a painfully clear view of what kind of government we have, and it was not a pretty picture.\n\nBut not all is bad. We can derive some lessons from this latest governmental crisis that can be applied to marketing:\n<ul>\n	<li>At some point, spin does not compensate for the reality on the ground so stop spinning already!</li>\n	<li>Repeating the same phrase over and over becomes meaningless (e.g. \"we are fighting for the American people,\" \"we do not want to shut down the government.\")</li>\n	<li>Innuendo and doublespeak are not substitutes for clear communication.</li>\n	<li>Say what you want unequivocally. You want cuts to Planned Parenthood--say that. Don\'t make it a \"rider\" so that you can sneak it in under the radar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t underestimate your audience...they can see through your antics.</li>\n	<li>Be prepared for people to question you, your motives and your goals.</li>\n	<li>There is a difference between justifying your actions and explaining your actions.</li>\n</ul>\nPoliticians, like PR or advertising professionals, are in the business of persuasion. And like PR or ad people, they are beholden to special interests (or as we call them \"clients\").\n\nWhat did you learn about marketing from our government\'s game of chicken?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F12%2Fwhat-we-can-learn-from-the-budget-negotiations%2F&amp;linkname=What%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20the%20budget%20%22negotiations%22\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','What we can learn from the budget \"negotiations\"','','publish','open','open','','what-we-can-learn-from-the-budget-negotiations','','','2011-04-12 09:26:21','2011-04-12 14:26:21','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1105',0,'post','',0),(1108,4,'2011-04-19 10:03:13','2011-04-19 15:03:13','As a very small business, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications does not have a large marketing budget (seems a bit ironic). For instance, I have never printed a brochure, but I do have a website. Here are the list of things I do have, some of which are free, for marketing purposes:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Website</strong> (soon to be upgraded...stay tuned): This is the must-have of all must-haves, for the obvious reasons that you need to know that I exist, and without a website, I may as well not be here.</li>\n	<li><strong>Blog</strong> (you are here on Wordpress.com ...soon to be integrated to one site): Keeps you informed on what I am thinking.</li>\n	<li><strong>Business cards:</strong> printed, in color and double-sided. Well worth the investment. Latest ones were ordered from Greenerprinter.com and are made of 100% recycled paper.</li>\n	<li><strong>Twitter:</strong> Have met many people via Twitter not to mention the amount of information and ideas that I have picked up.</li>\n	<li><strong>LinkedIn</strong>: A profile on LinkedIn is like an online resume with feelers.</li>\n	<li><strong>Google alerts:</strong> I track several topics, and my own name. An invaluable source of current information only topped by</li>\n	<li><strong>Google reader</strong> (with a long list of great blogs and feeds): You need to be current in the marketing field...and probably any field. A good way to stay on top of stuff is to have your Google Reader feeding you the latest from the industry\'s top blogs, etc.</li>\n</ul>\nWhat I have that is not a must-have: a Facebook page for my business. This is in spite of evidence that says Facebook is a good place to be for businesses and brands.\n\nWhat are your must-haves? Let me know in the comments please!','My marketing must-haves','','publish','open','open','','my-marketing-must-haves','','','2011-04-19 10:03:13','2011-04-19 15:03:13','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1108',0,'post','',3),(1111,4,'2011-04-20 12:09:41','2011-04-20 17:09:41','No doubt by now you have heard about the controversy surrounding Greg Mortenson an his book Three Cups of Tea, as well as the Central Asia Institute (CAI).<a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/15/60minutes/main20054397.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"> CBS\' 60 Minutes did an expose on Mortenson</a>, and the report alleges Mortenson fabricated some part of his story and that the CAI has been mismanaging funds.\n\nThe story has been widely reported in the media. Jon Krakauer, who was interviewed in the 60 Minutes story, has issued his own expose.\n\nNow, there is a report that the Montana Attorney General will investigate the CAI.\n\nBottom line: Mortenson is facing serious challenges to his credibility.\n\nOne big lesson for everyone: serious investigative journalism is still a force to be reckoned with.\n\nOne big lesson for Mortenson: answer requests for interviews. 60 Minutes tried to interview him and he declined. Not answering makes it look like you are trying to hide something. Never a good idea.\n\nWhat do you think?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F20%2F1-big-lesson-from-3-cups-of-tea-controversy%2F&amp;linkname=1%20big%20lesson%20from%203%20Cups%20of%20Tea%20Controversy\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','1 big lesson from 3 Cups of Tea Controversy','','publish','open','open','','1-big-lesson-from-3-cups-of-tea-controversy','','','2011-04-20 12:09:41','2011-04-20 17:09:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1111',0,'post','',0),(1114,4,'2011-04-21 10:16:33','2011-04-21 15:16:33','Say you walk into a store. You are browsing through racks of pants, and see a pair you like. You look for the size, and you can\'t find it. You look for the price, but there is no price tag. Now, you have to consider taking this to a sales associate to have her/him look up the size and price, and find one that has both these bits of information. The problem is that this information is crucial to you making a purchase.\n\nAnd then there is the bother factor. Have you ever taken an item to the cash register without a price tag? You will have to wait while a (usually slow) runner goes to find what the price is for your item. And the line will be held up.  Etc. Pain. Right?\n\nWithholding price information is going to make sales slow and customers unhappy. Yet, online, this happens all the time. There is a conference and you are trying to find out how much it costs. You have to click on the registration button. You get an invitation to an event, and cost is never listed until you decide to register.\n\nWhy do organizations insist on hiding crucial information? Do they think by not revealing the price of the seminar/event/workshop you are going to be more enticed to sign up?\n\nI believe that organizations need to be transparent and upfront regarding costs. If your gala costs $125 per person, tell me. If the workshop is free, tell me that too.\n\nIt is never a good idea to force your potential customers/clients/donors/supporters to ask for a price check.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F21%2Fhiding-crucial-information%2F&amp;linkname=Hiding%20crucial%20information\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Hiding crucial information','','publish','open','open','','hiding-crucial-information','','','2011-04-21 10:16:33','2011-04-21 15:16:33','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1114',0,'post','',1),(1121,4,'2011-04-25 10:41:15','2011-04-25 15:41:15','Over on Twitter, lots of people tweet out their word of the day. Today\'s word for me is: vacuous.\n\nMerriam-Webster gives the following definition:\n<blockquote>\n<div><strong>1 :</strong> emptied of or lacking content</div>\n<div>\n<div>2<strong>:</strong> marked by lack of ideas or intelligence <strong>:</strong> <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stupid\">stupid</a>, <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inane\">inane</a> &lt;a <em>vacuous</em> mind&gt; &lt;a <em>vacuous</em> movie&gt;</div>\n</div></blockquote>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<div>3<strong>:</strong> devoid of serious occupation <strong>:</strong> <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idle\">idle</a></div></blockquote>\n</div>\nI am thinking of this word because I have been seeing so many vacuous blog posts lately. Vacuous because they lack intelligence. For instance, I read a post today about improving your Facebook page. One of the tips was to fill out all the information required. If that is not vacuous, I am not sure what is.\n\nI can certainly use vacuous in a sentence when it comes to social media. There are many vacuous tweets out there. Your social media profile makes you look vacuous. And so forth.\n\nYou should not assume that your reader knows everything, but you also should not assume your reader knows nothing. The latter promotes vacuous comments and posts.','WOTD: Vacuous','','publish','open','open','','wotd-vacuous','','','2011-04-25 10:41:15','2011-04-25 15:41:15','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1121',0,'post','',1),(1123,4,'2011-04-26 10:11:32','2011-04-26 15:11:32','I know you need to add one more thing to your to-do list like you need to wake up Friday at 4 a.m. to watch the royal wedding,  but do consider doing this with every blog post, website page, tweet, etc that you put out there:\n\nCHECK THE LINKS!\n\nDoes your website have any broken links (or pages that don\'t appear correctly)? Does the sharing software on your blog work? All of it? When you post a link to a story on Twitter, are you sure the link is working?\n\nMany of us do not check these very often.\n\nCase in point: a blogger I follow has faulty sharing buttons on her blog. I read a good post by her, which I wanted to share on Twitter. I clicked on the link and all I got was a blank Twitter page--no title and no link. No good. I created a Bit.Ly short link and posted it anyway but she would have no way of knowing that the item had been shared unless her blog records ping-backs. I reported this to her, and I hope she is able to correct it.\n\nPrevent this from happening by occasionally checking these links. Just sayin\'.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2Fcheck-your-links%2F&amp;linkname=Check%20your%20links\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Check your links','','publish','open','open','','check-your-links','','','2011-04-26 10:11:32','2011-04-26 15:11:32','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1123',0,'post','',0),(1127,4,'2011-04-27 12:56:28','2011-04-27 17:56:28','On the news today: The Royal Wedding. Obama Releases Birth Certificate. The Royal Wedding. Katie Couric Leaving CBS. The Royal Wedding. Trump Shows How Egomaniacal he is. The Royal Wedding.\n\nDoes the news media reflect the public\'s interests, or does the public reflect the newsmedia? Is it a two-way conversation, or is it a two-way mirror, where we see what they are doing, but they don\'t see what we are doing?\n\nI am not sure, but I do think that what we see around us reflects a much larger problem--one where voyeurism and scandal dominate. And I don\'t like it.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fmirror-mirror%2F&amp;linkname=Mirror%2C%20mirror%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Mirror, mirror?','','publish','open','open','','mirror-mirror','','','2011-04-27 12:56:28','2011-04-27 17:56:28','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1127',0,'post','',0),(1131,4,'2011-05-05 12:48:58','2011-05-05 17:48:58','I was away for a few days and had to wade through a pile of mail on my return. Among the \"important\" mail that I received, were two envelopes from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). One was a co-op  with USAirways (with which I have frequent flyer miles) and the other was a garden-variety membership solicitation.\n\nI used to be an AAA member but had let my membership lapse years ago when I discovered my car insurance company provides roadside assistance as part of my fee. What I like about AAA is that you can usually get good deals on hotels, so I read the I started reading the USAirways/AAA offer first.\n\nThe USAir/AAA offer included \"free enrollment\" ($15 initiation fee was waived), free second membership, free extra month and 750 miles. To find the total cost for the year, I had to read through it twice. It was hidden in the billing certificate.<strong> The total cost would be $65.50.</strong>\n\nThe offer from just AAA is the following: Free enrollment, free second membership, a savings of $25 on membership and a savings of $5 on automatic renewals.  Again, it was hard to find the <strong>total cost of $40.50.</strong>\n\nBasically, I would save money just having a regular AAA membership. Why would USAirways agree to send out an offer that when compared to the regular offer is more expensive? Remember, miles do not cost the airline anything and you can\'t get anywhere with 750 miles.  Why would you, the consumer, pay $25 for 750 miles? Remember, the actual service is being provided by AAA. The toll-free number for both offers is the general AAA number.\n\nAnd, why make the total cost so hard to find? As<a title=\"Hiding crucial information\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/hiding-crucial-information/\" target=\"_blank\"> I wrote about a few days ago,</a> it is a bad idea to hide crucial information.  Consumers need to make decisions with the facts in front of them.\n\nI am not sure where to point the blame here: at AAA for not de-duping their mailing lists? at USAir for agreeing to have an offer sent out that is more than AAA\'s own offer, with similar timing? at AAA for thinking customers don\'t care about details?\n\n<strong>My bottom line: if you are going to have different offers, make sure that one is not cannibalizing the other.</strong>\n\nYour thoughts?','Two different offers from one service provider','','publish','open','open','','two-different-offers-from-one-service-provider','','','2011-05-05 12:48:58','2011-05-05 17:48:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1131',0,'post','',0),(1133,4,'2011-05-06 11:02:49','2011-05-06 16:02:49','Chances are you do...especially if you are in marketing, or the government.\n\nI just came across the article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/8051.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to \'unsuck\' you jargon\" o</a>n Ragan\'s PR Daily. The key seems to go to <a href=\"http://unsuck-it.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Unsuck-It.com</a> and type in the offending phrase or word, such as \"above the fold\" or  \"leading edge.\"\n\nThe issue is that most people who are fluent in Jargonese don\'t really realize they are speaking in Jargonese. It seems perfectly natural to say things like: \"We are currently working on aligning our values with our mission,  while creating storytelling capacity in case there is a barrier to entry and we need to create synergies to boost the bottom line.\"\n\nBut hey, Unsuck-It.com may only be a stop-gap measure. You may need to restructure your language skills.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F06%2Fdo-you-speak-jargonese%2F&amp;linkname=Do%20you%20speak%20Jargonese%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Do you speak Jargonese?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-speak-jargonese','','','2011-05-06 11:02:49','2011-05-06 16:02:49','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1133',0,'post','',0),(1137,4,'2011-05-09 09:40:30','2011-05-09 14:40:30','Perhaps if you studied politics, like I did, you think faction is a party or group that is usually causing some trouble. However, if you watch <a href=\"http://morganspurlock.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Morgan Spurlock\'s</a> The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, you will learn that a \"faction\" is a combination of the words fact and fiction. Meaning that it is neither fact nor fiction. Perhaps it is a fictionalized fact, or fact-based fiction. Sounds like many of the memoirs that are making the rounds these days.\r\n\r\nThe Greatest Movie Ever Sold is a faction, and it is a must-watch movie if you are even remotely interested in marketing. Spurlock, who is previously known for his documentary Super Size Me, has blown open the world of product placement and movie funding.\r\n\r\nThis movie is funny and it is pure genius. To see Spurlock go pitch this movie, about product placement and movie funding, to people in marketing is just about as humorous as any parody can be. But what is truly genius, is that it is real. This is how things get done in the world of marketing. Celebrity endorsements are real. Advertisers are looking for new ways to reach more audiences. And everything is for sale.\r\n\r\nI can\'t do this movie justice here. There was too much stuff that struck a chord, from creating a pitch, to finding the brand personality, to how to market a movie.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a the official trailer:\r\n\r\n[youtube id=T4Ng2P3zxfM&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F09%2Ffaction-learn-what-this-is%2F&amp;linkname=%22Faction%3A%22%20learn%20what%20this%20is\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','\"Faction:\" learn what this is','','publish','open','open','','faction-learn-what-this-is','','','2011-08-12 00:29:36','2011-08-12 00:29:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1137',0,'post','',0),(1145,4,'2011-05-10 09:22:41','2011-05-10 14:22:41','In my new favorite movie, <strong>POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold</strong>,  filmmaker Morgan Spurlock goes into a meeting to pitch his movie to Ban Deodorant. Apparently, Ban is not a top-tier deodorant, and the company is pretty interested in alternative ways of expanding their presence, thus the meeting with Spurlock.\n\nDuring the pitch, Morgan Spurlock asks the Ban people to describe their product. There is a long moment of silence that follows, and then the marketing people put their thinking caps on.   The audience laughed at this interval because of how ridiculous the scene was--and yet, I bet it plays out every day with businesses of every size, everywhere.\n\nYou must be able to answer this question: <strong>what is your product/service and what makes it different from any other product/service in the category.</strong>\n\nIf you can\'t describe your product/service and its attributes, you are in deep trouble. If you don\'t do any other marketing, you must work on that description and pound it in to your marketing and salespeople\'s heads. Can you imagine a Coca Cola salesperson being asked to describe his/her product and not being able to do so? All he/she has to say is \"Coke is it! \" (Just kidding, but they would probably say something to the effect that Coke is one of the world\'s top selling soft drinks, and it is a carbonated, sugar loaded \"delight.\")\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F10%2Fyou-must-be-able-to-answer-this-question%2F&amp;linkname=You%20must%20be%20able%20to%20answer%20this%20question\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','You must be able to answer this question','','publish','open','open','','you-must-be-able-to-answer-this-question','','','2011-05-10 09:22:41','2011-05-10 14:22:41','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1145',0,'post','',0),(1148,4,'2011-05-16 10:14:43','2011-05-16 15:14:43','<strong>Free tacos, just for me!</strong>\n\nThis is brilliant, and it is part of California Tortilla\'s clever (and as they would say, spunky) online direct marketing campaign.  Let me explain: CalTort has a loyalty card (the \"Burrito Elito\" card), which allows you to accumulate points toward free food. To use it, you have to register it online. Every week, CalTort sends out a special of the week or some such to its database (which I am sure is sizeable). And every once in a while they send out a private note to card holders, such as the one I got today, which says, under the subject line \"We Miss You. And We Can Prove It\":\n<blockquote>Where the heck have you been? To show you how much we miss you, we got you a little something--but we can\'t give it to you unless you come in. So here\'s the scoop: we\'ve just put a <strong>FREE TACO</strong> on your Burrito Elito card. All you have to do is visit any Cal Tort, with your card, within 2 weeks of this email to get it. After 2 weeks it goes away--so hurry!\n\nWe\'re holding our breath until you get here. 1, 2, 3...</blockquote>\nWhy is this brilliant? Because it has a personality ( slightly irreverent),  it is personalized and gives me a REASON to go to CalTort. It also shows that a bit of creativity and some work can earn you customers and loyalty. Kudos to CalTort for knowing how to use direct email effectively.\n\n<strong>This is boring. Gen Y thinks this way.</strong>\n\nOn blog posts, in newspaper articles, on TV and in ads everywhere there are sweeping generalizations and assumptions that undermine your message. You (the blogger or copywriter) assume that if you find something boring, that everyone else finds it boring. You are a member of a generation, therefore you can speak for the entire cohort. No and no.\n\nIt is not very brilliant to assume that the world sees things EXACTLY like you do, like there is a universal key and you hold it. For instance, not everyone found the humor in Pineapple Express funny (I didn\'t), so if you start a movie ad with the line \"As funny as Pineapple Express,\" you will automatically lose people.\n\nBe mindful of what you are assuming and saying. Generalizations and stereotypes that are cast too wide will turn away more people than will be brought in.','Brilliant and not so brilliant','','publish','open','open','','brilliant-and-not-so-brilliant','','','2011-05-16 10:14:43','2011-05-16 15:14:43','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1148',0,'post','',0),(1153,4,'2011-05-17 13:19:34','2011-05-17 18:19:34','In advertising, most media buyers are trying to find the holy grail of how much repetition/frequency you need to get your target audience to hear/understand and act on your message.  The other aspect is reach. Are you reaching the target audience through the channels you have chosen?\n\nIt occurs to me that some companies, namely the ones that have the MOST customer service issues (telecom companies, power companies and airlines) and some degree of monopoly, are the same ones that advertise the most aggressively.  In any given hour, you will see many spots for Comcast/Xfinity or for Verizon FIOS. I<a title=\"How to alienate people and lose customers\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/how-to-alienate-people-and-lose-customers/\" target=\"_blank\"> wrote here</a> last year about the intense amount of direct mail FIOS sent me. These companies are hammering away repeating their message with a scary frequency.\n\nWhy? Because they have to. Nothing else is going to speak as loudly as lots of loud advertisements. Certainly not the customer experience or their \"stellar\" customer service.\n\nA few months ago I had a appliance repair person come to the house. He was great: fixed what needed to be fixed, and charged a fair price. He does NO advertising. His business, which is doing well, is strictly word of mouth.\n\nCan you imagine Comcast or Verizon having no advertising? On the other hand, you have few options when it comes to Internet, cable and phone providers. You will have to persuaded over and over and over.\n\nI am suspicious about any company that feels the need to advertise ALL the time.  It seems to me that high repetition and frequency, which are expensive to maintain, are the only way they will  retain any top-of-mind share.\n\nWhat do you think?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F17%2Frepetition-and-frequency%2F&amp;linkname=Repetition%20and%20frequency\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Repetition and frequency','','publish','open','open','','repetition-and-frequency','','','2011-05-17 13:19:34','2011-05-17 18:19:34','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1153',0,'post','',0),(1159,4,'2011-05-24 09:42:12','2011-05-24 14:42:12','Johna Burke, of<a href=\"http://www.burrellesluce.com/freshideas/author/jburke/\" target=\"_blank\"> BurellesLuce</a> addressed WWPR last week (<a href=\"http://wwpr.org/2011/05/when-click-thru-rates-are-not-enough-new-strategies-in-social-media-measurements/\" target=\"_blank\">recap by Joan Coyle here</a>). She talked about social media measurement and provided lots of useful information about web tools and marketing strategies.\n\nOne thing, more than anything else Johna said,  struck me as crucial:  she talked about engagement and marriage. Engagement, Johna said, is just the beginning. It\'s when everything is all promise and excitement (isn\'t that ring all shiny?) Marriage (which most times follows the engagement) takes a lot of hard work and commitment.\n\nIn social media, people talk about engagement all the time. You have to \"engage\" with your followers. What does this really mean? Why are you engaging? The answer is simple--to build a lasting relationship (the \"marriage\").  If you are engaging just to engage and not to follow through, then you are just breaking promises. If you get caught up in getting Twitter followers but don\'t provide any substance or reason to \"stay together\" then you are looking at social media (and any marketing) as being all about the excitement of it rather than the substance (which should be your marketing goals and strategy).\n\nEngagement is just the beginning. It is your starting point to a marketing/communications strategy that seeks to accomplish a goal (e.g. establish thought leadership, increase sales, etc.).\n\nAre you getting engaged all the time or are you working on your marriage?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F24%2Fengagement-is-just-the-beginning%2F&amp;linkname=Engagement%20is%20just%20the%20beginning\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Engagement is just the beginning','','publish','open','open','','engagement-is-just-the-beginning','','','2011-05-24 09:42:12','2011-05-24 14:42:12','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1159',0,'post','',3),(1164,4,'2011-06-02 13:45:36','2011-06-02 18:45:36','In English, we use capitals in the following situations:\n<ul>\n	<li>At the beginning of a sentence.</li>\n	<li>For proper names (Deborah Brody lives in Maryland)</li>\n	<li>For titles (President Barack Obama)</li>\n</ul>\nWe do not use capitals as a way to emphasize words, or make them prominent. For that purpose, we might underline,  italicize or bold the word in question.\n\nAll caps as in NO WAY AM I GOING OUTSIDE TODAY is generally used to denote excitement, anger or \"shouting.\"\n\nHowever, I see words being capitalized that don\'t need to be, all the time.\n\nNotice this help wanted ad from Craigslist (words underlined for emphasis by me):\n<blockquote>Our <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Firm</span> has an immediate open for two<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"> Writers</span>/<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Proofreaders</span>\nWe are very flexible:\nYou can work as contractors, <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Part Timers</span> or <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Freelancers</span>\nYou can work from your house/office or/and our office\nYou must have experience writing for <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Finance</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Tax</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Accounting</span>, and <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Insurance</span> businesses\nYou must have experience in <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Marketing,</span> A<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">dvertising</span> and<span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\"> Sale</span>\nYou must be available to start next week\nYou must include your desired pay (per page and/or per hour) in your email or cover letter</blockquote>\nThis is a help-wanted ad for a proofreader! I am not sure the ad is intended to be a test or if it is showing (unwittingly) a desperate need for a proofreader.','Using capitalized words the right way','','publish','open','open','','using-capitalized-words-the-right-way','','','2011-06-02 13:45:36','2011-06-02 18:45:36','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1164',0,'post','',0),(1170,4,'2011-06-03 06:42:42','2011-06-03 11:42:42','Perhaps in honor of the name of this blog (Caffeinated ideas and views on marketing), I have lots of things percolating in my head this morning.\n\n<strong>Reaching out</strong>\n\nWith social media fast becoming a substitute for print and electronic media, and with the idea that \"inbound\" marketing is best, we are seeing a drop-off in reaching out. For instance, there is a conference today in Washington that I only just found out about because someone in my Twitter stream is attending. This conference is intended for nonprofits. I am not sure what type of marketing was done for the conference, but I can assure you it was not a traditional advertising in many channels approach.  I will place bets that the nonprofit I work with never heard about it...\n\nI feel that what is happening here is that circles are getting smaller and tighter.  If you depend on social media for your outreach, you will be reaching a self-reinforcing group of folks. More and more, if I attend an event promoted on social media, I see the same folks I saw at the last event.\n\nI am not shunning social media, but I do think that if marketers want to spread the word, they have to use many different channels to do so.\n\n<strong>Stumbling blocks</strong>\n\nLast week, I attended a talk by Guy Kawasaki, author of  <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">Enchantment</span>. He mentioned that when you put stumbling blocks between you and your customer or supporter, you are not being enchanting. And yet, I have visited dozens of blogs this week, with interesting posts that I would like to share on my social networks, and guess what, they make it hard to do. For instance \"Sexy Sharing\" (I think that is what is called) adds a second step when you click on one the sharing buttons (It asks whether you want to allow a third party to connect to your account...and I don\'t). That is not sexy, and it is a stumbling block. Similarly, some blogs do not have sharing or their sharing buttons don\'t work, making me do the work (use my own Hootsuite sharing button or use a URL shortener to cut and paste).  Or how many times are you asked to give information, create passwords, etc. just to get costs/estimates/speak to someone. Stumbling blocks turn people away, and hurt you in the end.\n\n<strong>Helplessness</strong>\n\nI belong to a listserv, the name and purpose of which I won\'t share here. What irks me about this listserv is that many times people ask questions to the listserv that could be found out by doing some research (AKA typing  a term into Google). To me, this is being helpless and dependent on others, and makes those people look bad (stupid).  Perhaps these people are trying to reach out and start a conversation, but sometimes you just have to wonder if they understand the power of the Internet.\n\nI admit, the above are some random thoughts. Your take on them is appreciated...that is why we have comments!','Thoughts on reaching out, stumbling blocks and helplessness','','publish','open','open','','thoughts-on-reaching-out-stumbling-blocks-and-helplessness','','','2011-06-03 06:42:42','2011-06-03 11:42:42','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1170',0,'post','',0),(1174,4,'2011-06-09 09:07:54','2011-06-09 14:07:54','On Monday, I came across a letter to the editor in the Washington Post that made me nod my head vigorously. The author, David Klinger was writing about the Scripps Spelling Bee coverage, and I think you should read his letter:\n<div><article>I have written for a federal agency throughout a 34-year career. I had to pass a spelling test before graduating from the University of North Carolina’s journalism school. Yet I turn to the dictionary half a dozen times a day to check a word or reconfirm a spelling. That’s the nature of good, careful writing.</article><article></article><article></article><article></article><article></article><article></article>\n<div><article>Memorization of words like “thanatophidia” (which isn’t even in my Webster’s) or “bondieuserie”for the Scripps spelling bee is about as relevant to me — or to today’s generation of texters and youthful online denizens — as a buggy whip.</article><article></article><article></article><article>Scripps included, we desperately need to acquaint the next generation with a few, basic English grammar skills that seem to have disappeared amid society’s collective cyber-mania: complete sentences, subject-verb agreement, correct punctuation and that all-important axiom that “an apostrophe does not a plural make.”<strong> <strong></strong></strong></article><article></article><article><strong><strong>David Klinger,</strong> Martinsburg, W.Va.</strong></article><article></article><article></article><article></article><article></article></div>\n<article>Basic grammar skills are disappearing left and right.  I see the use of apostrophes to make plurals ALL the time. People just don\'t get it. However, to those in the know, using grammar poorly makes you look dumb. There is no other way to describe it. In marketing and PR, which are communications-based disciplines, writing well is key. It is key because if your grammar, spelling or sentence structure don\'t add up, you are probably not getting your thoughts through clearly.</article><article></article><article></article><article>Over on the Journalistics blog, Jessica Love writes <a href=\"http://blog.journalistics.com/2011/the-write-stuff-the-1-pr-skill/\" target=\"_blank\">\"The Write Stuff: Still the#1 PR Skill</a>.\"  Yes, it should be, but no, many PR practitioners don\'t have it. We can blame many things from a failing school system to an overreliance on short form messaging, but the responsibility to straighten out your writing skills lies with you.</article><article></article><article></article><article>Write well, or fail to communicate.</article></div>','Write well or fail ','','publish','open','open','','write-well-or-fail','','','2011-06-09 09:07:54','2011-06-09 14:07:54','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1174',0,'post','',0),(1183,4,'2011-06-16 09:01:42','2011-06-16 14:01:42','<strong>UPDATE June 12, 2014: This post is three years old and some people are still finding it. If you read the post you will see that DBMC is not affiliated in any way with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program. I am not able to help you get your discontinued makeup. Please contact Clinique directly.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may recall that a couple of years ago I was trying <a title=\"Lack of communication may cost you a sale\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/lack-of-communication-may-cost-you-a-sale/\" target=\"_blank\">to buy a foundation from Prescriptives</a>. It turns out Prescriptives had gone out of business, but I was able to order the makeup through their website. The failure was in communication--no real advertising of the closure and misinformation at the counter.\r\n\r\nWell, it has happened again. Clinique has discontinued my favorite mascara, without any notice. I went up to the counter, asked for the mascara by name, and was told they no longer carry it. That was it.  My friend and fellow WWPR board member <a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/dfriez\" target=\"_blank\">Debbie Frie</a>z recommended calling the 1-800 number that the Estee Lauder cosmetics company has for discontinued items (you have to search really hard on the Clinique website for the \"Gone but  Not Forgotten program\").\r\n\r\nI called the Gone but not Forgotten program, and they said it could take up to two weeks to locate the product, and if they did, they would ship it out to me. After nearly two weeks, not a word. I called the program (and was on hold for 20 minutes) only to find out \"that I contacted them before they could contact me\" to tell me that the product is no longer available.\r\n\r\nWhat a massive failure from Clinique. First, they discontinued a product just so they could introduce a substitute that is not as good. Second, they failed to inform their customers.  And third, their program for discontinued items is a joke--why would it take two weeks to locate inventory? Why would you not email as soon as you knew you couldn\'t fulfill a customer\'s request? Perhaps you could give the customer a voucher to try another product for free, etc.\r\n\r\nWhy should I buy from Clinique ever again? Why would I buy a cosmetic that I like only to have it discontinued? Why would I want to deal with a company that disregards its customers? Clinique has effectively forced me into the marketplace to find another mascara that I like.\r\n\r\nA note to male readers: mascara is a product that should be replaced every three months. This made me visit the Clinique counter at least four times a year. And hey, if you are there four times a year, chances are good you will see something else you like.\r\n\r\nIn any case. the lessons here are as always: advertising alone will  not sell a product. Service will seal the deal. Personal experiences will also influence buying behavior, and in the social media world, may influence the behavior of other people too.\r\n\r\nSo, if you know of any good hypoallergenic, waterproof, non-flaking mascara, let me know. But please, make sure it is not a Clinique brand.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Another cosmetics failure','','private','open','open','','another-cosmetics-failure','','','2016-11-28 11:17:53','2016-11-28 16:17:53','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1183',0,'post','',2),(1188,4,'2011-06-22 15:47:22','2011-06-22 20:47:22','It\'s been discussed to pieces but social media is just a channel for communicating with other people. It is not the be-all-end-all. Yes, it can be used for marketing (just like that ad you just saw on your way to work this morning) or to incite political action (as in Egypt) or to let people know when the next event is.\n\nRecently, I was at a women\'s business networking event  and we were told to discuss resources we recommend for new businesses, and our own goals and achievements.  When I talked about blogs (I write blog content for clients, among other things), many of the women started saying things like \"I am not on Twitter/Facebook, and I just don\'t get it.\" My response was this: well, you better learn because people are using these channels to communicate much the way you use the telephone or we used to use the fax or the telex even longer ago.\n\nSocial media has become the communication channel of choice for many people. Will people still use the phone? Yes. Will some use the fax? Maybe. Telex, no. In a few years, we will be communicating some other way (not on Twitter or Facebook).We will use what other people are using.\n\n<strong>Communicating on social media is just a phone conversation on steroids.</strong>\n\n<strong>It is about people speaking to other people.</strong> Yet, there are many people out there scheduling their tweets, and broadcasting irrelevant news and/or sales pitches. There are people who never attempt to learn anything about the PERSON at the other end of the avatar.  People who are too busy looking at their screens to interact with other people at an event. (As an aside, a few weeks ago I was at an event regarding social media, and one of the organizers never introduced herself to anyone and barely looked up from her laptop. And she is supposed to be a social media whiz.  Apparently, she knows how to use the tools of social media but not how to be social in real life with actual people.)\n\nLast week, I made a point of having coffee with someone I regularly chat with on Twitter: <a href=\"http://dkdnewmedia.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Diane Danielson </a>(founder of the <a href=\"http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Downtown Women\'s Club</a>). I had traveled up to Boston for my college reunion, and asked Diane if she would like to meet up. It was nice to be able to talk face-to-face, and make a more tangible connection.\n\n<strong>In my opinion, the real goal of social media or any other communication channel is to connect</strong>, whether it be to converse or  to exchange information or to perhaps to sell (products, ideas, services).\n\nSo, try to put the social back into social media by realizing you are using it as a way to communicate with other people.','Putting back the social in social media','','publish','open','open','','putting-back-the-social-in-social-media','','','2011-06-22 15:47:22','2011-06-22 20:47:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1188',0,'post','',0),(1191,4,'2011-06-28 12:07:49','2011-06-28 17:07:49','Have you ever been jarred awake by the sound of a leaf blower? Not too pleasant is it? Leaf blowers are definitely high on the noise index, but low on the productivity scale. After all, what does a leaf blower do? It blows leaves around--it doesn\'t gather them, or suck them up, it just moves them from place to place.\n\nAs I was watching a gardener use his leaf-blower several times over a four-hour span, making noise and not accomplishing ANYTHING, it occurred to me that the people paying for his services were really wasting their money. First, he kept doing the same thing, over and over, without actually creating any change. Second, he <em>seemed</em> to be busy and not to be accomplishing much. Third, he was taking the easy way out, yet at more expense. The harder and cheaper way would be to use a rake and gather the leaves to then dispose of.  He was wasting resources (time, gas) and accomplishing little or nothing.\n\nSince this is not a gardening blog, you know where I am headed with this. Are you using a leaf-blower for your marketing efforts? Are you making lots of noise but not actually getting things done? Are you moving paper around but not actually getting to closing? Are you doing the same thing over and over with minimal or no results?\n\nJust like leaf blowers are annoying and pretty useless in gardens throughout the country, loud and untargeted marketing efforts are pointless exercises that create noise and don\'t communicate. Next time you launch a marketing campaign or create a marketing piece, ask yourself, is this at all like a leaf-blower or is it a rake? After all, rakes are useful, cheap and get the job done with minimal noise.\n\n&nbsp;','The problem with leaf blowers','','publish','open','open','','the-problem-with-leaf-blowers','','','2011-06-28 12:07:49','2011-06-28 17:07:49','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1191',0,'post','',0),(1195,4,'2011-07-06 14:20:01','2011-07-06 19:20:01','You\'ve heard of (or perhaps eaten from) the food trucks? While it may be a fad, it is a huge trend right now, spawning its very own Cooking Channel show: <a href=\"http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/eat-street/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Eat Street</a>. I admit, watching this show is a guilty pleasure for me. And, it seems, most of the really cool trucks are in places no where near me like Vancouver, Portland or San Francisco, making me really really want to visit!\n\nFood trucks are popular because of three main reasons:\n<ol>\n	<li>Mobility--bringing the food to you;</li>\n	<li>Accessibility:  making cutting edge food cheaper/more accessible</li>\n	<li>Specialization: they concentrate on one thing such as fried food, cheese, lobster, sauce, ethnic, etc.</li>\n</ol>\nThat last one is key--food trucks are specialists.  You know what they offer right off the bat. Perhaps you love Philipino food? There is a truck for that in San Francisco!  Grilled cheese your thing? Then head over to the grilled cheese truck in Los Angeles.\n\nI was watching Eat Street the other day and daydreaming about a visit to the Pacific Northwest to have fish and chips or great soup or something, when the show focused on a truck that made pockets (some people would call them empanadas). They make savory and sweet pockets. Great. And then, the truck owner says he also makes burgers. What??? Why? What do burgers have to do with pockets?\n\nPockets and burgers are not related. One does not add anything to the other.  In the competitive food truck business, you stand out by doing one thing really well.  People will go to your truck because you have great lobster or mac and cheese or tacos. Or because you have great Indian or Korean or Mexican.\n\nPick a specialty, get really good at it and don\'t dilute it. Don\'t be the pocket-burger truck.','What you can learn about marketing from food trucks','','publish','open','open','','what-you-can-learn-about-marketing-from-food-trucks','','','2011-07-06 14:20:01','2011-07-06 19:20:01','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1195',0,'post','',0),(1200,4,'2011-07-11 09:09:29','2011-07-11 14:09:29','If you have been to any networking or social event, you have met this person: the person nobody likes.  Chances are good that this person has not one single solitary clue why nobody seems to be wanting to interact, exchange business cards, or just chat.\n\nHere\'s what to do if you want to be just like that person:\n<ul>\n	<li>Talk endlessly about yourself (and never ever ask the other person anything).</li>\n	<li>Use big words or obscure references, forcing whoever you are interacting to ask you what you mean.</li>\n	<li>Brag (I don\'t mean talk about your accomplishment, but actually brag, like this: Well, when I was on safari last year with Robert Redford, we ran into a pack of rare pink Rhinoceros...).</li>\n	<li>Don\'t maintain eye contact. People just love shifty-eyed people--gives them a vote of confidence.</li>\n	<li>Have a clammy or limp handshake (or worse, a clammy AND limp handshake).</li>\n	<li>Shift the burden of conversation to the other person.</li>\n	<li>Denigrate whatever the other person is saying (\"Oh, you think that is a big deal? I got a bigger deal!)</li>\n	<li>Live in the past or in another place: you know, things were much better then and there.</li>\n	<li>Speak ill of the host, venue, group, etc. I don\'t mean constructive criticism like \"I thought the parking was a bit difficult here,\" but something like \"Jane Doe and her group just don\'t have a clue! \"</li>\n	<li>Have poor hygiene or grooming.</li>\n</ul>\nUnfortunately, the first impression you make is usually a lasting one. However, you can also not try to so hard to be likeable, people see through that too.  You have to be who you are, but be aware that what you say and do do affect how other people perceive you.\n\nNext, we\'ll talk about how this personal behavior is often seen in marketing communications (and especially in social media).','How to make sure nobody likes you','','publish','open','open','','how-to-make-sure-nobody-likes-you','','','2011-07-11 09:09:29','2011-07-11 14:09:29','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1200',0,'post','',1),(1205,4,'2011-07-12 09:25:39','2011-07-12 14:25:39','Yesterday, I talked about how you can make sure people dislike you. It\'s not hard--all  you have to do is be self-centered and creepy. Well, how about making your company on of the most hated companies in America? That is a new level of dislike, and Pepco has reached it.\n\nThe article about this \"honor\" in WTOP (B<a href=\"http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&amp;sid=2453857\" target=\"_blank\">erzerk customers make Pepco \'most hated\' in U.S</a>.) tells us that the power company has had a drop in customer satisfaction since last year, due in part to:\n<blockquote>frequent and wide-ranging outages made worse by belated customer service response... Pepco has had <a href=\"http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&amp;sid=2409093\">reliability problems in the past</a>, but not as serious as the last year when its customers faced 70% more power outages than households in other metropolitan areas, along with outages lasting twice as long on average.</blockquote>\nWhat is most interesting to me is how Pepco responded to this \"accolade\" reported in the website Business Insider. Here is what the article said\n<blockquote>Pepco initially issued a statement questioning the validity of the Business Insider rankings, which it said could have been to drive up their readership.\n\nIt later retracted this statement, released another written statement in response to the survey. Pepco spokespeople declined to answer specific questions.\n\n\"While we certainly believe that this label is over the top, we have heard our customers loud and clear and are working hard to upgrade our system,\" the second statement said.</blockquote>\nPepco\'s communication department certainly does not get it.  You don\'t get rid of something by attacking the source (unless it was some muck-raking tabloid). The lesson here is that Pepco is in denial about how it is perceived by its customers. As a company, it believes that if it says that it is fixing things, people should just accept it.\n\nTo become the most hated company you have to provide bad service, first and foremost. But you compound this by:\n<ul>\n	<li>Thinking your customers are stupid or ignorant (r<a title=\"Want to improve your marketing? Start with your customer service.\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/want-to-improve-your-marketing-start-with-your-customer-service/\">ead about Pepco\'s misguided ad campaign</a> for instance)</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Denying that serious problems exist</li>\n	<li>Not doing enough to address those problems, or just giving lip-service to fixing said issues.</li>\n	<li>If criticized, pointing fingers at the source of criticism rather than dealing with the substance.</li>\n</ul>\nI tweeted out the WTOP article yesterday, and @pepcoconnect tweeted back: Working to get it right (with a link to this: <a href=\"http://pepcoconnect.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/working-to-get-it-right/\" target=\"_blank\">http://pepcoconnect.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/working-to-get-it-right/</a> ) And if that is true, why on Friday night, did I lose power for one and half hours, for no apparent reason?','How to become the most hated company','','publish','open','open','','how-to-become-the-most-hated-company','','','2011-07-12 09:25:39','2011-07-12 14:25:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1205',0,'post','',2),(1210,4,'2011-07-13 09:26:58','2011-07-13 14:26:58','It is the marketing kiss of death when people actively start disliking your company. People like to do business with people (and companies) they like. Except where there is monopoly--like with the power company or the phone or cable company--then people are forced to do business with companies they do not like very much.\n\nYesterday, Netflix became a very disliked company. In an email to subscribers (which again hit A<a title=\"Inform your customers first\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/inform-your-customers-first/\" target=\"_blank\">FTER the press release</a> hit the blogosphere), Netflix raised its prices for the second time in less than one year. The company, which was offering people a plan that allowed one DVD at a time (unlimited in a month) and unlimited streaming for $9.99 (raised from $8.99 last December), is now offering this combination for $15.99 OR you can get the DVD option only for $7.99 or the streaming option only for $7.99. You can read it Netflix own words here:  <a href=\"http://blog.netflix.com/2011/07/netflix-introduces-new-plans-and.html\" target=\"_blank\">http://blog.netflix.com/2011/07/netflix-introduces-new-plans-and.html</a>\n\nNeedless to say, a price hike of this magnitude was not greeted with open arms by Netflix subscribers. Just check out the more than 6,000 comments on the blog (link above), or these stories from <a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-07-13-netflix-customers-angry_n.htm\" target=\"_blank\">USA Today</a> and the <a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/netflix_price_hike_causes_drama_4f7RYbrvch2JMNkrrszjKO\" target=\"_blank\">New York Post.</a>\n\nOn Twitter, many people are expressing their dislike for this price hike and threatening to cancel their subscription altogether.\n\nNetflix is pretty disliked right now. But what really is driving the discontent?\n\n1. <strong>Raising rates without offering more.</strong> In effect,  most people are complaining because Netflix\' streaming option does not offer the equivalent value of the DVD option (i.e. you can\'t get everything on streaming that you can get on DVD).\n\n2. <strong>Thinking your customers will grin and bear it</strong>. Yes, it probably will help to raise revenue....if you keep your current base! The result here is that customers will find other options better suited to the value they perceive the service should be worth.\n\n3. <strong>Underestimating the power of social media</strong>. With Twitter and Facebook one person\'s discontent spreads like wildfire.\n\n4. U<strong>nderestimating your customer\'s intelligence</strong>. The email from Netflix about the price hike says this:\n<blockquote>We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.\n\n&nbsp;</blockquote>\nThis presumes customers want a choice or that they don\'t like the choice they have or that if you put it as a choice then people will accept it.\n\nCompanies that treat their customers like revenue sources and not like people who actually do have a choice in which companies they do business with, risk losing business.  Netflix will probably survive this episode, but not without a lot of bad blood and bad publicity.','More ways to make people dislike your company','','publish','open','open','','more-ways-to-make-people-dislike-your-company','','','2011-07-13 09:26:58','2011-07-13 14:26:58','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1210',0,'post','',0),(1214,4,'2011-07-18 14:39:39','2011-07-18 19:39:39','Check out my guest blog post at the Downtown Women\'s Club blog: <a href=\"http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/2011/07/5-ways-to-get-more-readers-to-your-blog-by-deborah-brody/\" target=\"_blank\">5 ways to get more readers to your blog.</a> Hint: it has to do with being consistent and getting the word out. Special thanks to Diane Danielson for giving me the opportunity!\n\nOn social media and blogs, we are all trying to get more readers and more followers. If we are in business or marketing, we are also trying to convert some followers/readers/likers into customers. Right?\n\nLately, I have been cleaning up Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Basically, I have been reducing the numbers of people that I follow or am connected to. Let me tell you why.\n\nIt\'s personal\n\nOn Facebook, which I consider a personal network, I have been \"unfriending\" anyone that I don\'t know very well, or only know through business encounters. I tend to share my personal views and activities and really, would rather have fewer \"friends\" on Facebook than thousands of people with insight into my personal life.\n\nIt\'s business\n\nOn LinkedIn, I have removed a few connections because I just don\'t know enough about them. LinkedIn is a business network, and when you connect with someone, you have access to his/her connections. I want to be more careful with this network and not give away my hard-earned connections to people who are just trying to expand their own networks with little regard for what I do.\n\nIt\'s common sense\n\nI have been unfollowing lots of people on Twitter lately. Why? Because there is only so much time in the day, and there are so many tweets that I want to make sure to follow folks who are offering stuff that is relevant and/or interesting. I am on Twitter to share and to learn, but I don\'t need to learn about what you did at the gym or whether your cat is at the vet. On Twitter, I definitely stopped following anybody who:\n<ul>\n	<li>Self promotes endlessly</li>\n	<li>Uses crass expressions/language ALWAYS</li>\n	<li>Doesn\'t ever share anything valuable (as defined by me)</li>\n	<li>Seems to be in a quest to get the most tweets per day ever</li>\n	<li>Who never ever interacts with me or re-tweets or even acknowledges my re-tweets (unless the person in question is a journalist/politician/world leader)</li>\n</ul>\nSo yes, we are all trying to get more followers and to do that, you need to be aware of what gets you unfollowed.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Getting more readers and getting unfollowed','','publish','open','open','','getting-more-readers-and-getting-unfollowed','','','2011-07-18 14:39:39','2011-07-18 19:39:39','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1214',0,'post','',0),(1218,4,'2011-07-20 07:53:11','2011-07-20 12:53:11','Some people think that books, magazines and newspapers are dead.  Borders, the bookstore chain recently in bankruptcy, is closing down all its stores. If you walk into a Barnes and Noble, the display for the Nook (their e-reader), has taken over the entrance. All around it <em>seems</em> that <em>everybody</em> is using tablets and e-readers to read books and magazine and that <em>nobody</em> is reading the printed on paper stuff anymore. But, that would be wrong.\n\nDid you know that only <a href=\"http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=1275\" target=\"_blank\">12% of U.S. adults own an e-reader</a> (like a Kindle, Nook, etc.)? Or that<a href=\"http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2054/smartphone-ownership-demographics-iphone-blackberry-android\" target=\"_blank\"> 35% of U.S. adults own a smart phon</a>e (Iphone, Blackberry, etc.)? Given how the media reports things, and if you are surrounded by folks who are early adopters, then you could be excused for thinking the number was much much higher--like 99%.\n\nThe truth is that not everybody is on the smart phone/e-reader/all-computer-all-the-time bandwagon. The numbers above mean that nearly two thirds of adults in the US do NOT use a smart phone, and nearly 90% do not have an e-reader. This indicates to me that many many people out there are still consuming media in more \"traditional\" ways--like in a printed  format. Or perhaps are relying on television and radio.\n\nIt is a wrong (and dangerous) assumption to think that \"everybody is doing it.\" They are not. Unless it is breathing, not ever human being out there is doing (or thinking) the same thing as you are.\n\nLast week, I attended a presentation purportedly about YouTube. In effect, it was about stuff you could do if you wanted to get together a video to promote your company (it was not a very in-depth or insightful presentation). One thing that the presenter asked was whether people in the room knew what QR codes are. I turned to a colleague sitting beside me and asked \"who doesn\'t?\" It turns out that most in the room (all communicators I may add) had no idea. Because I know what a QR code is (a quick response code that has become ubiquitous on print ads everywhere, and which when scanned takes you to a website), and I see them everywhere, I assumed everyone else did too. Clearly, I was wrong.\n\n<strong>You can\'t assume that everybody knows something. In communications, making assumptions can be detrimental to making your message clear.</strong>\n\nAnd yet, people using the above-mentioned QR codes in their ads are assuming that people know what they are! And also, they are assuming that people have a smart phone that they will use to scan the QR code. But if we go with the fact that 35% of people have a smart phone, and from my unscientific survey, even fewer know what a QR code is, then you are probably reaching somewhere south of 30% of people by using those codes. Think about that.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Doesn\'t everybody?','','publish','open','open','','doesnt-everybody','','','2011-07-20 07:53:11','2011-07-20 12:53:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1218',0,'post','',0),(1220,4,'2011-07-25 09:50:09','2011-07-25 14:50:09','Sarah Palin may be forgiven for thinking that many people in the U.S. agree with her viewpoints--after all, she gets confirmation all the time from her Facebook fans.  Last week, <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59732.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico reporte</a>d that Palin posted a criticism of President Obama on her Facebook page. If you check out the entry, you will note that there are dozens of supporting comments and more than 19,000 people liked her words.\n\nYou could also be excused for thinking that Sarah Palin has lots of support. But you would be wrong. What she has is support among her supporters--that is, she is preaching to the choir. She is not going to get push back from people  on Facebook, because after all, they (presumably) have indicated that they \"like\" her. Sure, there are probably several people in there who \"liked\" her to follow her moves, but overall, these are her fans, her base, her <strong>echo chamber</strong>.\n\nPoliticians--and marketers--need to be careful that they aren\'t getting to overenthusiastic about the echoes they are hearing. <strong>Your supporters will mostly always like you and agree with you. But if you are always listening to those who like you, you will be unaware of why those other people out there don\'t.</strong>\n\nSocial media, especially the concept of Facebook pages, is the very definition of an echo chamber. You are sharing content with those who are already predisposed to liking what you say and do.  Same thing happens with your Twitter stream--you have chosen to follow and be followed by certain people. If someone in your Twitter stream annoys you or doesn\'t agree with you, you can block him/her.\n\nI am not saying that brands should not have Facebook pages, or that you should not select your Twitter stream. What I am saying is that you have to be aware that you may be speaking in an echo chamber--hearing back what you want to hear.\n\nWhat do you think? Do you find yourself in an echo chamber?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Beware the social media echo chamber','','publish','open','open','','beware-the-social-media-echo-chamber','','','2011-07-25 09:50:09','2011-07-25 14:50:09','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1220',0,'post','',0),(1222,4,'2011-07-27 07:23:06','2011-07-27 12:23:06','This morning on Yahoo.com there was an <a href=\"http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/5-habits-holding-you-back-and-how-to-change-them-2515577/\" target=\"_blank\">article about habits </a>that can hold you back, which got me thinking about the things people do, perhaps unconsciously, perhaps subconsciously, that affect how they are perceived by others and that hold them back career-wise.  Some of these habits are particular pet peeves of mine, which certainly have changed the way I perceive someone.\n\n<strong>Not answering direct emails</strong>: It makes it seem as though you don\'t care enough about the sender to answer. If you work at an agency or for yourself, it is an absolute disaster not to answer client\'s emails. If you are a client, and you don\'t answer your email, you are making it very hard for the agency/representative to do its job on your behalf.\n\n<strong>Not saying thank you:</strong> I have <a title=\"How to leave a bad impression\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/how-to-leave-a-bad-impression/\" target=\"_blank\">written about this</a> before, but when someone does something for you just say thanks! A few months ago, I took out a couple hours of my day to meet with some people who were looking for advice. I did my best to listen and give suggestions. To this day, I have not received a solitary note of thanks. It makes me think that neither my time nor my input were in anyway valuable to them.\n\n<strong>Not doing what you promised:</strong>  If you say you are going to get something by the end of the day, or that you will take on a project and then not do it, you are failing to keep your promises. This makes you seem unreliable, and uncaring. Last year, while working on a group project, one of the group members offered to complete a good chunk of the project. She never did. And she didn\'t provide a reason, an excuse or even any further words about it. I would never work with her again. And I made sure that other people knew she dropped the ball.\n\n<strong>Being habitually late:</strong> The article on Yahoo (link above) says this is a surefire sign of something going on...you resent having your time held hostage to someone else\'s schedule. To me, it shows a deep disrespect and makes me perceive you as unreliable.  Enough said.\n\n<strong>Never following up</strong>: This is a mistake that happens frequently. In the past few weeks, I have been getting estimates to get a fence built. So far, I have received four estimates. Guess how many follow up calls I have had to see if I am interested in moving ahead? None. Not one call. And you wonder why people don\'t get business...they don\'t even try to get it.\n\n<strong>Not remembering/always forgetting:</strong>  This is a catch-all, but it covers things such as always forgetting you have met someone before, forgetting to do something, not remembering names, not remembering crucial details, etc.  If you have a bad memory, get an aid of some sort like a calendar or a smart phone.\n\nThe thing is some of these may just be annoyances and people will overlook them. But do some of them enough and it will affect how you are perceived. The flip side is that these are easy to fix and if you are aware that you are doing them you can change your ways. Have you recently lost a client? Did any of these play a part? Have you been overlooked for a job or a promotion? Are any of these habits yours?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Bad habits or perception busters?','','publish','open','open','','bad-habits-or-perception-busters','','','2011-07-27 07:23:06','2011-07-27 12:23:06','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1222',0,'post','',0),(1225,4,'2011-07-28 09:36:47','2011-07-28 14:36:47','You may not be able to (entirely) judge a book by its cover (or so they say) but you may be able to judge a business by its website.\n\nLet\'s start with the very basic question of does the business have a website? If the answer is no, that says a lot. Among other things, not having a website says that a business doesn\'t get how people search for information nowadays, or that it works strictly off referrals and very traditional advertising or that it is not tech-savvy.\n\nHowever, most businesses do have a website. Some websites are better than others, and that often has to do with the budget allocated to it and also whether it is being handled by a communications person or a tech person (yeah...the communications person should handle this unless you want the website to speak IT).\n\nA website is a necessary part of any marketing/communications strategy.  Keeping that in mind, this is what  should you look for:\n\n<strong>Appearance and design</strong>: Does the website look good? Is it easy to read? If so, it shows this business has considered that potential customers\' perceptions are important.  Also, if it looks like it was designed in the 1990s, it shows that the business has not bothered to keep up with the times.\n\n<strong>Clarity:</strong> What does this business do? It should be crystal clear by looking at the home page what kind of service or product the business offers.\n\n<strong>About us page:</strong> Does this page provide you the information you need to consider doing business with this company? Or is it a lot of fluff and platitudes, short on substance?\n\n<strong>Services or product listing:</strong> Does the website specifically list what services or products this business provides? How deep do you have to dig for this information?\n\n<strong>Contact page:</strong> Does the business provide several ways to contact it? Businesses that don\'t provide a physical address and/or phone number and/or email are suspicious. They want to be able to contact you but not for your to contact or find them.\n\n<strong>Freshness:</strong> What is the copyright on the website? When was this content updated and is it really up-to-date? If there is a blog, when was the last blog entry dated? Clearly, if a website lacks freshness, you have no way of knowing if the business still exists or in what form. For instance, if this is a restaurant website, and the menu is date Spring 2008, how do you know if they are still open for business?\n\n<strong>Useful information:</strong>  You need certain information to decide whether you want to contact a business or not: Does it work with your industry? Are there fees? What are the opening hours? Does this website give you the necessary information you need? For example, you are looking at a hotel website and you have a list of needs (location, availability of WiFi, restaurant on premises)--does the website provide you with the answers you need? In a hotel\'s case, does it list of room amenities and hotel services?\n\n<strong>Easy to navigate:</strong> Is the website easy to use? Do you have to dig deep to get crucial information? If a website is not easy to use or navigate, it shows that the business does not understand what information its potential clients and customers need.  Sometimes, it is a business decision to bury information on purpose (and this tells you a whole lot!)\n\nYou can read <a href=\"http://www.openforum.com/articles/5-simple-tips-for-better-business-websites?extlink=sm-openforum-tw\" target=\"_blank\">5 Simple Tips for Better Business Websites </a>on OpenForum.com to see some more technical issues (like making sure a website is mobile friendly).\nWhat would you add to the list?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','How to judge a business by its website','','publish','open','open','','how-to-judge-a-business-by-its-website','','','2011-07-28 09:36:47','2011-07-28 14:36:47','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1225',0,'post','',2),(1231,4,'2011-08-01 09:25:18','2011-08-01 14:25:18','Here\'s something to think about: you can start marketing <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">too early</span>. Sometimes, you  aren\'t ready for prime time, as they say.\n\nLast week, I attended a networking event. There, I met two self-employed event planners. They were both very pleasant and seemed knowledgeable about the ins and outs of event planning. Both gave me their business cards. As I always do when I get back from this type of event, I went to their websites. At least, I tried to go to their websites.  Neither website was up--one was \"under construction\" and the other was a placeholder from the domain registrar. Although both ladies had nice (professionally designed and printed) cards, they skipped a step. You should always have your website up before you hand out cards with the URL--even if it is a one page describing your business and providing contact info.\n\nLater on in the evening, I met two women who are planning to open a yoga studio. They did not have cards, and they told me their website was under construction. For the life of me, I can\'t remember the name of the studio. One of the yogis told me they are considering doing a Groupon...the week they open. I told her that that I would not advise that since she wouldn\'t even have worked out any kinks.\n\nHere is an article from USA Today about Groupon (<a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/strauss/2011-07-31-should-entrepreneurs-use-groupon_n.htm?csp=34money&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomMoney-TopStories+%28Money+-+Top+Stories%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\" target=\"_blank\">Is Groupon a great idea for entrepreneurs?)</a>  Among the cons of using Groupon is that if you are not ready for the onslaught of business, you will end up turning away customers. Say the yogis get 40 people signed up, but the studio only holds 30, or their computer system has a bug and can\'t register new customers? Then those potential customers are going to be disappointed and chances are, won\'t be coming back (there are plenty of other yoga studios in the area).\n\nThe bottom line is that before you start any type of marketing, whether it be in-person networking or a traditional advertising/media campaign, you need to be ready for business. This means having your website up and running and all your business tools in order (e.g. invoicing, computer systems, ordering, etc.) People have limited time and resources and they will often not give you a second chance.  Or they will forget about you. Or they will think you are an amateur.\n\nNot only should you be ready for prime time before you start marketing, you should be ready for business.','Are you ready for prime time?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-ready-for-prime-time','','','2011-08-01 09:25:18','2011-08-01 14:25:18','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1231',0,'post','',1),(1321,4,'2011-08-04 11:00:09','2011-08-04 16:00:09','Be warned: this is a rant.\n\nLately, I have been getting followed and unfollowed on Twitter by a guy who has a networking group here in DC.  He happens to have many Twitter handles (and a surprising number of followers).  He has used at least five different handles to follow me, and then, I take it because I haven\'t followed back, he unfollows me. Is this a good way to get me to follow him? NO!!!\n\nSay this interaction was taking place on the phone instead of on Twitter. It would go like this:  He would call from his cell phone, and hang up once I answered. Then he would call from his office line, and hang up again. And so forth. This would be very annoying, and bordering on perverted behavior (if there were any heavy breathing involved).\n\nIf he actually wanted to talk to me, he might call and say \"Hello, I really think you have some great ideas to share, and I would like to talk to you some more.\"  But apparently, he is either unaware of how to behave like a human, or is just interested in numbers.\n\nThere is no great mystery to getting Twitter followers: it is simply about behaving courteously and human. That is, showing interest, re-tweeting content to show support and giving credit, and INTERACTING.\n\nWhy do so many people forget they are dealing with other people on the Internet? You would not walk into a store and yell obscenities, for instance.  And yet people do this on Twitter as a matter of course.\n\nA computer is just a tool. It need humans to run it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Just because its on the computer doesn\'t mean you can\'t act human','','publish','open','open','','just-because-its-on-the-computer-doesnt-mean-you-cant-act-human','','','2011-08-04 11:00:09','2011-08-04 16:00:09','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1236',0,'post','',2),(1322,4,'2011-08-09 11:11:22','2011-08-09 16:11:22','I just came back from a quick trip out to Assateague/Chincoteague Islands. As is the case in any tourist/vacation town, everywhere you went there were rows of brochures about things to do: kayaking, boat tours, bike rentals, etc. Those are all good to have. In fact, I ended up going on a boat trip because I  picked up a brochure for it.\n\nOn Sunday, I was at the visitor center on Assateague. They have lots of exhibits about the area, its history and its flora and fauna. You could pretty much wander around the building looking at exhibits and picking up brochures.  However, you would have probably not really noticed or paid attention to the fact that nature bus tours leave from the center.\n\nWhile talking to the woman at the information desk about trails and things to do on Assateague, she recommended taking the bus tour. She said that you would see the famous Chincoteague ponies, guaranteed, and also lots of other animals native to the area. You would be sitting in air conditioned bus going where nobody else is allowed to drive. In other words, she sold the tour. (BTW, we did see the ponies and a bald eagle, along with tons of egrets, ibis, osprey, and other animals, just like she said)\n\nIf she hadn\'t given the pitch for the tour, it would have not been on my agenda or even on my radar. A posting about the tour or a brochure alone would not have been sufficient. A knowledgeable salesperson made the difference.\n\nWhen you can\'t have a salesperson, you need marketing materials. But marketing materials should never replace salespeople completely.','Marketing materials don\'t replace salespeople','','publish','open','open','','marketing-materials-dont-replace-salespeople','','','2011-08-09 11:11:22','2011-08-09 16:11:22','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1240',0,'post','',0),(1417,4,'2011-08-29 15:23:28','2011-08-29 15:23:28','If you need to do anything when preparing any type of communications (printed, online, even spoken), you need to get your facts straight.\r\n\r\nSeems fairly obvious, but as usual, it escapes many.\r\n\r\nLet me give you an example. Last week I received a check from a foreign bank, drawn from a U.S. dollar account. I have received these before (I do have clients in other countries). I went to Bank of America to deposit it. I was told that it would take up to four months to clear. FOUR months. (This was after lots of back and forth with a clueless teller and her remarkably unfriendly supervisor). I told them time and again that this was a US DOLLAR check--no exchange rate necessary.  It didn\'t matter--they thought they had their facts straight, and did not leave me any option but to take the check elsewhere.\r\n\r\nI went to my other bank. They were MUCH friendlier there, and seemed to understand what I was saying. They went ahead and deposited the check, warning that it would take up to six weeks to clear.  And that I would be charged a fee. Because of the exchange rate. But, I said, this is a check drawn in US DOLLARS.  There should be no exchange of any sort. Bottom line, the check cleared immediately. I have not yet been charged a fee. Seems like the bank teller and her supervisor at the second bank did not have their facts straight.\r\n\r\nYou have to know what you are talking about plain and simple. Sure you can make mistakes or have to ask someone if you don\'t know, but it is inexcusable to give customers/potential customers the wrong information.\r\n\r\nGet your facts straight before you put anything out there!','Getting your facts straight','','publish','open','open','','getting-your-facts-straight','','','2011-08-29 15:23:28','2011-08-29 15:23:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1417',0,'post','',0),(1361,4,'2009-10-16 07:53:28','2009-10-16 12:53:28','Organizations that deal with the public typically have one or more frontline people. These people deal directly with the public, perhaps by giving directions, meeting and greeting or assisting in some way. Many times, these frontline people are also some of the least well compensated in the organization. But they are crucial in shaping how the public perceives the organization.\n\n[picapp src=\"b/0/0/7/Online_Shoppers_Continue_e229.jpg?adImageId=5802925&amp;imageId=2370520\" width=\"380\" height=\"253\" /]\n\nHave you ever walked into an office where the receptionist didn\'t even bother to greet you? Have you stood waiting for help at a \"customer service\" booth? Then you know that your interaction with people that are supposed to assist you can color how you perceive the organization that they represent.  However, many organizations don\'t seem to grasp this simple concept and continue to deploy people in \"helping\" positions that are unwilling or unable to help, therefore damaging the credibility and perception of the organization.\n\n<strong>Here\'s a tip: if you are hiring someone to help you to deal with the public make sure that persons LIKES helping people. </strong>\n\nOn my last trip, I had trouble checking in on the kiosk. So, a very unhelpful, surly guy came over, growled at me and told me to go wait in line. He was absolutely rude and unpleasant. Do you think that makes me feel positive toward the airline in question?\n\nYesterday, I was in downtown DC to meet with a client. She had her laptop with her and we needed to go somewhere with WiFi. I couldn\'t think where the nearest Cosi was, but DC has deployed Downtown DC people in the Gallery Place area. I went up a woman with the Downtown DC jacket and asked her if she knew where the nearest Cosi was. She did. She gave us specific, perfect directions. She was helpful (and right). Contrast that with an exchange I had witnessed earlier inside a Metro station. A gentleman had approached the booth to ask a question, and the  lady in the booth was BERATING him for tapping on her window. Does that make Metro look helpful? (BTW, I have had similar experiences with people in the booths...they just don\'t want to be bothered to do their jobs, that is, assisting people.)\n\nAs a marketing consultant, I can advise you to take a good look at who is dealing with public in your organization. These people are crucial because they create the first (and maybe the only) impression the public will have of your organization.','Who is helping you to help others?','','inherit','open','open','','522-revision','','','2009-10-16 07:53:28','2009-10-16 12:53:28','',522,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/10/522-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1359,4,'2009-10-27 08:14:49','2009-10-27 13:14:49','Newspapers are in decline. It\'s a fact.\n\nThis is the first paragraph from a <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Newspapers\" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/26/AR2009102603272.html?wprss=rss_business\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article entitled \"The accelerating decline of newspapers by Frank Ahrens</a>:\n<blockquote>\"U.S. newspaper circulation has hit its lowest level in seven decades, as papers across the country lost 10.6 percent of their paying readers from April through September, compared with a year earlier.\"</blockquote>\nThe numbers were released by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), which measures circulation for print media across the United States.  Some interesting (and sad)  facts from the study:\n<ul>\n	<li>30.4 million Americans buy daily newspapers, 40 million on Sundays</li>\n	<li>Daily circulation has been declining since 1987</li>\n	<li>In 1940, 31 percent of Americans bought a newspaper. Today, it is 13%.</li>\n	<li>The top five newspapers are:  Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post (all except the Journal have lost readers)</li>\n	<li>USA Today suffered the highest reader loss, declining by 17.2%, due in part to a decline in the travel industry</li>\n</ul>\n[picapp src=\"f/c/7/8/Decline_In_Daily_0b46.jpg?adImageId=6830326&amp;imageId=6916279\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nAs fewer people buy print newspapers, fewer advertisers will pay fewer dollars for the chance to display their ads therein. What will happen to the industry? More cuts and less paper, that is for sure. The New York Times recently announced another round of layoffs from its newsroom. The Washington Post is desperate to reinvent itself and recently went through a complete redesign.\n\nIs there a solution? Your thoughts?\n\n','Numbers don\'t lie','','inherit','open','open','','536-revision','','','2009-10-27 08:14:49','2009-10-27 13:14:49','',536,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/10/536-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1352,4,'2009-12-11 08:09:08','2009-12-11 13:09:08','What does it say about the publishing industry when the venerable, 108-year-old trade journal covering the industry is folding?Read the story <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Crains NY Biz\" href=\"http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091210/FREE/912109995/1040\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\n\nIt seems inevitable that we will see continued downturn in the magazine market. More and more, people are turning to digital media for all their news and information. And why not? It is there, at your fingertips. It is continually updated and often, you don\'t have to pay for it.\n\nMagazines are starting to seem as quaint as LPs (vinyl records for those who don\'t remember).\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=sad+face&amp;iid=5265478\" src=\"c/8/7/8/Closeup_of_an_a881.jpg?adImageId=8202748&amp;imageId=5265478\" width=\"234\" height=\"352\" /]\n\n','Editor & Publisher to shut down','','inherit','open','open','','586-revision','','','2009-12-11 08:09:08','2009-12-11 13:09:08','',586,'http://deborahbrody.com/2009/12/586-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1350,4,'2010-01-06 10:44:56','2010-01-06 15:44:56','We all have gone to see a movie that our best friend raved about only to find we thought it was just OK.  Same happens with restaurants that receive glowing reviews. What happens is that our expectations have been set too high and naturally, we are disappointed with reality.\n\nIt\'s a like a present that is wrapped beautifully....what will be inside? Will it be better than its wrapping?\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=expectation&amp;iid=7282168\" src=\"0/a/9/d/Closeup_of_a_71b6.jpg?adImageId=8820179&amp;imageId=7282168\" width=\"234\" height=\"155\" /]\n\nBuzz is about forming expectations and then exploiting them.  Marketing people love buzz or WOM (word-of-mouth) because few things are as powerful as a recommendation from someone we know.\n\nThe down side of creating high expectations is having to deliver or even over-deliver on such expectations.  We can have stuff go very wrong when things don\'t live up to expectations.\n\nLately, I have been paying attention to hotel websites and ratings. Usually, there is a picture of a perfect room. We don\'t see anything wrong.  But what happens if we book this room, and show up at the hotel only to find that the bathroom is filthy, the carpets (which did not show up in the room picture) are grimy and the noise level is unbearable. What happens is that we are very unhappy. But what makes it worse is that we <em>expected </em>better.\n\nClearly there is a fine line to walk for marketing people. We have to create expectations  and we have to be able to meet them in a reasonable way.\n\nTastes differ of course, so what I absolutely love, you may hate. Humans are more forgiving of taste not being met, but with service and other issues that are quantifiable we are not so forgiving. For instance, I went to a restaurant with a friend. We both order the same thing, and I like it but she doesn\'t. Taste  is at play (she prefers less spicy). However, we can both agree on the service (good), ambience (lovely), parking (difficult).\n\nMarketing that succeeds creates high enough expectations to attract a customer without creating a situation that the customer may actually be upset. The latter happens a lot with sales. Stores run a sale, drawing customers expecting to get a great price on an item they really want. Expectations are not met and tempers are raised if the item is out of stock or is not as it appeared.\n\nWhat do you do to create reasonable expectations? How do you navigate this  line?\n\n','Expectations','','inherit','open','open','','602-revision','','','2010-01-06 10:44:56','2010-01-06 15:44:56','',602,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/01/602-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1348,4,'2010-01-11 15:31:04','2010-01-11 20:31:04','Although I am not a fan of New Year\'s resolutions, I think January is a great time to set goals for oneself. You have a whole year ahead of you to meet those goals. And goals are tangible. You either meet them or not, whereas resolutions like \"I want to be healthier\" are vague.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=new+year%27s+resolutions&amp;iid=217929\" src=\"0214/e9341312-9a21-4e7a-88f5-1106ee9ade4d.jpg?adImageId=8928348&amp;imageId=217929\" width=\"234\" height=\"209\" /]\n\nHere are some personal marketing goals:\n<ul>\n	<li>Upload a headshot to LinkedIn</li>\n	<li>Answer at least one question a month on LinkedIn</li>\n	<li>Refine your LinkedIn headline</li>\n	<li>Increase your LinkedIn contacts by 25% (minimum)</li>\n	<li>Get business cards if you don\'t have them</li>\n	<li>Update and polish your elevator speech and then practice it!</li>\n	<li>Attend networking events at least twice a month</li>\n	<li>Join a professional association</li>\n	<li>Join a committee or volunteer group</li>\n	<li>Start a blog if you don\'t have one (Posterous is easy!) or post regularly on your existing blog</li>\n</ul>\nWhat goals are you setting for yourself?\n\n','Personal marketing goals for 2010','','inherit','open','open','','610-revision','','','2010-01-11 15:31:04','2010-01-11 20:31:04','',610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/01/610-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1347,4,'2010-01-14 08:00:22','2010-01-14 13:00:22','There are followers and lists and getting many of each seems to be the focus for many people on Twitter.  Some people make pleas for more followers and then there is \"Follow Friday\" in which people recommend to their followers other people to follow.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=high+school&amp;iid=210464\" src=\"0206/625fd0f7-ca7e-48b0-88a8-0b09566b4912.jpg?adImageId=8976947&amp;imageId=210464\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" /]\n\nIf this sounds a bit like a high school popularity contest, it is, for some people.  Many people use Twitter to give and get information and ideas, but there is a subset of people who use Twitter to prove their hotness/coolness/hipness/in-the-knowness.  These people go so far as to form cliques on Twitter, endlessly referencing their clique friends in every Tweet. They converse in public with each other and rarely engage with non-clique/inner circle people. Several of these people are \"social media experts,\" which is ironic since they are not being very social (I must credit <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Daria Steigman\" href=\"http://www.steigmancommunications.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Daria Steigman of Steigman Communications</a> with this idea).\n\nI have theories as to why Twitter becomes like a high school for these people but I won\'t share them here.  It is important to remember what social networks are for, and that is to make it easy to create connection. If all you are doing on Twitter is sending shout-outs to your five closest buddies or endlessly promoting yourself, you are not using Twitter to its full potential. I can\'t say that you are not using Twitter for what it is intended because I have no idea what its founder was thinking when he created the microblogging site.\n\nTwitter is a great learning tool and it is a great sharing tool. It democratizes access and can really serve to mobilize people around causes. Eugene Robinson makes excellent observation in today\'s Washington Post, saying:\n<blockquote>Twitter and other networking sites are unfiltered by editors or other gatekeepers. They rely on the wisdom of the crowd to sort out what is accurate and what is not. To someone (like me) who has spent his career as a gatekeeper, this was tremendously unsettling -- at first. During the Iran protests, I saw how quickly Twitter users identified misinformation that was being posted by government propagandists. The self-policing capability of the medium is impressive.\n\nThe other big difference is that social networking offers not just information, but also the opportunity to take action. Twitter users were able to work together to mask the identities of the Iranian demonstrators who were using the site to tell the world what was happening. Last night, along with the news from Haiti came suggestions for how the Twitter community could most effectively help the relief effort.\n\nIs this “news” the way we used to think of it? No. But it’s news people can use.\n\nRead <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Eugene Robinson\" href=\"http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/01/following_the_earthquake_in_ha.html#more\" target=\"_blank\">complete article</a> here.</blockquote>\nTo  those popularity hounds on Twitter I say put high school behind you.  If you have something worthwhile to say people will follow you no matter who your friends are or aren\'t.','Is Twitter a High School for Adults?','','inherit','open','open','','614-revision','','','2010-01-14 08:00:22','2010-01-14 13:00:22','',614,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/01/614-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1346,4,'2010-01-20 07:41:07','2010-01-20 12:41:07','We\'ve all heard it before, \"it is not what you say, but how you say it. \"  Well, in my opinion,  it is both. What you say is also important, but how you say it makes the difference in how it is received. One person who does not seem to understand or care about this is President Obama\'s press secretary, Robert Gibbs.  Gibbs is forever being snarky, sarcastic and just plain unpleasant. I would lay bets that most, if not all, of the White House press corps despise his guts.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=robert+gibbs&amp;iid=7458562\" src=\"b/2/e/c/White_House_Press_3076.JPG?adImageId=9322530&amp;imageId=7458562\" width=\"234\" height=\"329\" /]\n\nIn my opinion, Gibbs is one of the worst press secretaries I have ever seen. He can\'t answer questions straight on, he uses big words he doesn\'t seem to understand, but worst of all, he seems bored and above the job. This morning, I read a great <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Robert Gibbs \" href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/19/AR2010011904347.html?hpid=opinionsbox1\" target=\"_blank\">column on Gibbs in the Washington Post, by Dana Milbank</a>. Most of the time, Milbank\'s own sarcasm and unpleasantness make his column a must-skip, so imagine my surprise when he points out his own apparent dislike of Gibbs\' snark. Here\'s an excerpt from the column:\n<blockquote>Gibbs acts as though he\'s playing himself in the movie version of his job. In this imaginary film, he is the smart-alecky press secretary, offering zippy comebacks and cracking jokes to make his questioners look ridiculous. It\'s no great feat to make reporters look bad, but this act also sends a televised image of a cocksure White House to ordinary Americans watching at home.\n\nThis is the most visible manifestation of a larger problem the Obama White House has. Many Obama loyalists from the 2008 race still seem, after a year on the job, to have trouble exiting campaign mode. They sometimes appear to be running a taxpayer-funded rapid-response operation</blockquote>\nIf Obama is sinking in the polls, and his agenda is failing (and now he has managed to lose a historically Democratic Senate seat, although that may have had more to do with the Democratic candidate\'s lack of campaign skills --Read this great blog post on it by my friends over at <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Fresh Ground on Mass elections\" href=\"http://itsfreshground.com/2010/01/mass-election/\" target=\"_blank\">Fresh Ground Communications</a>). It may have something to do with HOW the White House is communicating its message, which is poorly.  Gibbs\' holier-than-thou approach to everything and everyone is not helping one bit. If Obama wants to regain some footing I would suggest he replace Gibbs with someone a bit kinder, a bit gentler.  Replace Gibbs with someone who gets that how you say things really does make a difference.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you like Gibbs? How about a poll:\n\n[polldaddy poll=2560587]\n\n','How you say it','','inherit','open','open','','621-revision','','','2010-01-20 07:41:07','2010-01-20 12:41:07','',621,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/01/621-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1343,4,'2010-02-19 10:17:42','2010-02-19 15:17:42','Are you by chance speaking in jargon? Why are you doing that?\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=languages&amp;iid=108258\" src=\"0104/435f9fff-1f6b-4ed9-84a0-4580b834d54d.jpg?adImageId=10492508&amp;imageId=108258\" width=\"234\" height=\"351\" /]\n\nAs a writer and a consultant, I often ask my clients what their \"keywords\" are. It is helpful, and sometimes crucial, to use the right terminology for any given industry.  Especially when you are working in a business to business environment, you need to know how these businesses look for the services/products that they need. But when an outsider lands on one of these B-to-B web pages or marketing materials,  he or she will most likely end up not understanding a word.  For instance, a client of mine uses the terms \"professional services.\"  For general marketing purposes, this is the emptiest phrase out there, but in the client\'s world, it carries a specific meaning.\n\nSetting aside the need for industry-specific terminology, and recognizing the importance of specific terminology in a B-to-B setting, what is going on with language today? Why are so many people talking in gobbledy-gook? Lately, I have heard the following phrases/terms on TV, in conversation and seemingly, everywhere else:\n<ul>\n	<li>Drilling down (apparently, this means getting to the heart of the issue or talking specifically)</li>\n	<li>Sweet spot (as in where the perfect opportunity lies)</li>\n	<li>Being out of pocket (never got this one although it means being unreachable)</li>\n	<li>Getting your ducks all in a row (oldie but goodie, means be prepared)</li>\n	<li>Leveraging an opportunity (making the most of something)</li>\n	<li>Staying ahead of the curve (presumably, leveraging opportunities to get to your sweet spot)</li>\n</ul>\nIn a sense, these universally used phrases serve as a crutch. Use them and other people will understand what you mean, even when the meaning isn\'t entirely clear. Sometimes, using touch phrases makes someone look like an insider, someone who is in the know.\n\nIn the end, jargon and catch phrases muck up your meaning. It\'s one thing to use these in conversation where I can stop and ask you what you mean. It\'s another to use them in writing.  When things are written (especially printed) there is no easy or quick way to ask the writer what he or she means.\n\nCatch my drift?\n\n','What language are you speaking?','','inherit','open','open','','651-revision','','','2010-02-19 10:17:42','2010-02-19 15:17:42','',651,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/02/651-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1336,4,'2010-06-01 08:14:23','2010-06-01 13:14:23','We all have pet peeves and things that make us go bonkers. Right? Unfortunately, we can\'t always tell what will make other people feel like they are listening to nails scratching a blackboard, and sometimes our communications misfire because of it.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=nails+scratching&amp;iid=199257\" src=\"0195/942cd443-efbf-4adf-a4fc-a16acd3e1ddb.jpg?adImageId=13061654&amp;imageId=199257\" width=\"266\" height=\"641\" /]\n\nI wish I could say these are universal peeves and that you should avoid them at all costs (you <em>should </em>avoid them with me), instead I am asking you to think of what makes you crazy and what you would like to see avoided. Please be sure to share in the comments.\n<ul>\n	<li>Using words that you don\'t understand or saying something complicated when simple would do (like utile--why can\'t you say useful?)</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Having really obvious grammatical mistakes (example: using I instead of me or having problems with subject-verb agreement)</li>\n</ul>\n(Please read this entry over at OpenForum: <a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"Open Forum\" href=\"http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/marketing/article/5-common-word-usage-mistakes-that-make-you-sound-stupid-or-worse-pompous-ann-handley\" target=\"_blank\">5 Common Word Usage Mistakes that Make You Sound Stupid</a>)\n<ul>\n	<li>Capitalizing Everything Instead of Bolding: more and more people are doing this in white papers and other texts. <strong>Capitals are for proper names and the beginning of sentences only.</strong></li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Threatening: If you don\'t do it this now... For instance, I got an email from the IPRA (a division of the PRSA-NCC) about an event, and then I got another email, and another. Then, I got one that said \"final notice.\" Like if it was an overdue bill and I hadn\'t paid it. And then I get an email telling me it\'s my \"last chance.\" Here\'s a newsflash IPRA: threatening me is not going to make me more interested in seeing Mike McCurry,  who sold out his boss for the chance to sell his book. Nope.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Saying or claiming things that are obviously not true: I am planning to write a post about this specifically, but what I am referring to are ads or brochures that seem to ignore reality.  Like those Cox Communications commercials that claim the company has great customer service, when plenty of people can attest to the opposite. Or American Airlines claiming to be empathetic, telling me they know why I fly.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Insulting my intelligence: enough said.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul>\n	<li>Excessive self-promotion:  I see this a lot on Twitter and Facebook. When you feel the need to tell me how great you are all the time, I immediately think you are insecure.  I used to follow someone who was very proud of her WeightWatchers progress. And that is fine, but she needed all her followers to pat her on the back too. There is a moving line somewhere between excessive self-promotion (and neediness) and genuine pride and promotion of accomplishments. Figure out where it lies.</li>\n</ul>\nWhat\'s on your list?\n\n\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2Fthings-that-make-me-crazy%2F&amp;linkname=Things%20that%20make%20me%20crazy\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Things that make me crazy','','inherit','open','open','','770-revision','','','2010-06-01 08:14:23','2010-06-01 13:14:23','',770,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/06/770-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1333,4,'2010-06-24 11:43:28','2010-06-24 16:43:28','As anyone who has been through media training knows, what you say to a journalist is always on the record, even if you think it\'s not. When you talk to a journalist, he or she is gathering information, and whether you are quoted directly or not, you have been used as a source.\n\nRecently, there have been two widely publicized media gaffes.  The most recent involves comments made by General Stanly McChrystal and his staff to Rolling Stone magazine. Those comments, widely seen as being proof of insubordination, led to McChrystal\'s resignation from his post as commanding officer of the war in Afghanistan.\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=mcchrystal&amp;iid=9179806\" src=\"http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9179806/file-photo-army-general/file-photo-army-general.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9179806\" width=\"234\" height=\"150\" /]\n\nIt is hard to believe that McChrystal, a former head of Special Ops, would be so candid with a journalist not knowing his comments would make it to print.  Anyone who has had as much exposure to the media would know that a journalist is always pursuing a story. In my opinion, McChrystal knew exactly what he was doing, and had his own motivations for getting on the record with his views of President Obama and the direction of the war in Afghanistan.\n\nThe other media gaffe also cost a job. I am talking of Helen Thomas and her anti-Semitic barrage, caught on video by a citizen journalist and blogger.  Thomas, when asked on her views on Israel, did not hold back her contempt or her extremist views. Some have asked whether she understood the implications of talking to a non-journalist.  In her fifty years plus of experience, Thomas must have come across a hand-held camera before. As a journalist herself, she knows that anything you say in front of other people can be quoted or at least, used as source material. Even if Thomas had not been captured on video, the Rabbi who interviewed her could have publicized her comments.\n\nBecause, as we said before, now more than ever, NOTHING is off the record. And all of us are going on the record all the time, on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and wherever else we are interacting. We need to be mindful that what we say can and will be used against (or for) us.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fits-always-on-the-record%2F&amp;linkname=It%27s%20always%20on%20the%20record!\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>\n\n','It\'s always on the record!','','inherit','open','open','','797-revision','','','2010-06-24 11:43:28','2010-06-24 16:43:28','',797,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/06/797-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1330,4,'2010-08-04 09:48:42','2010-08-04 14:48:42','This past weekend I took a little trip out to the beach in Rehoboth, Delaware. The weather was great and hanging out near the ocean is always relaxing. You see all types out on the beach but what struck me as I looked around was how many obese people were there. In fact, I am seeing more and more obese people everywhere. The<a class=\"wp-caption\" title=\"NY Times\" href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/health/nutrition/04fat.html?_r=1\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times reports that obesity rates are rising,</a> so it really is no surprise.  Pretty close to one out of three Americans is obese.\n\nAs the New York Times article points out, obesity is a national health epidemic. Obesity can be tied to many deadly diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.\n\n[picapp align=\"none\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=obese+people&amp;iid=275419\" src=\"http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/275419/beer-belly/beer-belly.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=275419\" width=\"319\" height=\"480\" /]\n\nIs marketing to blame for obesity? On the boardwalk in Rehoboth it is hard to avoid the aroma of french fries and candied popcorn. Candy stores are everywhere, and healthy food is hard to find. There were a lot of people jogging on the boardwalk, but there were many more people just sitting on the beach. Fast food and junk food don\'t really have to market too much--they just have to be available. Which begs the question, if healthy options were available (and made to look as tantalizing), would people choose to buy those instead?\n\nIs there an effort being made by public health authorities to market a healthier lifestyle? I don\'t see any evidence of it. Obviously, it is hard to change people\'s habits. And when on vacation, people tend to want to reward themselves with treats like fried dough and salt water taffy. How many people want to use vacation to start a healthy eating plan? Not many--because it is not appealing.\n\nIf marketing has a fault in the obesity epidemic, is that not enough is being done to market healthy choices, or the benefits of  NOT being obese. Or perhaps, more should be done to show people the MORTAL DANGERS of obesity. It is not just about looks--our society certainly markets thinness as an equivalent to beauty--but about health. Fat people are at risk, and the sad thing is they can do something about it: eat less, exercise more.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? How can society convince people to stop piling on the pounds?\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F04%2Fa-big-fat-problem%2F&amp;linkname=A%20big%2C%20fat%20problem\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','A big, fat problem','','inherit','open','open','','850-revision','','','2010-08-04 09:48:42','2010-08-04 14:48:42','',850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/08/850-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1327,4,'2010-10-25 09:36:35','2010-10-25 14:36:35','Are your efforts paying off? Is your marketing achieving results?\n\n[picapp align=\"center\" wrap=\"false\" link=\"term=bull\'s+eye&amp;iid=5253916\" src=\"http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/5253916/close-dart-bulls-eye/close-dart-bulls-eye.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=5253916\" width=\"234\" height=\"234\" /]\n\nHow do you know? Obviously, the first sign is that you are generating numbers: sales, impressions.\n\nBut how do you know what people think about you, your product, your service and your marketing efforts? This is a harder question to answer. If people don\'t attend your event, it could be for a myriad of reasons (don\'t have time, costs too much not interested). Same thing with your product or service. How do you know why people aren\'t buying?\n\nIt comes down to requesting feedback, and to listening to what your audience has to say.\n\nFirst, you should ALWAYS request feedback from attendees to your event and people who buy your product. Make it easy for people to provide comments on your website. Have an email address specifically for feedback.\n\nSecond, listen to what exactly  is being said about you in the comments  you receive. Also,  cast a wider net: check out <a title=\"Social Mention\" href=\"http://www.socialmention.com/\" target=\"_blank\">SocialMention</a> (or other social media monitoring tools) to see what is being said about you or your brand.\n\nLast week, I tweeted to a local marketing networking group that they were sending me too many email messages. In fact, it got to a point that I would just delete rather than read. The organizational response to me via Twitter  was to tell me they would be happy to remove me from the list. I told them to take my comment seriously. I was giving them FEEDBACK. They didn\'t want to listen.\n\nYou will not know if you are hitting the mark with your marketing efforts if you don\'t make an effort to gather feedback. You may get some people to buy your product or attend your event, but you may be missing a host of others.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F25%2Fare-you-hitting-the-mark%2F&amp;linkname=Are%20you%20hitting%20the%20mark%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Are you hitting the mark?','','inherit','open','open','','940-revision','','','2010-10-25 09:36:35','2010-10-25 14:36:35','',940,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/10/940-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1323,4,'2011-05-09 09:40:30','2011-05-09 14:40:30','Perhaps if you studied politics, like I did, you think faction is a party or group that is usually causing some trouble. However, if you watch <a href=\"http://morganspurlock.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Morgan Spurlock\'s</a> The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, you will learn that a \"faction\" is a combination of the words fact and fiction. Meaning that it is neither fact nor fiction. Perhaps it is a fictionalized fact, or fact-based fiction. Sounds like many of the memoirs that are making the rounds these days.\n\nThe Greatest Movie Ever Sold is a faction, and it is a must-watch movie if you are even remotely interested in marketing. Spurlock, who is previously known for his documentary Super Size Me, has blown open the world of product placement and movie funding.\n\nThis movie is funny and it is pure genius. To see Spurlock go pitch this movie, about product placement and movie funding, to people in marketing is just about as humorous as any parody can be. But what is truly genius, is that it is real. This is how things get done in the world of marketing. Celebrity endorsements are real. Advertisers are looking for new ways to reach more audiences. And everything is for sale.\n\nI can\'t do this movie justice here. There was too much stuff that struck a chord, from creating a pitch, to finding the brand personality, to how to market a movie.\n\nHere\'s a the official trailer:\n\n[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ng2P3zxfM&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F09%2Ffaction-learn-what-this-is%2F&amp;linkname=%22Faction%3A%22%20learn%20what%20this%20is\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','\"Faction:\" learn what this is','','inherit','open','open','','1137-revision','','','2011-05-09 09:40:30','2011-05-09 14:40:30','',1137,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/05/1137-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1324,4,'2011-08-12 00:30:40','2011-08-12 00:30:40','Perhaps if you studied politics, like I did, you think faction is a party or group that is usually causing some trouble. However, if you watch <a href=\"http://morganspurlock.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Morgan Spurlock\'s</a> The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, you will learn that a \"faction\" is a combination of the words fact and fiction. Meaning that it is neither fact nor fiction. Perhaps it is a fictionalized fact, or fact-based fiction. Sounds like many of the memoirs that are making the rounds these days.\n\nThe Greatest Movie Ever Sold is a faction, and it is a must-watch movie if you are even remotely interested in marketing. Spurlock, who is previously known for his documentary Super Size Me, has blown open the world of product placement and movie funding.\n\nThis movie is funny and it is pure genius. To see Spurlock go pitch this movie, about product placement and movie funding, to people in marketing is just about as humorous as any parody can be. But what is truly genius, is that it is real. This is how things get done in the world of marketing. Celebrity endorsements are real. Advertisers are looking for new ways to reach more audiences. And everything is for sale.\n\nI can\'t do this movie justice here. There was too much stuff that struck a chord, from creating a pitch, to finding the brand personality, to how to market a movie.\n\nHere\'s a the official trailer:\n\n[youtube id=T4Ng2P3zxfM&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F09%2Ffaction-learn-what-this-is%2F&amp;linkname=%22Faction%3A%22%20learn%20what%20this%20is\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','\"Faction:\" learn what this is','','inherit','open','open','','1137-autosave','','','2011-08-12 00:30:40','2011-08-12 00:30:40','',1137,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/1137-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1325,4,'2010-10-21 08:03:53','2010-10-21 13:03:53','When you are trying to market your services or your product, you will naturally try to make the product or service look appealing. That\'s fine, as long as you are not overselling or over-promising. If you oversell or promise something you can\'t deliver, you will run into problems.\n\nLet me give you an example, drawn from my experience this week with the US Postal Service.\n\nMy mother sent me an express package on Monday. It was guaranteed to be delivered by noon on Tuesday. It wasn\'t. I called the 1-800 to track it and find out where it was. After some problems with the automated attendant (that is a whole other issue), I got through to a representative. She had no idea where my package was or when I would get it. At one point, she put me on hold. During this interlude, I found out that:\n<blockquote>For delivery you can rely on, choose the United States Postal Service.</blockquote>\nIs that supposed to be a joke? My \"express\" package arrived more than 24 hours after it was \"guaranteed\" to arrive. And as I learned from the customer service agent, the guarantee is really about your money. They don\'t actually guarantee the arrival of the express packages at their destination, but rather, if your package doesn\'t arrive when they say it will, they will give you your money back.\n\nI guess that when you absolutely, positively need it there by a certain time, don\'t use the USPS, use Fedex (or UPS). For those of you who don\'t remember the Fedex ad, here it is\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31yxkSIIn9A&amp;fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0]\n\nThe quickest thing you can do ruin your reputation is to promise that you will do something that you can\'t or won\'t do. And reputation is important in marketing. What do you think my impression is of the USPS?\n\nSo, when you are prepping your marketing materials (and especially your tag line), be careful about what you say.  Daily Blog Tips has a great post on <a title=\"Daily Blog Tips\" href=\"http://www.dailyblogtips.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-sales-copy-today/\" target=\"_blank\">10 Tips to Improve Your Sales Copy Today</a>. Note that their number two tip is:  <strong>Don\'t Make a Promise You Can\'t Keep.</strong>\n\n<strong>\n</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcuppamarcomm.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2Fcan-you-keep-your-promise%2F&amp;linkname=Can%20you%20keep%20your%20promise%3F\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_256_24.png\" alt=\"Share\" /></a>','Can you keep your promise?','','inherit','open','open','','934-revision','','','2010-10-21 08:03:53','2010-10-21 13:03:53','',934,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/10/934-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1326,4,'2010-12-14 06:59:54','2010-12-14 11:59:54','Have you seen the new UPS commercials? It\'s about logistics.  There are several different iterations, but they all talk about how important logistics are, and of course, UPS is all about logistics.  Really? I thought UPS was about shipping. But I guess I am supposed to now think of shipping as just the visible part of the complex web that is logistics.\n\n[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRAHa_Po0Kg&fs=1&amp;hl=en_US]\n\nWhat\'s good:\n\nSong is memorable. Logistics is a new USP for UPS. It has definitely caught my attention.\n\nWhat\'s bad:\n\nLogistics? Really? Is that why I would ship with UPS over Fedex?\n\nYour thoughts?','Logistics?','','inherit','open','open','','995-revision','','','2010-12-14 06:59:54','2010-12-14 11:59:54','',995,'http://deborahbrody.com/2010/12/995-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1363,4,'2011-06-07 09:02:37','2011-06-07 09:02:37','','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2011-06-07 09:02:37','2011-06-07 09:02:37','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/14-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1364,4,'2011-08-19 04:46:59','2011-08-19 04:46:59','Writing Translation Communications Consulting Communication Audit','','','publish','open','open','','1364','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1364',2,'nav_menu_item','',0),(1367,4,'2011-08-19 05:34:09','2011-08-19 05:34:09','Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:34:09','2011-08-19 05:34:09','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1368,4,'2011-08-19 05:34:31','2011-08-19 05:34:31','<div style=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:34:31','2011-08-19 05:34:31','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1369,4,'2011-08-19 05:38:20','2011-08-19 05:38:20','<div class=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:38:20','2011-08-19 05:38:20','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(1370,4,'2011-08-19 05:41:39','2011-08-19 05:41:39','<div style=\"width:600px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:41:39','2011-08-19 05:41:39','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(1371,4,'2011-08-19 05:43:53','2011-08-19 05:43:53','<div style=\"width:600px;\" align=\"left\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div style=\"width:320px;\">Picture Here\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:43:53','2011-08-19 05:43:53','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(1374,4,'2011-08-19 05:46:29','2011-08-19 05:46:29','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div style=\"width:300px;\" align=\"left\">Picture Here\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:46:29','2011-08-19 05:46:29','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(1372,4,'2011-08-19 05:44:18','2011-08-19 05:44:18','<div style=\"width:600px;\" align=\"left\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div style=\"width:320px;\" align=\"left\">Picture Here\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:44:18','2011-08-19 05:44:18','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(1373,4,'2011-08-19 05:44:38','2011-08-19 05:44:38','<div style=\"width:600px;\" align=\"left\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div style=\"width:300px;\" align=\"left\">Picture Here\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:44:38','2011-08-19 05:44:38','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(1375,4,'2011-08-19 06:22:43','2011-08-19 06:22:43','','testimonial-box','','inherit','open','open','','testimonial-box','','','2011-08-19 06:22:43','2011-08-19 06:22:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/testimonial-box.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(1376,4,'2011-08-19 05:52:44','2011-08-19 05:52:44','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">Picture Here\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 05:52:44','2011-08-19 05:52:44','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(1377,4,'2011-08-19 06:31:11','2011-08-19 06:31:11','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">Picture Here\r\n<div id=\"testimonial><p>In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 06:31:11','2011-08-19 06:31:11','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(1378,4,'2011-08-19 06:31:44','2011-08-19 06:31:44','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial><p>In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 06:31:44','2011-08-19 06:31:44','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(1379,4,'2011-08-19 06:32:46','2011-08-19 06:32:46','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p>In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 06:32:46','2011-08-19 06:32:46','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(1382,4,'2011-08-19 07:34:22','2011-08-19 07:34:22','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p>In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:34:22','2011-08-19 07:34:22','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(1380,4,'2011-08-19 07:25:01','2011-08-19 07:25:01','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:25:01','2011-08-19 07:25:01','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(1381,4,'2011-08-19 07:33:34','2011-08-19 07:33:34','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testtext\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:33:34','2011-08-19 07:33:34','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(1383,4,'2011-08-19 07:46:21','2011-08-19 07:46:21','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p>In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:46:21','2011-08-19 07:46:21','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(1384,4,'2011-08-19 07:47:34','2011-08-19 07:47:34','<div id=\"aboutleft\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:47:34','2011-08-19 07:47:34','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(1385,4,'2011-08-19 07:52:29','2011-08-19 07:52:29','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\nDeborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:52:29','2011-08-19 07:52:29','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(1386,4,'2011-08-19 07:55:29','2011-08-19 07:55:29','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\nDeborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:55:29','2011-08-19 07:55:29','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(1387,4,'2011-08-19 07:59:40','2011-08-19 07:59:40','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 07:59:40','2011-08-19 07:59:40','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(1388,4,'2011-08-19 08:00:21','2011-08-19 08:00:21','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"padding-right: 10px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:00:21','2011-08-19 08:00:21','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(1389,4,'2011-08-19 08:01:39','2011-08-19 08:01:39','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"mrgin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:01:39','2011-08-19 08:01:39','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(1390,4,'2011-08-19 08:01:54','2011-08-19 08:01:54','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:01:54','2011-08-19 08:01:54','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(1391,4,'2011-08-19 08:03:05','2011-08-19 08:03:05','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:03:05','2011-08-19 08:03:05','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(1392,4,'2011-08-19 08:06:14','2011-08-19 08:06:14','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:06:14','2011-08-19 08:06:14','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(1393,4,'2011-08-19 08:06:29','2011-08-19 08:06:29','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 25px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:06:29','2011-08-19 08:06:29','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(1394,4,'2011-08-19 08:06:47','2011-08-19 08:06:47','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 30px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:06:47','2011-08-19 08:06:47','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(1395,4,'2011-08-19 08:07:01','2011-08-19 08:07:01','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 35px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:07:01','2011-08-19 08:07:01','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(1396,4,'2011-08-19 08:07:23','2011-08-19 08:07:23','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 08:07:23','2011-08-19 08:07:23','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(1397,4,'2011-08-24 16:08:37','2011-08-24 16:08:37','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:08:37','2011-08-24 16:08:37','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(1398,4,'2011-08-24 16:08:57','2011-08-24 16:08:57','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:08:57','2011-08-24 16:08:57','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(1399,4,'2011-08-24 16:09:24','2011-08-24 16:09:24','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p style=\"text-align:center;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:09:24','2011-08-24 16:09:24','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(1400,4,'2011-08-24 16:09:55','2011-08-24 16:09:55','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p style=\"text-align:center; size:16px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:09:55','2011-08-24 16:09:55','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(1401,4,'2011-08-24 16:10:20','2011-08-24 16:10:20','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p style=\"text-align:center; font-size:16px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:10:20','2011-08-24 16:10:20','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(1403,4,'2011-08-10 10:37:59','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Have you heard of Salonpas? I wouldn\'t blame if you haven\'t. First of all--what is that? It sounds like it\'s French and has to do with hairstyling. Second, if you have seen the commercials for it on TV, you may have thought you were watching the fake product ads on Saturday Night Live.\n\nBetween the low production value and the weird name, these commercials look like they could be reigning in the midnight to 6 am hours. But what had me shaking my head was what I consider one of the worst slogans of all time:\n\n\"Nothing\'s been proven to beat the relief.\"\n\nWhat does this mean? It means that there is no proof that anything works. That might be true in the case of Salonpas.\n\nThe takeaway here is that the name of your product or service matters. If you are going to be \"different\" then you better do a good job of explaining exactly what you do. And remember, slogans and taglines are more effective when they are clear.\n\nSee for yourself:\n\n[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX4WVN4YN0Q&amp;w=560&amp;h=349] ','Can you market a product successfully if it has a crappy name?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-08-10 10:37:59','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1234',0,'post','',0),(1404,4,'2011-08-22 08:41:50','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We all have gotten spam--in our email inbox, our Twitter feed, even on our phones (there is text spam and also some forms of telemarketing, especially robo-calls). I don\'t know many people who enjoy getting spam and even fewer who respond to spam. Yet, we can learn from the spammers--on what does not work.\n\nHere are the three main lessons you can learn from spammers:\n<ol>\n	<li>Don\'t underestimate the intelligence of your target audience</li>\n	<li>Don\'t send the same message over and over and over and over</li>\n	<li>Customize your message</li>\n</ol>\nWhat would you add?','What you can learn from spammers','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-08-22 08:41:50','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1263',0,'post','',0),(1405,4,'2011-08-26 14:06:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','So, Microsoft, which may just define ubiquitous, is working on re-branding itself to combat the Mac attack. It is using Jerry Seinfeld to do it. I found the story on MSNBC.\n\nI am not sure that Microsoft needs to re-brand...or re-invent. Maybe improve (fewer crashes, fewer patches). In my world, most people work on PCs, except for those in design, who generally use Mac. Of those on PC,  I would venture most are running the Microsoft XP OS. Some have had to upgrade to Vista. But we all seem to work on Microsoft software like Word and Excel. I finally stopped using Explorer and now am on Mozilla, which seems less prone to shutdowns and freeze up than IE.  My point is that Microsoft is everywhere and people really don\'t associate it with anything but computers. How much more branded can','Microsoft Mega Branding','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-08-26 14:06:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=105',0,'post','',0),(1406,4,'2008-01-27 11:35:39','2008-01-27 16:35:39','','','','inherit','open','open','','8','','','2008-01-27 11:35:39','2008-01-27 16:35:39','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(1407,4,'2011-08-10 10:45:59','2011-08-10 15:45:59','Taglines can help or hamper your marketing efforts. They must be clear and relevant. A few nights ago, I was watching TV and saw the following commercial for Red Lobster:\n\n[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySl03vqdKNQ&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\n\nThe last line is: \"I see food differently. \"The tagline for this campaign is <strong>Sea Food Differently. </strong> I think this is tagline writing at its best: clever, play on words, and RELEVANT. They are saying that Red Lobster does seafood differently (presumably better) than other restaurants. Perfect.\n\nCompare that to Salonpas. Salonpas, which has a completely weird name that makes me think of a hair salon, is a pain relief patch. They are running this spot on TV right now:\n\n[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX4WVN4YN0Q&amp;w=560&amp;h=349]\n\nThe tagline is: \"Nothing\'s been proven to beat the relief.\"\n\nWhat does that mean? It is saying that nothing is proven to provide relief--which, I am pretty sure, is not the message they intended.\n\nSome taglines make you scratch your head, some don\'t make you think at all, and some, the ones that work, make you think.','A tagline that works','','publish','open','open','','a-tag-line-that-works','','','2011-08-10 10:45:59','2011-08-10 15:45:59','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1245',0,'post','',0),(1408,4,'2011-08-11 08:43:24','2011-08-11 13:43:24','Increasingly, I am seeing articles out there about measuring the Return on Investment (ROI)/Return on Engagement (ROE) in social media.  This morning, I read an article that went so far as to show you how to calculate the dollar figures of investment and the projected value of any customers you may get from your blog.\n\nThe thing is this: what are you using social media to accomplish? Without knowing the answer to that, there is no measurement available. If you are indeed using your blog simply to generate sales, it is easy to calculate if you are getting a decent ROI.\n\nHowever (you knew this was coming), using social media can help you/your business accomplish many goals, such as:\n<ul>\n	<li>Thought leadership</li>\n	<li>Image/branding</li>\n	<li>Name recognition</li>\n	<li>Networking (as in actually meeting other people)</li>\n</ul>\nThese are not so easily measured in numbers and certainly not in dollars, and yet they all have <span style=\"text-decoration:underline;\">value</span>.\n\nMy conclusion is that you should not waste your time trying to measure your ROI/ROE but instead ask yourself if your social media use is generating value for you. If you are spending hours and hours a day on social networks and haven\'t made one solitary connection, it is clear that there is no value for you. If you have made connections, improved your image, heightened your name recognition, perhaps that is the value you seek.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? What makes you use social media for business purposes?','Some thoughts on the ROI/ROE of social media','','publish','open','open','','some-thoughts-on-the-roiroe-of-social-media','','','2011-08-11 08:43:24','2011-08-11 13:43:24','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1249',0,'post','',0),(1409,4,'2011-08-12 07:00:46','2011-08-12 12:00:46','Social media is about connecting with people on a more intimate and individual level than mass media. In the past, companies spoke at their audiences through advertisements and other marketing forms. Now, companies can INTERACT with their audiences, in fact making communications more of a two-way phenomenon.\n\nWith that in mind, the closest comparison to social media is in-person networking. I wonder how many companies calculate the ROI of sending a company representative to a networking event. If the person makes ten connections but no sales is that considered bad ROI?\n\nNetworking, and social media, is about building connections. There may or may not be a dollar value that can be attached to those connections.\n\nThoughts?','And another thought on social media ROI','','publish','open','open','','and-another-thought-on-social-media-roi','','','2011-08-12 07:00:46','2011-08-12 12:00:46','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1252',0,'post','',0),(1410,4,'2011-08-15 14:30:44','2011-08-15 19:30:44','One would hope anyway....\n\nYou know the feeling of having something just fall into your lap? It\'s pretty sweet to get work/clients/customers \"out of the clear blue sky.\" But, the thing is, they aren\'t just dropping in from outer space like ET. No, they are there because of your past performance.\n\nIf you have done good work in the past, you have past performance to back you up. If, on the other hand, you have done shoddy work in the past, your past performance will be an obstacle. Either way, your past can make stuff fall out of the clear blue sky--or not.\n\nFor marketing purposes, nothing is quite as powerful as word-of-mouth or referrals. If a trusted source gives you a name of say, a carpenter, you are very likely to contact that person. That person has been \"cleared.\" If you call the carpenter to come fix your broken bannister, you are not contacting him out of the clear blue sky. You asked around and found that someone recommended this particular carpenter.  For the carpenter, who may have been sitting back that particular day, it felt like he got business fairly easily. He didn\'t. He earned it, right?\n\nYour past performance can help you earn new business--and it can help keep business away.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Nothing falls out of the clear blue sky','','publish','open','open','','nothing-falls-out-of-the-clear-blue-sky','','','2011-08-15 14:30:44','2011-08-15 19:30:44','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1254',0,'post','',0),(1411,4,'2011-08-17 11:49:11','2011-08-17 16:49:11','Twitter is not for everybody because it takes some time and skill to use it to its full effect.  Since there are so many conversations and so much information being shared, its easy to get lost and not see any usefulness.\n\n<strong>First, define what you want from Twitter.</strong> Do you want to follow like minded people? Are you a news junkie and want the latest breaking news? Do you want to get your name out there?\n\nOnce you have defined what you want, you can then choose to be a \"lurker\" or a participant. Lurkers just listen and gather information without adding anything to the conversation. They generally don\'t start conversations nor share ideas.  Participants are more active--choosing to share links, engage in conversations, re-tweet content.\n\nObviously, you will get more in the way of real connection by participating actively.\n\n<strong>Second, understand how Twitter works. </strong> Twitter is real time conversation. People are talking to each other right now. And they are talking to many people. Sometimes, newbies just respond to a question someone has posted hours ago, without any reference to the original question. That is confusing.\n\n<strong>Third, get a Twitter client like Tweetdeck or Hootsuite</strong>. It is far easier to see what is going on using a Twitter client than it is to use the Twitter web interface. You can see your @ responses (responses that mention you) and you can create specialized feeds for different subjects or groups of people.\n\n<strong>Fourth, monitor Twitter for @ responses or for Tweets mentioning your name or product.</strong> There is nothing worse than lack of response or super delayed response. I posted something five months ago and someone is just getting back to me. That is not timely...and it shows a complete lack of understanding on how to use Twitter.\n\n<strong>Fifth, understand and use hashtags wisely</strong>. Hashtags that define a topic are useful when conducting searches or grouping tweets into one heading. Some people love to make up hashtags and use many of them on a single tweet. I say choose one that encompasses the topic, if you want to have a greater presence around that tweet.\n\n<strong>Sixth, interact!</strong> If you have chosen to participate in Twitter, make sure you are interacting with other people. If you see something that is interesting, re-tweet it. Answer people\'s questions, comment on their posts.\n\n<strong>Seventh, don\'t just sell, sell, sell or self-promote.</strong> Nobody wants to see a sales message all the time or your bragging. Twitter allows you to unfollow people quite easily.\n\nThis is not the Twitter Bible. I am sure there are other things to keep in mind...what would you add?\n\n&nbsp;','How to be a better Twitter user','','publish','open','open','','how-to-be-a-better-twitter-user','','','2011-08-17 11:49:11','2011-08-17 16:49:11','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1256',0,'post','',0),(1412,4,'2011-08-18 10:15:30','2011-08-18 15:15:30','There should be no doubt that a company\'s customer service plays a huge role in marketing. Put bluntly, if a company has poor customer service, there will be fewer customers at the end of the day. The only exception to this rule is with monopolies like power and telephone companies, which often provide bad service but customers are forced to remain with them as they cannot take their business elsewhere.\n\nLet me give you a personal example. My website is currently hosted at Mediatemple. I have had hosting there since 2004. Off and on during the past seven years, I have had email retrieval issues among other problems.  This past Friday, I noticed my Outlook was not able to access my email. It happened again on Monday, at which point I opened a support request with Mediatemple online. I have learned, through negative interactions in the past, that calling the 1-800 number results in long waits and unhelpful personnel.\n\nAfter a few hours, I had received no response, so I tweeted it out. Mediatemple responds immediately to tweets. I did not get a response from the support request until 24 hours later. It told me I should check my email settings. I did what they suggested, and the problem persisted. Mind you, I had no problem accessing my other email on the same Outlook, using the same ISP.  In my mind, the problem was clearly on Mediatemple\'s side.  At Mediatemple, they refused to believe my claims as a customer, or accept that there could be an issue on their end. The couple of emails/tweets that followed told me to call customer service to troubleshoot my settings. Again, my settings had never been changed and the Outlook was working just fine with my other account.\n\nClearly, to Mediatemple, it is easier to shift the blame to the customer than to check their service. This has happened many times before (once, I was actually told when my website was down, that I had \"broken\" it...I wouldn\'t know how to do that). Well, enough is enough. Since I am going to relaunch my website in the next few days, I am taking my hosting elsewhere. Customer service is the reason.\n\nCustomer service can play a tremendous role in keeping customers happy and COMING back for more. Nordstrom\'s is well known for excellent customer service, and in fact, it is its key differentiating factor. An article in <a href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-11/nordstrom-founding-family-s-customer-service-leaves-saks-in-wake.html\" target=\"_blank\">Bloomberg Businessweek </a>claims that:\n<blockquote>For the most part, the Nordstroms have succeeded by making customer service the good they’re really selling, say industry observers. Though many retailers embrace “customer centricity,” a fancy term for putting the customer first, few equal Nordstrom, which routinely ranks in the top three on Luxury Institute surveys that measure customer satisfaction.</blockquote>\nRead that again: <strong>customer service is the good that Nordstrom\'s is selling.</strong> Not the clothes or the jewelry. The SERVICE. And it has made the company GROW.\n\nIf companies spends lots of money on marketing materials, advertising and public relations but neglect their customer service, the marketing efforts will be for naught.\n\n&nbsp;','Customer service IS marketing','','publish','open','open','','customer-service-is-marketing','','','2011-08-18 10:15:30','2011-08-18 15:15:30','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1259',0,'post','',1),(1413,4,'2011-08-23 09:21:55','2011-08-23 14:21:55','Many companies devote almost all of their communications/marketing resources to EXTERNAL communications, that is, the customer facing communications like ads, press releases, and so forth.  It seems like far fewer companies take the time to invest in INTERNAL communications.\n\nInternal communications are the information exchanges you have with your internal audiences: your staff, board of directors, volunteers and any other group internally affiliated with your organization.  Many companies communicate company news to employees via internal email or a staff meeting. There is nothing wrong with that, but perhaps you could do more.\n\nAn internal communications program should be:\n\n<strong>Timely.</strong> Your staff should never find out about a company decision from outside sources.\n\n<strong>Complete.</strong> Provide all the necessary details--more than you would provide the media.\n\n<strong>Regular.</strong> Even if you have no major announcements, you should communicate with your internal audiences on a regular basis.\n\nWhat kind of information should you share? Here are some ideas:\n<ul>\n	<li>Staff changes and promotions--including dismissals</li>\n	<li>Company earnings and market reports</li>\n	<li>Competitive information</li>\n	<li>Any external communications: press releases, ads, blog posts</li>\n	<li>News reports on your organization</li>\n	<li>News reports on your field</li>\n	<li>Calendar events</li>\n	<li>Policies--including any changes</li>\n</ul>\nWhen your internal audiences know less about your organization that the general public you risk a downgrade in morale. Having a good internal communications program will keep your internal audiences informed.\n\nIf you do have an internal communications program, what is your preferred form of communication? If not, why not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Do you have an internal communications program?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-have-an-internal-communications-program','','','2011-08-23 09:21:55','2011-08-23 14:21:55','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1267',0,'post','',0),(1414,4,'2011-08-24 08:54:03','2011-08-24 13:54:03','How do you find a vendor? It is important to know this because it can inform marketing. Depending on what I am looking for, I used Google, LinkedIn, listing services, reviews or Twitter. I am sure you use other tools (and would appreciate your insights in the comments).\n\nFor example, yesterday I was searching for a freelance editor.  I used Google, and found (remarkably) few individuals had websites, whether I searched for \"DC freelance editor\" or \"Maryland freelance editor.\" I did find a couple, and one of them, had a very nice website and clearly defined rates. I searched for her on LinkedIn, and discovered that her background was very technical--no editorial. Made me think twice about her skill set. Another one had very strong writing credentials, but absolutely no social media (and she explained she is not into it). It made me question whether she gets it. I also Tweeted it out, and got a response from a colleague (good word of mouth).  But, no freelance editors even picked up on it. Obviously, not using Twitter search to find business.\n\nTool: Google\n\nMarketing lesson: Websites are important. Google profiles are helpful. If you are in an industry that is reviewed, having positive reviews is important since Google finds results from Yelp and others.\n\nTool: LinkedIn\n\nMarketing lesson: If you aren\'t on LinkedIn, you are at a disadvantage. The quality of your profile (both for individuals and companies) is important. For individuals, testimonials, number of connections and your background do matter. Don\'t make stuff up, but bone up what is there.\n\nTool: Twitter (or other social media sites)\n\nMarketing lesson: How you present yourself, and even if you are on social media, says a lot. What does your Twitter profile, stream, followers say about your business or you?\n\nTool:  Printed materials (brochures, business cards, etc.)\n\nMarketing lesson: How your marketing materials look (are they printed on quality stock, are they black/white or color, do they look professionally designed),  can give an immediate impression. How your marketing materials read--what information you provide--can seal the deal.\n\nTool:  Using the telephone\n\nMarketing lesson: Are you reachable? How do you/your company answer the phone? Do you even answer the phone? Some people will want to talk to someone in real time.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTool: Word of mouth\n\nMarketing lesson: Each and every customer who has a positive interaction with you can be an ambassador, and each and every customer who has a negative impression can be a detractor. Watch your customer interactions. Improve your customer service.\n\n<strong>The bottom line is that if you are marketing yourself/your company, you have to understand how people find you, and how they decide whether to contact you or not.</strong>\n\nYour thoughts? What makes you decide on a vendor? How do you find a vendor?','Finding a vendor','','publish','open','open','','finding-a-vendor','','','2011-08-24 08:54:03','2011-08-24 13:54:03','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1270',0,'post','',0),(1415,4,'2011-08-25 09:16:52','2011-08-25 14:16:52','After three years and eight months blogging at Wordpress.com, Caffeinated Views is moving! I am now going to host the blog right on my website at www.deborahbrody.com. The change-over is happening this weekend.\n\nI am very excited to finally be able to integrate this blog into my website, although it does mean some growing pains, since those of you who subscribe will have to change your feeds. The blog will also lose its title and look a bit different. However, I will keep providing the same type of insights into marketing communications, and much appreciate your readership.\n\nThe new feed will be found here as of next week.  Please update your readers.\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/blog/feed/rss\" target=\"_blank\">http://deborahbrody.com/blog/feed/rss/</a>\n\nI would love your feedback on the new website/blog.\n\nAnd many thanks for sticking with me!','Blog is moving...please update your RSS feeds','','publish','open','open','','blog-is-moving-please-update-your-rss-feeds','','','2011-08-25 09:16:52','2011-08-25 14:16:52','',0,'http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/?p=1272',0,'post','',0),(1418,4,'2011-08-29 15:22:47','2011-08-29 15:22:47','If you need to do anything when preparing any type of communications (printed, online, even spoken), you need to get your facts straight.\n\nSeems fairly obvious, but as usual, it escapes many.\n\nLet me give you an example. Last week I received a check from a foreign bank, drawn from a U.S. dollar account. I have received these before (I do have clients in other countries). I went to Bank of America to deposit it. I was told that it would take up to four months to clear. FOUR months. (This was after lots of back and forth with a clueless teller and her remarkably unfriendly supervisor). I told them time and again that this was a US DOLLAR check--no exchange rate necessary.  It didn\'t matter--they thought they had their facts straight, and did not leave me any option but to take the check elsewhere.\n\nI went to my other bank. They were MUCH friendlier there, and seemed to understand what I was saying. They went ahead and deposited the check, warning that it would take up to six weeks to clear.  And that I would be charged a fee. Because of the exchange rate. But, I said, this is a check drawn in US DOLLARS.  There should be no exchange of any sort. Bottom line, the check cleared immediately. I have not yet been charged a fee. Seems like the bank teller and her supervisor at the second bank did not have their facts straight.\n\nYou have to know what you are talking about plain and simple. Sure you can make mistakes or have to ask someone if you don\'t know, but it is inexcusable to give customers','Getting your facts straight','','inherit','open','open','','1417-revision','','','2011-08-29 15:22:47','2011-08-29 15:22:47','',1417,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/1417-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1431,4,'2011-09-09 14:48:54','2011-09-09 14:48:54','My last post suggested you have a strong subject line in your email, especially when you are reaching out to potential clients. You have to give them a reason to care.\r\n\r\nThis advice extends to your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook posts and your marketing in general.  If you are trying to get people to do something (read your post, buy your product/service, donate), you MUST give those people a reason to care. You can\'t just say \"look at me.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>First, ask yourself what you want your potential client or customer to do. Then ask yourself, what would make the potential client/customer interested in doing what I ask? </strong>\r\n\r\nSo instead of saying: Donate $$ to Good Cause X say Donate $$ to Good Cause so we can help feed the starving in your city.  Or be more creative: Hundreds are suffering from malnutrition--giving to Good Cause will help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Give them a reason to care','','publish','open','open','','give-them-a-reason-to-care','','','2011-09-09 14:48:54','2011-09-09 14:48:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1431',0,'post','',0),(1420,4,'2011-09-01 13:02:01','2011-09-01 13:02:01','If you are in the marketing business, a pretty big chunk of your time is probably spent convincing people about something. If you are in sales, you are probably convincing them to try your product. If you are in advertising, you are doing the same on a larger scale. On the other side--the internal side--you are also trying to convince. You may be trying to persuade your client to embark on a public relations campaign or back a new creative direction.\r\n\r\nSometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn\'t. Some people resist change but can change if they see a good reason. Some people just resist change and no amount of reasoning is going to work.\r\n\r\nI have a client that refuses--flat out--to consider social media. The higher-ups at the company will not budget for it. They see no value to brand and image building. Their only criteria is bottom line.  And in marketing communications we know that there can\'t be a direct correlation between your communications efforts and the bottom line. If you are trying to create an image, the costs could be higher up front and the payoff later. To think that you will spend $100  in advertising to bring in $100 in business is wrong.  It could happen, and in fact you could spend $100 and bring in several times more in business. But it may not happen immediately.\r\n\r\nSome people won\'t change. If what you are offering/advising does not fit with their worldview, they won\'t even consider it. In this case, just give up.  Don\'t spend energy and ideas trying to convince someone who doesn\'t want to be convinced.','Some people won\'t change','','publish','open','open','','some-people-wont-change','','','2011-09-01 13:02:01','2011-09-01 13:02:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1420',0,'post','',0),(1421,4,'2011-09-01 13:01:54','2011-09-01 13:01:54','If you are in the marketing business, a pretty big chunk of your time is probably spent convincing people about something. If you are in sales, you are probably convincing them to try your product. If you are in advertising, you are doing the same on a larger scale. On the other side--the internal side--you are also trying to convince. You may be trying to persuade your client to embark on a public relations campaign or back a new creative direction.\n\nSometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn\'t. Some people resist change but can change if they see a good reason. Some people just resist change and no amount of reasoning is going to work.\n\nI have a client that refuses--flat out--to consider social media. The higher-ups at the company will not budget for it. They see no value to brand and image building. Their only criteria is bottom line.  And in marketing communications we know that there can\'t be a direct correlation between your communications efforts and the bottom line. If you are trying to create an image, the costs could be higher up front and the payoff later. To think that you will spend $100  in advertising to bring in $100 in business is wrong.  It could happen, and in fact you could spend $100 and bring in several times more in business. But it may not happen immediately.\n\nSome people won\'t change. If what you are offering/advising does not fit with their worldview, they won\'t even consider it. In this case, just give up.  Don\'t spend energy and ideas trying to convince someone who doesn\'t want to be convinced.','Some people won\'t change','','inherit','open','open','','1420-revision','','','2011-09-01 13:01:54','2011-09-01 13:01:54','',1420,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1420-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1422,4,'2011-09-02 14:31:52','2011-09-02 14:31:52','How long until we don\'t have printed newspapers any more? Ten years? Five? Fewer?  I am not sure but a look at some headlines on today\'s <a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mediabistro.com</a> home page give us some clues:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/los-angeles-times-raises-newsstand-price_b37673\" target=\"_blank\">LA Times to raise newsstand price</a> (new cost will be 75 cents for daily)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/wapo-to-shutter-nearly-all-regional-bureaus_b49461\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post to shut all regional bureaus</a> (except for Richmond and Annapolis, because of the local angle needs)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/what-happens-when-a-city-loses-its-newspaper_b6503\" target=\"_blank\">Oakland, CA loses its daily newspaper</a> (joining several other cities in the same situation)\r\n\r\nAnd most ominous of all:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.marketwatch.com/story/newspaper-ad-spending-down-7-in-2q-2011-09-01?link=MW_home_latest_news\" target=\"_blank\">Newspaper Ad Spending Down 7% in 2Q</a>\r\n\r\nThe trend is clear: fewer people are buying newspapers, and fewer readers means less enticement for advertisers, which means less ad revenue. With less per-issue/subscription revenue and ad revenue, newspapers are increasing prices to subscribers/single-issue buyers or shutting down altogether. Some, like the New York Times, are embracing the online world and charging for access. I think this (unfortunately) is where all newspapers that want to remain viable will head. But then, what will they be called?\r\n\r\nLet me know what you think. If you are heading out for a nice long weekend, enjoy! Happy Labor Day to all!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bad news for newspapers','','publish','open','open','','bad-news-for-newspapers','','','2011-09-02 14:31:52','2011-09-02 14:31:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1422',0,'post','',1),(1423,4,'2011-09-02 14:30:31','2011-09-02 14:30:31','How long until we don\'t have printed newspapers any more? Ten years? Five? Fewer?  I am not sure but a look at some headlines on today\'s <a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mediabistro.com</a> home page give us some clues:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/los-angeles-times-raises-newsstand-price_b37673\" target=\"_blank\">LA Times to raise newsstand price</a> (new cost will be 75 cents for daily)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/wapo-to-shutter-nearly-all-regional-bureaus_b49461\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post to shut all regional bureaus</a> (except for Richmond and Annapolis, because of the local angle needs)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/what-happens-when-a-city-loses-its-newspaper_b6503\" target=\"_blank\">Oakland, CA loses its daily newspaper</a> (joining several other cities in the same situation)\n\nAnd most ominous of all:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.marketwatch.com/story/newspaper-ad-spending-down-7-in-2q-2011-09-01?link=MW_home_latest_news\" target=\"_blank\">Newspaper Ad Spending Down 7% in 2Q</a>\n\nThe trend is clear: fewer people are buying newspapers, and fewer readers means less enticement for advertisers, which means less ad revenue. With less per-issue/subscription revenue and ad revenue, newspapers are increasing prices to subscribers/single-issue buyers or shutting down altogether. Some, like the New York Times, are embracing the online world and charging for access. I think this (unfortunately) is where all newspapers that want to remain viable will head. But then, what will they be called?\n\nLet me know what you think. If you are heading out for a nice long weekend, enjoy! Happy Labor Day to all!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Bad news for newspapers','','inherit','open','open','','1422-revision','','','2011-09-02 14:30:31','2011-09-02 14:30:31','',1422,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1422-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1425,4,'2011-09-06 15:31:07','2011-09-06 15:31:07','Do you have the kind of Twitter followers you want? Are you getting the information you want and need from your Twitter stream? If the answer is no, I have one question for you to consider before you post your next Tweet:\n\n<strong>Who cares about what I am about to post?</strong>\n\nDo your friends care? Your mother? Your potential clients? Your colleagues?\n\nNot everything you want to say has to be said on social media. If you want to vent about your new dishwasher, why not call a neighbor? If you want to make brunch plans--why not text your friends?','One question to improve your Twitter stream','','inherit','open','open','','1424-revision','','','2011-09-06 15:31:07','2011-09-06 15:31:07','',1424,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1424-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1426,4,'2011-09-07 15:18:44','2011-09-07 15:18:44','Email marketing is alive and well, in spite of all the doomsayers who say email is dead. Most people use email to communicate, and generally check their email multiple times a day.\r\n\r\nWe all get tons of emails--notifications, calendar events, special discounts, sales pitches and perhaps a few personal notes too. What makes you open (let alone read) an email. There are a few scenarios:\r\n\r\n<strong>Known sender: </strong>We\'ll open something if we know who is sending it (your aunt Karen or Groupon, for example) Of course, spammers have exploited this to their advantage by fabricating the sent address.\r\n\r\n<strong>Subject line: </strong>We\'ll open something if it sounds relevant or interesting, like \"Special Event to Benefit (name of charity you care about) Next Week).\r\n\r\nIdeally, your emails should have both to ENSURE the are opened. If you don\'t have one, you have to work on the other. Your mother can send you an email with the subject line \"Hi,\" but if you are someone the recipient does not know your subject line MUST be descriptive.\r\n\r\nI received an email this morning from someone I do not know, which had the subject line \"meeting request.\" Why should I open that? I don\'t know the person sending it and the subject tells me nothing. If this person had been more descriptive and said \"(Company name) requesting meeting to discuss (product/service/whatever)\" wouldn\'t that have made it clear what the email was about?\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your readers...do they know you well enough to care about your emails? If not, give them a good reason!</strong>\r\n\r\nUPDATE: Check out <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/9436.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">this infographic</a> about email, which provides some good facts/figures including the fact that email continues to GROW.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are your emails getting read?','','publish','open','open','','are-your-emails-getting-read','','','2011-09-07 19:35:04','2011-09-07 19:35:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1426',0,'post','',0),(1427,4,'2011-09-07 15:18:02','2011-09-07 15:18:02','Email marketing is alive and well, in spite of all the doomsayers who say email is dead. Most people use email to communicate, and generally check their email multiple times a day.\n\nWe all get tons of emails--notifications, calendar events, special discounts, sales pitches and perhaps a few personal notes too. What makes you open (let alone read) an email. There are a few scenarios:\n\n<strong>Known sender: </strong>We\'ll open something if we know who is sending it (your aunt Karen or Groupon, for example) Of course, spammers have exploited this to their advantage by fabricating the sent address.\n\n<strong>Subject line: </strong>We\'ll open something if it sounds relevant or interesting, like \"Special Event to Benefit (name of charity you care about) Next Week).\n\nIdeally, your emails should have both to ENSURE the are opened. If you don\'t have one, you have to work on the other. Your mother can send you an email with the subject line \"Hi,\" but if you are someone the recipient does not know your subject line MUST be descriptive.\n\nI received an email this morning from someone I do not know, which had the subject line \"meeting request.\" Why should I open that? I don\'t know the person sending it and the subject tells me nothing. If this person had been more descriptive and said \"(Company name) requesting meeting to discuss (product/service/whatever)\" wouldn\'t that have made it clear what the email was about?\n\nThink about your readers...do they know you well enough to care about your emails? If not, give them a good reason!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are your emails getting read?','','inherit','open','open','','1426-revision','','','2011-09-07 15:18:02','2011-09-07 15:18:02','',1426,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1426-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1428,4,'2011-09-07 19:34:53','2011-09-07 19:34:53','Email marketing is alive and well, in spite of all the doomsayers who say email is dead. Most people use email to communicate, and generally check their email multiple times a day.\n\nWe all get tons of emails--notifications, calendar events, special discounts, sales pitches and perhaps a few personal notes too. What makes you open (let alone read) an email. There are a few scenarios:\n\n<strong>Known sender: </strong>We\'ll open something if we know who is sending it (your aunt Karen or Groupon, for example) Of course, spammers have exploited this to their advantage by fabricating the sent address.\n\n<strong>Subject line: </strong>We\'ll open something if it sounds relevant or interesting, like \"Special Event to Benefit (name of charity you care about) Next Week).\n\nIdeally, your emails should have both to ENSURE the are opened. If you don\'t have one, you have to work on the other. Your mother can send you an email with the subject line \"Hi,\" but if you are someone the recipient does not know your subject line MUST be descriptive.\n\nI received an email this morning from someone I do not know, which had the subject line \"meeting request.\" Why should I open that? I don\'t know the person sending it and the subject tells me nothing. If this person had been more descriptive and said \"(Company name) requesting meeting to discuss (product/service/whatever)\" wouldn\'t that have made it clear what the email was about?\n\n<strong>Think about your readers...do they know you well enough to care about your emails? If not, give them a good reason!</strong>\n\nUPDATE: Check out this infographic about email, which provides some good facts/figures including the fact that email continues to GROW.\n\n&nbsp;','Are your emails getting read?','','inherit','open','open','','1426-autosave','','','2011-09-07 19:34:53','2011-09-07 19:34:53','',1426,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1426-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1429,4,'2011-09-07 15:18:44','2011-09-07 15:18:44','Email marketing is alive and well, in spite of all the doomsayers who say email is dead. Most people use email to communicate, and generally check their email multiple times a day.\r\n\r\nWe all get tons of emails--notifications, calendar events, special discounts, sales pitches and perhaps a few personal notes too. What makes you open (let alone read) an email. There are a few scenarios:\r\n\r\n<strong>Known sender: </strong>We\'ll open something if we know who is sending it (your aunt Karen or Groupon, for example) Of course, spammers have exploited this to their advantage by fabricating the sent address.\r\n\r\n<strong>Subject line: </strong>We\'ll open something if it sounds relevant or interesting, like \"Special Event to Benefit (name of charity you care about) Next Week).\r\n\r\nIdeally, your emails should have both to ENSURE the are opened. If you don\'t have one, you have to work on the other. Your mother can send you an email with the subject line \"Hi,\" but if you are someone the recipient does not know your subject line MUST be descriptive.\r\n\r\nI received an email this morning from someone I do not know, which had the subject line \"meeting request.\" Why should I open that? I don\'t know the person sending it and the subject tells me nothing. If this person had been more descriptive and said \"(Company name) requesting meeting to discuss (product/service/whatever)\" wouldn\'t that have made it clear what the email was about?\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your readers...do they know you well enough to care about your emails? If not, give them a good reason!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are your emails getting read?','','inherit','open','open','','1426-revision-2','','','2011-09-07 15:18:44','2011-09-07 15:18:44','',1426,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1426-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1430,4,'2011-08-03 07:12:04','2011-08-03 07:12:04','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"> \r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>How We Can Help</h4>\r\n<p>If you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.</p>\r\n<p>At Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.</p>\r\n<p>Together, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</p> \r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td> \r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4>Why Chose DBMC</h4>\r\n<p>Deborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.</p>\r\n<p><b>You\'ll find that our services</b> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.</p>\r\n<p><b>You won\'t pay agency prices</b> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.</p>\r\n<p>No matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a href=\"contact\" style=\"color:#ffffff; font-weight:bold;\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-08-03 07:12:04','2011-08-03 07:12:04','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/2-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(1432,4,'2011-09-09 14:48:42','2011-09-09 14:48:42','My last post suggested you have a strong subject line in your email, especially when you are reaching out to potential clients. You have to give them a reason to care.\n\nThis advice extends to your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook posts and your marketing in general.  If you are trying to get people to do something (read your post, buy your product/service, donate), you MUST give those people a reason to care. You can\'t just say \"look at me.\"\n\n<strong>First, ask yourself what you want your potential client or customer to do. Then ask yourself, what would make the potential client/customer interested in doing what I ask? </strong>\n\nSo instead of saying: Donate $$ to Good Cause X say Donate $$ to Good Cause so we can help feed the starving in your city.  Or be more creative: Hundreds are suffering from malnutrition--giving to Good Cause will help.\n\n&nbsp;','Give them a reason to care','','inherit','open','open','','1431-revision','','','2011-09-09 14:48:42','2011-09-09 14:48:42','',1431,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1431-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1436,4,'2011-09-22 13:01:14','2011-09-22 13:01:14','Can you complete this line:\r\n\r\nThe main thing my customers/clients want from me is ....\r\n\r\nYou should, of course, be able to answer this. If you are a toy manufacturer, for example, your line could be \"the main thing my customers want from me is safety...parents won\'t buy unsafe toys for their kids.\"\r\n\r\nOnce you can answer this question, you can proceed with marketing.\r\n\r\nThis week, Netflix made an announcement that it would spin off its DVD business under a new name (Qwikster).  This came at the heels of a subscriber loss due in part to the 60% increase in prices announced earlier. Not only that, but Netflix\' stock price has fallen.\r\n\r\nApparently, Netflix failed to ask itself what its customers wanted. Ignoring their loyal fan base (as <a href=\"http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/09/how_netflix_lost_its_evangelis.html\" target=\"_blank\">this great article </a>in the Harvard Business Review blog discusses) is probably why there has been such an uproar.\r\n\r\nWhat do Netflix customers want? Do they want more streaming video or do they want to keep getting  DVDs in the mail? Do they want an easy, inexpensive way to get movies fast?\r\n\r\nNetflix\' CEO wants to be in the streaming business, not in the DVD business. But perhaps that is not what his customers want.  Perhaps his customers do not like the name Qwikster. Perhaps he didn\'t ASK his customers first. Sure, companies have to make decisions based on financials etc, but part of the input should include some market research, some customer feedback.  Netflix did not ask, and now they know--customers want convenience and price stability from Netflix.\r\n\r\nWhat do your customers want? How will you find out?','What do your customers want?','','publish','open','open','','what-do-your-customers-want','','','2011-09-22 13:01:14','2011-09-22 13:01:14','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1436',0,'post','',0),(1434,4,'2011-09-12 18:36:02','0000-00-00 00:00:00','You\'ve probably heard about Carol Bartz, recently fired as CEO of Yahoo! Bartz was known as a tough woman who did not polish her language, going so far as to say that Yahoo\'s board had screwed her over (except she did not say screw).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/12/living/carol-bartz-fired-from-yahoo/index.html?hpt=hp_t2\" target=\"_blank\">CNN has an article </a>discussing whether Bartz\' language was appropriate--more so in the context of what is perceived as appropriate for women versus men. Apparently, women are judged more harshly than men if they use curse words on the job.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, it is not a male versus female thing. It is an appropriate versus inappropriate thing. It is absolutely not appropriate to use curse words in business communication and in public fora. I am not saying you should not curse--I do all the time--I just don\'t do it in a business communication (this blog for instance) or in public (like Twitter for instance).  You would not load a press release with curse words, would you? Would you run into a store, full of people you don\'t know, and curse at the top of your lungs? I hope not.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What the $#%^&?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-09-12 18:36:02','2011-09-12 18:36:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1434',0,'post','',0),(1435,4,'2011-09-12 18:34:45','2011-09-12 18:34:45','You\'ve probably heard about Carol Bartz, recently fired as CEO of Yahoo! Bartz was known as a tough woman who did not polish her language, going so far as to say that Yahoo\'s board had screwed her over (except she did not say screw).\n\nCNN has an article discussing whether Bartz\' language was appropriate--more so in the context of what is perceived as appropriate for women versus men. Apparently, women are judged more harshly than men if they use curse words on the job.\n\nIn my opinion, it is not a male versus female thing. It is an appropriate versus inappropriate thing. It is absolutely not appropriate to use curse words in business communication and in public fora. I am not saying you should not curse--I do all the time--I just don\'t do it in a business communication (this blog for instance) or in public (like Twitter for instance).  You would not load a press release with curse words, would you? Would you run into a store, full of people you don\'t know, and curse at the top of your lungs? I hope not.\n\n&nbsp;','What the $#%^&?','','inherit','open','open','','1434-revision','','','2011-09-12 18:34:45','2011-09-12 18:34:45','',1434,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1434-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1437,4,'2011-09-22 13:00:33','2011-09-22 13:00:33','Can you complete this line:\n\nThe main thing my customers/clients want from me is ....\n\nYou should, of course, be able to answer this. If you are a toy manufacturer, for example, your line could be \"the main thing my customers want from me is safety...parents won\'t buy unsafe toys for their kids.\"\n\nOnce you can answer this question, you can proceed with marketing.\n\nThis week, Netflix made an announcement that it would spin off its DVD business under a new name (Qwikster).  This came at the heels of a subscriber loss due in part to the 60% increase in prices announced earlier. Not only that, but Netflix\' stock price has fallen.\n\nApparently, Netflix failed to ask itself what its customers wanted. Ignoring their loyal fan base (as <a href=\"http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/09/how_netflix_lost_its_evangelis.html\" target=\"_blank\">this great article </a>in the Harvard Business Review blog discusses) is probably why there has been such an uproar.\n\nWhat do Netflix customers want? Do they want more streaming video or do they want to keep getting  DVDs in the mail? Do they want an easy, inexpensive way to get movies fast?\n\nNetflix\' CEO wants to be in the streaming business, not in the DVD business. But perhaps that is not what his customers want.  Perhaps his customers do not like the name Qwikster. Perhaps he didn\'t ASK his customers first. Sure, companies have to make decisions based on financials etc, but part of the input should include some market research, some customer feedback.  Netflix did not ask, and now they know--customers want convenience and price stability from Netflix.\n\nWhat do your customers want? How will you find out?','What do your customers want?','','inherit','open','open','','1436-revision','','','2011-09-22 13:00:33','2011-09-22 13:00:33','',1436,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1436-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1442,4,'2011-10-06 17:35:55','2011-10-06 17:35:55','To quote a long ago mentor, Gad Almaliah (of blessed memory), the computer is just a tool. You have to know how to use it.  Gad was an artist and graphic designer who started his career when people still worked with blades and pens and glue. He learned the fundamentals of design and applied them whether using the old tools or the new.\r\n\r\nYou don\'t become a software engineer simply by owning a computer and you don\'t become a writer by having a pen. It sure helps to have the right tools, but you have to know how to use them to make them reach their full potential.\r\n\r\nAs you are probably aware, Steve Jobs died yesterday. I have seen a number of tributes to Jobs, focused on his stewardship of Apple and the Mac. Apparently, many people\'s lives have changed because they now have the IPad or the IPhone or a Mac on their desk.  However, I have to say that no matter how snazzy and cool your Apple product may be, it is not going to make you creative or smart. A designer may be able to do more with Macs, but he or she must know the fundamentals and have a vision and creativity. The Mac, without a human operator who has the capacity to do with it what he or she dreams, is just a machine or tool.\r\n\r\nTools alone are not enough. You must develop strategies. You should  encourage creativity and problem-solving. After all, the focus on the tool (for instance Twitter or a IPhone App) instead of the message will not help your communications campaign.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Don\'t focus on the tools','','publish','open','open','','dont-focus-on-the-tools','','','2011-10-06 17:35:55','2011-10-06 17:35:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1442',0,'post','',0),(1439,4,'2011-09-26 12:40:27','2011-09-26 12:40:27','I logged on to my Facebook page to find the following message:\r\n<blockquote>Changes to How You Share Content on Your Page\r\n\r\nWe want you to connect with your fans in the most effective ways possible. That\'s why as of September 30th you\'ll no longer be able to automatically import posts from your website to your page notes. The best way to get people to interact with your content is to give them insight into the links you share on your Wall by adding personal comments and responding to feedback from fans.\r\n\r\nWe\'re focused on creating even better tools for pages - look for announcements soon.</blockquote>\r\nSomehow, I am not sure that making it harder for me to share my blog posts on Facebook will also make it more effective for me to connect with my \"fans. \" Why is Facebook telling me what is better? The answer is simple: Facebook wants me to spend money. Advertise the page to get more fans, and more clients.\r\n\r\nOver on Mashable, there is an article \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2011/09/22/facebooks-changes-marketers/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\" target=\"_blank\">What Facebook\'s Changes Mean for Marketers.\" </a>Basically, the new Facebook changes will force marketers (businesses) to create a more interactive approach to the getting fans.  It will require more work and more dedication.\r\n\r\nFor small businesses, which are working on getting paying customers and using social media to amplify their reach, putting more work into ONE platform is nonsensical. Yes, Facebook has A LOT of users, but not all those users are your customers. If a business finds that its best base is coming from Facebook, then yes, it will be worth investing the extra time.\r\n\r\nI am not convinced that Facebook generates sales. It does helps create brand awareness and build image, which adds value.  Small businesses will have to decide how much more time they want to devote to Facebook, since it looks like it will require more time, more work and more strategy.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?','Is Facebook becoming a nightmare for small business?','','publish','open','open','','is-facebook-becoming-a-nightmare-for-small-business','','','2011-09-26 12:40:27','2011-09-26 12:40:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1439',0,'post','',3),(1440,4,'2011-09-26 12:39:30','2011-09-26 12:39:30','I logged on to my Facebook page to find the following message:\n<blockquote>Changes to How You Share Content on Your Page\n\nWe want you to connect with your fans in the most effective ways possible. That\'s why as of September 30th you\'ll no longer be able to automatically import posts from your website to your page notes. The best way to get people to interact with your content is to give them insight into the links you share on your Wall by adding personal comments and responding to feedback from fans.\n\nWe\'re focused on creating even better tools for pages - look for announcements soon.</blockquote>\nSomehow, I am not sure that making it harder for me to share my blog posts on Facebook will also make it more effective for me to connect with my \"fans. \" Why is Facebook telling me what is better? The answer is simple: Facebook wants me to spend money. Advertise the page to get more fans, and more clients.\n\nOver on Mashable, there is an article \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2011/09/22/facebooks-changes-marketers/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\" target=\"_blank\">What Facebook\'s Changes Mean for Marketers.\" </a>Basically, the new Facebook changes will force marketers (businesses) to create a more interactive approach to the getting fans.  It will require more work and more dedication.\n\nFor small businesses, which are working on getting paying customers and using social media to amplify their reach, putting more work into ONE platform is nonsensical. Yes, Facebook has A LOT of users, but not all those users are your customers. If a business finds that its best base is coming from Facebook, then yes, it will be worth investing the extra time.\n\nI am not convinced that Facebook generates sales. It does helps create brand awareness and build image, which adds value.  Small businesses will have to decide how much more time they want to devote to Facebook, since it looks like it will require more time, more work and more strategy, just to build their brand image, witho','Is Facebook becoming a nightmare for small business?','','inherit','open','open','','1439-revision','','','2011-09-26 12:39:30','2011-09-26 12:39:30','',1439,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1439-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1441,4,'2011-10-06 17:23:38','2011-10-06 17:23:38','I logged on to my Facebook page to find the following message:\n<blockquote>Changes to How You Share Content on Your Page\n\nWe want you to connect with your fans in the most effective ways possible. That\'s why as of September 30th you\'ll no longer be able to automatically import posts from your website to your page notes. The best way to get people to interact with your content is to give them insight into the links you share on your Wall by adding personal comments and responding to feedback from fans.\n\nWe\'re focused on creating even better tools for pages - look for announcements soon.</blockquote>\nSomehow, I am not sure that making it harder for me to share my blog posts on Facebook will also make it more effective for me to connect with my \"fans. \" Why is Facebook telling me what is better? The answer is simple: Facebook wants me to spend money. Advertise the page to get more fans, and more clients.\n\nOver on Mashable, there is an article \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2011/09/22/facebooks-changes-marketers/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\" target=\"_blank\">What Facebook\'s Changes Mean for Marketers.\" </a>Basically, the new Facebook changes will force marketers (businesses) to create a more interactive approach to the getting fans.  It will require more work and more dedication.\n\nFor small businesses, which are working on getting paying customers and using social media to amplify their reach, putting more work into ONE platform is nonsensical. Yes, Facebook has A LOT of users, but not all those users are your customers. If a business finds that its best base is coming from Facebook, then yes, it will be worth investing the extra time.\n\nI am not convinced that Facebook generates sales. It does helps create brand awareness and build image, which adds value.  Small businesses will have to decide how much more time they want to devote to Facebook, since it looks like it will require more time, more work and more strategy.\n\nYour thoughts?','Is Facebook becoming a nightmare for small business?','','inherit','open','open','','1439-autosave','','','2011-10-06 17:23:38','2011-10-06 17:23:38','',1439,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/1439-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1443,4,'2011-10-06 17:35:05','2011-10-06 17:35:05','To quote a long ago mentor, Gad Almaliah (of blessed memory), the computer is just a tool. You have to know how to use it.  Gad was an artist and graphic designer who started his career when people still worked with blades and pens and glue. He learned the fundamentals of design and applied them whether using the old tools or the new.\n\nYou don\'t become a software engineer simply by owning a computer and you don\'t become a writer by having a pen. It sure helps to have the right tools, but you have to know how to use them to make them reach their full potential.\n\nAs you are probably aware, Steve Jobs died yesterday. I have seen a number of tributes to Jobs, focused on his stewardship of Apple and the Mac. Apparently, many people\'s lives have changed because they now have the IPad or the IPhone or a Mac on their desk.  However, I have to say that no matter how snazzy and cool your Apple product may be, it is not going to make you creative or smart. A designer may be able to do more with Macs, but he or she must know the fundamentals and have a vision and creativity. The Mac, without a human operator who has the capacity to do with it what he or she dreams, is just a machine or tool.\n\nTools alone are not enough. You must develop strategies. You should  encourage creativity and problem-solving. After all, the focus on the tool (for instance Twitter or the Iphone App) instead of the message will not help your communications campaign.\n\n&nbsp;','Don\'t focus on the tools','','inherit','open','open','','1442-revision','','','2011-10-06 17:35:05','2011-10-06 17:35:05','',1442,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1442-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1444,4,'2011-10-06 17:37:00','2011-10-06 17:37:00','To quote a long ago mentor, Gad Almaliah (of blessed memory), the computer is just a tool. You have to know how to use it.  Gad was an artist and graphic designer who started his career when people still worked with blades and pens and glue. He learned the fundamentals of design and applied them whether using the old tools or the new.\n\nYou don\'t become a software engineer simply by owning a computer and you don\'t become a writer by having a pen. It sure helps to have the right tools, but you have to know how to use them to make them reach their full potential.\n\nAs you are probably aware, Steve Jobs died yesterday. I have seen a number of tributes to Jobs, focused on his stewardship of Apple and the Mac. Apparently, many people\'s lives have changed because they now have the IPad or the IPhone or a Mac on their desk.  However, I have to say that no matter how snazzy and cool your Apple product may be, it is not going to make you creative or smart. A designer may be able to do more with Macs, but he or she must know the fundamentals and have a vision and creativity. The Mac, without a human operator who has the capacity to do with it what he or she dreams, is just a machine or tool.\n\nTools alone are not enough. You must develop strategies. You should  encourage creativity and problem-solving. After all, the focus on the tool (for instance Twitter or a IPhone App) instead of the message will not help your communications campaign.\n\n&nbsp;','Don\'t focus on the tools','','inherit','open','open','','1442-autosave','','','2011-10-06 17:37:00','2011-10-06 17:37:00','',1442,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1442-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1452,4,'2011-10-26 19:31:01','2011-10-26 19:31:01','Netflix has just lost 800,000 customers and has seen its share price drop. Why? Because Netflix\'s CEO is a terrible communicator. It is that simple.\r\n\r\nI am not going to rehash the whole price hike, Qwiskter debacle here. You can read more and find some really good analysis  by Nick Wingfield and Brian Stelter  on the New York Times <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix-lost-800000-members-with-price-rise-and-split-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\">(Netflix Lost 800,000 Members, and Good Will</a>).\r\n\r\nThe article says this:\r\n<blockquote>Like many other companies built in Silicon Valley, Netflix prides itself  on its analytical, data-driven approach to making decisions. But it  made a classic business misstep. In its reliance on data and long-term  strategy, the company underestimated the unquantifiable emotions of  subscribers who still want those little red envelopes, even if they  forget to ever watch the DVDs inside.</blockquote>\r\nIt seems to me that Reed Hastings is probably very good at forecasting and trend analysis and has decided, purely on an analytical basis, that streaming is the future. He then proceeded to move his company full force into that future, <em>while steamrolling over his existing customers.</em> Because he didn\'t view those clients as PEOPLE, he viewed them as revenue sources. And thus, he communicated to them as if he were communicating to inanimate objects.\r\n\r\nYou see, revenue sources should not have any kind of emotional reaction to news. But people do. People not only react to news, they SHARE their emotions with others. And you add amplifiers such as social media into the mix, and pretty soon lots of people (also known as customers) are sharing in the bad emotions and being persuaded to act. Which in Netflix\'s case ends up in lost membership.\r\n\r\nCommunications starts with the premise that you are connecting with other people, as I said in <a title=\"More ways to communicate; less communication\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">this post</a>. If you fail to connect, you also fail to communicate, and in Netflix\'s case, the damage adds up in monetary losses and hits to your reputation.','Yeah, communications do matter','','publish','open','open','','yeah-communications-do-matter','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication/','2011-10-26 19:31:01','2011-10-26 19:31:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1452',0,'post','',0),(1446,4,'2011-10-17 20:30:03','2011-10-17 20:30:03','When businesses are very small they tend to not be able to afford outside help. Sometimes, the business in question works in the communications space (writing, editing, advertising, etc.) and thinks it can handle it.\r\n\r\nChances are good that you should NOT  be handling your own communications, unless you can answer the following three questions:\r\n\r\n<strong>1) Do you know what you offer, and can you say it in one sentence?</strong> Recently, I was at a business meeting and someone was attempting to describe her business. She gave us many sentences but still it did not make sense. Someone had to ask her to clarify, and she still wasn\'t able to do it.\r\n\r\n<strong>2) What are the top three benefits of working with you? </strong>Unless you have been asking your customers all along, chances are good that you may not be sure what your customers really appreciate about your business.\r\n\r\n<strong>3) Are you able to speak(and write) in plain English?</strong> Many firms, especially those in the technology sector, speak in jargonese. Most people, including your customers, do not understand jargon, or convoluted sentences.  Being clear and making yourself understood is not so simple!\r\n\r\nHiring outside help can be invaluable in helping you to refine your message, clarify your thoughts and communicate them concisely.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Should you be handling your own communications?','','publish','open','open','','should-you-be-handling-your-own-communications','','','2011-10-17 20:30:03','2011-10-17 20:30:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1446',0,'post','',0),(1447,4,'2011-10-17 20:29:41','2011-10-17 20:29:41','When businesses are very small they tend to not be able to afford outside help. Sometimes, the business in question works in the communications space (writing, editing, advertising, etc.) and thinks it can handle it.\n\nChances are good that you should NOT  be handling your own communications, unless you can answer the following three questions:\n\n<strong>1) Do you know what you offer, and can you say it in one sentence?</strong> Recently, I was at a business meeting and someone was attempting to describe her business. She gave us many sentences but still it did not make sense. Someone had to ask her to clarify, and she still wasn\'t able to do it.\n\n<strong>2) What are the top three benefits of working with you? </strong>Unless you have been asking your customers all along, chances are good that you may not be sure what your customers really appreciate about your business.\n\n<strong>3) Are you able to speak(and write) in plain English?</strong> Many firms, especially those in the technology sector, speak in jargonese. Most people, including your customers, do not understand jargon, or convoluted sentences.  Being clear and making yourself understood is not so simple!\n\nHiring outside help can be invaluable in helping you to refine your message, clarify your thoughts and communicate them concisely.\n\n&nbsp;','Should you be handling your own communications?','','inherit','open','open','','1446-revision','','','2011-10-17 20:29:41','2011-10-17 20:29:41','',1446,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1446-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1448,4,'2011-10-19 15:13:27','2011-10-19 15:13:27','We\'ve got Facebook and Twitter; Skype and GChat; email; text; and many other forms of staying in touch. And yet, most people seem to be communicating less not more. There seem to be fewer conversations but more content.\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen it more and more. People don\'t respond to email. People don\'t return calls. People don\'t seem to acknowledge when they have been contacted.\r\n\r\nYet, people have an expectation of immediate response. For instance, a woman in my now defunct book group placed a note on Facebook about changing our book group meeting (scheduled for two days after her note) because she hadn\'t finished reading the book. Because I did not immediately answer her, she emailed me the message. (The answer, by the way, was no.)  If she truly wanted an immediate answer, she could have just called.  But calling would have involved a conversation, and people today seem to be reluctant to have those. So even though she sent me messages two different ways, she failed to CONNECT with me and thus, her communication was fruitless.\r\n\r\nSharing is not communicating. Repeat: sharing is not communicating. If I share an article, all I am doing is giving you an opportunity to read it. I am not communicating what it is about the article that I agree or disagree with,  and more importantly, I am not hearing what your thoughts are. We are not discussing or conversing about the subject--we are just exposing.\r\n\r\nIn all this morass of social media and instant messaging, we are losing the ability to connect. Real communications between people involves connection. A message posted to the ether is not connection. If I tweet something out, am I truly communicating? No, I am not.  To truly communicate I would have to have a back and forth conversation where ideas are shared, people are listening and listened to.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a shame that in a world where we can be in touch with anyone anywhere at any given time, we are losing the ability to really connect.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts? Let me know what you think...I really want to know!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','More ways to communicate; less communication','','publish','open','open','','more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication','','','2011-10-19 15:13:27','2011-10-19 15:13:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1448',0,'post','',1),(1449,4,'2011-10-19 15:12:50','2011-10-19 15:12:50','We\'ve got Facebook and Twitter; Skype and GChat; email; text; and many other forms of staying in touch. And yet, most people seem to be communicating less not more. There seem to be fewer conversations but more content.\n\nLately, I have seen it more and more. People don\'t respond to email. People don\'t return calls. People don\'t seem to acknowledge when they have been contacted.\n\nYet, people have an expectation of immediate response. For instance, a woman in my now defunct book group placed a note on Facebook about changing our book group meeting (scheduled for two days after her note) because she hadn\'t finished reading the book. Because I did not immediately answer her, she emailed me the message. (The answer, by the way, was no.)  If she truly wanted an immediate answer, she could have just called.  But calling would have involved a conversation, and people today seem to be reluctant to have those. So even though she sent me messages two different ways, she failed to CONNECT with me and thus, her communication was fruitless.\n\nSharing is not communicating. Repeat: sharing is not communicating. If I share an article, all I am doing is giving you an opportunity to read it. I am not communicating what it is about the article that I agree or disagree with,  and more importantly, I am not hearing what your thoughts are. We are not discussing or conversing about the subject--we are just exposing.\n\nIn all this morass of social media and instant messaging, we are losing the ability to connect. Real communications between people involves connection. A message posted to the ether is not connection. If I tweet something out, am I truly communicating? No, I am not.  To truly communicate I would have to have a back and forth conversation where ideas are shared, people are listening and listened to.\n\nIt\'s a shame that in a world where we can be in touch with anyone anywhere at any given time, we are losing the ability to really connect.\n\nYour thoughts? Let me know what you think...I really want to know!\n\n&nbsp;','More ways to communicate; less communication','','inherit','open','open','','1448-revision','','','2011-10-19 15:12:50','2011-10-19 15:12:50','',1448,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1448-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1450,4,'2011-10-24 18:05:52','2011-10-24 18:05:52','I have been seeing a few articles lately about how to craft an elevator pitch (or whether to even have one).  The latest one I have seen was today\'s blog post from BurellesLuce: <a href=\"http://www.burrellesluce.com/freshideas/2011/10/creating-a-successful-elevator-pitch/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Creating a Successful Elevator Pitch.\" </a> Although Lauren Shapiro does a good job of summarizing Robert Pagliarini\'s article (have a hook, be concise and passionate and have a call to action) about the same subject on MoneyWatch.com, she misses what I consider THE key.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>CLARITY</strong></p>\r\nAlthough <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarity\" target=\"_blank\">Merriam-Webster </a>is not helpful with its definition (\"the quality or state of being clear; lucidity\"), we instinctively understand that clarity is something we recognize rather than explain. If something is clear, we \"see\" it, we \"get\" it. If something is not clear, it is opaque, it can\'t be understood.\r\n\r\nYes, clarity is the key to <em>any</em> successful pitch, be it an elevator pitch or a media pitch.  If you don\'t say exactly what you mean so that the other party understands, you are not communicating.\r\n\r\nIn a <a title=\"Should you be handling your own communications?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/should-you-be-handling-your-own-communications/\" target=\"_blank\">previous post</a>, I spoke about a woman who gave an elevator pitch that went nowhere. She wasn\'t being clear. She could not distill her message and therefore she was confusing us.\r\n\r\nPitches are not about being clever or even about explaining everything there is to know about something--they are about communicating <strong>one central point clearly</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou should be answering the key question the entity you are pitching has:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Why should I do business with you?</li>\r\n	<li>Why should my publication run your story?</li>\r\n	<li>Why should my product be advertising on your channel?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you can\'t give a clear answer to the question you can be as clever and pithy as you like and still not communicate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One key to a succesful pitch','','publish','open','open','','one-key-to-a-succesful-pitch','','http://www.burrellesluce.com/freshideas/2011/10/creating-a-successful-elevator-pitch/\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/should-you-be-handling-your-own-communications/','2011-10-24 18:05:52','2011-10-24 18:05:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1450',0,'post','',0),(1451,4,'2011-10-24 18:05:26','2011-10-24 18:05:26','I have been seeing a few articles lately about how to craft an elevator pitch (or whether to even have one).  The latest one I have seen was today\'s blog post from BurellesLuce: <a href=\"http://www.burrellesluce.com/freshideas/2011/10/creating-a-successful-elevator-pitch/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Creating a Successful Elevator Pitch.\" </a> Although Lauren Shapiro does a good job of summarizing Robert Pagliarini\'s article (have a hook, be concise and passionate and have a call to action) about the same subject on MoneyWatch.com, she misses what I consider THE key.\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>CLARITY</strong></p>\nAlthough <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarity\" target=\"_blank\">Merriam-Webster </a>is not helpful with its definition (\"the quality or state of being clear; lucidity\"), we instinctively understand that clarity is something we recognize rather than explain. If something is clear, we \"see\" it, we \"get\" it. If something is not clear, it is opaque, it can\'t be understood.\n\nYes, clarity is the key to <em>any</em> successful pitch, be it an elevator pitch or a media pitch.  If you don\'t say exactly what you mean so that the other party understands, you are not communicating.\n\nIn a <a title=\"Should you be handling your own communications?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/should-you-be-handling-your-own-communications/\" target=\"_blank\">previous post</a>, I spoke about a woman who gave an elevator pitch that went nowhere. She wasn\'t being clear. She could not distill her message and therefore she was confusing us.\n\nPitches are not about being clever or even about explaining everything there is to know about something--they are about communicating <strong>one central point clearly</strong>.\n\nYou should be answering the key question the entity you are pitching has:\n<ul>\n	<li>Why should I do business with you?</li>\n	<li>Why should my publication run your story?</li>\n	<li>Why should my product be advertising on your channel?</li>\n</ul>\nIf you can\'t give a clear answer to the question you can be as clever and pithy as you like and still not communicate.\n\n&nbsp;','One key to a succesful pitch','','inherit','open','open','','1450-revision','','','2011-10-24 18:05:26','2011-10-24 18:05:26','',1450,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1450-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1453,4,'2011-10-26 19:29:54','2011-10-26 19:29:54','Netflix has just lost 800,000 customers and has seen its share price drop. Why? Because Netflix\'s CEO is a terrible communicator. It is that simple.\n\nI am not going to rehash the whole price hike, Qwiskter debacle here. You can read more and find some really good analysis  by Nick Wingfield and Brian Stelter  on the New York Times <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix-lost-800000-members-with-price-rise-and-split-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\">(Netflix Lost 800,000 Members, and Good Will</a>).\n\nThe article says this:\n<blockquote>Like many other companies built in Silicon Valley, Netflix prides itself  on its analytical, data-driven approach to making decisions. But it  made a classic business misstep. In its reliance on data and long-term  strategy, the company underestimated the unquantifiable emotions of  subscribers who still want those little red envelopes, even if they  forget to ever watch the DVDs inside.</blockquote>\nIt seems to me that Reed Hastings is probably very good at forecasting and trend analysis and has decided, purely on an analytical basis, that streaming is the future. He then proceeded to move his company full force into that future, <em>while steamrolling over his existing customers.</em> Because he didn\'t view those clients as PEOPLE, he viewed them as revenue sources. And thus, he communicated to them as if he were communicating to inanimate objects.\n\nYou see, revenue sources should not have any kind of emotional reaction to news. But people do. People not only react to news, they SHARE their emotions with others. And you add amplifiers such as social media into the mix, and pretty soon lots of people (also known as customers) are sharing in the bad emotions and being persuaded to act. Which in Netflix\'s case ends up in lost membership.\n\nCommunications starts with the premise that you are connecting with other people, as I said in <a title=\"More ways to communicate; less communication\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">this post</a>. If you fail to connect, you also fail to communicate, and in Netflix\'s case, the damage adds up in monetary losses and hits to your reputation.','Yeah, communications do matter','','inherit','open','open','','1452-revision','','','2011-10-26 19:29:54','2011-10-26 19:29:54','',1452,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1452-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1454,4,'2011-10-26 19:29:57','2011-10-26 19:29:57','Netflix has just lost 800,000 customers and has seen its share price drop. Why? Because Netflix\'s CEO is a terrible communicator. It is that simple.\r\n\r\nI am not going to rehash the whole price hike, Qwiskter debacle here. You can read more and find some really good analysis  by Nick Wingfield and Brian Stelter  on the New York Times <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix-lost-800000-members-with-price-rise-and-split-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\">(Netflix Lost 800,000 Members, and Good Will</a>).\r\n\r\nThe article says this:\r\n<blockquote>Like many other companies built in Silicon Valley, Netflix prides itself  on its analytical, data-driven approach to making decisions. But it  made a classic business misstep. In its reliance on data and long-term  strategy, the company underestimated the unquantifiable emotions of  subscribers who still want those little red envelopes, even if they  forget to ever watch the DVDs inside.</blockquote>\r\nIt seems to me that Reed Hastings is probably very good at forecasting and trend analysis and has decided, purely on an analytical basis, that streaming is the future. He then proceeded to move his company full force into that future, <em>while steamrolling over his existing customers.</em> Because he didn\'t view those clients as PEOPLE, he viewed them as revenue sources. And thus, he communicated to them as if he were communicating to inanimate objects.\r\n\r\nYou see, revenue sources should not have any kind of emotional reaction to news. But people do. People not only react to news, they SHARE their emotions with others. And you add amplifiers such as social media into the mix, and pretty soon lots of people (also known as customers) are sharing in the bad emotions and being persuaded to act. Which in Netflix\'s case ends up in lost membership.\r\n\r\nCommunications starts with the premise that you are connecting with other people, as I said in <a title=\"More ways to communicate; less communication\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">this post</a>. If you fail to connect, you also fail to communicate, and in Netflix\'s case, the damage adds up in monetary losses and hits to your reputation.','Yeah, communications do matter','','inherit','open','open','','1452-revision-2','','','2011-10-26 19:29:57','2011-10-26 19:29:57','',1452,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1452-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1455,4,'2011-10-26 19:32:05','2011-10-26 19:32:05','Netflix has just lost 800,000 customers and has seen its share price drop. Why? Because Netflix\'s CEO is a terrible communicator. It is that simple.\n\nI am not going to rehash the whole price hike, Qwiskter debacle here. You can read more and find some really good analysis  by Nick Wingfield and Brian Stelter  on the New York Times <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/technology/netflix-lost-800000-members-with-price-rise-and-split-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\">(Netflix Lost 800,000 Members, and Good Will</a>).\n\nThe article says this:\n<blockquote>Like many other companies built in Silicon Valley, Netflix prides itself  on its analytical, data-driven approach to making decisions. But it  made a classic business misstep. In its reliance on data and long-term  strategy, the company underestimated the unquantifiable emotions of  subscribers who still want those little red envelopes, even if they  forget to ever watch the DVDs inside.</blockquote>\nIt seems to me that Reed Hastings is probably very good at forecasting and trend analysis and has decided, purely on an analytical basis, that streaming is the future. He then proceeded to move his company full force into that future, <em>while steamrolling over his existing customers.</em> Because he didn\'t view those clients as PEOPLE, he viewed them as revenue sources. And thus, he communicated to them as if he were communicating to inanimate objects.\n\nYou see, revenue sources should not have any kind of emotional reaction to news. But people do. People not only react to news, they SHARE their emotions with others. And you add amplifiers such as social media into the mix, and pretty soon lots of people (also known as customers) are sharing in the bad emotions and being persuaded to act. Which in Netflix\'s case ends up in lost membership.\n\nCommunications starts with the premise that you are connecting with other people, as I said in <a title=\"More ways to communicate; less communication\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-communicate-less-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">this post</a>. If you fail to connect, you also fail to communicate, and in Netflix\'s case, the damage adds up in monetary losses and hits to your reputation.','Yeah, communications do matter','','inherit','open','open','','1452-autosave','','','2011-10-26 19:32:05','2011-10-26 19:32:05','',1452,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1452-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1457,4,'2011-10-28 15:31:16','2011-10-28 15:31:16','A headline can either draw the reader in or not.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post has different headlines on its website than in the print edition (why this is, I don\'t know). This morning, for example, I barely glanced at Charles Krauthammer\'s op-ed piece \"Libyan \'Crossfire\'.\"  Then, when perusing WashingtonPost.com I saw the following headline:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/libyan-crossfire/2011/10/27/gIQA1DXMNM_story.html?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Krauthammer: Gaddafi justified his rotten death</a>\r\n\r\nNow, that intrigued me. So I clicked and lo and behold, it is the same article.\r\n\r\nA good headline is descriptive, yes, and has an element to make you read further. Writing a good headline will get your article (or press release or blog post) seen (if not read fully).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Think a headline does not matter?','','publish','open','open','','think-a-headline-does-not-matter','','','2011-10-28 15:31:16','2011-10-28 15:31:16','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1457',0,'post','',0),(1458,4,'2011-10-28 15:30:38','2011-10-28 15:30:38','A headline can either draw the reader in or not.\n\nThe Washington Post has different headlines on its website than in the print edition (why this is, I don\'t know). This morning, for example, I barely glanced at Charles Krauthammer\'s op-ed piece \"Libyan \'Crossfire\'.\"  Then, when perusing WashingtonPost.com I saw the following headline:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/libyan-crossfire/2011/10/27/gIQA1DXMNM_story.html?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Krauthammer: Gaddafi justified his rotten death</a>\n\nNow that intrigued me. So I clicked and lo and behold, it is the same article.\n\nA good headline is descriptive, yes, and has an element to make you read further. Writing a good headline will get your article (or press release or blog post) seen (if not read fully).\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Think a headline does not matter?','','inherit','open','open','','1457-revision','','','2011-10-28 15:30:38','2011-10-28 15:30:38','',1457,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1457-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1459,4,'2011-10-28 15:32:21','2011-10-28 15:32:21','A headline can either draw the reader in or not.\n\nThe Washington Post has different headlines on its website than in the print edition (why this is, I don\'t know). This morning, for example, I barely glanced at Charles Krauthammer\'s op-ed piece \"Libyan \'Crossfire\'.\"  Then, when perusing WashingtonPost.com I saw the following headline:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/libyan-crossfire/2011/10/27/gIQA1DXMNM_story.html?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Krauthammer: Gaddafi justified his rotten death</a>\n\nNow, that intrigued me. So I clicked and lo and behold, it is the same article.\n\nA good headline is descriptive, yes, and has an element to make you read further. Writing a good headline will get your article (or press release or blog post) seen (if not read fully).\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Think a headline does not matter?','','inherit','open','open','','1457-autosave','','','2011-10-28 15:32:21','2011-10-28 15:32:21','',1457,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/10/1457-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1460,4,'2011-11-01 13:39:17','2011-11-01 13:39:17','Is there a company or organization with which you won\'t do business or give a donation because you feel it has not treated you right? Many of us have this aversion to giving more to those who don\'t do well by us.\r\n\r\nJust a few weeks ago I bought an item at Radio Shack. I was assured that returning it would not be a problem. Well, it wasn\'t a problem <em>per se</em>, other than they required my full address, phone and God knows what else, in spite of the fact I had the receipt and the credit card in hand. Then, I didn\'t actually get the credit until I got American Express involved. After a few days, the credit was done and I had goodwill toward Amex, but resentment toward Radio Shack. Making a return there was a hassle, to say the least, and with that in mind, I won\'t be buying anything at Radio Shack if it can be avoided.\r\n\r\nGoodwill has to do with how we treat others, and how others treat us. If we are treated badly or indifferently, we don\'t like it. <strong>No amount of advertising or public relations will compensate for lack of goodwill. </strong> Radio Shack could have everything on sale, but I am not going to shop there.\r\n\r\nIf a company makes goodwill an integral part of their sales and marketing (and operations), it will pay off. <strong>Goodwill creates happy customers.</strong> Happy customers may become repeat customers, and even goodwill ambassadors. If you have a good experience with something, you will share it.  Similarly, if you have a bad experience, you will share it, and that will take the lack of goodwill viral.\r\n\r\nWith social media, large organizations have the chance to interact directly with people. When I had the problem with Radio Shack, I mentioned the company in a couple of Tweets. And guess what, NO response.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, those of us who use social networks regularly have a chance to build goodwill with our followers (groups). We can answer questions, re-tweet posts, offer encouragement, support causes. And the payoff is goodwill.\r\n\r\nWe are more likely to associate with people and organizations to which we feel goodwill.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to create goodwill?','Creating goodwill','','publish','open','open','','creating-goodwill','','','2011-11-01 13:39:17','2011-11-01 13:39:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1460',0,'post','',2),(1461,4,'2011-11-01 13:37:41','2011-11-01 13:37:41','Is there a company or organization with which you won\'t do business or give a donation because you feel it has not treated you right? Many of us have this aversion to giving more to those who don\'t do well by us.\n\nJust a few weeks ago I bought an item at Radio Shack. I was assured that returning it would not be a problem. Well, it wasn\'t a problem <em>per se</em>, other than they required my full address, phone and God knows what else, in spite of the fact I had the receipt and the credit card in hand. Then, I didn\'t actually get the credit until I got American Express involved. After a few days, the credit was done and I had goodwill toward Amex, but resentment toward Radio Shack. Making a return there was a hassle, to say the least, and with that in mind, I won\'t be buying anything at Radio Shack if it can be avoided.\n\nGoodwill has to do with how we treat others, and how others treat us. If we are treated badly or indifferently, we don\'t like it. <strong>No amount of advertising or public relations will compensate for lack of goodwill. </strong> Radio Shack could have everything on sale, but I am not going to shop there.\n\nIf a company makes goodwill an integral part of their sales and marketing (and operations), it will pay off. <strong>Goodwill creates happy customers.</strong> Happy customers may become repeat customers, and even goodwill ambassadors. If you have a good experience with something, you will share it.  Similarly, if you have a bad experience, you will share it, and that will take the lack of goodwill viral.\n\nWith social media, large organizations have the chance to interact directly with people. When I had the problem with Radio Shack, I mentioned the company in a couple of Tweets. And guess what, NO response.\n\nMore importantly, those of us who use social networks regularly have a chance to build goodwill with our followers (groups). We can answer questions, re-tweet posts, offer encouragement, support causes. And the payoff is goodwill.\n\nWe are more likely to associate with people and organizations to which we feel goodwill.\n\nWhat are you doing to create goodwill?','Creating goodwill','','inherit','open','open','','1460-revision','','','2011-11-01 13:37:41','2011-11-01 13:37:41','',1460,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1460-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1466,4,'2011-11-10 17:21:58','2011-11-10 17:21:58','Often, we focus on the here and now.  There\'s nothing wrong with that. However, you shouldn\'t forget about the after.\r\n\r\nYesterday was <a href=\"http://give2max.razoo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Greater Washington Give to the Max </a>day. Various DC-area nonprofits were beneficiaries of a massive, day-long donation drive. Nonprofits who got the most donors got bonuses. There was an urgency to get donors to give during the day. This resulted in many social media and email messages being sent out by the nonprofits. I receive communication from several nonprofits and all of them sent at least one email during the day if not several. But, only very few sent emails today. <strong>Today is the after, and it is a great opportunity to reaffirm a message. </strong>\r\n\r\nOne nonprofit said thanks on an email. Another posted on Facebook detailing how much money had been raised, and reminding us that we can give ANY day.  This is smart. By forgetting the after, the other nonprofits are losing opportunities and they are seeming to only communicate when they perceive it is necessary (there is a deadline for example).\r\n\r\nNonprofits who use email and social media to ask for support and businesses who sell products and services would do well to think about the after. <strong>What is your message to your target audience AFTER you\'ve told them what you wanted to tell them in the first place?</strong>','Remember the after','','publish','open','open','','remember-the-after','','','2011-11-10 17:21:58','2011-11-10 17:21:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1466',0,'post','',0),(1463,4,'2011-11-02 13:38:47','2011-11-02 13:38:47','If you have been following the news lately, you have heard that Bank of America was planning to impose a $5 monthly fee for customers using their debit cards. The fee has now been scrapped.  The public commentary has been that the \"people\" won in this debacle against the big bank. True, but I am not sure that is the reason why BofA decided to stop the fees.\r\n\r\nHere are my thoughts:\r\n\r\n1) Bank of America was not the only bank to think about imposing these fees. Other banks, including SunTrust, had ALREADY imposed debit card fees. The media covered BofA because it is a very large bank, and had been involved in the bank bailout. The negative publicity was in fact <strong>media-driven</strong> more so than people-driven.\r\n\r\n2) NOT having debit card fees quickly became an advertising selling point for smaller banks. Here in the DC area,  the local Cardinal Bank put out several ads touting its fee-free debit card. <strong>The bigger banks hated giving the smaller banks a great USP.</strong>\r\n\r\n3) Having fees on debit card transactions was a bad idea because it would REDUCE the amount of debit transactions people engaged in.  Banks still get a small percentage every time a customer uses a debit card. The new banking rules simply reduced the amount (did not eliminate it). If people stop using debit cards, there is no fee for the bank and NO PERCENTAGE FROM TRANSACTIONS AT ALL.\r\n\r\n4) The negative publicity was likely not the main factor in getting the banks to reverse course. After all, baggage fees are still alive and kicking in spite of very negative reactions by the flying public.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts?','Bank fees--here today?','','publish','open','open','','bank-fees-here-today','','','2011-11-02 13:38:47','2011-11-02 13:38:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1463',0,'post','',0),(1464,4,'2011-11-02 13:38:11','2011-11-02 13:38:11','If you have been following the news lately, you have heard that Bank of America was planning to impose a $5 monthly fee for customers using their debit cards. The fee has now been scrapped.  The public commentary has been that the \"people\" won in this debacle against the big bank. True, but I am not sure that is the reason why BofA decided to stop the fees.\n\nHere are my thoughts:\n\n1) Bank of America was not the only bank to think about imposing these fees. Other banks, including SunTrust, had ALREADY imposed debit card fees. The media covered BofA because it is a very large bank, and had been involved in the bank bailout. The negative publicity was in fact media-driven more so than people-driven.\n\n2) NOT having debit card fees quickly became an advertising selling point for smaller banks. Here in the DC area,  the local Cardinal Bank put out several ads touting their fee-free debit card. The bigger banks hated giving the smaller banks a great USP.\n\n3) Having fees on debit card transactions was a bad idea because it would REDUCE the amount of debit transactions people engaged in.  Banks still get a small percentage every time a customer uses a debit card. The new banking rules simply reduced the amount (did not eliminate it). If people stop using debit cards, there is no fee for the bank and NO PERCENTAGE FROM TRANSACTIONS AT ALL.\n\n4) The negative publicity was likely not the main factor in getting the banks to reverse course. After all, baggage fees are still alive and kicking in spite of very negative reactions by the flying public.\n\nWhat are your thoughts?','Bank fees--here today?','','inherit','open','open','','1463-revision','','','2011-11-02 13:38:11','2011-11-02 13:38:11','',1463,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1463-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1465,4,'2011-11-02 13:39:51','2011-11-02 13:39:51','If you have been following the news lately, you have heard that Bank of America was planning to impose a $5 monthly fee for customers using their debit cards. The fee has now been scrapped.  The public commentary has been that the \"people\" won in this debacle against the big bank. True, but I am not sure that is the reason why BofA decided to stop the fees.\n\nHere are my thoughts:\n\n1) Bank of America was not the only bank to think about imposing these fees. Other banks, including SunTrust, had ALREADY imposed debit card fees. The media covered BofA because it is a very large bank, and had been involved in the bank bailout. The negative publicity was in fact <strong>media-driven</strong> more so than people-driven.\n\n2) NOT having debit card fees quickly became an advertising selling point for smaller banks. Here in the DC area,  the local Cardinal Bank put out several ads touting its fee-free debit card. <strong>The bigger banks hated giving the smaller banks a great USP.</strong>\n\n3) Having fees on debit card transactions was a bad idea because it would REDUCE the amount of debit transactions people engaged in.  Banks still get a small percentage every time a customer uses a debit card. The new banking rules simply reduced the amount (did not eliminate it). If people stop using debit cards, there is no fee for the bank and NO PERCENTAGE FROM TRANSACTIONS AT ALL.\n\n4) The negative publicity was likely not the main factor in getting the banks to reverse course. After all, baggage fees are still alive and kicking in spite of very negative reactions by the flying public.\n\nWhat are your thoughts?','Bank fees--here today?','','inherit','open','open','','1463-autosave','','','2011-11-02 13:39:51','2011-11-02 13:39:51','',1463,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1463-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1467,4,'2011-11-10 17:21:33','2011-11-10 17:21:33','Often, we focus on the here and now.  There\'s nothing wrong with that. However, you shouldn\'t forget about the after.\n\nYesterday was <a href=\"http://give2max.razoo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Greater Washington Give to the Max </a>day. Various DC-area nonprofits were beneficiaries of a massive, day-long donation drive. Nonprofits who got the most donors got bonuses. There was an urgency to get donors to give during the day. This resulted in many social media and email messages being sent out by the nonprofits. I receive communication from several nonprofits and all of them sent at least one email during the day if not several. But, only very few sent emails today. Today is the after, and it is a great opportunity to reaffirm a message.\n\nOne nonprofit said thanks on an email. Another posted on Facebook detailing how much money had been raised, and reminding us that we can give ANY day.  This is smart. By forgetting the after, the other nonprofits are losing opportunities and they are seeming to only communicate when they perceive it is necessary (there is a deadline for example).\n\nNonprofits who use email and social media to ask for support and businesses who sell products and services would do well to think about the after. What is your message to your target audience AFTER you\'ve told them what you wanted to tell them in the first place?','Remember the after','','inherit','open','open','','1466-revision','','','2011-11-10 17:21:33','2011-11-10 17:21:33','',1466,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1466-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1468,4,'2011-11-10 17:23:09','2011-11-10 17:23:09','Often, we focus on the here and now.  There\'s nothing wrong with that. However, you shouldn\'t forget about the after.\n\nYesterday was <a href=\"http://give2max.razoo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Greater Washington Give to the Max </a>day. Various DC-area nonprofits were beneficiaries of a massive, day-long donation drive. Nonprofits who got the most donors got bonuses. There was an urgency to get donors to give during the day. This resulted in many social media and email messages being sent out by the nonprofits. I receive communication from several nonprofits and all of them sent at least one email during the day if not several. But, only very few sent emails today. <strong>Today is the after, and it is a great opportunity to reaffirm a message. </strong>\n\nOne nonprofit said thanks on an email. Another posted on Facebook detailing how much money had been raised, and reminding us that we can give ANY day.  This is smart. By forgetting the after, the other nonprofits are losing opportunities and they are seeming to only communicate when they perceive it is necessary (there is a deadline for example).\n\nNonprofits who use email and social media to ask for support and businesses who sell products and services would do well to think about the after. <strong>What is your message to your target audience AFTER you\'ve told them what you wanted to tell them in the first place?</strong>','Remember the after','','inherit','open','open','','1466-autosave','','','2011-11-10 17:23:09','2011-11-10 17:23:09','',1466,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1466-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1482,4,'2011-11-21 14:24:15','2011-11-21 14:24:15','Last night, I watched Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes attempt to get Grover Norquist to be thoughtful about his no taxes pledge. In case you don\'t know, Norquist, the founder of the misleadingly named \"Americans for Tax Reform\"  is the reason the GOP will not vote for any tax increase regardless of anything.\r\n\r\nI could say a lot about Norquist\'s smarmy demeanor, lack of ethics and sad attempts at humor, but I want to concentrate on one particular aspect of the interview. Norquist said that what American for Tax Reform is trying to accomplish is <strong>to brand the Republican Party as the party of no taxes</strong>. Here is the exchange, taken from <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57327816/the-pledge-grover-norquists-hold-on-the-gop/?pageNum=2&amp;tag=contentMain;contentBody\" target=\"_blank\">CBS News/6o Minutes website:</a>\r\n<blockquote>Norquist claims he got the idea to brand the Republican Party as the  party that would never raise your taxes, when he was just 12 years old  and volunteering for the Nixon campaign. He says it came to him one day  while he was riding home on the school bus.\r\n\r\nNorquist:  If the parties would brand themselves the way Coke and Pepsi and other  products do so that you knew what you were buying, it had quality  control. I vote for the Republican. He or she will not raise my taxes.  I\'ll buy one. I\'ll take that one home.\r\n\r\nKroft: So this is about marketing?\r\n\r\nNorquist: Yes. It\'s a part of that. Yeah, very much so.\r\n\r\nBut  Norquist says the success of any product requires relentless monitoring  and diligent quality control to protect the brand, whether it\'s Coca  Cola or the Republican Party.</blockquote>\r\nThe problem with this scenario is that Norquist seems to think that branding is achieved by threat. Basically, if a GOP candidate does not sign the no-taxes pledge, Norquist will fund his demise. The deal is that pols will sign the pledge and then get money  for their campaigns. If they refuse to sign the pledge, American for Tax Reform will do everything it can to discredit them and will fund any opposing pol who does sign the pledge.  Furthermore, if the pol votes for a tax increase after having signed the pledge (no matter how long ago), Norquist will work to make sure the pol loses his/her seat.\r\n\r\nNorquist is <em>not</em> a marketer--he is a politician who is using power and money to influence (and some would say corrupt) the political process. To really \"market\" the GOP, Norquist would have to do some research. He would have to listen to the average citizen/consumer. He would have to explore what the GOP brand means to people inside and outside the GOP.\r\n\r\nFinally, Norquist is not really trying to REFORM taxes or make them more equitable or fair. He is working to reduce the size of government, as this <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68781.html\" target=\"_blank\">article in Politic</a>o points out.\r\n\r\nWhy not make the GOP the party of \"we don\'t want to be a part of government.\" Many of us could support that.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Grover: You don\'t know marketing','','publish','open','open','','grover-you-dont-know-marketing','','','2011-11-21 14:24:15','2011-11-21 14:24:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1482',0,'post','',0),(1470,4,'2011-11-11 16:10:12','2011-11-11 16:10:12','No doubt you have heard about Rick Perry\'s \"oops\" moment during the GOP debate on Wednesday night.  The 53 second piece, where Perry forgets the third federal agency he would cut if elected president, has been replayed to death. Now, Perry is in full salvaging-his-election-chances mode, as Politico reports in \"<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68115.html\" target=\"_blank\">GOP debate gaffe rocks Rick Perry rescue mission.\" </a>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, this is not a communications problem. It is a leadership problem. Any human being can be forgiven for blanking out or misspeaking. We make mistakes and we correct them. But Rick Perry is not trying to fix one communications misstep. He is trying to resucitate his campaign. I think most people would be willing to overlook Perry\'s brain freeze moment (although the media certainly wasn\'t going to let go of a golden opportunity to make fun of him). However, most people see through Perry\'s swagger and sense that there is not much substance there. It was not that he forgot that he wanted to cut the Department of Energy, but that he thinks that cutting cabinet positions is the way to fix this country.  If we focus on what he did say--that he wants to cut the Department of Education--we can see that he doesn\'t have a communications problem. His message is that getting rid of government will solve the USA\'s problems.\r\n\r\nPerry, like Joe Paterno of Penn State, is someone dealing with a leadership problem. If both these men were true leaders, they would take responsibility for their  mistakes and then make a hard decision to exit the national stage. In Perry\'s case, he should realize that he is not yet cut out for national office, and that his lack of debating ability speaks volumes about his preparedness to deal with off-the-cuff moments that will inevitably crop up in a US president\'s daily life.\r\n\r\nIn Paterno\'s case, the fact that Paterno KNEW  about Sandusky being involved in child molestation and still did not report it, speaks to a failure of leadership.  When Sandusky was indicted, and it became apparent that Paterno was aware of what had happened, Paterno should have offered to step down immediately (take responsibility). Instead, he offered to resign at the END of  football season. Penn State\'s trustees fired him instead. Then Penn State burst into chaos, and Paterno said nothing. He could have been a true leader and coach and told the students that what the trustees did was the right thing, and that rioting was not what they should be doing.\r\n\r\nBoth men may have made communications mistakes, but that was not the problem. In fact, good communications would have only come after they both exercised LEADERSHIP. <strong>Great communicators don\'t always make great leaders, but certainly, great leaders must be great communicators.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it a communications or a leadership problem?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-a-communications-or-a-leadership-problem','','','2011-11-11 16:10:12','2011-11-11 16:10:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1470',0,'post','',0),(1471,4,'2011-11-11 16:09:09','2011-11-11 16:09:09','No doubt you have heard about Rick Perry\'s \"oops\" moment during the GOP debate on Wednesday night.  The 53 second piece, where Perry forgets the third federal agency he would cut if elected president, has been replayed to death. Now, Perry is in full salvaging-his-election-chances mode, as Politico reports in \"<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68115.html\" target=\"_blank\">GOP debate gaffe rocks Rick Perry rescue mission.\" </a>\n\nIn my opinion, this is not a communications problem. It is a leadership problem. Any human being can be forgiven for blanking out or misspeaking. We make mistakes and we correct them. But Rick Perry is not trying to fix one communications misstep. He is trying to resucitate his campaign. I think most people would be willing to overlook Perry\'s brain freeze moment (although the media certainly wasn\'t going to let go of a golden opportunity to make fun of him). However, most people see through Perry\'s swagger and sense that there is not much substance there. It was not that he forgot that he wanted to cut the Department of Energy, but that he thinks that cutting cabinet positions is the way to fix this country.  If we focus on what he did say--that he wants to cut the Department of Education--we can see that he doesn\'t have a communications problem. His message is that getting rid of government will solve the USA\'s problems.\n\nPerry, like Joe Paterno of Penn State, is someone dealing with a leadership problem. If both these men were true leaders, they would take responsibility for their  mistakes and then make a hard decision to exit the national stage. In Perry\'s case, he should realize that he is not yet cut out for national office, and that his lack of debating ability speaks volumes about his preparedness to deal with off-the-cuff moments that will inevitably crop up in a US president\'s daily life.\n\nIn Paterno\'s case, the fact that Paterno KNEW  about Sandusky being involved in child molestation and still did not report it, speaks to a failure of leadership.  When Sandusky was indicted, and it became apparent that Paterno was aware of what had happened, Paterno should have offered to step down immediately (take responsibility). Instead, he offered to resign at the END of  football season. Penn State\'s trustees fired him instead. Then Penn State burst into chaos, and Paterno said nothing. He could have been a true leader and coach and told the students that what the trustees did was the right thing, and that rioting was not what they should be doing.\n\nBoth men may have made communications mistakes, but that was not the problem. In fact, good communications would have only come after they both exercised LEADERSHIP. <strong>Great communicators don\'t always make great leaders, but certainly, great leaders must be great communicators.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;','Is it a communications or a leadership problem?','','inherit','open','open','','1470-revision','','','2011-11-11 16:09:09','2011-11-11 16:09:09','',1470,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1470-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1485,4,'2011-11-22 14:58:40','2011-11-22 14:58:40','Lately, I feel that we live in a very mediocre world as it relates to communications and writing.  Open up the newspaper most days and you will find a few articles that seem as if they were written by a teenager. Online, I see typos and spelling mistakes galore.  On social media, I see a lot of rude behavior, I suppose reflecting the loss of civility evident everywhere.\r\n\r\nBut, as with all problems, there is an opportunity---an opportunity to shine. Because we are surrounded by mediocrity, working to be better will make you stand out.\r\n\r\nHere are few ways to shine:\r\n\r\n<strong>Mind your grammar, spelling and typing</strong>: Perhaps you need an editor or just a better review of your writing. And, if you aren\'t really that good at grammar, perhaps take a class or read a book to improve your skills.\r\n\r\n<strong>Skip the passive voice:</strong> There is  nothing like reading long passive sentences. It kills your writing. If you don\'t know what I am talking about then you never had a teacher who corrected your passive voice and made it active.\r\n\r\n<strong>Avoid the cliches and jargon:</strong> Another dead giveaway that screams laziness and even stupidity is the overuse of jargon and cliches. People hide behind these words. For instance, the following excerpts are from a job description (let me know if you understand what this person does for a living):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Stakeholder relationship management</li>\r\n	<li>Standardizing processes, roles and responsibilities</li>\r\n	<li>Outreach strategy</li>\r\n	<li>Virtual collaboration</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Be polite:</strong> If someone writes you an email or leaves you a voice mail, respond. If someone comments on your blog, thank him/her. On Twitter, acknowledge re-tweets.Watch your swearing in a public space (yes, social media is a public space).\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your audience:</strong> If you think about who your audience is, and what information they need, you will be a huge step ahead. Considering your audience will help determine your language, your timing, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Learn how to network effectively:</strong> Perhaps we are spending too much time with our gadgets, but it seems more people are less able to interact personally with others. If you go to a networking event, try speaking to other people. It is as easy as introducing yourself, and asking a simple question (how did you hear about the event, have you been here before, etc.) You may also want to follow up with the people you meet.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be a LinkedIn rock star:</strong> Not a week goes by that I don\'t get a LinkedIn invitation that is a) not personalized and b) from someone I don\'t know.  Sometimes, I go to somebody\'s profile, and it is missing information, does not have photograph, and lists an old position where the person is no longer working.  So, you have the opportunity to shine on LinkedIn by:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Completing your profile (include your photo)</li>\r\n	<li>ALWAYS personalizing invitations</li>\r\n	<li>Not connecting with every Tom, Dick and Jane out there.</li>\r\n	<li>Having an updated job description</li>\r\n	<li>Joining (and participating) in groups</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHow do you shine? Please share what you do to stand out from the crowd.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How you can shine','','publish','open','open','','how-you-can-shine','','','2011-11-22 14:58:40','2011-11-22 14:58:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1485',0,'post','',0),(1473,4,'2011-11-14 13:54:35','2011-11-14 13:54:35','Unless you are very young, inexperienced or just plain naive, you probably have a healthy degree of skepticism about whatever a politician says, or for that matter, what is reported in the news.  You have to---there are too many instances of misrepresentation, faulty reporting or just plain lies.  Of course, this is why the source matters. If it is a source that has proven trustworthy, you accept what it says. If the source is unreliable, then you do have to question it more.\r\n\r\nThis leads me to the latest in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal. Now, Cain is parading his up-to-now reticent wife Gloria in an effort to shore up his female trustworthiness bona-fides.  Gloria says that Herman \"totally respects women.\" It is reported via the AP on <a href=\"http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/11/gloria-cain-sex-harassment-claims-don-t-ring-true-69132.html\" target=\"_blank\">WJLA.com</a> and on <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico.com</a> . Gloria gives an interview to Fox News\' On The Record with Greta Van Susteren (already, you start to see that source matters), which is set to air tonight. Gloria says among other things \"I\'m thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said.\"\r\n\r\nThe source matters. Anyone will question Gloria Cain\'s agenda--and recognize that she is trying to protect her husband. Why else would she suddenly be dragged out of her family home, where she has been hiding out these last few months of the campaign? Is she suddenly relishing the spotlight?\r\n\r\nAlways question the source, and act accordingly.\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html#ixzz1dggRtglX\"></a>\r\n\r\n</div>','The source matters','','publish','open','open','','the-source-matters','','','2011-11-14 14:03:44','2011-11-14 14:03:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1473',0,'post','',0),(1474,4,'2011-11-14 13:53:39','2011-11-14 13:53:39','Unless you are very young, inexperienced or just plain naive, you probably have a healthy degree of skepticism about whatever a politician says, or for that matter, what is reported in the news.  You have to---there are too many instances of misrepresentation, faulty reporting or just plain lies.  Of course, this is why the source matters. If it is a source that has proven trustworthy, you accept what it says. If the source is unreliable, then you do have to question it more.\n\nThis leads me to the latest in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal. Now, Cain is parading his up-to-now reticent wife Gloria in an effort to shore up his female trustworthiness bona-fides.  Gloria says that Herman \"totally respects women.\" It is reported via the AP on <a href=\"http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/11/gloria-cain-sex-harassment-claims-don-t-ring-true-69132.html\" target=\"_blank\">WJLA.com</a> and on <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico.com</a> . Gloria gives an interview to Fox News\' On The Record with Greta Van Susteren (already, you start to see that source matters), which is set to air tonight. Gloria says among other things \"I\'m thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said.\"\n\nThe source matters. Anyone will question Gloria Cain\'s agenda--and recognize that she is trying to protect here husband. Why else would she suddenly be dragged out of her family home, where she has been hiding out these last few months of the campaign? Is she suddenly relishing the spotlight?\n\nAlways question the source, and act accordingly.\n<div>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html#ixzz1dggRtglX\"></a></div>','The source matters','','inherit','open','open','','1473-revision','','','2011-11-14 13:53:39','2011-11-14 13:53:39','',1473,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1473-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1475,4,'2011-11-14 13:54:35','2011-11-14 13:54:35','Unless you are very young, inexperienced or just plain naive, you probably have a healthy degree of skepticism about whatever a politician says, or for that matter, what is reported in the news.  You have to---there are too many instances of misrepresentation, faulty reporting or just plain lies.  Of course, this is why the source matters. If it is a source that has proven trustworthy, you accept what it says. If the source is unreliable, then you do have to question it more.\r\n\r\nThis leads me to the latest in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal. Now, Cain is parading his up-to-now reticent wife Gloria in an effort to shore up his female trustworthiness bona-fides.  Gloria says that Herman \"totally respects women.\" It is reported via the AP on <a href=\"http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/11/gloria-cain-sex-harassment-claims-don-t-ring-true-69132.html\" target=\"_blank\">WJLA.com</a> and on <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico.com</a> . Gloria gives an interview to Fox News\' On The Record with Greta Van Susteren (already, you start to see that source matters), which is set to air tonight. Gloria says among other things \"I\'m thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said.\"\r\n\r\nThe source matters. Anyone will question Gloria Cain\'s agenda--and recognize that she is trying to protect here husband. Why else would she suddenly be dragged out of her family home, where she has been hiding out these last few months of the campaign? Is she suddenly relishing the spotlight?\r\n\r\nAlways question the source, and act accordingly.\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html#ixzz1dggRtglX\"></a></div>','The source matters','','inherit','open','open','','1473-revision-2','','','2011-11-14 13:54:35','2011-11-14 13:54:35','',1473,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1473-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1476,4,'2011-11-14 14:04:50','2011-11-14 14:04:50','Unless you are very young, inexperienced or just plain naive, you probably have a healthy degree of skepticism about whatever a politician says, or for that matter, what is reported in the news.  You have to---there are too many instances of misrepresentation, faulty reporting or just plain lies.  Of course, this is why the source matters. If it is a source that has proven trustworthy, you accept what it says. If the source is unreliable, then you do have to question it more.\n\nThis leads me to the latest in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal. Now, Cain is parading his up-to-now reticent wife Gloria in an effort to shore up his female trustworthiness bona-fides.  Gloria says that Herman \"totally respects women.\" It is reported via the AP on <a href=\"http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/11/gloria-cain-sex-harassment-claims-don-t-ring-true-69132.html\" target=\"_blank\">WJLA.com</a> and on <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html\" target=\"_blank\">Politico.com</a> . Gloria gives an interview to Fox News\' On The Record with Greta Van Susteren (already, you start to see that source matters), which is set to air tonight. Gloria says among other things \"I\'m thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said.\"\n\nThe source matters. Anyone will question Gloria Cain\'s agenda--and recognize that she is trying to protect her husband. Why else would she suddenly be dragged out of her family home, where she has been hiding out these last few months of the campaign? Is she suddenly relishing the spotlight?\n\nAlways question the source, and act accordingly.\n<div>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68268.html#ixzz1dggRtglX\"></a>\n\n</div>','The source matters','','inherit','open','open','','1473-autosave','','','2011-11-14 14:04:50','2011-11-14 14:04:50','',1473,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1473-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1477,4,'2011-11-15 14:07:05','2011-11-15 14:07:05','A few days ago I received a four-fold brochure in the mail that had this tease on the address panel:\r\n<blockquote>Governor O\'Malley doesn\'t want you to know about this....SHOP TAX FREE</blockquote>\r\nMy first impression was this was a political mailing. It wasn\'t, because on the back panel it says:\r\n<blockquote>Shop Tax Free Every Day\r\n\r\nThe Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg (website, address, phone)\r\n\r\nMidnight Madness -- Thanksgiving Night! Save All Night</blockquote>\r\nOn the inside panels was a listing of participating stores with their different special offers.\r\n\r\nDo you notice any missing information? How about driving directions, or even an indication how far it is from main roads/cities in Maryland?  How about hours?\r\n\r\nThis brochure assumes that saving on taxes would be enough incentive for me to go the website or call to get the information that is missing. That is expecting too much. I did go to the website just to see how this mall does with this piece of marketing communication. The website  does list hours and has a rather unhelpful map under the directions. And also a Facebook link (which is not listed in the brochure).\r\n\r\nI think that if you are going to spend money on printing, it better be worth the money. In this case, the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg  got carried away with an idea--lets tell people in Maryland that we don\'t charge taxes--and went from there. The company neglected to include BASIC information that anybody choosing to shop out of state would need: how do I get there, how long is it going to take and when are you open?\r\n\r\nI would bet anything that this brochure was done in house. If it wasn\'t done in house, it was done by a local agency that knows exactly how to get to the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg, because there is no other mall like it nearby. In Maryland, there are several outlet shopping malls in state, and others in Northern Virginia.\r\n\r\nTo me, this is a clear example of why you need to get an independent or outside opinion on your marketing materials. You will overlook something and a third party may be able to point it out to you, like I am doing here.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg needs help','','publish','open','open','','why-the-outlet-shoppes-at-gettysburg-needs-help','','','2011-11-15 14:07:05','2011-11-15 14:07:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1477',0,'post','',0),(1478,4,'2011-11-15 14:06:50','2011-11-15 14:06:50','A few days ago I received a four-fold brochure in the mail that had this tease on the address panel:\n<blockquote>Governor O\'Malley doesn\'t want you to know about this....SHOP TAX FREE</blockquote>\nMy first impression was this was a political mailing. It wasn\'t, because on the back panel it says:\n<blockquote>Shop Tax Free Every Day\n\nThe Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg (website, address, phone)\n\nMidnight Madness -- Thanksgiving Night! Save All Night</blockquote>\nOn the inside panels was a listing of participating stores with their different special offers.\n\nDo you notice any missing information? How about driving directions, or even an indication how far it is from main roads/cities in Maryland?  How about hours?\n\nThis brochure assumes that saving on taxes would be enough incentive for me to go the website or call to get the information that is missing. That is expecting too much. I did go to the website just to see how this mall does with this piece of marketing communication. The website  does list hours and has a rather unhelpful map under the directions. And also a Facebook link (which is not listed in the brochure).\n\nI think that if you are going to spend money on printing, it better be worth the money. In this case, the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg  got carried away with an idea--lets tell people in Maryland that we don\'t charge taxes--and went from there. The company neglected to include BASIC information that anybody choosing to shop out of state would need: how do I get there, how long is it going to take and when are you open?\n\nI would bet anything that this brochure was done in house. If it wasn\'t done in house, it was done by a local agency that knows exactly how to get to the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg, because there is no other mall like it nearby. In Maryland, there are several outlet shopping malls in state, and others in Northern Virginia.\n\nTo me, this is a clear example of why you need to get an independent or outside opinion on your marketing materials. You will overlook something and a third party may be able to point it out to you, like I am doing here.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Why The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg needs help','','inherit','open','open','','1477-revision','','','2011-11-15 14:06:50','2011-11-15 14:06:50','',1477,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1477-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1479,4,'2011-11-17 19:50:56','2011-11-17 19:50:56','Everybody\'s inbox is full of holiday and event invitations during this time of the year. Between fundraisers and holiday parties, you have enough email to last you until January. If you are the person sending those invitations out, are you having success?\r\n\r\nSuccess starts with having the person open your email, but is sealed when the person makes a decision to attend.\r\n\r\nSometimes, there is too much volume and you could have the perfect invitation and few people will see it. That\'s something to consider during the November-December holiday season. However, you can\'t avoid it if you are keen to have a holiday party or a year-end fundraiser.\r\n\r\nBased on the invites I have been getting, here are my four top tips for making them successful:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Have an informative subject line (Join Joe\'s Christmas Party  on December 22)</li>\r\n	<li>Provide the <strong>all the requisite information</strong>: date, time, location/directions, cost, attire, and any other relevant information. Do not put any of this stuff elsewhere.</li>\r\n	<li>Double (and triple) check the dates, spelling, and the accuracy of the information.</li>\r\n	<li>Include at least on reason as to why this event is a must-attend (biggest fundraiser of the year, more than 200 potential clients, the best food and drink, etc.)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThese may seem like good common sense, but I can\'t tell you how many emails I get that:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have the right day, but the wrong date</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t include location</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t include cost (and make you click through to registration to find out)</li>\r\n	<li>Give no reason why would want to attend</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYes, this is basic, but minding the basics is the first thing you should do. Once you have covered the basic, the extra credit to make invitations successful is good design. An attractively designed invitation will welcome people, and make them want to be a part of the event.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do to make your invitations stand out from the crowd?','4 tips to make e-invitations successful','','publish','open','open','','4-tips-to-make-e-invitations-successful','','','2011-11-17 19:50:56','2011-11-17 19:50:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1479',0,'post','',0),(1480,4,'2011-11-17 19:50:50','2011-11-17 19:50:50','Everybody\'s inbox is full of holiday and event invitations during this time of the year. Between fundraisers and holiday parties, you have enough email to last you until January. If you are the person sending those invitations out, are you having success?\n\nSuccess starts with having the person open your email, but is sealed when the person makes a decision to attend.\n\nSometimes, there is too much volume and you could have the perfect invitation and few people will see it. That\'s something to consider during the November-December holiday season. However, you can\'t avoid it if you are keen to have a holiday party or a year-end fundraiser.\n\nBased on the invites I have been getting, here are my four top tips for making them successful:\n<ol>\n	<li>Have an informative subject line (Join Joe\'s Christmas Party  on December 22)</li>\n	<li>Provide the <strong>all the requisite information</strong>: date, time, location/directions, cost, attire, and any other relevant information. Do not put any of this stuff elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Double (and triple) check the dates, spelling, and the accuracy of the information.</li>\n	<li>Include at least on reason as to why this event is a must-attend (biggest fundraiser of the year, more than 200 potential clients, the best food and drink, etc.)</li>\n</ol>\nThese may seem like good common sense, but I can\'t tell you how many emails I get that:\n<ul>\n	<li>Have the right day, but the wrong date</li>\n	<li>Don\'t include location</li>\n	<li>Don\'t include cost (and make you click through to registration to find out)</li>\n	<li>Give no reason why would want to attend</li>\n</ul>\nYes, this is basic, but minding the basics is the first thing you should do. Once you have covered the basic, the extra credit to make invitations successful is good design. An attractively designed invitation will welcome people, and make them want to be a part of the event.\n\nWhat do you do to make your invitations stand out from the crowd?','4 tips to make e-invitations successful','','inherit','open','open','','1479-revision','','','2011-11-17 19:50:50','2011-11-17 19:50:50','',1479,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1479-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1481,4,'2011-11-17 19:52:04','2011-11-17 19:52:04','Everybody\'s inbox is full of holiday and event invitations during this time of the year. Between fundraisers and holiday parties, you have enough email to last you until January. If you are the person sending those invitations out, are you having success?\n\nSuccess starts with having the person open your email, but is sealed when the person makes a decision to attend.\n\nSometimes, there is too much volume and you could have the perfect invitation and few people will see it. That\'s something to consider during the November-December holiday season. However, you can\'t avoid it if you are keen to have a holiday party or a year-end fundraiser.\n\nBased on the invites I have been getting, here are my four top tips for making them successful:\n<ol>\n	<li>Have an informative subject line (Join Joe\'s Christmas Party  on December 22)</li>\n	<li>Provide the <strong>all the requisite information</strong>: date, time, location/directions, cost, attire, and any other relevant information. Do not put any of this stuff elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Double (and triple) check the dates, spelling, and the accuracy of the information.</li>\n	<li>Include at least on reason as to why this event is a must-attend (biggest fundraiser of the year, more than 200 potential clients, the best food and drink, etc.)</li>\n</ol>\nThese may seem like good common sense, but I can\'t tell you how many emails I get that:\n<ul>\n	<li>Have the right day, but the wrong date</li>\n	<li>Don\'t include location</li>\n	<li>Don\'t include cost (and make you click through to registration to find out)</li>\n	<li>Give no reason why would want to attend</li>\n</ul>\nYes, this is basic, but minding the basics is the first thing you should do. Once you have covered the basic, the extra credit to make invitations successful is good design. An attractively designed invitation will welcome people, and make them want to be a part of the event.\n\nWhat do you do to make your invitations stand out from the crowd?','4 tips to make e-invitations successful','','inherit','open','open','','1479-autosave','','','2011-11-17 19:52:04','2011-11-17 19:52:04','',1479,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1479-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1483,4,'2011-11-21 14:23:42','2011-11-21 14:23:42','Last night, I watched Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes attempt to get Grover Norquist to be thoughtful about his no taxes pledge. In case you don\'t know, Norquist, the founder of the misleadingly named \"Americans for Tax Reform\"  is the reason the GOP will not vote for any tax increase regardless of anything.\n\nI could say a lot about Norquist\'s smarmy demeanor, lack of ethics and sad attempts at humor, but I want to concentrate on one particular aspect of the interview. Norquist said that what American for Tax Reform is trying to accomplish is <strong>to brand the Republican Party as the party of no taxes</strong>. Here is the exchange, taken from <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57327816/the-pledge-grover-norquists-hold-on-the-gop/?pageNum=2&amp;tag=contentMain;contentBody\" target=\"_blank\">CBS News/6o Minutes website:</a>\n<blockquote>Norquist claims he got the idea to brand the Republican Party as the  party that would never raise your taxes, when he was just 12 years old  and volunteering for the Nixon campaign. He says it came to him one day  while he was riding home on the school bus.\n\nNorquist:  If the parties would brand themselves the way Coke and Pepsi and other  products do so that you knew what you were buying, it had quality  control. I vote for the Republican. He or she will not raise my taxes.  I\'ll buy one. I\'ll take that one home.\n\nKroft: So this is about marketing?\n\nNorquist: Yes. It\'s a part of that. Yeah, very much so.\n\nBut  Norquist says the success of any product requires relentless monitoring  and diligent quality control to protect the brand, whether it\'s Coca  Cola or the Republican Party.</blockquote>\nThe problem with this scenario is that Norquist seems to think that branding is achieved by threat. Basically, if a GOP candidate does not sign the no-taxes pledge, Norquist will fund his demise. The deal is that pols will sign the pledge and then get money  for their campaigns. If they refuse to sign the pledge, American for Tax Reform will do everything it can to discredit them and will fund any opposing pol who does sign the pledge.  Furthermore, if the pol votes for a tax increase after having signed the pledge (no matter how long ago), Norquist will work to make sure the pol loses his/her seat.\n\nNorquist is <em>not</em> a marketer--he is a politician who is using power and money to influence (and some would say corrupt) the political process. To really \"market\" the GOP, Norquist would have to do some research. He would have to listen to the average citizen/consumer. He would have to explore what the GOP brand means to people inside and outside the GOP.\n\nFinally, Norquist is not really trying to REFORM taxes or make them more equitable or fair. He is working to reduce the size of government, as this article in Politico points out.\n\nWhy not make the GOP the party of \"we don\'t want to be in government.\" Many of us could support that.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Grover: You don\'t know marketing','','inherit','open','open','','1482-revision','','','2011-11-21 14:23:42','2011-11-21 14:23:42','',1482,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1482-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1484,4,'2011-08-19 04:46:26','2011-08-19 04:46:26','<h1><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h1>\r\n<h1><a title=\"Translation\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/translation/\">Translation</a></h1>\r\n<h1><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h1>\r\n<h1><a title=\"Communication Audit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communication-audit/\">Communication Audit</a></h1>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2011-08-19 04:46:26','2011-08-19 04:46:26','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/14-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1486,4,'2011-11-22 14:39:09','2011-11-22 14:39:09','Lately, I feel that we live in a very mediocre world as it relates to communications and writing.  Open up the newspaper most days and you will find a few articles that seem as if they were written by a teenager. Online, I see typos and spelling mistakes galore.  On social media, I see a lot of rude behavior, I suppose reflecting the loss of civility evident everywhere.\n\nBut, as with all problems, there is an opportunity---an opportunity to shine. Because we are surrounded by mediocrity, working to be better will make you stand out.\n\nHere are few ways to shine:\n\nMind your grammar, spelling and typing: Perhaps you need an editor or just a better review of your writing. And if you aren\'t really that good a grammar, perhaps take a class or read a book to improve your skills.\n\nSkip the passive voice: There is  nothing like reading long passive sentences. It kills your writing. If you don\'t know what I am talking about then you never had a teacher who corrected your passive voice and made it active.\n\nAvoid the cliches and jargon: Another dead giveaway that screams laziness and even stupidity is the overuse of jargon and cliches. People hide behind these words. For instance, the following excerpts are from a job description (let me know if you understand what this person does for a living):\n\n&nbsp;','How you can shine','','inherit','open','open','','1485-revision','','','2011-11-22 14:39:09','2011-11-22 14:39:09','',1485,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1485-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1487,4,'2011-11-22 14:58:35','2011-11-22 14:58:35','Lately, I feel that we live in a very mediocre world as it relates to communications and writing.  Open up the newspaper most days and you will find a few articles that seem as if they were written by a teenager. Online, I see typos and spelling mistakes galore.  On social media, I see a lot of rude behavior, I suppose reflecting the loss of civility evident everywhere.\n\nBut, as with all problems, there is an opportunity---an opportunity to shine. Because we are surrounded by mediocrity, working to be better will make you stand out.\n\nHere are few ways to shine:\n\n<strong>Mind your grammar, spelling and typing</strong>: Perhaps you need an editor or just a better review of your writing. And, if you aren\'t really that good at grammar, perhaps take a class or read a book to improve your skills.\n\n<strong>Skip the passive voice:</strong> There is  nothing like reading long passive sentences. It kills your writing. If you don\'t know what I am talking about then you never had a teacher who corrected your passive voice and made it active.\n\n<strong>Avoid the cliches and jargon:</strong> Another dead giveaway that screams laziness and even stupidity is the overuse of jargon and cliches. People hide behind these words. For instance, the following excerpts are from a job description (let me know if you understand what this person does for a living):\n<ul>\n	<li>Stakeholder relationship management</li>\n	<li>Standardizing processes, roles and responsibilities</li>\n	<li>Outreach strategy</li>\n	<li>Virtual collaboration</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Be polite:</strong> If someone writes you an email or leaves you a voice mail, respond. If someone comments on your blog, thank him/her. On Twitter, acknowledge re-tweets.Watch your swearing in a public space (yes, social media is a public space).\n\n<strong>Think about your audience:</strong> If you think about who your audience is, and what information they need, you will be a huge step ahead. Considering your audience will help determine your language, your timing, etc.\n\n<strong>Learn how to network effectively:</strong> Perhaps we are spending too much time with our gadgets, but it seems more people are less able to interact personally with others. If you go to a networking event, try speaking to other people. It is as easy as introducing yourself, and asking a simple question (how did you hear about the event, have you been here before, etc.) You may also want to follow up with the people you meet.\n\n<strong>Be a LinkedIn rock star:</strong> Not a week goes by that I don\'t get a LinkedIn invitation that is a) not personalized and b) from someone I don\'t know.  Sometimes, I go to somebody\'s profile, and it is missing information, does not have photograph, and lists an old position where the person is no longer working.  So, you have the opportunity to shine on LinkedIn by:\n<ul>\n	<li>Completing your profile (include your photo)</li>\n	<li>ALWAYS personalizing invitations</li>\n	<li>Not connecting with every Tom, Dick and Jane out there.</li>\n	<li>Having an updated job description</li>\n	<li>Joining (and participating) in groups</li>\n</ul>\nHow do you shine? Please share what you do to stand out from the crowd.\n\n&nbsp;','How you can shine','','inherit','open','open','','1485-revision-2','','','2011-11-22 14:58:35','2011-11-22 14:58:35','',1485,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1485-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1488,4,'2011-11-22 14:59:44','2011-11-22 14:59:44','Lately, I feel that we live in a very mediocre world as it relates to communications and writing.  Open up the newspaper most days and you will find a few articles that seem as if they were written by a teenager. Online, I see typos and spelling mistakes galore.  On social media, I see a lot of rude behavior, I suppose reflecting the loss of civility evident everywhere.\n\nBut, as with all problems, there is an opportunity---an opportunity to shine. Because we are surrounded by mediocrity, working to be better will make you stand out.\n\nHere are few ways to shine:\n\n<strong>Mind your grammar, spelling and typing</strong>: Perhaps you need an editor or just a better review of your writing. And, if you aren\'t really that good at grammar, perhaps take a class or read a book to improve your skills.\n\n<strong>Skip the passive voice:</strong> There is  nothing like reading long passive sentences. It kills your writing. If you don\'t know what I am talking about then you never had a teacher who corrected your passive voice and made it active.\n\n<strong>Avoid the cliches and jargon:</strong> Another dead giveaway that screams laziness and even stupidity is the overuse of jargon and cliches. People hide behind these words. For instance, the following excerpts are from a job description (let me know if you understand what this person does for a living):\n<ul>\n	<li>Stakeholder relationship management</li>\n	<li>Standardizing processes, roles and responsibilities</li>\n	<li>Outreach strategy</li>\n	<li>Virtual collaboration</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Be polite:</strong> If someone writes you an email or leaves you a voice mail, respond. If someone comments on your blog, thank him/her. On Twitter, acknowledge re-tweets.Watch your swearing in a public space (yes, social media is a public space).\n\n<strong>Think about your audience:</strong> If you think about who your audience is, and what information they need, you will be a huge step ahead. Considering your audience will help determine your language, your timing, etc.\n\n<strong>Learn how to network effectively:</strong> Perhaps we are spending too much time with our gadgets, but it seems more people are less able to interact personally with others. If you go to a networking event, try speaking to other people. It is as easy as introducing yourself, and asking a simple question (how did you hear about the event, have you been here before, etc.) You may also want to follow up with the people you meet.\n\n<strong>Be a LinkedIn rock star:</strong> Not a week goes by that I don\'t get a LinkedIn invitation that is a) not personalized and b) from someone I don\'t know.  Sometimes, I go to somebody\'s profile, and it is missing information, does not have photograph, and lists an old position where the person is no longer working.  So, you have the opportunity to shine on LinkedIn by:\n<ul>\n	<li>Completing your profile (include your photo)</li>\n	<li>ALWAYS personalizing invitations</li>\n	<li>Not connecting with every Tom, Dick and Jane out there.</li>\n	<li>Having an updated job description</li>\n	<li>Joining (and participating) in groups</li>\n</ul>\nHow do you shine? Please share what you do to stand out from the crowd.\n\n&nbsp;','How you can shine','','inherit','open','open','','1485-autosave','','','2011-11-22 14:59:44','2011-11-22 14:59:44','',1485,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1485-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1496,4,'2011-12-05 16:36:51','2011-12-05 16:36:51','How many times have you gone on to a website, and tried to find a phone number or a specific person to email and couldn\'t? Have you ever gotten lost in a phone tree? Have you wanted to comment on a blog but had to jump through hoops?\r\n\r\nIf you have experienced any of these situations (and chances are you have, more than once), you are feeling exactly how difficult it can be to communicate with a company. Some companies and organizations make it especially hard to communicate because they don\'t want to hear from you. Other companies and organizations are simply clueless.\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I was a member of an organization, and my one-year membership expired. I got an email that went something like this:\r\n<blockquote>Thank you for your support of the XXXX. Just a  friendly reminder that your membership expired on XXX. Please contact us to renew your membership, or visit our website  to renew online: &lt;website link&gt;\r\n\r\nYour support will help us build upon our existing programs that  speak directly to our mission of XXXX.\r\n\r\nFor questions about membership please contact XXX, Development  Manager, at &lt;email address&gt;.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your continued support.</blockquote>\r\nThere is nothing WRONG with this email, per se. But it doesn\'t make it easy for me to renew. Why?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>It only provides one way to contact a person--via email (no phone).</li>\r\n	<li>It doesn\'t tell me what my cost will be.</li>\r\n	<li>The website link sends me a very slow loading page that a) is not a form; b) requires I have an account or create an account.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn many cases, businesses and organizations don\'t test their communications channels to see the interaction and whether it is easy to use or navigate. Remember that people are pressed for time and will give up quite easily unless they are EXTREMELY motivated.\r\n\r\nThe easier you make it for people, the more business (or donations, renewals, exposure) you will have.\r\n\r\nAre you making it easy for people to connect with you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Make it easy','','publish','open','open','','make-it-easy','','','2011-12-05 21:05:16','2011-12-05 21:05:16','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1496',0,'post','',0),(1491,4,'2011-11-25 14:58:29','2011-11-25 14:58:29','Here we are--it\'s Black Friday, and plenty of businesses want your business. Between extended (way extended) hours and special deals, people are being lured in to buy. Most of these people have a very specific need in mind (a Christmas gift for their child or a flat screen TV for the family room) and are going in with focus.\r\n\r\nWhich leads me to an experience I had on Tuesday (the day I went to the mall, because, frankly, there is nothing I need so much that I will fight people and crowds today).  It was a classic case of how not to sell.\r\n\r\nI went in to a shoe store---with the intent of shopping for SHOES. I selected a couple of pairs and asked the clerk for my size.  She said \"We are having a sale on our handbags--20% off.\" I nodded.  Then, she brought the shoes out. I slipped them on, and found that they were a bit loose in the heel.  She hadn\'t been paying too much attention to me, and finally asked me how they fit. I said they were loose. She offered to measure my foot...I declined (I already know my shoe size). Then I selected another pair. She brought them out, and she told me the store has  a great deal on socks...get a hole in them and get them replaced for life. I nodded once again. I left the store with no shoes, socks or handbags.\r\n\r\nThe salesperson was trying to sell everything except what I wanted. Most likely, \"corporate\" told its people to upsell and gives a bonus/commission for every non-shoe item sold. But, in this case, this particular salesperson lost sight of what her job is in essence--to sell shoes. In order to do so, she would have had to focus on what I wanted. She could have asked if I was looking for a casual or dressy shoe or whether I needed a wider width, or offered an alternative suggestion when I told her the shoes she brought did not fit. I<strong>nstead, she ignored my needs and focused on her script (mention sale on purses, mention lifetime warranty on socks). How not to sell, plain and simple.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo sell, you have to focus on what your customer wants. That is also plain and simple.','How not to sell','','publish','open','open','','how-not-to-sell','','','2011-11-25 14:58:29','2011-11-25 14:58:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1491',0,'post','',0),(1492,4,'2011-11-25 14:57:44','2011-11-25 14:57:44','Here we are--it\'s Black Friday, and plenty of businesses want your business. Between extended (way extended) hours and special deals, people are being lured in to buy. Most of these people have a very specific need in mind (a Christmas gift for their child or a flat screen TV for the family room) and are going in with focus.\n\nWhich leads me to an experience I had on Tuesday (the day I went to the mall, because, frankly, there is nothing I need so much that I will fight people and crowds today).  It was a classic case of how not to sell.\n\nI went in to a shoe store---with the intent of shopping for SHOES. I selected a couple of pairs and asked the clerk for my size.  She said \"We are having a sale on our handbags--20% off.\" I nodded.  Then, she brought the shoes out. I slipped them on, and found that they were a bit loose in the heel.  She hadn\'t been paying too much attention to me, and finally asked me how they fit. I said they were loose. She offered to measure my foot...I declined (I already know my shoe size). Then I selected another pair. She brought them out, and she told me the store has  a great deal on socks...get a hole in them and get them replaced for life. I nodded once again. I left the store with no shoes, socks or handbags.\n\nThe salesperson was trying to sell everything except what I wanted. Most likely, \"corporate\" told its people to upsell and gives a bonus/commission for every non-shoe item sold. But, in this case, this particular salesperson lost sight of what her job is in essence--to sell shoes. In order to do so, she would have had to focus on what I wanted. She could have asked if I was looking for a casual or dressy shoe or whether I needed a wider width, or offered an alternative suggestion when I told her the shoes she brought did not fit. I<strong>nstead, she ignored my needs and focused on her script (mention sale on purses, mention lifetime warranty on socks). How not t</strong>\n\nTo sell, you have to focus on what your customer wants. It is that simple.','How not to sell','','inherit','open','open','','1491-revision','','','2011-11-25 14:57:44','2011-11-25 14:57:44','',1491,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1491-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1493,4,'2011-11-29 14:22:15','2011-11-29 14:22:15','If you have an organizational enewsletter, who handles it? In my experience, it probably is one of the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Administrative assistant</li>\r\n	<li>Intern</li>\r\n	<li>Volunteer/Development assistant or coordinator (for nonprofits)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAnd yet, an enewsletter should be part of your communications and marketing efforts.  At the very least, your communications/marketing people should take a look at the enewsletter and check for the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Consistency of message</li>\r\n	<li>Use of logo and tagline</li>\r\n	<li>How it fits into the overall messaging/communications campaign</li>\r\n	<li>Timing (is it coming out too close to other communications?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOf course, someone needs to be the final editor and proofreader. In the past couple of weeks, I have received an enewsletter that has had date mistakes (saying an event is on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, with Tuesday\'s date) or with location mistakes or even speaker name mistakes.\r\n\r\nThe best way to handle an enewsletter is to have an editorial calendar---created by your communications department--which can adjust for any special events or needs that arise each month. Your admin or intern can write the content, but it must be checked before sending out. Every single time.\r\n\r\nAn enewsletter is a valuable communications tool, which when done right, can help your organization. When done wrong, it can reflect badly on your organization and make people unsubscribe.\r\n\r\nHow do you handle your enewsletter? Do you have any good tips? Please share them in the comments.','Who should handle your enewsletter?','','publish','open','open','','who-should-handle-your-enewsletter','','','2011-11-29 14:22:15','2011-11-29 14:22:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1493',0,'post','',0),(1494,4,'2011-11-29 14:21:49','2011-11-29 14:21:49','If you have an organizational enewsletter, who handles it? In my experience, it probably is one of the following:\n<ul>\n	<li>Administrative assistant</li>\n	<li>Intern</li>\n	<li>Volunteer/Development assistant or coordinator (for nonprofits)</li>\n</ul>\nAnd yet, an enewsletter should be part of your communications and marketing efforts.  At the very least, your communications/marketing people should take a look at the enewsletter and check for the following:\n<ul>\n	<li>Consistency of message</li>\n	<li>Use of logo and tagline</li>\n	<li>How it fits into the overall messaging/communications campaign</li>\n	<li>Timing (is it coming out too close to other communications?)</li>\n</ul>\nOf course, someone needs to be the final editor and proofreader. In the past couple of weeks, I have received an enewsletter that has had date mistakes (saying an event is on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, with Tuesday\'s date) or with location mistakes or even speaker name mistakes.\n\nThe best way to handle an enewsletter is to have an editorial calendar---created by your communications department--which can adjust for any special events or needs that arise each month. Your admin or intern can write the content, but it must be checked before sending out. Every single time.\n\nAn enewsletter is a valuable communications tool, which when done right, can help your organization. When done wrong, it can reflect badly on your organization and make people unsubscribe.\n\nHow do you handle your enewsletter? Do you have any good tips? Please share them in the comments.','Who should handle your enewsletter?','','inherit','open','open','','1493-revision','','','2011-11-29 14:21:49','2011-11-29 14:21:49','',1493,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1493-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1495,4,'2011-11-29 14:23:19','2011-11-29 14:23:19','If you have an organizational enewsletter, who handles it? In my experience, it probably is one of the following:\n<ul>\n	<li>Administrative assistant</li>\n	<li>Intern</li>\n	<li>Volunteer/Development assistant or coordinator (for nonprofits)</li>\n</ul>\nAnd yet, an enewsletter should be part of your communications and marketing efforts.  At the very least, your communications/marketing people should take a look at the enewsletter and check for the following:\n<ul>\n	<li>Consistency of message</li>\n	<li>Use of logo and tagline</li>\n	<li>How it fits into the overall messaging/communications campaign</li>\n	<li>Timing (is it coming out too close to other communications?)</li>\n</ul>\nOf course, someone needs to be the final editor and proofreader. In the past couple of weeks, I have received an enewsletter that has had date mistakes (saying an event is on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, with Tuesday\'s date) or with location mistakes or even speaker name mistakes.\n\nThe best way to handle an enewsletter is to have an editorial calendar---created by your communications department--which can adjust for any special events or needs that arise each month. Your admin or intern can write the content, but it must be checked before sending out. Every single time.\n\nAn enewsletter is a valuable communications tool, which when done right, can help your organization. When done wrong, it can reflect badly on your organization and make people unsubscribe.\n\nHow do you handle your enewsletter? Do you have any good tips? Please share them in the comments.','Who should handle your enewsletter?','','inherit','open','open','','1493-autosave','','','2011-11-29 14:23:19','2011-11-29 14:23:19','',1493,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/11/1493-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1497,4,'2011-12-05 16:35:12','2011-12-05 16:35:12','How many times have you gone on to a website, and tried to find a phone number or a specific person to email and couldn\'t? Have you ever gotten lost in phone tree? Have you wanted to comment on a blog but had to jump through hoops?\n\nIf you have experienced any of these situations (and chances are you have, more than once), you are feeling exactly how difficult it can be to communicate with a company. Some companies and organizations make it especially hard to communicate because they don\'t want to hear from you. Other companies and organizations are simply clueless.\n\nLet me give you a specific example. I was a member of an organization, and my one-year membership expired. I got an email that went something like this:\n<blockquote>Thank you for your support of the XXXX. Just a  friendly reminder that your membership expired on XXX. Please contact us to renew your membership, or visit our website  to renew online: &lt;website link&gt;\n\nYour support will help us build upon our existing programs that  speak directly to our mission of XXXX.\n\nFor questions about membership please contact XXX, Development  Manager, at &lt;email address&gt;.\n\nThank you again for your continued support.</blockquote>\nThere is nothing WRONG with this email, per se. But it doesn\'t make it easy for me to renew. Why?\n<ul>\n	<li>It only provides one way to contact a person--via email (no phone).</li>\n	<li>It doesn\'t tell me what my cost will be.</li>\n	<li>The website link sends me a very slow loading page that a) is not a form; b) requires I have an account or create an account.</li>\n</ul>\nIn many cases, businesses and organizations don\'t test their communications channels to see the interaction and whether it is easy to use or navigate. Remember that people are pressed for time and will give up quite easily unless they are EXTREMELY motivated.\n\nThe easier you make it for people, the more business (or donations, renewals, exposure) you will have.\n\nAre you making it easy for people to connect with you?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Make it easy','','inherit','open','open','','1496-revision','','','2011-12-05 16:35:12','2011-12-05 16:35:12','',1496,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1496-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1498,4,'2011-12-05 16:36:51','2011-12-05 16:36:51','How many times have you gone on to a website, and tried to find a phone number or a specific person to email and couldn\'t? Have you ever gotten lost in phone tree? Have you wanted to comment on a blog but had to jump through hoops?\r\n\r\nIf you have experienced any of these situations (and chances are you have, more than once), you are feeling exactly how difficult it can be to communicate with a company. Some companies and organizations make it especially hard to communicate because they don\'t want to hear from you. Other companies and organizations are simply clueless.\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I was a member of an organization, and my one-year membership expired. I got an email that went something like this:\r\n<blockquote>Thank you for your support of the XXXX. Just a  friendly reminder that your membership expired on XXX. Please contact us to renew your membership, or visit our website  to renew online: &lt;website link&gt;\r\n\r\nYour support will help us build upon our existing programs that  speak directly to our mission of XXXX.\r\n\r\nFor questions about membership please contact XXX, Development  Manager, at &lt;email address&gt;.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your continued support.</blockquote>\r\nThere is nothing WRONG with this email, per se. But it doesn\'t make it easy for me to renew. Why?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>It only provides one way to contact a person--via email (no phone).</li>\r\n	<li>It doesn\'t tell me what my cost will be.</li>\r\n	<li>The website link sends me a very slow loading page that a) is not a form; b) requires I have an account or create an account.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn many cases, businesses and organizations don\'t test their communications channels to see the interaction and whether it is easy to use or navigate. Remember that people are pressed for time and will give up quite easily unless they are EXTREMELY motivated.\r\n\r\nThe easier you make it for people, the more business (or donations, renewals, exposure) you will have.\r\n\r\nAre you making it easy for people to connect with you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Make it easy','','inherit','open','open','','1496-revision-2','','','2011-12-05 16:36:51','2011-12-05 16:36:51','',1496,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1496-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1499,4,'2011-12-07 15:40:36','2011-12-07 15:40:36','I got a jar of apple butter on my doorstep the other day. It was from a local real estate agent who delivered this \"gift\" to everyone else in my townhouse community. He is also selling one of the houses in the community. It is not the first thing I get from him. I got a magnetic calendar earlier in the year, and a housing sales report too. But apple butter? Is that too much?\r\n\r\nCan you do too much marketing? Some would argue that as long as you are getting customers/clients, there is probably not too much marketing.  True...but are you doing too much to get those customers/clients? In other words, are you spending more than you have to,  making each acquisition very costly?\r\n\r\nThere is no set formula to figure this out, unfortunately. And you have to accept that much of your marketing effort will be wasted, which is why it is important to figure out how much each client/customer is worth to you.\r\n\r\nIn this case, no amount of apple butter, postcards or calendars will get me to use the real estate agent. I already have a real estate agent, and that is who I will use if I ever need to sell this house or buy another.  I will grant that this amount of marketing is providing HUGE name recognition.  Is it promoting conversion? Not sure.\r\n\r\nI believe that the more targeted your marketing is, the better chance you have of it being effective. In this case, the real estate agent is being geographically targeted, which may be the best he can do. His marketing may not work for me, but should he get one of my neighbors to use him, then perhaps he has achieved his objective.\r\n\r\nWhen is it too much marketing? When it produces few if any results.  And you get there sometimes by trial and error. What do you think makes too much marketing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Too much marketing?','','publish','open','open','','too-much-marketing','','','2011-12-07 15:40:36','2011-12-07 15:40:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1499',0,'post','',0),(1500,4,'2011-12-07 15:39:48','2011-12-07 15:39:48','I got a jar of apple butter on my doorstep the other day. It was from a local real estate agent who delivered this \"gift\" to everyone else in my townhouse community. He is also selling one of the houses in the community. It is not the first thing I get from him. I got a magnetic calendar earlier in the year, and a housing sales report too. But apple butter? Is that too much?\n\nCan you do too much marketing? Some would argue that as long as you are getting customers/clients, there is probably not too much marketing.  True...but are you doing too much to get those customers/clients? In other words, are you spending more than you have to,  making each acquisition very costly?\n\nThere is no set formula to figure this out, unfortunately. And you have to accept that much of your marketing effort will be wasted, which is why it is important to figure out how much each client/customer is worth to you.\n\nIn this case, no amount of apple butter, postcards or calendars will get me to use the real estate agent. I already have a real estate agent, and that is who I will use if I ever need to sell this house or buy another.  I will grant that this amount of marketing is providing HUGE name recognition.  Is it promoting conversion? Not sure.\n\nI believe that the more targeted your marketing is, the better chance you have of it being effective. In this case, the real estate agent is being geographically targeted, which may be the best he can do. His marketing may not work for me, but should he get one of my neighbors to use him, then perhaps he has achieved his objective.\n\nWhen is it too much marketing? When it produces few if any results.\n\n&nbsp;','Too much marketing?','','inherit','open','open','','1499-revision','','','2011-12-07 15:39:48','2011-12-07 15:39:48','',1499,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1499-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1501,4,'2011-12-09 13:12:56','2011-12-09 13:12:56','It\'s been a week since I logged into my personal Facebook account. One week in which I haven\'t \"liked\" anything or found out what my \"friends\" are busy doing in their lives.  And guess what? It\'s been OK.\r\n\r\nI decided to avoid Facebook this week because frankly, I am sick of the site.  Between the false feeling of connection to the inspirational quotes, location check-ins and general braggadocio, I am not sure which irritates me the most. And it is definitely not the point to be annoyed when you are on a website.\r\n\r\nThis week I have been on Twitter and LinkedIn. On these social networks I generally learn more than I ever do on Facebook. Twitter provides me with up-to-the-minute news, links to information I may have not seen and a way to chat with people in real-time. LinkedIn lets me see what people are doing professionally.\r\n\r\nThis leads me to social media marketing. If you are relying on just one social network like Facebook to do all your marketing communications, you may be putting all the proverbial eggs in one basket.  You should diversify. Yes, Facebook has a HUGE audience. But it is a POTENTIAL audience, not a measured, constant audience. People do not yet HAVE to go to Facebook every day. They may choose to, but they don\'t need to go there to check mail or get their news.\r\n\r\nI would still counsel you to use Facebook as part of your marketing mix<strong>. Because it is opt-in for people, you are communicating with those who are receptive to your message.</strong> That is truly valuable. Just don\'t share inspirational quotes or you will lose me!\r\n\r\nYour thoughts? How do you feel about Facebook?','One week without Facebook','','publish','open','open','','one-week-without-facebook','','','2011-12-09 13:12:56','2011-12-09 13:12:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1501',0,'post','',0),(1502,4,'2011-12-09 13:12:14','2011-12-09 13:12:14','It\'s been a week since I logged into my personal Facebook account. One week in which I haven\'t \"liked\" anything or found out what my \"friends\" are busy doing in their lives.  And guess what? It\'s been OK.\n\nI decided to avoid Facebook this week because frankly, I am sick of the site.  Between the false feeling of connection to the inspirational quotes, location check-ins and general braggadocio, I am not sure which irritates me the most. And it is definitely not the point to be annoyed when you are on a website.\n\nThis week I have been on Twitter and LinkedIn. On these social networks I generally learn more than I ever do on Facebook. Twitter provides me with up-to-the-minute news, links to information I may have not seen and a way to chat with people in real-time. LinkedIn lets me see what people are doing professionally.\n\nThis leads me to social media marketing. If you are relying on just one social network like Facebook to do all your marketing communications, you may be putting all the proverbial eggs in one basket.  You should diversify. Yes, Facebook has a HUGE audience. But it is a POTENTIAL audience, not a measured, constant audience. People do not yet HAVE to go to Facebook every day. They may choose to, but they don\'t need to go there to check mail or get their news.\n\nI would still counsel you to use Facebook as part of your marketing mix<strong>. Because it is opt-in for people, you are communicating with those who are receptive to your message.</strong> That is truly valuable. Just don\'t share inspirational quotes or you will lose me!\n\nYour thoughts? How do you feel about Facebook?','One week without Facebook','','inherit','open','open','','1501-revision','','','2011-12-09 13:12:14','2011-12-09 13:12:14','',1501,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1501-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1503,4,'2011-12-12 18:28:02','2011-12-12 18:28:02','You know this person right? The person who says \"let\'s get together soon\" but never does anything to make it happen? Or worse, the person who says you should get together and when you follow up, s(he) actually rebuffs you/comes up with an excuse/doesn\'t respond at all.\r\n\r\nIn marketing communications this person is the equivalent of the false brand promise or the product that does not perform as advertised(truth in advertising).\r\n\r\nIt is something to watch out for. If you are marketer--are you blithely promising to get together and then promptly forgetting your promise? That is, are you telling prospects that your product/service  is the most effective way to XXXX, but falling somewhat short?\r\n\r\nYou know what happens when you fail your brand promise? You lose customers, and you most likely won\'t be able to get them back.\r\n\r\nRecently, I attended a business event that was billed as a goal-setting workshop. It wasn\'t. Not even close. Guess what? I am not going back to that group. Same thing happened a few months ago when I attended a local communications group event on the strategic use of video...except there was no mention of strategy whatsoever.\r\n\r\nWhen you fail to do what you promise to do--whether in your marketing efforts or your personal outreach--you lose business (current or potential).\r\n\r\nInstead of saying \"let\'s get together soon\" say \"how about we meet up for coffee on Monday at 2 pm.\"','Let\'s get together soon! (she said)','','publish','open','open','','lets-get-together-soon-she-said','','','2011-12-12 18:28:02','2011-12-12 18:28:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1503',0,'post','',0),(1504,4,'2011-12-12 18:27:01','2011-12-12 18:27:01','You know this person right? The person who says \"let\'s get together soon\" but never does anything to make it happen? Or worse, the person who says you should get together and when you follow up, s(he) actually rebuffs you/comes up with an excuse/doesn\'t respond at all.\n\nIn marketing communications this person is the equivalent of the false brand promise or the product that does not perform as advertised.\n\nIt is something to watch out for. If you are marketer--are you blithely promising to get together and then promptly forgetting your promise? That is, are you telling prospects that your product/service  is the most effective way to XXXX, but falling somewhat short?\n\nYou know what happens when you fail your brand promise? You lose customers, and you most likely won\'t be able to get them back.\n\nRecently, I attended a business event that was billed as a goal-setting workshop. It wasn\'t. Not even close. Guess what? I am not going back to that group. Same thing happened a few months ago when I attended a local communications group event on the strategic use of video...except there was no mention of strategy whatsoever.\n\nWhen you fail to do what you promise to do--whether in your marketing efforts or your personal outreach--you lose business (current or potential).\n\nInstead of saying \"let\'s get together soon\" say \"how about we meet up for coffee on Monday at 2 pm.\" See the difference?','Let\'s get together soon! (she said)','','inherit','open','open','','1503-revision','','','2011-12-12 18:27:01','2011-12-12 18:27:01','',1503,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1503-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1505,4,'2011-12-12 18:28:02','2011-12-12 18:28:02','You know this person right? The person who says \"let\'s get together soon\" but never does anything to make it happen? Or worse, the person who says you should get together and when you follow up, s(he) actually rebuffs you/comes up with an excuse/doesn\'t respond at all.\n\nIn marketing communications this person is the equivalent of the false brand promise or the product that does not perform as advertised(truth in advertising).\n\nIt is something to watch out for. If you are marketer--are you blithely promising to get together and then promptly forgetting your promise? That is, are you telling prospects that your product/service  is the most effective way to XXXX, but falling somewhat short?\n\nYou know what happens when you fail your brand promise? You lose customers, and you most likely won\'t be able to get them back.\n\nRecently, I attended a business event that was billed as a goal-setting workshop. It wasn\'t. Not even close. Guess what? I am not going back to that group. Same thing happened a few months ago when I attended a local communications group event on the strategic use of video...except there was no mention of strategy whatsoever.\n\nWhen you fail to do what you promise to do--whether in your marketing efforts or your personal outreach--you lose business (current or potential).\n\nInstead of saying \"let\'s get together soon\" say \"how about we meet up for coffee on Monday at 2 pm.\"','Let\'s get together soon! (she said)','','inherit','open','open','','1503-autosave','','','2011-12-12 18:28:02','2011-12-12 18:28:02','',1503,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1503-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1517,4,'2011-12-28 15:57:08','2011-12-28 15:57:08','It is inevitable that at the end of the year blogs, newscasts, newspapers and everybody else creates lists for their readers/viewers: best posts of the year, what\'s in and what\'s out, resolutions for 2012, trends, and so on. While some of these are interesting and even though-provoking, I challenge you to make your own list.\r\n\r\nTo make your own list, you will have to sit and reflect a bit. Here are some guiding questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What worked the best for you in terms of marketing communications? (What got the most response, donors, etc.)</li>\r\n	<li>What worked the least for you? (Where did you spend time/money with little or no return?)</li>\r\n	<li>Did you create any partnerships? What worked best/least?</li>\r\n	<li>Did you sponsor anything/anybody? What worked?</li>\r\n	<li>Did you read any business/marketing books? Which provided the best/most actionable advice?</li>\r\n	<li>What ads/commercials were memorable to you? Why?</li>\r\n	<li>What peeved you the most?</li>\r\n	<li>What did your competition do this year that you admired? That you thought was not so good?</li>\r\n	<li>What people/organizations brought you the most value? (Perhaps your graphic designer or your printer...)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What one marketing communications task that you accomplished this year was the most worthwhile (something like creating a brochure, redesigning a website, launching a blog, etc.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn the <a href=\"http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2011/12/21/4-questions-to-ensure-2012-will-be-your-best-year-yet/\" target=\"_blank\">Escape from Cubicle Nation blog, Pam Slim urges you to ask yourself four questions</a>:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>What did I learn?</li>\r\n	<li>What am I grateful for?</li>\r\n	<li>What will I stop doing?</li>\r\n	<li>What will I start doing?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAlthough Ms. Slim is looking at personal growth, I think these questions are valid to determine what your marcomm efforts will be in the new year. Looking through your lists will help you move forward in 2012. The last two questions are especially key. If you found that something you have been doing provides no return on investment, STOP doing it. Start doing something different!\r\n\r\nPlease share your responses or any questions that you ask yourself at year\'s end.','Make your own list','','publish','open','open','','make-your-own-list','','\nhttp://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2011/12/21/4-questions-to-ensure-2012-will-be-your-best-year-yet/','2011-12-28 16:36:47','2011-12-28 16:36:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1517',0,'post','',0),(1507,4,'2011-12-15 16:10:26','2011-12-15 16:10:26','If you are the type to make New Year\'s resolutions, make one to be more effective in your marketing communications efforts.  Being effective--that is, actually successful in producing your intended result--should be the goal of all marketing communications.\r\n\r\nHow can you be more effective? There are several ways to make sure your communications meet their mark, but it probably starts with the basics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Do you know and understand your <strong>TARGET AUDIENCE</strong>?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you know what your <strong>KEY MESSAGE</strong> is?Are you expressing it clearly and unambiguously?</li>\r\n	<li>Are your properly<strong> TIMING </strong>your communications efforts?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you know your <strong>USP </strong>(unique selling proposition)?</li>\r\n	<li>Are you aware of who your <strong>COMPETITION </strong>and what they are doing?</li>\r\n	<li>Have you gotten <strong>FEEDBACK </strong> from outside sources on your creative? Is it conveying the attributes you are trying to convey?</li>\r\n	<li>Are you following a <strong>STRATEGY</strong> or are you just engaging in <strong>TACTICS</strong>?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat are your suggestions for being more effective? Please share in the comments.','Being more effective','','publish','open','open','','being-more-effective','','','2011-12-15 16:10:26','2011-12-15 16:10:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1507',0,'post','',0),(1508,4,'2011-12-15 16:10:08','2011-12-15 16:10:08','If you are the type to make New Year\'s resolutions, make one to be more effective in your marketing communications efforts.  Being effective--that is, actually successful in producing your intended result--should be the goal of all marketing communications.\n\nHow can you be more effective? There are several ways to make sure your communications meet their mark, but it probably starts with the basics:\n<ul>\n	<li>Do you know and understand your <strong>TARGET AUDIENCE</strong>?</li>\n	<li>Do you know what your <strong>KEY MESSAGE</strong> is?Are you expressing it clearly and unambiguously?</li>\n	<li>Are your properly<strong> TIMING </strong>your communications efforts?</li>\n	<li>Do you know your <strong>USP </strong>(unique selling proposition)?</li>\n	<li>Are you aware of who your <strong>COMPETITION </strong>and what they are doing?</li>\n	<li>Have you gotten <strong>FEEDBACK </strong> from outside sources on your creative? Is it conveying the attributes you are trying to convey?</li>\n	<li>Are you following a <strong>STRATEGY</strong> or are you just engaging in <strong>TACTICS</strong>?</li>\n</ul>\nWhat are your suggestions for being more effective? Please share in the comments.','Being more effective','','inherit','open','open','','1507-revision','','','2011-12-15 16:10:08','2011-12-15 16:10:08','',1507,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1507-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1509,4,'2011-12-19 15:20:28','2011-12-19 15:20:28','If you have ever worked with large newspapers, you know there is a strong editorial stance against pay for play, meaning that no matter how much advertising a company provides the newspaper, the journalists/editors will not let that influence their reporting. This line is much more blurred in smaller, local newspapers, where sometimes, a good editorial piece will follow advertising or vice versa.\r\n\r\nIt is important to keep the line of separation between advertising and editorial so that readers can trust the newspaper is not being bought. Imagine that if in a political campaign a certain candidate bought a lot more advertising than the other, and then the editors endorsed said candidate. Wouldn\'t that be questionable?\r\n\r\nWhich brings me to something I couldn\'t quite believe that I saw today in the Washington Post. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/value-added-potomacs-total-wine/2011/12/14/gIQARxW02O_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Heath wrote his Value Added column praising Total Wine</a>, the Potomac, MD based mega liquour store. Heath writes that one of the ways Total Wine has grown is because of how one of the company\'s founders studied law, so that he could use the knowledge to help change laws regarding liquour in states into which the company was trying to expand. On the opposite page to the column was a junior page ad for--you guessed it--Total Wine. Seriously.  (People who read the paper electronically would never see this...but that is another discussion.)\r\n\r\nWhat is going on here? Heath or his editor tells the Total Wine people he is writing a positive piece about Total Wine, and Total Wine says, in that case we want to advertise, and can you place the ad right next to the column please? And the Post says sure-not a problem? Clearly, there was communication if not straight on hand shaking across advertising and editorial on this one, blurring the lines at the Washington Post. How do we know that Heath was not encouraged to write a positive column on the promise of Total Wine advertising? We don\'t.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Did the Post act appropriately? Would it have mattered if the ad was placed anywhere else in the paper?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blurred lines between advertising and editorial','','publish','open','open','','blurred-lines-between-advertising-and-editorial','','','2011-12-19 15:20:28','2011-12-19 15:20:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1509',0,'post','',2),(1510,4,'2011-12-19 15:19:55','2011-12-19 15:19:55','If you have ever worked with large newspapers, you know there is a strong editorial stance against pay for play, meaning that no matter how much advertising a company provides the newspaper, the journalists/editors will not let that influence their reporting. This line is much more blurred in smaller, local newspapers, where sometimes, a good editorial piece will follow advertising or vice versa.\n\nIt is important to keep the line of separation between advertising and editorial so that readers can trust the newspaper is not being bought. Imagine that if in a political campaign a certain candidate bought a lot more advertising than the other, and then the editors endorsed said candidate. Wouldn\'t that be questionable?\n\nWhich brings me to something I couldn\'t quite believe that I saw today in the Washington Post. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/value-added-potomacs-total-wine/2011/12/14/gIQARxW02O_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Heath wrote his Value Added column praising Total Wine</a>, the Potomac, MD based mega liquour store. Heath writes that one of the ways Total Wine has grown is because of how one of the company\'s founders studied law, so that he could use the knowledge to help change laws regarding liquour in states into which the company was trying to expand. On the opposite page to the column was a junior page ad for--you guessed it--Total Wine. Seriously.  (People who read the paper electronically would never see this...but that is another discussion.)\n\nWhat is going on here? Heath or his editor tells the Total Wine people he is writing a positive piece about Total Wine, and Total Wine says, in that case we want to advertise, and can you place the ad right next to the column please? And the Post says sure-not a problem? Clearly, there was communication if not straight on hand shaking across advertising and editorial on this one, blurring the lines at the Washington Post. How do we know that Heath was not encouraged to write a positive column on the promise of Total Wine advertising? We don\'t.\n\nWhat do you think? Did the Post act appropriately? Would it have mattered if the ad was placed anywhere else in the paper?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Blurred lines between advertising and editorial','','inherit','open','open','','1509-revision','','','2011-12-19 15:19:55','2011-12-19 15:19:55','',1509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1509-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1511,4,'2011-12-20 16:15:17','2011-12-20 16:15:17','Today, in my inbox, I had an email from an online bookseller with this subject line:\r\n\r\n\"Last day for FREE shipping in time for Christmas.\"\r\n\r\nI also had an email from an online drugstore, with this subject line:\r\n\r\n\"NOW OR NEVER: get $5 dollars off your order and free shipping.\"\r\n\r\nAlthough both emails have virtually the same message, the former is URGENT, the latter is THREATENING.\r\n\r\nThreatening is telling me that unless I do something there will be consequences (in the drugstore\'s case, no more free shipping or something). Urgent is telling me that I should act now because time is running out.\r\n\r\nIt is more effective to <strong>show your customers <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">why</span> they should act now</strong> instead of telling them that if they fail to act, they will suffer consequences. Don\'t you agree?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is threatening your customers ever a good idea?','','publish','open','open','','is-threatening-your-customers-ever-a-good-idea','','','2011-12-20 16:15:17','2011-12-20 16:15:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1511',0,'post','',0),(1512,4,'2011-12-20 16:13:06','2011-12-20 16:13:06','Today, in my inbox, I had an email from an online bookseller with this subject line:\n\n\"Last day for FREE shipping in time for Christmas.\"\n\nI also had an email from an online drugstore, with this subject line:\n\n\"NOW OR NEVER: get $5 dollars off your order and free shipping.\"\n\nAlthough both emails have virtually the same message, the former is URGENT, the latter is THREATENING.\n\nThreatening is telling me that unless I do something there will be consequences (in the drugstore\'s case, no more free shipping or something). Urgent is telling me that I should act now because time is running out.\n\nIt is more effective to <strong>show your customers <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">why</span> they should act now</strong> instead of telling them that if they fail to act, they will suffer consequences. Don\'t you agree?\n\n&nbsp;','Is threatening your customers ever a good idea?','','inherit','open','open','','1511-revision','','','2011-12-20 16:13:06','2011-12-20 16:13:06','',1511,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1511-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1514,4,'2011-12-21 19:09:24','2011-12-21 19:09:24','Today, as most days, I was working out at the gym and observing those around me (the gym can get very boring).  There were some people working up quite a sweat, and there were those that were barely working. Some were older, some were younger. In short, there were all types. But three stood out to me:\r\n\r\n<strong>The multi-tasker:</strong> Today, the multi-tasker was a woman using one of the ellipticals while responding to email and/or texts on her smart phone. She was so engaged with her phone that her legs were barely moving. Was she there to exercise or was she there to deal with work?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you are distracted from your goal, you won\'t get there. In marketing, you could be trying to do too many things at once and not succeeding in any of them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>The repeater:</strong> The repeater is the person who does the exact same exercise, at the same level of intensity, on the same machine. Always. In this case, I have seen this woman \"run\" at a very slow pace on the exact same machine, at the same time every single day. And guess what--her body is not changing (she is not even breaking a sweat).\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you do the same thing over and over without change you won\'t be effective or see any change. For instance, some companies have always used a full page ad in the Sunday newspaper. And they have been doing that for years. It may produce some results but it will not expand your reach.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>The guy wearing jeans at the gym:</strong> Have you seen these guys? They come in to the gym in their jeans (usually with belts too) and sometimes, with street shoes instead of sneakers. How are you going to run in jeans?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>The lesson:</strong> You have to dress appropriately for the occasion/venue. In marketing terms: you have to know what marketing vehicle is the right one for what you are trying to accomplish. If you are trying to target seniors, perhaps a spot on the evening news is the best way to go.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave you seen these people at your gym?','Marketing lessons from the gym','','publish','open','open','','marketing-lessons-from-the-gym','','','2011-12-21 19:09:24','2011-12-21 19:09:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1514',0,'post','',0),(1515,4,'2011-12-21 19:08:26','2011-12-21 19:08:26','Today, as most days, I was working out at the gym and observing those around me (the gym can get very boring).  There were some people working up quite a sweat, and there were those that were barely working. Some were older, some were younger. In short, there were all types. But three stood out to me:\n\n<strong>The multi-tasker:</strong> Today, the multi-tasker was a woman using one of the ellipticals while responding to email and/or texts on her smart phone. She was so engaged with her phone that her legs were barely moving. Was she there to exercise or was she there to deal with work?\n<ol>\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you are distracted from your goal, you won\'t get there. In marketing, you could be trying to do too many things at once and not succeeding in any of them.</li>\n</ol>\n<strong>The repeater:</strong> The repeater is the person who does the exact same exercise, at the same level of intensity, on the same machine. Always. In this case, I have seen this woman \"run\" at a very slow pace on the exact same machine, at the same time every single day. And guess what--her body is not changing (she is not even breaking a sweat).\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you do the same thing over and over without change you won\'t be effective or see any change. For instance, some companies have always used a full page ad in the Sunday newspaper. And they have been doing that for years. It may produce some results but it will not expand your reach.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>The guy wearing jeans at the gym:</strong> Have you seen these guys? They come in to the gym in their jeans (usually with belts too) and sometimes, with street shoes instead of sneakers. How are you going to run in jeans?\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The lesson:</strong> You have to dress appropriately for the occasion/venue. In marketing terms: you have to know what marketing vehicle is the right one for what you are trying to accomplish. If you are trying to target seniors, perhaps a spot on the evening news is the best way to go.</li>\n</ul>','Marketing lessons from the gym','','inherit','open','open','','1514-revision','','','2011-12-21 19:08:26','2011-12-21 19:08:26','',1514,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1514-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1516,4,'2011-12-21 19:09:33','2011-12-21 19:09:33','Today, as most days, I was working out at the gym and observing those around me (the gym can get very boring).  There were some people working up quite a sweat, and there were those that were barely working. Some were older, some were younger. In short, there were all types. But three stood out to me:\n\n<strong>The multi-tasker:</strong> Today, the multi-tasker was a woman using one of the ellipticals while responding to email and/or texts on her smart phone. She was so engaged with her phone that her legs were barely moving. Was she there to exercise or was she there to deal with work?\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you are distracted from your goal, you won\'t get there. In marketing, you could be trying to do too many things at once and not succeeding in any of them.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>The repeater:</strong> The repeater is the person who does the exact same exercise, at the same level of intensity, on the same machine. Always. In this case, I have seen this woman \"run\" at a very slow pace on the exact same machine, at the same time every single day. And guess what--her body is not changing (she is not even breaking a sweat).\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The lesson: </strong>If you do the same thing over and over without change you won\'t be effective or see any change. For instance, some companies have always used a full page ad in the Sunday newspaper. And they have been doing that for years. It may produce some results but it will not expand your reach.</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>The guy wearing jeans at the gym:</strong> Have you seen these guys? They come in to the gym in their jeans (usually with belts too) and sometimes, with street shoes instead of sneakers. How are you going to run in jeans?\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>The lesson:</strong> You have to dress appropriately for the occasion/venue. In marketing terms: you have to know what marketing vehicle is the right one for what you are trying to accomplish. If you are trying to target seniors, perhaps a spot on the evening news is the best way to go.</li>\n</ul>\nHave you seen these people at your gym?','Marketing lessons from the gym','','inherit','open','open','','1514-autosave','','','2011-12-21 19:09:33','2011-12-21 19:09:33','',1514,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1514-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1518,4,'2011-12-28 15:57:02','2011-12-28 15:57:02','It is inevitable that at the end of the year blogs, newscasts, newspapers and everybody else creates lists for their readers/viewers: best posts of the year, what\'s in and what\'s out, resolutions for 2012, trends, and so on. While some of these are interesting and even though-provoking, I challenge you to make your own list.\n\nTo make your own list, you will have to sit and reflect a bit. Here are some guiding questions:\n<ul>\n	<li>What worked the best for you in terms of marketing communications? (What got the most response, donors, etc.)</li>\n	<li>What worked the least for you? (Where did you spend time/money with little or no return?)</li>\n	<li>Did you create any partnerships? What worked best/least?</li>\n	<li>Did you sponsor anything/anybody? What worked?</li>\n	<li>Did you read any business/marketing books? Which provided the best/most actionable advice?</li>\n	<li>What ads/commercials were memorable to you? Why?</li>\n	<li>What peeved you the most?</li>\n	<li>What did your competition do this year that you admired? That you thought was not so good?</li>\n	<li>What people/organizations brought you the most value? (Perhaps your graphic designer or your printer...)</li>\n</ul>\nWhat one marketing communications task that you accomplished this year was the most worthwhile (something like creating a brochure, redesigning a website, launching a blog, etc.)\n\nIn the <a href=\"http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2011/12/21/4-questions-to-ensure-2012-will-be-your-best-year-yet/\" target=\"_blank\">Escape from Cubicle Nation blog, Pam Slim urges you to ask yourself four questions</a>:\n<ol>\n	<li>What did I learn?</li>\n	<li>What am I grateful for?</li>\n	<li>What will I stop doing?</li>\n	<li>What will I start doing?</li>\n</ol>\nAlthough Ms. Slim is looking at personal growth, I think these questions are valid to determine what your marcomm efforts will be in the new year. Looking through your lists will help you move forward in 2012. The last two questions are especially key. If you found that something you have been doing provides no return on investment, STOP doing it. Start doing something different!\n\nPlease share your responses or any questions that you ask yourself at year\'s end.','Make your own list','','inherit','open','open','','1517-revision','','','2011-12-28 15:57:02','2011-12-28 15:57:02','',1517,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1517-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1519,4,'2011-12-28 15:57:08','2011-12-28 15:57:08','It is inevitable that at the end of the year blogs, newscasts, newspapers and everybody else creates lists for their readers/viewers: best posts of the year, what\'s in and what\'s out, resolutions for 2012, trends, and so on. While some of these are interesting and even though-provoking, I challenge you to make your own list.\r\n\r\nTo make your own list, you will have to sit and reflect a bit. Here are some guiding questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What worked the best for you in terms of marketing communications? (What got the most response, donors, etc.)</li>\r\n	<li>What worked the least for you? (Where did you spend time/money with little or no return?)</li>\r\n	<li>Did you create any partnerships? What worked best/least?</li>\r\n	<li>Did you sponsor anything/anybody? What worked?</li>\r\n	<li>Did you read any business/marketing books? Which provided the best/most actionable advice?</li>\r\n	<li>What ads/commercials were memorable to you? Why?</li>\r\n	<li>What peeved you the most?</li>\r\n	<li>What did your competition do this year that you admired? That you thought was not so good?</li>\r\n	<li>What people/organizations brought you the most value? (Perhaps your graphic designer or your printer...)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat one marketing communications task that you accomplished this year was the most worthwhile (something like creating a brochure, redesigning a website, launching a blog, etc.)\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2011/12/21/4-questions-to-ensure-2012-will-be-your-best-year-yet/\" target=\"_blank\">Escape from Cubicle Nation blog, Pam Slim urges you to ask yourself four questions</a>:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>What did I learn?</li>\r\n	<li>What am I grateful for?</li>\r\n	<li>What will I stop doing?</li>\r\n	<li>What will I start doing?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAlthough Ms. Slim is looking at personal growth, I think these questions are valid to determine what your marcomm efforts will be in the new year. Looking through your lists will help you move forward in 2012. The last two questions are especially key. If you found that something you have been doing provides no return on investment, STOP doing it. Start doing something different!\r\n\r\nPlease share your responses or any questions that you ask yourself at year\'s end.','Make your own list','','inherit','open','open','','1517-revision-2','','','2011-12-28 15:57:08','2011-12-28 15:57:08','',1517,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/12/1517-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1529,4,'2012-01-10 14:15:10','2012-01-10 14:15:10','The Metro in Washington, DC is again considering hiking fares (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/metro-proposes-5-percent-fare-increase/2012/01/06/gIQACLoumP_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">news story in today\'s Washington Post</a>). For those of you who don\'t live in this area, Metro raised its fares a little over a year ago.  Additionally, it made fares even more complex than they already were (there is no flat fare here in DC: there are regular fares and peak fares and the fare changes depending on the distance you are traveling) by adding a peak-of-the-peak fare. None of these changes were popular in 2010, and I assure a fare hike won\'t be welcomed in 2012.\r\n\r\nWhy am I discussing this? Because of this statement by Metro\'s General Manager Richard Sarles in the Washington Post:\r\n<blockquote>Metro officials, however, are promoting the simplification of fares as a plus. The new fare structure would eliminate the “peak-of-the-peak” rate, in which passengers pay a surcharge for riding the subway during the busiest weekday periods. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704840.html\">It was implemented with the last round of fare increase, in 2010,</a> to ease crowding and encourage riders to use trains just outside the peak periods, but the strategy failed, Sarles said.\r\n\r\n<strong>“We weren’t accomplishing our policy objective, and we were just complicating the fare,” he said.</strong></blockquote>\r\nBasically, Metro thought that by increasing the fares at rush hour fewer people would use the train and this would reduce crowding. But that shows a basic lack of understanding of rush hour--people leave work at around the same time and that is what causes crowding--not the cost of the fare.\r\n\r\nThe strategy was based on an assumption, and was not successful as proven by ridership numbers. Metro is wise to discontinue this policy.  <strong>Strategies (and tactics) that don\'t provide intended results need to be ended.</strong> This is an important point for marketing and communications. How many times do you see a company engaging in the same tactic/strategy regardless of whether it is accomplishing its objective?\r\n\r\nTesting will help. And questioning assumptions will help too. Many people ASSUME things like: if we advertise,  people will know about us.\r\n\r\nBasing strategies on false or untested assumptions will lead to stupid, costly mistakes like Metro\'s peak-of-the-peak fare.\r\n\r\nWhat assumptions are you operating under? What strategies are you basing on those assumptions? Are these strategies really accomplishing your objectives?\r\n\r\nMy advice is to question both assumptions and strategies, and correct course if they are not working.','Testing strategies and the dangers of assumptions','','publish','open','open','','testing-strategies-and-the-dangers-of-assumptions','','','2012-01-10 14:17:00','2012-01-10 14:17:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1529',0,'post','',0),(1521,4,'2012-01-03 14:42:19','2012-01-03 14:42:19','My main wish for 2012 is that it ends up being a better year than 2011 (although that is not a very high bar). In terms of marketing communications, I offer you my top ten lists of what I wish to see more and less of.\r\n\r\nWhat I wish to see <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>more</strong></span> of:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li> People/companies      who know the difference between strategy and tactics and that you can’t      substitute one for the other.</li>\r\n	<li>Easy-to-navigate      websites that include REAL contact      information and a comprehensive ABOUT page</li>\r\n	<li>Clever      taglines that actually communicate a message (like Red Lobster’s “Sea Food      Differently”)</li>\r\n	<li>Nonprofits      that understand that marketing communications are an important part of      their operations</li>\r\n	<li>People      who use effect and affect correctly (AKA better copyediting)</li>\r\n	<li>Plain      English</li>\r\n	<li>Thinking      of social media as a tool (like advertising) and not as a substitute for marketing communications as a whole.</li>\r\n	<li>Companies      and organizations that understand that the quality of their customer      service will directly impact their marketing efforts.</li>\r\n	<li>Personalized      LinkedIn invitations</li>\r\n	<li>Connecting      IRL (in real life) with social media friends and followers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat I wish to see <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>less</strong></span> of:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>The      search for the ROI of social media/Klout scores</li>\r\n	<li>Sexist      language (using terms like man hours) and sexist advertising (yes, I am      looking at you Budweiser and GoDaddy)</li>\r\n	<li>Grammatical      mistakes and typos (perennial wish of mine)</li>\r\n	<li>Check-ins</li>\r\n	<li>The      words utilize, monetize, incentivize; and clichéd/meaningless terms      including low hanging fruit, sweet spot, pivot point.</li>\r\n	<li>Sending      out too many enewsletters</li>\r\n	<li>LinkedIn      profiles without a headshot</li>\r\n	<li>Blatant      self promotion and re-tweeting of one’s own tweets/mentions</li>\r\n	<li>Overpriced      and overhyped social media conferences</li>\r\n	<li>Life      lessons and how to live advice from marketing/social media bloggers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat do you wish for in 2012?','Communications wishes for 2012','','publish','open','open','','communications-wishes-for-2012','','','2012-01-03 14:43:08','2012-01-03 14:43:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1521',0,'post','',0),(1522,4,'2012-01-03 14:41:25','2012-01-03 14:41:25','My main wish for 2012 is that it ends up being a better year than 2011 (although that is not a very high bar). In terms of marketing communications, I offer you my top ten lists of what I wish to see more and less of.\n\nWhat I wish to see more of:\n<ol>\n	<li> People/companies      who know the difference between strategy and tactics and that you can’t      substitute one for the other.</li>\n	<li>Easy-to-navigate      websites that include REAL contact      information and a comprehensive ABOUT page</li>\n	<li>Clever      taglines that actually communicate a message (like Red Lobster’s “Sea Food      Differently”)</li>\n	<li>Nonprofits      that understand that marketing communications are an important part of      their operations</li>\n	<li>People      who use effect and affect correctly</li>\n	<li>Plain      English</li>\n	<li>Thinking      of social media as a tool (like advertising) and not as a substitute for marketing communications as a whole.</li>\n	<li>Companies      and organizations that understand that the quality of their customer      service will directly impact their marketing efforts.</li>\n	<li>Personalized      LinkedIn invitations</li>\n	<li>Connecting      IRL (in real life) with social media friends and followers</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat I wish to see less of:\n\n&nbsp;\n<ol>\n	<li>The      search for the ROI of social media/Klout scores</li>\n	<li>Sexist      language (using terms like man hours) and sexist advertising (yes, I am      looking at you Budweiser and GoDaddy)</li>\n	<li>Grammatical      mistakes and typos (perennial wish of mine), w</li>\n	<li>Check-ins</li>\n	<li>The      words utilize, monetize, incentivize; and clichéd/meaningless terms      including low hanging fruit, sweet spot, pivot point.</li>\n	<li>Sending      out too many enewsletters</li>\n	<li>LinkedIn      profiles without a headshot</li>\n	<li>Blatant      self promotion and re-tweeting of one’s own tweets/mentions</li>\n	<li>Overpriced      and overhyped social media conferences</li>\n	<li>Life      lessons and how to live advice from marketing/social media bloggers</li>\n</ol>\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat do you wish for in 2012?','Communications wishes for 2012','','inherit','open','open','','1521-revision','','','2012-01-03 14:41:25','2012-01-03 14:41:25','',1521,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1521-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1523,4,'2012-01-03 14:42:19','2012-01-03 14:42:19','My main wish for 2012 is that it ends up being a better year than 2011 (although that is not a very high bar). In terms of marketing communications, I offer you my top ten lists of what I wish to see more and less of.\r\n\r\nWhat I wish to see more of:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li> People/companies      who know the difference between strategy and tactics and that you can’t      substitute one for the other.</li>\r\n	<li>Easy-to-navigate      websites that include REAL contact      information and a comprehensive ABOUT page</li>\r\n	<li>Clever      taglines that actually communicate a message (like Red Lobster’s “Sea Food      Differently”)</li>\r\n	<li>Nonprofits      that understand that marketing communications are an important part of      their operations</li>\r\n	<li>People      who use effect and affect correctly (AKA better copyediting)</li>\r\n	<li>Plain      English</li>\r\n	<li>Thinking      of social media as a tool (like advertising) and not as a substitute for marketing communications as a whole.</li>\r\n	<li>Companies      and organizations that understand that the quality of their customer      service will directly impact their marketing efforts.</li>\r\n	<li>Personalized      LinkedIn invitations</li>\r\n	<li>Connecting      IRL (in real life) with social media friends and followers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat I wish to see less of:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>The      search for the ROI of social media/Klout scores</li>\r\n	<li>Sexist      language (using terms like man hours) and sexist advertising (yes, I am      looking at you Budweiser and GoDaddy)</li>\r\n	<li>Grammatical      mistakes and typos (perennial wish of mine)</li>\r\n	<li>Check-ins</li>\r\n	<li>The      words utilize, monetize, incentivize; and clichéd/meaningless terms      including low hanging fruit, sweet spot, pivot point.</li>\r\n	<li>Sending      out too many enewsletters</li>\r\n	<li>LinkedIn      profiles without a headshot</li>\r\n	<li>Blatant      self promotion and re-tweeting of one’s own tweets/mentions</li>\r\n	<li>Overpriced      and overhyped social media conferences</li>\r\n	<li>Life      lessons and how to live advice from marketing/social media bloggers</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat do you wish for in 2012?','Communications wishes for 2012','','inherit','open','open','','1521-revision-2','','','2012-01-03 14:42:19','2012-01-03 14:42:19','',1521,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1521-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1524,4,'2012-01-04 14:44:59','2012-01-04 14:44:59','Last night, FINALLY, the results of the Iowa Caucus gave us a more real sense of where people are headed in the GOP race. You can read about the results in this <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2012-iowa-caucus-primary-campaign-ends-with-candidate-attacks/2012/01/03/gIQAN2taYP_story.html?hpid=z1\" target=\"_blank\">Karen Tumulty story for the Washington Post.</a>\r\n\r\nAs you have probably heard <em>ad nauseum</em> the results may or may not indicate who the eventual GOP nominee will be. That said, I think we can draw the following three marketing communications lessons from the caucus:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Advertising works</strong>. Furthermore, negative advertising is VERY powerful. Mitt Romney spent the most and won the caucus (OK, Romney\'s Super PAC spent the most...but that is another discussion).\r\n\r\n2. <strong>It\'s the message AND the messenger</strong>. The message is important, but perhaps not as important as the messenger. People vote for people they like, explaining why Santorum did so well.  Santorum comes across as a sincere, committed and caring person. And he rocks a sweater vest (and sweater vests are what grandads and jolly uncles wear, right?).  Gingrich, who came in at a distant fourth, comes across as pedantic and angry. Even his post-caucus speech was angry (I didn\'t watch it, but read commentary like this <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/index.php/2012/01/04/the-iowa-caucus-speeches-the-winners-and-losers/\" target=\"_blank\">analysis from Mr. Media Training</a>).\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Be present.</strong> Jon Huntsman made the decision to skip Iowa, and the numbers show it. He came in with 0.6% of the vote.  <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">People like to see something they want to buy, not just hear about it.</span> Lots of pundits describe the Iowa caucus as true retail politics, where politicians meet and greet (in person) their potential supporters. You have to be the bricks and mortar in the case, and not just the virtual.\r\n\r\nWhat did you think? Any marketing lessons you took away?','Marcomm takeaways from the Iowa Caucus','','publish','open','open','','marcomm-takeaways-from-the-iowa-caucus','','\nhttp://www.mrmediatraining.com/index.php/2012/01/04/the-iowa-caucus-speeches-the-winners-and-losers/','2012-01-04 14:44:59','2012-01-04 14:44:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1524',0,'post','',0),(1525,4,'2012-01-04 14:44:33','2012-01-04 14:44:33','Last night, FINALLY, the results of the Iowa Caucus gave us a more real sense of where people are headed in the GOP race. You can read about the results in this <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2012-iowa-caucus-primary-campaign-ends-with-candidate-attacks/2012/01/03/gIQAN2taYP_story.html?hpid=z1\" target=\"_blank\">Karen Tumulty story for the Washington Post.</a>\n\nAs you have probably heard <em>ad nauseum</em> the results may or may not indicate who the eventual GOP nominee will be. That said, I think we can draw the following three marketing communications lessons from the caucus:\n\n1. <strong>Advertising works</strong>. Furthermore, negative advertising is VERY powerful. Mitt Romney spent the most and won the caucus (OK, Romney\'s Super PAC spent the most...but that is another discussion).\n\n2. <strong>It\'s the message AND the messenger</strong>. The message is important, but perhaps not as important as the messenger. People vote for people they like, explaining why Santorum did so well.  Santorum comes across as a sincere, committed and caring person. And he rocks a sweater vest (and sweater vests are what grandads and jolly uncles wear, right?).  Gingrich, who came in at a distant fourth, comes across as pedantic and angry. Even his post-caucus speech was angry (I didn\'t watch it, but read commentary like this <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/index.php/2012/01/04/the-iowa-caucus-speeches-the-winners-and-losers/\" target=\"_blank\">analysis from Mr. Media Training</a>).\n\n3. <strong>Be present.</strong> Jon Huntsman made the decision to skip Iowa, and the numbers show it. He came in with 0.6% of the vote.  <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">People like to see something they want to buy, not just hear about it.</span> Lots of pundits describe the Iowa caucus as true retail politics, where politicians meet and greet (in person) their potential supporters. You have to be the bricks and mortar in the case, and not just the virtual.','Marcomm takeaways from the Iowa Caucus','','inherit','open','open','','1524-revision','','','2012-01-04 14:44:33','2012-01-04 14:44:33','',1524,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1524-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1526,4,'2012-01-06 15:03:54','2012-01-06 15:03:54','The two or three words that may well guarantee business success are any of these options:\r\n\r\n<strong>Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Thanksgiving, Season\'s Greetings, Best wishes.</strong>\r\n\r\nnot to mention the two most effective words in business:\r\n\r\n<strong>THANK YOU</strong>\r\n\r\nTwo to three words that work to show other people (customers, clients, vendors, business associates) that we are thinking of them. That we value the relationship. That we do not take them or their business for granted.\r\n\r\nThis year, I received a season\'s greetings card from my eye doctor! That was a first for me...I think most doctors take one\'s business for granted.\r\n\r\nThink about whom you received greetings from, and from whom you did not.  Any surprises? Also, if you ordered gifts or other merchandise online, did you receive a thank you for your order? If you didn\'t, would you buy from that retailer again?\r\n\r\nIf I feel my business is not valued, why would I continue to do business with that vendor/merchant/consultant/individual?\r\n\r\nPerhaps sending a greeting or saying thank you is not enough to GUARANTEE success, but it will help prove you think they are important to you. Making sure your customers and clients feel valued will help make it easier to continue to do business with them.\r\n\r\nWhat say you?','Can two or three words guarantee business success?','','publish','open','open','','can-two-or-three-words-guarantee-business-success','','','2012-01-06 16:06:54','2012-01-06 16:06:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1526',0,'post','',1),(1527,4,'2012-01-06 15:03:10','2012-01-06 15:03:10','The two or three words that may well guarantee business success are any of these options:\n\nHappy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Thanksgiving, Season\'s Greetings, Best wishes.\n\nnot to mention the two most effective words in business:\n\nTHANK YOU\n\nTwo to three words that work to show other people (customers, clients, vendors, business associates) that we are thinking of them. That we value the relationship. That we do not take them or their business for granted.\n\nThis year, I received greetings from my eye doctor! That was a first for me...I think most doctors take one\'s business for granted.\n\nThink about whom you received greetings from, and from whom you did not.  Any surprises? Also, if you ordered gifts or other merchandise online, did you receive a thank you for your order? If you didn\'t, would you buy from that retailer again?\n\nIf I feel my business is not valued, why would I continue to do business with that vendor/merchant/consultant/individual?\n\nPerhaps sending a greeting or saying thank you is not enough to GUARANTEE success, but it will help proveYet, making sure your customers and clients feel valued will help make it easier to continue to do business with them.\n\nWhat say you?','Can two or three words guarantee business success?','','inherit','open','open','','1526-revision','','','2012-01-06 15:03:10','2012-01-06 15:03:10','',1526,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1526-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1528,4,'2012-01-06 15:03:54','2012-01-06 15:03:54','The two or three words that may well guarantee business success are any of these options:\r\n\r\nHappy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Thanksgiving, Season\'s Greetings, Best wishes.\r\n\r\nnot to mention the two most effective words in business:\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU\r\n\r\nTwo to three words that work to show other people (customers, clients, vendors, business associates) that we are thinking of them. That we value the relationship. That we do not take them or their business for granted.\r\n\r\nThis year, I received greetings from my eye doctor! That was a first for me...I think most doctors take one\'s business for granted.\r\n\r\nThink about whom you received greetings from, and from whom you did not.  Any surprises? Also, if you ordered gifts or other merchandise online, did you receive a thank you for your order? If you didn\'t, would you buy from that retailer again?\r\n\r\nIf I feel my business is not valued, why would I continue to do business with that vendor/merchant/consultant/individual?\r\n\r\nPerhaps sending a greeting or saying thank you is not enough to GUARANTEE success, but it will help prove you think they are important to you. Making sure your customers and clients feel valued will help make it easier to continue to do business with them.\r\n\r\nWhat say you?','Can two or three words guarantee business success?','','inherit','open','open','','1526-revision-2','','','2012-01-06 15:03:54','2012-01-06 15:03:54','',1526,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1526-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1530,4,'2012-01-10 14:14:44','2012-01-10 14:14:44','The Metro in Washington, DC is again considering hiking fares (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/metro-proposes-5-percent-fare-increase/2012/01/06/gIQACLoumP_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">news story in today\'s Washington Post</a>). For those of you who don\'t live in this area, Metro raised its fares a little over a year ago.  Additionally, it made fares even more complex than they are (there is no flat fare here in DC: there are regular fares and peak fares and the fare changes depending on the distance you are traveling) by adding a peak-of-the-peak fare. None of these changes were popular in 2010, and I assure you they won\'t be welcomed in 2012.\n\nWhy am I discussing this? Because of this statement by Metro\'s General Manager Richard Sarles in the Washington Post:\n<blockquote>Metro officials, however, are promoting the simplification of fares as a plus. The new fare structure would eliminate the “peak-of-the-peak” rate, in which passengers pay a surcharge for riding the subway during the busiest weekday periods. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704840.html\">It was implemented with the last round of fare increase, in 2010,</a> to ease crowding and encourage riders to use trains just outside the peak periods, but the strategy failed, Sarles said.\n\n<strong>“We weren’t accomplishing our policy objective, and we were just complicating the fare,” he said.</strong></blockquote>\nBasically, Metro thought that by increasing the fares at rush hour fewer people would use the train and this would reduce crowding. But that shows a basic lack of understanding of rush hour--people leave work at around the same time and that is what causes crowding--not the cost of the fare.\n\nThe strategy was based on an assumption, and was not successful as proven by ridership numbers. Metro is wise to discontinue this policy.  <strong>Strategies (and tactics) that don\'t provide intended results need to be ended.</strong> This is an important point for marketing and communications. How many times do you see a company engaging in the same tactic/strategy regardless of whether it is accomplishing its objective?\n\nTesting will help. And questioning assumptions will help too. Many people ASSUME things like: if we advertise,  people will know about us.\n\nBasing strategies on false or untested assumptions will lead to stupid, costly mistakes like Metro\'s peak of the peak fare.\n\nWhat assumptions are you operating under? What strategies are you basing on those assumptions? Are these strategies really accomplishing your objectives?\n\nMy advice is to question both assumptions and strategies, and correct course if they are not working.','Testing strategies and the dangers of assumptions','','inherit','open','open','','1529-revision','','','2012-01-10 14:14:44','2012-01-10 14:14:44','',1529,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1529-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1531,4,'2012-01-10 14:16:15','2012-01-10 14:16:15','The Metro in Washington, DC is again considering hiking fares (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/metro-proposes-5-percent-fare-increase/2012/01/06/gIQACLoumP_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">news story in today\'s Washington Post</a>). For those of you who don\'t live in this area, Metro raised its fares a little over a year ago.  Additionally, it made fares even more complex than they already were (there is no flat fare here in DC: there are regular fares and peak fares and the fare changes depending on the distance you are traveling) by adding a peak-of-the-peak fare. None of these changes were popular in 2010, and I assure a fare hike won\'t be welcomed in 2012.\n\nWhy am I discussing this? Because of this statement by Metro\'s General Manager Richard Sarles in the Washington Post:\n<blockquote>Metro officials, however, are promoting the simplification of fares as a plus. The new fare structure would eliminate the “peak-of-the-peak” rate, in which passengers pay a surcharge for riding the subway during the busiest weekday periods. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704840.html\">It was implemented with the last round of fare increase, in 2010,</a> to ease crowding and encourage riders to use trains just outside the peak periods, but the strategy failed, Sarles said.\n\n<strong>“We weren’t accomplishing our policy objective, and we were just complicating the fare,” he said.</strong></blockquote>\nBasically, Metro thought that by increasing the fares at rush hour fewer people would use the train and this would reduce crowding. But that shows a basic lack of understanding of rush hour--people leave work at around the same time and that is what causes crowding--not the cost of the fare.\n\nThe strategy was based on an assumption, and was not successful as proven by ridership numbers. Metro is wise to discontinue this policy.  <strong>Strategies (and tactics) that don\'t provide intended results need to be ended.</strong> This is an important point for marketing and communications. How many times do you see a company engaging in the same tactic/strategy regardless of whether it is accomplishing its objective?\n\nTesting will help. And questioning assumptions will help too. Many people ASSUME things like: if we advertise,  people will know about us.\n\nBasing strategies on false or untested assumptions will lead to stupid, costly mistakes like Metro\'s peak of the peak fare.\n\nWhat assumptions are you operating under? What strategies are you basing on those assumptions? Are these strategies really accomplishing your objectives?\n\nMy advice is to question both assumptions and strategies, and correct course if they are not working.','Testing strategies and the dangers of assumptions','','inherit','open','open','','1529-autosave','','','2012-01-10 14:16:15','2012-01-10 14:16:15','',1529,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1529-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1532,4,'2012-01-10 14:15:10','2012-01-10 14:15:10','The Metro in Washington, DC is again considering hiking fares (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/metro-proposes-5-percent-fare-increase/2012/01/06/gIQACLoumP_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">news story in today\'s Washington Post</a>). For those of you who don\'t live in this area, Metro raised its fares a little over a year ago.  Additionally, it made fares even more complex than they are (there is no flat fare here in DC: there are regular fares and peak fares and the fare changes depending on the distance you are traveling) by adding a peak-of-the-peak fare. None of these changes were popular in 2010, and I assure you they won\'t be welcomed in 2012.\r\n\r\nWhy am I discussing this? Because of this statement by Metro\'s General Manager Richard Sarles in the Washington Post:\r\n<blockquote>Metro officials, however, are promoting the simplification of fares as a plus. The new fare structure would eliminate the “peak-of-the-peak” rate, in which passengers pay a surcharge for riding the subway during the busiest weekday periods. <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052704840.html\">It was implemented with the last round of fare increase, in 2010,</a> to ease crowding and encourage riders to use trains just outside the peak periods, but the strategy failed, Sarles said.\r\n\r\n<strong>“We weren’t accomplishing our policy objective, and we were just complicating the fare,” he said.</strong></blockquote>\r\nBasically, Metro thought that by increasing the fares at rush hour fewer people would use the train and this would reduce crowding. But that shows a basic lack of understanding of rush hour--people leave work at around the same time and that is what causes crowding--not the cost of the fare.\r\n\r\nThe strategy was based on an assumption, and was not successful as proven by ridership numbers. Metro is wise to discontinue this policy.  <strong>Strategies (and tactics) that don\'t provide intended results need to be ended.</strong> This is an important point for marketing and communications. How many times do you see a company engaging in the same tactic/strategy regardless of whether it is accomplishing its objective?\r\n\r\nTesting will help. And questioning assumptions will help too. Many people ASSUME things like: if we advertise,  people will know about us.\r\n\r\nBasing strategies on false or untested assumptions will lead to stupid, costly mistakes like Metro\'s peak of the peak fare.\r\n\r\nWhat assumptions are you operating under? What strategies are you basing on those assumptions? Are these strategies really accomplishing your objectives?\r\n\r\nMy advice is to question both assumptions and strategies, and correct course if they are not working.','Testing strategies and the dangers of assumptions','','inherit','open','open','','1529-revision-2','','','2012-01-10 14:15:10','2012-01-10 14:15:10','',1529,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1529-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1533,4,'2012-01-11 17:00:29','2012-01-11 17:00:29','Sally Falkow writes today in <a href=\"http://www.proactivereport.com/c/pr/good-writing-remains-a-core-pr-skill/\" target=\"_blank\">her blog, The Proactive Repor</a>t, that good writing should be considered a primary public relations skill. I agree (and I wrote about that in my post <a title=\"Qualities of a PR Pro\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/qualities-of-a-pr-pro/\">Qualities of a PR Pro</a>).\r\n\r\nThe question is not whether PR people should know how to write well, but why they don\'t. April Finnen (@AprilFin) , who writes the blog <a href=\"http://onepersonshop.com/\" target=\"_blank\">One Person Shop</a>, said in a Twitter exchange with me:\r\n<blockquote>\"I think a big part of it is that good writing comes from good thinking, and that\'s becoming harder to find.\"</blockquote>\r\nI answered:\r\n<blockquote>Certainly true, but I do think many people just don\'t do enough reading either (maybe that\'s related to lack of thinking...)</blockquote>\r\nTo which April responded:\r\n<blockquote>\"Agree. If you can find a curious PR pro who reads everything, pretty safe bet they\'re a good writer.\"</blockquote>\r\nIn my opinion, writing well is disappearing because people are reading less. Why is this happening? It may be because they are not curious, not interested, not thinking, working too hard,  or any number of other reasons.\r\n\r\nIf it is lack of curiosity or good thinking, as April says, how are these PR \"pros\" going to come up with strategies to drive a message?\r\n\r\nI can\'t tell you how many PR people I have met who don\'t ever read books for pleasure or even a daily newspaper. How many PR firms offer grammar and writing courses for their associates? How many PR pros today were English majors in college? Fewer and fewer thanks to the devaluing of liberal arts education and the rise of career-focused majors. If all you studied in college was how to create a PR campaign, but you never read a classic novel, how are you going to appreciate the power of language to convey meaning and emotion?\r\n\r\nDo you have thoughts on why good writing is on the decline? Please do share!','Why is writing well a disappearing skill?','','publish','open','open','','why-is-writing-well-a-disappearing-skill','','','2012-01-11 17:02:10','2012-01-11 17:02:10','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1533',0,'post','',0),(1535,4,'2012-01-11 15:20:51','2012-01-11 15:20:51','Sally Falkow writes today in <a href=\"http://www.proactivereport.com/c/pr/good-writing-remains-a-core-pr-skill/\" target=\"_blank\">her blog The Proactive Repor</a>t that good writing should be considered a primary public relations skill. I agree (and I wrote about that i<a title=\"Qualities of a PR Pro\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/qualities-of-a-pr-pro/\">n my post </a>Qualities of a PR Pro a couple of years ago).\n\nThe question is not whether PR people should know how to write well, but why they don\'t. April Finnen (@AprilFin) , who writes the blog <a href=\"http://onepersonshop.com/\" target=\"_blank\">One Person Shop</a>, said in a Twitter exchange with me:\n<blockquote>\"I think a big part of it is that good writing comes from good thinking, and that\'s becoming harder to find.\"</blockquote>\nI answered:\n<blockquote>Certainly true, but I do think many people just don\'t do enough reading either (maybe that\'s related to lack of thinking...)</blockquote>\nTo which April responded:\n<blockquote>\"Agree. If you can find a curious PR pro who reads everything, pretty safe bet they\'re a good writer.\"</blockquote>\nIn my opinion, writing well is disappearing because people are reading less. Why is this happening? It may be because they are not curious, not interested, not thinking, working too hard,  etc.\n\nIf it is lack of curiosity or good thinking, as April says, how are these PR \"pros\" going to come up with strategies to drive a message?\n\nI can\'t tell you how many PR people I have met who don\'t read books for pleasure or even a daily newspaper. How many PR firms offer grammar and writing courses for their associates? How many PR pros today were English majors in college? Fewer and fewer thanks to the devaluing of liberal arts education and the rise of career-focused majors. If all you studied in college was how to create a PR campaign, but you never read a classic novel, how are you going to appreciate the power of language to convey meaning and emotion?\n\nDo you have thoughts on why good writing is on the decline? Please do share!','Why is writing well a disappearing skill?','','inherit','open','open','','1533-revision','','','2012-01-11 15:20:51','2012-01-11 15:20:51','',1533,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1533-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1544,4,'2012-01-19 16:09:44','2012-01-19 16:09:44','Inbound marketing vs. outbound marketing--which is better?\r\n\r\nClearly, if you are a business looking for customers, inbound marketing, where people come to you, is better. If potential customers find you, without you having to go out to find them, means something is attracting them to your offering.\r\n\r\nOutbound marketing is where you are spending time and money to find prospective customers who are not otherwise attracted to your offering. It is harder and more costly.\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen a variation of inbound marketing,which is the attempt by businesses to find vendors (not customers)  by asking people to apply for the job.  Similarly, some employers find employees by advertising a position and accepting resumes for it, which often results in receiving an overwhelming amount of resumes where a high percentage of the applicants are not suited for the job. This is why some employers hire headhunters, who search for someone fulfilling the exact qualifications the employer is looking for.\r\n\r\nToday I came across this posting:\r\n<blockquote>I am launching a small site for my new business and I am in need of a copywriter to polish the content on the site.\r\n\r\nIt is a small project about 5 pages tops.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re interested please send me a description of your experience, contact information, and your hourly rate.\r\n\r\nNo resumes please. Convince me.</blockquote>\r\nWhen I saw this, I was intrigued at first and considered \"applying.\" Then , on second thought, I asked myself why this person would put up a posting  like this. First of all, she describes it as a small project. This is probably code for low-budget. And then, that last sentence: Convince me. She is looking for someone to blow her away. It doesn\'t look like a promising situation because it seems this person is looking for someone to write amazing copy at a cut rate price, which may be good for her but not very good for me.\r\n\r\nIs this how you find vendors? I don\'t. I have found vendors by using several ways:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Asking trusted sources</li>\r\n	<li>Searching for vendors who do what I need (for example, doing a Google search of flooring sales in Rockville)</li>\r\n	<li>Using ratings websites like Angie\'s List</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn this way, I am in control of the vendors I contact. And for the vendors, it is inbound marketing, which is more efficient.\r\n\r\nWhat do you say? If you are a vendor, do you (should you) respond to these queries? If you are looking for a vendor, is this the best way to go?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How do you find vendors (or employees)?','','publish','open','open','','how-do-you-find-vendors-or-employees','','','2012-01-19 16:09:44','2012-01-19 16:09:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1544',0,'post','',0),(1537,4,'2012-01-11 16:59:45','2012-01-11 16:59:45','Sally Falkow writes today in <a href=\"http://www.proactivereport.com/c/pr/good-writing-remains-a-core-pr-skill/\" target=\"_blank\">her blog, The Proactive Repor</a>t, that good writing should be considered a primary public relations skill. I agree (and I wrote about that in my post <a title=\"Qualities of a PR Pro\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/qualities-of-a-pr-pro/\">Qualities of a PR Pro</a>).\n\nThe question is not whether PR people should know how to write well, but why they don\'t. April Finnen (@AprilFin) , who writes the blog <a href=\"http://onepersonshop.com/\" target=\"_blank\">One Person Shop</a>, said in a Twitter exchange with me:\n<blockquote>\"I think a big part of it is that good writing comes from good thinking, and that\'s becoming harder to find.\"</blockquote>\nI answered:\n<blockquote>Certainly true, but I do think many people just don\'t do enough reading either (maybe that\'s related to lack of thinking...)</blockquote>\nTo which April responded:\n<blockquote>\"Agree. If you can find a curious PR pro who reads everything, pretty safe bet they\'re a good writer.\"</blockquote>\nIn my opinion, writing well is disappearing because people are reading less Why is this happening? It may be because they are not curious, not interested, not thinking, working too hard,  etc.\n\nIf it is lack of curiosity or good thinking, as April says, how are these PR \"pros\" going to come up with strategies to drive a message?\n\nI can\'t tell you how many PR people I have met who don\'t read books for pleasure or even a daily newspaper. How many PR firms offer grammar and writing courses for their associates? How many PR pros today were English majors in college? Fewer and fewer thanks to the devaluing of liberal arts education and the rise of career-focused majors. If all you studied in college was how to create a PR campaign, but you never read a classic novel, how are you going to appreciate the power of language to convey meaning and emotion?\n\nDo you have thoughts on why good writing is on the decline? Please do share!','Why is writing well a disappearing skill?','','inherit','open','open','','1533-revision-2','','','2012-01-11 16:59:45','2012-01-11 16:59:45','',1533,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1533-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1538,4,'2012-01-11 17:00:29','2012-01-11 17:00:29','Sally Falkow writes today in <a href=\"http://www.proactivereport.com/c/pr/good-writing-remains-a-core-pr-skill/\" target=\"_blank\">her blog, The Proactive Repor</a>t, that good writing should be considered a primary public relations skill. I agree (and I wrote about that in my post <a title=\"Qualities of a PR Pro\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2010/03/qualities-of-a-pr-pro/\">Qualities of a PR Pro</a>).\r\n\r\nThe question is not whether PR people should know how to write well, but why they don\'t. April Finnen (@AprilFin) , who writes the blog <a href=\"http://onepersonshop.com/\" target=\"_blank\">One Person Shop</a>, said in a Twitter exchange with me:\r\n<blockquote>\"I think a big part of it is that good writing comes from good thinking, and that\'s becoming harder to find.\"</blockquote>\r\nI answered:\r\n<blockquote>Certainly true, but I do think many people just don\'t do enough reading either (maybe that\'s related to lack of thinking...)</blockquote>\r\nTo which April responded:\r\n<blockquote>\"Agree. If you can find a curious PR pro who reads everything, pretty safe bet they\'re a good writer.\"</blockquote>\r\nIn my opinion, writing well is disappearing because people are reading less Why is this happening? It may be because they are not curious, not interested, not thinking, working too hard,  etc.\r\n\r\nIf it is lack of curiosity or good thinking, as April says, how are these PR \"pros\" going to come up with strategies to drive a message?\r\n\r\nI can\'t tell you how many PR people I have met who don\'t ever read books for pleasure or even a daily newspaper. How many PR firms offer grammar and writing courses for their associates? How many PR pros today were English majors in college? Fewer and fewer thanks to the devaluing of liberal arts education and the rise of career-focused majors. If all you studied in college was how to create a PR campaign, but you never read a classic novel, how are you going to appreciate the power of language to convey meaning and emotion?\r\n\r\nDo you have thoughts on why good writing is on the decline? Please do share!','Why is writing well a disappearing skill?','','inherit','open','open','','1533-revision-3','','','2012-01-11 17:00:29','2012-01-11 17:00:29','',1533,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1533-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1554,4,'2012-01-31 15:03:08','2012-01-31 15:03:08','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\r\n\r\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\r\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\r\nAnd then this:\r\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\r\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\r\n\r\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\r\n\r\nRick Santorum (and when they were still in the race, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\r\n\r\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an \"other\" (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other candidates have called him everything from a socialist to other negative descriptors).\r\n\r\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\r\n\r\nIn marketing, we believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that messages should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?\r\n\r\n<strong>ADDENDUM</strong>: Just came across this piece on CNN.com: <a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/opinion/navarrette-immigration-gop/index.html?hpt=hp_t1\" target=\"_blank\">Latinos won\'t forget Romney\'s anti-immigrant talk</a>. Author Ruben Navarrette says this:\r\n<blockquote>the dishonest and cynical way in which the former governor of Massachusetts has dealt with the immigration issue on the campaign trail shows that he has a problem being consistent.</blockquote>\r\nNavarrette goes on to discuss how Romney held a strong line against amnesty, but now has softened his approach to PANDER to the Latino vote.\r\n<blockquote>Now as he competes this week for Hispanic votes in Florida -- and, on Feb 4, in Nevada, where Latinos account for 26.5 percent of the population -- Romney must be hoping that Latinos have bad memories.\r\n\r\nWe don\'t. We never forget a slight. And, in that respect, Romney has given us plenty to remember.</blockquote>','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','publish','open','open','','politicians-pandering-and-the-shifting-message','','','2012-01-31 17:37:31','2012-01-31 17:37:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1554',0,'post','',0),(1540,4,'2012-01-17 15:20:56','2012-01-17 15:20:56','The last post here was about why writing skills might be in decline, and my assertion that it is because people are not reading enough. Today, Gini Dietrich writes in her S<a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/entrepreneur/reading-fiction-helps-your-career/\" target=\"_blank\">pin Sucks blog that reading fiction is beneficial to your career</a> because, among other benefits, it helps fine-tune you social skills, especially your empathy.\r\n\r\nSo, in addition to helping you recognize good writing, expose you to new worlds, teach you new vocabulary and ways of seeing, reading can help you build better connections and be better at work.\r\n\r\nYet, reading alone will not result in a fabulous, well rounded writer/emotionally intelligent being. <strong>You have to practice. You have to interact.</strong> Someone whose nose is always in a book, and who never emerges to deal with the real world is probably not going to be very emotionally intelligent. Also, if you never write and get edited, your writing is never going to improve.\r\n\r\nThe Costa Concordia, in case you haven\'t seen the news in the past two days, is a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship that ran aground near Italy, and sank, killing at least six people onboard.  Last night, on the CBS News, it was reported that the crew did not initially inform the passengers appropriately about the impending disaster. They downplayed the danger, and that led to chaos. Some passengers took matters into their own hands.\r\n\r\nIt seems that people\'s first reaction to bad news is disbelief. They act as if nothing is wrong. Perhaps that\'s what happened to the Costa Concordia\'s crew. Unfortunately, this type of disbelief can lead to tragedy.  There is a also desire to minimize problems.\r\n\r\nThis is why crisis communication training is so important. When crisis happens, reliable information is key. Denial and misinformation will make a bad situation worse.\r\n\r\nAny thoughts? Please share in the comments.','More about reading; and thoughts about the Costa Concordia','','publish','open','open','','more-about-reading-and-thoughts-about-the-costa-concordia','','\nhttp://spinsucks.com/entrepreneur/reading-fiction-helps-your-career/','2012-01-17 15:20:56','2012-01-17 15:20:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1540',0,'post','',1),(1541,4,'2012-01-17 15:19:21','2012-01-17 15:19:21','The last post here was about why writing skills might be in decline, and my assertion that it is because people are not reading enough. Today, Gini Dietrich writes in her S<a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/entrepreneur/reading-fiction-helps-your-career/\" target=\"_blank\">pin Sucks blog that reading fiction is beneficial to your career</a> because, among other benefits, it helps fine-tune you social skills, especially your empathy.\n\nSo, in addition to helping you recognize good writing, expose you to new worlds, teach you new vocabulary and ways of seeing, reading can help you build better connections and be better at work.\n\nYet, reading alone will not result in a fabulous, well rounded writer/emotionally intelligent being. <strong>You have to practice. You have to interact.</strong> Someone whose nose is always in a book, and who never emerges to deal with the real world is probably not going to be very emotionally intelligent. Also, if you never write and get edited, your writing is never going to improve.\n\nThe Costa Concordia, in case you haven\'t seen the news in the past two days, is a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship that ran aground near Italy, and sank, killing at least six people onboard.  Last night, on the CBS News, it was reported that the crew did not initially inform the passengers appropriately about the impending disaster. They downplayed the danger, and that led to chaos. Some passengers took matters into their own hands.\n\nIt seems that people\'s first reaction to bad news is disbelief. They act as if nothing is wrong. Perhaps that\'s what happened to the Costa Concordia\'s crew. Unfortunately, this type of disbelief can lead to tragedy.  There is a also desire to minimize problems.\n\nThis is why crisis communication training is so important. When crisis happens, reliable information is key. Denial and misinformation','More about reading; and thoughts about the Costa Concordia','','inherit','open','open','','1540-revision','','','2012-01-17 15:19:21','2012-01-17 15:19:21','',1540,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1540-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1542,4,'2012-01-17 15:20:05','2012-01-17 15:20:05','The last post here was about why writing skills might be in decline, and my assertion that it is because people are not reading enough. Today, Gini Dietrich writes in her S<a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/entrepreneur/reading-fiction-helps-your-career/\" target=\"_blank\">pin Sucks blog that reading fiction is beneficial to your career</a> because, among other benefits, it helps fine-tune you social skills, especially your empathy.\r\n\r\nSo, in addition to helping you recognize good writing, expose you to new worlds, teach you new vocabulary and ways of seeing, reading can help you build better connections and be better at work.\r\n\r\nYet, reading alone will not result in a fabulous, well rounded writer/emotionally intelligent being. <strong>You have to practice. You have to interact.</strong> Someone whose nose is always in a book, and who never emerges to deal with the real world is probably not going to be very emotionally intelligent. Also, if you never write and get edited, your writing is never going to improve.\r\n\r\nThe Costa Concordia, in case you haven\'t seen the news in the past two days, is a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship that ran aground near Italy, and sank, killing at least six people onboard.  Last night, on the CBS News, it was reported that the crew did not initially inform the passengers appropriately about the impending disaster. They downplayed the danger, and that led to chaos. Some passengers took matters into their own hands.\r\n\r\nIt seems that people\'s first reaction to bad news is disbelief. They act as if nothing is wrong. Perhaps that\'s what happened to the Costa Concordia\'s crew. Unfortunately, this type of disbelief can lead to tragedy.  There is a also desire to minimize problems.\r\n\r\nThis is why crisis communication training is so important. When crisis happens, reliable information is key. Denial and misinformation will make a bad situation worse.\r\n\r\nAny thoughts? Please share in the comments.','More about reading; and thoughts about the Costa Concordia','','inherit','open','open','','1540-revision-2','','','2012-01-17 15:20:05','2012-01-17 15:20:05','',1540,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1540-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1543,4,'2012-01-17 22:06:37','2012-01-17 22:06:37','The last post here was about why writing skills might be in decline, and my assertion that it is because people are not reading enough. Today, Gini Dietrich writes in her S<a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/entrepreneur/reading-fiction-helps-your-career/\" target=\"_blank\">pin Sucks blog that reading fiction is beneficial to your career</a> because, among other benefits, it helps fine-tune you social skills, especially your empathy.\n\nSo, in addition to helping you recognize good writing, expose you to new worlds, teach you new vocabulary and ways of seeing, reading can help you build better connections and be better at work.\n\nYet, reading alone will not result in a fabulous, well rounded writer/emotionally intelligent being. <strong>You have to practice. You have to interact.</strong> Someone whose nose is always in a book, and who never emerges to deal with the real world is probably not going to be very emotionally intelligent. Also, if you never write and get edited, your writing is never going to improve.\n\nThe Costa Concordia, in case you haven\'t seen the news in the past two days, is a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship that ran aground near Italy, and sank, killing at least six people onboard.  Last night, on the CBS News, it was reported that the crew did not initially inform the passengers appropriately about the impending disaster. They downplayed the danger, and that led to chaos. Some passengers took matters into their own hands.\n\nIt seems that people\'s first reaction to bad news is disbelief. They act as if nothing is wrong. Perhaps that\'s what happened to the Costa Concordia\'s crew. Unfortunately, this type of disbelief can lead to tragedy.  There is a also desire to minimize problems.\n\nThis is why crisis communication training is so important. When crisis happens, reliable information is key. Denial and misinformation will make a bad situation worse.\n\nAny thoughts? Please share in the comments.','More about reading; and thoughts about the Costa Concordia','','inherit','open','open','','1540-autosave','','','2012-01-17 22:06:37','2012-01-17 22:06:37','',1540,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1540-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1545,4,'2012-01-19 16:09:30','2012-01-19 16:09:30','Inbound marketing vs. outbound marketing--which is better?\n\nClearly, if you are a business looking for customers, inbound marketing, where people come to you, is better. If potential customers find you, without you having to go out to find them, means something is attracting them to your offering.\n\nOutbound marketing is where you are spending time and money to find prospective customers who are not otherwise attracted to your offering. It is harder and more costly.\n\nLately, I have seen a variation of inbound marketing,which is the attempt by businesses to find vendors (not customers)  by asking people to apply for the job.  Similarly, some employers find employees by advertising a position and accepting resumes for it, which often results in receiving an overwhelming amount of resumes where a high percentage of the applicants are not suited for the job. This is why some employers hire headhunters, who search for someone fulfilling the exact qualifications the employer is looking for.\n\nToday I came across this posting:\n<blockquote>I am launching a small site for my new business and I am in need of a copywriter to polish the content on the site.\n\nIt is a small project about 5 pages tops.\n\nIf you\'re interested please send me a description of your experience, contact information, and your hourly rate.\n\nNo resumes please. Convince me.</blockquote>\nWhen I saw this, I was intrigued at first and considered \"applying.\" Then , on second thought, I asked myself why this person would put up a posting  like this. First of all, she describes it as a small project. This is probably code for low-budget. And then, that last sentence: Convince me. She is looking for someone to blow her away. It doesn\'t look like a promising situation because it seems this person is looking for someone to write amazing copy at a cut rate price, which may be good for her but not very good for me.\n\nIs this how you find vendors? I don\'t. I have found vendors by using several ways:\n<ul>\n	<li>Asking trusted sources</li>\n	<li>Searching for vendors who do what I need (for example, doing a Google search of flooring sales in Rockville)</li>\n	<li>Using ratings websites like Angie\'s List</li>\n</ul>\nIn this way, I am in control of the vendors I contact. And for the vendors, it is inbound marketing, which is more efficient.\n\nWhat do you say? If you are a vendor, do you (should you) respond to these queries? If you are looking for a vendor, is this the best way to go?\n\n&nbsp;','How do you find vendors (or employees)?','','inherit','open','open','','1544-revision','','','2012-01-19 16:09:30','2012-01-19 16:09:30','',1544,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1544-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1546,4,'2012-01-20 15:59:07','2012-01-20 15:59:07','Show <em>and</em> tell.  Sure you can just show, or you can just tell, but believe me, doing both will be more effective. I promise.\r\n\r\nWhat makes me even write about this? Well, it turns out I am in the market for some dining room furniture, and have been looking through Craigslist to see if I can find anything appropriate and within budget. In any case, I have come across a great many postings that say something like this:\r\n\r\nLike new dining room set with 6 chairs, extension leaf. Contemporary style.\r\n\r\nBut there is no picture. No picture for me to see if I like the style or the color or anything. You have to have a picture if you want to sell a dining room set...or anything else that people buy based on looks!\r\n\r\n<strong>Tell, and show.</strong>\r\n\r\nShowing alone doesn\'t do the trick either. Some people (and many of these are marketers who paid lots and lots of money for a fine looking website/brochure/advertisement) think fancy graphics and beautiful design will compensate for a lack of content.\r\n\r\nNo. No. No.\r\n\r\nA potential client was telling me she was looking for \"sexy\" copy to relaunch her website. I asked her if she could point to websites in her field that she deemed to be \"sexy.\" She sent me to a much more attractive website than hers. But guess what, the content was just as deadly dull and meaningless as hers. It just looked better (ok, much better).\r\n\r\n<strong>Show, and tell.</strong>\r\n\r\nPretty but empty does not sell your product or service. People need information--both visual and intellectual--to make a buying decision.','Show and tell','','publish','open','open','','show-and-tell','','','2012-01-20 15:59:07','2012-01-20 15:59:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1546',0,'post','',0),(1547,4,'2012-01-20 15:58:26','2012-01-20 15:58:26','Show <em>and</em> tell.  Sure you can just show, or you can just tell, but believe me, doing both will be more effective. I promise.\n\nWhat makes me even write about this? Well, it turns out I am in the market for some dining room furniture, and have been looking through Craigslist to see if I can find anything appropriate and within budget. In any case, I have come across a great many postings that say something like this:\n\nLike new dining room set with 6 chairs, extension leaf. Contemporary style.\n\nBut there is no picture. No picture for me to see if I like the style or the color or anything. You have to have a picture if you want to sell a dining room set...or anything else that people buy based on looks!\n\n<strong>Tell, and show.</strong>\n\nShowing alone doesn\'t do the trick either. Some people (and many of these are marketers who paid lots and lots of money for a fine looking website/brochure/advertisement) think fancy graphics and beautiful design will compensate for a lack of content.\n\nNo. No. No.\n\nA potential client was telling me she was looking for \"sexy\" copy to relaunch her website. I asked her if she could point to websites in her field that she deemed to be \"sexy.\" She sent me to a much more attractive website than hers. But guess what, the content was just as deadly dull and meaningless as hers. It just looked better (ok, much better).\n\n<strong>Show, and tell.</strong>\n\nPretty but empty does not sell your product or service. People need information--both visual and intellectual--to make a buying decision.','Show and tell','','inherit','open','open','','1546-revision','','','2012-01-20 15:58:26','2012-01-20 15:58:26','',1546,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1546-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1548,4,'2012-01-20 16:00:18','2012-01-20 16:00:18','Show <em>and</em> tell.  Sure you can just show, or you can just tell, but believe me, doing both will be more effective. I promise.\n\nWhat makes me even write about this? Well, it turns out I am in the market for some dining room furniture, and have been looking through Craigslist to see if I can find anything appropriate and within budget. In any case, I have come across a great many postings that say something like this:\n\nLike new dining room set with 6 chairs, extension leaf. Contemporary style.\n\nBut there is no picture. No picture for me to see if I like the style or the color or anything. You have to have a picture if you want to sell a dining room set...or anything else that people buy based on looks!\n\n<strong>Tell, and show.</strong>\n\nShowing alone doesn\'t do the trick either. Some people (and many of these are marketers who paid lots and lots of money for a fine looking website/brochure/advertisement) think fancy graphics and beautiful design will compensate for a lack of content.\n\nNo. No. No.\n\nA potential client was telling me she was looking for \"sexy\" copy to relaunch her website. I asked her if she could point to websites in her field that she deemed to be \"sexy.\" She sent me to a much more attractive website than hers. But guess what, the content was just as deadly dull and meaningless as hers. It just looked better (ok, much better).\n\n<strong>Show, and tell.</strong>\n\nPretty but empty does not sell your product or service. People need information--both visual and intellectual--to make a buying decision.','Show and tell','','inherit','open','open','','1546-autosave','','','2012-01-20 16:00:18','2012-01-20 16:00:18','',1546,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1546-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1549,4,'2012-01-23 15:12:16','2012-01-23 15:12:16','Have you ever been watching TV and seen a commercial that falls flat or that outright offends you? I bet you have. I have: the Go Daddy commercials from last year\'s Super Bowl, for example, were way offensive and sexist. So, how did they make it to such a massive audience? Why did they get made at all?\r\n\r\nI think the answer lies in some nuggets from this <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/nation/black-women-in-america/?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation survey</a> of black women in America. If you read through the poll (especially the last few questions about sexism and racism compared to black men, white women and white men), you see that each group views the world differently. For instance, a number that is really indicative, is that 55% of white men think the world is fair to everyone, versus 34% of black women and 47% of white women. (In my opinion, the world is fairest to white men, so therefore they think the world is fair for everyone.)\r\n\r\nAnother telling statistic is that more black women (36%) think sexism is a big problem in society than white men (12%). Again, white men do not experience much sexism, so it does not affect them as a group, and they conclude it is not a big problem in society.\r\n\r\n<strong>Different people experience the world differently</strong>. Marketers need to be aware of this since we are often swayed by our own experience of the world. This is why certain white male politicians have no problems indicting a whole class of people for being lazy or for not believing in the American dream.\r\n\r\nSo the next time you see an ad that seems to be tone-deaf you will know that it was created by someone who doesn\'t understand that his/her experience is not reflective of the world as a whole.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC newsletter yet? It will take about 5 seconds to sign up right there on the upper right hand side of this page.</strong>','Why so many ads fail','','publish','open','open','','why-so-many-ads-fail','','','2012-01-23 15:12:16','2012-01-23 15:12:16','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1549',0,'post','',0),(1550,4,'2012-01-23 15:11:40','2012-01-23 15:11:40','Have you ever been watching TV and seen a commercial that falls flat or that outright offends you? I bet you have. I have: the Go Daddy commercials from last year\'s Super Bowl, for example, were way offensive and sexist. So, how did they make it to such a massive audience? Why did they get made at all?\n\nI think the answer lies in some nuggets from this <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/nation/black-women-in-america/?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation survey</a> of black women in America. If you read through the poll (especially the last few questions about sexism and racism compared to black men, white women and white men), you see that each group views the world differently. For instance, a number that is really indicative, is that 55% of white men think the world is fair to everyone, versus 34% of black women and 47% of white women. (In my opinion, the world is fairest to white men, so therefore they think the world is fair for everyone.)\n\nAnother telling statistic is that more black women (36%) think sexism is a big problem in society than white men (12%). Again, white men do not experience much sexism, so it does not affect them as a group, and they conclude it is not a big problem in society.\n\n<strong>Different people experience the world differently</strong>. Marketers need to be aware of this since we are often swayed by our own experience of the world. This is why certain white male politicians have no problems indicting a whole class of people for being lazy or for not believing in the American dream.\n\nSo the next time you see an ad that seems to be tone-deaf you will know that it was created by someone who doesn\'t understand that his/her experience is not reflective of the world as a whole.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\nHave you signed up for the DBMC newsletter yet? It will take about 5 seconds to sign up right there on the upper right hand side of this page.','Why so many ads fail','','inherit','open','open','','1549-revision','','','2012-01-23 15:11:40','2012-01-23 15:11:40','',1549,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1549-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1551,4,'2012-01-23 15:13:27','2012-01-23 15:13:27','Have you ever been watching TV and seen a commercial that falls flat or that outright offends you? I bet you have. I have: the Go Daddy commercials from last year\'s Super Bowl, for example, were way offensive and sexist. So, how did they make it to such a massive audience? Why did they get made at all?\n\nI think the answer lies in some nuggets from this <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/nation/black-women-in-america/?hpid=z2\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation survey</a> of black women in America. If you read through the poll (especially the last few questions about sexism and racism compared to black men, white women and white men), you see that each group views the world differently. For instance, a number that is really indicative, is that 55% of white men think the world is fair to everyone, versus 34% of black women and 47% of white women. (In my opinion, the world is fairest to white men, so therefore they think the world is fair for everyone.)\n\nAnother telling statistic is that more black women (36%) think sexism is a big problem in society than white men (12%). Again, white men do not experience much sexism, so it does not affect them as a group, and they conclude it is not a big problem in society.\n\n<strong>Different people experience the world differently</strong>. Marketers need to be aware of this since we are often swayed by our own experience of the world. This is why certain white male politicians have no problems indicting a whole class of people for being lazy or for not believing in the American dream.\n\nSo the next time you see an ad that seems to be tone-deaf you will know that it was created by someone who doesn\'t understand that his/her experience is not reflective of the world as a whole.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC newsletter yet? It will take about 5 seconds to sign up right there on the upper right hand side of this page.</strong>','Why so many ads fail','','inherit','open','open','','1549-autosave','','','2012-01-23 15:13:27','2012-01-23 15:13:27','',1549,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1549-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1552,4,'2012-01-24 17:52:01','2012-01-24 17:52:01','Wishing people a happy birthday has become uber popular thanks to Facebook. The social network reminds you that it is your \"friend\'s\" birthday and makes super easy for you to post those two two words \"Happy Birthday\" on his/her wall. Oh yes, some people get more creative and wish you a great day, or to have fun.  Depending on the number of friends you have, you could get dozens, if not hundreds, of greetings.\r\n\r\nDoes this mean that birthdays are more important now than ever? Is Facebook tapping into the little girl/boy in everyone who just loves her/his birthday and the celebration of it?\r\n\r\nI think the birthday greeting phenomenon points to several things:\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook has made it easy to connect without really connecting.</strong> Posting Happy Birthday on someone\'s wall is easy. Writing a card or an email or (gasp) picking up the phone and calling, now that takes some effort.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook is ruling our lives.</strong> If Facebook reminds us, then we remember somebody\'s birthday. If not, it is like it doesn\'t exist. Some people are living their lives on Facebook--using it to announce milestones (births, engagements, divorces), snub people, brag, proselytize, look for sympathy (oh...I am so sad says the status update).\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook gives us a false sense of belonging.</strong> This is a corollary to my first point. We think that if 100 people wish us happy birthday it must mean something. I assure you, it means little to nothing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook has made a decision to promote birthdays, and we are all blindly following.</strong> I don\'t see Facebook promoting anniversaries, or job promotions, do you? We have seen how Facebook arbitrarily decides what we should care about--witness the new time line or the highlighted stories in the news feed--and we are powerless to change it.\r\n\r\nLet me be clear--I am not against birthdays. Heck, there are fewer things I enjoy more than birthday cake (sheet cake, preferably chocolate, with some vanilla frosting...yuml). I am just against the new world Facebook is creating for us and the sheeplike way we are all following it.\r\n\r\nIf you aren\'t on Facebook, does it mean you don\'t have a birthday?\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC quarterly enewsletter? First issue of 2012 is coming up in February.  Enter your name and email address on the upper right-hand side of this page.</strong>','\'Cause it\'s your birthday','','publish','open','open','','cause-its-your-birthday','','','2012-01-24 17:52:01','2012-01-24 17:52:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1552',0,'post','',0),(1553,4,'2012-01-24 17:51:47','2012-01-24 17:51:47','Wishing people a happy birthday has become uber popular thanks to Facebook. The social network reminds you that it is your \"friend\'s\" birthday and makes super easy for you to post those two two words \"Happy Birthday\" on his/her wall. Oh yes, some people get more creative and wish you a great day, or to have fun.  Depending on the number of friends you have, you could get dozens, if not hundreds, of greetings.\n\nDoes this mean that birthdays are more important now than ever? Is Facebook tapping into the little girl/boy in everyone who just loves her/his birthday and the celebration of it?\n\nI think the birthday greeting phenomenon points to several things:\n\n<strong>Facebook has made it easy to connect without really connecting.</strong> Posting Happy Birthday on someone\'s wall is easy. Writing a card or an email or (gasp) picking up the phone and calling, now that takes some effort.\n\n<strong>Facebook is ruling our lives.</strong> If Facebook reminds us, then we remember somebody\'s birthday. If not, it is like it doesn\'t exist. Some people are living their lives on Facebook--using it to announce milestones (births, engagements, divorces), snub people, brag, proselytize, look for sympathy (oh...I am so sad says the status update).\n\n<strong>Facebook gives us a false sense of belonging.</strong> This is a corollary to my first point. We think that if 100 people wish us happy birthday it must mean something. I assure you, it means little to nothing.\n\n<strong>Facebook has made a decision to promote birthdays, and we are all blindly following.</strong> I don\'t see Facebook promoting anniversaries, or job promotions, do you? We have seen how Facebook arbitrarily decides what we should care about--witness the new time line or the highlighted stories in the news feed--and we are powerless to change it.\n\nLet me be clear--I am not against birthdays. Heck, there are fewer things I enjoy more than birthday cake (sheet cake, preferably chocolate, with some vanilla frosting...yuml). I am just against the new world Facebook is creating for us and the sheeplike way we are all following it.\n\nIf you aren\'t on Facebook, does it mean you don\'t have a birthday?\n\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC quarterly enewsletter? First issue of 2012 is coming up in February.  Enter your name and email address on the upper right-hand side of this page.</strong>','\'Cause it\'s your birthday','','inherit','open','open','','1552-revision','','','2012-01-24 17:51:47','2012-01-24 17:51:47','',1552,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1552-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1555,4,'2012-01-31 15:02:34','2012-01-31 15:02:34','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\n\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\nAnd then this:\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\n\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\n\nRick Santorum (and when they were stiPerry and Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\n\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an other (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other called him a socialist and other choice descriptors).\n\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\n\nIn marketing, we do believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that message should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?\n\n&nbsp;','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','inherit','open','open','','1554-revision','','','2012-01-31 15:02:34','2012-01-31 15:02:34','',1554,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1554-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1556,4,'2012-01-31 17:38:42','2012-01-31 17:38:42','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\n\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\nAnd then this:\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\n\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\n\nRick Santorum (and when they were still in the race, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\n\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an \"other\" (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other candidates have called him everything from a socialist to other negative descriptors).\n\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\n\nIn marketing, we believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that messages should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?\n\n<strong>ADDENDUM</strong>: Just came across this piece on CNN.com: <a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/opinion/navarrette-immigration-gop/index.html?hpt=hp_t1\" target=\"_blank\">Latinos won\'t forget Romney\'s anti-immigrant talk</a>. Author Ruben Navarrette says this:\n<blockquote>the dishonest and cynical way in which the former governor of Massachusetts has dealt with the immigration issue on the campaign trail shows that he has a problem being consistent.</blockquote>\nNavarrette goes on to discuss how Romney held a strong line against amnesty, but now has softened his approach to PANDER to the Latino vote.\n<blockquote>Now as he competes this week for Hispanic votes in Florida -- and, on Feb 4, in Nevada, where Latinos account for 26.5 percent of the population -- Romney must be hoping that Latinos have bad memories.\n\nWe don\'t. We never forget a slight. And, in that respect, Romney has given us plenty to remember.</blockquote>','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','inherit','open','open','','1554-autosave','','','2012-01-31 17:38:42','2012-01-31 17:38:42','',1554,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1554-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1557,4,'2012-01-31 15:03:08','2012-01-31 15:03:08','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\r\n\r\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\r\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\r\nAnd then this:\r\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\r\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\r\n\r\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\r\n\r\nRick Santorum (and when they were still in the race, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\r\n\r\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an other (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other called him a socialist and other choice descriptors).\r\n\r\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\r\n\r\nIn marketing, we do believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that message should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','inherit','open','open','','1554-revision-2','','','2012-01-31 15:03:08','2012-01-31 15:03:08','',1554,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1554-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1558,4,'2012-01-31 15:05:32','2012-01-31 15:05:32','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\r\n\r\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\r\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\r\nAnd then this:\r\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\r\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\r\n\r\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\r\n\r\nRick Santorum (and when they were still in the race, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\r\n\r\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an other (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other called him a socialist and other choice descriptors).\r\n\r\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\r\n\r\nIn marketing, we believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that messages should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','inherit','open','open','','1554-revision-3','','','2012-01-31 15:05:32','2012-01-31 15:05:32','',1554,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1554-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1559,4,'2012-01-31 15:24:41','2012-01-31 15:24:41','Although pander has some decidedly unsavory definitions (t<a href=\"http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pandering\" target=\"_blank\">o act as a go-between in sexual intrigues, for example</a>) I am using this definition: to cater or to indulge.\r\n\r\nPoliticians seem to be always pandering, saying things they think cater to the audience they are speaking to or trying to appeal to. We saw this a week ago, when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech and he most decidedly pandered to the people who think they are on the short end of the wealth stick in this country. Here\'s an excerpt:\r\n<blockquote>We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.</blockquote>\r\nAnd then this:\r\n<blockquote>So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.</blockquote>\r\nTo me it\'s clear Obama thinks he needs these people to vote for him in November.\r\n\r\nThen there is Newt Gingrich pandering to the Jewish vote in Florida by <a href=\"http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/01/newt-slams-romney-on-kosher-food-112783.html\" target=\"_blank\">saying that Romney voted to eliminate serving kosher food to elderly people under Medicaid. </a>\r\n\r\nRick Santorum (and when they were still in the race, Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann) panders to the homophobic vote (although he probably calls it the family values vote) by opposing same-sex marriage.\r\n\r\nWe have seen all GOP candidates this year pander to the racist vote by emphasizing that Obama is an other (Gingrich called him a \"food stamp president\" and the other called him a socialist and other choice descriptors).\r\n\r\nIn short, politicians will say anything to get a vote. The problem with pandering is that it assumes the audience can\'t see it is being pandered to. And then there is the fact that different audiences might have conflicting needs from one another and the candidate that panders to one might necessarily offend another or end up contradicting him/herself.\r\n<blockquote>In marketing, we believe in tailoring a message to the target audience. However, we also believe that messages should be clear and CONSISTENT.  If a business employed a shifting message strategy, it would quickly lose customers. Why do we tolerate this shift from politicians?</blockquote>\r\nADDENDUM: Just came across this piece on CNN.com: <a href=\"http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/31/opinion/navarrette-immigration-gop/index.html?hpt=hp_t1\" target=\"_blank\">Latinos won\'t forget Romney\'s anti-immigrant talk</a>. Author Ruben Navarrette says this:\r\n<blockquote>the dishonest and cynical way in which the former governor of Massachusetts has dealt with the immigration issue on the campaign trail shows that he has a problem being consistent.</blockquote>\r\nNavarrette goes on to discuss how Romney held a strong line against amnesty, but now has softened his approach to PANDER to the Latino vote.\r\n<blockquote>Now as he competes this week for Hispanic votes in Florida -- and, on Feb 4, in Nevada, where Latinos account for 26.5 percent of the population -- Romney must be hoping that Latinos have bad memories.\r\n\r\nWe don\'t. We never forget a slight. And, in that respect, Romney has given us plenty to remember.</blockquote>','Politicians, pandering and the shifting message','','inherit','open','open','','1554-revision-4','','','2012-01-31 15:24:41','2012-01-31 15:24:41','',1554,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/01/1554-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1561,4,'2012-02-01 15:44:28','2012-02-01 15:44:28','Perhaps you spent lots of money and lots of time creating your website. You hired experts to design it and build it. And yet, you are not seeing the results you want. Why? It could be many things, or just one thing, but here are several failures I have found:\r\n\r\n<strong>No contact information or not enough contact information.</strong> I just visited a website this week in which the contact us is strictly the customer service line. If you want to reach the actual corporate offices (you know, to speak to accounting, HR, marketing), you are out of luck.\r\n\r\n<strong>Omission of important information/details.</strong> This week I visited the website for an upcoming PR event. Guess what information was not available ANYWHERE: the actual location of the event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Too much information on the home page.</strong> Some websites have a very information heavy home page to the point that it is headache inducing.\r\n\r\n<strong>An about page that doesn\'t say anything.</strong>  The about page is your chance to explain who you are. Why use circular language and jargon that says nothing about you?\r\n\r\n<strong>An ugly, dated design</strong>. Makes you look out of touch or cheap or both.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have music.</strong> Enough said.\r\n\r\nReaders, what have you run across that makes a website fail?','Is your website a communications failure?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-website-a-communications-failure','','','2012-02-01 15:44:28','2012-02-01 15:44:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1561',0,'post','',0),(1562,4,'2012-02-01 15:43:42','2012-02-01 15:43:42','Perhaps you spent lots of money and lots of time creating your website. You hired experts to design it and build it. And yet, you are not seeing the results you want. Why? It could be many things, or just one thing, but here are several failures I have found:\n\n<strong>No contact information or not enough contact information.</strong> I just visited a website this week in which the contact us is strictly the customer service line. If you want to reach the actual corporate offices (you know, to speak to accounting, HR, marketing), you are out of luck.\n\n<strong>Omission of important information/details.</strong> This week I visited the website for an upcoming PR event. Guess what information was not available ANYWHERE: the actual location of the event.\n\n<strong>Too much information on the home page.</strong> Some websites have a very information heavy home page to the point that it is headache inducing.\n\n<strong>An about page that doesn\'t say anything.</strong>  The about page is your chance to explain who you are. Why use circular language and jargon that says nothing about you?\n\n<strong>An ugly, dated design</strong>. Makes you look out of touch or cheap or both.\n\n<strong>You have music.</strong> Enough said.\n\nReaders, what have you run across that makes a website fail?','Is your website a communications failure?','','inherit','open','open','','1561-revision','','','2012-02-01 15:43:42','2012-02-01 15:43:42','',1561,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1561-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1564,4,'2012-02-02 16:43:04','2012-02-02 16:43:04','Personality matters in marketing, especially if you are marketing yourself. Personality affects the tone of your marketing efforts, and in the case of ego, what you highlight and what you don\'t.\r\n\r\nSince personality and ego are well, personal, we often don\'t discuss them as part of our communications strategy. But we should. Having a bad attitude or an insufferably big ego can and will derail marketing and communications efforts.\r\n\r\nWhat do I mean? Perhaps by now you have heard of the fracas that has ensued from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to defund Planned Parenthood. I am not going to discuss the politics of it, but I will discuss the communications aspect of it. Komen did not handle communications well at all. Planned Parenthood actually took the news and made it into a fundraising point, while Komen was silent. Not even answering calls from the news media (they provided no comment to CBS Evening News for example). Komen has also been deleting negative comments from its Facebook page.\r\n\r\nIt seems as though Komen did not anticipate or prepare for the backlash of this decision, and therefore has allowed its critics to transform the message (Komen is playing politics with women\'s lives). Why? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">In my opinion, Komen is a victim of big ego.</span> Komen seems to believe that because it is such a large, and up to now, well respected, organization, that its donors will support whatever it does. But Komen miscalculated.  Komen allowed ego to get in the way of having a smart communications strategy that would explain its decision, defend it and keep supporters happy.\r\n\r\n<strong>It is important to remember that companies and organizations are run by individuals, who have attitudes and personalities that influence how they act.</strong>\r\n\r\nOn an individual level, attitude is even more important when marketing. Last week, I attended an alumni event for my graduate school institution. As I was sitting and eating my appetizers, I saw a guy whom I recognized as an alum of my undergraduate institution.\r\n\r\nMe: \"Didn\'t you go to [name of school]?\r\n\r\nHim: \"Yes.\"\r\n\r\nMe: \"I thought I recognized you.\"\r\n\r\nHim: [no comment]\r\n\r\nThen I noticed that the other woman at the table had graduated from law school the same year as this guy (both had name tags with the name of the school and grad year). I pointed it out to both of them. She immediately tried to figure out if there was any connection. He didn\'t. As we continued this increasingly painful exchange, I asked him what law firm he works for. It turns out he is looking for a job in government and is doing tax preparation in the meantime.\r\n\r\nIf he had a better attitude, perhaps I would try to see if I know of any resources for him. But instead this man has a tremendously bad attitude, left a bad impression and apparently does not understand what networking is and what it can do for you.\r\n\r\nYour attitude matters because it determines how people react to you. If you have ever worked at a large organization with people at its helm that have big egos and/or bad attitudes, you know this impacts how the organization communicates and markets itself.  It could be that the CEO/President is a narcissist and thinks that all press releases should quote him/her. It could be that the VP of Communications shuts down any creative idea if it differs from his/her own. And so forth.\r\n\r\nNext time you have a marketing/communications failure, check to see if attitude, personality or ego had anything to do with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC newsletter yet? First edition of the year is coming out next week. Sign up box is on the upper right hand side of this page.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When ego and attitude derail your marketing efforts','','publish','open','open','','when-ego-and-attitude-derail-your-marketing-efforts','','','2012-02-02 16:43:04','2012-02-02 16:43:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1564',0,'post','',1),(1565,4,'2012-02-02 16:42:57','2012-02-02 16:42:57','Personality matters in marketing, especially if you are marketing yourself. Personality affects the tone of your marketing efforts, and in the case of ego, what you highlight and what you don\'t.\n\nSince personality and ego are well, personal, we often don\'t discuss them as part of our communications strategy. But we should. Having a bad attitude or an insufferably big ego can and will derail marketing and communications efforts.\n\nWhat do I mean? Perhaps by now you have heard of the fracas that has ensued from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to defund Planned Parenthood. I am not going to discuss the politics of it, but I will discuss the communications aspect of it. Komen did not handle communications well at all. Planned Parenthood actually took the news and made it into a fundraising point, while Komen was silent. Not even answering calls from the news media (they provided no comment to CBS Evening News for example). Komen has also been deleting negative comments from its Facebook page.\n\nIt seems as though Komen did not anticipate or prepare for the backlash of this decision, and therefore has allowed its critics to transform the message (Komen is playing politics with women\'s lives). Why? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">In my opinion, Komen is a victim of big ego.</span> Komen seems to believe that because it is such a large, and up to now, well respected, organization, that its donors will support whatever it does. But Komen miscalculated.  Komen allowed ego to get in the way of having a smart communications strategy that would explain its decision, defend it and keep supporters happy.\n\n<strong>It is important to remember that companies and organizations are run by individuals, who have attitudes and personalities that influence how they act.</strong>\n\nOn an individual level, attitude is even more important when marketing. Last week, I attended an alumni event for my graduate school institution. As I was sitting and eating my appetizers, I saw a guy whom I recognized as an alum of my undergraduate institution.\n\nMe: \"Didn\'t you go to [name of school]?\n\nHim: \"Yes.\"\n\nMe: \"I thought I recognized you.\"\n\nHim: [no comment]\n\nThen I noticed that the other woman at the table had graduated from law school the same year as this guy (both had name tags with the name of the school and grad year). I pointed it out to both of them. She immediately tried to figure out if there was any connection. He didn\'t. As we continued this increasingly painful exchange, I asked him what law firm he works for. It turns out he is looking for a job in government and is doing tax preparation in the meantime.\n\nIf he had a better attitude, perhaps I would try to see if I know of any resources for him. But instead this man has a tremendously bad attitude, left a bad impression and apparently does not understand what networking is and what it can do for you.\n\nYour attitude matters because it determines how people react to you. If you have ever worked at a large organization with people at its helm that have big egos and/or bad attitudes, you know this impacts how the organization communicates and markets itself.  It could be that the CEO/President is a narcissist and thinks that all press releases should quote him/her. It could be that the VP of Communications shuts down any creative idea if it differs from his/her own. And so forth.\n\nNext time you have a marketing/communications failure, check to see if attitude, personality or ego had anything to do with it.\n\n<strong>Have you signed up for the DBMC newsletter yet? First edition of the year is coming out next week. Sign up box is on the upper right hand side of this page.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;','When ego and attitude derail your marketing efforts','','inherit','open','open','','1564-revision','','','2012-02-02 16:42:57','2012-02-02 16:42:57','',1564,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1564-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1573,4,'2012-02-10 20:41:06','2012-02-10 20:41:06','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In an <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/romneys-campaign-has-a-theme-personal-ambition/2012/02/09/gIQAPihW2Q_story.html?hpid=z3\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">op-ed piece in today\'s Washington Post</span></a>, Eugene Robinson argues that Mitt Romney, erstwhile front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, lacks a message. Robinson writes:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Criticism of Mitt Romney for lacking a coherent message is grossly unfair. He has been forthright, consistent and even eloquent in pressing home his campaign’s central theme: Mitt Romney <em>desperately</em> wants to be president.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">He goes on to say, that in spite having many differences of opinion with the Obama administration, Romney hasn\'t articulated an overall message. Robinson expresses it like this:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My point is that even Romney’s sharp disagreements with Obama’s policies don’t add up to a philosophy or a vision. They’re more like what stuck after a bunch of random tough-sounding positions were thrown at the wall.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What are you fighting for?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is not enough to be <em>against</em> something. You have to be <em>for</em> something. You have to stand for something that makes it clear who you are and what you will do. This is true for all politicians, nonprofits and even businesses. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine if Coke were just the anti-Pepsi. That would not be enough. Instead, \"Coke is it,\" Coke is the \"real thing,\" Coke likes polar bears. You get my drift.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Having a positive (in that it not an \"against\" message) central unifying message cannot be underestimated. In fact, if the GOP loses in November it will be because the party has failed to articulate something other than they are against Obama. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Romney, and any other politician, would do well to take a step back and figure out what it is he wants to say, really. In his case, he needs to articulate better why his position (and the GOP\'s) is better for the economy, in positive terms. What exactly does Romney think the problem is, and more importantly, what is the solution.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','First, have a message','','publish','open','open','','first-have-a-message','','','2012-02-10 20:41:06','2012-02-10 20:41:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1573',0,'post','',0),(1575,4,'2012-02-13 16:09:23','0000-00-00 00:00:00','There are some real forehead slappers out there!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Most egregious communications mistakes','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-02-13 16:09:23','2012-02-13 16:09:23','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1575',0,'post','',0),(1568,4,'2012-02-03 15:45:28','2012-02-03 15:45:28','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given the tremendous amount of negative press, critical comments and social media outrage regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood,we may be able to conclude that there is a rather large disconnect between the foundation\'s leadership/decision makers and its donor/support base. In fact, the decision has been received so poorly that it points to a top down decision-making approach that seems wholly ignorant of what supporters want.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>It is an axiom of marketing (and of fund-raising) that you should understand and know your target audience.</strong> How can you market (or raise funds from) people you don\'t know? This is why marketers often use focus groups, surveys and other methods to determine just who makes up the customer/client/donor base.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I participated in the Komen Race for the Cure for two years. I am not sure if I ever got a survey from Komen. I did get tons of emails selling me Komen merchandise, which is why I unsubscribed and stopped supporting the organization.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course hindsight is always 20/20 but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I believe that if Komen had done more to understand who supports the foundation and why, it may have avoided taking this decision and the huge firestorm of bad publicity that has followed. </span> Perhaps every time someone gives a donation or signs up for a race, Komen (or any other nonprofit), could send out a quick survey. In Komen\'s specific case it could have been as simple as a question asking:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Which of our programs do you feel has the most value?  (along with a checklist).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps if Komen had been aware that many people think Planned Parenthood provides good services, it would not have been so quick to pull funding and so ignorant about the potential outcry.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are multiple lessons to be learned from  the Komen debacle (PR and crisis communications matter, for one), none the least of is: <strong>KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE</strong> (customers, clients, donors, supporters)... and remember you work for them, and not the other way around.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Have you signed up to get my enewsletter? All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the upper right hand side of this page. Your name/email will not be shared.</strong></span>','Did Komen know much about its supporters?','','publish','open','open','','did-komen-know-much-about-its-supporters','','','2012-02-03 15:50:27','2012-02-03 15:50:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1568',0,'post','',0),(1569,4,'2012-02-03 15:44:49','2012-02-03 15:44:49','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given the negative press, critical comments,  and social media outrage regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood, there seems to be a disconnect between the foundation\'s leadership/decision makers and its donor/support base. In fact, the decision has been received so poorly that it points to a top down decision-making approach that seems wholly ignorant of what supporters want.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>It is an axiom of marketing (and of fund-raising) that you should understand and know your target audience.</strong> How can you market (or raise funds from) people you don\'t know? This is why marketers often use focus groups, surveys and other methods to determine just who makes up the customer/client/donor base.</span>\n\nI participated in the Komen Race for the Cure for two years. I am not sure if I ever got a survey from Komen. I did get tons of emails selling me Komen merchandise, which is why I unsubscribed and stopped supporting the organization.\n\nOf course hindsight is always 20/20 but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I believe that if Komen had done more to understand who supports the foundation and why, it may have avoided taking this decision and the huge firestorm of bad publicity that has followed. </span> Perhaps every time someone gives a donation or signs up for a race, Komen (or any other nonprofit), could send out a quick survey. In Komen\'s specific case it could have been as simple as a question asking:\n\nWhich of our programs do you feel has the most value?  (along with a checklist).\n\nPerhaps if Komen had been aware that many people think Planned Parenthood provides good services, it would not have been so quick to pull funding and so ignorant about the potential outcry.\n\nThere are multiple lessons to be learned from  the Komen debacle (PR and crisis communications matter, for one), none the least of is: <strong>KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE</strong> (customers, clients, donors, supporters)... and remember you work for them, and not the other way around.\n\n<strong>Have you signed up to get my enewsletter? All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the upper right hand side of this page. Your name/email will not be shared.</strong>','Did Komen know much about its supporters?','','inherit','open','open','','1568-revision','','','2012-02-03 15:44:49','2012-02-03 15:44:49','',1568,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1568-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1570,4,'2012-02-03 15:49:32','2012-02-03 15:49:32','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given the tremendous amount of negative press, critical comments and social media outrage regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood,we may be able to conclude that there is a rather large disconnect between the foundation\'s leadership/decision makers and its donor/support base. In fact, the decision has been received so poorly that it points to a top down decision-making approach that seems wholly ignorant of what supporters want.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>It is an axiom of marketing (and of fund-raising) that you should understand and know your target audience.</strong> How can you market (or raise funds from) people you don\'t know? This is why marketers often use focus groups, surveys and other methods to determine just who makes up the customer/client/donor base.</span>\n\nI participated in the Komen Race for the Cure for two years. I am not sure if I ever got a survey from Komen. I did get tons of emails selling me Komen merchandise, which is why I unsubscribed and stopped supporting the organization.\n\nOf course hindsight is always 20/20 but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I believe that if Komen had done more to understand who supports the foundation and why, it may have avoided taking this decision and the huge firestorm of bad publicity that has followed. </span> Perhaps every time someone gives a donation or signs up for a race, Komen (or any other nonprofit), could send out a quick survey. In Komen\'s specific case it could have been as simple as a question asking:\n\nWhich of our programs do you feel has the most value?  (along with a checklist).\n\nPerhaps if Komen had been aware that many people think Planned Parenthood provides good services, it would not have been so quick to pull funding and so ignorant about the potential outcry.\n\nThere are multiple lessons to be learned from  the Komen debacle (PR and crisis communications matter, for one), none the least of is: <strong>KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE</strong> (customers, clients, donors, supporters)... and remember you work for them, and not the other way around.\n\n<strong>Have you signed up to get my enewsletter? All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the upper right hand side of this page. Your name/email will not be shared.</strong>','Did Komen know much about its supporters?','','inherit','open','open','','1568-autosave','','','2012-02-03 15:49:32','2012-02-03 15:49:32','',1568,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1568-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1571,4,'2012-02-03 15:45:28','2012-02-03 15:45:28','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given the negative press, critical comments,  and social media outrage regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood, there seems to be a disconnect between the foundation\'s leadership/decision makers and its donor/support base. In fact, the decision has been received so poorly that it points to a top down decision-making approach that seems wholly ignorant of what supporters want.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>It is an axiom of marketing (and of fund-raising) that you should understand and know your target audience.</strong> How can you market (or raise funds from) people you don\'t know? This is why marketers often use focus groups, surveys and other methods to determine just who makes up the customer/client/donor base.</span>\r\n\r\nI participated in the Komen Race for the Cure for two years. I am not sure if I ever got a survey from Komen. I did get tons of emails selling me Komen merchandise, which is why I unsubscribed and stopped supporting the organization.\r\n\r\nOf course hindsight is always 20/20 but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I believe that if Komen had done more to understand who supports the foundation and why, it may have avoided taking this decision and the huge firestorm of bad publicity that has followed. </span> Perhaps every time someone gives a donation or signs up for a race, Komen (or any other nonprofit), could send out a quick survey. In Komen\'s specific case it could have been as simple as a question asking:\r\n\r\nWhich of our programs do you feel has the most value?  (along with a checklist).\r\n\r\nPerhaps if Komen had been aware that many people think Planned Parenthood provides good services, it would not have been so quick to pull funding and so ignorant about the potential outcry.\r\n\r\nThere are multiple lessons to be learned from  the Komen debacle (PR and crisis communications matter, for one), none the least of is: <strong>KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE</strong> (customers, clients, donors, supporters)... and remember you work for them, and not the other way around.\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you signed up to get my enewsletter? All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the upper right hand side of this page. Your name/email will not be shared.</strong>','Did Komen know much about its supporters?','','inherit','open','open','','1568-revision-2','','','2012-02-03 15:45:28','2012-02-03 15:45:28','',1568,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1568-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1572,4,'2012-02-03 15:47:34','2012-02-03 15:47:34','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given the tremendous amount of negative press, critical comments and social media outrage regarding Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation\'s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood,we may be able to conclude that there is a rather large disconnect between the foundation\'s leadership/decision makers and its donor/support base. In fact, the decision has been received so poorly that it points to a top down decision-making approach that seems wholly ignorant of what supporters want.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>It is an axiom of marketing (and of fund-raising) that you should understand and know your target audience.</strong> How can you market (or raise funds from) people you don\'t know? This is why marketers often use focus groups, surveys and other methods to determine just who makes up the customer/client/donor base.</span>\r\n\r\nI participated in the Komen Race for the Cure for two years. I am not sure if I ever got a survey from Komen. I did get tons of emails selling me Komen merchandise, which is why I unsubscribed and stopped supporting the organization.\r\n\r\nOf course hindsight is always 20/20 but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I believe that if Komen had done more to understand who supports the foundation and why, it may have avoided taking this decision and the huge firestorm of bad publicity that has followed. </span> Perhaps every time someone gives a donation or signs up for a race, Komen (or any other nonprofit), could send out a quick survey. In Komen\'s specific case it could have been as simple as a question asking:\r\n\r\nWhich of our programs do you feel has the most value?  (along with a checklist).\r\n\r\nPerhaps if Komen had been aware that many people think Planned Parenthood provides good services, it would not have been so quick to pull funding and so ignorant about the potential outcry.\r\n\r\nThere are multiple lessons to be learned from  the Komen debacle (PR and crisis communications matter, for one), none the least of is: <strong>KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE</strong> (customers, clients, donors, supporters)... and remember you work for them, and not the other way around.\r\n\r\n<strong>Have you signed up to get my enewsletter? All you have to do is enter your name and email address on the upper right hand side of this page. Your name/email will not be shared.</strong>','Did Komen know much about its supporters?','','inherit','open','open','','1568-revision-3','','','2012-02-03 15:47:34','2012-02-03 15:47:34','',1568,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1568-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1574,4,'2012-02-10 20:41:02','2012-02-10 20:41:02','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In an <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/romneys-campaign-has-a-theme-personal-ambition/2012/02/09/gIQAPihW2Q_story.html?hpid=z3\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">op-ed piece in today\'s Washington Post</span></a>, Eugene Robinson argues that Mitt Romney, erstwhile front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, lacks a message. Robinson writes:</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Criticism of Mitt Romney for lacking a coherent message is grossly unfair. He has been forthright, consistent and even eloquent in pressing home his campaign’s central theme: Mitt Romney <em>desperately</em> wants to be president.</span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">He goes on to say, that in spite having many differences of opinion with the Obama administration, Romney hasn\'t articulated an overall message. Robinson expresses it like this:</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My point is that even Romney’s sharp disagreements with Obama’s policies don’t add up to a philosophy or a vision. They’re more like what stuck after a bunch of random tough-sounding positions were thrown at the wall.</span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What are you fighting for?</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is not enough to be <em>against</em> something. You have to be <em>for</em> something. You have to stand for something that makes it clear who you are and what you will do. This is true for all politicians, nonprofits and even businesses. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine if Coke were just the anti-Pepsi. That would not be enough. Instead, \"Coke is it,\" Coke is the \"real thing,\" Coke likes polar bears. You get my drift.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Having a positive (in that it not an \"against\" message) central unifying message cannot be underestimated. In fact, if the GOP loses in November it will be because the party has failed to articulate something other than they are against Obama. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Romney, and any other politician, would do well to take a step back and figure out what it is he wants to say, really. In his case, he needs to articulate better why his position (and the GOP\'s) is better for the economy, in positive terms. What exactly does Romney think the problem is, and more importantly, what is the solution.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','First, have a message','','inherit','open','open','','1573-revision','','','2012-02-10 20:41:02','2012-02-10 20:41:02','',1573,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1573-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1642,4,'2012-03-23 12:41:01','2012-03-23 12:41:01','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is a physics term, which means that speed or forward motion of an object is equal to mass times velocity. In everyday usage, momentum is the strength or speed gained by motion or a series of events (<a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/momentum\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">here is Merriam-Webster\'s</span></a> definition).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is good for marketing--it helps you build up steam and propels you forward (gets you new business, more readers, bigger audience, etc).  But if when things are starting to speed up,  you apply the brakes, you (like your car) will quite literally slow down (lose momentum). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Losing momentum is a marketing killer.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How do you lose momentum? There are many \"brakes.\" Here are few examples:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not returning inquiry calls:</strong> If I call you for information, I am what they call a warm prospect. By not calling me back, you are losing me. By taking your sweet time to return said calls, you also lose momentum.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not following up</strong>:  In mid-December I attended the inaugural event for a new DC networking group. It sounded good and I provided my email, saying I would be happy to help organize an event. I haven\'t heard ONE word from them. They haven\'t held another event. They lost momentum.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Changing your terms suddenly (dashing expectations):</strong> Say you always get bread served at your favorite restaurant, and suddenly, the restaurant decides to cut costs and there goes the bread basket. It may have been what you enjoyed about the place, and now your expectations are dashed. You may not return.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Not blogging (or Tweeting or posting on Facebook) for months:</strong> You started your blog, and you had lots to say. And then you stopped posting. Any readership (or followers) you had, will dwindle. You lost momentum.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whenever you do something that slows down your interaction with a prospective customer or client, you are losing momentum. That is a marketing/communications failure.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you experienced lost marketing momentum? Please give me your examples in the comments.</span>','Weekly communications #fail: losing momentum','','publish','open','open','','weekly-communications-fail-losing-momentum','','','2012-03-23 12:41:01','2012-03-23 12:41:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1642',0,'post','',2),(1595,4,'2012-02-27 16:18:28','2012-02-27 16:18:28','Last night, I watched part of the Academy Awards (or Oscars to most everyone on the planet). I did not watch it all. And what I did watch, I didn\'t enjoy.\r\n\r\nIt seems quite ironic that the night meant to celebrating the best in film ENTERTAINMENT, is so un-entertaining.  The jokes were not funny, the audio was off (some weird feedback on the microphones), the show was too long. Some speakers were cut off, and Billy Crystal, the host, seemed caught in some time warp.\r\n\r\nPerhaps it is because Hollywood is out of touch (seriously, how many people in this economy could even afford a designer gown?). Or perhaps it is because the Academy is completely not representative of the population (it is mostly male, mostly white, mostly old, as the <a href=\"http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/academy/la-et-unmasking-oscar-academy-project-html,0,7473284.htmlstory\" target=\"_blank\">LA Times reported</a>).\r\n\r\nWith each passing year it seems that the red carpet pre-show, where the attendees show off what they are wearing, becomes what more people want to watch than the actual awards.\r\n\r\nSo, did YOU watch the Oscars? If so, what did you think?','Did you watch the Oscars?','','publish','open','open','','did-you-watch-the-oscars','','','2012-02-27 16:18:28','2012-02-27 16:18:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1595',0,'post','',1),(1579,4,'2012-02-17 14:19:30','2012-02-17 14:19:30','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every day I see something in the communications world that either irks me, peeves me or just plain amazes me, and not in a good way.  There\'s so much that I am making it a weekly rant on the blog.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week\'s communication fail has to do with sharing... social sharing that is...and how hard it can be to do. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications failure for February 17th: Sharing done wrong.</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s what I have encountered this week:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>No sharing buttons whatsoever on a blog or major news site</strong>. (In fact, I found no sharing buttons on a post about how to communicate effectively, I am not kidding.) This needs to stop. If you have a blog, you have to include the ability to share. </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sharing buttons that share the name of the blog but not the name of the post</strong>. Why would I share something called say, Deb\'s blog and a URL and expect people to read it? If it said something like \"Why sharing buttons are crucial\" on Deb\'s blog, then yes.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sharing buttons that share the name of the post but not of the author</strong>. It\'s about giving credit where credit is due. There are so many sharing buttons out there, it\'s hard to find the right one. </span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are a blogger, do yourself a favor: check your sharing buttons right now. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The weekly communications #fail','','publish','open','open','','the-weekly-communications-fail','','','2012-02-17 14:21:45','2012-02-17 14:21:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1579',0,'post','',0),(1580,4,'2012-02-17 14:17:30','2012-02-17 14:17:30','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every day I see something in the communications world that either irks me, peeves me or just plain amazes me, and not in a good way.  There\'s so much that I am making it a weekly rant on the blog.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week\'s communication fail has to do with sharing... social sharing that is...and how hard it can be to do. </span>\n\n<strong>The communications failure for February 17th: Sharing done wrong.</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s what I have encountered this week:</span>\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No sharing buttons whatsoever on a blog or major news site. (In fact, I found no sharing buttons on a post about how to communicate effectively, I am not kidding.) This needs to stop. If you have a blog, you have to include the ability to share. </span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the blog but not the name of the post. Why would I share something called say, Deb\'s blog and a URL and expect people to read it? If it said something like \"Why sharing buttons are crucial\" on Deb\'s blog, then yes.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the post but not of the author. It\'s about giving credit where credit is due. There are so many sharing buttons out there, it\'s hard to find the right one. </span></li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are a blogger, do yourself a favor: check your sharing buttons right now.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','The weekly communications #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1579-revision','','','2012-02-17 14:17:30','2012-02-17 14:17:30','',1579,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1579-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1581,4,'2012-02-17 14:19:02','2012-02-17 14:19:02','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every day I see something in the communications world that either irks me, peeves me or just plain amazes me, and not in a good way.  There\'s so much that I am making it a weekly rant on the blog.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week\'s communication fail has to do with sharing... social sharing that is...and how hard it can be to do. </span>\n\n<strong>The communications failure for February 17th: Sharing done wrong.</strong>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s what I have encountered this week:</span>\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No sharing buttons whatsoever on a blog or major news site. (In fact, I found no sharing buttons on a post about how to communicate effectively, I am not kidding.) This needs to stop. If you have a blog, you have to include the ability to share. </span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the blog but not the name of the post. Why would I share something called say, Deb\'s blog and a URL and expect people to read it? If it said something like \"Why sharing buttons are crucial\" on Deb\'s blog, then yes.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the post but not of the author. It\'s about giving credit where credit is due. There are so many sharing buttons out there, it\'s hard to find the right one. </span></li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are a blogger, do yourself a favor: check your sharing buttons right now. </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','The weekly communications #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1579-revision-2','','','2012-02-17 14:19:02','2012-02-17 14:19:02','',1579,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1579-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1582,4,'2012-02-17 14:19:30','2012-02-17 14:19:30','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every day I see something in the communications world that either irks me, peeves me or just plain amazes me, and not in a good way.  There\'s so much that I am making it a weekly rant on the blog.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week\'s communication fail has to do with sharing... social sharing that is...and how hard it can be to do. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications failure for February 17th: Sharing done wrong.</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s what I have encountered this week:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No sharing buttons whatsoever on a blog or major news site. (In fact, I found no sharing buttons on a post about how to communicate effectively, I am not kidding.) This needs to stop. If you have a blog, you have to include the ability to share. </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the blog but not the name of the post. Why would I share something called say, Deb\'s blog and a URL and expect people to read it? If it said something like \"Why sharing buttons are crucial\" on Deb\'s blog, then yes.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing buttons that share the name of the post but not of the author. It\'s about giving credit where credit is due. There are so many sharing buttons out there, it\'s hard to find the right one. </span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are a blogger, do yourself a favor: check your sharing buttons right now. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The weekly communications #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1579-revision-3','','','2012-02-17 14:19:30','2012-02-17 14:19:30','',1579,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1579-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1583,4,'2012-02-17 14:21:11','2012-02-17 14:21:11','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every day I see something in the communications world that either irks me, peeves me or just plain amazes me, and not in a good way.  There\'s so much that I am making it a weekly rant on the blog.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week\'s communication fail has to do with sharing... social sharing that is...and how hard it can be to do. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications failure for February 17th: Sharing done wrong.</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s what I have encountered this week:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>No sharing buttons whatsoever on a blog or major news site</strong>. (In fact, I found no sharing buttons on a post about how to communicate effectively, I am not kidding.) This needs to stop. If you have a blog, you have to include the ability to share. </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sharing buttons that share the name of the blog but not the name of the post</strong>. Why would I share something called say, Deb\'s blog and a URL and expect people to read it? If it said something like \"Why sharing buttons are crucial\" on Deb\'s blog, then yes.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sharing buttons that share the name of the post but not of the author</strong>. It\'s about giving credit where credit is due. There are so many sharing buttons out there, it\'s hard to find the right one. </span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are a blogger, do yourself a favor: check your sharing buttons right now. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The weekly communications #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1579-revision-4','','','2012-02-17 14:21:11','2012-02-17 14:21:11','',1579,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1579-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1585,4,'2012-02-20 18:41:47','2012-02-20 18:41:47','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">ATT sent me a \"special customer offer.\" The letter giving me notification of this \"special offer\" starts like this:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dear Deborah Brody,</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve been such a great customer, you deserve something special from us.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">That\'s why I\'m offering you a <strong>FREE Android Smartphone</strong> when you activate an additional line of service with a new two-year voice agreement with qualifying monthly data plan required per phone.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">To recap, ATT will show its appreciation for my business by giving me a \"free\" phone, which will require me to subscribe to more services and pay more per month and only if I activate a second line.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Basically, they are offering me nothing.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The thing is, I don\'t need a second line of service.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have gotten this same offer over and over and over again. Never once have I gotten an offer for a phone upgrade without ATT requiring a second line activation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This offer is all about ATT and not at all about me. It is not even remotely tailored to the customer\'s needs.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">ATT finishes its letter to me by saying:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\'t think twice about this one, Deborah. Call today [phone number] and get it all.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I don\'t have to think about this at all. I know it is not an offer for me.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">ATT, your marketing is a big, fat #FAIL.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','ATT\'s not so special offer--a marketing #fail','','publish','open','open','','atts-not-so-special-offer-a-marketing-fail','','','2012-02-20 18:42:27','2012-02-20 18:42:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1585',0,'post','',0),(1586,4,'2012-02-20 18:41:36','2012-02-20 18:41:36','ATT sent me a \"special customer offer.\" The letter giving me notification of this \"special offer\" starts like this:\n<blockquote>Dear Deborah Brody,\n\nYou\'ve been such a great customer, you deserve something special from us.\n\nThat\'s why I\'m offering you a <strong>FREE Android Smartphone</strong> when you activate an additional line of service with a new two-year voice agreement with qualifying monthly data plan required per phone.</blockquote>\nTo recap, ATT will show its appreciation for my business by giving me a \"free\" phone, which will require me to subscribe to more services and pay more per month and only if I activate a second line.\n\n<strong>Basically, they are offering me nothing.</strong>\n\nThe thing is, I don\'t need a second line of service.\n\nI have gotten this same offer over and over and over again. Never once have I gotten an offer for a phone upgrade without ATT requiring a second line activation.\n\nThis offer is all about ATT and not at all about me. It is not even remotely tailored to the customer\'s needs.\n\nATT finishes its letter to me by saying:\n<blockquote>Don\'t think twice about this one, Deborah. Call today [phone number] and get it all.</blockquote>\nI don\'t have to think about this at all. I know it is not an offer for me.\n\nATT, your marketing is a big, fat #FAIL.\n\n&nbsp;','ATT\'s not so special offer--a marketing #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1585-revision','','','2012-02-20 18:41:36','2012-02-20 18:41:36','',1585,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1585-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1587,4,'2012-02-20 18:41:47','2012-02-20 18:41:47','ATT sent me a \"special customer offer.\" The letter giving me notification of this \"special offer\" starts like this:\r\n<blockquote>Dear Deborah Brody,\r\n\r\nYou\'ve been such a great customer, you deserve something special from us.\r\n\r\nThat\'s why I\'m offering you a <strong>FREE Android Smartphone</strong> when you activate an additional line of service with a new two-year voice agreement with qualifying monthly data plan required per phone.</blockquote>\r\nTo recap, ATT will show its appreciation for my business by giving me a \"free\" phone, which will require me to subscribe to more services and pay more per month and only if I activate a second line.\r\n\r\n<strong>Basically, they are offering me nothing.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe thing is, I don\'t need a second line of service.\r\n\r\nI have gotten this same offer over and over and over again. Never once have I gotten an offer for a phone upgrade without ATT requiring a second line activation.\r\n\r\nThis offer is all about ATT and not at all about me. It is not even remotely tailored to the customer\'s needs.\r\n\r\nATT finishes its letter to me by saying:\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t think twice about this one, Deborah. Call today [phone number] and get it all.</blockquote>\r\nI don\'t have to think about this at all. I know it is not an offer for me.\r\n\r\nATT, your marketing is a big, fat #FAIL.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','ATT\'s not so special offer--a marketing #fail','','inherit','open','open','','1585-revision-2','','','2012-02-20 18:41:47','2012-02-20 18:41:47','',1585,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1585-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1589,4,'2012-02-24 14:28:17','2012-02-24 14:28:17','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, as I was reading The Washington Post, I came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spike-tv-show-gives-silver-springs-piratz-tavern-a-makeover/2012/02/21/gIQADLA9SR_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">this item</a>, regarding a makeover for a Silver Spring, MD bar. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bar, formerly known as Piratz Tavern, was targeted by Spike TV to be redone.  Apparently, the bar\'s sales had been slumping and the owners appealed to the \"Bar Rescue\" show.  Piratz had a pirate theme--the waitstaff dressed up as pirates, there was rum, and \"pirate-themed\" food. The decor was pirate-casual (you know, skulls on the wall-like).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In comes the Bar Rescue staff and Piratz Tavern becomes, are you ready for this? Corporate Bar and Grill, serving gourmet burgers to executives not interested in being pretend pirates. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Corporate Bar and Grill? Seriously? Could they have chosen a more generic name? A more generic menu? I am not a betting person, but I  would bet that this won\'t result in higher earnings, except if they are charging much more for these executive burgers.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps what Piratz needed was not a complete rebranding to become a generic grill, but instead, an effective way to market a quirky spot that is a bit out of the way for foot traffic. If foot traffic was the issue before, it will still be an issue now, regardless of whether the food is better. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have something different, I think you should exploit it. Becoming just like everyone else is rarely a way to get ahead of the crowd.</span> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">Becoming more generic is this week\'s communications #fail.</span>','The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong','','publish','open','open','','the-weekly-communications-fail-rebranding-gone-wrong','','','2012-02-24 14:34:32','2012-02-24 14:34:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1589',0,'post','',1),(1590,4,'2012-02-24 14:28:01','2012-02-24 14:28:01','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, as I was reading The Washington Post, I came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spike-tv-show-gives-silver-springs-piratz-tavern-a-makeover/2012/02/21/gIQADLA9SR_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">this item</a>, regarding a makeover for a Silver Spring, MD bar. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bar, formerly known as Piratz Tavern, was targeted by Spike TV to be redone.  Apparently, the bar\'s sales had been slumping and the owners appealed to the \"Bar Rescue\" show.  Piratz had a pirate theme--the waitstaff dressed up as pirates, there was rum, and \"pirate-themed\" food. The decor was pirate-casual (you know, skulls on the wall-like).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In comes the Bar Rescue staff and Piratz Tavern becomes, are you ready for this? Corporate Bar and Grill, serving gourmet burgers to executives not interested in being pretend pirates. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Corporate Bar and Grill? Could they have chosen a more generic name? A more generic menu? I am not a betting person, but I don\'t think this will save the place.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps what Piratz needed was not a complete rebranding to become a generic grill, but instead, a way to market a quirky spot that is a bit out of the way for foot traffic. If foot traffic was the issue before, it will still be an issue now, regardless of whether the food is better. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have something different, I think you should exploit it. Becoming just like everyone else is rarely a way to get ahead of the crowd.</span> Becoming more generic is this week\'s communications #fail.','The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong','','inherit','open','open','','1589-revision','','','2012-02-24 14:28:01','2012-02-24 14:28:01','',1589,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1589-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1591,4,'2012-02-24 14:33:49','2012-02-24 14:33:49','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, as I was reading The Washington Post, I came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spike-tv-show-gives-silver-springs-piratz-tavern-a-makeover/2012/02/21/gIQADLA9SR_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">this item</a>, regarding a makeover for a Silver Spring, MD bar. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bar, formerly known as Piratz Tavern, was targeted by Spike TV to be redone.  Apparently, the bar\'s sales had been slumping and the owners appealed to the \"Bar Rescue\" show.  Piratz had a pirate theme--the waitstaff dressed up as pirates, there was rum, and \"pirate-themed\" food. The decor was pirate-casual (you know, skulls on the wall-like).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In comes the Bar Rescue staff and Piratz Tavern becomes, are you ready for this? Corporate Bar and Grill, serving gourmet burgers to executives not interested in being pretend pirates. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Corporate Bar and Grill? Seriously? Could they have chosen a more generic name? A more generic menu? I am not a betting person, but I  would bet that this won\'t result in higher earnings, ex this will save the place.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps what Piratz needed was not a complete rebranding to become a generic grill, but instead, a way to market a quirky spot that is a bit out of the way for foot traffic. If foot traffic was the issue before, it will still be an issue now, regardless of whether the food is better. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have something different, I think you should exploit it. Becoming just like everyone else is rarely a way to get ahead of the crowd.</span> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">Becoming more generic is this week\'s communications #fail.</span>','The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong','','inherit','open','open','','1589-autosave','','','2012-02-24 14:33:49','2012-02-24 14:33:49','',1589,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1589-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1592,4,'2012-02-24 14:28:17','2012-02-24 14:28:17','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, as I was reading The Washington Post, I came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spike-tv-show-gives-silver-springs-piratz-tavern-a-makeover/2012/02/21/gIQADLA9SR_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">this item</a>, regarding a makeover for a Silver Spring, MD bar. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bar, formerly known as Piratz Tavern, was targeted by Spike TV to be redone.  Apparently, the bar\'s sales had been slumping and the owners appealed to the \"Bar Rescue\" show.  Piratz had a pirate theme--the waitstaff dressed up as pirates, there was rum, and \"pirate-themed\" food. The decor was pirate-casual (you know, skulls on the wall-like).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In comes the Bar Rescue staff and Piratz Tavern becomes, are you ready for this? Corporate Bar and Grill, serving gourmet burgers to executives not interested in being pretend pirates. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Corporate Bar and Grill? Could they have chosen a more generic name? A more generic menu? I am not a betting person, but I don\'t think this will save the place.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps what Piratz needed was not a complete rebranding to become a generic grill, but instead, a way to market a quirky spot that is a bit out of the way for foot traffic. If foot traffic was the issue before, it will still be an issue now, regardless of whether the food is better. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have something different, I think you should exploit it. Becoming just like everyone else is rarely a way to get ahead of the crowd.</span> Becoming more generic is this week\'s communications #fail.','The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong','','inherit','open','open','','1589-revision-2','','','2012-02-24 14:28:17','2012-02-24 14:28:17','',1589,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1589-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2764,4,'2012-09-02 20:08:56','2012-09-02 20:08:56','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\n\r\nBNA\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\n\r\nDKD New Media\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\n\r\nKARRASS\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\n\r\nMiCORE Solutions, Inc.\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\n\r\nSperry Van Ness\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\n\r\nSW Creatives\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2012-09-02 20:08:56','2012-09-02 20:08:56','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/38-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1594,4,'2011-07-22 04:13:27','2011-07-22 04:13:27','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with small to  medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience  with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real  estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:13:27','2011-07-22 04:13:27','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/38-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1596,4,'2012-02-27 16:17:33','2012-02-27 16:17:33','Last night, I watched part of the Academy Awards (or Oscars to most everyone on the planet). I did not watch it all. And what I did watch, I didn\'t enjoy.\n\nIt seems quite ironic that the night meant to celebrating the best in film ENTERTAINMENT, is so un-entertaining.  The jokes were not funny, the audio was off (some weird feedback on the microphones), the show was too long. Some speakers were cut off, and Billy Crystal, the host, seemed caught in some time warp.\n\nPerhaps it is because Hollywood is out of touch (seriously, how many people in this economy could even afford a designer gown?). Or perhaps it is because the Academy is completely not representative of the population (it is mostly male, mostly white, mostly old, as the <a href=\"http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/academy/la-et-unmasking-oscar-academy-project-html,0,7473284.htmlstory\" target=\"_blank\">LA Times reported</a>).\n\nWith each passing year it seems that the red carpet pre-show, where the attendees show off what they are wearing, becomes more what people want to watch than the actual awards.\n\nSo, did YOU watch the Oscars? If so, what did you think?','Did you watch the Oscars?','','inherit','open','open','','1595-revision','','','2012-02-27 16:17:33','2012-02-27 16:17:33','',1595,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1595-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1597,4,'2012-02-27 16:19:32','2012-02-27 16:19:32','Last night, I watched part of the Academy Awards (or Oscars to most everyone on the planet). I did not watch it all. And what I did watch, I didn\'t enjoy.\n\nIt seems quite ironic that the night meant to celebrating the best in film ENTERTAINMENT, is so un-entertaining.  The jokes were not funny, the audio was off (some weird feedback on the microphones), the show was too long. Some speakers were cut off, and Billy Crystal, the host, seemed caught in some time warp.\n\nPerhaps it is because Hollywood is out of touch (seriously, how many people in this economy could even afford a designer gown?). Or perhaps it is because the Academy is completely not representative of the population (it is mostly male, mostly white, mostly old, as the <a href=\"http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/academy/la-et-unmasking-oscar-academy-project-html,0,7473284.htmlstory\" target=\"_blank\">LA Times reported</a>).\n\nWith each passing year it seems that the red carpet pre-show, where the attendees show off what they are wearing, becomes what more people want to watch than the actual awards.\n\nSo, did YOU watch the Oscars? If so, what did you think?','Did you watch the Oscars?','','inherit','open','open','','1595-autosave','','','2012-02-27 16:19:32','2012-02-27 16:19:32','',1595,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1595-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1599,4,'2012-02-28 15:09:48','2012-02-28 15:09:48','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever been to a job interview where you are not encouraged to ask questions? Have you been offered a job where you don\'t ask about benefits, salary or vacation/sick day policy? I would bet that if you went to a job interview and you did not meet who you would be working for, and where, and if the interviewer did not tell you a bit about the hiring organization, you would be a bit hesitant about it being a good fit for you.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some organizations seem to believe that if they are deigning to hire someone--be it an employee or a consultant or an agency or any type of service--they don\'t need to market themselves. Potential hires should just be excited that someone is offering to consider them or their services. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Companies that care about providing a good work environment are proud to let the world know about it. They even use it as a differentiator. You have probably seen organizations that tout that they were selected as a top employer for working moms, or most socially responsible organization and so forth. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many organizations out there, and if you are in marketing, you must differentiate yourself from everyone else. Even if you are \"just hiring.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, I got the following email (identity is concealed):</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Subject: What type of work do you do?</em></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Body: Just starting the process to see if we want to bring in a firm as a consultant on several projects. What type of work does your firm do? Who/what are your clients?</em></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>[name] </em></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Marketing Manager</em></span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em> <strong></strong>[COMPANY NAME]</em></span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em> [phone/fax/email/address]</em></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This marketing manager is not managing to market herself at all. What does her company do? What types of projects is she interested in? Why would I want to answer her? (Not to mention that you can find answers to all these questions right here on my website.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Marketing is about making an impression. Even if you are doing the hiring does not mean you don\'t have to impress your potential hiree about what a good/special/professional company you are. Perhaps you are known for paying well, or paying on time, or being responsive, or having employees that have been there for decades. Whatever it is, it is what makes your organization special and different from other organizations.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Just because you are doing the hiring doesn\'t mean you don\'t have to market yourself','','publish','open','open','','just-because-you-are-doing-the-hiring-doesnt-mean-you-dont-have-to-market-yourself','','','2012-02-28 15:11:36','2012-02-28 15:11:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1599',0,'post','',2),(1600,4,'2012-02-28 15:09:08','2012-02-28 15:09:08','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever been to a job interview where you are not encouraged to ask questions? Have you been offered a job where you don\'t ask about benefits, salary or vacation/sick day policy? I would bet that if you went to a job interview and you did not meet who you would be working for, and where, and if the interviewer did not tell you a bit about the hiring organization, you would be a bit hesitant about it being a good fit for you.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some organizations seem to believe that if they are deigning to hire someone--be it an employee or a consultant or an agency or any type of service--they don\'t need to market themselves. Potential hires should just be excited that someone is offering to consider them or their services. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Companies that care about providing a good work environment are proud to let the world know about it. They even use it as a differentiator. You have probably seen organizations that tout that they were selected as a top employer for working moms, or most socially responsible organization and so forth. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many organizations out there, and if you are in marketing, you must differentiate yourself from everyone else. Even if you are \"just hiring.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, I got the following email (identity is concealed):</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Subject: What type of work do you do?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Body: Just starting the process to see if we want to bring in a firm as a consultant on several projects. What type of work does your firm do? Who/what are your clients?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">[name] </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Marketing Manager</span>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong></strong>[COMPANY NAME]</span>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">[phone/fax/email/address]</span>\n\nThis marketing manager is not managing to market herself at all. What does her company do? What types of projects is she interested in? Why would I want to answer her? (Not to mention that you can find answers to all these questions right here on my website.)\n\nMarketing is about making an impression. Even if you are doing the hiring does not mean you don\'t have to impress your potential hiree about what a good/special/professional company you are. Perhaps you are known for paying well, or paying on time, or being responsive, or having employees that have been there for decades. Whatever it is, it is what makes your organization special and different from other organizations.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Just because you are doing the hiring doesn\'t mean you don\'t have to market yourself','','inherit','open','open','','1599-revision','','','2012-02-28 15:09:08','2012-02-28 15:09:08','',1599,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1599-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1601,4,'2012-02-28 15:09:48','2012-02-28 15:09:48','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever been to a job interview where you are not encouraged to ask questions? Have you been offered a job where you don\'t ask about benefits, salary or vacation/sick day policy? I would bet that if you went to a job interview and you did not meet who you would be working for, and where, and if the interviewer did not tell you a bit about the hiring organization, you would be a bit hesitant about it being a good fit for you.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some organizations seem to believe that if they are deigning to hire someone--be it an employee or a consultant or an agency or any type of service--they don\'t need to market themselves. Potential hires should just be excited that someone is offering to consider them or their services. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Companies that care about providing a good work environment are proud to let the world know about it. They even use it as a differentiator. You have probably seen organizations that tout that they were selected as a top employer for working moms, or most socially responsible organization and so forth. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many organizations out there, and if you are in marketing, you must differentiate yourself from everyone else. Even if you are \"just hiring.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, I got the following email (identity is concealed):</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Subject: What type of work do you do?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Body: Just starting the process to see if we want to bring in a firm as a consultant on several projects. What type of work does your firm do? Who/what are your clients?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">[name] </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Marketing Manager</span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong></strong>[COMPANY NAME]</span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">[phone/fax/email/address]</span>\r\n\r\nThis marketing manager is not managing to market herself at all. What does her company do? What types of projects is she interested in? Why would I want to answer her? (Not to mention that you can find answers to all these questions right here on my website.)\r\n\r\nMarketing is about making an impression. Even if you are doing the hiring does not mean you don\'t have to impress your potential hiree about what a good/special/professional company you are. Perhaps you are known for paying well, or paying on time, or being responsive, or having employees that have been there for decades. Whatever it is, it is what makes your organization special and different from other organizations.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Just because you are doing the hiring doesn\'t mean you don\'t have to market yourself','','inherit','open','open','','1599-revision-2','','','2012-02-28 15:09:48','2012-02-28 15:09:48','',1599,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1599-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1602,4,'2012-02-28 15:12:42','2012-02-28 15:12:42','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever been to a job interview where you are not encouraged to ask questions? Have you been offered a job where you don\'t ask about benefits, salary or vacation/sick day policy? I would bet that if you went to a job interview and you did not meet who you would be working for, and where, and if the interviewer did not tell you a bit about the hiring organization, you would be a bit hesitant about it being a good fit for you.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some organizations seem to believe that if they are deigning to hire someone--be it an employee or a consultant or an agency or any type of service--they don\'t need to market themselves. Potential hires should just be excited that someone is offering to consider them or their services. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Companies that care about providing a good work environment are proud to let the world know about it. They even use it as a differentiator. You have probably seen organizations that tout that they were selected as a top employer for working moms, or most socially responsible organization and so forth. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many organizations out there, and if you are in marketing, you must differentiate yourself from everyone else. Even if you are \"just hiring.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, I got the following email (identity is concealed):</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Subject: What type of work do you do?</em></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Body: Just starting the process to see if we want to bring in a firm as a consultant on several projects. What type of work does your firm do? Who/what are your clients?</em></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>[name] </em></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em>Marketing Manager</em></span>\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em> <strong></strong>[COMPANY NAME]</em></span>\n<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em> [phone/fax/email/address]</em></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This marketing manager is not managing to market herself at all. What does her company do? What types of projects is she interested in? Why would I want to answer her? (Not to mention that you can find answers to all these questions right here on my website.)</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Marketing is about making an impression. Even if you are doing the hiring does not mean you don\'t have to impress your potential hiree about what a good/special/professional company you are. Perhaps you are known for paying well, or paying on time, or being responsive, or having employees that have been there for decades. Whatever it is, it is what makes your organization special and different from other organizations.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Just because you are doing the hiring doesn\'t mean you don\'t have to market yourself','','inherit','open','open','','1599-autosave','','','2012-02-28 15:12:42','2012-02-28 15:12:42','',1599,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1599-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1624,4,'2012-03-10 13:22:20','2012-03-10 13:22:20','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We are all inundated with messaging from every which way. We get voice mail and texts, email, direct messages, tweets, and even snail mail. Sometimes we just don\'t have time to respond to everything and everyone, but that choice is a communications failure. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week, I told you all about the incident with my website. The woman who was the root cause of this issue has yet to respond to any of the tweets or emails I sent her. Not a single word (and the words I would most like to hear are \"I am sorry\").  No acknowledgment that she messed up and that her screw up affected my business (and not to mention, cost me money).  By not responding, she has made matters worse because now she has increased my anger level and shown me that she just doesn\'t care.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, sometimes people respond because they feel compelled to. Their parents jammed manners into them, and thus, they resent having to answer each and every message. They can become passive-aggressive and they issue responses that don\'t actually respond but put it off by telling you they tell you they\'ll get back to you when they are a bit less busy or when Jupiter is in line with Neptune. In a sense, this is not communication but aggression.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sometimes we don\'t respond because we don\'t have an answer. This is still non-communication.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Whether you have a legitimate reason or not, when you fail to respond to someone who is talking directly to you, you are failing to communicate.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: no response','','publish','open','open','','weekly-communications-fail-no-response','','','2012-03-10 13:22:20','2012-03-10 13:22:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1624',0,'post','',0),(1604,4,'2012-02-29 17:31:07','2012-02-29 17:31:07','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Did you catch<a title=\"The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/the-weekly-communications-fail-rebranding-gone-wrong/\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> my blog post last week</span></a> on what I consider a rebranding #fail for Piratz Tavern? Robert Freeland did, and he shared his thoughts with me (and I thought I would share them with you, with his permission of course)</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hi Deborah,</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I agree with your prediction that the Corporate Bar and Grill angle Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” guru, Jon Taffer, thinks will save the sputtering Piratz Tavern will die its own death. The first article I read about the makeover had Taffer proclaiming the need for an “executive burger” joint in Silver Spring…whatever an executive burger is.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I’ve had plenty of enjoyable times and grogs at PT, and will miss its one-of-a-kind shtick. The thing that displaced it attempts to strongarm pretention into a dive…an antithetical marriage, like matter and antimatter…Boom! I think Taffer missed the one about understanding a region’s audience before dictating what they need.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I walked past CB&amp;G this evening, after leaving a very-packed Quarry House across the street (where the burgers are great). It was open but dead, consistent with your forecast. Ground beef and low inventory rotation don’t get along well.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Best,</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Robert Freeland</span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We\'ll keep tabs on the new place, but unless \"executives\" develop a taste for these burgers, AND flock there religiously every lunch, I doubt the new place will survive. These days, competition is stiff for any dollars.  How do you stand out from a crowd? In this case, the shtick was the attraction. Substituting a generic experience in a place with little foot traffic is a sure-fire way to lose business.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Katie Aberbach at expressnightout.com seems to agree in her post <a href=\"http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/02/walked-the-plank/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Walked the Plank</span></a>. What do you think will happen?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz','','publish','open','open','','piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz','','','2012-02-29 17:32:59','2012-02-29 17:32:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1604',0,'post','',0),(1605,4,'2012-02-29 17:29:55','2012-02-29 17:29:55','Did you catch<a title=\"The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/the-weekly-communications-fail-rebranding-gone-wrong/\"> my blog post last week</a> on what I consider a rebranding #fail for Piratz Tavern? Robert Freeland did, and he shared his thoughts with me (and I thought I would share them with you, with his permission of course)\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah,\n\nI agree with your prediction that the Corporate Bar and Grill angle Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” guru, Jon Taffer, thinks will save the sputtering Piratz Tavern will die its own death. The first article I read about the makeover had Taffer proclaiming the need for an “executive burger” joint in Silver Spring…whatever an executive burger is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’ve had plenty of enjoyable times and grogs at PT, and will miss its one-of-a-kind shtick. The thing that displaced it attempts to strongarm pretention into a dive…an antithetical marriage, like matter and antimatter…Boom! I think Taffer missed the one about understanding a region’s audience before dictating what they need.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked past CB&amp;G this evening, after leaving a very-packed Quarry House across the street (where the burgers are great). It was open but dead, consistent with your forecast. Ground beef and low inventory rotation don’t get along well.\n\nBest,\n\nRobert Freeland</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'ll keep tabs on the new place, but unless \"executives\" develop a taste for these burgers, AND flock there religiously every lunch, I doubt the new place will survive. These days, competition is stiff for any dollars.  How do you stand out from a crowd? In this case, the shtick was the attraction. Substituting a generic experience in a place with little foot traffic is a sure-fire way to lose business.\n\nK<a href=\"http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/02/walked-the-plank/\" target=\"_blank\">atie Aberbach at ExpressNightOut</a> seems to agree. What do you think will happen?\n\n&nbsp;','Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz','','inherit','open','open','','1604-revision','','','2012-02-29 17:29:55','2012-02-29 17:29:55','',1604,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1604-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1606,4,'2012-02-29 17:32:50','2012-02-29 17:32:50','Did you catch<a title=\"The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/the-weekly-communications-fail-rebranding-gone-wrong/\"> my blog post last week</a> on what I consider a rebranding #fail for Piratz Tavern? Robert Freeland did, and he shared his thoughts with me (and I thought I would share them with you, with his permission of course)\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah,\n\nI agree with your prediction that the Corporate Bar and Grill angle Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” guru, Jon Taffer, thinks will save the sputtering Piratz Tavern will die its own death. The first article I read about the makeover had Taffer proclaiming the need for an “executive burger” joint in Silver Spring…whatever an executive burger is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’ve had plenty of enjoyable times and grogs at PT, and will miss its one-of-a-kind shtick. The thing that displaced it attempts to strongarm pretention into a dive…an antithetical marriage, like matter and antimatter…Boom! I think Taffer missed the one about understanding a region’s audience before dictating what they need.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked past CB&amp;G this evening, after leaving a very-packed Quarry House across the street (where the burgers are great). It was open but dead, consistent with your forecast. Ground beef and low inventory rotation don’t get along well.\n\nBest,\n\nRobert Freeland</blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\nWe\'ll keep tabs on the new place, but unless \"executives\" develop a taste for these burgers, AND flock there religiously every lunch, I doubt the new place will survive. These days, competition is stiff for any dollars.  How do you stand out from a crowd? In this case, the shtick was the attraction. Substituting a generic experience in a place with little foot traffic is a sure-fire way to lose business.\n\nKatie Aberbach at expressnightout.com seems to agree in her post <a href=\"http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/02/walked-the-plank/\" target=\"_blank\">Walked the Plank</a>. What do you think will happen?\n\n&nbsp;','Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz','','inherit','open','open','','1604-autosave','','','2012-02-29 17:32:50','2012-02-29 17:32:50','',1604,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1604-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1607,4,'2012-02-29 17:31:07','2012-02-29 17:31:07','Did you catch<a title=\"The weekly communications #fail: rebranding gone wrong\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/the-weekly-communications-fail-rebranding-gone-wrong/\"> my blog post last week</a> on what I consider a rebranding #fail for Piratz Tavern? Robert Freeland did, and he shared his thoughts with me (and I thought I would share them with you, with his permission of course)\r\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah,\r\n\r\nI agree with your prediction that the Corporate Bar and Grill angle Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” guru, Jon Taffer, thinks will save the sputtering Piratz Tavern will die its own death. The first article I read about the makeover had Taffer proclaiming the need for an “executive burger” joint in Silver Spring…whatever an executive burger is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI’ve had plenty of enjoyable times and grogs at PT, and will miss its one-of-a-kind shtick. The thing that displaced it attempts to strongarm pretention into a dive…an antithetical marriage, like matter and antimatter…Boom! I think Taffer missed the one about understanding a region’s audience before dictating what they need.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked past CB&amp;G this evening, after leaving a very-packed Quarry House across the street (where the burgers are great). It was open but dead, consistent with your forecast. Ground beef and low inventory rotation don’t get along well.\r\n\r\nBest,\r\n\r\nRobert Freeland</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe\'ll keep tabs on the new place, but unless \"executives\" develop a taste for these burgers, AND flock there religiously every lunch, I doubt the new place will survive. These days, competition is stiff for any dollars.  How do you stand out from a crowd? In this case, the shtick was the attraction. Substituting a generic experience in a place with little foot traffic is a sure-fire way to lose business.\r\n\r\nK<a href=\"http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/02/walked-the-plank/\" target=\"_blank\">atie Aberbach at ExpressNightOut</a> seems to agree. What do you think will happen?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz','','inherit','open','open','','1604-revision-2','','','2012-02-29 17:31:07','2012-02-29 17:31:07','',1604,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1604-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1608,4,'2012-02-29 21:53:49','2012-02-29 21:53:49','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Today has been one of those days, where there are tons of great articles, interesting observations and news, so here\'s a round-up. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>New timeline on Facebook</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In case you missed it, Facebook is forcing its new timeline on all brand/organizational pages by March 30th. You have a month to prepare, and here is a fantastic how-to from HubSpot:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/31633/The-Complete-Guide-to-Setting-Up-the-New-Facebook-Page-Design.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Complete Guide to Setting Up the New Facebook Page Design</span></a></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Print advertising in major decline</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is no secret that print media are suffering, not only from the fact that most people seem to prefer to access information online, but by a decline in print advertising. <a href=\"http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/02/the-collapse-of-print-advertising-in-1-graph/253736/#.T05EJz3zYJd.twitter\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Atlantic has a graph</span></a> that shows the precipitous decline over the past 60 years, most of it in the past decade. Sad news for print outlets.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Power-crazed bosses</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A few weeks ago I wrot<a title=\"When ego and attitude derail your marketing efforts\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/when-ego-and-attitude-derail-your-marketing-efforts/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">e here on the blo</span></a>g about how ego can get in the way of effective communication. In case you want to explore this issue more, <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/1821051/are-you-a-power-poisoned-boss\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fast Company published an article</span></a> about how power can poison bosses--to the point they lose all self-awareness and empathy. Believe me, power-crazed bosses are not going to get why their communications efforts aren\'t working. It must be your ineptitude or stupidity--not their inability to view things rationally.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Round-up: Facebook\'s new timeline, print ads and bad bosses','','publish','open','open','','round-up-facebooks-new-timeline-print-ads-and-bad-bosses','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/when-ego-and-attitude-derail-your-marketing-efforts/','2012-02-29 21:53:49','2012-02-29 21:53:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1608',0,'post','',0),(1609,4,'2012-02-29 21:53:41','2012-02-29 21:53:41','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Today has been one of those days, where there are tons of great articles, interesting observations and news, so here\'s a round-up. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>New timeline on Facebook</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In case you missed it, Facebook is forcing its new timeline on all brand/organizational pages by March 30th. You have a month to prepare, and here is a fantastic how-to from HubSpot:</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/31633/The-Complete-Guide-to-Setting-Up-the-New-Facebook-Page-Design.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Complete Guide to Setting Up the New Facebook Page Design</span></a></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Print advertising in major decline</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is no secret that print media are suffering, not only from the fact that most people seem to prefer to access information online, but by a decline in print advertising. <a href=\"http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/02/the-collapse-of-print-advertising-in-1-graph/253736/#.T05EJz3zYJd.twitter\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Atlantic has a graph</span></a> that shows the precipitous decline over the past 60 years, most of it in the past decade. Sad news for print outlets.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Power-crazed bosses</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A few weeks ago I wrot<a title=\"When ego and attitude derail your marketing efforts\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/when-ego-and-attitude-derail-your-marketing-efforts/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">e here on the blo</span></a>g about how ego can get in the way of effective communication. In case you want to explore this issue more, <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/1821051/are-you-a-power-poisoned-boss\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fast Company published an article</span></a> about how power can poison bosses--to the point they lose all self-awareness and empathy. Believe me, power-crazed bosses are not going to get why their communications efforts aren\'t working. It must be your ineptitude or stupidity--not their inability to view things rationally.</span>\n\n&nbsp;','Round-up: Facebook\'s new timeline, print ad and bad bosses','','inherit','open','open','','1608-revision','','','2012-02-29 21:53:41','2012-02-29 21:53:41','',1608,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/1608-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1610,4,'2012-03-02 14:00:16','2012-03-02 14:00:16','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homonyms: words that sound and/or are spelled the same but have different things</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As I was reading the Washington Post this morning, on the front page was an article about a rapist recently sentenced to three life terms.  In the article, the reporter said that the rapist \"<strong>reined</strong> terror on Montgomery three decades ago...\" Of course, the correct word in this context is <strong>reigned</strong>. Reined (restrained)  and reigned (exercised power over) sound the same--they are homonyms--but have completely unrelated meanings. Yesterday, I was reading a blog post with a headline that said \"too much to<strong> bare</strong>.\" The author really meant to say \"too much to <strong>bear</strong>.\"  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, these mistakes are easy to make because the words are not spelled incorrectly (so spell check would  not help) and they sound the same to your ear (so reading aloud would not catch it). Sadly, misusing homonyms is a common mistake.  Here\'s a list of the most common: <a href=\"http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\r\n</span></a></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These types of mistakes are  precisely why we need editors. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How you say it matters</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Using the correct words is important. But how you say what you are saying also matters. If you are asking me to do something for you, being pleasant and appreciative makes me want to help you. If on the other hand you write me asking me for something you need (like an email I received a few weeks ago) that says that this thing is needed right away, and you don\'t say please, thank you or that you would appreciate my help, then, I am not inclined to help you.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being polite and considerate of whoever is receiving your business communication will result in better compliance. That\'s a fact.  Being rude, inconsiderate or demanding, on the other hand, will result in resistance.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: homonyms, and how you say it matters','','publish','open','open','','weekly-communications-fail-homonyms-and-how-you-say-it-matters','','','2012-03-02 14:03:26','2012-03-02 14:03:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1610',0,'post','',0),(1611,4,'2012-03-02 14:00:12','2012-03-02 14:00:12','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homonyms: words that sound and/or are spelled the same but have different things</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As I was reading the Washington Post this morning, on the front page was an article about a rapist recently sentenced to three life terms.  In the article, the reporter said that the rapist \"<strong>reined</strong> terror on Montgomery three decades ago...\" Of course, the correct word is reigned. Reined (restrained)  and reigned (exercised power over) sound the same--they are homonyms--but have completely unrelated meanings. Yesterday, I was reading a blog post with a headline that said \"too much to bare.\" The author really meant to say \"too much to bear.\"  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, these mistakes are easy to make because the words are not spelled incorrectly (so spell check would  not help) and they sound the same to your ear (so reading aloud would not catch it). Sadly, misusing homonyms is a common mistake.  Here\'s a list of the most common: <a href=\"http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\n</span></a></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These types of mistakes are  precisely why we need editors. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How you say it matters</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Using the correct words is important. But how you say what you are saying also matters. If you are asking me to do something for you, being pleasant and appreciative makes me want to help you. If on the other hand you write me asking me for something you need (like an email I received a few weeks ago) that says that this thing is needed right away, and you don\'t say please, thank you or that you would appreciate my help, then, I am not inclined to help you.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being polite and considerate of whoever is receiving your business communication will result in better compliance. That\'s a fact.  Being rude, inconsiderate or demanding, on the other hand, will result in resistance.</span>\n\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: homonyms, and how you say it matters','','inherit','open','open','','1610-revision','','','2012-03-02 14:00:12','2012-03-02 14:00:12','',1610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1610-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1612,4,'2012-03-02 14:04:31','2012-03-02 14:04:31','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homonyms: words that sound and/or are spelled the same but have different things</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As I was reading the Washington Post this morning, on the front page was an article about a rapist recently sentenced to three life terms.  In the article, the reporter said that the rapist \"<strong>reined</strong> terror on Montgomery three decades ago...\" Of course, the correct word in this context is <strong>reigned</strong>. Reined (restrained)  and reigned (exercised power over) sound the same--they are homonyms--but have completely unrelated meanings. Yesterday, I was reading a blog post with a headline that said \"too much to<strong> bare</strong>.\" The author really meant to say \"too much to <strong>bear</strong>.\"  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, these mistakes are easy to make because the words are not spelled incorrectly (so spell check would  not help) and they sound the same to your ear (so reading aloud would not catch it). Sadly, misusing homonyms is a common mistake.  Here\'s a list of the most common: <a href=\"http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\n</span></a></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These types of mistakes are  precisely why we need editors. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How you say it matters</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Using the correct words is important. But how you say what you are saying also matters. If you are asking me to do something for you, being pleasant and appreciative makes me want to help you. If on the other hand you write me asking me for something you need (like an email I received a few weeks ago) that says that this thing is needed right away, and you don\'t say please, thank you or that you would appreciate my help, then, I am not inclined to help you.</span>\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being polite and considerate of whoever is receiving your business communication will result in better compliance. That\'s a fact.  Being rude, inconsiderate or demanding, on the other hand, will result in resistance.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: homonyms, and how you say it matters','','inherit','open','open','','1610-autosave','','','2012-03-02 14:04:31','2012-03-02 14:04:31','',1610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1610-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1613,4,'2012-03-02 14:00:16','2012-03-02 14:00:16','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homonyms: words that sound and/or are spelled the same but have different things</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As I was reading the Washington Post this morning, on the front page was an article about a rapist recently sentenced to three life terms.  In the article, the reporter said that the rapist \"<strong>reined</strong> terror on Montgomery three decades ago...\" Of course, the correct word is reigned. Reined (restrained)  and reigned (exercised power over) sound the same--they are homonyms--but have completely unrelated meanings. Yesterday, I was reading a blog post with a headline that said \"too much to bare.\" The author really meant to say \"too much to bear.\"  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, these mistakes are easy to make because the words are not spelled incorrectly (so spell check would  not help) and they sound the same to your ear (so reading aloud would not catch it). Sadly, misusing homonyms is a common mistake.  Here\'s a list of the most common: <a href=\"http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">http://wsuonline.weber.edu/wrh/words.htm\r\n</span></a></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These types of mistakes are  precisely why we need editors. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How you say it matters</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Using the correct words is important. But how you say what you are saying also matters. If you are asking me to do something for you, being pleasant and appreciative makes me want to help you. If on the other hand you write me asking me for something you need (like an email I received a few weeks ago) that says that this thing is needed right away, and you don\'t say please, thank you or that you would appreciate my help, then, I am not inclined to help you.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being polite and considerate of whoever is receiving your business communication will result in better compliance. That\'s a fact.  Being rude, inconsiderate or demanding, on the other hand, will result in resistance.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: homonyms, and how you say it matters','','inherit','open','open','','1610-revision-2','','','2012-03-02 14:00:16','2012-03-02 14:00:16','',1610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1610-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1615,4,'2012-03-05 15:32:49','2012-03-05 15:32:49','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Twitter trolls and raconteurs\r\n</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you follow me on Twitter you know that I often share articles and insights regarding communications, marketing, PR and social media. You will also see a lot of political commentary. I know that having a political point of view can be a turn-off to some potential clients, but I have chosen to use my social media to share what is important to me. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday, I tweeted about how the GOP is working to deny access to contraceptives. Promptly, a pro-Mitt Romney supporter (don\'t know name or gender or location) tweeted back that contraception is not health care. I pointed out to him or her that getting pregnant can lead to health complications for certain people so contraception certainly can be health care. He or she said there are many \"natural\" ways to prevent conception. It kept going until the troll was silenced with something he or she had no answer for...why insurance should cover Viagra.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">After this exchange, I was left wondering once again why people on Twitter seek out those who they disagree with and start sparring with them. I don\'t.  I am not there to fight with those that don\'t see the world like I do...and I certainly don\'t seek battles out. If I disagree with someone I follow/follows me, that\'s a different story. I didn\'t go out looking for a fight.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Social media can connect you to people all over. In my mind, I would rather find those people I connect with rather than those I disagree with. I would rather find friends than enemies.</span>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Crumbling by Lorianne DiSabato, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenmama/932068635/\"><img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1399/932068635_655049239a.jpg\" alt=\"Crumbling\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photo from Loriane DiSabato via Flickr.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Facebook \"friends\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Facebook friends  are people you have met at some time in your life, and with whom you share a Facebook \"connection.\" Sadly, it is not a real connection but rather an artificial one. There are those friends who never use the site at all. Are you connected if you never hear from one another? And then there are those that share every minute detail of every day. They aren\'t connecting--they are spamming everyone they have met with everything on their minds.  And then there are those who only feel comfortable connecting over Facebook. These people are incapable of picking up the phone or sending a non-Facebook email. Instead, they \"connect\" with you by liking your post or wishing you a happy birthday on your wall.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">On his blog, the 8 pm Warrior, Aaron Briebert said in the post <a href=\"http://8pmwarrior.com/2012/02/warning-social-media-is-killing-real-communication-and-relationships/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"Warning: Social Media is Killing Real Communication (and Relationships)\"</span></a>  that social media is a form of deferred communication, and one that is</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">tearing apart traditional relationships.  Especially among young people. As we get overwhelmed by deferred communication, stuff is missed.  Divisions are formed.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mashable recently published this post: \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/social-media-less-connected/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is Social Media Actually Making Us Less Connected?\"</span></a>, in which Professor Sherry Turkle from MIT says that technology is impacting the quality of our relationships.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One major issue, she [Turkle] said, is that when we text, email or post to a social networking site, we’re able to project ourselves as we want to be seen. “We get to edit, we get to delete, and that means we get to retouch.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Inversely, Turkle notes that a face-to-face conversation “takes place in real time and you can’t control what you’re going to say.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Further, with our phones at our constant disposal, Turkle says we’re only paying attention to the things we want to pay attention to. And that leaves us increasingly disconnected from our friends, family and co-workers as we simply turn to our devices when a conversation no longer interests us.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Social media is not helping anybody develop social skills, in fact, it seems to be killing social skills. If we have a disagreement with someone, instead of having a difficult conversation, we are unfollowing or unfriending. If we don\'t care for someone, we just hide their posts or block them.  And there are those who expect that you will learn about major life events (engagements, break-ups, promotions, babies) from their Facebook status</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The fact is real relationships take effort</strong>. Facebooking and Tweeting can be done in a few minutes a day.  It\'s quite easy to post a happy birthday message on someone\'s wall. But to call the person, send him or her a card, or see him or her in person takes time and effort. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do you think social media is really social?\r\n</span>','What is going on with the social in social media?','','publish','open','open','','what-is-going-on-with-the-social-in-social-media','','','2012-03-05 15:32:49','2012-03-05 15:32:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1615',0,'post','',0),(1616,4,'2012-03-05 15:23:47','2012-03-05 15:23:47','Twitter trolls and ranconteurs\n\nIf you follow me on Twitter you know that I often share articles and insights regarding communications, marketing, PR and social media. You will also see a lot of political commentary. I know that having a political point of view can be a turn-off to some potential clients, but I have chosen to use my social media to share what is important to me.\n\nYesterday, I tweeted about how the GOP is working to deny access to contraceptives. Promptly, a pro-Mitt Romney supporter (don\'t know name or gender or location) tweeted back that contraception is not health care. I pointed out to him or her that getting pregnant can lead to health complications for certain people so contraception certainly can be health care. He or she said there are many \"natural\" ways to prevent conception. It kept going until the troll was silenced with something he or she had no answer for...why insurance should cover Viagra.\n\nAfter this exchange, I was left wondering once again why people on Twitter seek out those who they disagree with and start sparring with them. I don\'t.  I am not there to fight with those that don\'t see the world like I do...and I certainly don\'t seek battles out. If I disagree with someone I follow/follows me, that\'s a different story. I didn\'t go out looking for a fight.\n\nSocial media can connect you to people all over. In my mind, I would rather find those people I connect with rather than those I disagree with. I would rather find friends than enemies.\n\n&lt;a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenmama/932068635/\" title=\"Crumbling by Lorianne DiSabato, on Flickr\"&gt;&lt;img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1399/932068635_655049239a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" alt=\"Crumbling\"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;\n\nPhoto from Loriane DiSabato via Flickr.\n\nFacebook \"friends\"\n\nFacebook friends  are people you have met at some time in your life, and with whom you share a Facebook \"connection.\" Sadly, it is not a real connection but rather an artificial one. There are those friends who never use the site at all. Are you connected if you never hear from one another? And then there are those that share every minute detail of every day. They aren\'t connecting--they are spamming everyone they have met with everything on their minds.  And then there are those who only feel comfortable connecting over Facebook. These people are incapable of picking up the phone or sending a non-Facebook email. Instead, they \"connect\" with you by liking your post or wishing you a happy birthday on your wall.\n\nOn his blog, the 8 pm Warrior, Aaron Briebert said in the post <a href=\"http://8pmwarrior.com/2012/02/warning-social-media-is-killing-real-communication-and-relationships/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Warning: Social Media is Killing Real Communication (and Relationships)\"</a>  that social media is a form of deferred communication, and one that is\n<blockquote>tearing apart traditional relationships.  Especially among young people. As we get overwhelmed by deferred communication, stuff is missed.  Divisions are formed.</blockquote>\nMashable recently published this post: \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/social-media-less-connected/\" target=\"_blank\">Is Social Media Actually Making Us Less Connected?\"</a>, in which Professor Sherry Turkle from MIT says that technology is impacting the quality of our relationships.\n<blockquote>One major issue, she [Turkle] said, is that when we text, email or post to a social networking site, we’re able to project ourselves as we want to be seen. “We get to edit, we get to delete, and that means we get to retouch.”\n\nInversely, Turkle notes that a face-to-face conversation “takes place in real time and you can’t control what you’re going to say.”\n\nFurther, with our phones at our constant disposal, Turkle says we’re only paying attention to the things we want to pay attention to. And that leaves us increasingly disconnected from our friends, family and co-workers as we simply turn to our devices when a conversation no longer interests us.</blockquote>\nSocial media is not helping anybody develop social skills, in fact, it seems to be killing social skills. If we have a disagreement with someone, instead of having a difficult conversation, we are unfollowing or unfriending. If we don\'t care for someone, we just hide their posts or block them.  And there are those who expect that because they share everything on Facebook, that you should be aware of it--they say, didn\'t you see t','What is going on with the social in social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1615-revision','','','2012-03-05 15:23:47','2012-03-05 15:23:47','',1615,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1615-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1617,4,'2012-03-05 15:24:47','2012-03-05 15:24:47','Twitter trolls and ranconteurs\n\nIf you follow me on Twitter you know that I often share articles and insights regarding communications, marketing, PR and social media. You will also see a lot of political commentary. I know that having a political point of view can be a turn-off to some potential clients, but I have chosen to use my social media to share what is important to me.\n\nYesterday, I tweeted about how the GOP is working to deny access to contraceptives. Promptly, a pro-Mitt Romney supporter (don\'t know name or gender or location) tweeted back that contraception is not health care. I pointed out to him or her that getting pregnant can lead to health complications for certain people so contraception certainly can be health care. He or she said there are many \"natural\" ways to prevent conception. It kept going until the troll was silenced with something he or she had no answer for...why insurance should cover Viagra.\n\nAfter this exchange, I was left wondering once again why people on Twitter seek out those who they disagree with and start sparring with them. I don\'t.  I am not there to fight with those that don\'t see the world like I do...and I certainly don\'t seek battles out. If I disagree with someone I follow/follows me, that\'s a different story. I didn\'t go out looking for a fight.\n\nSocial media can connect you to people all over. In my mind, I would rather find those people I connect with rather than those I disagree with. I would rather find friends than enemies.\n\n&lt;a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/zenmama/932068635/\" title=\"Crumbling by Lorianne DiSabato, on Flickr\"&gt;&lt;img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1399/932068635_655049239a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" alt=\"Crumbling\"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;\n\nPhoto from Loriane DiSabato via Flickr.\n\nFacebook \"friends\"\n\nFacebook friends  are people you have met at some time in your life, and with whom you share a Facebook \"connection.\" Sadly, it is not a real connection but rather an artificial one. There are those friends who never use the site at all. Are you connected if you never hear from one another? And then there are those that share every minute detail of every day. They aren\'t connecting--they are spamming everyone they have met with everything on their minds.  And then there are those who only feel comfortable connecting over Facebook. These people are incapable of picking up the phone or sending a non-Facebook email. Instead, they \"connect\" with you by liking your post or wishing you a happy birthday on your wall.\n\nOn his blog, the 8 pm Warrior, Aaron Briebert said in the post <a href=\"http://8pmwarrior.com/2012/02/warning-social-media-is-killing-real-communication-and-relationships/\" target=\"_blank\">\"Warning: Social Media is Killing Real Communication (and Relationships)\"</a>  that social media is a form of deferred communication, and one that is\n<blockquote>tearing apart traditional relationships.  Especially among young people. As we get overwhelmed by deferred communication, stuff is missed.  Divisions are formed.</blockquote>\nMashable recently published this post: \"<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/social-media-less-connected/\" target=\"_blank\">Is Social Media Actually Making Us Less Connected?\"</a>, in which Professor Sherry Turkle from MIT says that technology is impacting the quality of our relationships.\n<blockquote>One major issue, she [Turkle] said, is that when we text, email or post to a social networking site, we’re able to project ourselves as we want to be seen. “We get to edit, we get to delete, and that means we get to retouch.”\n\nInversely, Turkle notes that a face-to-face conversation “takes place in real time and you can’t control what you’re going to say.”\n\nFurther, with our phones at our constant disposal, Turkle says we’re only paying attention to the things we want to pay attention to. And that leaves us increasingly disconnected from our friends, family and co-workers as we simply turn to our devices when a conversation no longer interests us.</blockquote>\nSocial media is not helping anybody develop social skills, in fact, it seems to be killing social skills. If we have a disagreement with someone, instead of having a difficult conversation, we are unfollowing or unfriending. If we don\'t care for someone, we just hide their posts or block them.  And there are those who expect that because they share everything on Facebook, that you should be aware of it--they say, didn\'t you see that on my Facebook? Like people who announce their relationship changes, promotions, babies or whatever else exclusively through their Facebook status.','What is going on with the social in social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1615-revision-2','','','2012-03-05 15:24:47','2012-03-05 15:24:47','',1615,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1615-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1618,4,'2012-03-06 17:45:59','2012-03-06 17:45:59','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust: the movie</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">On Sunday night I watched the movie <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529572/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Trus</span></a>t (starring Clive Owen and Catherine Keener), which is about how a teenage girl gets scammed by a pervert online. I won\'t give away all the plot details, but suffice it to say that it is a powerful and sad commentary on the underbelly of the online world, the power of the Internet; teenage angst and desire for acceptance; and parental disconnection. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Weirdly, this movie set the stage for an incident that happened yesterday that has made me think hard about the nature of trust and the online world.</span>\r\n<a title=\"Trust: the catalyst of the open source way by opensourceway, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/4749431651/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4115/4749431651_9ef0bfb65b.jpg\" alt=\"Trust: the catalyst of the open source way\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto by Libby Levi for OpenSource.com via Flickr\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust online</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The nature of online interactions makes it hard to know who you are dealing with. As in the movie Trust, a person can provide  a fake name, or picture or any other details. Unless we know otherwise, we are forced to trust the person is who she or he says she/he is.  This is why some of us limit who we are friends with on Facebook or connect with on LinkedIn. Twitter is a bit trickier. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust can be gained and lost</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This blog and website was built by a virtual assistant/small business web developer whom I found online. I found her through Twitter when I was looking for some VA assistance. Since she had Web and WordPress skills, she fixed a couple of issues on my old website, and then built this website. Along the way, I referred a couple of people to her. <strong>But.</strong> She was a bit hard to get a hold of. She would disappear for days on end and not respond to emails or calls. Getting the project done was painful and slow. However, I was pleased with the end result. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This person also sold me web hosting on HostGator, as she was a reseller. I paid her upfront for a year of hosting. She assured me that I could deal with HostGator directly if I had any issues. Except when I did have an issue, it turned out she wasn\'t telling the truth. Yesterday,  I found I had no email access and my website was down with a page that said \"account suspended.\" I called HostGator immediately, and to make a long story short, I was told that the account holder--the virtual assistant--had not paid her account and that in order to make changes to the account <em>she</em> would have to contact HostGator. Well, I told you she was hard to get a hold of. I called both numbers I had for her (one was disconnected and the other one went to a voice mail that was not accepting messages). I sent email, and I tweeted her repeatedly. She was not to be found. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the end, I was forced set up and pay for a new hosting account, and because I had a password, was able to get HostGator to transfer the files. It was stressful. HostGator has all sorts of rules about reseller accounts about which I had no clue. I was told that my website/email could be down for as long as 48 hours. In the end, it was only a couple of hours.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> I learned a lesson the hard way. You can\'t and shouldn\'t trust anybody you don\'t know personally (and even then) completely. In this case, I should have retained control of my web hosting. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>To quote Ronald Reagan, \"trust but verify\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is only so much you can do...some people will try to scam you even if you check out references etc. But before you put money on the table, you must do your due diligence and try to verify a person\'s credentials. Also, check in with your gut. Your gut always seems to know.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust and marketing</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">As a marketer, part of your job is to make sure potential customers and clients can and do trust you. Without trust, there can be no business relationship.</span> This is why we include actual addresses, names and phone numbers in our collateral material (including and especially websites). This is why we have customer/client testimonials and provide references.  And this is why third party sites like Yelp and Angie\'s List are doing so well. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust is integral to marketing a business. Without it, you are toast.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once trust is broken, you are done. I will never do business with the VA business again. And neither will anyone I know. Because of social media, my voice is amplified. She must not truly understand this because 24 hours later, I still haven\'t heard a word. Radio silence in an online world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span>','Trust','','publish','open','open','','trust','','','2012-03-06 17:45:59','2012-03-06 17:45:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1618',0,'post','',0),(1619,4,'2012-03-06 17:44:51','2012-03-06 17:44:51','<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust: the movie</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">On Sunday night I watched the movie <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529572/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Trus</span></a>t (starring Clive Owen and Catherine Keener), which is about how a teenage girl gets scammed by a pervert online. I won\'t give away all the plot details, but suffice it to say that it is a powerful and sad commentary on the underbelly of the online world, the power of the Internet; teenage angst and desire for acceptance; and parental disconnection. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Weirdly, this movie set the stage for an incident that happened yesterday that has made me think hard about the nature of trust and the online world.</span>\n<a title=\"Trust: the catalyst of the open source way by opensourceway, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/4749431651/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4115/4749431651_9ef0bfb65b.jpg\" alt=\"Trust: the catalyst of the open source way\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" /></a>\n\nPhoto by Libby Levi for OpenSource.com via Flickr\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust online</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The nature of online interactions makes it hard to know who you are dealing with. As in the movie Trust, a person can provide  a fake name, or picture or any other details. Unless we know otherwise, we are forced to trust the person is who she or he says she/he is.  This is why some of us limit who we are friends with on Facebook or connect with on LinkedIn. Twitter is a bit trickier. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust can be gained and lost</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This blog and website was built by a virtual assistant/small business web developer whom I found online. I found her through Twitter when I was looking for some VA assistance. Since she had Web and WordPress skills, she fixed a couple of issues on my old website, and then built this website. Along the way, I referred a couple of people to her. <strong>But.</strong> She was a bit hard to get a hold of. She would disappear for days on end and not respond to emails or calls. Getting the project done was painful and slow. However, I was pleased with the end result. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This person also sold me web hosting on HostGator, as she was a reseller. I paid her upfront for a year of hosting. She assured me that I could deal with HostGator directly if I had any issues. Except when I did have an issue, it turned out she wasn\'t telling the truth. Yesterday,  I found I had no email access and my website was down with a page that said \"account suspended.\" I called HostGator immediately, and to make a long story short, I was told that the account holder--the virtual assistant--had not paid her account and that in order to make changes to the account <em>she</em> would have to contact HostGator. Well, I told you she was hard to get a hold of. I called both numbers I had for her (one was disconnected and the other one went to a voice mail that was not accepting messages). I sent email, and I tweeted her repeatedly. She was not to be found. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the end, I was forced set up and pay for a new hosting account, and because I had a password, was able to get HostGator to transfer the files. It was stressful. HostGator has all sorts of rules about reseller accounts about which I had no clue. I was told that my website/email could be down for as long as 48 hours. In the end, it was only a couple of hours.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> I learned a lesson the hard way. You can\'t and shouldn\'t trust anybody you don\'t know personally (and even then) completely. In this case, I should have retained control of my web hosting. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>To quote Ronald Reagan, \"trust but verify\"</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is only so much you can do...some people will try to scam you even if you check out references etc. But before you put money on the table, you must do your due diligence and try to verify a person\'s credentials. Also, check in with your gut. Your gut always seems to know.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust and marketing</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">As a marketer, part of your job is to make sure potential customers and clients can and do trust you. Without trust, there can be no business relationship.</span> This is why we include actual addresses, names and phone numbers in our collateral material (including and especially websites). This is why we have customer/client testimonials and provide references.  And this is why third party sites like Yelp and Angie\'s List are doing so well. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trust is integral to marketing a business. Without it, you are toast.</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once trust is broken, you are done. I will never do business with the VA business again. And neither will anyone I know. Because of social media, my voice is amplified. She must not truly understand this because 24 hours later, I still haven\'t heard a word. Radio silence in an online world.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n</span>','Trust','','inherit','open','open','','1618-revision','','','2012-03-06 17:44:51','2012-03-06 17:44:51','',1618,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1618-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1634,4,'2012-03-15 15:09:31','2012-03-15 15:09:31','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of my favorite lines from a movie is this one, from Pulp Fiction:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"A pig\'s got personality. Personality goes a long way.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">-Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson)</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems the folks at Spike TV\'\'s Bar Rescue didn\'t think personality went a long way when they remade Silver Spring\'s Piratz Tavern into the very generic Corporate Bar and Grill. As <a title=\"Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I commented her</span></a>e on the blog, I didn\'t give the corporate makeover good chances of succeeding, and apparently neither did Piratz Tavern\'s owners. T<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bar-rescue-gets-the-boot-in-silver-spring-after-piratz-tavern-renovation-goes-bust/2012/03/14/gIQAu9NpCS_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">he Washington Post is reporting today</span></a> that the bar\'s owners, Tracy and Juciano Rebelo are getting rid of the makeover and re-launching Piratz Tavern today.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Washington Post article says this:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bigger problem, however, was the tavern’s new identity, designed to attract Silver Spring’s corporate worker bees. The new place seemed to do just the opposite: It became a cruel joke among a number of locals.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">After reading the article, I have concluded that the Bar Rescue team did have some genuine concerns about Piratz Tavern (to do with management style and food quality) but that their solution eliminated the only thing that made Piratz Tavern stand out--its personality. Remember, personality does go a long way.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s all about personality','','publish','open','open','','its-all-about-personality','','','2012-03-15 15:13:24','2012-03-15 15:13:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1634',0,'post','',0),(1622,4,'2012-03-07 19:19:25','2012-03-07 19:19:25','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s 9:30 a.m. and I am trying to concentrate on a project when my phone rings. It is a representative from my credit card company.  She is selling some additional service like travel insurance or some such. She is speaking in a monotone, and barely letting me get in a word edgewise. I speak over her and tell her to remove me from the marketing list. She goes away but only after she has interrupted my work and made me lose five minutes listening to her spiel.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\'d bet you have had the exact same thing happen to you. Everyone has. Unsolicited telemarketing calls are the bane of my existence, and worse yet if they are recorded calls (robo-calls). And we get pounded with them--I get at least two or three a day. Luckily, most of us have caller ID and don\'t pick up calls from numbers we don\'t recognize or that are places we don\'t do business with.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">One time, I got a call from a real estate agent who went on and on about \"listings in my area\" and when I asked her what area that was, she referred to a place I hadn\'t even heard of. I told her that she was calling the wrong person, and she had the nerve to be huffy at me.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cold calls just don\'t work. Why?</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because you are quite literally interrupting someone or catching him/her at a time that is inconvenient.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because with caller ID, people can choose to ignore your call.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because these calls are not invited or welcome.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because they are blindly selling something based on broad factors like ZIP codes or business codes.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because there are too many variables that must align to make a sale: person answers call, person is receptive to talking, person is interested in the offer.</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is targeted.</strong> Cold calling by its nature is not targeted. Even if you a home insurance sales person cold calling ten people who just bought a home, you aren\'t really targeting because you don\'t know whether those people already have home insurance.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is customized.</strong> With cold calling, due to volume and your lack of knowledge about the target, you will likely follow a script, which, by its nature is not customized.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is inbound marketing.</strong> Cold calling is outbound marketing at its very worst. It\'s sending out messages to people who don\'t necessarily want or need these messages and hoping that through some margin of return, you will get enough business to justify the expense. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ah yes, I know. You got the biggest client you have through cold calling. I think you were lucky. You called someone at a convenient time, with a message to which he or she was receptive. And you were able to get him or her to actually pick up the phone. Or that person did not have caller ID. Or that person was in a very good mood that day.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why not put effort into other things that do work and that don\'t leave your prospects cold?</span>\r\n\r\nP.S. Plus of course, fewer and fewer people are using landline telephones these days, and cell phones are not listed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why cold calling doesn\'t work','','publish','open','open','','why-cold-calling-doesnt-work','','','2012-03-07 19:19:25','2012-03-07 19:19:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1622',0,'post','',2),(1623,4,'2012-03-07 19:18:41','2012-03-07 19:18:41','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s 9:30 a.m. and I am trying to concentrate on a project when my phone rings. It is a representative from my credit card company.  She is selling some additional service like travel insurance or some such. She is speaking in a monotone, and barely letting me get in a word edgewise. I speak over her and tell her to remove me from the marketing list. She goes away but only after she has interrupted my work and made me lose five minutes listening to her spiel.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\'d bet you have had the exact same thing happen to you. Everyone has. Unsolicited telemarketing calls are the bane of my existence, and worse yet if they are recorded calls (robo-calls). And we get pounded with them--I get at least two or three a day. Luckily, most of us have caller ID and don\'t pick up calls from numbers we don\'t recognize or that are places we don\'t do business with.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">One time, I got a call from a real estate agent who went on and on about \"listings in my area\" and when I asked her what area that was, she referred to a place I hadn\'t even heard of. I told her that she was calling the wrong person, and she had the nerve to be huffy at me.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cold calls just don\'t work. Why?</span>\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because you are quite literally interrupting someone or catching him/her at a time that is inconvenient.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because with caller ID, people can choose to ignore your call.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because these calls are not invited or welcome.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because they are blindly selling something based on broad factors like ZIP codes or business codes.</span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because there are too many variables that must align to make a sale: person answers call, person is receptive to talking, person is interested in the offer.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is targeted.</strong> Cold calling by its nature is not targeted. Even if you a home insurance sales person cold calling ten people who just bought a home, you aren\'t really targeting because you don\'t know whether those people already have home insurance.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is customized.</strong> With cold calling, due to volume and your lack of knowledge about the target, you will likely follow a script, which, by its nature is not customized.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The best type of marketing is inbound marketing.</strong> Cold calling is outbound marketing at its very worst. It\'s sending out messages to people who don\'t necessarily want or need these messages and hoping that through some margin of return, you will get enough business to justify the expense. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ah yes, I know. You got the biggest client you have through cold calling. I think you were lucky. You called someone at a convenient time, with a message to which he or she was receptive. And you were able to get him or her to actually pick up the phone. Or that person did not have caller ID. Or that person was in a very good mood that day.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why not put effort into other things that do work and that don\'t leave your prospects cold?</span>\n\nP.S. Plus of course, fewer and fewer people are using landline telephones these days, and cell phones are not listed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Why cold calling doesn\'t work','','inherit','open','open','','1622-revision','','','2012-03-07 19:18:41','2012-03-07 19:18:41','',1622,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1622-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1625,4,'2012-03-10 13:21:38','2012-03-10 13:21:38','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We are all inundated with messaging from every which way. We get voice mail and texts, email, direct messages, tweets, and even snail mail. Sometimes we just don\'t have time to respond to everything and everyone, but that choice is a communications failure. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week, I told you all about the incident with my website. The woman who was the root cause of this issue has yet to respond to any of the tweets or emails I sent her. Not a single word (and the words I would most like to hear are \"I am sorry\").  No acknowledgment that she messed up and that her screw up affected my business (and not to mention, cost me money).  By not responding, she has made matters worse because now she has increased my anger level and shown me that she just doesn\'t care.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, sometimes people respond because they feel compelled to. Their parents jammed manners into them, and thus, they resent having to answer each and every message. They can become passive-aggressive and they issue responses that don\'t actually respond but put it off telling you they tell you they\'ll get back to you when they are a bit less busy or the Jupiter is in line with Neptune. In a sense, this is not communication but aggression.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sometimes we don\'t respond because we don\'t have an answer. This is still non-communication.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Whether you have a legitimate reason or not, when you fail to respond to someone who is talking directly to you, you are failing to communicate.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: no response','','inherit','open','open','','1624-revision','','','2012-03-10 13:21:38','2012-03-10 13:21:38','',1624,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1624-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1626,4,'2012-03-10 13:23:24','2012-03-10 13:23:24','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We are all inundated with messaging from every which way. We get voice mail and texts, email, direct messages, tweets, and even snail mail. Sometimes we just don\'t have time to respond to everything and everyone, but that choice is a communications failure. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This week, I told you all about the incident with my website. The woman who was the root cause of this issue has yet to respond to any of the tweets or emails I sent her. Not a single word (and the words I would most like to hear are \"I am sorry\").  No acknowledgment that she messed up and that her screw up affected my business (and not to mention, cost me money).  By not responding, she has made matters worse because now she has increased my anger level and shown me that she just doesn\'t care.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, sometimes people respond because they feel compelled to. Their parents jammed manners into them, and thus, they resent having to answer each and every message. They can become passive-aggressive and they issue responses that don\'t actually respond but put it off by telling you they tell you they\'ll get back to you when they are a bit less busy or when Jupiter is in line with Neptune. In a sense, this is not communication but aggression.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sometimes we don\'t respond because we don\'t have an answer. This is still non-communication.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Whether you have a legitimate reason or not, when you fail to respond to someone who is talking directly to you, you are failing to communicate.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;','Weekly communications #fail: no response','','inherit','open','open','','1624-autosave','','','2012-03-10 13:23:24','2012-03-10 13:23:24','',1624,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1624-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1627,4,'2012-03-12 13:40:55','2012-03-12 13:40:55','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I received a 6\"x11\" size postcard, in color (read: higher printing costs) advertising an event taking place on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. I got the expensive postcard one day before an event, and this was for a nonprofit group. You know what this postcard was? <strong>A total waste of money.</strong> I had already heard about the event via social media and enewsletter. I had already decided not to attend.</span>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Time by Thomas Hawk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/4440874971/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4011/4440874971_5fce369d98.jpg\" alt=\"Time\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto: Time by Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why have a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What this organization probably failed to do was a build an accurate marketing timeline. Without a timeline, you will print and mail stuff too late (or too early), send enewsletters too often or not frequently enough, send a press release too far from the event, etc. Marketing takes planning. Planning is essential if you want to get the most for your marketing dollars. In the case above, the postcard was a complete waste of marketing dollars. Very few, if any people, decide to attend an  all-day event (which has a registration fee that is higher at the door) the day before. </span>\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to build a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You probably will want to either sketch this out on a calendar or use a spreadsheet program to map this out.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Start with the end (your target date) and work backward. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Create a row for each communications vehicle, such as press release, enewsletter, email blast, brochure, etc. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Decide  how many days prior to the target date you want each communications vehicle to reach your audience. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider preparation time for each communications vehicle. For example, for printed materials, you have to consider printing times, shipping to you, delivery times (are you using first class mail or bulk) and approval process. Set target dates for each preparation step.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Fill out your timeline.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Remember to give yourself time to plan your marketing timeline! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your thoughts?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you must have a marketing timeline','','publish','open','open','','why-you-must-have-a-marketing-timeline','','','2012-03-12 19:52:45','2012-03-12 19:52:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1627',0,'post','',0),(1628,4,'2012-03-12 13:39:09','2012-03-12 13:39:09','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I received a 6\"x11\" size postcard, in color (read: higher printing costs) advertising an event taking place on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. I got the expensive postcard one day before an event, and this was for a nonprofit group. You know what this postcard was? <strong>A total waste of money.</strong> I had already heard about the event via social media and enewsletter. I had already decided not to attend.</span>\n\n<a title=\"Time by Thomas Hawk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/4440874971/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4011/4440874971_5fce369d98.jpg\" alt=\"Time\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" /></a>\n\nPhoto: Time by Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why have a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What this organization probably failed to do was a build an accurate marketing timeline. Without a timeline, you will print and mail stuff too late (or too early), send enewsletters too often or not frequently enough, send a press release too far from the event, etc. Marketing takes planning. Planning is essential if you want to get the most for your marketing dollars. In the case above, the postcard was a complete waste of marketing dollars. Very few, if any people, decide to attend an  all-day event (which has a registration fee that is higher at the door) the day before. </span>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to build a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You probably will want to either sketch this out on a calendar or use a spreadsheet program to map this out.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Start with the end (your target date) and  have to work backward. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Create a row for each communications vehicle, such as press release, enewsletter, email blast, brochure, etc. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Decide  how many days prior to the target date do you want each communications vehicle to reach your audience. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider preparation time for each communications vehicle. For example, for printed materials, you have to consider printing times, shipping to you, delivery times (are you using first class mail or bulk) and approval process. Set target dates for each preparation step.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Fill out your timeline.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Remember to give yourself time to plan your marketing timeline! </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your thoughts?</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Why you must have a marketing timeline','','inherit','open','open','','1627-revision','','','2012-03-12 13:39:09','2012-03-12 13:39:09','',1627,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1627-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1629,4,'2012-03-12 13:39:33','2012-03-12 13:39:33','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I received a 6\"x11\" size postcard, in color (read: higher printing costs) advertising an event taking place on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. I got the expensive postcard one day before an event, and this was for a nonprofit group. You know what this postcard was? <strong>A total waste of money.</strong> I had already heard about the event via social media and enewsletter. I had already decided not to attend.</span>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Time by Thomas Hawk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/4440874971/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4011/4440874971_5fce369d98.jpg\" alt=\"Time\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto: Time by Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why have a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What this organization probably failed to do was a build an accurate marketing timeline. Without a timeline, you will print and mail stuff too late (or too early), send enewsletters too often or not frequently enough, send a press release too far from the event, etc. Marketing takes planning. Planning is essential if you want to get the most for your marketing dollars. In the case above, the postcard was a complete waste of marketing dollars. Very few, if any people, decide to attend an  all-day event (which has a registration fee that is higher at the door) the day before. </span>\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to build a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You probably will want to either sketch this out on a calendar or use a spreadsheet program to map this out.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Start with the end (your target date) and  have to work backward. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Create a row for each communications vehicle, such as press release, enewsletter, email blast, brochure, etc. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Decide  how many days prior to the target date do you want each communications vehicle to reach your audience. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider preparation time for each communications vehicle. For example, for printed materials, you have to consider printing times, shipping to you, delivery times (are you using first class mail or bulk) and approval process. Set target dates for each preparation step.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Fill out your timeline.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Remember to give yourself time to plan your marketing timeline! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your thoughts?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you must have a marketing timeline','','inherit','open','open','','1627-revision-2','','','2012-03-12 13:39:33','2012-03-12 13:39:33','',1627,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1627-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1630,4,'2012-03-12 13:40:55','2012-03-12 13:40:55','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I received a 6\"x11\" size postcard, in color (read: higher printing costs) advertising an event taking place on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. I got the expensive postcard one day before an event, and this was for a nonprofit group. You know what this postcard was? <strong>A total waste of money.</strong> I had already heard about the event via social media and enewsletter. I had already decided not to attend.</span>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Time by Thomas Hawk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/4440874971/\"><img src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4011/4440874971_5fce369d98.jpg\" alt=\"Time\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto: Time by Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why have a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What this organization probably failed to do was a build an accurate marketing timeline. Without a timeline, you will print and mail stuff too late (or too early), send enewsletters too often or not frequently enough, send a press release too far from the event, etc. Marketing takes planning. Planning is essential if you want to get the most for your marketing dollars. In the case above, the postcard was a complete waste of marketing dollars. Very few, if any people, decide to attend an  all-day event (which has a registration fee that is higher at the door) the day before. </span>\r\n<h1><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to build a marketing timeline</strong></span></h1>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You probably will want to either sketch this out on a calendar or use a spreadsheet program to map this out.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Start with the end (your target date) and  have to work backward. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Create a row for each communications vehicle, such as press release, enewsletter, email blast, brochure, etc. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Decide  how many days prior to the target date do you want each communications vehicle to reach your audience. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider preparation time for each communications vehicle. For example, for printed materials, you have to consider printing times, shipping to you, delivery times (are you using first class mail or bulk) and approval process. Set target dates for each preparation step.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Fill out your timeline.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Remember to give yourself time to plan your marketing timeline! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your thoughts?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you must have a marketing timeline','','inherit','open','open','','1627-revision-3','','','2012-03-12 13:40:55','2012-03-12 13:40:55','',1627,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1627-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1632,4,'2012-03-14 19:56:13','2012-03-14 19:56:13','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here it is, mid-March (Pi Day today because it is 3.14) and I haven\'t been to a single networking event this year. Not a one. I did got to a panel presentation yesterday, but that wasn\'t a networking event. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now, I believe in networking and in networking events. It\'s important to meet people in person, and form relationships. It\'s good to get out. <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">So the question is not whether to network but where and how.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here are some factors in deciding:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Who is going.</strong> Is there a good chance that you will meet prospective clients, or good resources or just fun people? Is it going to be lots of people you already know? Will it give you a chance to reconnect? You should have a goal in mind when networking. If not, you are just attending an event.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Where and when is it</strong>. Is it convenient to attend this event? Will there be parking if I have to drive or is it near a Metro stop? How long will it take to get there? Is it at the crack of dawn or in the evening?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cost.</strong> Some events are free and those you can decide on based on the two factors above, but some events are costly. For example, I got an event invitation for something that is $49. And it is a breakfast presentation. To me, that is a lot of $$. Will the cost cover anything other than networking--a presentation or a meal? There\'s one group I know that gives a percentage of the cost to charity, so there is a feel-good/do-good aspect to paying.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Plenty of notice/time to RSVP.</strong> Sometimes you don\'t have enough notice (as I am writing this I got an invitation for something tomorrow night--sorry, I already committed to something else). Sometimes you have to RSVP far in advance. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What are your reasons to attend or not attend an event? I would love to hear what makes it or breaks it for you in the comments.</span>','To network or not to network, that is a question','','publish','open','open','','to-network-or-not-to-network-that-is-a-question','','','2012-03-14 19:56:13','2012-03-14 19:56:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1632',0,'post','',0),(1633,4,'2012-03-14 19:55:45','2012-03-14 19:55:45','Here it is, mid-March (Pi Day today because it is 3.14) and I haven\'t been to a single networking event this year. Not a one. I did got to a panel presentation yesterday, but that wasn\'t a networking event.\n\nNow, I believe in networking and in networking events. It\'s important to meet people in person, and form relationships. It\'s good to get out. <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">So the question is not whether to network but where and how.</span></strong>\n\nHere are some factors in deciding:\n\n<strong>Who is going.</strong> Is there a good chance that you will meet prospective clients, or good resources or just fun people? Is it going to be lots of people you already know? Will it give you a chance to reconnect? You should have a goal in mind when networking. If not, you are just attending an event.\n\n<strong>Where and when is it</strong>. Is it convenient to attend this event? Will there be parking if I have to drive or is it near a Metro stop? How long will it take to get there? Is it at the crack of dawn or in the evening?\n\n<strong>Cost.</strong> Some events are free and those you can decide on based on the two factors above, but some events are costly. For example, I got an event invitation for something that is $49. And it is a breakfast presentation. To me, that is a lot of $$. Will the cost cover anything other than networking--a presentation or a meal? There\'s one group I know that gives a percentage of the cost to charity, so there is a feel-good/do-good aspect to paying.\n\n<strong>Plenty of notice/time to RSVP.</strong> Sometimes you don\'t have enough notice (as I am writing this I got an invitation for something tomorrow night--sorry, I already committed to something else). Sometimes you have to RSVP far in advance.\n\nWhat are your reasons to attend or not attend an event? I would love to hear what makes it or breaks it for you in the comment','To network or not to network, that is a question','','inherit','open','open','','1632-revision','','','2012-03-14 19:55:45','2012-03-14 19:55:45','',1632,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1632-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1635,4,'2012-03-15 15:09:00','2012-03-15 15:09:00','One of my favorite lines from a movie is this one, from Pulp Fiction:\n<blockquote>\"A pig\'s got personality. Personality goes a long way.\"\n\n---Jules Winnfeld (played by Samuel L. Jackson)</blockquote>\nIt seems the folks at Spike TV\'\'s Bar Rescue didn\'t think personality went a long way when they remade Silver Spring\'s Piratz Tavern into the very generic Corporate Bar and Grill. As <a title=\"Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/\" target=\"_blank\">I commented her</a>e on the blog, I didn\'t give the corporate makeover good chances of succeeding, and apparently neither did Piratz Tavern\'s owners. T<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bar-rescue-gets-the-boot-in-silver-spring-after-piratz-tavern-renovation-goes-bust/2012/03/14/gIQAu9NpCS_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">he Washington Post is reporting today</a> that the bar\'s owners, Tracy and Juciano Rebelo are getting rid of the makeover and re-launching Piratz Tavern today.\n\nThe Washington Post article says this:\n<blockquote>The bigger problem, however, was the tavern’s new identity, designed to attract Silver Spring’s corporate worker bees. The new place seemed to do just the opposite: It became a cruel joke among a number of locals.</blockquote>\nAfter reading the article, I have concluded that the Bar Rescue team did have some genuine concerns about Piratz Tavern (to do with management style and food quality) but that their solution eliminated the only thing that made Piratz Tavern stand out--its personality. Remember, personality does go a long way.\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s all about personality','','inherit','open','open','','1634-revision','','','2012-03-15 15:09:00','2012-03-15 15:09:00','',1634,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1634-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1636,4,'2012-03-15 15:09:31','2012-03-15 15:09:31','One of my favorite lines from a movie is this one, from Pulp Fiction:\r\n<blockquote>\"A pig\'s got personality. Personality goes a long way.\"\r\n\r\n---Jules Winnfeld (played by Samuel L. Jackson)</blockquote>\r\nIt seems the folks at Spike TV\'\'s Bar Rescue didn\'t think personality went a long way when they remade Silver Spring\'s Piratz Tavern into the very generic Corporate Bar and Grill. As <a title=\"Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/\" target=\"_blank\">I commented her</a>e on the blog, I didn\'t give the corporate makeover good chances of succeeding, and apparently neither did Piratz Tavern\'s owners. T<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bar-rescue-gets-the-boot-in-silver-spring-after-piratz-tavern-renovation-goes-bust/2012/03/14/gIQAu9NpCS_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">he Washington Post is reporting today</a> that the bar\'s owners, Tracy and Juciano Rebelo are getting rid of the makeover and re-launching Piratz Tavern today.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post article says this:\r\n<blockquote>The bigger problem, however, was the tavern’s new identity, designed to attract Silver Spring’s corporate worker bees. The new place seemed to do just the opposite: It became a cruel joke among a number of locals.</blockquote>\r\nAfter reading the article, I have concluded that the Bar Rescue team did have some genuine concerns about Piratz Tavern (to do with management style and food quality) but that their solution eliminated the only thing that made Piratz Tavern stand out--its personality. Remember, personality does go a long way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s all about personality','','inherit','open','open','','1634-revision-2','','','2012-03-15 15:09:31','2012-03-15 15:09:31','',1634,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1634-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1637,4,'2012-03-15 15:12:29','2012-03-15 15:12:29','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of my favorite lines from a movie is this one, from Pulp Fiction:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"A pig\'s got personality. Personality goes a long way.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">---Jules Winnfeld (played by Samuel L. Jackson)</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems the folks at Spike TV\'\'s Bar Rescue didn\'t think personality went a long way when they remade Silver Spring\'s Piratz Tavern into the very generic Corporate Bar and Grill. As <a title=\"Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I commented her</span></a>e on the blog, I didn\'t give the corporate makeover good chances of succeeding, and apparently neither did Piratz Tavern\'s owners. T<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bar-rescue-gets-the-boot-in-silver-spring-after-piratz-tavern-renovation-goes-bust/2012/03/14/gIQAu9NpCS_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">he Washington Post is reporting today</span></a> that the bar\'s owners, Tracy and Juciano Rebelo are getting rid of the makeover and re-launching Piratz Tavern today.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Washington Post article says this:</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bigger problem, however, was the tavern’s new identity, designed to attract Silver Spring’s corporate worker bees. The new place seemed to do just the opposite: It became a cruel joke among a number of locals.</span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">After reading the article, I have concluded that the Bar Rescue team did have some genuine concerns about Piratz Tavern (to do with management style and food quality) but that their solution eliminated the only thing that made Piratz Tavern stand out--its personality. Remember, personality does go a long way.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s all about personality','','inherit','open','open','','1634-revision-3','','','2012-03-15 15:12:29','2012-03-15 15:12:29','',1634,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1634-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1638,4,'2012-03-15 15:15:01','2012-03-15 15:15:01','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of my favorite lines from a movie is this one, from Pulp Fiction:</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"A pig\'s got personality. Personality goes a long way.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">-Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson)</span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems the folks at Spike TV\'\'s Bar Rescue didn\'t think personality went a long way when they remade Silver Spring\'s Piratz Tavern into the very generic Corporate Bar and Grill. As <a title=\"Piratz, burgers and lost pizzazz\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/piratz-burgers-and-lost-pizzazz/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I commented her</span></a>e on the blog, I didn\'t give the corporate makeover good chances of succeeding, and apparently neither did Piratz Tavern\'s owners. T<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/bar-rescue-gets-the-boot-in-silver-spring-after-piratz-tavern-renovation-goes-bust/2012/03/14/gIQAu9NpCS_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">he Washington Post is reporting today</span></a> that the bar\'s owners, Tracy and Juciano Rebelo are getting rid of the makeover and re-launching Piratz Tavern today.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Washington Post article says this:</span>\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bigger problem, however, was the tavern’s new identity, designed to attract Silver Spring’s corporate worker bees. The new place seemed to do just the opposite: It became a cruel joke among a number of locals.</span></blockquote>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">After reading the article, I have concluded that the Bar Rescue team did have some genuine concerns about Piratz Tavern (to do with management style and food quality) but that their solution eliminated the only thing that made Piratz Tavern stand out--its personality. Remember, personality does go a long way.</span>\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s all about personality','','inherit','open','open','','1634-autosave','','','2012-03-15 15:15:01','2012-03-15 15:15:01','',1634,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1634-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1648,4,'2012-03-28 17:22:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Most Americans only speak one language: English. Most Europeans speak multiple languages (native and English at a minimum). Why is this relevant to communications? Simple answer is that in order to communicate EFFECTIVELY with your audience, you must speak their language.\n\nLanguage, in terms of marketing, is not just the','How many languages do you speak?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-03-28 17:22:42','2012-03-28 17:22:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1648',0,'post','',0),(1640,4,'2012-03-21 15:59:04','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We seem to live in a hyped-up world.  Because of social media and its amplifying effect, and the fact that traditional mass media has glommed on to social, what trends on Twitter is everywhere.\r\n\r\nAn interesting case in point is the Kony 2012 story. A video about a Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, produced by the nonprofit Invisible Children, sought to promote Kony\'s arrest. The video went viral, it was featured on broadcast news and thousands tweeted about it. (As an aside, wWeirdly for a nonprofit, Invisible Children has a .com URL) However, <a href=\"http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/54-2164338/invisible-children.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Guidestar does confirm it is a properly registered nonprofit</a> and Charity Navigator gives it a four star rating.\r\n\r\nOne of Invisible Children\'s founders, Jason Russell, who also directed the video, was arrested for lewd behavior a few days ago. His wife claims he had a breakdown due to the tremendous publicity the video received. I','Beware of hype','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-03-21 15:59:04','2012-03-21 15:59:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1640',0,'post','',0),(1641,4,'2012-03-21 15:57:19','2012-03-21 15:57:19','We seem to live in a hyped-up world.  Because of social media and its amplifying effect, and the fact that traditional mass media has glommed on to social, what trends on Twitter is everywhere.\n\nAn interesting case in point is the Kony 2012 story. A video about a Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, produced by the nonprofit Invisible Children, sought to promote Kony\'s arrest. The video went viral, it was featured on broadcast news and thousands tweeted about it. (As an aside, wWeirdly for a nonprofit, Invisible Children has a .com URL) However, <a href=\"http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/54-2164338/invisible-children.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Guidestar does confirm it is a properly registered nonprofit</a> and Charity Navigator gives it a four star rating.\n\nOne of Invisible Children\'s founders, Jason Russell, who also directed the video, was arrested for lewd behavior a few days ago. His wife claims he had a breakdown due to the tremendous publicity the video received. I','Beware of hype','','inherit','open','open','','1640-revision','','','2012-03-21 15:57:19','2012-03-21 15:57:19','',1640,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1640-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1643,4,'2012-03-23 12:40:25','2012-03-23 12:40:25','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is a physics term, which means that speed or forward motion of an object is equal to mass times velocity. In everyday usage, momentum is the strength or speed gained by motion or a series of events (<a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/momentum\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">here is Merriam-Webster\'s</span></a> definition).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is good for marketing--it helps you build up steam and propels you forward (gets you new business, more readers, bigger audience, etc).  But if when things are starting to speed up,  you apply the brakes, you (like your car) will quite literally slow down (lose momentum). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Losing momentum is a marketing killer.</strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How do you lose momentum? There are many \"brakes.\" Here are few examples:</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not returning inquiry calls:</strong> If I call you for information, I am what they call a warm prospect. By not calling me back, you are losing me. By taking your sweet time to return said calls, you also lose momentum.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not following up</strong>:  In mid-December I attended the inaugural event for a new DC networking group. It sounded good and I provided my email, saying I would be happy to help organize an event. I haven\'t heard ONE word from them. They haven\'t held another event. They lost momentum.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Changing your terms suddenly (dashing expectations):</strong> Say you always get bread served at your favorite restaurant, and suddenly, the restaurant decides to cut costs and there goes the bread basket. It may have been what you enjoyed about the place, and now your expectations are dashed. You may not return.</span>\n\nNot blogging (or Tweeting or posting on Facebook) for months: You started your blog, and you had lots to say. And then you stopped posting. Any readership (or followers\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whenever you do something that slows down your interaction with a prospective customer or client, you are losing momentum. That is a marketing/communications failure.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you experienced lost marketing momentum? Please give me your examples in the comments.</span>','Weekly communications #fail: losing momentum','','inherit','open','open','','1642-revision','','','2012-03-23 12:40:25','2012-03-23 12:40:25','',1642,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1642-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1644,4,'2012-03-23 13:16:46','2012-03-23 13:16:46','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is a physics term, which means that speed or forward motion of an object is equal to mass times velocity. In everyday usage, momentum is the strength or speed gained by motion or a series of events (<a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/momentum\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">here is Merriam-Webster\'s</span></a> definition).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Momentum is good for marketing--it helps you build up steam and propels you forward (gets you new business, more readers, bigger audience, etc).  But if when things are starting to speed up,  you apply the brakes, you (like your car) will quite literally slow down (lose momentum). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Losing momentum is a marketing killer.</strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How do you lose momentum? There are many \"brakes.\" Here are few examples:</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not returning inquiry calls:</strong> If I call you for information, I am what they call a warm prospect. By not calling me back, you are losing me. By taking your sweet time to return said calls, you also lose momentum.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Not following up</strong>:  In mid-December I attended the inaugural event for a new DC networking group. It sounded good and I provided my email, saying I would be happy to help organize an event. I haven\'t heard ONE word from them. They haven\'t held another event. They lost momentum.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Changing your terms suddenly (dashing expectations):</strong> Say you always get bread served at your favorite restaurant, and suddenly, the restaurant decides to cut costs and there goes the bread basket. It may have been what you enjoyed about the place, and now your expectations are dashed. You may not return.</span>\n\n<strong>Not blogging (or Tweeting or posting on Facebook) for months:</strong> You started your blog, and you had lots to say. And then you stopped posting. Any readership (or followers) you had, will dwindle. You lost momentum.\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whenever you do something that slows down your interaction with a prospective customer or client, you are losing momentum. That is a marketing/communications failure.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you experienced lost marketing momentum? Please give me your examples in the comments.</span>','Weekly communications #fail: losing momentum','','inherit','open','open','','1642-autosave','','','2012-03-23 13:16:46','2012-03-23 13:16:46','',1642,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1642-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1645,4,'2012-03-26 13:39:41','2012-03-26 13:39:41','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just this morning, I have seen all three of these mistakes, and by prominent websites/social media marketers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 1: Not having links open in a new page/tab</strong>. Why is this a mistake? Because you are practically pushing people OFF your website and on to another. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 2: Poor social sharing tools (or worse, not having them).</strong> Poor social sharing tools are those that don\'t provide the title of the post, or the blog, or the author. The example I came across this morning gave me this when I clicked to share on Twitter: Currently reading [URL address]). How is this sharing helpful to anyone?  You have to provide a reason for people to read your Tweet. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 3: Not checking @ mentions on Twitter.</strong> Someone is trying to communicate directly with you--is it wise to ignore him/her?  Big companies with customer service problems would do well to check their @ mentions. This is easier done with a Twitter client like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck that automatically puts @ mentions in their own column. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are these your top three mistakes? What would you add or subtract?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','3 Social Media/Web Marketing Mistakes to Avoid','','publish','open','open','','3-social-mediaweb-marketing-mistakes-to-avoid','','','2012-03-26 13:39:41','2012-03-26 13:39:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1645',0,'post','',0),(1646,4,'2012-03-26 13:39:21','2012-03-26 13:39:21','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just this morning, I have seen all three of these mistakes, and by prominent websites/social media marketers. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 1: Not having links open in a new page/tab</strong>. Why is this a mistake? Because you are practically pushing people OFF your website and on to another. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 2: Poor social sharing tools (or worse, not having them).</strong> Poor social sharing tools are those that don\'t provide the title of the post, or the blog, or the author. The example I came across this morning gave me this when I clicked to share on Twitter: Currently reading [URL address]). How is this sharing helpful to anyone?  You have to provide a reason for people to read your Tweet. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 3: Not checking @ mentions on Twitter.</strong> Someone is trying to communicate directly with you--is it wise to ignore him/her?  Big companies with customer service problems would do well to check their @ mentions. This is easier done with a Twitter client like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck that automatically puts @ mentions in their own column. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are these your top three mistakes? What would you add or subtract?</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','3 Social Media/Web Marketing Mistakes to Avoid','','inherit','open','open','','1645-revision','','','2012-03-26 13:39:21','2012-03-26 13:39:21','',1645,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1645-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1647,4,'2012-03-26 13:40:47','2012-03-26 13:40:47','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just this morning, I have seen all three of these mistakes, and by prominent websites/social media marketers. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 1: Not having links open in a new page/tab</strong>. Why is this a mistake? Because you are practically pushing people OFF your website and on to another. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 2: Poor social sharing tools (or worse, not having them).</strong> Poor social sharing tools are those that don\'t provide the title of the post, or the blog, or the author. The example I came across this morning gave me this when I clicked to share on Twitter: Currently reading [URL address]). How is this sharing helpful to anyone?  You have to provide a reason for people to read your Tweet. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Number 3: Not checking @ mentions on Twitter.</strong> Someone is trying to communicate directly with you--is it wise to ignore him/her?  Big companies with customer service problems would do well to check their @ mentions. This is easier done with a Twitter client like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck that automatically puts @ mentions in their own column. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are these your top three mistakes? What would you add or subtract?</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','3 Social Media/Web Marketing Mistakes to Avoid','','inherit','open','open','','1645-autosave','','','2012-03-26 13:40:47','2012-03-26 13:40:47','',1645,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1645-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1649,4,'2012-03-28 17:19:16','2012-03-28 17:19:16','Most Americans only speak one language: English. Most Europeans speak multiple languages (native and English at a minimum). Why is this relevant to communications? Simple answer is that in order to communicate EFFECTIVELY with your audience, you must speak their language.\n\nLanguage, in terms of marketing, is not just the','How many languages do you speak?','','inherit','open','open','','1648-revision','','','2012-03-28 17:19:16','2012-03-28 17:19:16','',1648,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1648-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1650,4,'2012-03-29 20:54:00','2012-03-29 20:54:00','T<span style=\"color: #000000;\">here is a women\'s networking group here in Maryland that offers some nice events every couple of months. For April, they had been touting a well known health expert as the speaker to their event. This speaker was a huge draw. Yesterday, I decided to register. When I went to event page, lo and behold, the speaker is not listed. Instead, there is a panel of speakers (none of them \"famous\") who will discuss health issues.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is this a bait and switch? Did the speaker bow out due to an unforeseen circumstance? Why the change in speakers? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have no answer because this group has not addressed it. Instead, they proceed as if nothing has changed. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">They are making an assumption that people will want to attend the event regardless. They are making an assumption that you will get it. They are making an assumption that they don\'t have to provide an explanation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Don\'t make assumptions! Be transparent. Be clear</strong>. All that needed to be said in this case was: We had scheduled speaker x for this event, but due to (reason) she is no longer available. Instead, we are presenting a fabulous panel....</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This type of thing is what irritates people and turns them off. Say you signed up a month ago expecting the original speaker. You get to the event and she is not there. Don\'t you feel ripped off? Disappointed? Or maybe you are just uninterested in the panel. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\'t assume your audience will follow you if you don\'t explain. Be transparent. Be honest. Be upfront.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rant over.</span>','Being transparent (or, not making assumptions)','','publish','open','open','','being-transparent-or-not-making-assumptions','','','2012-03-29 20:54:00','2012-03-29 20:54:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1650',0,'post','',0),(1671,4,'2012-04-18 15:16:00','2012-04-18 15:16:00','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The single worst mistake you can make in communications is not living up to your promise (s). Why? It breaks trust. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sadly, we see it all the time from big companies and small. Like when a wireless carrier tells you that you will have unlimited data, only to cap you after a certain amount. Or when an airline advertises a low price on a fare only to reference some small print saying it is available only at midnight of the day that Jupiter lines up with Mars.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you continually break promises you create a cynical customer. He or she no longer trusts what you say, and takes what you say with a grain of salt. Cynical customers are not loyal customers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It goes beyond false advertising though. In business and personal communication, you also can run the risk of losing trust. If you tell your friend you will be at her birthday party and then don\'t show up. If you promise your client that you will send a document and then you don\'t.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We\'ve all heard that the most common lie is \"the check\'s in the mail.\" How many times can you tell someone payment is forthcoming and the check is not there?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you as a business or you as an individual fail to live up to your promises, you are helping create a culture of mistrust, cynicism and disappointment. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do you agree? Is there something worse than making your customers/friends distrust/mistrust you or your business?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The single worst communications mistake','','publish','open','open','','the-single-worst-communications-mistake','','','2012-04-18 15:16:00','2012-04-18 15:16:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1671',0,'post','',0),(1652,4,'2012-03-29 20:53:48','2012-03-29 20:53:48','T<span style=\"color: #000000;\">here is a women\'s networking group here in Maryland that offers some nice events every couple of months. For April, they had been touting a well known health expert as the speaker to their event. This speaker was a huge draw. Yesterday, I decided to register. When I went to event page, lo and behold, the speaker is not listed. Instead, there is a panel of speakers (none of them \"famous\") who will discuss health issues.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is this a bait and switch? Did the speaker bow out due to an unforeseen circumstance? Why the change in speakers? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have no answer because this group has not addressed it. Instead, they proceed as if nothing has changed. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">They are making an assumption that people will want to attend the event regardless. They are making an assumption that you will get it. They are making an assumption that they don\'t have to provide an explanation.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Don\'t make assumptions! Be transparent. Be clear</strong>. All that needed to be said in this case was: We had scheduled speaker x for this event, but due to (reason) she is no longer available. Instead, we are presenting a fabulous panel....</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This type of thing is what irritates people and turns them off. Say you signed up a month ago expecting the original speaker. You get to the event and she is not there. Don\'t you feel ripped off? Disappointed? Or maybe you are just uninterested in the panel. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\'t assume your audience will follow you if you don\'t explain. Be transparent. Be honest. Be upfront.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rant over.</span>','Being transparent (or, not making assumptions)','','inherit','open','open','','1650-revision','','','2012-03-29 20:53:48','2012-03-29 20:53:48','',1650,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/03/1650-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1653,4,'2012-04-02 14:43:33','2012-04-02 14:43:33','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have been thinking a lot about loyalty and whether companies value it or not.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Take for  example, my customer relationship with ATT Wireless. I have been a customer for several years now (although not by choice rather by the acquisition of my old carrier Cingular). I called customer service the other day to see if they would credit several spam texts I received (I don\'\'t have unlimited text and pay 20 cents per message). The agent placed me on a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ten  minute hold</span> \"to check my account\" and later informed that it was not company policy to do so, but she would credit 40 cents to my account. Now, mind you, I had a similar conversation with another agent last year, and there was no problem crediting my account. No need to review. No lengthy process. I asked the agent if she was really giving me a hard time over 40 cents when I had been a customer for so many years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This interaction seems to prove that ATT is not particularly concerned with customer loyalty. They would rather talk \"company policy\" to me than think about rewarding my patronage, which over the years is in the several $1000s.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have been at my gym for several years. Has it ever given me anything to show appreciation for staying with it? NEW members get perks (free personal training or a t-shirt or whatever) but what do OLD members get? NOTHING. How does this reinforce customer loyalty?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yet, everywhere you turn there are loyalty programs. From the local bakery, where 12 stamps will result in one free loaf of bread to the pharmacy where you swipe your card to get \"reward dollars\" after you\'ve spent a certain amount.  Some of these loyalty programs do reward a loyal customer with something tangible and some are meant as a database mining operation. Guess which is which.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Large companies, especially financial institutions, seem to take customer loyalty for granted. Either that, or they simply don\'t care if customers are loyal. If you have been at your bank for more than five years, are you getting anything? A better interest rate? A free safety deposit box?  I bet the answer is no, you aren\'t getting a single cent. Yet, some banks will reward new customers by giving them a cash bonus deposited to their new accounts.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Customer loyalty is an area that marketing communications can\'t fix by itself. It needs operations/institutional support. However, as a marketer, you need to be concerned about it. <strong>You can attract all sorts of new business with good communications efforts, but can you retain it?</strong> Are you doing something to reward \"old\" business?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you aren\'t thinking about customer loyalty and what you are doing to maintain it and reward it, they you are probably losing customers at this very moment.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you rewarding loyalty?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-rewarding-loyalty','','','2012-04-02 14:43:52','2012-04-02 14:43:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1653',0,'post','',0),(1654,4,'2012-04-02 14:19:16','2012-04-02 14:19:16','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','1653-revision','','','2012-04-02 14:19:16','2012-04-02 14:19:16','',1653,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1653-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1655,4,'2012-04-02 14:42:43','2012-04-02 14:42:43','I have been thinking a lot about loyalty and whether companies value it or not.\n\nTake for  example, my customer relationship with ATT Wireless. I have been a customer for several years now (although not by choice rather by the acquisition of my old carrier Cingular). I called customer service the other day to see if they would credit several spam texts I received (I don\'\'t have unlimited text and pay 20 cents per message). The agent placed me on a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ten  minute hold</span> \"to check my account\" and later informed that it was not company policy to do so, but she would credit 40 cents to my account. Now, mind you, I had a similar conversation with another agent last year, and there was no problem crediting my account. No need to review. No lengthy process. I asked the agent if she was really giving me a hard time over 40 cents when I had been a customer for so many years.\n\nThis interaction seems to prove that ATT is not particularly concerned with customer loyalty. They would rather talk \"company policy\" to me than think about rewarding my patronage, which over the years is in the several $1000s.\n\nI have been at my gym for several years. Has it ever given me anything to show appreciation for staying with it? NEW members get perks (free personal training or a t-shirt or whatever) but what do OLD members get? NOTHING. How does this reinforce customer loyalty?\n\nYet, everywhere you turn there are loyalty programs. From the local bakery, where 12 stamps will result in one free loaf of bread to the pharmacy where you swipe your card to get \"reward dollars\" after you\'ve spent a certain amount.  Some of these loyalty programs do reward a loyal customer with something tangible and some are meant as a database mining operation. Guess which is which.\n\nLarge companies, especially financial institutions, seem to take customer loyalty for granted. Either that, or they simply don\'t care if customers are loyal. If you have been at your bank for more than five years, are you getting anything? A better interest rate? A free safety deposit box?  I bet the answer is no, you aren\'t getting a single cent. Yet, some banks will reward new customers by giving them a cash bonus deposited to their new accounts.\n\nCustomer loyalty is an area that marketing communications can\'t fix by itself. It needs operations/institutional support. However, as a marketer, you need to be concerned about it. You can attract all sorts of new business with good communications efforts, but can you retain it? Are you doing something to reward \"old\" business?\n\nIf you aren\'t thinking about customer loyalty and what you are doing to maintain it and reward it, they you are probably losing customers at this very moment.\n\n&nbsp;','Are you rewarding loyalty?','','inherit','open','open','','1653-revision-2','','','2012-04-02 14:42:43','2012-04-02 14:42:43','',1653,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1653-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1656,4,'2012-04-02 14:43:33','2012-04-02 14:43:33','I have been thinking a lot about loyalty and whether companies value it or not.\r\n\r\nTake for  example, my customer relationship with ATT Wireless. I have been a customer for several years now (although not by choice rather by the acquisition of my old carrier Cingular). I called customer service the other day to see if they would credit several spam texts I received (I don\'\'t have unlimited text and pay 20 cents per message). The agent placed me on a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ten  minute hold</span> \"to check my account\" and later informed that it was not company policy to do so, but she would credit 40 cents to my account. Now, mind you, I had a similar conversation with another agent last year, and there was no problem crediting my account. No need to review. No lengthy process. I asked the agent if she was really giving me a hard time over 40 cents when I had been a customer for so many years.\r\n\r\nThis interaction seems to prove that ATT is not particularly concerned with customer loyalty. They would rather talk \"company policy\" to me than think about rewarding my patronage, which over the years is in the several $1000s.\r\n\r\nI have been at my gym for several years. Has it ever given me anything to show appreciation for staying with it? NEW members get perks (free personal training or a t-shirt or whatever) but what do OLD members get? NOTHING. How does this reinforce customer loyalty?\r\n\r\nYet, everywhere you turn there are loyalty programs. From the local bakery, where 12 stamps will result in one free loaf of bread to the pharmacy where you swipe your card to get \"reward dollars\" after you\'ve spent a certain amount.  Some of these loyalty programs do reward a loyal customer with something tangible and some are meant as a database mining operation. Guess which is which.\r\n\r\nLarge companies, especially financial institutions, seem to take customer loyalty for granted. Either that, or they simply don\'t care if customers are loyal. If you have been at your bank for more than five years, are you getting anything? A better interest rate? A free safety deposit box?  I bet the answer is no, you aren\'t getting a single cent. Yet, some banks will reward new customers by giving them a cash bonus deposited to their new accounts.\r\n\r\nCustomer loyalty is an area that marketing communications can\'t fix by itself. It needs operations/institutional support. However, as a marketer, you need to be concerned about it. <strong>You can attract all sorts of new business with good communications efforts, but can you retain it?</strong> Are you doing something to reward \"old\" business?\r\n\r\nIf you aren\'t thinking about customer loyalty and what you are doing to maintain it and reward it, they you are probably losing customers at this very moment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you rewarding loyalty?','','inherit','open','open','','1653-revision-3','','','2012-04-02 14:43:33','2012-04-02 14:43:33','',1653,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1653-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1665,4,'2012-04-12 20:09:37','2012-04-12 20:09:37','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is almost over for those of us who celebrate it. The eight-day-long Jewish holiday celebrates liberation from slavery in Egypt. For most people, the main observance of the holiday is abstaining from eating bread and other leavened products (because the Israelites fleeing Egypt did not have enough time to allow their bread to rise), and substituting matza instead.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can Passover inform any marketing communications decisions? I think it can. Here are four Passover lessons for you marcomm efforts:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>One: Freedom rules!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is a festival that celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. In marketing and communications, we also celebrate freedom. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">We don\'t want to be tied to one platform, one way of thinking, solutions that no longer work.</span> Celebrate and use your freedom!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Two: Change is good</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">During passover, we eat matza for eight days, and don\'t eat bread, pasta, etc. It is a change for most people, a pause, a reset. It <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">challenges your routine,</span> forces your creativity. When you do things differently for a short time, you may discover what works and what doesn\'t.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Three: Dress it up a bit</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In my opinion, matza is infinitely better when spread with cream cheese or jelly (or both). Plain is just OK. In other words,<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> some bells and whistles help</span>. For example, having a well designed, attractive website can give your business an edge over a dull, plain website.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Four: Friends and family are key</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is a holiday that is better when celebrated with friends and family. In marketing and communications, your “friends and family” are your customers and your promoters. In social media they are your followers and \"likers.\" Your friends and family are the cornerstone of your outreach efforts.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do you see any other lessons in Passover?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','4 Passover Lessons for Marketing and Communications','','publish','open','open','','4-passover-lessons-for-marketing-and-communications','','','2012-04-12 20:09:37','2012-04-12 20:09:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1665',0,'post','',2),(1658,4,'2012-04-04 12:56:00','2012-04-04 12:56:00','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever run into a situation where a company has absolutely gorgeous marketing materials, but its service or product is sub par? That\'s a situation where the marketing draws people in, but the product  or service loses them. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I am looking to do some home improvement and I went to Angie\'s List. I found several companies in the category and checked out each company website. I was pretty impressed with one company in particular. Their website was not only attractive, but functional and informative. I called to make an appointment for an estimate. The woman seemed friendly and knowledgeable and set up an appointment that would be confirmed via email. This company seems to be pretty technologically savvy. The appointment was confirmed but a couple of hours later I got an email from a manager saying that he couldn\'t keep that appointment and could we change it. We went back and forth and settled on Tuesday (yesterday) at 6 p.m. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">At 5 p.m. yesterday the estimator called to tell me he can\'t make it and can he come tomorrow. As it turns out, I don\'t have time today, and I figured that if a company can\'t keep an appointment that does not bode well for the process. Further, it is not professional to keep changing appointments and to offer excuses. My time is valuable and if this company wants my business, the estimator would make an effort to show at the appointed time. I told him to forget it. There are other companies that do this work, and so far, two other companies have shown up on time for our estimate appointments. For me, punctuality and reliability are important indicators of how a company performs.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In this case, this company appears to be competent but in practice is not. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When your marketing is bad, you may not get the customers you want. But if your marketing is better than you are, your potential customers will not stick with you. They will be drawn in, but you will lose them. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your marketing should be attractive, but if you are spending more money and time on marketing and less on your service or product, that marketing dollar is wasted. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thoughts?</span>','Is your marketing communication better than you?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-marketing-communication-better-than-you','','','2012-04-04 12:56:00','2012-04-04 12:56:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1658',0,'post','',2),(1659,4,'2012-04-04 12:55:01','2012-04-04 12:55:01','Have you ever run into a situation where a company has absolutely gorgeous marketing materials, but its service or product is sub par? That\'s a situation where the marketing draws people in, but the product  or service loses them.\n\nI am looking to do some home improvement and I went to Angie\'s List. I found several companies in the category and checked out each company website. I was pretty impressed with one company in particular. Their website was not only attractive, but functional and informative. I called to make an appointment for an estimate. The woman seemed friendly and knowledgeable and set up an appointment that would be confirmed via email. This company seems to be pretty technologically savvy. The appointment was confirmed but a couple of hours later I got an email from a manager saying that he couldn\'t keep that appointment and could we change it. We went back and forth and settled on Tuesday (yesterday) at 6 p.m.\n\nAt 5 p.m. yesterday the estimator called to tell me he can\'t make it and can he come tomorrow. As it turns out, I don\'t have time today, and I figured that if a company can\'t keep an appointment that does not bode well for the process. Further, it is not professional to keep changing appointments and to offer excuses. My time is valuable and if this company wants my business, the estimator would make an effort to show at the appointed time. I told him to forget it. There are other companies that do this work, and so far, two other companies have shown up on time for our estimate appointments. For me, punctuality and reliability are important indicators of how a company perfor\n\nIn this case, this company appears to be competent but in practice is not.\n\nWhen your marketing is not good, you may not get the customers you want. But if your marketing is better than you are, your potential customers will not stick with you. They will be drawn in, but you will lose them.\n\nYour marketing should be attractive, but if you are spending more money and time on marketing and less on your service or product, that marketing dollar is wasted.','Is your marketing communication better than you?','','inherit','open','open','','1658-revision','','','2012-04-04 12:55:01','2012-04-04 12:55:01','',1658,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1658-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1660,4,'2012-04-04 12:57:06','2012-04-04 12:57:06','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever run into a situation where a company has absolutely gorgeous marketing materials, but its service or product is sub par? That\'s a situation where the marketing draws people in, but the product  or service loses them. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I am looking to do some home improvement and I went to Angie\'s List. I found several companies in the category and checked out each company website. I was pretty impressed with one company in particular. Their website was not only attractive, but functional and informative. I called to make an appointment for an estimate. The woman seemed friendly and knowledgeable and set up an appointment that would be confirmed via email. This company seems to be pretty technologically savvy. The appointment was confirmed but a couple of hours later I got an email from a manager saying that he couldn\'t keep that appointment and could we change it. We went back and forth and settled on Tuesday (yesterday) at 6 p.m. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">At 5 p.m. yesterday the estimator called to tell me he can\'t make it and can he come tomorrow. As it turns out, I don\'t have time today, and I figured that if a company can\'t keep an appointment that does not bode well for the process. Further, it is not professional to keep changing appointments and to offer excuses. My time is valuable and if this company wants my business, the estimator would make an effort to show at the appointed time. I told him to forget it. There are other companies that do this work, and so far, two other companies have shown up on time for our estimate appointments. For me, punctuality and reliability are important indicators of how a company performs.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In this case, this company appears to be competent but in practice is not. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When your marketing is bad, you may not get the customers you want. But if your marketing is better than you are, your potential customers will not stick with you. They will be drawn in, but you will lose them. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your marketing should be attractive, but if you are spending more money and time on marketing and less on your service or product, that marketing dollar is wasted. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thoughts?</span>','Is your marketing communication better than you?','','inherit','open','open','','1658-autosave','','','2012-04-04 12:57:06','2012-04-04 12:57:06','',1658,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1658-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1662,4,'2012-04-09 14:48:33','2012-04-09 14:48:33','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lately, I have been seeing lots of articles being written about how important storytelling is, most recently <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/riley-gibson/3-reasons-every-start-up-should-tell-more-stories.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3 Reasons to Master the Art of Storytelling</span></a> on Inc. Magazine\'s website. This has got me to thinking on whether you can become a better storyteller, or is it something you are born with. Or, does it matter at all if you are good or bad at storytelling if your story is great (or terrible).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>So, is it the story or the storyteller?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A bit of both in my opinion. A bad storyteller could ruin the best story, but a boring story won\'t get any more exciting if someone tells it really well.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But, can you make the telling of the story better? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are my tips for improving your storytelling ability, while cautioning you that you have to have a good story to start with.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <strong>Have a point, and don\'t bury it. </strong>Start with the end in mind. Is there anything worse than a pointless story? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <strong>Don\'t get bogged down with all the details</strong>. I had a friend years ago who was the kind of storyteller that would make you look at your watch ten times because she had to relay every single last detail. (Like this: I was walking to the train station in my new blue shoes with tassels, and then I saw the cutest cocker spaniel, and I started talking to the woman who was walking the dog, she was wearing  a jumpsuit that I had seen in a store window.....). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <strong>Realize your audience may not view the story the same way you do.</strong>  You have a specific point of view, but if it is very specific to you and your worldview, it may fall flat with your audience.There are things that are more universal than others, and to resonate, your story has to have some type of \"universal truth.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <strong>Adapt to your surroundings</strong>. If you are telling a story to your friends in your living room you may be more informal, whereas if you are telling a story to the board in the corporate headquarters, you may need to be a tad more buttoned up.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5)<strong> Use humor, but only if it is not offensive or obtuse.</strong> Have you ever been told a story, and the teller throws in some weird joke you don\'t think is funny? Or worse, you think is offensive (these jokes are usually tired canards about women, or racist stereotypes)?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What would add? And do you think the right storyteller can make up for a bad story? Let me know in the comments.</span>','Is it the story or the storyteller?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-the-story-or-the-storyteller','','','2012-04-09 14:48:33','2012-04-09 14:48:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1662',0,'post','',0),(1663,4,'2012-04-09 14:47:50','2012-04-09 14:47:50','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lately, I have been seeing lots of articles being written about how important storytelling is, most recently <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/riley-gibson/3-reasons-every-start-up-should-tell-more-stories.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3 Reasons to Master the Art of Storytelling</span></a> on Inc. Magazine\'s website. This has got me to thinking on whether you can become a better storyteller, or is it something you are born with. Or, does it matter at all if you are good or bad at storytelling if your story is great (or terrible).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>So, is it the story or the storyteller?</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A bit of both in my opinion. A bad storyteller could ruin the best story, but a boring story won\'t get any more exciting if someone tells it really well.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But, can you make the telling of the story better? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are my tips for improving your storytelling ability, while cautioning you that you have to have a good story to start with.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <strong>Have a point, and don\'t bury it. </strong>Start with the end in mind. Is there anything worse than a pointless story? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <strong>Don\'t get bogged down with all the details</strong>. I had a friend years ago who was the kind of storyteller that would make you look at your watch ten times because she had to relay every single last detail. (Like this: I was walking to the train station in my new blue shoes with tassels, and then I saw the cutest cocker spaniel, and I started talking to the woman who was walking the dog, she was wearing  a jumpsuit that I had seen in a store window.....). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <strong>Realize your audience may not view the story the same way you do.</strong>  You have a specific point of view, but if it is very specific to you and your worldview, it may fall flat with your audience.There are things that are more universal than others, and to resonate, your story has to have some type of \"universal truth.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <strong>Adapt to your surroundings</strong>. If you are telling a story to your friends in your living room you may be more informal, whereas if you are telling a story to the board in the corporate headquarters, you may need to be a tad more formal.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5)<strong> Use humor, but only if it is not offensive or obtuse.</strong> Have you ever been told a story, and the teller throws in some weird joke you don\'t think is funny? Or worse, you think is offensive (these jokes are usually tired canards about women, or racist stereotypes)?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What would add? And do you think the right storyteller can make up for a bad story? Let me know in the comments.</span>','Is it the story or the storyteller?','','inherit','open','open','','1662-revision','','','2012-04-09 14:47:50','2012-04-09 14:47:50','',1662,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1662-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1664,4,'2012-04-09 14:49:01','2012-04-09 14:49:01','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lately, I have been seeing lots of articles being written about how important storytelling is, most recently <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/riley-gibson/3-reasons-every-start-up-should-tell-more-stories.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3 Reasons to Master the Art of Storytelling</span></a> on Inc. Magazine\'s website. This has got me to thinking on whether you can become a better storyteller, or is it something you are born with. Or, does it matter at all if you are good or bad at storytelling if your story is great (or terrible).</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>So, is it the story or the storyteller?</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A bit of both in my opinion. A bad storyteller could ruin the best story, but a boring story won\'t get any more exciting if someone tells it really well.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But, can you make the telling of the story better? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are my tips for improving your storytelling ability, while cautioning you that you have to have a good story to start with.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">1) <strong>Have a point, and don\'t bury it. </strong>Start with the end in mind. Is there anything worse than a pointless story? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">2) <strong>Don\'t get bogged down with all the details</strong>. I had a friend years ago who was the kind of storyteller that would make you look at your watch ten times because she had to relay every single last detail. (Like this: I was walking to the train station in my new blue shoes with tassels, and then I saw the cutest cocker spaniel, and I started talking to the woman who was walking the dog, she was wearing  a jumpsuit that I had seen in a store window.....). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">3) <strong>Realize your audience may not view the story the same way you do.</strong>  You have a specific point of view, but if it is very specific to you and your worldview, it may fall flat with your audience.There are things that are more universal than others, and to resonate, your story has to have some type of \"universal truth.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">4) <strong>Adapt to your surroundings</strong>. If you are telling a story to your friends in your living room you may be more informal, whereas if you are telling a story to the board in the corporate headquarters, you may need to be a tad more buttoned up.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">5)<strong> Use humor, but only if it is not offensive or obtuse.</strong> Have you ever been told a story, and the teller throws in some weird joke you don\'t think is funny? Or worse, you think is offensive (these jokes are usually tired canards about women, or racist stereotypes)?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What would add? And do you think the right storyteller can make up for a bad story? Let me know in the comments.</span>','Is it the story or the storyteller?','','inherit','open','open','','1662-autosave','','','2012-04-09 14:49:01','2012-04-09 14:49:01','',1662,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1662-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1666,4,'2012-04-12 20:08:44','2012-04-12 20:08:44','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is almost over for those of us who celebrate it. The eight-day-long Jewish holiday celebrates liberation from slavery in Egypt. For most people, the main observance of the holiday is abstaining from eating bread and other leavened products (because the Israelites fleeing Egypt did not have enough time to allow their bread to rise), and substituting matza instead.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can Passover inform any marketing communications decisions? I think it can. Here are four Passover lessons for you marcomm efforts:</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>One: Freedom rules!</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is a festival that celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. In marketing and communications, we also celebrate freedom. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">We don\'t want to be tied to one platform, one way of thinking, solutions that no longer work.</span> Celebrate and use your freedom!</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Two: Change is good</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">During passover, we eat matza for eight days, and don\'t eat bread, pasta, etc. It is a change for most people, a pause, a reset. It challenges your routine, forces your creativity. When you do things differently for a short time, you may discover what works and what doesn\'t.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Three: Dress it up a bit</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In my opinion, matza is infinitely better when spread with cream cheese or jelly (or both). Plain is just OK. In other words, some bells and whistles help. For example, having a well designed, attractive website can give your business an edge over a dull, plain website.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Four: Friends and family are key</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Passover is a holiday that is better when celebrated with friends and family. In marketing and communications, your “friends and family” are your customers and your promoters. In social media they are your followers and \"likers.\" Your friends and family are the cornerstone of your outreach efforts.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do you see any other lessons in Passover?</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','4 Passover Lessons for Marketing and Communications','','inherit','open','open','','1665-revision','','','2012-04-12 20:08:44','2012-04-12 20:08:44','',1665,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1665-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1684,4,'2012-05-07 13:26:36','2012-05-07 13:26:36','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many organizations, especially nonprofits and associations, focus on having one annual event that is meant to be a fundraiser or a idea-raiser.  Events are a great way to publicize an organization, get people together, and provide value to attendees. Except when the events don\'t go well. And that is a big exception.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately,  many events have better publicity than planning, and that is guaranteed to backfire. What I mean is that event organizers spend inordinate amounts of time and money to make sure that people know and attend a conference, and spend much less time and money on the logistics of the event.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I attended a \"women\'s conference.\" It had a very nice website, and was going to deal with some intriguing subject matter (women and politics, women in developing countries, etc.) I believed the hype and bought my ticket (also, I had a very nice discount from a friend involved with the group). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">First indication of a problem was the disparity of information between the ticket and the website. One said the program started at 8:30, the other that registration started then, and the program at 9:45.  Neither was right. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Make sure the details are correct, and that everyone has the same information.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The people who were involved with greeting and registering were doing neither when I arrived at 8:50. Badges were still being put out. No one handed me a program. It was disorganized. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The program did not start until 10:15. From there, everything ran late. No one thought to tell people where the breakout sessions would be, and one was on a different floor (the session I was signed up for). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Timing matters.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The \"panelists\" for the session I attended were sitting and chatting amongst themselves for 25 minutes, ignoring the fact that 40 people were sitting and waiting for them to start. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Explain expectations to presenters.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And then there was the issue of lunch. It was supposed to be \"grab and go.\"  I am vegetarian and guess what, there was not a single vegetarian option to be found. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: If you are going to offer food (and there is no other food available on site) then you have to consider dietary restrictions.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bottom line is that the event organizers did not pay attention to the organization aspect of running an event. While I am sure that some people got some value from this particular event, these lapses in logistics wasted my time (and my money).  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Event planners pay attention to every last detail from food choice and availability to coat checks to bathroom locations. Event marketers, on the other hand, are focused on getting registrations. Both are EQUALLY important. <strong>If you sacrifice planning for publicity, you will have a disorganized event. If you sacrifice publicity for planning, you will have a poorly attended event.</strong> Either scenario will create PR headaches for you later on.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In my case, I will probably never attend this particular women\'s conference again. My perception of the event and its organizers is that they were more focused on the bottom line than on making sure everything went smoothly for the attendees.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are organizing an event, be sure you spend as much time planning it as you do publicizing it.</strong> And PS, event planning is a skill. Get qualified/experienced people to help plan your event. It does pay off.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Invest in event planning not just event marketing','','publish','open','open','','invest-in-event-planning-not-just-event-marketing','','','2012-05-07 13:26:36','2012-05-07 13:26:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1684',0,'post','',1),(1668,4,'2012-04-16 15:49:01','2012-04-16 15:49:01','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever gone to a new (to you) website or blog and before you can read anything you get a pop up ad or form DEMANDING that you fill it out? It happened to me today as I was following a link from someone on Twitter. And what was worse, there was no opting out, no little \"thanks but no thanks\" box I could click. It was either sign up for my newsletter or you can\'t read my blog.\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can  you imagine if a bricks and mortar store did that? You would walk in, ready to browse (and perhaps you were ready to buy something), and there would be someone standing in the doorway, demanding that you fill out a survey or a customer sign up sheet. If you didn\'t want to comply, then you would not be allowed to enter the store.  You know what would happen to that store? It would lose all sorts of potential customers/business.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I understand that blog and websites want to have something tangible from visitors: a sign up or a purchase. But making it a condition for reading your website/blog\'s content, guarantees you will lose some potential readers. Why would I want to sign up for your newsletter if I can\'t even read about you? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\'t beat your customers over the head. Ask them to sign up, but don\'t make it a precondition for a relationship unless you want to destroy relationships before they start.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you beating your customers over the head?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-beating-your-customers-over-the-head','','','2012-04-16 15:49:01','2012-04-16 15:49:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1668',0,'post','',0),(1669,4,'2012-04-16 15:33:14','2012-04-16 15:33:14','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','1668-revision','','','2012-04-16 15:33:14','2012-04-16 15:33:14','',1668,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1668-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1670,4,'2012-04-16 15:48:36','2012-04-16 15:48:36','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever gone to a new (to you) website or blog and before you can read anything you get a pop up ad or form DEMANDING that you fill it out? It happened to me today as I was following a link from someone on Twitter. And what was worse, there was no opting out, no little \"thanks but no thanks\" box I could click. It was either sign up for my newsletter or you can\'t read my blog.\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can  you imagine if a bricks and mortar store did that? You would walk in, ready to browse (and perhaps you were ready to buy something), and there would be someone standing in the doorway demanding that you fill out a survey or a customer sign up sheet. If you didn\'t want to comply, then you would not be allowed to enter the store.  You know what would happen to that store? It would lose all sorts of potential customers/business.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I understand that blog and websites want to have something tangible from visitors: a sign up or a purchase. But making it a condition for reading your website/blog\'s content, guarantees you will lose some potential readers. Why would I want to sign up for your newsletter if I can\'t even read about you? </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don\'t beat your customers over the head. Ask them to sign up, but don\'t make it a precondition for a relationship unless you want to destroy relationships before they start.</span>\n\n&nbsp;','Are you beating your customers over the head?','','inherit','open','open','','1668-revision-2','','','2012-04-16 15:48:36','2012-04-16 15:48:36','',1668,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1668-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1672,4,'2012-04-18 15:15:11','2012-04-18 15:15:11','The single worst mistake you can make in communications is not living up to your promise (s). Why? It breaks trust.\n\nSadly, we see it all the time from big companies and small. Like when a wireless carrier tells you that you will have unlimited data, only to cap you after a certain amount. Or when an airline advertises a low price on a fare only to reference some small print saying it is available only at midnight of the day that Jupiter lines up with Mars.\n\nWhen you continually break promises you create a cynical customer. He or she no longer trusts what you say, and takes what you say with a grain of salt. Cynical customers are not loyal customers.\n\nIt goes beyond false advertising though. In business and personal communication, you also can run the risk of losing trust. If you tell your friend you will be at her birthday party and then don\'t show up. If you promise your client that you will send a document and then you don\'t.\n\nWe\'ve all heard that the most common lie is \"the check\'s in the mail.\" How many times can you tell someone payment is forthcoming and the check is not there?\n\nWhen you as a business or you as an individual fail to live up to your promises, you are helping create a culture of mistrust, cynicism and disappointment.\n\nDo you agree? Is there something worse than making your customers/friends distrust/mistrust you or your business?\n\n&nbsp;','The single worst communications mistake','','inherit','open','open','','1671-revision','','','2012-04-18 15:15:11','2012-04-18 15:15:11','',1671,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1671-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1674,4,'2012-04-25 15:09:08','2012-04-25 15:09:08','I recently flew to Fort Lauderdale and back on US Airways. On both flights, the flight attendants had a \"special\" offer for us, a \"specially selected flight.\" The offer-- only available until April 30 (or the whole month of April, whichever way you look at it) was to sign up for a credit card, and get bonus miles. The rest was so complicated that the flight attendant was struggling to explain what it was and how it worked (something to the effect that if you spent x dollars then you could buy a free companion ticket to anywhere except where it is not available).\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Special badge by Dr. Keats, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctor_keats/263664231/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/92/263664231_2203261611.jpg\" alt=\"Special badge\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto by Dr. Keats from Flickr\r\n\r\n<strong>This was not a special offer.</strong>  It was a run of the mill sign up today for our credit card so that we credit you 5000 miles for the trip. This is not different from any of the airline credit cards or even the points credit cards out there.\r\n\r\n<strong>This was not unique to our flight.</strong> The flight attendants made the same pitch twice. And the guy next to me had heard it on another flight.\r\n\r\n<strong>Moral of the story</strong>: Don\'t say something is special if it is not. Most people are savvy enough to know when something is really special and when it is not. Also, don\'t repeat your special offer by saying it is only available to a select few when you\'ve already offered it to many many others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Special is special unless it isn\'t','','publish','open','open','','special-is-special-unless-it-isnt','','','2012-04-25 15:09:08','2012-04-25 15:09:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1674',0,'post','',0),(1675,4,'2012-04-25 15:08:11','2012-04-25 15:08:11','I recently flew to Fort Lauderdale and back on US Airways. On both flights, the flight attendants had a \"special\" offer for us, a \"specially selected flight.\" The offer-- only available until April 30 (or the whole month of April, whichever way you look at it) was to sign up for a credit card, and get bonus miles. The rest was so complicated that the flight attendant was struggling to explain what it was and how it worked (something to the effect that if you spent x dollars then you could buy a free companion ticket to anywhere except where it is not available).\n\n<a title=\"Special badge by Dr. Keats, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctor_keats/263664231/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/92/263664231_2203261611.jpg\" alt=\"Special badge\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nPhoto:\n\n<strong>This was not a special offer.</strong>  It was a run of the mill sign up today for our credit card so that we credit you 5000 miles for the trip. This is not different from any of the airline credit cards or even the points credit cards out there.\n\n<strong>This was not unique to our flight.</strong> The flight attendants made the same pitch twice. And the guy next to me had heard it on another flight.\n\n<strong>Moral of the story</strong>: Don\'t say something is special if it is not. Most people are savvy enough to know when something is really special and when it is not. Also, don\'t repeat your special offer by saying it is only available to a select few when you\'ve already offered it to many many others.\n\n&nbsp;','Special is special unless it isn\'t','','inherit','open','open','','1674-revision','','','2012-04-25 15:08:11','2012-04-25 15:08:11','',1674,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1674-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1676,4,'2012-04-25 15:08:40','2012-04-25 15:08:40','I recently flew to Fort Lauderdale and back on US Airways. On both flights, the flight attendants had a \"special\" offer for us, a \"specially selected flight.\" The offer-- only available until April 30 (or the whole month of April, whichever way you look at it) was to sign up for a credit card, and get bonus miles. The rest was so complicated that the flight attendant was struggling to explain what it was and how it worked (something to the effect that if you spent x dollars then you could buy a free companion ticket to anywhere except where it is not available).\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Special badge by Dr. Keats, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctor_keats/263664231/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/92/263664231_2203261611.jpg\" alt=\"Special badge\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\nPhoto by Dr. Keats from Flickr\r\n\r\n<strong>This was not a special offer.</strong>  It was a run of the mill sign up today for our credit card so that we credit you 5000 miles for the trip. This is not different from any of the airline credit cards or even the points credit cards out there.\r\n\r\n<strong>This was not unique to our flight.</strong> The flight attendants made the same pitch twice. And the guy next to me had heard it on another flight.\r\n\r\n<strong>Moral of the story</strong>: Don\'t say something is special if it is not. Most people are savvy enough to know when something is really special and when it is not. Also, don\'t repeat your special offer by saying it is only available to a select few when you\'ve already offered it to many many others.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Special is special unless it isn\'t','','inherit','open','open','','1674-revision-2','','','2012-04-25 15:08:40','2012-04-25 15:08:40','',1674,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1674-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1677,4,'2012-04-25 15:09:11','2012-04-25 15:09:11','I recently flew to Fort Lauderdale and back on US Airways. On both flights, the flight attendants had a \"special\" offer for us, a \"specially selected flight.\" The offer-- only available until April 30 (or the whole month of April, whichever way you look at it) was to sign up for a credit card, and get bonus miles. The rest was so complicated that the flight attendant was struggling to explain what it was and how it worked (something to the effect that if you spent x dollars then you could buy a free companion ticket to anywhere except where it is not available).\n\n<a title=\"Special badge by Dr. Keats, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctor_keats/263664231/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/92/263664231_2203261611.jpg\" alt=\"Special badge\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nPhoto by Dr. Keats from Flickr\n\n<strong>This was not a special offer.</strong>  It was a run of the mill sign up today for our credit card so that we credit you 5000 miles for the trip. This is not different from any of the airline credit cards or even the points credit cards out there.\n\n<strong>This was not unique to our flight.</strong> The flight attendants made the same pitch twice. And the guy next to me had heard it on another flight.\n\n<strong>Moral of the story</strong>: Don\'t say something is special if it is not. Most people are savvy enough to know when something is really special and when it is not. Also, don\'t repeat your special offer by saying it is only available to a select few when you\'ve already offered it to many many others.\n\n&nbsp;','Special is special unless it isn\'t','','inherit','open','open','','1674-autosave','','','2012-04-25 15:09:11','2012-04-25 15:09:11','',1674,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1674-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1678,4,'2012-04-26 16:13:13','2012-04-26 16:13:13','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A couple of days ago I was reading my book while aboard Metro. A couple of stops into the ride, a group of three guys got on and sat right next to me. For the next 30 minutes I was \"treated\" to a non-stop, curse-filled treatise on everything from how women dress to jobs to how living in the suburbs is for the birds (although that was not the way it was actually said). These guys were not speaking amongst themselves. They were loud and obnoxious and did not care who heard them.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt uncomfortable, and I wondered, had I had a child with me, whether they would have moderated their behavior or whether they would have responded if I had asked them to watch their language. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I know, it seems old-fashioned to \"watch your language.\" But there is a public space and a private space, and when you are in public, you are sharing the air and space with other people. You should try to be considerate.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, we see cursing all the time on Twitter, Facebook and every which way we turn. Some people are bring cursing to advertising, in order \"to break through the clutter.\" I just read <a href=\"http://www.talentzoo.com/news/All-this-F-ing-Cursing-Makes-the-Ad-Business-Look-Sh-ty/13930.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">this article on Talent Zoo</span></a> about cursing in the ad industry, where the author feels the need to be graphic in demonstrating what he is referring to.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is no need to curse in public. You can do whatever you want in private. You can smoke and drink and overindulge in ice cream. In the public space--in communications--you should put a lid on it. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What do you think? Do you curse or not in public? Do you care?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','To curse or not to curse, that is the question','','publish','open','open','','to-curse-or-not-to-curse-that-is-the-question','','','2012-04-26 16:13:13','2012-04-26 16:13:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1678',0,'post','',0),(1679,4,'2012-04-26 16:12:43','2012-04-26 16:12:43','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">A couple of days ago I was reading my book while aboard Metro. A couple of stops into the ride, a group of three guys got on and sat right next to me. For the next 30 minutes I was \"treated\" to a non-stop, curse-filled treatise on everything from how women dress to jobs to how living in the suburbs is for the birds (although that was not the way it was actually said). These guys were not speaking amongst themselves. They were loud and obnoxious and did not care who heard them.  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt uncomfortable, and I wondered, had I had a child with me, whether they would have moderated their behavior or whether they would have responded if I had asked them to watch their language. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I know, it seems old-fashioned to \"watch your language.\" But there is a public space and a private space, and when you are in public, you are sharing the air and space with other people. You should try to be considerate.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, we see cursing all the time on Twitter, Facebook and every which way we turn. Some people are bring cursing to advertising, in order \"to break through the clutter.\" I just read <a href=\"http://www.talentzoo.com/news/All-this-F-ing-Cursing-Makes-the-Ad-Business-Look-Sh-ty/13930.html\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">this article on Talent Zoo</span></a> about cursing in the ad industry, where the author feels the need to be graphic in demonstrating what he is referring to.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is no need to curse in public. You can do whatever you want in private. You can smoke and drink and overindulge in ice cream. In the public space--in communications--you should put a lid on it. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What do you think? Do you curse or not in public? Do you care?</span>\n\n&nbsp;','To curse or not to curse, that is the question','','inherit','open','open','','1678-revision','','','2012-04-26 16:12:43','2012-04-26 16:12:43','',1678,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1678-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1680,4,'2012-04-30 13:42:36','2012-04-30 13:42:36','Two-year-olds LOVE the word me. They are just learning that they are individuals and that they want whatever their siblings or friends have. \"Me too,\" they shout. \"Daddy, Mommy, look at me!!!\"\r\n\r\nYou would think Twitter has been overrun by a nursery school. In endless posts, self-promoters don\'t use the word me as such, instead, they go on about their blog, their client, their big idea. Post after post after post. Never \"engaging\" with others, never re-tweeting others, and certainly never sharing anything useful.\r\n\r\nTake for example the life coach who just came up with a brilliant idea. She is going to make sure you hear about it--she even created her own hashtag. And she wants you to join in. Or the business development \"expert\" who wants you to like her Facebook page, and asks you every SINGLE day, several times a day. Or the PR guy who constantly tells you how great he is because his VIP clients have been featured in the media.\r\n\r\nSure, you should use Twitter and social media outlets to promote your business (and yourself if you are your business). <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">HOWEVER, if all you do is self-promote, then you are mired in ME-ONLY thinking. In other words, you are being egotistical and/or narcissistic in your use of Twitter.</span> Twitter is a SOCIAL media platform. Social means that there is more than one person out there, right? You want to INTERACT with other people, not just have people look at you.\r\n\r\nThink about the Twitter users you enjoy following. What makes them stand out? I bet they:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Share interesting articles and insights</li>\r\n	<li>Interact with you (answer your questions, comment on your tweets)</li>\r\n	<li>Re-tweet what you share</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn other words, they don\'t only talk about themselves. They have grown out of the \"terrible twos\" and have learned that there is an US or a WE out there, not just a ME.\r\n\r\nHow should you deal with the \"me-all-the-time\" tweeps? Easy. Unfollow. You won\'t miss their egos clogging up your stream.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think about my post? Ha ha! Just kidding.\r\n\r\nSeriously, though, how far should self-promotion go on Twitter?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Me! Me! It\'s all about ME!!!!','','publish','open','open','','me-me-its-all-about-me','','','2012-04-30 13:42:36','2012-04-30 13:42:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1680',0,'post','',1),(1681,4,'2012-04-30 13:41:13','2012-04-30 13:41:13','Two-year-olds LOVE the word me. They are just learning that they are individuals and that they want whatever their siblings or friends have. \"Me too,\" they shout. \"Daddy, Mommy, look at me!!!\"\n\nYou would think Twitter has been overrun by a nursery school. In endless posts, self-promoters don\'t use the word me as such, instead, they go on about their blog, their client, their big idea. Post after post after post. Never \"engaging\" with others, never re-tweeting others, and certainly never sharing anything useful.\n\nTake for example the life coach who just came up with a brilliant idea. She is going to make sure you hear about it--she even created her own hashtag. And she wants you to join in. Or the business development \"expert\" who wants you to like her Facebook page, and asks you every SINGLE day, several times a day. Or the PR guy who constantly tells you how great he is because his VIP clients have been featured in the media.\n\nSure, you should use Twitter and social media outlets to promote your business (and yourself if you are your business). <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">HOWEVER, if all you do is self-promote, then you are mired in ME-ONLY thinking. In other words, you are being egotistical and/or narcissistic in your use of Twitter.</span> Twitter is a SOCIAL media platform. Social means that there is more than one person out there, right? You want to INTERACT with other people, not just have people look at you.\n\nThink about the Twitter users you enjoy following. What makes them stand out? I bet they:\n<ul>\n	<li>Share interesting articles and insights</li>\n	<li>Interact with you (answer your questions, comment on your tweets)</li>\n	<li>Re-tweet what you share</li>\n</ul>\nIn other words, they don\'t only talk about themselves. They have grown out of the \"terrible twos\" and have learned that there is an US or a WE out there, not just a ME.\n\nHow should you deal with the \"me-all-the-time\" tweeps? Easy. Unfollow. You won\'t miss their egos clogging up your stream.\n\nWhat do you think about my post? Ha ha! Just kidding. Seriously, though, how far should self-promotion go on Twitter?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Me! Me! It\'s all about ME!!!!','','inherit','open','open','','1680-revision','','','2012-04-30 13:41:13','2012-04-30 13:41:13','',1680,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/04/1680-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1682,4,'2012-05-02 12:46:00','2012-05-02 12:46:00','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps the most basic question you have to ask yourself before creating any marketing/communications materials is:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Who is my target audience?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more you know who they are, where they are and what they need, the better your materials will be.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And yet. A couple of days ago, I was driving down Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest D.C. and saw a sign outside of a church that made me wonder.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The sign said: </span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>English Classes Available. Please Call [telephone number] to Enroll.</em></span></p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now, if you need to learn English, can you read English? Nope. Is the audience for this sign people who know people who need to learn English? Perhaps. I would think this sign would be more effective if it were written in the language of the people you are trying to target, don\'t you think?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Who is your audience? ','','publish','open','open','','who-is-your-audience','','','2012-05-02 12:46:00','2012-05-02 12:46:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1682',0,'post','',0),(1683,4,'2012-05-02 12:45:41','2012-05-02 12:45:41','<span style=\"color: #888888;\">Perhaps the most basic question you have to ask yourself before creating any marketing/communications materials is:</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\"><strong>Who is my target audience?</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\">The more you know who they are, where they are and what they need, the better your materials will be.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\">And yet. A couple of days ago, I was driving down Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest D.C. and saw a sign outside of a church that made me wonder.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\">The sign said: </span>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><em>English Classes Available. Please Call [telephone number] to Enroll.</em></span></p>\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\">Now, if you need to learn English, can you read English? Nope. Is the audience for this sign people who know people who need to learn English? Perhaps. I would think this sign would be more effective if it were written in the language of the people you are trying to target, don\'t you think?</span>\n\n&nbsp;','Who is your audience? ','','inherit','open','open','','1682-revision','','','2012-05-02 12:45:41','2012-05-02 12:45:41','',1682,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1682-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1685,4,'2012-05-07 12:45:20','2012-05-07 12:45:20','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','1684-revision','','','2012-05-07 12:45:20','2012-05-07 12:45:20','',1684,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1684-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1686,4,'2012-05-07 13:23:00','2012-05-07 13:23:00','Many organizations, especially nonprofits and associations, focus on having one annual event that is meant to be a fundraiser or a idea-raiser.  Events are a great way to publicize an organization, get people together, and provide value to attendees. Except when the events don\'t go well. And that is a big exception.\n\nUnfortunately,  many events have better publicity than planning, and that is guaranteed to backfire. What I mean is that event organizers spend inordinate amounts of time and money to make sure that people know and attend a conference, and spend much less time and money on the logistics of the event.\n\nThis past Saturday, I attended a \"women\'s conference.\" It had a very nice website, and was going to deal with some intriguing subject matter (women and politics, women in developing countries, etc.) I believed the hype and bought my ticket (also, I had a very nice discount from a friend involved with the group).\n\nFirst indication of a problem was the disparity of information between the ticket and the website. One said the program started at 8:30, the other that registration started then, and the program at 9:45.  Neither was right.\n\n<strong>Lesson: Make sure the details are correct, and that everyone has the same information.</strong>\n\nThe people who were involved with greeting and registering were doing neither when I arrived at 8:50. Badges were still being put out. No one handed me a program. It was disorganized.\n\nThe program did not start until 10:15. From there, everything ran late. No one thought to tell people where the breakout sessions would be, and one was on a different floor (the session I was signed up for).\n\n<strong>Lesson: Timing matters.</strong>\n\nThe \"panelists\" for the session I attended were sitting and chatting amongst themselves for 25 minutes, ignoring the fact that 40 people were sitting and waiting for them to start.\n\n<strong>Lesson: Explain expectations to presenters.</strong>\n\nAnd then there was the issue of lunch. It was supposed to be \"grab and go.\"  I am vegetarian and guess what, there was not a single vegetarian option to be found.\n\n<strong>Lesson: If you are going to offer food (and there is no other food available on site) then you have to consider dietary restrictions.</strong>\n\nThe bottom line is that the event organizers did not pay attention to the organization aspect of running an event. While I am sure that some people got some value from this particular event, these lapses in logistics wasted my time (and my money).\n\nEvent planners pay attention to every last detail from food choice and availability to coat checks to bathroom locations. Event marketers, on the other hand, are focused on getting registrations. Both are EQUALLY important. If you sacrifice planning for publicity, you will have a disorganized event. If you sacrifice publicity for planning, you will have a poorly attended event. Either scenario will create PR headaches for you later on.\n\nIn my case, I will probably never attend this particular women\'s conference again. My perception of the event and its organizers is that they were more focused on the bottom line than on making sure everything went smoothly for the attendees.\n\nIf you are organizing an event, be sure you spend as much time planning as you do publicizing it. And PS, event planning is a skill. Get people to help plan your event\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Invest in event planning not just event marketing','','inherit','open','open','','1684-revision-2','','','2012-05-07 13:23:00','2012-05-07 13:23:00','',1684,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1684-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1687,4,'2012-05-07 13:25:54','2012-05-07 13:25:54','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many organizations, especially nonprofits and associations, focus on having one annual event that is meant to be a fundraiser or a idea-raiser.  Events are a great way to publicize an organization, get people together, and provide value to attendees. Except when the events don\'t go well. And that is a big exception.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately,  many events have better publicity than planning, and that is guaranteed to backfire. What I mean is that event organizers spend inordinate amounts of time and money to make sure that people know and attend a conference, and spend much less time and money on the logistics of the event.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This past Saturday, I attended a \"women\'s conference.\" It had a very nice website, and was going to deal with some intriguing subject matter (women and politics, women in developing countries, etc.) I believed the hype and bought my ticket (also, I had a very nice discount from a friend involved with the group). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">First indication of a problem was the disparity of information between the ticket and the website. One said the program started at 8:30, the other that registration started then, and the program at 9:45.  Neither was right. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Make sure the details are correct, and that everyone has the same information.</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The people who were involved with greeting and registering were doing neither when I arrived at 8:50. Badges were still being put out. No one handed me a program. It was disorganized. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The program did not start until 10:15. From there, everything ran late. No one thought to tell people where the breakout sessions would be, and one was on a different floor (the session I was signed up for). </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Timing matters.</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The \"panelists\" for the session I attended were sitting and chatting amongst themselves for 25 minutes, ignoring the fact that 40 people were sitting and waiting for them to start. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: Explain expectations to presenters.</strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And then there was the issue of lunch. It was supposed to be \"grab and go.\"  I am vegetarian and guess what, there was not a single vegetarian option to be found. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lesson: If you are going to offer food (and there is no other food available on site) then you have to consider dietary restrictions.</strong></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bottom line is that the event organizers did not pay attention to the organization aspect of running an event. While I am sure that some people got some value from this particular event, these lapses in logistics wasted my time (and my money).  </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Event planners pay attention to every last detail from food choice and availability to coat checks to bathroom locations. Event marketers, on the other hand, are focused on getting registrations. Both are EQUALLY important. <strong>If you sacrifice planning for publicity, you will have a disorganized event. If you sacrifice publicity for planning, you will have a poorly attended event.</strong> Either scenario will create PR headaches for you later on.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">In my case, I will probably never attend this particular women\'s conference again. My perception of the event and its organizers is that they were more focused on the bottom line than on making sure everything went smoothly for the attendees.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you are organizing an event, be sure you spend as much time planning it as you do publicizing it.</strong> And PS, event planning is a skill. Get qualified/experienced people to help plan your event. It does pay off.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Invest in event planning not just event marketing','','inherit','open','open','','1684-revision-3','','','2012-05-07 13:25:54','2012-05-07 13:25:54','',1684,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1684-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1693,4,'2012-05-16 14:26:22','2012-05-16 14:26:22','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a homeowner, I have dealt with dozens of contractors to perform repairs and inspections, and all the other things one needs to get done in a house. One stands out--my plumber Mark. Not only is he a good plumber, he\'s a nice guy. I think we can learn a whole lot about marketing from him.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Choose your target market carefully:</strong> Mark has decided exactly where he is most comfortable working, geographically and culturally. He knows also what he is NOT looking for.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Advertise to the target market only</strong>: Mark does not have a sign on his truck, and he does not run ads in the mass media. He wants to continue working with his target market and not with just anyone.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Distinguish yourself from the competition</strong>: In Mark\'s case, he is green (although not certified) and he prides himself on punctuality. These are two things he highlights in his marketing materials. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Love what you do and be good at it:</strong> Mark loves plumbing and has since he was a child. He also knows what he is doing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Be professional and responsive:</strong> Mark responds to inquiries quickly. He asks for pictures of the repair that needs to get done so he can properly assess and estimate the job. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Be pleasant and respectful:</strong> People like to do business with people they like. Mark always shakes hands with you when he comes to your house, and he immediately dons booties to prevent tracking dirt into your house. (something most contractors don\'t even think about). Mark also leaves his work area spotless. No messes to clean up.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;\">In the end, Mark wins at marketing because he has figured out how to market to a niche audience,  to provide exemplary service that generates return business and referrals and he doesn\'t waste his marketing dollar reaching out to people outside his market.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons from an A+ plumber','','publish','open','open','','marketing-lessons-from-an-a-plumber','','','2012-05-16 14:26:22','2012-05-16 14:26:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1693',0,'post','',0),(1702,4,'2012-05-29 14:35:06','2012-05-29 14:35:06','When was the last time you checked--and I mean thoroughly checked--your online content? Recently? Last quarter? Last year? When you launched the website?\r\n\r\nIf you haven\'t done it recently (within the past six months), I suggest hopping over to your website RIGHT NOW.\r\n\r\nIt\'s crucial to check for accuracy and relevance of your content. Here are a few areas you most definitely want to check and update if necessary:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Contact information</li>\r\n	<li>Product/service listing</li>\r\n	<li>Pricing</li>\r\n	<li>About page (everybody still with your company or in the same position?)</li>\r\n	<li>Home page (what exactly is the first thing you are telling people about your company?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPeople are using the web more and more each day to find vendors and buy stuff. An out-of-date or inaccurate website will make it difficult for those potential customers to do business with you.\r\n\r\nWhat are you waiting for! Go do it now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Check your content much?','','publish','open','open','','check-your-content-much','','','2012-05-29 14:35:06','2012-05-29 14:35:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1702',0,'post','',0),(1690,4,'2012-05-09 12:26:19','2012-05-09 12:26:19','At the women\'s conference I referenced on <a title=\"Invest in event planning not just event marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/invest-in-event-planning-not-just-event-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\">Monday\'s post</a>, the organizer was also the emcee. She introduced the keynote speaker like this:\r\n\r\nI met [speaker] at a conference, and I think she\'s so great. I learned a lot from her. I was really impacted by what she said. I learned that....\r\n\r\nThis is not a verbatim quote but do you notice anything about this \"introduction?\"  It is all about the organizer and not about who she is introducing.  It\'s a \"me\" speech. Not a \"we\" speech and certainly not a \"you\" speech.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips (@mrmediatraining on Twitter), president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media training organization, what he thought of a speech that focused on \"I.\" His response was:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Depends on the humility of the speaker, I suppose. Can range from humble self-experience to (more often) grating and ego-filled.</div>\r\n<div></div></blockquote>\r\nIn other words, an \"I speech\" can  seem self-aggrandizing and can potentially turn the audience off, especially if the speaker shows no humility.\r\n\r\nIt seems to me that emcees at an event should focus more on the we and you than on the me. The event after all, is not about the emcee, it is about the collective audience. It is not about the emcee\'s ego.\r\n\r\nIn this case,  I think this particular emcee was very self-focused. She was neither humble nor overly egotistical but seemingly clueless as to how she was coming across. She did not seem to care that she should have given the speaker a proper introduction (Ms. so and so is a writer focused on x, and she has been working in this field since x, etc.) and she also did not seem to be able to connect the dots on how this particular speaker would help us, the audience, why this speaker had been invited to speak.\r\n\r\n<strong>In marketing communication, the focus should be on the you or the we, and not the me.</strong> If you ever go to a website or read a brochure that goes on about me, me, me and does not address how we work together or how this benefits you, you know you are dealing with someone who has not a single clue about audience (or its needs).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Me, We and You','','publish','open','open','','me-we-and-you','','','2012-05-09 12:56:36','2012-05-09 12:56:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1690',0,'post','',0),(1691,4,'2012-05-09 12:25:53','2012-05-09 12:25:53','At the women\'s conference I referenced on <a title=\"Invest in event planning not just event marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/invest-in-event-planning-not-just-event-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\">Monday\'s post</a>, the organizer was also the emcee. She introduced the keynote speaker like this:\n\nI met [speaker] at a conference, and I think she\'s so great. I learned a lot from her. I was really impacted by what she said. I learned that....\n\nThis is not a verbatim quote but do you notice anything about this \"introduction?\"  It it all about the organizer and not about who she is introducing.  It\'s a \"me\" speech. Not a \"we\" speech and certainly not a \"you\" speech.\n\nI asked Brad Phillips (@mrmediatraining on Twitter), president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media training organization, what he thought of a speech that focused on \"I.\" His response was:\n<blockquote>\n<div>Depends on the humility of the speaker, I suppose. Can range from humble self-experience to (more often) grating and ego-filled.</div>\n<div></div></blockquote>\nIn other words, an \"I speech\" can  seem self-aggrandizing and can potentially turn the audience off, especially if the speaker shows no humility.\n\nIt seems to me that emcees at an event should focus more on the we and you than on the me. The event after all, is not about the emcee, it is about the collective audience. It is not about the emcee\'s ego.\n\nIn this case,  I think this particular emcee was very self-focused. She was neither humble nor overly egotistical but seeminglmore clueless as to how she was coming across. She did not seem to care that she should have given the speaker a proper introduction (Ms. so and so is a writer focused on x, and she has been working in this field since x, etc.) and she also did not seem to be able to connect the dots on how this particular speaker would help us, the audience, why this speaker had been invited to speak.\n\n<strong>In marketing communication, the focus should be on the you or the we, and not the me.</strong> If you ever go to a website or read a brochure that goes on about me, me, me and does not address how we work together or how this benefits you, you know you are dealing with someone who has not a single clue about audience (or its needs).\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote>\n<div></div></blockquote>','Me, We and You','','inherit','open','open','','1690-revision','','','2012-05-09 12:25:53','2012-05-09 12:25:53','',1690,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1690-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1692,4,'2012-05-09 12:26:19','2012-05-09 12:26:19','At the women\'s conference I referenced on <a title=\"Invest in event planning not just event marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/invest-in-event-planning-not-just-event-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\">Monday\'s post</a>, the organizer was also the emcee. She introduced the keynote speaker like this:\r\n\r\nI met [speaker] at a conference, and I think she\'s so great. I learned a lot from her. I was really impacted by what she said. I learned that....\r\n\r\nThis is not a verbatim quote but do you notice anything about this \"introduction?\"  It it all about the organizer and not about who she is introducing.  It\'s a \"me\" speech. Not a \"we\" speech and certainly not a \"you\" speech.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips (@mrmediatraining on Twitter), president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media training organization, what he thought of a speech that focused on \"I.\" His response was:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>Depends on the humility of the speaker, I suppose. Can range from humble self-experience to (more often) grating and ego-filled.</div>\r\n<div></div></blockquote>\r\nIn other words, an \"I speech\" can  seem self-aggrandizing and can potentially turn the audience off, especially if the speaker shows no humility.\r\n\r\nIt seems to me that emcees at an event should focus more on the we and you than on the me. The event after all, is not about the emcee, it is about the collective audience. It is not about the emcee\'s ego.\r\n\r\nIn this case,  I think this particular emcee was very self-focused. She was neither humble nor overly egotistical but seemingly clueless as to how she was coming across. She did not seem to care that she should have given the speaker a proper introduction (Ms. so and so is a writer focused on x, and she has been working in this field since x, etc.) and she also did not seem to be able to connect the dots on how this particular speaker would help us, the audience, why this speaker had been invited to speak.\r\n\r\n<strong>In marketing communication, the focus should be on the you or the we, and not the me.</strong> If you ever go to a website or read a brochure that goes on about me, me, me and does not address how we work together or how this benefits you, you know you are dealing with someone who has not a single clue about audience (or its needs).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div></div></blockquote>','Me, We and You','','inherit','open','open','','1690-revision-2','','','2012-05-09 12:26:19','2012-05-09 12:26:19','',1690,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1690-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1694,4,'2012-05-16 14:25:07','2012-05-16 14:25:07','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a homeowner, I have dealt with dozens of contractors to perform repairs and inspections, and all the other things one needs to get done in a house. One stands out--my plumber Mark. Not only is he a good plumber, he\'s a nice guy. I think we can learn a whole lot about marketing from him.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Choose your target market carefully:</strong> Mark has decided exactly where he is most comfortable working, geographically and culturally. He knows also what he is NOT looking for.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Advertise to the target market only</strong>: Mark does not have a sign on his truck, and he does not run ads in the mass media. He wants to continue working with his target market and not with just anyone.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Distinguish yourself from the competition</strong>: In Mark\'s case, he is green (although not certified) and he prides himself on punctuality. These are two things he highlights in his marketing materials. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Love what you do and be good at it:</strong> Mark loves plumbing and has since he was a child. He also knows what he is doing.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Be professional and responsive:</strong> Mark responds to inquiries quickly. He asks for pictures of the repair that needs to get done so he can properly assess and estimate the job. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Be pleasant and respectful:</strong> People like to do business with people they like. Mark always shakes hands with you when he comes to your house, and he immediately dons booties to prevent tracking dirt into your house. (something most contractors don\'t even think about). Mark also leaves his work area spotless. No messes to clean up.</span>\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #000000;\">In the end, Mark wins at marketing because he has figured out how to market to a niche audience,  to provide exemplary service that generates return business and referrals and he doesn\'t waste his marketing dollar reaching out to people outside his market.</span>\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons from an A+ plumber','','inherit','open','open','','1693-revision','','','2012-05-16 14:25:07','2012-05-16 14:25:07','',1693,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1693-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1697,4,'2012-05-21 13:51:08','2012-05-21 13:51:08','Social media has lots of pluses when it comes to marketing. Among them are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Low cost (especially compared to the cost of advertising on television)</li>\r\n	<li>Word-of-mouth value for trust and amplification</li>\r\n	<li>Speed and ease in execution</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSocial media is a VALUABLE part of a marketing communications plan, but, it should not be the only part. If you put ALL your effort/dollars into social media, there is little doubt that you will be failing to reach all of your target audience.\r\n\r\nLet me tell you about two companies that make their business solely on online traffic, but are advertising in other media: Constant Contact and Reputation.com\r\n\r\nIn case you have never received an enewsletter, you should know that Constant Contact is an established email marketing business.  Many organizations and businesses use Constant Contact to send out email campaigns.  Constant Contact advertises its services on the radio. Yes. On the radio.\r\n\r\nReputation.com works on making sure that you preserve a good reputation online. It is useful for people/organizations that have received negative reviews or are associated with with negative news/information. Reputation.com advertises in print (I saw a print ad this morning in the Washington Post). It also advertises on television.\r\n\r\nIf these two companies--which do business online--have to take their advertising off line, that should tell you that you cannot rely on social media (or online media) alone. You have to mix it up. You have to reach potential customers where they are, and they may not be on social or online.\r\n\r\nDo you do all your marketing on social media? If so, tell me why. If not, also tell me why.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Should you do all your marketing on social media?','','publish','open','open','','should-you-do-all-your-marketing-on-social-media','','','2012-05-21 13:51:08','2012-05-21 13:51:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1697',0,'post','',0),(1698,4,'2012-05-21 13:50:28','2012-05-21 13:50:28','Social media has lots of pluses when it comes to marketing. Among them are:\n<ul>\n	<li>Low cost (especially compared to the cost of advertising on television)</li>\n	<li>Word-of-mouth value for trust and amplification</li>\n	<li>Speed and ease in execution</li>\n</ul>\nSocial media is a VALUABLE part of a marketing communications plan, but, it should not be the only part. If you put ALL your effort/dollars into social media, there is little doubt that you will be failing to reach all of your target audience.\n\nLet me tell you about two companies that make their business solely on online traffic, but are advertising in other media: Constant Contact and Reputation.com\n\nIn case you have never received an enewsletter, you should know that Constant Contact is an established email marketing business.  Many organizations and businesses use Constant Contact to send out email campaigns.  Constant Contact advertises its services on the radio. Yes. On the radio.\n\nReputation.com works on making sure that you preserve a good reputation online. It is useful for people/organizations that have received negative reviews or are associated with with negative news/information. Reputation.com advertises in print (I saw a print ad this morning in the Washington Post). It also advertises on television.\n\nIf these two companies--which do business online--have to take their advertising off line, that should tell you that you cannot rely on social media (or online media) alone. You have to mix it up. You have to reach potential customers where they are, and they may not be on social or online.\n\nDo you do all your marketing on social media? If so, tell me why. If not, also tell me why.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Should you do all your marketing on social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1697-revision','','','2012-05-21 13:50:28','2012-05-21 13:50:28','',1697,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1697-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1699,4,'2011-07-22 04:18:37','2011-07-22 04:18:37','In the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro          area:\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications\r\n\r\nPO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849\r\n\r\nT: 301-424-2488\r\nM: 305-336-4357\r\nE: <a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\nTwitter: <a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:18:37','2011-07-22 04:18:37','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/24-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1700,4,'2012-05-29 14:24:33','2012-05-29 14:24:33','We are located in the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro area:\r\n\r\nWrite us at:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address>Call:  301-424-2488 (office) or  305-336-4357  (mobile)\r\n\r\nEmail: <a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\nTwitter: <a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2012-05-29 14:24:33','2012-05-29 14:24:33','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/24-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1703,4,'2012-05-29 14:34:25','2012-05-29 14:34:25','When was the last time you checked--and I mean thoroughly checked--your online content? Recently? Last quarter? Last year? When you launched the website?\n\nIf you haven\'t done it recently (within the past six months), I suggest hopping over to your website RIGHT NOW.\n\nIt\'s crucial to check for accuracy and relevance of your content. Here are a few areas you most definitely want to check and update if necessary:\n<ul>\n	<li>Contact information</li>\n	<li>Product/service listing</li>\n	<li>Pricing</li>\n	<li>About page (everybody still with your company or in the same position?)</li>\n	<li>Home page (what exactly is the first thing you are telling people about your company?)</li>\n</ul>\nPeople are using the web more and more each day to find vendors and buy stuff. An out-of-date or inaccurate website will make it difficult for those potential customers to do business with you.\n\n&nbsp;','Check your content much?','','inherit','open','open','','1702-revision','','','2012-05-29 14:34:25','2012-05-29 14:34:25','',1702,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/1702-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1711,4,'2012-06-11 13:03:20','2012-06-11 13:03:20','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases seem to become ubiquitous? Sometimes it is because of a movie (\"dude\" became very very popular after Bill and Ted\'s Excellent Adventure). Sometimes it is because of a TV show. Sometimes, I am just not sure.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I heard a commercial on the radio the other day for a cell phone company, where one of the guys was saying \"Boom!\" and the other other guy replies: \"Stop saying that!\" And the other guy goes on \"Boom, and there it was.\" I can\'t remember the words verbatim, but it was all about boom.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And then I started to see/hear boom everywhere, including this commercial for </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> Miracle-Gro Potting Soil</span>:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfWW1gWyMoo?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Notice the last word in the commercial.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I bet you start noticing boom all over the place. If you find a good one, share it here in the comments.</span>','Did that commercial just go boom?','','publish','open','open','','did-that-commercial-just-go-boom','','','2012-06-11 13:03:20','2012-06-11 13:03:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1711',0,'post','',0),(1705,4,'2012-06-01 13:04:23','2012-06-01 13:04:23','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yesterday on Twitter, someone posted about an event that sounded intriguing. I went to check out the link provided for details, thinking I would find time, place and cost, but instead I found a sign-up form. The form asked for: name, gender, date of birth, time zone, location, religious views, email and a password. I kid you not. Or, you could sign up using your Facebook login.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How much of this information are you requiring? <strong> The information you require can be construed as a barrier to entry</strong>. You put up figurative barriers, at differing \"heights\" to reduce the amount of people that can access your offering. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now, some people have absolutely no problem handing over any information that is asked of them. I used to know a woman who would even give out her social security number and her mother\'s maiden name just to be on an email list. And then there are people like me, who guard their personal information zealously and will only give up the minimum for a good reason. For example, if the doctor\'s office wants to know if I have had a surgery or take any medication. But why would I give an organization putting together an EVENT my birth date and religious affiliation? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This problem extends to the growing number of websites that require you to sign up with your Facebook account. Again, some people consider their Facebook profile public. And some---like me--don\'t. Facebook has already compiled a good amount of personal information about you: where you live, where you are from, who your friends are, what your likes and dislikes are, your age and if you provided them with this info: where you went to school, your religion, your marital status and on and on.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">You should consider exactly what information you require, and furthermore, you should tell people what you plan to do with that information. What exactly are you going to do to safeguard the privacy of that information?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Again, some people are pretty lax about privacy. But there is a continuum, and if your goal is to get more people (not fewer) to sign up, then you will have to consider that some people are not so comfortable handing over this information. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What are your thoughts? On a personal level, do you give any information requested, or do you fudge it? Do you sign in using your Facebook? </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">On an organizational level, how much information are you requiring and is all of it necessary?</span>','How much information are you requiring?','','publish','open','open','','how-much-information-are-you-requiring','','','2012-06-01 13:04:23','2012-06-01 13:04:23','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1705',0,'post','',0),(1706,4,'2012-06-01 13:03:27','2012-06-01 13:03:27','Yesterday on Twitter, someone posted about an event that sounded intriguing. I went to check out the link provided for details, thinking I would find time, place and cost, but instead I found a sign-up form. The form asked for: name, gender, date of birth, time zone, location, religious views, email and a password. I kid you not. Or you could sign up using your Facebook login.\n\nHow much of this information are you requiring? <strong> The information you require can be construed as a barrier to entry</strong>. You put up figurative barriers, at differing \"heights\" to reduce the amount of people that can access your offering.\n\nNow, some people have absolutely no problem handing over any information that is asked of them. I used to know a woman who would even give out her social security number and her mother\'s maiden name just to be on an email list. And then there are people like me, who guard their personal information zealously and will only give up the minimum for a good reason. For example, if the doctor\'s office wants to know if I have had a surgery or take any medication. But why would I give an organization putting together an EVENT my birth date and religious affiliation?\n\nThis problem extends to the growing number of websites that require you to sign up with your Facebook account. Again, some people consider their Facebook profile public. And some---like me--don\'t. Facebook has already compiled a good amount of personal information about you: where you live, where you are from, who your friends are, what your likes and dislikes are, your age and if you provided them with this info: where you went to school, your religion, your marital status and on and on.\n\nYou should consider exactly what information you require, and furthermore, you should tell people what you plan to do with that information. What exactly are you going to do to safeguard the privacy of that information?\n\nAgain, some people are pretty lax about privacy. But there is a continuum, and if your goal is to get more people (not fewer) to sign up, then you will have to consider that some people are not so comfortable handing over this information.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? On a personal level, do you give any information requested, or do you fudge it? Do you sign in using your Facebook?\n\nOn an organizational level, how much information are you requiring and is all of it necessary?','How much information are you requiring?','','inherit','open','open','','1705-revision','','','2012-06-01 13:03:27','2012-06-01 13:03:27','',1705,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1705-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1707,4,'2012-06-05 13:31:40','2012-06-05 13:31:40','Every organization (business, nonprofit, political, association) should have a list of key messages.These key messages should be updated frequently (no less than once a year). If yours doesn\'t, it\'s time to start creating a list of key messages. Key messages form the basis of your speeches, press releases and other communications materials.\r\n\r\nKey messages should include facts about the organization, the organization\'s mission and philosophy, organizational goals, how the organization operates and other important information you want your audience to know.\r\n\r\nYour key messages should be genuine, and stand up to scrutiny.  Some organizations end up with key messages that are not reflective of reality, but rather are ideological.  This is especially true with political organizations.\r\n\r\nI came across a great example  key messages that don\'t accurately reflect reality in yesterday\'s Washington Post. In a story written by Dan Eggen on page A7, entitled \"McDonnell says stimulus aided Va. --but only in the short run,\" the first paragraph says:\r\n<blockquote>Virgina Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) wandered off script somewhat Sunday as a surrogate for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, conceding that  President Obama\'s stimulus measures had helped his state weather the economic crisis.</blockquote>\r\nOf course, the Romney campaign has been arguing that Obama\'s stimulus hurt the economy, and did not create jobs---<em>because stimulus goes against Republican economic ideology.</em> Governor McDonnell was reflecting the reality on the ground in his remarks--that indeed the stimulus has helped Virginia. He \"went off message\" because instead of being ideological, he was being factual, rooting his comments in the reality of his state.\r\n\r\nA similar situation occurred last week when Cory Booker said that he was sickened by the attacks on Bain Capital. The Obama campaign\'s key messages about Romney\'s tenure at Bain were more ideological than factual. Booker was simply reflecting facts that private equity firms are not the way they were being portrayed by the campaign. Booker was roundly criticized for \"going off message.\"\r\n\r\nWhen key messages IGNORE reality and facts, and simply reflect ideology and beliefs, they are open to attack and leave spokespeople with the opportunity of \"wandering off script\" or \"going off message.\"\r\n\r\nMost people have a hard time lying when asked a direct question. If your key messages are ideologically but not factually correct, they will not stand up to scrutiny. You don\'t want to ask spokespeople to lie, so inject some honesty into your messaging!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Root your messages in reality not ideology','','publish','open','open','','root-your-messages-in-reality-not-ideology','','','2012-06-05 13:31:40','2012-06-05 13:31:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1707',0,'post','',0),(1708,4,'2012-06-05 13:25:03','2012-06-05 13:25:03','Every organization (business, nonprofit, political, association) should have a list of key messages. If yours doesn\'t, it\'s time to start a list. Key messages form the basis of your speeches, press releases and other communications materials.\n\nKey messages should include facts about the organization, the organization\'s mission and philosophy, organizational goals, how the organization operates and other important information you want your audience to know.\n\nIt\'s important that your key messages be genuine, and stand up to scrutiny. Many organizations fail at this because they are more interested in ideology and not reality. This is especially true with political organizations.\n\nI came across a great example of when key messages don\'t accurately reflect reality in yesterday\'s Washington Post. In a story written by Dan Eggen on page A7, entitled \"McDonnell says stimulus aided Va. --but only in the short run,\" he writes:\n<blockquote>Virgina Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) wandered off script somewhat Sunday as a surrogate for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, conceding that  President Obama\'s stimulus measures had helped his state weather the economic crisis.</blockquote>\nOf course, the Romney campaign has been arguing that Obama\'s stimulus hurt the economy, and did not create jobs---<em>because stimulus goes against Republican economic ideology.</em> Governor McDonnell was reflecting the reality on the ground in his remarks--that indeed the stimulus has helped Virginia. He \"went off message\" because instead of being ideological, he was being factual, rooting his comments in the reality of his state.\n\nA similar situation occurred last week when Cory Booker said that he was sickened by the attacks on Bain Capital. The Obama campaign\'s key messages about Romney\'s tenure at Bain were more ideological than factual. Booker was simply reflecting facts that private equity firms are not the way they were being portrayed by the campaign.\n\nWhen key messages IGNORE reality and facts, and simply reflect ideology and beliefs, they are open to attack and leave spokespeople with the opportunity of \"wandering off script.\"\n\nMost people have a hard time lying when asked a direct question. If your key messages are ideologically but not factually correct, they will not stand up to scrutiny.\n\n&nbsp;','Root your messages in reality not ideology','','inherit','open','open','','1707-revision','','','2012-06-05 13:25:03','2012-06-05 13:25:03','',1707,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1707-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1709,4,'2012-06-05 13:30:52','2012-06-05 13:30:52','Every organization (business, nonprofit, political, association) should have a list of key messages.These key messages should be updated frequently (no less than once a year). If yours doesn\'t, it\'s time to start creating a list of key messages. Key messages form the basis of your speeches, press releases and other communications materials.\n\nKey messages should include facts about the organization, the organization\'s mission and philosophy, organizational goals, how the organization operates and other important information you want your audience to know.\n\nYour key messages should be genuine, and stand up to scrutiny.  Some organizations end up with key messages that are not reflective of reality, but rather are ideological.  This is especially true with political organizations.\n\nI came across a great example  key messages that don\'t accurately reflect reality in yesterday\'s Washington Post. In a story written by Dan Eggen on page A7, entitled \"McDonnell says stimulus aided Va. --but only in the short run,\" the first paragraph says:\n<blockquote>Virgina Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) wandered off script somewhat Sunday as a surrogate for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, conceding that  President Obama\'s stimulus measures had helped his state weather the economic crisis.</blockquote>\nOf course, the Romney campaign has been arguing that Obama\'s stimulus hurt the economy, and did not create jobs---<em>because stimulus goes against Republican economic ideology.</em> Governor McDonnell was reflecting the reality on the ground in his remarks--that indeed the stimulus has helped Virginia. He \"went off message\" because instead of being ideological, he was being factual, rooting his comments in the reality of his state.\n\nA similar situation occurred last week when Cory Booker said that he was sickened by the attacks on Bain Capital. The Obama campaign\'s key messages about Romney\'s tenure at Bain were more ideological than factual. Booker was simply reflecting facts that private equity firms are not the way they were being portrayed by the campaign. Booker was roundly criticized for \"going off message.\"\n\nWhen key messages IGNORE reality and facts, and simply reflect ideology and beliefs, they are open to attack and leave spokespeople with the opportunity of \"wandering off script\" or \"going off message.\"\n\nMost people have a hard time lying when asked a direct question. If your key messages are ideologically but not factually correct, they will not stand up to scrutiny.\n\n&nbsp;','Root your messages in reality not ideology','','inherit','open','open','','1707-revision-2','','','2012-06-05 13:30:52','2012-06-05 13:30:52','',1707,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1707-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1710,4,'2012-06-05 13:32:52','2012-06-05 13:32:52','Every organization (business, nonprofit, political, association) should have a list of key messages.These key messages should be updated frequently (no less than once a year). If yours doesn\'t, it\'s time to start creating a list of key messages. Key messages form the basis of your speeches, press releases and other communications materials.\n\nKey messages should include facts about the organization, the organization\'s mission and philosophy, organizational goals, how the organization operates and other important information you want your audience to know.\n\nYour key messages should be genuine, and stand up to scrutiny.  Some organizations end up with key messages that are not reflective of reality, but rather are ideological.  This is especially true with political organizations.\n\nI came across a great example  key messages that don\'t accurately reflect reality in yesterday\'s Washington Post. In a story written by Dan Eggen on page A7, entitled \"McDonnell says stimulus aided Va. --but only in the short run,\" the first paragraph says:\n<blockquote>Virgina Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) wandered off script somewhat Sunday as a surrogate for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, conceding that  President Obama\'s stimulus measures had helped his state weather the economic crisis.</blockquote>\nOf course, the Romney campaign has been arguing that Obama\'s stimulus hurt the economy, and did not create jobs---<em>because stimulus goes against Republican economic ideology.</em> Governor McDonnell was reflecting the reality on the ground in his remarks--that indeed the stimulus has helped Virginia. He \"went off message\" because instead of being ideological, he was being factual, rooting his comments in the reality of his state.\n\nA similar situation occurred last week when Cory Booker said that he was sickened by the attacks on Bain Capital. The Obama campaign\'s key messages about Romney\'s tenure at Bain were more ideological than factual. Booker was simply reflecting facts that private equity firms are not the way they were being portrayed by the campaign. Booker was roundly criticized for \"going off message.\"\n\nWhen key messages IGNORE reality and facts, and simply reflect ideology and beliefs, they are open to attack and leave spokespeople with the opportunity of \"wandering off script\" or \"going off message.\"\n\nMost people have a hard time lying when asked a direct question. If your key messages are ideologically but not factually correct, they will not stand up to scrutiny. You don\'t want to ask spokespeople to lie, so inject some honesty into your messaging!\n\n&nbsp;','Root your messages in reality not ideology','','inherit','open','open','','1707-autosave','','','2012-06-05 13:32:52','2012-06-05 13:32:52','',1707,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1707-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1715,4,'2012-06-11 13:02:44','2012-06-11 13:02:44','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases seem to become ubiquitous? Sometimes it is because of a movie (\"dude\" became very very popular after Bill and Ted\'s Excellent Adventure). Sometimes it is because of a TV show. Sometimes, I am just not sure.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I heard a commercial on the radio the other day for a cell phone company, where one of the guys was saying \"Boom!\" and the other other guy replies: \"Stop saying that!\" And the other guy goes on \"Boom, and there it was.\" I can\'t remember the words verbatim, but it was all about boom.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And then I started to see/hear boom everywhere, including this commercial for </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> Miracle-Gro Potting Soil</span>:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfWW1gWyMoo?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Notice the last word in the commercial.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I bet you start noticing boom all over the place. If you find a good one, share it here in the comments.</span>','Did that commercial just go boom?','','inherit','open','open','','1711-revision-4','','','2012-06-11 13:02:44','2012-06-11 13:02:44','',1711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1711-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1712,4,'2012-06-11 12:57:07','2012-06-11 12:57:07','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases seem to become ubiquitous? Sometimes it is because of a movie (\"dude\" became very very popular after Bill and Ted\'s Excellent Adventure). Sometimes it is because of a TV show. Sometimes, I am just not sure. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, the word that I hear everywhere, in commercial after commercial, is \"boom.\" As in:</span>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">                 I was texting on my phone, and then boom, I ran into him.</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom, and I have the stuff I need.</span></p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These aren\'t verbatim...but you get the picture.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s a commercial for Miracle-Gro Potting Soil</span>:\n\n&lt;iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfWW1gWyMoo?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Notice the last word in the commercial.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I bet you start noticing boom all over the place. If you find a good one, share it here in the comments.</span>','Did that commercial just go boom?','','inherit','open','open','','1711-revision','','','2012-06-11 12:57:07','2012-06-11 12:57:07','',1711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1711-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1713,4,'2012-06-11 12:58:07','2012-06-11 12:58:07','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases seem to become ubiquitous? Sometimes it is because of a movie (\"dude\" became very very popular after Bill and Ted\'s Excellent Adventure). Sometimes it is because of a TV show. Sometimes, I am just not sure. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, the word that I hear everywhere, in commercial after commercial, is \"boom.\" As in:</span>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">                 I was texting on my phone, and then boom, I ran into him.</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom, and I have the stuff I need.</span></p>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These aren\'t verbatim...but you get the picture.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s a commercial for Miracle-Gro Potting Soil</span>:\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfWW1gWyMoo?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Notice the last word in the commercial.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom!</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I bet you start noticing boom all over the place. If you find a good one, share it here in the comments.</span>','Did that commercial just go boom?','','inherit','open','open','','1711-revision-2','','','2012-06-11 12:58:07','2012-06-11 12:58:07','',1711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1711-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1714,4,'2012-06-11 12:58:12','2012-06-11 12:58:12','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Have you ever noticed how certain words or phrases seem to become ubiquitous? Sometimes it is because of a movie (\"dude\" became very very popular after Bill and Ted\'s Excellent Adventure). Sometimes it is because of a TV show. Sometimes, I am just not sure. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, the word that I hear everywhere, in commercial after commercial, is \"boom.\" As in:</span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">                 I was texting on my phone, and then boom, I ran into him.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom, and I have the stuff I need.</span></p>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These aren\'t verbatim...but you get the picture.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here\'s a commercial for Miracle-Gro Potting Soil</span>:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/qfWW1gWyMoo?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Notice the last word in the commercial.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Boom!</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I bet you start noticing boom all over the place. If you find a good one, share it here in the comments.</span>','Did that commercial just go boom?','','inherit','open','open','','1711-revision-3','','','2012-06-11 12:58:12','2012-06-11 12:58:12','',1711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1711-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1717,4,'2012-06-13 13:38:50','2012-06-13 13:38:50','Twitter (and any other social network) is a form of public communication. Even individuals who are representing themselves are using it as a platform to reach a broader audience. Throw in a few hashtags and re-Tweets and suddenly you may be talking to millions of people.\r\n\r\nAt an organizational level, who should handle your Twitter feed? For many organizations, it falls to the communications/marketing folks (fine) and for some it is interns (not so fine). Some organizations have their top executive tweet (really good, I think).\r\n\r\nAnd then there is Sweden, yes the country of Sweden (or rather its tourism board). You see, Sweden has embarked on an experiment to allow citizens to handle the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/#!/sweden\" target=\"_blank\">@sweden </a>Twitter feed. There are some rules on the ground--apparently, citizens should not discuss political views.\r\n\r\nSomeone forgot to tell the latest citizen to handle @sweden, a 27-year old \"holy mother of two\" Sonja Abrahamsson, that racism should also not be displayed. Sonja apparently is a huge fan of Adolf Hitler, and seems to be just a tad anti-Semitic. You can read all about it in <a href=\"http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/06/swedens-official-tweeter-now-asking-about-jews/53439/\" target=\"_blank\">this story</a> on The Atlantic Wire and <a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/sweden-hands-its-twitter-account-citizens-and-things-get-weird-141069\" target=\"_blank\">this story </a>on AdWeek.\r\n\r\nHow is having Sonja do some stupid (racist) jokes helping to communicate anything positive about Sweden to any readers of the Twitter feed?\r\n\r\nThe person in charge of your Twitter feed is representing you (your organization, business or country) to the world. He or she is in effect, your public spokesperson. As such, this person should have the following characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be very knowledgeable about your organization (or country)</li>\r\n	<li>Understand how Twitter works and that it can be quoted and used as a news source</li>\r\n	<li>Be familiar with all key messages, press releases and other public information</li>\r\n	<li>Be prepared to answer questions and comments professionally and not emotionally</li>\r\n	<li>Be enthusiastic about your organization (or country)</li>\r\n	<li>Keep personal opinions to him/herself</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat do you think? Who handles your Twitter feed? Would you ever let someone like Sonja take over your feed? Thoughts and comments welcome!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Who should handle your Twitter feed?','','publish','open','open','','who-should-handle-your-twitter-feed','','','2012-06-13 13:38:50','2012-06-13 13:38:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1717',0,'post','',1),(1718,4,'2012-06-13 13:36:17','2012-06-13 13:36:17','Twitter (and any other social network) is a form of public communication. Even individuals who are representing themselves are using it as a platform to reach a broader audience. Throw in a few hashtags and re-Tweets and suddenly you may be talking to millions of people.\n\nAt an organizational level, who should handle your Twitter feed? For many organizations, it falls to the communications/marketing folks (fine) and for some it is interns (not so fine). Some organizations have their top executive tweet (really good, I think).\n\nAnd then there is Sweden, yes the country of Sweden (or rather its tourism board). You see, Sweden has embarked on an experiment to allow citizens to handle the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/#!/sweden\" target=\"_blank\">@sweden </a>Twitter feed. There are some rules on the ground--apparently, citizens should not discuss political views.\n\nSomeone forgot to tell the latest citizen to handle @sweden, a 27-year old \"holy mother of two\" Sonja Abrahamsson, that racism should also not be displayed. Sonja apparently is a huge fan of Adolf Hitler, and seems to be just a tad anti-Semitic. You can read all about it in <a href=\"http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/06/swedens-official-tweeter-now-asking-about-jews/53439/\" target=\"_blank\">this story</a> on The Atlantic Wire and <a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/sweden-hands-its-twitter-account-citizens-and-things-get-weird-141069\" target=\"_blank\">this story </a>on AdWeek.\n\nHow is having Sonja do some stupid (racist) jokes helping to communicate anything positive about Sweden to any readers of the Twitter feed?\n\nThe person in charge of your Twitter feed is representing you (your organization, business or country) to the world. He or she is in effect, your public spokesperson. As such, this person should have the following characteristics:\n<ul>\n	<li>Be very knowledgeable about your organization (or country)</li>\n	<li>Understand how Twitter works and that it can be quoted and used as a news source</li>\n	<li>Be familiar with all key messages, press releases and other public information</li>\n	<li>Be prepared to answer questions and comments professionally and not emotionally</li>\n	<li>Be enthusiastic about your organization (or country)</li>\n	<li>Keep personal opinions to him/herself</li>\n</ul>\nWhat do you think? Who handles your Twitter feed? Would you ever let someone like Sonja take over your feed? Thoughts and comments welcome!\n\n&nbsp;','Who should handle your Twitter feed?','','inherit','open','open','','1717-revision','','','2012-06-13 13:36:17','2012-06-13 13:36:17','',1717,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1717-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1738,4,'2012-07-03 13:59:25','2012-07-03 13:59:25','Maryland, Virginia and DC were hit hard last Friday night by a storm called a Derecho. It came straight at us with winds clocked at 70 miles per hour, lightning and rain, all which brought down branches and even whole trees.  My house shook, the lights flickered, and then the power went out. I got out flashlight and immediately called Pepco. The initial message said crews were being assigned and I should have power restored by midnight. When I called the next 15 times, I got the same message each time: Crews would be assigned shortly.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, a million electric customers in the region were also without power, also not getting answers from their utilities. Intersections were dark and tempers were frayed--because not only was there no power, but record-breaking heat and humidity. I decamped to my local Cosi, which thankfully had power, coffee and free Wi-Fi. Pepco\'s website informed me that the more than 1000 customers in my section did not have an estimated restoration time. By Sunday, after Pepco finished surveying the damage, it announced a \"global estimated restoration time\" of Friday, July 6 at 11 pm (yes, a whole week later).\r\n\r\nNow, Pepco has been running an ad campaign for the past several months. Here\'s a sample:\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZD_3mOq1DnM\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nNotice the message: Pepco is working hard to improve its reliability.\r\n\r\nBut is Pepco doing enough? Is it reliable? After this fiasco, the answer seems to be no.\r\n\r\nThe commercial above makes claims that fly in the face of what happened on the ground. And what\'s more, taking a week to restore power (during a heat wave), seems to me to indicate that Pepco is not working hard enough (or has enough crews, etc.).\r\n\r\nYesterday, Marc Fisher from the Washington Post called me because he had seen my previous <a title=\"How to become the most hated company\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/how-to-become-the-most-hated-company/\" target=\"_blank\">blog posts </a>on Pepco. He asked me what I would recommend that Pepco do, communications-wise. Should they not advertise? I am not sure what the answer is. I do know that a commercial like the one above does not ring true, and I will bet that the ad gets taken off the air. Perhaps the best course for Pepco is to invest its ad budget into infrastructure, and when it has made REAL, significant improvements, then have a PR campaign to inform its public about what exactly has been done. Just a thought.\r\n\r\nHere\'s Marc Fisher\'s article, that ran today (I am quoted on the second page): <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">For Pepco customers still without power, patience wears thin</a>.\r\n\r\nIt seems that Pepco\'s work still continues, and continues and continues. It is a long way from being what I would consider a reliable company.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Working hard or hardly working? Pepco strikes again','','publish','open','open','','working-hard-or-hardly-working-pepco-strikes-again','','','2012-07-03 13:59:25','2012-07-03 13:59:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1738',0,'post','',0),(1720,4,'2012-06-19 13:04:40','2012-06-19 13:04:40','You may remember the famous line by Marshall McLuhan:\r\n<blockquote>The medium is the message.</blockquote>\r\nWhat does that mean? According to Wikipedia:\r\n<blockquote>meaning that the form of a <a title=\"Media (communication)\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_%28communication%29\">medium</a> embeds itself in the <a title=\"Message\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message\">message</a>, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived.</blockquote>\r\nAll that is somewhat esoteric...and when McLuhan was writing his observations in 1964,  the new frontier was television.\r\n\r\nTelevision may or may not be on the decline, but we are definitely in a world where the Internet and social media are our mass communication media.\r\n\r\nI came across an article by Jeremy Porter, on his blog Jounalistics, entitled \"<a href=\"http://blog.journalistics.com/2012/are-blog-posts-better-than-press-releases/\" target=\"_blank\">Are Blog Posts Better Than Press Releases</a>?\" Now, I am a huge fan of blogging and blogs, but I don\'t think blogs are \"better\" than any other form of communication. However, blogs may be <em>better suited</em> to some types of communication.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, there is no hierarchy among the media (this one is better than that one) but rather there is a \"right-er\" medium for the message. For instance:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>If your message is short and ephemeral (an observation, a quick update, etc.) use <strong>Twitter</strong>.</li>\r\n	<li>If your message is long and requires complicated explanations, use a<strong> white paper</strong>.</li>\r\n	<li>If your message is newsworthy, and you want to get out to journalists, use a <strong>press release.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nChoosing which media to use is your job as a communicator. If you don\'t understand the differences between media, then you are going to have a hard time communicating your message to its target audience.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Is there a medium that can be used for all messages? Is there a better medium? Let me know in the comments.','The medium and the message','','publish','open','open','','the-medium-and-the-message','','\nhttp://blog.journalistics.com/2012/are-blog-posts-better-than-press-releases/','2012-06-19 13:08:43','2012-06-19 13:08:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1720',0,'post','',1),(1721,4,'2012-06-19 13:03:44','2012-06-19 13:03:44','You may remember the famous line by Marshall McLuhan:\n<blockquote>The medium is the message.</blockquote>\nWhat does that mean? According to Wikipedia:\n<blockquote>meaning that the form of a <a title=\"Media (communication)\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_%28communication%29\">medium</a> embeds itself in the <a title=\"Message\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message\">message</a>, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived.</blockquote>\nAll that is somewhat esoteric...and when McLuhan was writing his observations in 1964,  the new frontier was television.\n\nTelevision may or may not be on the decline, but we are definitely in a world where the Internet and social media are our mass communication media.\n\nI came across an article by Jeremy Porter, on his blog Jounalistics, entitled \"<a href=\"http://blog.journalistics.com/2012/are-blog-posts-better-than-press-releases/\" target=\"_blank\">Are Blog Posts Better Than Press Releases</a>?\" Now, I am a huge fan of blogging and blogs, but I don\'t think blogs are \"better\" than any other form of communication. However, blogs may be <em>better suited</em> to some types of communication.\n\nIn my opinion, there is no hierarchy among the media (this one is better than that one) but rather there is a \"right-er\" medium for the message. For instance, if your message is short and ephemeral (an observation, a quick update about stats, etc.) then you best medium may be Twitter. If your message is long and requires complicated explanations, perhaps the best medium is a white paper.  If your message is newsworthy, and you want to get out to journalists, then you may decide to employ a press release.\n\nChoosing which media to use is your job as a communicator. If you don\'t understand the differences between media, then you are going to have a hard time communicating your message to its target audience.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Is there a medium that can be used for all messages? Is there a better medium? Let me know in the commnet.','The medium and the message','','inherit','open','open','','1720-revision','','','2012-06-19 13:03:44','2012-06-19 13:03:44','',1720,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1720-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1722,4,'2012-06-19 13:09:50','2012-06-19 13:09:50','You may remember the famous line by Marshall McLuhan:\n<blockquote>The medium is the message.</blockquote>\nWhat does that mean? According to Wikipedia:\n<blockquote>meaning that the form of a <a title=\"Media (communication)\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_%28communication%29\">medium</a> embeds itself in the <a title=\"Message\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message\">message</a>, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived.</blockquote>\nAll that is somewhat esoteric...and when McLuhan was writing his observations in 1964,  the new frontier was television.\n\nTelevision may or may not be on the decline, but we are definitely in a world where the Internet and social media are our mass communication media.\n\nI came across an article by Jeremy Porter, on his blog Jounalistics, entitled \"<a href=\"http://blog.journalistics.com/2012/are-blog-posts-better-than-press-releases/\" target=\"_blank\">Are Blog Posts Better Than Press Releases</a>?\" Now, I am a huge fan of blogging and blogs, but I don\'t think blogs are \"better\" than any other form of communication. However, blogs may be <em>better suited</em> to some types of communication.\n\nIn my opinion, there is no hierarchy among the media (this one is better than that one) but rather there is a \"right-er\" medium for the message. For instance:\n<ul>\n	<li>If your message is short and ephemeral (an observation, a quick update, etc.) use <strong>Twitter</strong>.</li>\n	<li>If your message is long and requires complicated explanations, use a<strong> white paper</strong>.</li>\n	<li>If your message is newsworthy, and you want to get out to journalists, use a <strong>press release.</strong></li>\n</ul>\nChoosing which media to use is your job as a communicator. If you don\'t understand the differences between media, then you are going to have a hard time communicating your message to its target audience.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Is there a medium that can be used for all messages? Is there a better medium? Let me know in the comments.','The medium and the message','','inherit','open','open','','1720-autosave','','','2012-06-19 13:09:50','2012-06-19 13:09:50','',1720,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1720-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1723,4,'2012-06-19 13:04:40','2012-06-19 13:04:40','You may remember the famous line by Marshall McLuhan:\r\n<blockquote>The medium is the message.</blockquote>\r\nWhat does that mean? According to Wikipedia:\r\n<blockquote>meaning that the form of a <a title=\"Media (communication)\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_%28communication%29\">medium</a> embeds itself in the <a title=\"Message\" href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message\">message</a>, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived.</blockquote>\r\nAll that is somewhat esoteric...and when McLuhan was writing his observations in 1964,  the new frontier was television.\r\n\r\nTelevision may or may not be on the decline, but we are definitely in a world where the Internet and social media are our mass communication media.\r\n\r\nI came across an article by Jeremy Porter, on his blog Jounalistics, entitled \"<a href=\"http://blog.journalistics.com/2012/are-blog-posts-better-than-press-releases/\" target=\"_blank\">Are Blog Posts Better Than Press Releases</a>?\" Now, I am a huge fan of blogging and blogs, but I don\'t think blogs are \"better\" than any other form of communication. However, blogs may be <em>better suited</em> to some types of communication.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, there is no hierarchy among the media (this one is better than that one) but rather there is a \"right-er\" medium for the message. For instance, if your message is short and ephemeral (an observation, a quick update about stats, etc.) then you best medium may be Twitter. If your message is long and requires complicated explanations, perhaps the best medium is a white paper.  If your message is newsworthy, and you want to get out to journalists, then you may decide to employ a press release.\r\n\r\nChoosing which media to use is your job as a communicator. If you don\'t understand the differences between media, then you are going to have a hard time communicating your message to its target audience.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Is there a medium that can be used for all messages? Is there a better medium? Let me know in the comments.','The medium and the message','','inherit','open','open','','1720-revision-2','','','2012-06-19 13:04:40','2012-06-19 13:04:40','',1720,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1720-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1724,4,'2011-08-24 16:10:35','2011-08-24 16:10:35','<div id=\"aboutleft\">\r\n<img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\">Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.\r\n\r\nPrior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International  University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington,  D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n\r\nDeborah is now serving her second year on the board of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), where she chairs the Pro Bono Committee, and has also held positions with the National Arts Marketing Council’s Steering Committee (Miami) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (Miami).\r\n\r\nAn avid reader, Deborah leads a book group that meets monthly to discuss current fiction.\r\n<p style=\"text-align:center; font-size:20px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p></div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid & Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\"><p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends. </p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2011-08-24 16:10:35','2011-08-24 16:10:35','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/08/18-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(1727,4,'2012-06-21 13:04:48','2012-06-21 13:04:48','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems that there are lots of people out there who either don\'t know how to use Twitter or don\'t really care.  Their behavior --from ignoring people to being excessively self-promotional-- is just plain obnoxious. \"In real life\" if you engage in obnoxious behavior, people start avoiding you, right?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are a few obnoxious behaviors that you should avoid:\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Not responding to @ mentions</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Someone is trying to talk to you. In person, would you ignore someone who is speaking to you?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Retweeting every comment that includes a mention of oneself</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious</strong>: It is clear that you are trying to make sure your followers know that others have mentioned you. In person, what would you think of someone who is constantly saying, things like \"Joe really  likes me, and told me so.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Bragging or posting completely self-serving tweets</span>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> When you are going on (and on and on) about yourself, you are acting as if the world is your echo chamber. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The only person that benefits from your behavior is you.</span> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Following people but never interacting with them</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> If you are interested in following someone, perhaps it is because you enjoy what they share or have to say. When you don\'t COMMUNICATE with that person, you are giving absolutely no reason why that person should follow you or value your follow.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Never interacting with anyone</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Would you go to a party, stand up and start talking and ignore everyone else in the room? Would you show up to a networking event and not speak to anyone? Why are you there? Presumably, you are there because you want to speak with other people--not to or at them.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Scheduling Tweets</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this obnoxious::</strong> When you schedule Tweets you are using Twitter as a place to dump information rather than a place to interact with people. It takes the social out of social media. </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What obnoxious behavior have you encountered on Twitter?</span>\n\n&nbsp;','How to use Twitter and not be obnoxious','','inherit','open','open','','1726-revision','','','2012-06-21 13:04:48','2012-06-21 13:04:48','',1726,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1726-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1728,4,'2012-06-21 13:15:07','2012-06-21 13:15:07','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems that there are lots of people out there who either don\'t know how to use Twitter or don\'t really care.  Their behavior --from ignoring people to being excessively self-promotional-- is just plain obnoxious. \"In real life\" if you engage in obnoxious behavior, people start avoiding you, right?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are a few obnoxious behaviors that you should avoid:\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Not responding to @ mentions</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Someone is trying to talk to you. In person, would you ignore someone who is speaking to you?</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Retweeting every comment that includes a mention of you</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious</strong>: It is clear that you are trying to make sure your followers know that others have mentioned you. In person, what would you think of someone who is constantly saying, things like \"Joe really  likes me, and told me so.\"</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Bragging or posting completely self-serving tweets</span>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> When you are going on (and on and on) about yourself, you are acting as if the world is your echo chamber. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The only person that benefits from your behavior is you.</span> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Following people but <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> interacting with them</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> If you are interested in following someone, perhaps it is because you enjoy what they share or have to say. When you don\'t COMMUNICATE with that person, you are giving absolutely no reason why that person should follow you or value your follow.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Never interacting with anyone at all\n</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Would you go to a party, stand up and start talking and ignore everyone else in the room? Would you show up to a networking event and not speak to anyone? Why are you there? Presumably, you are there because you want to speak with other people--not to or at them.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Scheduling Tweets</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this obnoxious::</strong> When you schedule Tweets you are using Twitter as a place to dump information rather than a place to interact with people. It takes the social out of social media. </span>\n\n<strong>Behavior</strong>: Automatically Tweeting your check-ins\n\n<strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Do you walk around announcing yourself everywhere you go? \"Hi, I am at the corner of Main and Elm. Hi, now I am dropping my clothes at the dry cleaners. Hi, now I am stopping at the drugstore for my seizure medication.  Hi, now I am picking lint off my jacket while standing on line at Starbucks.\"\n\nIf you don\'t want to be obnoxious on Twitter, think whether you would do those things if you were to see your \"Tweeps\" in person. It really is that simple.\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What obnoxious behavior have you encountered on Twitter?</span>\n\n&nbsp;','How to use Twitter and not be obnoxious','','inherit','open','open','','1726-autosave','','','2012-06-21 13:15:07','2012-06-21 13:15:07','',1726,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1726-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1729,4,'2012-06-21 13:05:00','2012-06-21 13:05:00','<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It seems that there are lots of people out there who either don\'t know how to use Twitter or don\'t really care.  Their behavior --from ignoring people to being excessively self-promotional-- is just plain obnoxious. \"In real life\" if you engage in obnoxious behavior, people start avoiding you, right?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are a few obnoxious behaviors that you should avoid:\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Not responding to @ mentions</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Someone is trying to talk to you. In person, would you ignore someone who is speaking to you?</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Retweeting every comment that includes a mention of oneself</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious</strong>: It is clear that you are trying to make sure your followers know that others have mentioned you. In person, what would you think of someone who is constantly saying, things like \"Joe really  likes me, and told me so.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Bragging or posting completely self-serving tweets</span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> When you are going on (and on and on) about yourself, you are acting as if the world is your echo chamber. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The only person that benefits from your behavior is you.</span> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior</strong>: Following people but never interacting with them</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> If you are interested in following someone, perhaps it is because you enjoy what they share or have to say. When you don\'t COMMUNICATE with that person, you are giving absolutely no reason why that person should follow you or value your follow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Never interacting with anyone</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this is obnoxious:</strong> Would you go to a party, stand up and start talking and ignore everyone else in the room? Would you show up to a networking event and not speak to anyone? Why are you there? Presumably, you are there because you want to speak with other people--not to or at them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Behavior:</strong> Scheduling Tweets</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why this obnoxious::</strong> When you schedule Tweets you are using Twitter as a place to dump information rather than a place to interact with people. It takes the social out of social media. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">What obnoxious behavior have you encountered on Twitter?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to use Twitter and not be obnoxious','','inherit','open','open','','1726-revision-2','','','2012-06-21 13:05:00','2012-06-21 13:05:00','',1726,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1726-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1731,4,'2012-07-24 14:46:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','You have a network: a good amount of people are in your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter circles, and you know most of them in person. Right? You interact with most of them, if only to \"like\" their status, or comment on their promotions, right? On Twitter, you retweet stuff, right?\n\nNo?\n\nIf you aren\'t interacting with your network regularly in some semi-meaningful way, you are neglecting this very valuable group of people. And people that you neglect aren\'t really going to be there for you when you need them.\n\nI just received a note from someone who has not NEEDED my input for some time, and thus, hasn\'t been heard from. But now, she needs me again.  Her business is up for an award and she needs my vote. Actually, she needs lots of votes.  So she is begging for me and all her other contacts to vote.\n\nI can\'t speak for her other contacts, but I don\'t have a reason to do anything for her. She is an opportunistic networker--using the network she has only when it is opportune for her. Somehow, I doubt if I were to ask her for a favor, whether she would comply. She would most likely ignore me, since there is no opportunity for her to','Are you opportunistic about your network?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-07-24 14:46:35','2012-07-24 14:46:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1731',0,'post','',0),(1732,4,'2012-06-27 14:23:26','2012-06-27 14:23:26','You have a network: a good amount of people are in your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter circles, and you know most of them in person. Right? You interact with most of them, if only to \"like\" their status, or comment on their promotions, right? On Twitter, you retweet stuff, right?\n\nNo?\n\nIf you aren\'t interacting with your network regularly in some semi-meaningful way, you are neglecting this very valuable group of people. And people that you neglect aren\'t really going to be there for you when you need them.\n\nI just received a note from someone who has not NEEDED my input for some time, and thus, hasn\'t been heard from. But now, she needs me again.  Her business is up for an award and she needs my vote. Actually, she needs lots of votes.  So she is begging for me and all her other contacts to vote.\n\nI can\'t speak for her other contacts, but I don\'t have a reason to do anything for her. She is an opportunistic networker--using the network she has only when it is opportune for her. Somehow, I doubt if I were to ask her for a favor, whether she would comply. She would most likely ignore me, since there is no opportunity for her to','Are you opportunistic about your network?','','inherit','open','open','','1731-revision','','','2012-06-27 14:23:26','2012-06-27 14:23:26','',1731,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1731-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1753,4,'2012-07-19 19:28:43','2012-07-19 19:28:43','The other day I had a conversation with a neighbor. She\'s renovating her house and she mentioned that one of her big problems is mildew. I asked whether she has a dehumidifier. And, you guessed it, she does not. If you have humidity, which leads to mildew, then do something about it.\r\n\r\nThere are many people out there who know exactly what the problem is, but many of them don\'t find a solution. I am sure you have experience with this situation. For instance, how many people have you met who complain of having headaches or stomach issues or fatigue (and I mean on an ongoing basis), yet don\'t go to the doctor?\r\n\r\nHow many companies or organizations know they have a customer communications problem, yet don\'t update their website, survey their members, create a new brochure, train front line employees or whatever it takes to remedy the situation?\r\n\r\nAwareness is important, but action is the only way to move forward.','Knowing the problem is not enough','','publish','open','open','','knowing-the-problem-is-not-enough','','','2012-07-19 19:28:43','2012-07-19 19:28:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1753',0,'post','',0),(1734,4,'2012-06-28 17:28:05','2012-06-28 17:28:05','It\'s somewhat ironic, but I haven\'t been blogging much this week because I have been working on the details for a blogging workshop!\r\n\r\nIf you or someone you know is in the Metro DC area and wants to learn how to more easily write blog posts, find topics and inspiration, make your headline more appealing and get your blog going, you may want to come to my <a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to write your blog: A hands-on workshop.\" </a>\r\n\r\nThe workshop is taking place on Tuesday, July 31, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center (which has plenty of parking nearby and is a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop), in the Colesville Room.  The cost is $75 for the three hour session, (and will include refreshments).\r\n\r\nYou will leave the session with a ready-to-publish blog post, blog post ideas, lists of keywords and categories for your blog, and lots of other useful information that will make blogging easier for you.\r\n\r\nIf you have any questions, let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Want to learn how to blog?','','publish','open','open','','want-to-learn-how-to-blog','','','2012-06-28 17:28:05','2012-06-28 17:28:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1734',0,'post','',0),(1735,4,'2012-06-28 17:26:29','2012-06-28 17:26:29','It\'s somewhat ironic, but I haven\'t been blogging much this week because I have been working on the details for a blogging workshop!\n\nIf you or someone you know is in the Metro DC area and wants to learn how to more easily write blog posts, find topics and inspiration, make your headline more appealing and get your blog going, you may want to come to my <a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to write your blog: A hands-on workshop.\" </a>\n\nThe workshop is taking place on Tuesday, July 31, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center (which has plenty of parking nearby and is a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop), in the Colesville Room.  The cost is $75 for the three hour session, (and will include refreshments).\n\nYou will leave the session with a ready-to-publish blog post, blog post ideas, lists of keywords and categories for your blog, and lots of other useful information that will make blogging easier for you.\n\nIf you have any questions, let me know in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Want to learn how to blog?','','inherit','open','open','','1734-revision','','','2012-06-28 17:26:29','2012-06-28 17:26:29','',1734,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1734-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1736,4,'2012-06-28 17:26:53','2012-06-28 17:26:53','It\'s somewhat ironic, but I haven\'t been blogging much this week because I have been working on the details for a blogging workshop!\r\n\r\nIf you or someone you know is in the Metro DC area and wants to learn how to more easily write blog posts, find topics and inspiration, make your headline more appealing and get your blog going, you may want to come to my <a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to write your blog: A hands-on workshop.\" </a>\r\n\r\nThe workshop is taking place on Tuesday, July 31, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center (which has plenty of parking nearby and is a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop), in the Colesville Room.  The cost is $75 for the three hour session, (and will include refreshments).\r\n\r\nYou will leave the session with a ready-to-publish blog post, blog post ideas, lists of keywords and categories for your blog, and lots of other useful information that will make blogging easier for you.\r\n\r\nIf you have any questions, let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Want to learn how to blog?','','inherit','open','open','','1734-revision-2','','','2012-06-28 17:26:53','2012-06-28 17:26:53','',1734,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1734-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1737,4,'2012-06-28 17:29:09','2012-06-28 17:29:09','It\'s somewhat ironic, but I haven\'t been blogging much this week because I have been working on the details for a blogging workshop!\n\nIf you or someone you know is in the Metro DC area and wants to learn how to more easily write blog posts, find topics and inspiration, make your headline more appealing and get your blog going, you may want to come to my <a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How to write your blog: A hands-on workshop.\" </a>\n\nThe workshop is taking place on Tuesday, July 31, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center (which has plenty of parking nearby and is a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop), in the Colesville Room.  The cost is $75 for the three hour session, (and will include refreshments).\n\nYou will leave the session with a ready-to-publish blog post, blog post ideas, lists of keywords and categories for your blog, and lots of other useful information that will make blogging easier for you.\n\nIf you have any questions, let me know in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Want to learn how to blog?','','inherit','open','open','','1734-autosave','','','2012-06-28 17:29:09','2012-06-28 17:29:09','',1734,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/1734-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1739,4,'2012-07-03 13:51:26','2012-07-03 13:51:26','Maryland, Virginia and DC were hit hard last Friday night by a storm called a Derecho. It came straight at us with winds clocked at 70 miles per hour, lightning and rain, all which brought down branches and even whole tree.  My house shook, the lights flickered, and then the power went out. I got out flashlight and immediately called Pepco. The initial message said crews were being assigned and I should have power restored by midnight. When I called the next 15 times, I got the same message each time: Crews would be assigned shortly.\n\nMeanwhile, a million electric customers in the region were also without power, also not getting answers from their utilities. Intersections were dark and tempers were frayed--because not only was there no power, but record-breaking heat and humidity. I decamped to my local Cosi, which thankfully had power, coffee and free Wi-Fi. Pepco\'s website informed me that the more than 1000 customers in my section did not have an estimated restoration time. By Sunday, after Pepco finished surveying the damage, it announced a \"global estimated restoration time\" of Friday, July 6 at 11 pm (yes, a whole week later).\n\nNow, Pepco has been running an ad campaign for the past several months. Here\'s a sample:\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZD_3mOq1DnM\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\n\nNotice the message: Pepco is working hard to improve its reliability.\n\nBut is Pepco doing enough? After this fiasco, the answer seems to be no.\n\nYesterday, Marc Fisher from the Washington Post called me because he had seen my previous <a title=\"How to become the most hated company\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/how-to-become-the-most-hated-company/\" target=\"_blank\">blog posts </a>on Pepco. He asked me what I would recommend that Pepco do, communications-wise. Should they not advertise? I am not sure what the answer is. I do know that a commercial like the one above does not ring true, and I will bet that the ad gets taken off the air. Perhaps the best course for Pepco is to invest its ad budget into infrastructure, and when it has made REAL, significant improvements, then have a PR campaign to inform its public about what exactly has been done. Just a thought.\n\nHere\'s Marc Fisher\'s article: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">For Pepco customers still without power, patience wears thin</a>.\n\nYes, Pepco\'s work still does continue--and it should work harder!\n\n&nbsp;','Working hard or hardly working? Pepco strikes again','','inherit','open','open','','1738-revision','','','2012-07-03 13:51:26','2012-07-03 13:51:26','',1738,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1738-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1740,4,'2012-07-03 13:52:13','2012-07-03 13:52:13','Maryland, Virginia and DC were hit hard last Friday night by a storm called a Derecho. It came straight at us with winds clocked at 70 miles per hour, lightning and rain, all which brought down branches and even whole tree.  My house shook, the lights flickered, and then the power went out. I got out flashlight and immediately called Pepco. The initial message said crews were being assigned and I should have power restored by midnight. When I called the next 15 times, I got the same message each time: Crews would be assigned shortly.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, a million electric customers in the region were also without power, also not getting answers from their utilities. Intersections were dark and tempers were frayed--because not only was there no power, but record-breaking heat and humidity. I decamped to my local Cosi, which thankfully had power, coffee and free Wi-Fi. Pepco\'s website informed me that the more than 1000 customers in my section did not have an estimated restoration time. By Sunday, after Pepco finished surveying the damage, it announced a \"global estimated restoration time\" of Friday, July 6 at 11 pm (yes, a whole week later).\r\n\r\nNow, Pepco has been running an ad campaign for the past several months. Here\'s a sample:\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZD_3mOq1DnM\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nNotice the message: Pepco is working hard to improve its reliability.\r\n\r\nBut is Pepco doing enough? After this fiasco, the answer seems to be no.\r\n\r\nYesterday, Marc Fisher from the Washington Post called me because he had seen my previous <a title=\"How to become the most hated company\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/how-to-become-the-most-hated-company/\" target=\"_blank\">blog posts </a>on Pepco. He asked me what I would recommend that Pepco do, communications-wise. Should they not advertise? I am not sure what the answer is. I do know that a commercial like the one above does not ring true, and I will bet that the ad gets taken off the air. Perhaps the best course for Pepco is to invest its ad budget into infrastructure, and when it has made REAL, significant improvements, then have a PR campaign to inform its public about what exactly has been done. Just a thought.\r\n\r\nHere\'s Marc Fisher\'s article: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">For Pepco customers still without power, patience wears thin</a>.\r\n\r\nYes, Pepco\'s work still does continue--and it should work harder!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Working hard or hardly working? Pepco strikes again','','inherit','open','open','','1738-revision-2','','','2012-07-03 13:52:13','2012-07-03 13:52:13','',1738,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1738-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1747,4,'2012-07-16 20:53:32','2012-07-16 20:53:32','Last week, I wrote about an <a title=\"Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-truly-believes-advertising-is-the-answer/\" target=\"_blank\">ad campaign Pepco is currently running</a> (there have been at least two or three more of the same ad I mentioned) in the Washington Post.  Today, I noticed a full page ad on the back page of Section A in the Post, by Dominion Power (which services parts of Virginia and which had a million or so customers without power).\r\n\r\nBecause of the size of Dominion\'s ad, here it is scanned in  two parts:\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNotice anything? Dominion ACKNOWLEDGES the problem, and focuses on their customers. There is no apology here either, but there is a more human touch to this ad than Pepco\'s. Both Pepco and Dominion say the same thing -- the storm was devastating and the circumstances were challenging--but with different sentiment.\r\n\r\nI believe that all marketing communications reflect a company\'s corporate culture. Some companies are more formal, some are more humane and some are more playful or fun. Some companies--think law firms--are all about formality and adherence to strict protocols. These companies will usually have dress codes and rigid standards of conduct. Their advertising/communications will also be formal and rigid. Other companies--think entertainment--are more relaxed. Their advertising is generally more creative.\r\n\r\nWTOP (news radio here in Washington) hosted an incredible session last week with eight utility executives. Each company had suffered power losses from the derecho storm. They all said similar things--the storm was unexpected, they weren\'t prepared, tree trimming would not have helped since whole trees came down and burying power lines is very expensive. What was different amongst them was the tone. Dominion\'s executive said almost the same thing Pepco\'s Tom Graham said, but he said it without the condescension. He acknowledged how hard it was for the customers--Graham was concerned with his talking point (\"reliability\") and with making excuses.\r\n\r\nYou can see the difference in corporate culture in Pepco\'s advertising versus Dominion\'s. Dominion is more down to earth, whereas Pepco doesn\'t seem to understand that \"customers\" are people.  Pepco is more formal, more wordy. Dominion was inclusive (\"Storms can tear things apart, but they can also bring us together) while Pepco was divisive (We were tested and we responded). For Dominion, there\'s an attempt at solidarity with customers.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you think these ads reflect different corporate cultures and priorities?','Dominion vs. Pepco: How ads reflect corporate culture','','publish','open','open','','dominion-vs-pepco-how-ads-reflect-corporate-culture','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-truly-believes-advertising-is-the-answer/','2012-07-16 20:53:32','2012-07-16 20:53:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1747',0,'post','',0),(1743,4,'2012-07-10 17:05:42','2012-07-10 17:05:42','After eight or more days, Pepco finally restored power to everyone that had lost it. And the company finally got back  to advertising how hard it is working to be reliable. This morning, I came across a three-quarter page ad in the Washington Post. It was too large for my scanner to make the whole thing into a PDF but here is the portion I was able to scan:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1744\" title=\"Pepco ad 71012\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012-215x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"215\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>Notice the headline: We Were Tested. And We Responded.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the ad, Pepco claims it prioritized and mobilized crews. The ad says: \"Even with all the destruction, we beat our original global estimated time of restoration by two days...\"\r\n\r\nApparently, this ad is designed to convince customers that Pepco not only did what it is meant to do (provide power) but was able to restore power much quicker than it promised. (By the way, this is an old sales trick: tell the customer that you won\'t be able to do something until a certain date, and then deliver early, making yourself look good.)  As if this is any consolation to the thousands of people who spent the last week trying to deal with excessive heat, throwing out spoiled food and spending out-of-pocket to stay in hotels and eat in restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe ad also says \"We are stronger and more reliable-but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a  storm of this magnitude.\"\r\n\r\nWhat Pepco is doing with that sentence is making excuses. I don\'t think people were as upset with the initial loss of power from \"a storm of this magnitude\" but with how long it took power to be restored, coupled with completely abysmal communications.\r\n\r\nOh but this ad is not all about chest-thumping. No. It is also to say \"Thank you to our customers who remained patient while we worked around the clock to restore service.\" And also to thank its partners, employees, and indeed itself for \"performance that beat our own expectation and was in line with our peers\' response to the storm.\"\r\n\r\nPepco concludes that it will continue to \"enhance our reliability, work hard to restore power when storms come again, and keep our customers informed of our progress every step of the way.\"\r\n\r\nWow. Just wow.\r\n\r\nImagine if Pepco had engaged in some community and public relations work instead. For example, Pepco could have sponsored some cooling centers or handed out water and ice. Or what if the company sounded genuinely sorry for the situation its customers were facing? Instead, it seems that Pepco believes that if it tells people what it wants them to believe, then those people will simply believe it.\r\n\r\nAnd again Pepco forgets that people have first-hand experiences to guide their decisions. Most people who called Pepco to report outages or get updates got no information or the wrong information. People who were able to access the Pepco website also were unable to get information. And then there is the reality that most people that lost power waited for at least two to five days to get it back. And that those days were during an almost unprecedented heat wave.\r\n\r\nI am not sure who handles communications at Pepco, or who thought that making excuses and spinning the situation is a way to get customers on your side, but that person or persons should perhaps take a break from doing advertising. Advertising, especially something so unapologetic and self-serving as this particular ad is, is not the solution to fixing Pepco\'s image.\r\n\r\nPepco is spending millions of dollars on advertising to rehabilitate its image and it is not working.  Every dollar more that goes into advertising, especially something like the ad above, is actually proving how out of touch this company is, how little it understands its customers and how even less it seems to care.\r\n\r\nIf you felt the need to run advertising, why not run an ad that said something simple like:\r\n\r\nThanks to our customers for your patience. Thanks to our staff for your hard work.\r\n\r\nor\r\n\r\nWe are happy that power has been restored to all our customers, and we sincerely regret the major inconvenience. We promise to do better.\r\n\r\nBut no, we won\'t see any humility or apologies from Pepco. Instead, we will see it ask for rate increases and blame everything from God to the weather for its inability to communicate properly and work efficiently.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer','','publish','open','open','','pepco-truly-believes-advertising-is-the-answer','','','2012-07-10 17:05:42','2012-07-10 17:05:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1743',0,'post','',1),(1744,4,'2012-07-10 16:32:38','2012-07-10 16:32:38','Pepco ad in July 10 2012 Washington Post','Pepco ad 71012','','inherit','open','open','','pepco-ad-71012','','','2012-07-10 16:32:38','2012-07-10 16:32:38','',1743,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1745,4,'2012-07-10 17:01:47','2012-07-10 17:01:47','After eight or more days, Pepco finally restored power to everyone that had lost it. And the company finally got back  to advertising how hard it is working to be reliable. This morning, I came across a three-quarter page ad in the Washington Post. It was too large for my scanner to make the whole thing into a PDF but here is the portion I was able to scan:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1744\" title=\"Pepco ad 71012\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012-215x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"215\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>Notice the headline: We Were Tested. And We Responded.</strong>\n\nIn the ad, Pepco claims it prioritized and mobilized crews. The ad says: \"Even with all the destruction, we beat our original global estimated time of restoration by two days...\"\n\nApparently, this ad is designed to convince customers that Pepco not only did what it is meant to do (provide power) but was able to restore power much quicker than it promised. (By the way, this is an old sales trick: tell the customer that you won\'t be able to do something until a certain date, and then deliver early, making yourself look good).  As if this is any consolation to the thousands of people who spent the last week trying to deal with excessive heat, throwing out spoiled food and spending out-of-pocket to stay in hotels and eat in restaurants.\n\nThe ad also says \"We are stronger and more reliable-but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a  storm of this magnitude.\"\n\nWhat Pepco is doing with that sentence is making excuses. I don\'t think people were as upset with the initial loss of power from \"a storm of this magnitude\" but with how long it took power to be restored, coupled with completely abysmal communications.\n\nOh but this ad is not all about chest-thumping. No. It is also to say \"Thank you to our customers who remained patient while we worked around the clock to restore service.\" And also to thank its partners, employees, and indeed itself for \"performance that beat our own expectation and was in line with our peers\' response to the storm.\"\n\nPepco concludes that it will continue to \"enhance our reliability, work hard to restore power when storms come again, and keep our customers informed of our progress every step of the way.\"\n\nWow. Just wow.\n\nImagine if Pepco had engaged in some community and public relations work instead. For example, Pepco could have sponsored some cooling centers or handed out water and ice. Or what if the company sounded genuinely sorry for the situation its customers were facing? Instead, it seems that Pepco believes that if it tells people what it wants them to believe, then those people will simply believe it.\n\nAnd again Pepco forgets that people have first-hand experiences to guide their decisions. Most people who called Pepco to report outages or get updates got no information or the wrong information. People who were able to access the Pepco website also were unable to get information. And then there is the reality that most people that lost power waited for at least two to five days to get it back. And that those days were during an almost unprecedented heat wave.\n\nI am not sure who handles communications at Pepco, or who thought that making excuses and spinning the situation is a way to get customers on your side, but that person or persons should perhaps take a break from doing advertising. Advertising, especially something so unapologetic and self-serving as this particular ad is, is not the solution to fixing Pepco\'s image.\n\nPepco is spending millions of dollars on advertising to rehabilitate its image and it is not working.  Every dollar more that goes into advertising, especially something like the ad above, is actually proving how out of touch this company is, how little it understands its customers and how even less it seems to care.\n\nIf you felt the need to run advertising, why not run an ad that said something simple like:\n\nThanks to our customers for your patience. Thanks to our staff for your hard work.\n\nor\n\nWe are happy that power has been restored to all our customers, and we sincerely regret the major inconvenience. We promise to do better.\n\nBut no, we won\'t see any humility or apologies from Pepco. Instead, we will see it ask for rate increases and blame everything from God to the weather for its inability to communicate properly and work efficiently.\n\n&nbsp;','Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer','','inherit','open','open','','1743-revision','','','2012-07-10 17:01:47','2012-07-10 17:01:47','',1743,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1743-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1746,4,'2012-07-10 17:03:58','2012-07-10 17:03:58','After eight or more days, Pepco finally restored power to everyone that had lost it. And the company finally got back  to advertising how hard it is working to be reliable. This morning, I came across a three-quarter page ad in the Washington Post. It was too large for my scanner to make the whole thing into a PDF but here is the portion I was able to scan:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1744\" title=\"Pepco ad 71012\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pepco-ad-71012-215x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"215\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>Notice the headline: We Were Tested. And We Responded.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the ad, Pepco claims it prioritized and mobilized crews. The ad says: \"Even with all the destruction, we beat our original global estimated time of restoration by two days...\"\r\n\r\nApparently, this ad is designed to convince customers that Pepco not only did what it is meant to do (provide power) but was able to restore power much quicker than it promised. (By the way, this is an old sales trick: tell the customer that you won\'t be able to do something until a certain date, and then deliver early, making yourself look good).  As if this is any consolation to the thousands of people who spent the last week trying to deal with excessive heat, throwing out spoiled food and spending out-of-pocket to stay in hotels and eat in restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe ad also says \"We are stronger and more reliable-but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a  storm of this magnitude.\"\r\n\r\nWhat Pepco is doing with that sentence is making excuses. I don\'t think people were as upset with the initial loss of power from \"a storm of this magnitude\" but with how long it took power to be restored, coupled with completely abysmal communications.\r\n\r\nOh but this ad is not all about chest-thumping. No. It is also to say \"Thank you to our customers who remained patient while we worked around the clock to restore service.\" And also to thank its partners, employees, and indeed itself for \"performance that beat our own expectation and was in line with our peers\' response to the storm.\"\r\n\r\nPepco concludes that it will continue to \"enhance our reliability, work hard to restore power when storms come again, and keep our customers informed of our progress every step of the way.\"\r\n\r\nWow. Just wow.\r\n\r\nImagine if Pepco had engaged in some community and public relations work instead. For example, Pepco could have sponsored some cooling centers or handed out water and ice. Or what if the company sounded genuinely sorry for the situation its customers were facing? Instead, it seems that Pepco believes that if it tells people what it wants them to believe, then those people will simply believe it.\r\n\r\nAnd again Pepco forgets that people have first-hand experiences to guide their decisions. Most people who called Pepco to report outages or get updates got no information or the wrong information. People who were able to access the Pepco website also were unable to get information. And then there is the reality that most people that lost power waited for at least two to five days to get it back. And that those days were during an almost unprecedented heat wave.\r\n\r\nI am not sure who handles communications at Pepco, or who thought that making excuses and spinning the situation is a way to get customers on your side, but that person or persons should perhaps take a break from doing advertising. Advertising, especially something so unapologetic and self-serving as this particular ad is, is not the solution to fixing Pepco\'s image.\r\n\r\nPepco is spending millions of dollars on advertising to rehabilitate its image and it is not working.  Every dollar more that goes into advertising, especially something like the ad above, is actually proving how out of touch this company is, how little it understands its customers and how even less it seems to care.\r\n\r\nIf you felt the need to run advertising, why not run an ad that said something simple like:\r\n\r\nThanks to our customers for your patience. Thanks to our staff for your hard work.\r\n\r\nor\r\n\r\nWe are happy that power has been restored to all our customers, and we sincerely regret the major inconvenience. We promise to do better.\r\n\r\nBut no, we won\'t see any humility or apologies from Pepco. Instead, we will see it ask for rate increases and blame everything from God to the weather for its inability to communicate properly and work efficiently.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer','','inherit','open','open','','1743-revision-2','','','2012-07-10 17:03:58','2012-07-10 17:03:58','',1743,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1743-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1748,4,'2012-07-16 20:30:15','2012-07-16 20:30:15','','Dominion 2','','inherit','open','open','','dominion-2','','','2012-07-16 20:30:15','2012-07-16 20:30:15','',1747,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dominion-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1749,4,'2012-07-16 20:30:22','2012-07-16 20:30:22','','Dominion 1','','inherit','open','open','','dominion-1','','','2012-07-16 20:30:22','2012-07-16 20:30:22','',1747,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dominion-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1750,4,'2012-07-16 20:52:03','2012-07-16 20:52:03','Last week, I wrote about an <a title=\"Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-truly-believes-advertising-is-the-answer/\" target=\"_blank\">ad campaign Pepco is currently running</a> (there have been at least two or three more of the same ad I mentioned) in the Washington Post.  Today, I noticed a full page ad on the back page of Section A in the Post, by Dominion Power (which services parts of Virginia and which had a million or so customers without power).\n\nBecause of the size of Dominion\'s ad, here it is scanned in  two parts:\n\n[gallery]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNotice anything? Dominion ACKNOWLEDGES the problem, and focuses on their customers. There is no apology here either, but there is a more human touch to this ad than Pepco\'s. Both Pepco and Dominion say the same thing -- the storm was devastating and the circumstances were challenging--but with different sentiment.\n\nI believe that all marketing communications reflect a company\'s corporate culture. Some companies are more formal, some are more humane and some are more playful or fun. Some companies--think law firms--are all about formality and adherence to strict protocols. These companies will usually have dress codes and rigid standards of conduct. Their advertising/communications will also be formal and rigid. Other companies--think entertainment--are more relaxed. Their advertising is generally more creative.\n\nWTOP (news radio here in Washington) hosted an incredible session last week with eight utility executives. Each company had suffered power losses from the derecho storm. They all said similar things--the storm was unexpected, they weren\'t prepared, tree trimming would not have helped since whole trees came down and burying power lines is very expensive. What was different amongst them was the tone. Dominion\'s executive said almost the same thing Pepco\'s Tom Graham said, but he said it without the condescension. He acknowledged how hard it was for the customers--Graham was concerned with his talking point (\"reliability\") and with making excuses.\n\nYou can see the difference in corporate culture in Pepco\'s advertising versus Dominion\'s. Dominion is more down to earth, whereas Pepco doesn\'t seem to understand that \"customers\" are people.  Pepco is more formal, more wordy. Dominion was inclusive (\"Storms can tear things apart, but they can also bring us together) while Pepco was divisive (We were tested and we responded). For Dominion, there\'s an attempt at solidarity with customers.\n\nWhat do you think? Do you think these ads reflect different corporate cultures and priorities?','Dominion vs. Pepco: How ads reflect corporate culture','','inherit','open','open','','1747-revision','','','2012-07-16 20:52:03','2012-07-16 20:52:03','',1747,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1747-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1752,4,'2012-07-16 20:52:18','2012-07-16 20:52:18','Last week, I wrote about an <a title=\"Pepco truly believes advertising is the answer\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-truly-believes-advertising-is-the-answer/\" target=\"_blank\">ad campaign Pepco is currently running</a> (there have been at least two or three more of the same ad I mentioned) in the Washington Post.  Today, I noticed a full page ad on the back page of Section A in the Post, by Dominion Power (which services parts of Virginia and which had a million or so customers without power).\r\n\r\nBecause of the size of Dominion\'s ad, here it is scanned in  two parts:\r\n\r\n[gallery]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNotice anything? Dominion ACKNOWLEDGES the problem, and focuses on their customers. There is no apology here either, but there is a more human touch to this ad than Pepco\'s. Both Pepco and Dominion say the same thing -- the storm was devastating and the circumstances were challenging--but with different sentiment.\r\n\r\nI believe that all marketing communications reflect a company\'s corporate culture. Some companies are more formal, some are more humane and some are more playful or fun. Some companies--think law firms--are all about formality and adherence to strict protocols. These companies will usually have dress codes and rigid standards of conduct. Their advertising/communications will also be formal and rigid. Other companies--think entertainment--are more relaxed. Their advertising is generally more creative.\r\n\r\nWTOP (news radio here in Washington) hosted an incredible session last week with eight utility executives. Each company had suffered power losses from the derecho storm. They all said similar things--the storm was unexpected, they weren\'t prepared, tree trimming would not have helped since whole trees came down and burying power lines is very expensive. What was different amongst them was the tone. Dominion\'s executive said almost the same thing Pepco\'s Tom Graham said, but he said it without the condescension. He acknowledged how hard it was for the customers--Graham was concerned with his talking point (\"reliability\") and with making excuses.\r\n\r\nYou can see the difference in corporate culture in Pepco\'s advertising versus Dominion\'s. Dominion is more down to earth, whereas Pepco doesn\'t seem to understand that \"customers\" are people.  Pepco is more formal, more wordy. Dominion was inclusive (\"Storms can tear things apart, but they can also bring us together) while Pepco was divisive (We were tested and we responded). For Dominion, there\'s an attempt at solidarity with customers.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you think these ads reflect different corporate cultures and priorities?','Dominion vs. Pepco: How ads reflect corporate culture','','inherit','open','open','','1747-revision-2','','','2012-07-16 20:52:18','2012-07-16 20:52:18','',1747,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1747-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1754,4,'2012-07-19 19:28:20','2012-07-19 19:28:20','The other day I had a conversation with a neighbor. She\'s renovating her house and she mentioned that one of her big problems is mildew. I asked whether she has a dehumidifier. And, you guessed it, she does not. If you have humidity, which leads to mildew, then do something about it.\n\nThere are many people out there who know exactly what the problem is, but many of them don\'t find a solution. I am sure you have experience with this situation. For instance, how many people have you met who complain of having headaches or stomach issues or fatigue (and I mean on an ongoing basis), yet don\'t go to the doctor?\n\nHow many companies or organizations know they have a customer communications problem, yet don\'t update their website, survey their members, create a new brochure, train front line employees or whatever it takes to remedy the situation?\n\nAwareness is important, but action is the only way to move forward.','Knowing the problem is not enough','','inherit','open','open','','1753-revision','','','2012-07-19 19:28:20','2012-07-19 19:28:20','',1753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1753-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1755,4,'2012-07-19 19:29:48','2012-07-19 19:29:48','The other day I had a conversation with a neighbor. She\'s renovating her house and she mentioned that one of her big problems is mildew. I asked whether she has a dehumidifier. And, you guessed it, she does not. If you have humidity, which leads to mildew, then do something about it.\n\nThere are many people out there who know exactly what the problem is, but many of them don\'t find a solution. I am sure you have experience with this situation. For instance, how many people have you met who complain of having headaches or stomach issues or fatigue (and I mean on an ongoing basis), yet don\'t go to the doctor?\n\nHow many companies or organizations know they have a customer communications problem, yet don\'t update their website, survey their members, create a new brochure, train front line employees or whatever it takes to remedy the situation?\n\nAwareness is important, but action is the only way to move forward.','Knowing the problem is not enough','','inherit','open','open','','1753-autosave','','','2012-07-19 19:29:48','2012-07-19 19:29:48','',1753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1753-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1756,4,'2012-07-23 16:38:54','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Before you solve your problem, you have to be aware of what it is. However, once you are aware, as I said here last week, you have to do something about it.\n\n&nbsp;','How to solve your marcomm problems','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-07-23 16:38:54','2012-07-23 16:38:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1756',0,'post','',0),(1758,4,'2012-07-24 18:22:50','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Or, the 5 Marketing Lessons You Can Learn From Jigsaw Puzzles.\r\n\r\nOn a recent weekend, I spent a few hours putting together a really cool Andy Warhol Flowers 1000 piece puzzle.  While I was doing it, I kept thinking that marketing is really very similar to doing a puzzle. Here\'s why:\r\n\r\n1) You have to see the big picture: All puzzles have a picture of the completed puzzle to guide you. In marketing, you have to be able to envision the end result.\r\n\r\n2) Always start with the edge: In doing any puzzle, the easiest way is to put together the edge first, and work your way in. Edge pieces are easier to find too. In marketing, start\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Marketing is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-07-24 18:22:50','2012-07-24 18:22:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1758',0,'post','',0),(1759,4,'2012-07-24 18:20:41','2012-07-24 18:20:41','Or, the 5 Marketing Lessons You Can Learn From Jigsaw Puzzles.\n\nOn a recent weekend, I spent a few hours putting together a really cool Andy Warhol Flowers 1000 piece puzzle.  While I was doing it, I kept thinking that marketing is really very similar to doing a puzzle. Here\'s why:\n\n1) You have to see the big picture: All puzzles have a picture of the completed puzzle to guide you. In marketing, you have to be able to envision the end result.\n\n2) Always start with the edge: In doing any puzzle, the easiest way is to put together the edge first, and work your way in. Edge pieces are easier to find too. In marketing, start\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle','','inherit','open','open','','1758-revision','','','2012-07-24 18:20:41','2012-07-24 18:20:41','',1758,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1758-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1760,4,'2012-07-24 20:46:29','2012-07-24 20:46:29','I think I finally figured out why Pepco has such a bad image: the company does not \"get\" public relations. The company seems to believe that advertising alone can build a positive image, while failing to realize that most people differentiate between bought advertising and the third-party endorsement that comes from a public relations program.\r\n\r\nIf we look at the past month, we have not seen a single positive sign from Pepco. The latest news, out today, is that Pepco is complaining that the reduced rate hike that it is getting from the Maryland Public Service Commission won\'t be enough to sustain \"improvements.\" Read the article in the Washington Post <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/pepco-says-improvements-may-not-be-sustainable-after-md-rate-hike-decision/2012/07/24/gJQA8D3t6W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>What we have seen is a large advertising campaign designed to tell people that Pepco responded well to the derecho storm (in spite of ample evidence to the contrary).\r\n\r\nPepco  understands that it must have a spokesperson to answer questions, but it does not seem to get that the spokesperson must tell the truth and not minimize the suffering caused by prolonged power outages (which is exactly what Thomas Graham continuously does). As Robert McCartney, columnist for the Washington Post puts it: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/slip-of-tongue-reveals-pepcos-contempt-for-customers/2012/07/21/gJQAbfve0W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"A slip of tongue reveals Pepco\'s contempt for its customers.\"</a>\r\n\r\nPublic relations, according to BusinessDictionary.com, is the practice of creating and maintaining goodwill among an organization\'s publics, through the use of such tactics as media relations, sponsorships and charitable contributions.\r\n\r\nAs far as I can see, Pepco is not doing a good job at creating or maintaining goodwill. It is failing at public relations (and in my opinion, it is also failing at advertising). More troubling is that the company seems to not care what the public thinks. It seems to believe that if it places enough advertising, the public will believe that it is working hard and improving reliability. As I have said before, the public will only believe that Pepco is working hard-- at advertising-- unless changes are made that affect them directly (better communication, faster restoration times, indeed, increased reliability).\r\n\r\nPepco--how about you hire someone who \"gets\" public relations? Perhaps with some wise PR counsel you will improve your image by actually making steps that do increase goodwill.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\r\n\r\nTom Graham has<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-deeds-on-pepcos-behalf-should-outweigh-my-mistaken-words/2012/07/24/gJQApnGO7W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> this letter to the editor</a> in Wednesday\'s Washington Post.  I quote:\r\n<blockquote>Critics can say many things about the company and about me, but to question our care and concern for our customers is simply unfair. This is my home, these are my people, and they are — and will remain — my utmost professional priority.</blockquote>\r\nDo you think this rings true? Is the charge unfair?  Moreover, do you think this was a good move on Graham\'s part?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco doesn\'t understand public relations','','publish','open','open','','pepco-doesnt-understand-public-relations','','','2012-07-25 14:45:16','2012-07-25 14:45:16','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1760',0,'post','',0),(1761,4,'2012-07-24 20:45:47','2012-07-24 20:45:47','I think I finally figured out why Pepco has such a bad image: the company does not \"get\" public relations. The company seems to believe that advertising alone can build a positive image, while failing to realize that most people differentiate between bought advertising and the third-party endorsement that comes from a public relations program.\n\nIf we look at the past month, we have not seen a single positive sign from Pepco. The latest news, out today, is that Pepco is complaining that the reduced rate hike that it is getting from the Maryland Public Service Commission won\'t be enough to sustain \"improvements.\" Read the article in the Washington Post <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/pepco-says-improvements-may-not-be-sustainable-after-md-rate-hike-decision/2012/07/24/gJQA8D3t6W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>What we have seen is a large advertising campaign designed to tell people that Pepco responded well to the derecho storm (in spite of ample evidence to the contrary).\n\nPepco  understands that it must have a spokesperson to answer questions, but it does not seem to get that the spokesperson must tell the truth and not minimize the suffering caused by prolonged power outages (which is exactly what Thomas Graham continuously does). As Robert McCartney, columnist for the Washington Post puts it: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/slip-of-tongue-reveals-pepcos-contempt-for-customers/2012/07/21/gJQAbfve0W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"A slip of tongue reveals Pepco\'s contempt for its customers.\"</a>\n\nPublic relations, according to BusinessDictionary.com, is the practice of creating and maintaining goodwill among an organization\'s publics, through the use tactics including media relations, sponsorships and charitable contributions.\n\nAs far as I can see, Pepco is not doing a good job at creating or maintaining goodwill. It is failing at public relations (and in my opinion, it is also failing at advertising). More troubling is that the company seems to not care what the public thinks. It seems to believe that if it places enough advertising, the public will believe that it is working hard and improving reliability. As I have said before, the public will only believe that Pepco is working hard-- at advertising-- unless changes are made that affect them directly (better communication, faster restoration times, indeed, increased reliability).\n\nPepco--how about you hire someone who \"gets\" public relations? Perhaps with some wise PR counsel you will improve your image by actually making steps t\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Pepco doesn\'t understand public relations','','inherit','open','open','','1760-revision','','','2012-07-24 20:45:47','2012-07-24 20:45:47','',1760,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1760-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1762,4,'2012-07-25 14:46:21','2012-07-25 14:46:21','I think I finally figured out why Pepco has such a bad image: the company does not \"get\" public relations. The company seems to believe that advertising alone can build a positive image, while failing to realize that most people differentiate between bought advertising and the third-party endorsement that comes from a public relations program.\n\nIf we look at the past month, we have not seen a single positive sign from Pepco. The latest news, out today, is that Pepco is complaining that the reduced rate hike that it is getting from the Maryland Public Service Commission won\'t be enough to sustain \"improvements.\" Read the article in the Washington Post <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/pepco-says-improvements-may-not-be-sustainable-after-md-rate-hike-decision/2012/07/24/gJQA8D3t6W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>What we have seen is a large advertising campaign designed to tell people that Pepco responded well to the derecho storm (in spite of ample evidence to the contrary).\n\nPepco  understands that it must have a spokesperson to answer questions, but it does not seem to get that the spokesperson must tell the truth and not minimize the suffering caused by prolonged power outages (which is exactly what Thomas Graham continuously does). As Robert McCartney, columnist for the Washington Post puts it: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/slip-of-tongue-reveals-pepcos-contempt-for-customers/2012/07/21/gJQAbfve0W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"A slip of tongue reveals Pepco\'s contempt for its customers.\"</a>\n\nPublic relations, according to BusinessDictionary.com, is the practice of creating and maintaining goodwill among an organization\'s publics, through the use of such tactics as media relations, sponsorships and charitable contributions.\n\nAs far as I can see, Pepco is not doing a good job at creating or maintaining goodwill. It is failing at public relations (and in my opinion, it is also failing at advertising). More troubling is that the company seems to not care what the public thinks. It seems to believe that if it places enough advertising, the public will believe that it is working hard and improving reliability. As I have said before, the public will only believe that Pepco is working hard-- at advertising-- unless changes are made that affect them directly (better communication, faster restoration times, indeed, increased reliability).\n\nPepco--how about you hire someone who \"gets\" public relations? Perhaps with some wise PR counsel you will improve your image by actually making steps that do increase goodwill.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\n\nTom Graham has<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-deeds-on-pepcos-behalf-should-outweigh-my-mistaken-words/2012/07/24/gJQApnGO7W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> this letter to the editor</a> in Wednesday\'s Washington Post.  I quote:\n<blockquote>Critics can say many things about the company and about me, but to question our care and concern for our customers is simply unfair. This is my home, these are my people, and they are — and will remain — my utmost professional priority.</blockquote>\nDo you think this rings true? Is the charge unfair?  Moreover, do you think this was a good move on Graham\'s part?\n\n&nbsp;','Pepco doesn\'t understand public relations','','inherit','open','open','','1760-autosave','','','2012-07-25 14:46:21','2012-07-25 14:46:21','',1760,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1760-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1763,4,'2012-07-24 20:46:29','2012-07-24 20:46:29','I think I finally figured out why Pepco has such a bad image: the company does not \"get\" public relations. The company seems to believe that advertising alone can build a positive image, while failing to realize that most people differentiate between bought advertising and the third-party endorsement that comes from a public relations program.\r\n\r\nIf we look at the past month, we have not seen a single positive sign from Pepco. The latest news, out today, is that Pepco is complaining that the reduced rate hike that it is getting from the Maryland Public Service Commission won\'t be enough to sustain \"improvements.\" Read the article in the Washington Post <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/pepco-says-improvements-may-not-be-sustainable-after-md-rate-hike-decision/2012/07/24/gJQA8D3t6W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>What we have seen is a large advertising campaign designed to tell people that Pepco responded well to the derecho storm (in spite of ample evidence to the contrary).\r\n\r\nPepco  understands that it must have a spokesperson to answer questions, but it does not seem to get that the spokesperson must tell the truth and not minimize the suffering caused by prolonged power outages (which is exactly what Thomas Graham continuously does). As Robert McCartney, columnist for the Washington Post puts it: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/slip-of-tongue-reveals-pepcos-contempt-for-customers/2012/07/21/gJQAbfve0W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"A slip of tongue reveals Pepco\'s contempt for its customers.\"</a>\r\n\r\nPublic relations, according to BusinessDictionary.com, is the practice of creating and maintaining goodwill among an organization\'s publics, through the use tactics including media relations, sponsorships and charitable contributions.\r\n\r\nAs far as I can see, Pepco is not doing a good job at creating or maintaining goodwill. It is failing at public relations (and in my opinion, it is also failing at advertising). More troubling is that the company seems to not care what the public thinks. It seems to believe that if it places enough advertising, the public will believe that it is working hard and improving reliability. As I have said before, the public will only believe that Pepco is working hard-- at advertising-- unless changes are made that affect them directly (better communication, faster restoration times, indeed, increased reliability).\r\n\r\nPepco--how about you hire someone who \"gets\" public relations? Perhaps with some wise PR counsel you will improve your image by actually making steps that do increase goodwill.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco doesn\'t understand public relations','','inherit','open','open','','1760-revision-2','','','2012-07-24 20:46:29','2012-07-24 20:46:29','',1760,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1760-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1764,4,'2012-07-25 13:26:37','2012-07-25 13:26:37','I think I finally figured out why Pepco has such a bad image: the company does not \"get\" public relations. The company seems to believe that advertising alone can build a positive image, while failing to realize that most people differentiate between bought advertising and the third-party endorsement that comes from a public relations program.\r\n\r\nIf we look at the past month, we have not seen a single positive sign from Pepco. The latest news, out today, is that Pepco is complaining that the reduced rate hike that it is getting from the Maryland Public Service Commission won\'t be enough to sustain \"improvements.\" Read the article in the Washington Post <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/pepco-says-improvements-may-not-be-sustainable-after-md-rate-hike-decision/2012/07/24/gJQA8D3t6W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>What we have seen is a large advertising campaign designed to tell people that Pepco responded well to the derecho storm (in spite of ample evidence to the contrary).\r\n\r\nPepco  understands that it must have a spokesperson to answer questions, but it does not seem to get that the spokesperson must tell the truth and not minimize the suffering caused by prolonged power outages (which is exactly what Thomas Graham continuously does). As Robert McCartney, columnist for the Washington Post puts it: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/slip-of-tongue-reveals-pepcos-contempt-for-customers/2012/07/21/gJQAbfve0W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"A slip of tongue reveals Pepco\'s contempt for its customers.\"</a>\r\n\r\nPublic relations, according to BusinessDictionary.com, is the practice of creating and maintaining goodwill among an organization\'s publics, through the use tactics including media relations, sponsorships and charitable contributions.\r\n\r\nAs far as I can see, Pepco is not doing a good job at creating or maintaining goodwill. It is failing at public relations (and in my opinion, it is also failing at advertising). More troubling is that the company seems to not care what the public thinks. It seems to believe that if it places enough advertising, the public will believe that it is working hard and improving reliability. As I have said before, the public will only believe that Pepco is working hard-- at advertising-- unless changes are made that affect them directly (better communication, faster restoration times, indeed, increased reliability).\r\n\r\nPepco--how about you hire someone who \"gets\" public relations? Perhaps with some wise PR counsel you will improve your image by actually making steps that do increase goodwill.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\r\n\r\nTom Graham has<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-deeds-on-pepcos-behalf-should-outweigh-my-mistaken-words/2012/07/24/gJQApnGO7W_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> this letter to the editor</a> in Wednesday\'s Washington Post.  I quote:\r\n<blockquote>Critics can say many things about the company and about me, but to question our care and concern for our customers is simply unfair. This is my home, these are my people, and they are — and will remain — my utmost professional priority.</blockquote>\r\nDo you think this rings true? Is the charge unfair?  Moreover, do you think this was a good move on Graham\'s part? A\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco doesn\'t understand public relations','','inherit','open','open','','1760-revision-3','','','2012-07-25 13:26:37','2012-07-25 13:26:37','',1760,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1760-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1765,4,'2012-07-25 19:26:52','2012-07-25 19:26:52','Here\'s where you can find me!\r\n\r\nIf you want to book a free 15-minute consultation, please visit the <a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Booking page.</a>\r\n\r\nIf you want to see what events I will be presenting, or have presented, please visit the <a title=\"Events\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/calendar/\">Events page</a>.','Calendar','','publish','closed','closed','','events','','','2018-02-12 10:43:36','2018-02-12 15:43:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=1765',0,'page','',0),(3660,4,'2018-02-12 10:43:36','2018-02-12 15:43:36','Here\'s where you can find me!\r\n\r\nIf you want to book a free 15-minute consultation, please visit the <a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Booking page.</a>\r\n\r\nIf you want to see what events I will be presenting, or have presented, please visit the <a title=\"Events\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/calendar/\">Events page</a>.','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 10:43:36','2018-02-12 15:43:36','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1925,4,'2012-11-28 21:26:33','2012-11-28 21:26:33','You learned it way back in kindergarten, remember? Show and tell was when you brought something in and you told your classmates about it. Some people\'s show and tell was boring and some was really good. I can\'t remember anything from kindergarten but I know the lesson of showing and telling is a good one for anybody trying to communicate.\r\n\r\nYou would think something as basic as show and tell would stay with most people. And yet it hasn\'t.\r\n\r\nToday, I am searching for an online task manager. There are many (and I am not really sure which one to use). Some show you screen shots of the software. Some show you video. All of them tell you what they do (but not how exactly).  One in particular does not show or tell me anything. It asks me to sign up. I don\'t know about you, but I am not signing up for ANYTHING, even if it is free, if I don\'t know what it is exactly.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this company\'s principals did not attend kindergarten.\r\n\r\nRemember, show and tell. People need to see what they are getting and they need to understand it too.\r\n\r\nRight?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Show and tell!','','publish','open','open','','show-and-tell-2','','','2012-11-28 21:26:33','2012-11-28 21:26:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1925',0,'post','',0),(1903,4,'2012-11-09 19:23:46','2012-11-09 19:23:46','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease answer my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n[polldaddy poll=\"6678494\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','publish','open','open','','where-do-all-the-rss-feeds-go','','','2012-11-09 19:23:46','2012-11-09 19:23:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1903',0,'post','',0),(1904,4,'2012-11-09 19:18:31','2012-11-09 19:18:31','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\n\nP\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision','','','2012-11-09 19:18:31','2012-11-09 19:18:31','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1766,4,'2012-07-25 19:26:00','2012-07-25 19:26:00','Check here for upcoming events and training workshops!\n\n<strong>Our next event is How to Write your Blog workshop on July 31, 2012</strong>. More information:  http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\n\n&nbsp;','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-07-25 19:26:00','2012-07-25 19:26:00','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1765-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1767,4,'2012-07-25 19:26:15','2012-07-25 19:26:15','Check here for upcoming events and training workshops!\r\n\r\n<strong>Our next event is How to Write your Blog workshop on July 31, 2012</strong>. More information:  <a href=\"hhttp://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-07-25 19:26:15','2012-07-25 19:26:15','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1765-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1782,4,'2012-08-02 13:31:32','2012-08-02 13:31:32','The reason I created the How to Write Your Blog workshop--which I just presented on Tuesday at the Silver Spring Civic Center--is because I have spoken to many people who think blogging is hard or that it takes to much time. I have found blogging to be fun, and wanted to teach people that it doesn\'t have to overwhelming.\r\n\r\nThe workshop leads you through reasons to blog to writing a blog post. We discuss keywords, categories, tags and headlines. We discuss what you should and should not do on a blog. And what most participants find helpful is the part on generating blog post ideas.\r\n\r\nOut of the three hours allotted to the workshop, we spend 20 minutes writing a blog post.  The idea is that when you realize you can write a whole post in 20 minutes, it seems doable and perhaps even easy.\r\n\r\nOne of the participants said that breaking up the process into its parts makes it seem less stressful, and that is exactly the point.\r\n\r\nMy colleague Lisa Newman took photographs of the workshop and created this montage:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DBrody-Workshop-Collage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1783\" title=\"Deborah Brody How to Write Your Blog Workshop \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DBrody-Workshop-Collage-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIf you missed the workshop this time around, you may want to sign up for my enewsletter so that you can find out when it\'s being offered again.','Making blogging easier','','publish','open','open','','making-blogging-easier','','','2012-08-02 13:31:32','2012-08-02 13:31:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1782',0,'post','',0),(1786,4,'2012-08-06 15:42:12','2012-08-06 15:42:12','In its most basic form, communications happens when there is a dialogue between two people. Yet, how often do we see miscommunication instead of communication? Or one person shouting down the other? Or one person getting offended? Often, personality is behind miscommunication.\r\n\r\nOver the weekend, I watched part of a panel presentation regarding civility in politics on CSPAN. One of the panelists said that civil communication only occurs when one person speaks and the other listens (and vice versa). It seems pretty straightforward, but in most communications efforts I see every day, it isn\'t happening. In many cases, it comes down to personality traits that impede true communication.   These are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Arrogance</li>\r\n	<li>Self-involvement</li>\r\n	<li>Narcissism</li>\r\n	<li>Insecurity</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYour personality can make or break your communications efforts. Arrogant people will dismiss or debase your concerns, questions and input. Self-involved or narcissistic people will only focus on their own concerns. Insecure people will exaggerate their own accomplishments and/or put down yours or seek a way to make you look stupid.\r\n\r\nI see examples of these personalities every single day on Twitter (people who never engage with other people are self-involved or those who don\'t credit others may be insecure). And corporations are not immune, since corporations are run by people (although they aren\'t people in spite of what Mitt Romney may think).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://wtop.com/1165/2979339/Poll-Pepco-customers-most-dissatisfied\" target=\"_blank\">WTOP conducted a poll which found that Pepco\'s customers were more dissatisfied than those of other utilities. </a> In my opinion,  this has to to do with Pepco\'s arrogant communications efforts (generated by a company led/managed by arrogant people).\r\n\r\nDo you agree? Are there other personality traits that affect communications? Please let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your personality getting in the way of your communications efforts?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-personality-getting-in-the-way-of-your-communications-efforts','','','2012-08-06 15:42:12','2012-08-06 15:42:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1786',0,'post','',0),(1771,4,'2012-07-26 12:15:52','2012-07-26 12:15:52','Many people like the idea of blogging, but are stymied when actually wanting to start writing. What to write about? How to write it? What if no one reads it? If this is you--and you live in the Metro DC area--come to a workshop I am leading next Tuesday, July 31 in Silver Spring. I will teach you how to write your blog. You will leave the session with several blog post ideas, a completely written blog post, and lots of information to get you blogging.\r\n\r\nAll the details and registration are available here:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/</a>\r\n\r\nI hope to see you Tuesday! If you can\'t make it next week, and you are interested in the workshop, please drop me a line or a comment.','How do you figure out what to write about?','','publish','open','open','','how-do-you-figure-out-what-to-write-about','','','2012-07-26 12:15:52','2012-07-26 12:15:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1771',0,'post','',0),(1772,4,'2012-07-26 12:13:55','2012-07-26 12:13:55','Many people like the idea of blogging, but are stymied when actually wanting to start writing. What to write about? How to write it? What if no one reads it? If this is you--and you live in the Metro DC area--come to a workshop I am leading next Tuesday, July 31 in Silver Spring. I will teach you how to write your blog. You will leave the session with several blog post ideas, a completely written blog post, and lots of information to get you blogging.\n\nAll the details and registration are available here:\n\n<a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/</a>\n\nI hope to see you Tuesday! If you can\'t make it next week, and you are interested in the workshop, please drop me a line or a comment','How do you figure out what to write about?','','inherit','open','open','','1771-revision','','','2012-07-26 12:13:55','2012-07-26 12:13:55','',1771,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1771-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1773,4,'2012-07-26 12:15:46','2012-07-26 12:15:46','Many people like the idea of blogging, but are stymied when actually wanting to start writing. What to write about? How to write it? What if no one reads it? If this is you--and you live in the Metro DC area--come to a workshop I am leading next Tuesday, July 31 in Silver Spring. I will teach you how to write your blog. You will leave the session with several blog post ideas, a completely written blog post, and lots of information to get you blogging.\n\nAll the details and registration are available here:\n\n<a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/</a>\n\nI hope to see you Tuesday! If you can\'t make it next week, and you are interested in the workshop, please drop me a line or a comment.','How do you figure out what to write about?','','inherit','open','open','','1771-revision-2','','','2012-07-26 12:15:46','2012-07-26 12:15:46','',1771,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1771-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1774,4,'2012-07-30 13:49:34','2012-07-30 13:49:34','Well, faithful blog readers, I thought I was done writing about Pepco\'s advertising efforts, but then I saw this nearly-full page ad in yesterday\'s (Sunday, July 29) <em>Washington Post</em> (again, I had to scan it in two parts):[gallery link=\"file\"]\r\n\r\nIn case you can\'t read the ad above, let me provide the content:\r\n<blockquote>It\'s popular right now, even convenient, to beat up on Pepco. And because the facts have been misrepresented, that\'s easy to do.\r\n\r\nBut there\'s another side of the story. Some of our customers too the time to tell it. We thought we\'d share.</blockquote>\r\nIf I understand this correctly,  Pepco is saying that government officials like Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Council, DC Mayor Gray,  the media, and customers who are complaining about Pepco\'s dismal service are \"beating up\" on Pepco because the \"facts have been misrepresented.\" What facts is the ad alluding to? We know (we lived) the facts: 780,000 of Pepco\'s customers lost power, and of those, most received power by July 4, five days after the storm. Other customers weren\'t restored until July 6. Those are the facts on the ground and they have not been misrepresented.\r\n\r\nPepco is attempting to convince you that you are wrong if you believe the narrative that Pepco did not do enough to restore power during the derecho (which was exactly one month ago from the date of the ad). Instead, Pepco parades 17 customer testimonials  that are praising Pepco\'s performance (out of the 780,000 affected by the outage---that is an extremely meager 0.00217%).\r\n\r\nThe ad continues:\r\n<blockquote>We know this isn\'t the way everyone feels-that many of our customers were frustrated. We want them to know that though our work is far from over, we are committee to continuing to improve. And despite what they may hear, our response to the derecho was swift, aggressive and in line with our neighboring utilities. That is an inconvenient truth that doesn\'t fit the storyline.\r\n\r\nThanks to the customers who took the time to shed some light on the real story.</blockquote>\r\nSo, Pepco is saying that it knows \"some\" customers are frustrated, but in essence, they have no right to feel that way because it doesn\'t fit the Pepco storyline. The Pepco storyline (and that is exactly what it is, a story that Pepco tells itself) is that Pepco works hard and that people have no right to expect anything more from it. The 17 customers that they quote  in the ad understand this \"real story.\"\r\n\r\nHonestly,  in my nearly 20-year marketing career, I have never seen something like this.  It truly is a waste of advertising dollars (which Pepco customers are footing the bill for).  To run an ad in the newspaper of record to tell customers that they are wrong to feel frustrated because they are being misguided by \"misrepresented facts\" is truly an outrage.\r\n\r\nAgain, Pepco\'s communications department seems to be tone-deaf, and really really bad at advertising. Rule number one of advertising is that you don\'t insult your customers.\r\n\r\nPepco management is desperate to improve its public perception. However, through these misguided and mismanaged advertising efforts, it is only hurting itself further.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Pepco really really wants you to believe a story','','publish','open','open','','pepco-really-really-wants-you-to-believe-a-story','','','2012-07-30 13:49:34','2012-07-30 13:49:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1774',0,'post','',0),(1775,4,'2012-07-30 13:17:03','2012-07-30 13:17:03','','pepco ad 72912 b','','inherit','open','open','','pepco-ad-72912-b','','','2012-07-30 13:17:03','2012-07-30 13:17:03','',1774,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/pepco-ad-72912-b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1776,4,'2012-07-30 13:17:11','2012-07-30 13:17:11','','pepco ad 72912 a','','inherit','open','open','','pepco-ad-72912-a','','','2012-07-30 13:17:11','2012-07-30 13:17:11','',1774,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/pepco-ad-72912-a.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1777,4,'2012-07-30 13:43:50','2012-07-30 13:43:50','Well, faithful blog readers, I thought I was done writing about Pepco\'s advertising efforts, but then I saw this nearly-full page ad in yesterday\'s (Sunday, July 29) Washington Post (again, I had to scan it in two parts):[gallery link=\"file\"]\n\nIn case you can\'t read the ad above, let me provide the content:\n<blockquote>It\'s popular right now, even convenient, to beat up on Pepco. And because the facts have been misrepresented, that\'s easy to do.\n\nBut there\'s another side of the story. Some of our customers too the time to tell it. We thought we\'d share.</blockquote>\nIf I understand this correctly,  Pepco is saying that government officials like Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Council, DC Mayor Gray,  the media, and customers who are complaining are \"beating up\" on Pepco because the \"facts have been misrepresented.\" What facts is the ad alluding to? We know (we lived) the facts: 780,000 of Pepco\'s customers lost power, and of those, most received power by July 4, five days after the storm. Other customers weren\'t restored until July 6. Those are the facts on the ground and they have not been misrepresented.\n\nPepco is attempting to convince you that you are wrong if you believe the narrative that Pepco did not do enough to restore power during the derecho (which was exactly one month ago from the date of the ad). Instead, Pepco parades 17 customer testimonials  that are praising Pepco\'s performance (out of the 780,000 affected by the outage---that is an extremely meager 0.00217%).\n\nThe ad continues:\n<blockquote>We know this isn\'t the way everyone feels-that many of our customers were frustrated. We want them to know that though our work is far from over, we are committee to continuing to improve. And despite what they may hear, our response to the derecho was swift, aggressive and in line with our neighboring utilities. That is an inconvenient truth that doesn\'t fit the storyline.\n\nThanks to the customers who took the time to shed some light on the real story.</blockquote>\nSo, Pepco is saying that it knows \"some\" customers are frustrated, but in essence, they have no right to feel that way because it doesn\'t fit the Pepco storyline. The Pepco storyline (and that is exactly what it is, a story that Pepco tells itself) is that Pepco works hard and that people have no right to expect anything more from it. The 17 customers that they quote  in the ad understand this \"real story.\"\n\nHonestly,  in my nearly 20 year marketing career, I have never seen something like this.  It truly is a waste of advertising dollars (which Pepco customers are footing the bill for).  To run an ad in the newspaper of record to tell customers that they are wrong to feel frustrated because they are being misguided by \"misrepresented facts\" is truly an outrage.\n\nAgain, Pepco\'s communications department seems to be tone-deaf, and really really bad at advertising. Rule number one of advertising is that you don\'t insult your customers.\n\nPepco management is desperate to improve its public perception.','Pepco really really wants you to believe a story','','inherit','open','open','','1774-revision','','','2012-07-30 13:43:50','2012-07-30 13:43:50','',1774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1774-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1778,4,'2012-07-30 13:44:50','2012-07-30 13:44:50','Well, faithful blog readers, I thought I was done writing about Pepco\'s advertising efforts, but then I saw this nearly-full page ad in yesterday\'s (Sunday, July 29) Washington Post (again, I had to scan it in two parts):[gallery link=\"file\"]\n\nIn case you can\'t read the ad above, let me provide the content:\n<blockquote>It\'s popular right now, even convenient, to beat up on Pepco. And because the facts have been misrepresented, that\'s easy to do.\n\nBut there\'s another side of the story. Some of our customers too the time to tell it. We thought we\'d share.</blockquote>\nIf I understand this correctly,  Pepco is saying that government officials like Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Montgomery County Council, DC Mayor Gray,  the media, and customers who are complaining are \"beating up\" on Pepco because the \"facts have been misrepresented.\" What facts is the ad alluding to? We know (we lived) the facts: 780,000 of Pepco\'s customers lost power, and of those, most received power by July 4, five days after the storm. Other customers weren\'t restored until July 6. Those are the facts on the ground and they have not been misrepresented.\n\nPepco is attempting to convince you that you are wrong if you believe the narrative that Pepco did not do enough to restore power during the derecho (which was exactly one month ago from the date of the ad). Instead, Pepco parades 17 customer testimonials  that are praising Pepco\'s performance (out of the 780,000 affected by the outage---that is an extremely meager 0.00217%).\n\nThe ad continues:\n<blockquote>We know this isn\'t the way everyone feels-that many of our customers were frustrated. We want them to know that though our work is far from over, we are committee to continuing to improve. And despite what they may hear, our response to the derecho was swift, aggressive and in line with our neighboring utilities. That is an inconvenient truth that doesn\'t fit the storyline.\n\nThanks to the customers who took the time to shed some light on the real story.</blockquote>\nSo, Pepco is saying that it knows \"some\" customers are frustrated, but in essence, they have no right to feel that way because it doesn\'t fit the Pepco storyline. The Pepco storyline (and that is exactly what it is, a story that Pepco tells itself) is that Pepco works hard and that people have no right to expect anything more from it. The 17 customers that they quote  in the ad understand this \"real story.\"\n\nHonestly,  in my nearly 20 year marketing career, I have never seen something like this.  It truly is a waste of advertising dollars (which Pepco customers are footing the bill for).  To run an ad in the newspaper of record to tell customers that they are wrong to feel frustrated because they are being misguided by \"misrepresented facts\" is truly an outrage.\n\nAgain, Pepco\'s communications department seems to be tone-deaf, and really really bad at advertising. Rule number one of advertising is that you don\'t insult your customers.\n\nPepco management is desperate to improve its public perception. However, through these misguided and mismanaged advertising efforts, it is only hurting itself further.\n\n&nbsp;','Pepco really really wants you to believe a story','','inherit','open','open','','1774-revision-2','','','2012-07-30 13:44:50','2012-07-30 13:44:50','',1774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1774-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1779,4,'2012-07-31 16:01:48','2012-07-31 16:01:48','Yesterday, I wrote about Pepco\'s <a title=\"Pepco really really wants you to believe a story\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-really-really-wants-you-to-believe-a-story/\" target=\"_blank\">latest print ad</a>, where they find customers who think Pepco does really well. And today, in the Washington Post, there\'s an article entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pepco-defends-its-response-to-derecho-storm-saying-it-mobilized-quickly/2012/07/30/gJQAmxuVLX_story.html?hpid=z6\" target=\"_blank\">\"Pepco defends its response to derecho storm, saying it \"mobilized quickly.\"</a>The article makes clear that Pepco wants to change the perception that it responded slowly and badly. It says:\r\n<blockquote>Pepco vigorously defended itself Monday in its first self-assessments since last month’s derecho storm, saying it responded aggressively and effectively to restore power to nearly half a million customers left<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" data-xslt=\"_http\"> sweltering in the dark</a>. <a href=\"http://www.pepco.com/home/emergency/junestorm.aspx\" data-xslt=\"_http\">The electric company</a> accepted limited responsibility for software glitches that affected tens of thousands of calls for service and for its inability to give customers a better sense of when their power would be restored.</blockquote>\r\nApparently, Pepco has decided that its communication strategy is to aggressively tamp down on any criticism of its service. What a contrast from Verizon, which today has a <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/verizon-vows-to-do-better/2012/07/30/gJQAfI0ELX_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">letter to the edito</a>r in the Washington Post where it apologizes for disruptions to 911 calling that occurred in the aftermath of the derecho.\r\n\r\nThe problem with Pepco\'s communication strategy is that, as I have pointed out before, it doesn\'t acknowledge reality. In this case, the reality  is customers were rightfully frustrated.  By not recognizing genuine complaints, the company is effectively hedging against doing anything to fix those problems.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Does this strategy work for Pepco, or does it further deteriorate its public image?','Pepco does have a communications strategy: go on the offense','','publish','open','open','','pepco-does-have-a-communications-strategy-go-on-the-offense','','','2012-07-31 16:01:48','2012-07-31 16:01:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1779',0,'post','',0),(1780,4,'2012-07-31 16:01:42','2012-07-31 16:01:42','Yesterday, I wrote about Pepco\'s <a title=\"Pepco really really wants you to believe a story\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-really-really-wants-you-to-believe-a-story/\" target=\"_blank\">latest print ad</a>, where they find customers who think Pepco does really well. And today, in the Washington Post, there\'s an article entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pepco-defends-its-response-to-derecho-storm-saying-it-mobilized-quickly/2012/07/30/gJQAmxuVLX_story.html?hpid=z6\" target=\"_blank\">\"Pepco defends its response to derecho storm, saying it \"mobilized quickly.\"</a>The article makes clear that Pepco wants to change the perception that it responded slowly and badly. It says:\n<blockquote>Pepco vigorously defended itself Monday in its first self-assessments since last month’s derecho storm, saying it responded aggressively and effectively to restore power to nearly half a million customers left<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" data-xslt=\"_http\"> sweltering in the dark</a>. <a href=\"http://www.pepco.com/home/emergency/junestorm.aspx\" data-xslt=\"_http\">The electric company</a> accepted limited responsibility for software glitches that affected tens of thousands of calls for service and for its inability to give customers a better sense of when their power would be restored.</blockquote>\nApparently, Pepco has decided that its communication strategy is to aggressively tamp down on any criticism of its service. What a contrast from Verizon, which today has a <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/verizon-vows-to-do-better/2012/07/30/gJQAfI0ELX_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">letter to the edito</a>r in the Washington Post where it apologizes for disruptions to 911 calling that occurred in the aftermath of the derecho.\n\nThe problem with Pepco\'s communication strategy is that, as I have pointed out before, it doesn\'t acknowledge reality. In this case, the reality  is customers were rightfully frustrated.  By not recognizing genuine complaints, the company is effectively hedging against doing anything to fix those problems.\n\nWhat do you think? Does this strategy work for Pepco, or does it further deteriorate its public image?','Pepco does have a communications strategy: go on the offense','','inherit','open','open','','1779-revision','','','2012-07-31 16:01:42','2012-07-31 16:01:42','',1779,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1779-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1781,4,'2012-07-31 16:02:56','2012-07-31 16:02:56','Yesterday, I wrote about Pepco\'s <a title=\"Pepco really really wants you to believe a story\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/pepco-really-really-wants-you-to-believe-a-story/\" target=\"_blank\">latest print ad</a>, where they find customers who think Pepco does really well. And today, in the Washington Post, there\'s an article entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pepco-defends-its-response-to-derecho-storm-saying-it-mobilized-quickly/2012/07/30/gJQAmxuVLX_story.html?hpid=z6\" target=\"_blank\">\"Pepco defends its response to derecho storm, saying it \"mobilized quickly.\"</a>The article makes clear that Pepco wants to change the perception that it responded slowly and badly. It says:\n<blockquote>Pepco vigorously defended itself Monday in its first self-assessments since last month’s derecho storm, saying it responded aggressively and effectively to restore power to nearly half a million customers left<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-pepco-customers-without-power-frustration-grows-four-days-after-storm/2012/07/02/gJQAJ0vQJW_story.html\" data-xslt=\"_http\"> sweltering in the dark</a>. <a href=\"http://www.pepco.com/home/emergency/junestorm.aspx\" data-xslt=\"_http\">The electric company</a> accepted limited responsibility for software glitches that affected tens of thousands of calls for service and for its inability to give customers a better sense of when their power would be restored.</blockquote>\nApparently, Pepco has decided that its communication strategy is to aggressively tamp down on any criticism of its service. What a contrast from Verizon, which today has a <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/verizon-vows-to-do-better/2012/07/30/gJQAfI0ELX_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">letter to the edito</a>r in the Washington Post where it apologizes for disruptions to 911 calling that occurred in the aftermath of the derecho.\n\nThe problem with Pepco\'s communication strategy is that, as I have pointed out before, it doesn\'t acknowledge reality. In this case, the reality  is customers were rightfully frustrated.  By not recognizing genuine complaints, the company is effectively hedging against doing anything to fix those problems.\n\nWhat do you think? Does this strategy work for Pepco, or does it further deteriorate its public image?','Pepco does have a communications strategy: go on the offense','','inherit','open','open','','1779-autosave','','','2012-07-31 16:02:56','2012-07-31 16:02:56','',1779,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1779-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1783,4,'2012-08-02 13:25:43','2012-08-02 13:25:43','','Deborah Brody How to Write Your Blog Workshop ','','inherit','open','open','','dbrody-workshop-collage','','','2012-08-02 13:25:43','2012-08-02 13:25:43','',1782,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DBrody-Workshop-Collage.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1784,4,'2012-08-02 13:30:13','2012-08-02 13:30:13','The reason I created the How to Write Your Blog workshop--which I just presented on Tuesday at the Silver Spring Civic Center--is because I have spoken to many people who think blogging is hard or that it takes to much time. I have found blogging to be fun, and wanted to teach people that it doesn\'t have to overwhelming.\n\nThe workshop leads you through reasons to blog to writing a blog post. We discuss keywords, categories, tags and headlines. We discuss what you should and should not do on a blog. And what most participants find helpful is the part on generating blog post ideas.\n\nOut of the three hours allotted to the workshop, we spend 20 minutes writing a blog post.  The idea is that when you realize you can write a whole post in 20 minutes, it seems doable and perhaps even easy.\n\nOne of the participants said that breaking up the process into its parts makes it seem less stressful, and that is exactly the point.\n\nMy colleague Lisa Newman took photographs of the workshop and created this montage:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DBrody-Workshop-Collage.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1783\" title=\"Deborah Brody How to Write Your Blog Workshop \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DBrody-Workshop-Collage-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" /></a>\n\nIf you missed the workshop this time around, you may want to sign up for my enewsletter so that you can find out when it\'s being offered again.','Making blogging easier','','inherit','open','open','','1782-revision','','','2012-08-02 13:30:13','2012-08-02 13:30:13','',1782,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1782-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1788,4,'2012-08-10 14:19:53','2012-08-10 14:19:53','Yesterday, none other than the Social Media Club DC (SMCDC)  put out a tweet asking people to \"show some love\" to their Facebook page, because unlike their Twitter feed, it had \"only\" 3,000 supporters. I responded: \"Twitter and FB are totally different platforms and thus have different audiences. Where are you giving/getting more value?\"  To which SMCDC responded: \"It\'s hard to compare since they are so different, but just in case people want to be exposed to our content in a different form...\"\r\n\r\nFirst of all, social media is not JUST a numbers game. Having more followers/supporters/likers doesn\'t mean anything if you haven\'t decided what you want from those people. Are you trying to show increased interest in your product? Then the metrics may help with that.\r\n\r\nYou have to ask yourself WHY you are doing what you are doing. What are you trying to accomplish?  Are you advocating for a cause? Trying to sell product? Raising your profile?In SMCDC\'s case, it the content on Facebook different than Twitter? Is it more appealing to a certain demographic to see it on Facebook? What are the advantages of having more Facebook followers?\r\n\r\nYoung people who understand the tools of social media and can adapt at warp speed to the newest and greatest (in other words, they get the what), generally do not have enough business experience to really understand the why.\r\n\r\nThis morning I came across this article on Inc. Magazine: <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/hollis-thomases/social-media-dont-put-intern-in-charge.html\" target=\"_blank\">11 Reasons a 23-Year-Old Shouldn\'t Run Your Social Media </a>by Hollis Thomases.  Most of Thomases\' reasons have to do with the knowledge that experience delivers. You become a better communicator with time, for example.  She writes:\r\n<blockquote>Social media is not the be-all and end-all. It\'s a marketing <em>tool</em>--part of an ever-growing arsenal of ways to bring your company to your prospective customers\' attention.</blockquote>\r\nI would also add that young hires/interns/recent college graduates don\'t understand STRATEGY. Tools are to be used tactically, as part of a larger strategy. If you just look at the tool (we need more followers on Twitter), without thinking about WHY, then you are just using the tool for no purpose at all.\r\n\r\nThoughts? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','But why are you doing it?','','publish','open','open','','but-why-are-you-doing-it','','','2012-08-10 14:19:53','2012-08-10 14:19:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1788',0,'post','',0),(1787,4,'2012-08-06 15:40:26','2012-08-06 15:40:26','In its most basic form, communications happens when there is a dialogue between two people. Yet, how often do we see miscommunication instead of communication? Or one person shouting down the other? Or one person getting offended? Often, personality is behind miscommunication.\n\nOver the weekend, I watched part of a panel presentation regarding civility in politics on CSPAN. One of the panelists said that civil communication only occurs when one person speaks and the other listens (and vice versa). It seems pretty straightforward, but in most communications efforts I see every day, it isn\'t happening. In many cases, it comes down to personality traits that impede true communication.   These are:\n<ul>\n	<li>Arrogance</li>\n	<li>Self-involvement</li>\n	<li>Narcissism</li>\n	<li>Insecurity</li>\n</ul>\nYour personality can make or break your communications efforts. Arrogant people will dismiss or debase your concerns, questions and input. Self-involved or narcissistic people will only focus on their own concerns. Insecure people will exaggerate their own accomplishments and/or put down yours or seek a way to make you look stupid.\n\nI see examples of these personalities every single day on Twitter (people who never engage with other people are self-involved or those who don\'t credit others may be insecure). And corporations are not immune, since corporations are run by people (they aren\'t people in spite of what Mitt Romney may think).\n\n<a href=\"http://wtop.com/1165/2979339/Poll-Pepco-customers-most-dissatisfied\" target=\"_blank\">WTOP conducted a poll which found that Pepco\'s customers were more dissatisfied than those of other utilities. </a> In my opinion,  this has to to do with Pepco\'s arrogant communications efforts (generated by a company led/managed by arrogant people).\n\nDo you agree? Are there other personality traits that affect communications? Please let me know in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Is your personality getting in the way of your communications efforts?','','inherit','open','open','','1786-revision','','','2012-08-06 15:40:26','2012-08-06 15:40:26','',1786,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1786-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1789,4,'2012-08-10 14:18:56','2012-08-10 14:18:56','Yesterday, none other than the Social Media Club DC (SMCDC)  put out a tweet asking people to \"show some love\" to their Facebook page, because unlike their Twitter feed, it had \"only\" 3,000 supporters. I responded: \"Twitter and FB are totally different platforms and thus have different audiences. Where are you giving/getting more value?\"  To which SMCDC responded: \"It\'s hard to compare since they are so different, but just in case people want to be exposed to our content in a different form...\"\n\nFirst of all, social media is not JUST a numbers game. Having more followers/supporters/likers doesn\'t mean anything if you haven\'t decided what you want from those people. Are you trying to show increased interest in your product? Then the metrics may help with that.\n\nYou have to ask yourself WHY you are doing what you are doing. What are you trying to accomplish?  Are you advocating for a cause? Trying to sell product? Raising your profile?In SMCDC\'s case, it the content on Facebook different than Twitter? Is it more appealing to a certain demographic to see it on Facebook? What are the advantages of having more Facebook followers?\n\nYoung people who understand the tools of social media and can adapt at warp speed to the newest and greatest (in other words, they get the what), generally do not have enough business experience to really understand the why.\n\nThis morning I came across this article on Inc. Magazine: <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/hollis-thomases/social-media-dont-put-intern-in-charge.html\" target=\"_blank\">11 Reasons a 23-Year-Old Shouldn\'t Run Your Social Media </a>by Hollis Thomases.  Most of Thomases\' reasons have to do with the knowledge that experience delivers. You become a better communicator with time, for example.  She writes:\n<blockquote>Social media is not the be-all and end-all. It\'s a marketing <em>tool</em>--part of an ever-growing arsenal of ways to bring your company to your prospective customers\' attention.</blockquote>\nI would also add that young hires/interns/recent college graduates don\'t understand STRATEGY. Tools are to be used tactically, as part of a larger strategy. If you just look at the tool (we need more followers on Twitter), without thinking about WHY, then you are just using the tool for no purpose at all.\n\nThoughts? Please share in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','But why are you doing it?','','inherit','open','open','','1788-revision','','','2012-08-10 14:18:56','2012-08-10 14:18:56','',1788,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1788-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1799,4,'2012-08-20 19:04:25','2012-08-20 19:04:25','Here I go again. Pepco can\'t seem to stop providing material. On Friday, I received a letter from Thomas H. Graham, Pepco\'s regional president. It was addressed to \"Dear Valued Pepco Customer.\"\r\n\r\nThis letter, dated August 3 (but received two weeks later), is more of what we have already seen in Pepco\'s ads and public statements.  The derecho was very bad. Pepco had a lot of work to do. Pepco is committed to improving reliability.\r\n\r\n<strong>Same message, different medium.</strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite line is this:\r\n<blockquote>Yet, even with all the destruction, Pepco restored power to 90% of customers by midnight on July 4, more than 48 hours before our original estimate.</blockquote>\r\nLet\'s rewrite: Most Pepco customers were without power for five days.  Pepco did not get power to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">all</span> its customers until some eight days after the storm.\r\n\r\nWithout the spin, it doesn\'t sound so good, does it?\r\n\r\nThen we have this gem:\r\n<blockquote>Today, we are stronger and more reliable--but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a storm of this magnitude.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, Pepco wants customers to be aware that Pepco is not equipped to deal with storms \"of this magnitude.\"\r\n\r\nAnd the letter finishes off with the same message that we have seen over and over:\r\n<blockquote>Again, we sincerely thank you for your patience. I would also like to thank customers who took time to show their gratitude--shaking crew members\' hands, leaving them notes, water and Popsicles...We will continue to enhance our reliability....</blockquote>\r\nNote to Mr. Graham: anybody who was able to give crew members Popsicles had to have some refrigeration.  Just saying.\r\n\r\nPepco does not get that it does not matter what medium you use, the message is still not resonating.\r\n\r\nPersonally, I don\'t feel any better about Pepco after reading this letter--in fact, I am angry that the company would waste paper, postage and money putting together another self-congratulatory and inaccurate piece of propaganda. What do you think? Is direct mail to customers the way to get across this message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s not the medium, it\'s the message','','publish','open','open','','its-not-the-medium-its-the-message','','','2012-08-20 19:06:09','2012-08-20 19:06:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1799',0,'post','',0),(1791,4,'2012-08-13 13:03:22','2012-08-13 13:03:22','If you work in destination or travel marketing, there are plenty of people that envy your job. What could be more fun than having travel as your business? After all, travel marketers get to research and report on the places that make a destination stand out. I am sure that involves a lot of fun activities like dining out and attending cultural events.\r\n\r\nSome destinations are easier to market than others. Perhaps New York City or Washington, DC are more enticing to travelers than Des Moines or Kenosha (no offense to either of those cities).\r\n\r\n<strong>Whatever destination you are marketing, however, you should make sure it is open for business. This means having places for people to stay and eat, and actually being open.</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday, I went to Hagerstown, Maryland. My destination was not the city of Hagerstown, but rather the Premium Outlets located there. Once I was done shopping, I decided to check out \"Historic Downtown Hagerstown.\" I figured I would stop by the visitor center to get some information about what made Hagerstown historic and then perhaps get a refreshment of some sort.\r\n\r\nI drove into Hagerstown, and I noticed that there were few if any people on the street.  Everything seemed closed. I went into the visitor center at 3:45 pm, which was lucky since it closes at 4 pm on Sundays. The only person there was the clerk. I asked if anything was open and he told me that most restaurants and other businesses in downtown Hagerstown are closed on Sundays AND on Mondays.  I picked up a few brochures and left. Needless to say, I was not going to be able to get any snacks so I just headed to the highway and back home.\r\n\r\nHagerstown\'s Convention and Visitor\'s Bureau\'s <a href=\"http://www.marylandmemories.org/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">website</a> does not mention that downtown Hagerstown is closed on Sundays. Also, their tagline seems to be \"Let\'s make some Maryland memories 75 miles away from Baltimore.\"  I am not sure why anyone would think that\'s a good way to market a destination (hey, its more than an hour\'s drive from a big city!).\r\n\r\nMost people who take day trips do so on the weekends- Saturdays AND Sundays. If a town/city is dead on Sundays, there is no reason to visit.  If you want to market your city or town as a destination (historic or otherwise), you must be open for business.\r\n\r\nWould you make a separate trip to visit a place if you found it was not open on the day you visit? Let me know your thoughts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your destination open for business?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-destination-open-for-business','','','2012-08-15 20:24:43','2012-08-15 20:24:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1791',0,'post','',2),(1792,4,'2012-08-13 13:02:43','2012-08-13 13:02:43','If you work in destination or travel marketing, there are plenty of people that envy your job. What could be more fun that having travel as your business? After all, destination marketers get to research and report on the places that make a place stand out. I am sure that involves a lot of fun activities like dining out and attending cultural events.\n\nSome destinations are easier to market than others. Perhaps New York City or Washington, DC are more enticing to travelers than Des Moines or Kenosha (no offense to either of those cities).\n\n<strong>Whatever destination you are marketing, however, you should make sure it is open for business. This means having places for people to stay and eat, and actually being open.</strong>\n\nYesterday, I went to Hagerstown, Maryland. My destination was not the city of Hagerstown, but rather the Premium Outlets located there. Once I was done shopping, I decided to check out \"Historic Downtown Hagerstown.\" I figured I would stop by the visitor center to get some information about what made Hagerstown historic and then perhaps get a refreshment of some sort.\n\nI drove into Hagerstown, and I noticed that there were few if any people on the street.  Everything seemed closed. I went into the visitor center at 3:45 pm, which was lucky since it closes at 4 pm on Sundays. The only person there was the clerk. I asked if anything was open and he told me that most restaurants and other businesses in downtown Hagerstown are closed on Sundays AND on Mondays.  I picked up a few brochures and left. Needless to say, I was not going to be able to get any snacks so I just headed to the highway and back home.\n\nHagerstown\'s Convention and Visitor\'s Bureau\'s <a href=\"http://www.marylandmemories.org/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">website</a> does not mention that downtown Hagerstown is closed on Sundays. Also, their tagline seems to be \"Let\'s make some Maryland memories 75 miles away from Baltimore.\"  I am not sure why anyone would think that\'s a good way to market a destination (hey, its\n\nMost people who take day trips do so on the weekends- Saturdays AND Sundays. If a town/city is dead on Sundays, there is no reason to visit.  If you want to market your city or town as a destination (historic or otherwise), you must be open for business.\n\nWould you make a separate trip to visit a place if you found it was not open on the day you visit? Let me know your thoughts.\n\n&nbsp;','Is your destination open for business?','','inherit','open','open','','1791-revision','','','2012-08-13 13:02:43','2012-08-13 13:02:43','',1791,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1791-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1793,4,'2012-08-15 20:25:48','2012-08-15 20:25:48','If you work in destination or travel marketing, there are plenty of people that envy your job. What could be more fun than having travel as your business? After all, travel marketers get to research and report on the places that make a destination stand out. I am sure that involves a lot of fun activities like dining out and attending cultural events.\n\nSome destinations are easier to market than others. Perhaps New York City or Washington, DC are more enticing to travelers than Des Moines or Kenosha (no offense to either of those cities).\n\n<strong>Whatever destination you are marketing, however, you should make sure it is open for business. This means having places for people to stay and eat, and actually being open.</strong>\n\nYesterday, I went to Hagerstown, Maryland. My destination was not the city of Hagerstown, but rather the Premium Outlets located there. Once I was done shopping, I decided to check out \"Historic Downtown Hagerstown.\" I figured I would stop by the visitor center to get some information about what made Hagerstown historic and then perhaps get a refreshment of some sort.\n\nI drove into Hagerstown, and I noticed that there were few if any people on the street.  Everything seemed closed. I went into the visitor center at 3:45 pm, which was lucky since it closes at 4 pm on Sundays. The only person there was the clerk. I asked if anything was open and he told me that most restaurants and other businesses in downtown Hagerstown are closed on Sundays AND on Mondays.  I picked up a few brochures and left. Needless to say, I was not going to be able to get any snacks so I just headed to the highway and back home.\n\nHagerstown\'s Convention and Visitor\'s Bureau\'s <a href=\"http://www.marylandmemories.org/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">website</a> does not mention that downtown Hagerstown is closed on Sundays. Also, their tagline seems to be \"Let\'s make some Maryland memories 75 miles away from Baltimore.\"  I am not sure why anyone would think that\'s a good way to market a destination (hey, its more than an hour\'s drive from a big city!).\n\nMost people who take day trips do so on the weekends- Saturdays AND Sundays. If a town/city is dead on Sundays, there is no reason to visit.  If you want to market your city or town as a destination (historic or otherwise), you must be open for business.\n\nWould you make a separate trip to visit a place if you found it was not open on the day you visit? Let me know your thoughts.\n\n&nbsp;','Is your destination open for business?','','inherit','open','open','','1791-autosave','','','2012-08-15 20:25:48','2012-08-15 20:25:48','',1791,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1791-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1794,4,'2012-08-14 14:43:48','2012-08-14 14:43:48',' ','','','publish','open','open','','1794','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1794',17,'nav_menu_item','',0),(1795,4,'2012-08-13 13:03:22','2012-08-13 13:03:22','If you work in destination or travel marketing, there are plenty of people that envy your job. What could be more fun that having travel as your business? After all, destination marketers get to research and report on the places that make a place stand out. I am sure that involves a lot of fun activities like dining out and attending cultural events.\r\n\r\nSome destinations are easier to market than others. Perhaps New York City or Washington, DC are more enticing to travelers than Des Moines or Kenosha (no offense to either of those cities).\r\n\r\n<strong>Whatever destination you are marketing, however, you should make sure it is open for business. This means having places for people to stay and eat, and actually being open.</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday, I went to Hagerstown, Maryland. My destination was not the city of Hagerstown, but rather the Premium Outlets located there. Once I was done shopping, I decided to check out \"Historic Downtown Hagerstown.\" I figured I would stop by the visitor center to get some information about what made Hagerstown historic and then perhaps get a refreshment of some sort.\r\n\r\nI drove into Hagerstown, and I noticed that there were few if any people on the street.  Everything seemed closed. I went into the visitor center at 3:45 pm, which was lucky since it closes at 4 pm on Sundays. The only person there was the clerk. I asked if anything was open and he told me that most restaurants and other businesses in downtown Hagerstown are closed on Sundays AND on Mondays.  I picked up a few brochures and left. Needless to say, I was not going to be able to get any snacks so I just headed to the highway and back home.\r\n\r\nHagerstown\'s Convention and Visitor\'s Bureau\'s <a href=\"http://www.marylandmemories.org/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">website</a> does not mention that downtown Hagerstown is closed on Sundays. Also, their tagline seems to be \"Let\'s make some Maryland memories 75 miles away from Baltimore.\"  I am not sure why anyone would think that\'s a good way to market a destination (hey, its more than an hour\'s drive from a big city!).\r\n\r\nMost people who take day trips do so on the weekends- Saturdays AND Sundays. If a town/city is dead on Sundays, there is no reason to visit.  If you want to market your city or town as a destination (historic or otherwise), you must be open for business.\r\n\r\nWould you make a separate trip to visit a place if you found it was not open on the day you visit? Let me know your thoughts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your destination open for business?','','inherit','open','open','','1791-revision-2','','','2012-08-13 13:03:22','2012-08-13 13:03:22','',1791,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1791-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1796,4,'2012-02-27 15:27:13','2012-02-27 15:27:13','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\n\r\nBNA\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\n\r\nMiCORE Solutions, Inc.\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2012-02-27 15:27:13','2012-02-27 15:27:13','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/02/38-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1797,4,'2012-08-17 13:57:59','2012-08-17 13:57:59','My last blog post was about how you have to <a title=\"Is your destination open for business?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/is-your-destination-open-for-business/\">\"be open for business\"</a> if you are trying to market a destination.  In other words, marketers have to be aware of what the potential/actual customer experience looks and feels like.\r\n\r\nLast night, I attended a happy hour at a newish bar in Penn Quarter in Washington, DC.  My friend and I each got a $5 beer and sat down. The place was crowded, not packed, and the din was tremendous. We could barely hear each other. Why? Well, the room was apparently designed to bounce all noise back. There were none of the usual noise absorbers like acoustic tile on the ceiling or carpet or drapes. Instead the floor was pure concrete, the ceiling had no insulation and the walls were also concrete.\r\n\r\nIt was so unpleasant that we left after one beer. I wonder how many other people also left after a short while. If this bar checked out its customer experience they could take corrective steps to cut down some of the noise. Otherwise, I predict that within six months the place will close because no one is going to want to hang out there.\r\n\r\nRegardless of what field you are in, marketing is not simply pushing out a message and hoping it will stick. Marketers need to understand their customers and their experience with their product or service.\r\n\r\nSavvy marketers will check out the customer experience. Whether you do it by surveys, secret shoppers, going on location, listening to customer input on social channels--there are many ways to understand what your customers like and dislike. If you ignore the customer experience, your marketing will ultimately fail.\r\n\r\nHow do you check out the customer experience? Have you had a marketing campaign fail (or succeed) because of customer feedback?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Checking out the customer experience','','publish','open','open','','checking-out-the-customer-experience','','','2012-08-17 13:57:59','2012-08-17 13:57:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1797',0,'post','',0),(1798,4,'2012-08-17 13:57:20','2012-08-17 13:57:20','My last blog post was about how you have to <a title=\"Is your destination open for business?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/is-your-destination-open-for-business/\">\"be open for business\"</a> if you are trying to market a destination.  In other words, marketers have to be aware of what the potential/actual customer experience looks and feels like.\n\nLast night, I attended a happy hour at a newish bar in Penn Quarter in Washington, DC.  My friend and I each got a $5 beer and sat down. The place was crowded, not packed, but the din was tremendous. We could barely hear each other. Why? Well, the room was apparently designed to bounce all noise back. There were none of the usual noise absorbers like acoustic tile on the ceiling or carpet or drapes. Instead the floor was pure concrete, the ceiling had no insulation and the walls were also concrete.\n\nIt was so unpleasant that we left after one beer. I wonder how many other people also left after a short while. If this bar checked out its customer experience they could take corrective steps to cut down some of the noise. Otherwise, I predict that within six months the place will close because no one is going to want to hang out there.\n\nRegardless of what field you are in, marketing is not simply pushing out a message and hoping it will stick. Marketers need to understand their customers and their experience with their product or service.\n\nSavvy marketers will check out the customer experience. Whether you do it by surveys, secret shoppers, going on location, listening to customer input on social channels--there are many ways to understand what your customers like and dislike. If you ignore the customer experience, your marketing will ultimately fail.\n\nHow do you check out the customer experience? Have you had a marketing campaign fail (or succeed) because of customer feedback?\n\n&nbsp;','Checking out the customer experience','','inherit','open','open','','1797-revision','','','2012-08-17 13:57:20','2012-08-17 13:57:20','',1797,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1797-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1800,4,'2012-08-20 19:04:14','2012-08-20 19:04:14','Here I go again. Pepco can\'t seem to stop providing material. On Friday, I received a letter from Thomas H. Graham, Pepco\'s regional president. It was addressed to \"Dear Valued Pepco Customer.\"\n\nThis letter, dated August 3 (but received two weeks later), is more of what we have already seen in Pepco\'s ads and public statements.  The derecho was very bad. Pepco had a lot of work to do. Pepco is committed to improving reliability.\n\n<strong>Same message, different medium.</strong>\n\nMy favorite line is this:\n<blockquote>Yet, even with all the destruction, Pepco restored power to 90% of customers by midnight on July 4, more than 48 before our original estimate.</blockquote>\nLet\'s rewrite: Most Pepco customers were without power for five days.  Pepco did not get power to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">all</span> its customers until some eight days after the storm.\n\nWithout the spin, it doesn\'t sound so good, does it?\n\nThen we have this gem:\n<blockquote>Today, we are stronger and more reliable--but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a storm of this magnitude.</blockquote>\nIn other words, Pepco wants customers to be aware that Pepco is not equipped to deal with storms \"of this magnitude.\"\n\nAnd the letter finishes off with the same message that we have seen over and over:\n<blockquote>Again, we sincerely thank you for your patience. I would also like to thank customers who took time to show their gratitude--shaking crew members\' hands, leaving them notes, water and Popsicles...We will continue to enhance our reliability....</blockquote>\nNote to Mr. Graham: anybody who was able to give crew members Popsicles had to have some refrigeration.  Just saying.\n\nPepco does not get that it does not matter what medium you use, the message is still not resonating.\n\nPersonally, I don\'t feel any better about Pepco after reading this letter--in fact, I am angry that the company would waste paper, postage and money putting together another self-congratulatory and inaccurate piece of propaganda. What do you think? Is direct mail to customers the way to get across this message?\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s not the medium, it\'s the message','','inherit','open','open','','1799-revision','','','2012-08-20 19:04:14','2012-08-20 19:04:14','',1799,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1799-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1801,4,'2012-08-20 19:04:25','2012-08-20 19:04:25','Here I go again. Pepco can\'t seem to stop providing material. On Friday, I received a letter from Thomas H. Graham, Pepco\'s regional president. It was addressed to \"Dear Valued Pepco Customer.\"\r\n\r\nThis letter, dated August 3 (but received two weeks later), is more of what we have already seen in Pepco\'s ads and public statements.  The derecho was very bad. Pepco had a lot of work to do. Pepco is committed to improving reliability.\r\n\r\n<strong>Same message, different medium.</strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite line is this:\r\n<blockquote>Yet, even with all the destruction, Pepco restored power to 90% of customers by midnight on July 4, more than 48 before our original estimate.</blockquote>\r\nLet\'s rewrite: Most Pepco customers were without power for five days.  Pepco did not get power to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">all</span> its customers until some eight days after the storm.\r\n\r\nWithout the spin, it doesn\'t sound so good, does it?\r\n\r\nThen we have this gem:\r\n<blockquote>Today, we are stronger and more reliable--but no amount of strengthening to our system could have withstood a storm of this magnitude.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, Pepco wants customers to be aware that Pepco is not equipped to deal with storms \"of this magnitude.\"\r\n\r\nAnd the letter finishes off with the same message that we have seen over and over:\r\n<blockquote>Again, we sincerely thank you for your patience. I would also like to thank customers who took time to show their gratitude--shaking crew members\' hands, leaving them notes, water and Popsicles...We will continue to enhance our reliability....</blockquote>\r\nNote to Mr. Graham: anybody who was able to give crew members Popsicles had to have some refrigeration.  Just saying.\r\n\r\nPepco does not get that it does not matter what medium you use, the message is still not resonating.\r\n\r\nPersonally, I don\'t feel any better about Pepco after reading this letter--in fact, I am angry that the company would waste paper, postage and money putting together another self-congratulatory and inaccurate piece of propaganda. What do you think? Is direct mail to customers the way to get across this message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s not the medium, it\'s the message','','inherit','open','open','','1799-revision-2','','','2012-08-20 19:04:25','2012-08-20 19:04:25','',1799,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1799-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1802,4,'2012-08-22 13:51:45','2012-08-22 13:51:45','Asking for help is supposed to be one of the hardest things people do. I think it is probably harder for people to recognize when they need help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Shark by StormyDog, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-lees/134610871/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/54/134610871_a3ad9262b7.jpg\" alt=\"Shark\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<em>Photo: Shark by StormyDog, from Flickr.</em>\r\n\r\nThere\'s this guy--I call him the shark--who desperately needs help. Except he doesn\'t seem to recognize that he does.  The shark is a guy who hasn\'t quite mastered what we call \"social skills.\" More to the point, he doesn\'t know how to start or maintain a conversation. He doesn\'t have much to say even though he is dying to connect. This guy has been attending social events for the last twenty years and instead of making friends, he scares people away (thus why I call him the shark: he circles around making you feel he is going to injure you).  He comes up to women, whether or not they seem open to conversation, and stands there, expecting the woman to converse with him. What\'s worse is he has nothing to say. He\'s awkward and seems desperate. The bottom line is he needs help.\r\n\r\nSadly, the shark has been using the same \"strategy\" for twenty years: go to an event, and hope that someone will talk to him. What he should do is try a different strategy. One in which he recognizes that what he is doing doesn\'t work, and then get some help figuring out what does work -either from a therapist or a dating coach.\r\n\r\nBut before you think this is about people needing therapy, plenty of businesses and organizations also have communications problems. Nobody understands what they do. Nobody \"gets\" their message, if they even have one. These organizations need help.\r\n\r\nAs I said before, recognizing you need help is the hardest part. Here are some clues that your organization may need communications help:\r\n\r\n1. You\'ve been doing the same thing over and over, and getting no results.\r\n\r\n2. You can\'t explain in two or three sentences what you do.\r\n\r\n3. You are not \"engaging\" with your audiences--nobody \"likes\" your Facebook page for example.\r\n\r\n4. Your sales/donations are down.\r\n\r\nYou need help. Don\'t be like the shark, scaring your potential customers and donors away because you just don\'t know how to communicate!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Sometimes, you need help','','publish','open','open','','sometimes-you-need-help','','','2012-08-22 13:51:45','2012-08-22 13:51:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1802',0,'post','',0),(1803,4,'2012-08-22 13:51:07','2012-08-22 13:51:07','Asking for help is supposed to be one of the hardest things people do. I think it is probably harder for people to recognize when they need help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a title=\"Shark by StormyDog, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-lees/134610871/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/54/134610871_a3ad9262b7.jpg\" alt=\"Shark\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\n<em>Photo: Shark by StormyDog, from Flickr.</em>\n\nThere\'s this guy--I call him the shark--who desperately needs help. Except he doesn\'t seem to recognize that he does.  The shark is a guy who hasn\'t quite mastered what we call \"social skills.\" More to the point, he doesn\'t know how to start or maintain a conversation. He doesn\'t have much to say even though he is dying to connect. This guy has been attending social events for the last twenty years and instead of making friends, he scares people away (thus why I call him the shark: he circles around making you feel he is going to injure you).  He comes up to women, whether or not they seem open to conversation, and stands there, expecting the woman to converse with him. What\'s worse is he has nothing to say. He\'s awkward and seems desperate. The bottom line is he needs help.\n\nSadly, the shark has been using the same \"strategy\" for twenty years: go to an event, and hope that someone will talk to him. What he should do is try a different strategy. One in which he recognizes that what he is doing doesn\'t work, and then get some help figuring out what does work -either from a therapist or a dating coach.\n\nBut before you think this is about people needing therapy, plenty of businesses and organizations also have communications problems. Nobody understands what they do. Nobody \"gets\" their message, if they even have one. These organizations need help.\n\nAs I said before, recognizing you need help is the hardest part. Here are some clues:\n\n1. You\'ve been doing the same thing over and over, and getting no results.\n\n2. You can\'t explain in two or three sentences what you do.\n\n3. You are not \"engaging\" with your audiences--nobody \"likes\" your Facebook page for example.\n\n4. Your sales/donations are down.\n\nYou need help. Don\'t be like the shark, scaring your potential customers and donors away because you just don\'t know how to communicate!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Sometimes, you need help','','inherit','open','open','','1802-revision','','','2012-08-22 13:51:07','2012-08-22 13:51:07','',1802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1802-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1804,4,'2012-08-22 13:52:51','2012-08-22 13:52:51','Asking for help is supposed to be one of the hardest things people do. I think it is probably harder for people to recognize when they need help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a title=\"Shark by StormyDog, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-lees/134610871/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/54/134610871_a3ad9262b7.jpg\" alt=\"Shark\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\n<em>Photo: Shark by StormyDog, from Flickr.</em>\n\nThere\'s this guy--I call him the shark--who desperately needs help. Except he doesn\'t seem to recognize that he does.  The shark is a guy who hasn\'t quite mastered what we call \"social skills.\" More to the point, he doesn\'t know how to start or maintain a conversation. He doesn\'t have much to say even though he is dying to connect. This guy has been attending social events for the last twenty years and instead of making friends, he scares people away (thus why I call him the shark: he circles around making you feel he is going to injure you).  He comes up to women, whether or not they seem open to conversation, and stands there, expecting the woman to converse with him. What\'s worse is he has nothing to say. He\'s awkward and seems desperate. The bottom line is he needs help.\n\nSadly, the shark has been using the same \"strategy\" for twenty years: go to an event, and hope that someone will talk to him. What he should do is try a different strategy. One in which he recognizes that what he is doing doesn\'t work, and then get some help figuring out what does work -either from a therapist or a dating coach.\n\nBut before you think this is about people needing therapy, plenty of businesses and organizations also have communications problems. Nobody understands what they do. Nobody \"gets\" their message, if they even have one. These organizations need help.\n\nAs I said before, recognizing you need help is the hardest part. Here are some clues that your organization may need communications help:\n\n1. You\'ve been doing the same thing over and over, and getting no results.\n\n2. You can\'t explain in two or three sentences what you do.\n\n3. You are not \"engaging\" with your audiences--nobody \"likes\" your Facebook page for example.\n\n4. Your sales/donations are down.\n\nYou need help. Don\'t be like the shark, scaring your potential customers and donors away because you just don\'t know how to communicate!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Sometimes, you need help','','inherit','open','open','','1802-autosave','','','2012-08-22 13:52:51','2012-08-22 13:52:51','',1802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1802-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1820,4,'2012-09-06 13:52:31','2012-09-06 13:52:31','My Google reader has more than 100 subscriptions. On Twitter, I follow more than 1000 folks. I also have connections on LinkedIn and pages I have liked on Facebook. All in all that is a lot of content to which I am exposed each day.\r\n\r\nI have come to realize there are three types of content providers that I just don\'t have time for. They are the raconteurs, the recyclers and the reprobates.  They seem to be everywhere and I just want to avoid them!\r\n\r\n<strong>Raconteurs</strong>\r\n\r\nRaconteurs like to make a fuss. They are there to criticize anything and anybody just to get a rise out of their readers. There is one writer in particular who is such an extreme example of this that I recognize him from his blog titles alone (things like \"Are we really better off today?\" or \"The Gender Gap is a Myth\") which are designed to perk your interest because they AIM to be controversial. The sad thing is many raconteurs are seeking controversy not to enlighten but to rile up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Recyclers</strong>\r\n\r\nThese are not your environmentally-friendly folks, looking to reduce, reuse and recycle cans, bottles and paper.  Instead, these are idea recyclers. They are so devoid of original thought that they recycle ideas posted by other folks and pass them off as their own. A couple of weeks ago,  the big rage on Twitter was an article from Fast Company on how to be more productive. Now, there is nothing wrong with re-posting or retweeting that information (heck, we all want to get more out of days it seems). What is bad is taking the content but changing the title, taking only the main points,  or whatever and passing it off as your own post. There\'s a blogger,  often featured on a blog I read regularly, who is a mistress of this format. If it was all over Twitter yesterday, she is posting about it today.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reprobates</strong>\r\n\r\nReprobates are people who just post nasty stuff--either because they think it is amusing or because they are seeking to shock. Mostly, they love to use obscenity in their tweets and their posts. The more f-bombs they can cram into a paragraph the better.  Reprobates also make inappropriate remarks about serious or sensitive topics-- like the CNN guy who called the Democratic National Convention \"The Vagina Monologues.\"\r\n\r\nDo you have some of these in your content stream? Do you have types of bloggers/Tweeters that you avoid? Let me know in the comments.','3 Rs: Who to avoid on social media','','publish','open','open','','3-rs-who-to-avoid-on-social-media','','','2012-09-06 13:52:31','2012-09-06 13:52:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1820',0,'post','',0),(1806,4,'2012-08-27 17:48:55','2012-08-27 17:48:55','If you are on Twitter, chances are you\'ve seen tweets like this:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hey smelly guy on the Metro, invest in some deodorant! </em></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>This girl at the gym is hogging the machines. </em></p>\r\nPeople are tapping away their snide commentary on their smartphones, knowing full well that the person they are discussing will never see these commentaries or know he or she was being discussed at all.\r\n\r\nPeople seem to be avoiding a confrontation. Or maybe the are avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. People seem to be expressing anger and distaste quite passively--by sharing it on Twitter-- without actually solving the situation.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this avoidant behavior is related to technology. Over the weekend, the Washington Post ran an article regarding entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-art-of-the-digital-breakup/2012/08/23/636f4cce-b4c5-11e1-9e4c-5a6a137d65e1_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"It\'s over. Didn\'t You Get My Text?\"</a> (weirdly, the digital article is titled differently: \"The Art of the Digital Breakup\").  More and more, people are hiding behind their gadgets and avoiding talking to each other, especially about difficult things. In the article, Lisa Bonos writes:\r\n<blockquote>And it\'s not unheard of for Facebook users to get news about their romances when the other person changes his or her status...</blockquote>\r\nBonos says that digital rejections seem easier because there is no interruption or arguments. But, it could be painful for the \"dumpee\" since there was no chance to interact, to ask questions.\r\n\r\nI see it all the time (and have been guilty of myself): using email or social media to say something that we couldn\'t say to someone face to face.\r\n\r\nIt\'s affecting conversations for sure. But more distressing to me is that it seems to be affecting empathy and connection with other people. We figure that if we \"like\" something on Facebook, then we\'ve connected with someone. But have we? Not really.  I have seen many people who say they would rather text than talk. Some people even prefer posting things on social media to communicate with lots of people at once instead of bothering to talk to friends individually.\r\n\r\nIn the end, social media may not be MAKING us more passive-aggressive or socially awkward, perhaps it only exacerbates what was already there. And for me, social media has been the springboard to more meaningful personal connection. Sadly though, there are far too many people hiding behind their gadgets, making snide comments rather than confronting or connecting with other people.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you seen the rise in passive-aggressive behavior? Does it affect you?','Is social media making us more passive-aggressive?','','publish','open','open','','is-social-media-making-us-more-passive-aggressive','','','2012-08-30 18:24:04','2012-08-30 18:24:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1806',0,'post','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (1807,4,'2012-08-27 17:48:23','2012-08-27 17:48:23','If you are on Twitter, chances are you\'ve seen tweets like this:\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hey smelly guy on the Metro, invest in some deodorant! </em></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>This girl at the gym is hogging the machines. </em></p>\nPeople are tapping away their snide commentary on their smartphones, knowing full well that the person they are discussing will never see these commentaries or know he or she was being discussed at all.\n\nPeople seem to be avoiding a confrontation. Or maybe the are avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. People seem to be expressing anger and distaste quite passively--by sharing it on Twitter-- without actually solving the situation.\n\nPerhaps this avoidant behavior is related to technology. Over the weekend, the Washington Post ran an article regarding entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-art-of-the-digital-breakup/2012/08/23/636f4cce-b4c5-11e1-9e4c-5a6a137d65e1_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"It\'s over. Didn\'t You Get My Text?\"</a> (weirdly, the digital article is titled differently: \"The Art of the Digital Breakup\").  More and more, people are hiding behind their gadgets and avoiding talking to each other, especially about difficult things. In the article, Lisa Bonos writes:\n<blockquote>And it\'s not unheard of for Facebook users to get news about their romances when the other person changes his or her status...</blockquote>\nBonos says that digital rejections seem easier because their is no interruption or arguments. But, it could be painful for the \"dumpee\" since there was no chance to interact, to ask questions.\n\nI see it all the time (and have been guilty of myself): using email or social media to say something that we couldn\'t say to someone face to face.\n\nIt\'s affecting conversations for sure. But more distressing to me is that it seems to be affecting empathy and connection with other people. We figure that if we \"like\" something on Facebook, then we\'ve connected with someone. But have we? Not really.  I have seen many people who say they would rather text than talk. Some people even prefer posting things on social media to communicate with lots of people at once instead of bothering to talk to friends individually.\n\nIn the end, social media may not be MAKING us more passive-aggressive or socially awkward, perhaps it only exacerbates what was already there. And for me, social media has been the springboard to more meaningful face to face connection. Sadly though, there are far too many people hiding behind their gadgets, making snide comments rather than confronting or connecting with other people.\n\nWhat do you think? Have you seen the rise in passive-aggressive behavior? Does it affect you?','Is social media making us more passive-aggressive?','','inherit','open','open','','1806-revision','','','2012-08-27 17:48:23','2012-08-27 17:48:23','',1806,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1806-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1808,4,'2012-09-04 19:57:38','2012-09-04 19:57:38','I finally watched <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077928/\" target=\"_blank\">Midnight Express </a>last week. I know--EVERYBODY has seen it already (it came out in 1978, so I am merely 34 years behind the times). However,  I am very glad I didn\'t see it before my trip to Turkey back in 2000, or I would have had more than a second thought or two.\r\n\r\nIn case you are like me, one of the last two people who haven\'t seen this movie, let me give you a basic plot summary. Billy Hayes is visiting Istanbul in 1970 with his girlfriend Susan, and right before leaving decides to smuggle some hash out of the country. He gets caught and then gets thrown in a Turkish jail. Jail is no picnic and Billy is desperate to get out but not his parents\' money or the US consul can really help him. Turkey wants to make an example of him (if not of their prison system). He goes through hell (torture, hunger, madness, losing friends, losing hope, even ending up in a ward with demented people), until he is finally able to find a way out.\r\n\r\nWhile I was watching, I kept thinking that Midnight Express is really a movie about communications, and how when communications fail, stuff goes very wrong. It is also a movie about how cultures clash. If Billy had been just a bit more culturally sensitive, he may have avoided being put in jail in the first place. It\'s clear that Billy is the typical \"ugly American,\" thinking that he can behave in another country as if he\'s in the United States. He is also ignorant or very naive about the Turkish legal system. Smuggling hash through the airport makes him nervous, but when he is discovered, he almost treats it as a joke. He doesn\'t know Turkey considers this almost a capital crime.\r\n\r\nBy the way, Midnight Express is based on a true story. This really did happen.\r\n\r\nTo make  it out of a Turkish prison (or deal with a communications problem), you, like Billy Hayes, could do well to:\r\n\r\n<strong>Learn the lingo:</strong> Midnight express is a jail term for escaping jail. Billy doesn\'t seem to quite grasp this concept.\r\n\r\n<strong>Speak the language:</strong>If Billy had bothered to learn some Turkish, he may have understood what was being said.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand that your culture is not the predominant one:</strong> Billy feels entitled. People should understand English, and they should treat him better just because he is American. But the opposite happens--he is singled out for brutal treatment.\r\n\r\n<strong>Know when to speak and when to be silent:</strong> Billy could have spared himself a lot of trouble if he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he rages against the prison guard and gets badly tortured.\r\n\r\nDid you see Midnight Express? Do you agree that Billy could have saved himself a lot of trouble or was he doomed just by doing what he did?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to make it out of Turkish prison (or avoid going there in the first place)','','publish','open','open','','how-to-make-it-out-of-a-turkish-prison','','','2012-09-04 19:57:38','2012-09-04 19:57:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1808',0,'post','',0),(1809,4,'2012-08-30 16:39:45','2012-08-30 16:39:45','Last night, I finally watched Midnight Express. I am so glad I didn\'t see it before my trip to Turkey back in 2000, or I would have had more than a second thought or two.  In case you are like me, one of the last two people who haven\'t seen this movie, let me give you the basic plot. Billy Hayes is visiting Istanbul in 1970 with his girlfriend Susan, and right before leaving decides to smuggle some hash out of the country. He gets caught and then gets thrown in a Turkish jail. Jail is no picnic and Billy is desperate to get out but not his parents\' money or the US consul can really help him. Turkey wants to make an example of him (if not of their prison system).','What not to do if you are stuck in a Turkish prison','','inherit','open','open','','1808-revision','','','2012-08-30 16:39:45','2012-08-30 16:39:45','',1808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1808-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1810,4,'2012-08-30 17:02:08','2012-08-30 17:02:08','Last night, I finally watched Midnight Express. I am so glad I didn\'t see it before my trip to Turkey back in 2000, or I would have had more than a second thought or two.  In case you are like me, one of the last two people who haven\'t seen this movie, let me give you the basic plot. Billy Hayes is visiting Istanbul in 1970 with his girlfriend Susan, and right before leaving decides to smuggle some hash out of the country. He gets caught and then gets thrown in a Turkish jail. Jail is no picnic and Billy is desperate to get out but not his parents\' money or the US consul can really help him. Turkey wants to make an example of him (if not of their prison system).\n\nNow, I am not defending the Turks here, but what is ugly is how Billy behaves. He thinks he can just saunter out of Turkey with drugs taped to his body. And when he is caught, he has no idea','What not to do if you are stuck in a Turkish prison','','inherit','open','open','','1808-revision-2','','','2012-08-30 17:02:08','2012-08-30 17:02:08','',1808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1808-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1811,4,'2012-08-30 17:55:46','2012-08-30 17:55:46','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even a blogger for Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a> (although I have been told the blogger is a progressive pundit with the otherwise conservative news outlet h/t to <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrMediaTraining\" target=\"_blank\">Brad Phillips</a>).\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\r\n\r\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','publish','open','open','','built-on-a-foundation-of-lies','','','2012-08-30 18:38:42','2012-08-30 18:38:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1811',0,'post','',0),(1812,4,'2012-08-30 17:55:23','2012-08-30 17:55:23','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a>.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\n\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\n\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\n\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\n\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\n\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\n\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','inherit','open','open','','1811-revision','','','2012-08-30 17:55:23','2012-08-30 17:55:23','',1811,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1811-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1813,4,'2012-08-27 17:48:55','2012-08-27 17:48:55','If you are on Twitter, chances are you\'ve seen tweets like this:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hey smelly guy on the Metro, invest in some deodorant! </em></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>This girl at the gym is hogging the machines. </em></p>\r\nPeople are tapping away their snide commentary on their smartphones, knowing full well that the person they are discussing will never see these commentaries or know he or she was being discussed at all.\r\n\r\nPeople seem to be avoiding a confrontation. Or maybe the are avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. People seem to be expressing anger and distaste quite passively--by sharing it on Twitter-- without actually solving the situation.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this avoidant behavior is related to technology. Over the weekend, the Washington Post ran an article regarding entitled <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-art-of-the-digital-breakup/2012/08/23/636f4cce-b4c5-11e1-9e4c-5a6a137d65e1_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"It\'s over. Didn\'t You Get My Text?\"</a> (weirdly, the digital article is titled differently: \"The Art of the Digital Breakup\").  More and more, people are hiding behind their gadgets and avoiding talking to each other, especially about difficult things. In the article, Lisa Bonos writes:\r\n<blockquote>And it\'s not unheard of for Facebook users to get news about their romances when the other person changes his or her status...</blockquote>\r\nBonos says that digital rejections seem easier because their is no interruption or arguments. But, it could be painful for the \"dumpee\" since there was no chance to interact, to ask questions.\r\n\r\nI see it all the time (and have been guilty of myself): using email or social media to say something that we couldn\'t say to someone face to face.\r\n\r\nIt\'s affecting conversations for sure. But more distressing to me is that it seems to be affecting empathy and connection with other people. We figure that if we \"like\" something on Facebook, then we\'ve connected with someone. But have we? Not really.  I have seen many people who say they would rather text than talk. Some people even prefer posting things on social media to communicate with lots of people at once instead of bothering to talk to friends individually.\r\n\r\nIn the end, social media may not be MAKING us more passive-aggressive or socially awkward, perhaps it only exacerbates what was already there. And for me, social media has been the springboard to more meaningful personal connection. Sadly though, there are far too many people hiding behind their gadgets, making snide comments rather than confronting or connecting with other people.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you seen the rise in passive-aggressive behavior? Does it affect you?','Is social media making us more passive-aggressive?','','inherit','open','open','','1806-revision-2','','','2012-08-27 17:48:55','2012-08-27 17:48:55','',1806,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1806-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1814,4,'2012-08-30 17:55:46','2012-08-30 17:55:46','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\r\n\r\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','inherit','open','open','','1811-revision-2','','','2012-08-30 17:55:46','2012-08-30 17:55:46','',1811,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1811-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1815,4,'2012-08-30 18:25:33','2012-08-30 18:25:33','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even a blogger for Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\r\n\r\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','inherit','open','open','','1811-revision-3','','','2012-08-30 18:25:33','2012-08-30 18:25:33','',1811,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1811-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1816,4,'2012-08-30 18:34:59','2012-08-30 18:34:59','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even a blogger for Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a> (although I have been told the blogger is a progressive pundit with the otherwise conservative news outlet h/t to <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrMediaTraining\" target=\"_blank\">Brad Phillips</a>).\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\n\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\n\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\n\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\n\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\n\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\n\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','inherit','open','open','','1811-autosave','','','2012-08-30 18:34:59','2012-08-30 18:34:59','',1811,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1811-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1817,4,'2012-08-30 18:25:49','2012-08-30 18:25:49','We all know political speech is rhetorical--designed to fire up support. Most political speeches are short on substance and long on promises. This is true for any party, any politician. But how often do you see a political speech that is made up of misrepresentation and falsehoods? Indeed, of outright lies? Look no farther than Paul Ryan\'s speech at the Republican National Convention last night. The fact checkers have been having a field day, and everyone is saying the same thing: the speech is full of lies.  For example, Talking Points Memo lists the <a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/30/772921/6-worst-lies-in-paul-ryans-speech/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Worst Lies in Paul Ryan\'s Speech</a>. Even a blogger for Fox News calls the speech <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/?intcmp=trending\" target=\"_blank\">deceiving</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But we are all fact checkers now.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nHow can you trust a politician who lies so blatantly and yet so earnestly? (Yes, I know, most politicians lie.)  It\'s like the bigwigs at the GOP are not aware that millions of people, all with access to the Internet, can quickly look things up, comment instantaneously and amplify the response.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Is it an echo chamber?</span></strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, perhaps those of us tweeting and sharing articles like the one above are really in an echo chamber. We are all talking to ourselves. The party faithful out there think Paul Ryan gave a great speech! He promised that Mitt Romney will show strong leadership, and protect Medicare (even though Romney has shown very little leadership and Ryan\'s plan actually decimates both Medicare and Medicaid).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What happened to Medicaid?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nActually, you will notice that the RNC is focused on MEDICARE. Why? Because Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance plan for SENIORS. There are a lot of seniors in Florida (where the convention is being held) and seniors vote.  But Romney and Ryan are not talking at all about Medicaid, which is government-sponsored health insurance for poor people.  But then again, Mitt Romney has already said he is not concerned about the very poor in this country.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Did you build that?</strong></span>\r\n\r\nAnd of course, the other deceitful thing going on at the RNC convention is the \"we did build it\" trope--which is based on a statement (perhaps unadvised) by President Obama about small businesses needing the support of government to succeed--that has been taken out of context.\r\n\r\nAll in all, something built on a weak foundation--and lies are weak--generally falls down on itself. But the question is unless someone points out a lie, do you know it? And more importantly, do the voters going to the polls in November have real, factual, proven information on which to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Truth should be as important as presentation.</span></strong>\r\n\r\nWhen people praise Paul Ryan\'s speech as being good--what are they saying? And if a speech can be good even though it is build on a foundation of lies, where does that leave us and our democracy?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Built on a foundation of lies','','inherit','open','open','','1811-revision-4','','','2012-08-30 18:25:49','2012-08-30 18:25:49','',1811,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/1811-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1818,4,'2012-08-16 13:15:16','2012-08-16 13:15:16','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\n\r\nBNA\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\n\r\nKARRASS\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\n\r\nMiCORE Solutions, Inc.\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\n\r\nSperry Van Ness\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\n\r\nSW Creatives\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2012-08-16 13:15:16','2012-08-16 13:15:16','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/08/38-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1819,4,'2012-09-04 19:56:43','2012-09-04 19:56:43','I finally watched <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077928/\" target=\"_blank\">Midnight Express </a>last week. I know--EVERYBODY has seen it already (it came out in 1978, so I am merely 34 years behind the times). However,  I am very glad I didn\'t see it before my trip to Turkey back in 2000, or I would have had more than a second thought or two.\n\nIn case you are like me, one of the last two people who haven\'t seen this movie, let me give you a basic plot summary. Billy Hayes is visiting Istanbul in 1970 with his girlfriend Susan, and right before leaving decides to smuggle some hash out of the country. He gets caught and then gets thrown in a Turkish jail. Jail is no picnic and Billy is desperate to get out but not his parents\' money or the US consul can really help him. Turkey wants to make an example of him (if not of their prison system). He goes through hell (torture, hunger, madness, losing friends, losing hope, even ending up in a ward with demented people), until he is finally able to find a way out.\n\nWhile I was watching, I kept thinking that Midnight Express is really a movie about communications, and how when communications fail, stuff goes very wrong. It is also a movie about how cultures clash. If Billy had been just a bit more culturally sensitive, he may have avoided being put in jail in the first place. It\'s clear that Billy is the typical \"ugly American,\" thinking that he can behave in another country as if he\'s in the United States. He is also ignorant or very naive about the Turkish legal system. Smuggling hash through the airport makes him nervous, but when he is discovered, he almost treats it as a joke.\n\nOh, and by the way, Midnight Express is based on a true story. This really did happen.\n\nTo make  it out of a Turkish prison (or deal with a communications problem), you, like Billy Hayes, could do well to:\n\n<strong>Learn the lingo:</strong> Midnight express is a jail term for escaping jail. Billy doesn\'t seem to quite grasp this concept.\n\n<strong>Speak the language:</strong>If Billy had bothered to learn some Turkish, he may have understood what was being said.\n\n<strong>Understand that your culture is not the predominant one:</strong> Billy feels entitled. People should understand English, and they should treat him better just because he is American. But the opposite happens--he is singled out for brutal treatment.\n\n<strong>Know when to speak and when to be silent:</strong> Billy could have spared himself a lot of trouble if he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he rages against the prison guard and gets badly tortured.\n\nDid you see Midnight Express? Do you agree that Billy could have saved himself a lot of trouble or was he doomed just by doing what he did?\n\n&nbsp;','How to make it out of Turkish prison (or avoid going there in the first place)','','inherit','open','open','','1808-revision-3','','','2012-09-04 19:56:43','2012-09-04 19:56:43','',1808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1808-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1821,4,'2012-09-06 13:52:19','2012-09-06 13:52:19','My Google reader has more than 100 subscriptions. On Twitter, I follow more than 1000 folks. I also have connections on LinkedIn and pages I have liked on Facebook. All in all that is a lot of content to which I am exposed each day.\n\nI have come to realize there are three types of content providers that I just don\'t have time for. They are the raconteurs, the recyclers and the reprobates.  They seem to be everywhere and I just want to avoid them!\n\n<strong>Raconteurs</strong>\n\nRaconteurs like to make a fuss. They are there to criticize anything and anybody just to get a rise out of their readers. There is one writer in particular who is such an extreme example of this that I recognize him from his blog titles alone (things like \"Are we really better off today?\" or \"The Gender Gap is a Myth\") which are designed to perk your interest because they AIM to be controversial. The sad thing is many raconteurs are seeking controversy not to enlighten but to rile up.\n\n<strong>Recyclers</strong>\n\nThese are not your environmentally-friendly folks, looking to reduce, reuse and recycle cans, bottles and paper.  Instead, these are idea recyclers. They are so devoid of original thought that they recycle ideas posted by other folks and pass them off as their own. A couple of weeks ago,  the big rage on Twitter was an article from Fast Company on how to be more productive. Now, there is nothing wrong with re-posting or retweeting that information (heck, we all want to get more out of days it seems). What is bad is taking the content but changing the title, taking only the main points,  or whatever and passing it off as your own post. There\'s a blogger,  often featured on a blog I read regularly, who is a mistress of this format. If it was all over Twitter yesterday, she is posting about it today.\n\n<strong>Reprobates</strong>\n\nReprobates are people who just post nasty stuff--either because they think it is amusing or because they are seeking to shock. Mostly, they love to use obscenity in their tweets and their posts. The more f-bombs they can cram into a paragraph the better.  Reprobates also make inappropriate remarks about serious or sensitive topics-- like the CNN guy who called the Democratic National Convention \"The Vagina Monologues.\"\n\nDo you have some of these in your content stream? Do you have types of bloggers/Tweeters that you avoid? Let me know in the comments.','3 Rs: Who to avoid on social media','','inherit','open','open','','1820-revision','','','2012-09-06 13:52:19','2012-09-06 13:52:19','',1820,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1820-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1822,4,'2012-09-06 13:53:35','2012-09-06 13:53:35','My Google reader has more than 100 subscriptions. On Twitter, I follow more than 1000 folks. I also have connections on LinkedIn and pages I have liked on Facebook. All in all that is a lot of content to which I am exposed each day.\n\nI have come to realize there are three types of content providers that I just don\'t have time for. They are the raconteurs, the recyclers and the reprobates.  They seem to be everywhere and I just want to avoid them!\n\n<strong>Raconteurs</strong>\n\nRaconteurs like to make a fuss. They are there to criticize anything and anybody just to get a rise out of their readers. There is one writer in particular who is such an extreme example of this that I recognize him from his blog titles alone (things like \"Are we really better off today?\" or \"The Gender Gap is a Myth\") which are designed to perk your interest because they AIM to be controversial. The sad thing is many raconteurs are seeking controversy not to enlighten but to rile up.\n\n<strong>Recyclers</strong>\n\nThese are not your environmentally-friendly folks, looking to reduce, reuse and recycle cans, bottles and paper.  Instead, these are idea recyclers. They are so devoid of original thought that they recycle ideas posted by other folks and pass them off as their own. A couple of weeks ago,  the big rage on Twitter was an article from Fast Company on how to be more productive. Now, there is nothing wrong with re-posting or retweeting that information (heck, we all want to get more out of days it seems). What is bad is taking the content but changing the title, taking only the main points,  or whatever and passing it off as your own post. There\'s a blogger,  often featured on a blog I read regularly, who is a mistress of this format. If it was all over Twitter yesterday, she is posting about it today.\n\n<strong>Reprobates</strong>\n\nReprobates are people who just post nasty stuff--either because they think it is amusing or because they are seeking to shock. Mostly, they love to use obscenity in their tweets and their posts. The more f-bombs they can cram into a paragraph the better.  Reprobates also make inappropriate remarks about serious or sensitive topics-- like the CNN guy who called the Democratic National Convention \"The Vagina Monologues.\"\n\nDo you have some of these in your content stream? Do you have types of bloggers/Tweeters that you avoid? Let me know in the comments.','3 Rs: Who to avoid on social media','','inherit','open','open','','1820-autosave','','','2012-09-06 13:53:35','2012-09-06 13:53:35','',1820,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1820-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1823,4,'2012-09-07 13:52:07','2012-09-07 13:52:07','Thank goodness we all have something we are good at, and I hope we are doing whatever that is. After an incident this week, I hope doctors have the good sense to hire somebody who can handle communications for them (but maybe good sense is exactly what was lacking).\r\n\r\n<strong>The letter</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the scenario: I received a letter from an ophthalmology practice I have been going to for the last two and half years. The letter introduces a doctor who is joining the practice. It goes on, in glowing terms, to describe the many qualifications this doctor has (apparently, with the exception that the new doctor roots for a basketball team the lead doctor does not).\r\n\r\nThe last paragraph is all about self-congratulation--let me quote:\r\n<blockquote>I am proud that at X Ophthalmology, our dedication and skill has (sic) been recognized in Washingtonian\'s Top Doctors, The Washington Post Super Doctors, Consumer Checkbook\'s Top Doctors, and on Angie\'s List. Together, we will continue to provide the highest level of medical care in a warm and supportive environment. We look forward to assisting you and your family with all of your eye care needs.</blockquote>\r\n<strong>The website</strong>\r\n\r\nNow, let me add that my doctor is neither the letter\'s author or the new doctor. So, I went to the practice\'s website, which still reflected her name and not the new doctor\'s.   I called and asked if my doctor was still at the practice. The answer was no. I asked why the website wasn\'t updated. The answer was that it had happened very quickly (by the way, not so quickly that they did not have new letterhead printed on which the letter was sent).  I asked whether they thought it might have been a good idea to inform my doctor\'s patients that she had left the practice and how to best contact her. I didn\'t get a satisfactory response. Clearly, this practice was just going to wait for patients to call and then tell them, which is not very thoughtful.\r\n\r\n<strong>The letter and the website don\'t match.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, this shows a classically inept way of handling communications because it fails to think about the target audience\'s needs.  The lead doctor obviously thinks that patients will naturally want to stay with him and his new doctor, who after all, is the recipient of prizes and and all sorts of post graduate degrees from prestigious universities. It does not take into consideration that people form personal relationships with their doctors and that a doctor-patient relationship is based on trust. I have already developed trust with my doctor, and I like her.\r\n\r\n<strong>A better way: provide the information that your audience needs</strong>\r\n\r\nThe appropriate way to handle communications in this case would have been to introduce the new doctor while saying that my doctor had chosen to go to another practice. It would have also been good to update the website at the same time the letter was sent, making sure the new information was available by the time people got the letter. Additionally, the fact that this practice thinks it is more important to send a letter than to update a website shows a minimal understanding of how people get their information these days.\r\n\r\nPerhaps for people who understand communications my comments seem fairly straightforward. Apparently, this doctor has no clue, and why he should probably stick to making medical decisions.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you had similar experiences?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why doctors shouldn\'t handle patient communications','','publish','open','open','','why-doctors-shouldnt-handle-patient-communications','','','2012-09-07 13:52:07','2012-09-07 13:52:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1823',0,'post','',0),(1824,4,'2012-09-07 13:51:36','2012-09-07 13:51:36','Thank goodness we all have something we are good at.  And I hope we are doing whatever that is. After an incident this week, I hope doctors have the good sense to hire somebody who can handle communications for them (but maybe good sense is exactly what was lacking).\n\n<strong>The letter</strong>\n\nHere\'s the scenario: I received a letter from an ophthalmology practice I have been going to for the last two and half years. The letter introduces a doctor who is joining the practice. It goes on, in glowing terms, to describe the many qualifications this doctor has (apparently, with the exception that the new doctor roots for a basketball team the lead doctor does not).\n\nThe last paragraph is all about self-congratulation--let me quote:\n<blockquote>I am proud that at X Ophthalmology, our dedication and skill has (sic) been recognized in Washingtonian\'s Top Doctors, The Washington Post Super Doctors, Consumer Checkbook\'s Top Doctors, and on Angie\'s List. Together, we will continue to provide the highest level of medical care in a warm and supportive environment. We look forward to assisting you and your family with all of your eye care needs.</blockquote>\n<strong>The website</strong>\n\nNow, let me add that my doctor is neither the letter\'s author or the new doctor. So, I went to the practice\'s website, which still reflected her name and not the new doctor\'s.   I called and asked if my doctor was still at the practice. The answer was no. I asked why the website wasn\'t updated. The answer was that it had happened very quickly (by the way, not so quickly that they did not have new letterhead printed on which the letter was sent).  I asked whether they thought it might have been a good idea to inform my doctor\'s patients that she had left the practice and how to best contact her. I didn\'t get a satisfactory response. Clearly, this practice was just going to wait for patients to call and then tell them, which is not very thoughtful.\n\n<strong>The letter and the website don\'t match.</strong>\n\nIn my opinion, this shows a classically inept way of handling communications because it fails to think about the target audience\'s needs.  The lead doctor obviously thinks that patients will naturally want to stay with him and his new doctor, who after all, is the recipient of prizes and and all sorts of post graduate degrees from prestigious universities. It does not take into consideration that people form personal relationships with their doctors and that a doctor-patient relationship is based on trust. I have already developed trust with my doctor, and I like her.\n\n<strong>A better way: provide the information that y</strong>\n\nThe appropriate way to handle communications in this case would have been to introduce the new doctor while saying that my doctor had chosen to go to another practice. It would have also been good to update the website at the same time the letter was sent, making sure the new information was available by the time people got the letter. Additionally, the fact that this practice thinks it is more important to send a letter than to update a website shows a minimal understanding of how people get their information these days.\n\nPerhaps for people who understand communications my comments seem fairly straightforward. Apparently, this doctor has no clue, and why he should probably stick to making medical decisions.\n\nWhat do you think? Have you had similar experiences?\n\n&nbsp;','Why doctors shouldn\'t handle patient communications','','inherit','open','open','','1823-revision','','','2012-09-07 13:51:36','2012-09-07 13:51:36','',1823,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1823-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1831,4,'2012-09-19 21:06:05','0000-00-00 00:00:00','After the Republican Convention in Tampa, the PBS Newshour interviewed a group of undecided voters. These voters represented a cross section of the electorate: men and women, young and old, and registered Republicans, Democrats and independents. To a person, each undecided voter was still undecided after listening to and discussing the convention speeches.\n\nThe PBS Newshour interviewed the same group of undecided voters after the Democratic Convention, and all were still undecided.\n\nHow do you convince the undecided to make a choice? First, you have to understand the source of indecision. In the case of the PBS group of undecided voters it seemed to me that the source of indecision was perfectionism. Each voter indicated that they liked certain things about each candidate, but not everything. It sounded like in order to make a decision, these voters needed the candidates to be perfect (to them).\n\nIf perfectionism is the problem, campaigns will need to convince voters that NO candidate is perfect and that perfectionism should not be a goal for voters. Campaigns will also have to set out which things matter the most and convince voters that those issues are the ones to look at--even at the expense of everything else.\n\nOf course, this is easier said than done.\n\n&nbsp;','Convincing the undecided','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-09-19 21:06:05','2012-09-19 21:06:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1831',0,'post','',0),(1827,4,'2012-09-11 18:04:50','2012-09-11 18:04:50','Yesterday, I attended the first day of <a href=\"http://www.advertisingweekdc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Advertising Week DC</a>, a yearly event that is hosted by the <a href=\"http://www.dcadclub.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Ad Club of Metropolitan Washington</a>.  The theme of this year\'s week is \"awe,\" as in awesome. It quickly became an annoying trope used throughout the day. I think what the organizers were trying to tap into was creativity--because that is what drives awesome campaigns, ads and/or concepts.\r\n\r\nOf the nine presentations I attended yesterday, three stood out in regards to creativity.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mad Women</strong>\r\n\r\nThe first was a presentation by Jane Maas, who has written a book about women in adverting during the 1960s called <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-advertising-week/forthcoming-tome-mad-women-side-story/230133/\" target=\"_blank\">Mad Women</a>. Ms. Maas started her advertising career as a copywriter in the days when most women in advertising were secretaries. We\'ve seen those days portrayed in Mad Men, and apparently, according to Maas, the portrayal is not far from the truth. People in the advertising world back then were busy smoking, drinking and having sex. Of course, people today are busy doing that, just not at the office.  Drinking heavily at lunch was de rigeur. She gave the sense that advertising work was freer from constraints back then. There was more loyalty from clients, and ad agencies were willing to experiment. Perhaps the experimentation was fueled by alcohol, regardless, there seemed to be an attempt to push the envelope and see things differently.\r\n\r\n<strong>A cool office...and CEO</strong>\r\n\r\nAndrew Graff is the CEO of Boston agency <a href=\"http://www.a-g.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Allen &amp; Gerritsen</a>. Graff spoke about how he has created a pretty cool environment at his agency, which is designed to foster creative thinking. First, he has given his staffers tons of perks, like free breakfast every day and pet health insurance. Second, he has built an office environment were people can work in different locations--cafe, sofa or cubicle.  Third, he has implemented a mentorship program where he is being mentored by a 23-year-old. This has allowed Graff to understand how another generation thinks.  The main points here are that people should enjoy coming to work and that work should not be structured in a traditional way. Graff says that if you are someone who needs a lot of structure to work, you won\'t be happy at Allen &amp; Gerritsen (nor would you likely be hired).  <strong>To be creative--to think differently--you have to be able to see beyond structure.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Cannes award-winning campaigns</strong>\r\n\r\nThe last program (before the kick-off reception) was a reel of the winners of the 2012 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. What\'s great about being able to see these diverse campaigns is that it showcases creative and impactful work from  all over the world. A couple campaigns really stood out to me.\r\n\r\nOne was to save a library in Troy, OH. The people who were in favor of closing the library were saying that it was a tax issue. To counter that narrative the save-the-library folks came up with a social media campaign saying that they would be burning all the book once the library was closed. Folks were outraged at that suggestion. Then the save-the-library people said that closing the library was equivalent to burning books--effectively shutting down the taxes argument.\r\n\r\nThe other campaign that I thought was very creative was to encourage employers to hire workers with Down Syndrome. The campaign showed well known advertising (this was in Italy) but replaced the people in the ads with people who have Down\'s.  It was designed to make people see Down Syndrome in a more positive light.\r\n\r\n<strong>What are you doing to foster creativity?</strong>\r\n\r\nLately, I have noticed the lack of creativity in commercials. It seems as though they same ideas are cycled over and over. Chances are that ad agencies are not fostering creativity as much as they are kowtowing to clients who are unwilling to take risks.  There is no creativity without some degree of risk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Fostering creativity and other ideas from Ad Week DC','','publish','open','open','','fostering-creativity-and-other-ideas-from-ad-week-dc','','','2012-09-11 18:04:50','2012-09-11 18:04:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1827',0,'post','',0),(1828,4,'2012-09-11 18:04:22','2012-09-11 18:04:22','Yesterday, I attended the first day of <a href=\"http://www.advertisingweekdc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Advertising Week DC</a>, a yearly event that is hosted by the <a href=\"http://www.dcadclub.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Ad Club of Metropolitan Washington</a>.  The theme of this year\'s week is \"awe,\" as in awesome. It quickly became an annoying trope used throughout the day. I think what the organizers were trying to tap into was creativity--because that is what drives awesome campaigns, ads and/or concepts.\n\nOf the nine presentations I attended yesterday, three stood out in regards to creativity.\n\n<strong>Mad Women</strong>\n\nThe first was a presentation by Jane Maas, who has written a book about women in adverting during the 1960s called <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-advertising-week/forthcoming-tome-mad-women-side-story/230133/\" target=\"_blank\">Mad Women</a>. Ms. Maas started her advertising career as a copywriter in the days when most women in advertising were secretaries. We\'ve seen those days portrayed in Mad Men, and apparently, according to Maas, the portrayal is not far from the truth. People in the advertising world back then were busy smoking, drinking and having sex. Of course, people today are busy doing that, just not at the office.  Drinking heavily at lunch was de rigeur. She gave the sense that advertising work was freer from constraints back then. There was more loyalty from clients, and ad agencies were willing to experiment. Perhaps the experimentation was fueled by alcohol, regardless, there seemed to be an attempt to push the envelope and see things differently.\n\n<strong>A cool office...and CEO</strong>\n\nAndrew Graff is the CEO of Boston agency <a href=\"http://www.a-g.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Allen &amp; Gerritsen</a>. Graff spoke about how he has created a pretty cool environment at his agency, which is designed to foster creative thinking. First, he has given his staffers tons of perks, like free breakfast every day and pet health insurance. Second, he has built an office environment were people can work in different locations--cafe, sofa or cubicle.  Third, he has implemented a mentorship program where he is being mentored by a 23-year-old. This has allowed Graff to understand how another generation thinks.  The main points here are that people should enjoy coming to work and that work should not be structured in a traditional way. Graff says that if you are someone who needs a lot of structure to work, you won\'t be happy at Allen &amp; Gerritsen (nor would you likely be hired).  <strong>To be creative--to think differently--you have to be able to see beyond structure.</strong>\n\n<strong>Cannes award-winning campaigns</strong>\n\nThe last program (before the kick-off reception) was a reel of the winners of the 2012 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. What\'s great about being able to see these diverse campaigns is that it showcases creative and impactful work from  all over the world. A couple campaigns really stood out to me.\n\nOne was to save a library in Troy, OH. The people who were in favor of closing the library were saying that it was a tax issue. To counter that narrative the save-the-library folks came up with a social media campaign saying that they would be burning all the book once the library was closed. Folks were outraged at that suggestion. Then the save-the-library people said that closing the library was equivalent to burning books--effectively shutting down the taxes argument.\n\nThe other campaign that I thought was very creative was to encourage employers to hire workers with Down Syndrome. The campaign showed well known advertising (this was in Italy) but replaced the people in the ads with people who have Down\'s.  It was designed to make people see Down Syndrome in a more positive light.\n\n<strong>What are you doing to foster creativity?</strong>\n\nLately, I have noticed the lack of creativity in commercials. It seems as though they same ideas are cycled over and over. Chances are that ad agencies are not fostering creativity as much as they are kowtowing to clients who are unwilling to take risks.  There is no creativity without some degree of risk.\n\n&nbsp;','Fostering creativity and other ideas from Ad Week DC','','inherit','open','open','','1827-revision','','','2012-09-11 18:04:22','2012-09-11 18:04:22','',1827,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1827-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1901,4,'2012-10-02 16:19:24','2012-10-02 16:19:24','<div style=\"width: 195px; text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/calendar-widget?eid=4398883178\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"195\" height=\"508\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 10px; padding: 5px 0 5px; margin: 2px; width: 195px; text-align: center;\">\r\n\r\n<a style=\"color: #ddd; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/r/ecal\" target=\"_blank\">Sell Tickets Online</a> <span style=\"color: #ddd;\">through</span> <a style=\"color: #ddd; text-decor&lt;/p&gt;\r\n&lt;p&gt;check here for upcoming events and training workshops!&lt;/p&gt;\r\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;our next event is how to write your blog: A hands-on workshop on Thursday, November 8th. &lt;/strong&gt;Registration and information are available here:&lt;/p&gt;\r\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=;\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog2.eventbrite.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-10-02 16:19:24','2012-10-02 16:19:24','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1765-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1830,4,'2012-07-25 19:26:52','2012-07-25 19:26:52','Check here for upcoming events and training workshops!\r\n\r\n<strong>Our next event is How to Write your Blog workshop on July 31, 2012</strong>. More information:  <a href=\"hhttp://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog.eventbrite.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-07-25 19:26:52','2012-07-25 19:26:52','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/07/1765-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1832,4,'2012-09-19 21:04:33','2012-09-19 21:04:33','After the Republican Convention in Tampa, the PBS Newshour interviewed a group of undecided voters. These voters represented a cross section of the electorate: men and women, young and old, and registered Republicans, Democrats and independents. To a person, each undecided voter was still undecided after listening to and discussing the convention speeches.\n\nThe PBS Newshour interviewed the same group of undecided voters after the Democratic Convention, and all were still undecided.\n\nHow do you convince the undecided to make a choice? First, you have to understand the source of indecision. In the case of the PBS group of undecided voters it seemed to me that the source of indecision was perfectionism. Each voter indicated that they liked certain things about each candidate, but not everything. It sounded like in order to make a decision, these voters needed the candidates to be perfect (to them).\n\nIf perfectionism is the problem, campaigns will need to convince voters that NO candidate is perfect and that perfectionism should not be a goal for voters. Campaigns will also have to set out which things matter the most and convince voters that those issues are the ones to look at--even at the expense of everything else.\n\n&nbsp;','Convincing the undecided','','inherit','open','open','','1831-revision','','','2012-09-19 21:04:33','2012-09-19 21:04:33','',1831,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1831-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1834,4,'2012-09-20 14:15:20','2012-09-20 14:15:20','All sort of companies sell (sponsored Tweets, for example) on social media, so a better question is should you? In my opinion, the answer is no.\r\n\r\n<strong>Wedding crashers</strong>\r\n\r\nThink of it this way: you are at a wedding reception. You are busy chatting with relatives you haven\'t seen in ages while enjoying one or two glasses of champagne. Then, someone (think of this person as a wedding crasher) pops up, out of nowhere, and starts discussing health insurance options with you. First, you know this person is not invited to the wedding. Second, this person is a buzz kill. Right?\r\n\r\n<strong>Time and place</strong>\r\n\r\nSame thing happens when you are on Facebook or Twitter and someone you don\'t know is talking to you about something you don\'t want to discuss right then.  And the truth is you may be interested in the product or service being offered, but the time and place are all wrong. It is wrong because you are on social networks to be social. You are not there to shop.\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you pushing?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is not to say you can\'t market or communicate with target audiences on social networks. If your emphasis is brand awareness or image building, I think social networks can be hugely helpful. But selling is a \"push.\" And people don\'t like to pushed when they are relaxed.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this a personal bias of mine, but I don\'t like being sold in general. The other day I was doing a bit of shopping at Tysons Corner (and I was in the buying mode), and I got hawked walking from store to store from the various vendors who sell their wares from carts. I found it hugely annoying (one of them even asked me if was lazy because I didn\'t have a manicure and she was selling a manicure kit).\r\n\r\nDo you think selling on social networks is effective? Have you bought something that was advertised to you on a social network?','Can you sell on social media?','','publish','open','open','','can-you-sell-on-social-media','','','2012-09-20 14:15:20','2012-09-20 14:15:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1834',0,'post','',0),(1843,4,'2012-10-01 19:29:47','2012-10-01 19:29:47','It seems that many businesses, especially the big ones, spend much more money on memorable advertising campaigns and very little on customer service. No matter how great a business is, there will always be customer service to be done (changing addresses, paying bills, correcting billing errors, etc.). Yet, many businesses ignore the basics.\r\n\r\nA couple of examples:\r\n\r\n<strong>Netflix.</strong> Netflix does not seem to care much about how its customers feel. The company does not respond to Twitter mentions. It doesn\'t seem to be concerned about negative postings. How do I know? Well, I have had Salmon Fishing in the Yemen at the top of my Netflix queue for about six weeks or more. At first, there was a \"long wait.\" Now, it\'s a \"short wait.\" Bottom line is that I have watched several other movies while still waiting for Salmon Fishing. And I have tweeted Netflix. And I have wanted to email them--there is no easy way to do that.\r\n\r\n<strong>ATT</strong>. I have been with ATT for years now. I recently upgraded to a smartphone and was told that I was eligible for the upgrade (which apparently  means in ATT language they will CHARGE you for this upgrade). I called to see if they would take this charge off--and my argument was 1) I was not advised of such a charge and 2) I was told I was eligible for an upgrade. The customer service agent said he would give me a \"courtesy one-time waiver\" of this fee, but proceeded to lecture me that this fee was something all carriers do and that ATT would charge me it with every subsequent upgrade. He was combative and rude, and when I pointed this out to him, he hung up on me.  I called back and spoke to supervisor and she told me the same thing about the charge (a bit less rudely).  I repeatedly told her that I have been an ATT customer for years, I pay my bills on time, and ATT had given me no special offers. Bottom line in my experience: ATT does not care.\r\n\r\nNetflix and ATT appear to be utterly unconcerned with how their customers feel about them. I am just one more customer.\r\n\r\nIn contrast, I flew <strong>Delta</strong> last month and was amazed by the airline\'s interest in my customer experience. After the first flight I was sent a survey to measure what I thought of the boarding process, etc. The return flight was badly delayed due to weather in Washington. Delta sent an apology for the delay (even though it was  truly not at fault) and asked how the gate agent and flight attendants acted during the delay.\r\n\r\nCustomer service and experience should be an integral part of an organization\'s overall marketing strategy. If your organization does not know anything about how your customers feel, and does not respond to customer issues, you are well on your way to losing those customers.  <strong></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing should be both about ATTRACTING customers and RETAINING them</strong>.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How do your customers feel?','','publish','open','open','','how-do-your-customers-feel','','','2012-10-01 19:29:47','2012-10-01 19:29:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1843',0,'post','',0),(1836,4,'2012-09-20 14:07:11','2012-09-20 14:07:11','All sort of companies sell (sponsored Tweets, for example) on social media, so a better question is should you? In my opinion, the answer is no.\n\n<strong>Wedding crashers</strong>\n\nThink of it this way: you are at a wedding reception. You are busy chatting with relatives you haven\'t seen in ages while enjoying one or two glasses of champagne. Then, someone (think of this person as a wedding crasher) pops up, out of nowhere, and starts discussing health insurance options with you. First, you know this person is not invited to the wedding. Second, this person is a buzz kill. Right?\n\n<strong>Time and place</strong>\n\nSame thing happens when you are on Facebook or Twitter and someone you don\'t know is talking to you about something you don\'t want to discuss right then.  And the truth is you may be interested in the product or service being offered, but the time and place are all wrong. It is wrong because you are on social networks to be social. You are not there to shop.\n\nThis is not to say you can\'t market or communicate with target audiences on social networks. If your emphasis is brand awareness or image building, I think social networks can be hugely helpful. But selling is a \"push.\" And people don\'t like to pushed when they are relaxed.\n\nPerhaps this a personal bias of mine, but I don\'t like being sold in general. The other day I was','Can you sell on social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1834-revision','','','2012-09-20 14:07:11','2012-09-20 14:07:11','',1834,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1834-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1837,4,'2012-09-20 14:15:02','2012-09-20 14:15:02','All sort of companies sell (sponsored Tweets, for example) on social media, so a better question is should you? In my opinion, the answer is no.\n\n<strong>Wedding crashers</strong>\n\nThink of it this way: you are at a wedding reception. You are busy chatting with relatives you haven\'t seen in ages while enjoying one or two glasses of champagne. Then, someone (think of this person as a wedding crasher) pops up, out of nowhere, and starts discussing health insurance options with you. First, you know this person is not invited to the wedding. Second, this person is a buzz kill. Right?\n\n<strong>Time and place</strong>\n\nSame thing happens when you are on Facebook or Twitter and someone you don\'t know is talking to you about something you don\'t want to discuss right then.  And the truth is you may be interested in the product or service being offered, but the time and place are all wrong. It is wrong because you are on social networks to be social. You are not there to shop.\n\n<strong>Are you pushing?</strong>\n\nThis is not to say you can\'t market or communicate with target audiences on social networks. If your emphasis is brand awareness or image building, I think social networks can be hugely helpful. But selling is a \"push.\" And people don\'t like to pushed when they are relaxed.\n\nPerhaps this a personal bias of mine, but I don\'t like being sold in general. The other day I was doing a bit of shopping at Tysons Corner (and I was in the buying mode), and I got hawked walking from store to store from the various vendors who sell their wares from carts. I found it hugely annoying (one of them even asked me if was lazy because I didn\'t have a manicure and she was selling a manicure kit).\n\nDo you think selling on social networks is effective? Have you bought something that was advertised to you on a social network?','Can you sell on social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1834-revision-2','','','2012-09-20 14:15:02','2012-09-20 14:15:02','',1834,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1834-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1838,4,'2012-09-20 14:16:28','2012-09-20 14:16:28','All sort of companies sell (sponsored Tweets, for example) on social media, so a better question is should you? In my opinion, the answer is no.\n\n<strong>Wedding crashers</strong>\n\nThink of it this way: you are at a wedding reception. You are busy chatting with relatives you haven\'t seen in ages while enjoying one or two glasses of champagne. Then, someone (think of this person as a wedding crasher) pops up, out of nowhere, and starts discussing health insurance options with you. First, you know this person is not invited to the wedding. Second, this person is a buzz kill. Right?\n\n<strong>Time and place</strong>\n\nSame thing happens when you are on Facebook or Twitter and someone you don\'t know is talking to you about something you don\'t want to discuss right then.  And the truth is you may be interested in the product or service being offered, but the time and place are all wrong. It is wrong because you are on social networks to be social. You are not there to shop.\n\n<strong>Are you pushing?</strong>\n\nThis is not to say you can\'t market or communicate with target audiences on social networks. If your emphasis is brand awareness or image building, I think social networks can be hugely helpful. But selling is a \"push.\" And people don\'t like to pushed when they are relaxed.\n\nPerhaps this a personal bias of mine, but I don\'t like being sold in general. The other day I was doing a bit of shopping at Tysons Corner (and I was in the buying mode), and I got hawked walking from store to store from the various vendors who sell their wares from carts. I found it hugely annoying (one of them even asked me if was lazy because I didn\'t have a manicure and she was selling a manicure kit).\n\nDo you think selling on social networks is effective? Have you bought something that was advertised to you on a social network?','Can you sell on social media?','','inherit','open','open','','1834-autosave','','','2012-09-20 14:16:28','2012-09-20 14:16:28','',1834,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1834-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1839,4,'2012-09-24 14:24:06','2012-09-24 14:24:06','Last night, on 60 Minutes, both President Obama and Mitt Romney were interviewed. Scott Pelley interviewed Romney while Steve Kroft interviewed Obama. At the end of the hour, when both candidates gave few specifics, I don\'t think anyone\'s mind was changed. If you supported Romney, you liked what he had to say. Likewise for Obama.\r\n\r\n<strong>Beliefs are not facts but they are just as immutable</strong>\r\n\r\nThe campaigns are facing a very polarized electorate. People either support the candidate or they actively despise him. Take for example a friend of mine who is a very religious Catholic. She despises Obama  because she says he \"promotes abortion\" She has no evidence to prove this (because there is no evidence and besides, there is a huge difference between supporting the right to get an abortion and promoting it) but she believes it, and also that because he is pro-choice, he is immoral.  Someone like her will not be convinced by any campaign ad or speech.\r\n\r\n<strong>Role of undecided voters</strong>\r\n\r\nWe\'ve been told that the outcome of this election lies in the hands of the \"undecided.\" Campaigns are spending inordinate amounts of money trying to sway these voters (if they do even vote). After seeing a group of undecided voters on the PBS Newshour, which interviewed them after each of the conventions, I am not certain that undecided voters can be swayed. Those PBS undecideds seemed to be seeking the perfect candidate, and neither Obama nor Romney measured up. Undecideds may well be perfectionists who are unable to prioritize issues and accept that neither candidate will be perfect, and therefore can\'t make up their minds.\r\n\r\nIn short, I think that very few things that happen between now and Election Day will change voters\' minds. Minds are made up, and any \"mistakes\" candidates make will further solidify opinions not change them. You would think, for example, that there would be outrage about Mitt Romney\'s manipulation of his tax returns. Instead, those who support him say he has merely complied with the law and those who don\'t see further proof that he is a rich person trying to protect himself from taxation.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What can campaigns do to sway voters?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are the presidential campaigns convincing voters?','','publish','open','open','','are-the-presidential-campaigns-convincing-voters','','','2012-09-24 14:27:53','2012-09-24 14:27:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1839',0,'post','',0),(1840,4,'2012-09-24 14:23:52','2012-09-24 14:23:52','Last night, on 60 Minutes, both President Obama and Mitt Romney were interviewed. Scott Pelley interviewed Romney while Steve Kroft interviewed Obama. At the end of the hour, when both candidates gave few specifics, I don\'t think anyone\'s mind was changed. If you supported Romney, you liked what he had to say. Likewise for Obama.\n\n<strong>Beliefs are not facts but they are just as immutable</strong>\n\nThe campaigns are facing a very polarized electorate. People either support the candidate or they actively despise him. Take for example a friend of mine who is a very religious Catholic. She despises Obama  because she says he \"promotes abortion\" She has no evidence to prove this (because there is no evidence and besides, there is a huge difference between supporting the right to get an abortion and promoting it) but she believes it, and also that because he is pro-choice, he is immoral.  Someone like her will not be convinced by any campaign ad or speech.\n\n<strong>Role of undecided voters</strong>\n\nWe\'ve been told that the outcome of this election lies in the hands of the \"undecided.\" Campaigns are spending inordinate amounts of money trying to sway these voters (if they do even vote). After seeing a group of undecided voters on the PBS Newshour, which interviewed them after each of the conventions, I am not certain that undecided voters can be swayed. Those PBS undecideds seemed to be seeking the perfect candidate, and neither Obama nor Romney measured up. Undecideds may well be perfectionists who are unable to prioritize issues and accept that neither candidate will be perfect, and therefore can\'t make up their minds.\n\nIn short, I think that very few things that happen between now and Election Day will change voters minds. Minds are made up, and any \"mistakes\" candidates make will further solidify opinions not change them. You would think for example that there would be outrage about Mitt Romney\'s manipulation of his tax returns. Instead, those who support him say he has merely complied with the law and those who don\'t see further proof that he is a rich person trying to protect himself from taxation.\n\nWhat do you think? What can campaigns do to sway voters?\n\n&nbsp;','Are the presidential campaigns convincing voters?','','inherit','open','open','','1839-revision','','','2012-09-24 14:23:52','2012-09-24 14:23:52','',1839,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1839-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1841,4,'2012-09-24 14:24:06','2012-09-24 14:24:06','Last night, on 60 Minutes, both President Obama and Mitt Romney were interviewed. Scott Pelley interviewed Romney while Steve Kroft interviewed Obama. At the end of the hour, when both candidates gave few specifics, I don\'t think anyone\'s mind was changed. If you supported Romney, you liked what he had to say. Likewise for Obama.\r\n\r\n<strong>Beliefs are not facts but they are just as immutable</strong>\r\n\r\nThe campaigns are facing a very polarized electorate. People either support the candidate or they actively despise him. Take for example a friend of mine who is a very religious Catholic. She despises Obama  because she says he \"promotes abortion\" She has no evidence to prove this (because there is no evidence and besides, there is a huge difference between supporting the right to get an abortion and promoting it) but she believes it, and also that because he is pro-choice, he is immoral.  Someone like her will not be convinced by any campaign ad or speech.\r\n\r\n<strong>Role of undecided voters</strong>\r\n\r\nWe\'ve been told that the outcome of this election lies in the hands of the \"undecided.\" Campaigns are spending inordinate amounts of money trying to sway these voters (if they do even vote). After seeing a group of undecided voters on the PBS Newshour, which interviewed them after each of the conventions, I am not certain that undecided voters can be swayed. Those PBS undecideds seemed to be seeking the perfect candidate, and neither Obama nor Romney measured up. Undecideds may well be perfectionists who are unable to prioritize issues and accept that neither candidate will be perfect, and therefore can\'t make up their minds.\r\n\r\nIn short, I think that very few things that happen between now and Election Day will change voters minds. Minds are made up, and any \"mistakes\" candidates make will further solidify opinions not change them. You would think for example that there would be outrage about Mitt Romney\'s manipulation of his tax returns. Instead, those who support him say he has merely complied with the law and those who don\'t see further proof that he is a rich person trying to protect himself from taxation.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What can campaigns do to sway voters?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are the presidential campaigns convincing voters?','','inherit','open','open','','1839-revision-2','','','2012-09-24 14:24:06','2012-09-24 14:24:06','',1839,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1839-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1842,4,'2011-07-22 04:15:58','2011-07-22 04:15:58','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give  us all the relevant information, including target audience for the  project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you  need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before  beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many  projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement.  We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We  will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are  payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, cash and money orders. We do not  provide credit card processing at this time. Our policy is 14 days net  for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend  credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as  invoiced. All jobs require an initial 50% deposit.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:15:58','2011-07-22 04:15:58','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/42-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1844,4,'2012-10-01 19:29:22','2012-10-01 19:29:22','It seems that many businesses, especially the big ones, spend much more money on memorable advertising campaigns and very little on customer service. No matter how great a business is, there will always be customer service to be done (changing addresses, paying bills, correcting billing errors, etc.). Yet, many businesses ignore the basics.\n\nA couple of examples:\n\n<strong>Netflix.</strong> Netflix does not seem to care much about how its customers feel. The company does not respond to Twitter mentions. It doesn\'t seem to be concerned about negative postings. How do I know? Well, I have had Salmon Fishing in the Yemen at the top of my Netflix queue for about six weeks or more. At first, there was a \"long wait.\" Now, it\'s a \"short wait.\" Bottom line is that I have watched several other movies while still waiting for Salmon Fishing. And I have tweeted Netflix. And I have wanted to email them--there is no easy way to do that.\n\n<strong>ATT</strong>. I have been with ATT for years now. I recently upgraded to a smartphone and was told that I was eligible for the upgrade (which apparently  means in ATT language they will CHARGE you for this upgrade). I called to see if they would take this charge off--and my argument was 1) I was not advised of such a charge and 2) I was told I was eligible for an upgrade. The customer service agent said he would give me a \"courtesy one-time waiver\" of this fee, but proceeded to lecture me that this fee was something all carriers do and that ATT would charge me it with every subsequent upgrade. He was combative and rude, and when I pointed this out to him, he hung up on me.  I called back and spoke to supervisor and she told me the same thing about the charge (a bit less rudely).  I repeatedly told her that I have been an ATT customer for years, I pay my bills on time, and ATT had given me no special offers. Bottom line in my experience: ATT does not care.\n\nNetflix and ATT appear to be utterly unconcerned with how their customers feel about them. I am just one more customer.\n\nIn contrast, I flew <strong>Delta</strong> last month and was amazed by the airline\'s interest in my customer experience. After the first flight I was sent a survey to measure what I thought of the boarding process, etc. The return flight was badly delayed due to weather in Washington. Delta sent an apology for the delay (even though it was  truly not at fault) and asked how the gate agent and flight attendants acted during the delay.\n\nCustomer service and experience should be an integral part of an organization\'s overall marketing strategy. If your organization does not know anything about how your customers feel, and does not respond to customer issues, you are well on your way to losing those customers.  <strong></strong>\n\n<strong>Marketing should be both about ATTRACTING customers and RETAINING them</strong>.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','How do your customers feel?','','inherit','open','open','','1843-revision','','','2012-10-01 19:29:22','2012-10-01 19:29:22','',1843,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1843-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1845,4,'2012-10-01 19:30:51','2012-10-01 19:30:51','It seems that many businesses, especially the big ones, spend much more money on memorable advertising campaigns and very little on customer service. No matter how great a business is, there will always be customer service to be done (changing addresses, paying bills, correcting billing errors, etc.). Yet, many businesses ignore the basics.\n\nA couple of examples:\n\n<strong>Netflix.</strong> Netflix does not seem to care much about how its customers feel. The company does not respond to Twitter mentions. It doesn\'t seem to be concerned about negative postings. How do I know? Well, I have had Salmon Fishing in the Yemen at the top of my Netflix queue for about six weeks or more. At first, there was a \"long wait.\" Now, it\'s a \"short wait.\" Bottom line is that I have watched several other movies while still waiting for Salmon Fishing. And I have tweeted Netflix. And I have wanted to email them--there is no easy way to do that.\n\n<strong>ATT</strong>. I have been with ATT for years now. I recently upgraded to a smartphone and was told that I was eligible for the upgrade (which apparently  means in ATT language they will CHARGE you for this upgrade). I called to see if they would take this charge off--and my argument was 1) I was not advised of such a charge and 2) I was told I was eligible for an upgrade. The customer service agent said he would give me a \"courtesy one-time waiver\" of this fee, but proceeded to lecture me that this fee was something all carriers do and that ATT would charge me it with every subsequent upgrade. He was combative and rude, and when I pointed this out to him, he hung up on me.  I called back and spoke to supervisor and she told me the same thing about the charge (a bit less rudely).  I repeatedly told her that I have been an ATT customer for years, I pay my bills on time, and ATT had given me no special offers. Bottom line in my experience: ATT does not care.\n\nNetflix and ATT appear to be utterly unconcerned with how their customers feel about them. I am just one more customer.\n\nIn contrast, I flew <strong>Delta</strong> last month and was amazed by the airline\'s interest in my customer experience. After the first flight I was sent a survey to measure what I thought of the boarding process, etc. The return flight was badly delayed due to weather in Washington. Delta sent an apology for the delay (even though it was  truly not at fault) and asked how the gate agent and flight attendants acted during the delay.\n\nCustomer service and experience should be an integral part of an organization\'s overall marketing strategy. If your organization does not know anything about how your customers feel, and does not respond to customer issues, you are well on your way to losing those customers.  <strong></strong>\n\n<strong>Marketing should be both about ATTRACTING customers and RETAINING them</strong>.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','How do your customers feel?','','inherit','open','open','','1843-autosave','','','2012-10-01 19:30:51','2012-10-01 19:30:51','',1843,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1843-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1846,4,'2012-09-19 20:48:03','2012-09-19 20:48:03','Check here for upcoming events and training workshops!\r\n\r\n<strong>Our next event is How to Write your Blog: A hands-on workshop on Thursday, November 8th. </strong>Registration and information are available here:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://learntowriteyourblog2.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://learntowriteyourblog2.eventbrite.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-09-19 20:48:03','2012-09-19 20:48:03','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/09/1765-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1863,4,'2012-10-20 15:20:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-10-20 15:20:18','2012-10-20 15:20:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1863',0,'post','',0),(1848,4,'2012-10-04 19:52:28','2012-10-04 19:52:28','Have you ever visited a website that looked as if a teenager built it by trying out every single font and programming code out there? Or have you picked up a brochure that looked like your dad\'s secretary typed it out back in 1962?  If so,  you know instinctively that looks matter.\r\n\r\nYears ago I had a client who ran a tutoring service. He knew how to write and had written a fairly good brochure (although he was not highlighting why you should hire his company...and that is where I came in). He had also \"designed\" this brochure, and it looked like it. Because his brochure was \"home-made\" he looked small time. It wouldn\'t appeal to the diplomats that were his target audience. I convinced him to spend some money on professional design. He was very pleased with the end result and agreed that with a properly designed brochure, his business LOOKED professional, and seemed \"big time.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Looks matter.</strong>\r\n\r\nWould you go to a hospital that looks dirty? Would you trust your tax returns to an accountant who seems shady? Would you hire a personal trainer that you met while eating at McDonald\'s?  No, no, and no.  Your impressions of each of these would be negative in relation to the image you are looking for. Your image of an ideal hospital is one of white walls and the strong smell of disinfectant, right?\r\n\r\nDan Kohan, a graphic designer and owner of the Washington-based graphic design firm<a href=\"http://sensicaldesign.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Sensical Design</a>, says this:\r\n<blockquote>Graphic design communicates nonverbal information, the same way our facial expressions or clothing communicate when we\'re having a conversation. When people are presented with a magazine, say, or a website, they respond first to how it communicates visually—whether it looks attractive and professional or amateurish and cheap, whether it\'s easy to read, whether it draws your attention to what\'s important—and only then do they read the content. <strong>So, effective and appropriate design is crucial if you want your message to be heard.</strong></blockquote>\r\nNot only does design help make you LOOK professional, but it actually is part of your message.\r\n\r\nLooks matter. Are you paying enough attention?','Looks matter (or, invest in good graphic design)','','publish','open','open','','looks-matter-or-invest-in-good-graphic-design','','','2012-10-04 19:52:28','2012-10-04 19:52:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1848',0,'post','',0),(1849,4,'2012-10-03 13:11:11','2012-10-03 13:11:11','Have you ever gone to a website that looked as if a teenager built it by trying out every single font and programming code out there? Or have you picked up a brochure that looked like your dad\'s secretary typed it out back in 1962?  If so,  you know instinctively that looks matter.\n\nYears ago I had a client who ran a tutoring service. He knew how to write and had written a fairly good brochure (although he was not highlighting why you should hire his company...and that is where I came in). He had also \"designed\" this brochure, and it looked like it. I convinced him to spend some money on professional design. He was very pleased with the end result and agreed that with a properly designed brochure, his business LOOKED professional.\n\nLooks matter.\n\nWould you go to a hospital that looks dirty? Would you trust your tax returns to an accountant who seems shady? Would you hire a personal trainer that you met while eating at McDonald\'s?  No, no, and no.  Your impressions of each of these would be negative in relation to the image you are looking for. Your image of an ideal hospital is one of white walls and the strong smell of disinfectant, right?\n\n&nbsp;','Looks matter (or, invest in good graphic design)','','inherit','open','open','','1848-revision','','','2012-10-03 13:11:11','2012-10-03 13:11:11','',1848,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1848-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1850,4,'2012-10-04 19:51:56','2012-10-04 19:51:56','Have you ever visited a website that looked as if a teenager built it by trying out every single font and programming code out there? Or have you picked up a brochure that looked like your dad\'s secretary typed it out back in 1962?  If so,  you know instinctively that looks matter.\n\nYears ago I had a client who ran a tutoring service. He knew how to write and had written a fairly good brochure (although he was not highlighting why you should hire his company...and that is where I came in). He had also \"designed\" this brochure, and it looked like it. Because his brochure was \"home-made\" he looked small time. It wouldn\'t appeal to the diplomats that were his target audience. I convinced him to spend some money on professional design. He was very pleased with the end result and agreed that with a properly designed brochure, his business LOOKED professional, and seemed \"big time.\"\n\n<strong>Looks matter.</strong>\n\nWould you go to a hospital that looks dirty? Would you trust your tax returns to an accountant who seems shady? Would you hire a personal trainer that you met while eating at McDonald\'s?  No, no, and no.  Your impressions of each of these would be negative in relation to the image you are looking for. Your image of an ideal hospital is one of white walls and the strong smell of disinfectant, right?\n\nDan Kohan, a graphic designer and owner of<a href=\"http://sensicaldesign.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> the D Sensical Design</a>, says this:\n<blockquote>Graphic design communicates nonverbal information, the same way our facial expressions or clothing communicate when we\'re having a conversation. When people are presented with a magazine, say, or a website, they respond first to how it communicates visually—whether it looks attractive and professional or amateurish and cheap, whether it\'s easy to read, whether it draws your attention to what\'s important—and only then do they read the content. <strong>So, effective and appropriate design is crucial if you want your message to be heard.</strong></blockquote>\nNot only does design help make you LOOK professional, but it actually is part of your message.\n\nLooks matter. Are you paying enough attention?','Looks matter (or, invest in good graphic design)','','inherit','open','open','','1848-revision-2','','','2012-10-04 19:51:56','2012-10-04 19:51:56','',1848,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1848-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1851,4,'2011-09-08 15:09:51','2011-09-08 15:09:51','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How We Can Help</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nTogether, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Chose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.\r\n\r\n<strong>You\'ll find that our services</strong> are an affordable alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nNo matter if you need a single writer on a freelance basis, or need to put together a communications team, we can work with you.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2011-09-08 15:09:51','2011-09-08 15:09:51','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/09/2-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(1853,4,'2012-10-09 13:45:01','2012-10-09 13:45:01','I finally watched <a href=\"http://fishingintheyemen.com/#/videos\" target=\"_blank\">Salmon Fishing in the Yemen</a> last night (Netflix had me wait for this movie for about two months, but that is another story). If you haven\'t seen it yet, this is the basic plot: Yemeni sheik likes to fish salmon and wants to be able to do so in his country. He hires a British firm to find someone to bring his plans to fruition. British firm reaches out to Dr. Alfred Jones, of the UK Fishing and Hunting Department. Dr. Jones laughs at the idea, but Mrs. Patricia Maxwell, press secretary for the British Prime Minister insists that the project must go on, as a publicity ploy to counteract some bad news. And so Dr. Jones embarks on feasibility studies, etc.\r\n\r\nTo me, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a movie about the power of <del>faith</del> PR. Great public relations takes skill and passion. It is not for the faint of heart, especially when embodied by Mrs. Maxwell, who is played brilliantly, and with comic flair by Kristin Scott Thomas. She is a spot-on caricature of a PR  person (always working, smartphone in hand 24-7, running from meeting to meeting). In my opinion, she alone makes the movie worth watching.\r\n\r\nMrs. Maxwell is very adept at PR. Here\'s what she does well:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Understands the value of positive publicity (\"we need a good news story from the Middle East\")</li>\r\n	<li>Is always thinking of what story to tell</li>\r\n	<li>Recognizes opportunities (when she hears there are 2 million fishermen in the UK, she sees voters)</li>\r\n	<li>Knows that every audience has its news source</li>\r\n	<li>Thinks visually (does the Prime Minister fish? No, well send the Foreign Minister instead)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBut Mrs. Maxwell is not perfect. Here\'s where she may have gone a bit wrong:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Fails to have a plan B (expects plan she has to work regardless)</li>\r\n	<li>Doesn\'t understand the constituency (salmon fishermen are pretty passionate about their fish and will not go down easily)</li>\r\n	<li>Is too focused on the end result (goes too far in general)</li>\r\n	<li>Treats people like pawns</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat do you think? Do PR people go to far in real life? Do you know a Mrs. Maxwell? Do we need more PR people like her or fewer? And if you haven\'t seen this movie, try to get it on your Netflix queue now. It may be a while.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Mrs. Maxwell was on the right track, sort of','','publish','open','open','','mrs-maxwell-was-on-the-right-track-sort-of','','','2012-10-09 13:45:01','2012-10-09 13:45:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1853',0,'post','',0),(1854,4,'2012-10-09 13:44:44','2012-10-09 13:44:44','I finally watched <a href=\"http://fishingintheyemen.com/#/videos\" target=\"_blank\">Salmon Fishing in the Yemen</a> last night (Netflix had me wait for this movie for about two months, but that is another story). If you haven\'t seen it yet, this is the basic plot: Yemeni sheik likes to fish salmon and wants to be able to do so in his country. He hires a British firm to find someone to bring his plans to fruition. British firm reaches out to Dr. Alfred Jones, of the UK Fishing and Hunting Department. Dr. Jones laughs at the idea, but Mrs. Patricia Maxwell, press secretary for the British Prime Minister insists that the project must go on, as a publicity ploy to counteract some bad news. And so Dr. Jones embarks on feasibility studies, etc.\n\nTo me, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a movie about the power of <del>faith</del> PR. Great public relations takes skill and passion. It is not for the faint of heart, especially when embodied by Mrs. Maxwell, who is played brilliantly, and with comic flair by Kristin Scott Thomas. She is a spot-on caricature of a PR  person (always working, smartphone in hand 24-7, running from meeting to meeting). In my opinion, she alone makes the movie worth watching.\n\nMrs. Maxwell is very adept at PR. Here\'s what she does well:\n<ul>\n	<li>Understands the value of positive publicity (\"we need a good news story from the Middle East\")</li>\n	<li>Is always thinking of what story to tell</li>\n	<li>Recognizes opportunities (when she hears there are 2 million fishermen in the UK, she sees voters)</li>\n	<li>Knows that every audience has its news source</li>\n	<li>Thinks visually (does the Prime Minister fish? No, well send the Foreign Minister instead)</li>\n</ul>\nBut Mrs. Maxwell is not perfect. Here\'s where she may have gone a bit wrong:\n<ul>\n	<li>Fails to have a plan B (expects plan she has to work regardless)</li>\n	<li>Doesn\'t understand the constituency (salmon fishermen are pretty passionate about their fish and will not go down easily)</li>\n	<li>Is too focused on the end result (goes too far in general)</li>\n	<li>Treats people like pawns</li>\n</ul>\nWhat do you think? Do PR people go to far in real life? Do you know a Mrs. Maxwell? Do we need more PR people like her or fewer? And if you haven\'t seen this movie, try to get it on your Netflix queue now. It may be a while.\n\n&nbsp;','Mrs. Maxwell was on the right track, sort of','','inherit','open','open','','1853-revision','','','2012-10-09 13:44:44','2012-10-09 13:44:44','',1853,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1853-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1855,4,'2012-10-09 13:46:05','2012-10-09 13:46:05','I finally watched <a href=\"http://fishingintheyemen.com/#/videos\" target=\"_blank\">Salmon Fishing in the Yemen</a> last night (Netflix had me wait for this movie for about two months, but that is another story). If you haven\'t seen it yet, this is the basic plot: Yemeni sheik likes to fish salmon and wants to be able to do so in his country. He hires a British firm to find someone to bring his plans to fruition. British firm reaches out to Dr. Alfred Jones, of the UK Fishing and Hunting Department. Dr. Jones laughs at the idea, but Mrs. Patricia Maxwell, press secretary for the British Prime Minister insists that the project must go on, as a publicity ploy to counteract some bad news. And so Dr. Jones embarks on feasibility studies, etc.\n\nTo me, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a movie about the power of <del>faith</del> PR. Great public relations takes skill and passion. It is not for the faint of heart, especially when embodied by Mrs. Maxwell, who is played brilliantly, and with comic flair by Kristin Scott Thomas. She is a spot-on caricature of a PR  person (always working, smartphone in hand 24-7, running from meeting to meeting). In my opinion, she alone makes the movie worth watching.\n\nMrs. Maxwell is very adept at PR. Here\'s what she does well:\n<ul>\n	<li>Understands the value of positive publicity (\"we need a good news story from the Middle East\")</li>\n	<li>Is always thinking of what story to tell</li>\n	<li>Recognizes opportunities (when she hears there are 2 million fishermen in the UK, she sees voters)</li>\n	<li>Knows that every audience has its news source</li>\n	<li>Thinks visually (does the Prime Minister fish? No, well send the Foreign Minister instead)</li>\n</ul>\nBut Mrs. Maxwell is not perfect. Here\'s where she may have gone a bit wrong:\n<ul>\n	<li>Fails to have a plan B (expects plan she has to work regardless)</li>\n	<li>Doesn\'t understand the constituency (salmon fishermen are pretty passionate about their fish and will not go down easily)</li>\n	<li>Is too focused on the end result (goes too far in general)</li>\n	<li>Treats people like pawns</li>\n</ul>\nWhat do you think? Do PR people go to far in real life? Do you know a Mrs. Maxwell? Do we need more PR people like her or fewer? And if you haven\'t seen this movie, try to get it on your Netflix queue now. It may be a while.\n\n&nbsp;','Mrs. Maxwell was on the right track, sort of','','inherit','open','open','','1853-autosave','','','2012-10-09 13:46:05','2012-10-09 13:46:05','',1853,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1853-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1857,4,'2012-10-12 13:54:19','2012-10-12 13:54:19','I am not trying to get all new age and self-helpy with you. Instead, I am trying to find out whether you are presenting your \"real self\" to the world in your communications. In business lingo, this would translate into \"are you being authentic?\"\r\n\r\nWith social media, there is a blurring of lines between personal and professional. My Twitter feed, for example, features lots of political commentary. Some may not agree with my political viewpoint, but it is what it is. If you choose to not work with me because you disagree with me, so be it.\r\n\r\nIt turns out that people like authenticity. They like knowing who they are dealing with. And really, don\'t you want to work with people who want to work with you, when they know your foibles, viewpoints, etc.?\r\n\r\nI was inspired by the article <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/on-social-media-authenticity-always-wins.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Best Social Media Tactic: Always be Authentic\"</a> in Inc. Magazine. Here, writer  Christina DesMarais interviews J. C. Kendall, CEO of TekPersona. Kendall is known as being brutally honest in his customer/social media exchanges. He feels that it is part of his branding strategy. He says the following:\r\n<blockquote>You simply cannot avoid offending some people. <strong>No brand should waste undue time trying to appeal to everyone.</strong> When you are developing and supporting your brand, you are creating an expectation of what will occur through a transaction with your company. Your messaging has to focus on your target customer.</blockquote>\r\nEmphasis above is mine. I think that too many organizations and individuals work too hard to be \"nice,\" to appeal to everyone. They are AFRAID of being disliked. But the truth is that not everybody will like you and that is OK. You don\'t want everybody to listen to what you have to say--just your target audience. Your target WANTS what you have to offer.\r\n\r\nSo, if you are afraid of being yourself, stop. Be who you are and forget about being nice to everyone. I am not saying be mean or nasty. Just be authentic.\r\n\r\nAre you afraid of being yourself? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you afraid of being yourself?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-afraid-of-being-yourself','','','2012-10-12 13:54:19','2012-10-12 13:54:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1857',0,'post','',1),(1858,4,'2012-10-12 13:53:58','2012-10-12 13:53:58','I am not trying to get all new age and self-helpy with you. Instead, I am trying to find out whether you are presenting your \"real self\" to the world in your communications. In business lingo, this would translate into \"are you being authentic?\"\n\nWith social media, there is a blurring of lines between personal and professional. My Twitter feed, for example, features lots of political commentary. Some may not agree with my political viewpoint, but it is what it is. If you choose to not work with me because you disagree with me, so be it.\n\nIt turns out that people like authenticity. They like knowing who they are dealing with. And really, don\'t you want to work with people who want to work with you, when they know your foibles, viewpoints, etc.?\n\nI was inspired by the article <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/on-social-media-authenticity-always-wins.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Best Social Media Tactic: Always be Authentic\"</a> in Inc. Magazine. Here, writer  Christina DesMarais interviews J. C. Kendall, CEO of TekPersona. Kendall is known as being brutally honest in his customer/social media exchanges. He feels that it is part of his branding strategy. He says the following:\n<blockquote>You simply cannot avoid offending some people. <strong>No brand should waste undue time trying to appeal to everyone.</strong> When you are developing and supporting your brand, you are creating an expectation of what will occur through a transaction with your company. Your messaging has to focus on your target customer.</blockquote>\nEmphasis above is mine. I think that too many organizations and individuals work too hard to be \"nice,\" to appeal to everyone. They are AFRAID of being disliked. But the truth is that not everybody will like you and that is OK. You don\'t want everybody to listen to what you have to say--just your target audience. Your target WANTS what you have to offer.\n\nSo, if you are afraid of being yourself, stop. Be who you are and forget about being nice to everyone. I am not saying be mean or nasty. Just be authentic.\n\nAre you afraid of being yourself? Why or why not?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are you afraid of being yourself?','','inherit','open','open','','1857-revision','','','2012-10-12 13:53:58','2012-10-12 13:53:58','',1857,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1857-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1914,4,'2012-11-13 18:06:57','2012-11-13 18:06:57','There are a few things that people tend to overlook or to simply not check.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check the contact information CAREFULLY on your website/marketing materials</strong>\r\n\r\nYou want to make sure it is accurate. Perhaps have someone read it off to you. For example, in my newsletter I found the address had the wrong ZIP code.  A graphic designer I know had one digit wrong in her phone number.\r\n\r\n<strong>And check whether it can be found easily</strong>\r\n\r\nI just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find where an art class was being offered--you know--the actual physical place where it was meeting. The website made you go to the About page where you had to scroll to the \"where to find us\" page. Why make it so complicated?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"216\"]<a title=\"check by PNASH, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnash/5227436224/\"><img title=\"Check mark\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5165/5227436224_aa52b49262_m.jpg\" alt=\"check\" width=\"216\" height=\"118\" /></a> By PNASH, Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>Check to see if GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest can find your address</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are any type of location that people drive to (store, restaurant, hotel, attraction), have you checked that the address you give out  works on GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest? Sometimes street names have changed or are new and do not show up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check how your email and enewsletters  show up to recipients</strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you send out anything to the world, send yourself a sample. You want to make sure your name is spelled correctly, and how it shows up in the recipient\'s inbox.  For example, someone I know was sending email that was coming from Email box 2 instead of her name. And just today I received an enewsletter titled \"Sample Newsletter\" from a well known institution. These can result in people not knowing who you are and ultimately, not opening your email/enewsletter.\r\n\r\nGo check these things right now. Fix them if they don\'t check out. You will be glad you did.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Quick! Check these potential problems right now','','publish','open','open','','quick-check-these-potential-problems-right-now','','','2012-11-13 18:06:57','2012-11-13 18:06:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1914',0,'post','',0),(1860,4,'2012-10-16 20:40:20','2012-10-16 20:40:20','Last week, I attended an event and the complaint from the organizers is that fewer and fewer people are attending. Now part of this particular group\'s situation has to do with poor publicity.  In fact, their attendance has dwindled to such an extent that they have had to change venues. Today I attended another event (different group), same problem: fewer people.\r\n\r\nIf you are organizing an event that has been losing audience, you may want to ask yourself these questions:\r\n\r\n<strong>Is your publicity reaching new/bigger audiences?</strong>\r\n\r\nObviously, if few people know you are having an event, few people will attend. As a communicator, you have to evaluate where you are publicizing your event, and whether you are attracting enough people. Moreover, if you are trying to expand the amount of people at your events, you are going to have to experiment with new ways of publicizing the event. If you can only count on your core group, you don\'t have a recipe for growth.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is your program good?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are just so many times I can go to a social media event. I have heard lots of it before. Nothing new there. <strong>Programming content counts.</strong> Doing a boring event or having the same speakers is not going to draw a new or bigger crowd.\r\n\r\n<strong>What else is going on that day?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is about the importance of timing. If you are having an event, and there is a presidential debate going on that evening, you are forcing people to choose, and you may lose. Also, what time of day is your event? Have you experimented with other times?\r\n\r\n<strong>How good was your last event?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou know the saying, <em>you are only as good as your last success</em>. How successful was your last event? Were people interested, motivated, energized? Or did you receive complaints? Was the speaker entertaining or boring?  Unfortunately, you do not have too much control over circumstances (speaker was grumpy, people were late due to mass transit problems, etc.), but it matters anyhow. If you had a crappy event, people aren\'t going to want to attend another event that you put on.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know who your audience is? Do you know why they attend your events?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou don\'t survey you attendees? Big mistake! If you don\'t even know why the people who are there attended, how are you going to figure out why people aren\'t attending? YOU MUST SURVEY...even informally. As an organizer, ask people on the way  in how they found out about the event and on their way out whether they enjoyed the event. Have forms people can fill out. Send out an electronic survey. Do what it takes to find out more about your audience.\r\n\r\nWhat are you up against and how are you fixing it? Let me know in the comments.','Are your events drawing fewer people?','','publish','open','open','','are-your-events-drawing-fewer-people','','','2012-10-16 20:40:20','2012-10-16 20:40:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1860',0,'post','',0),(1861,4,'2012-10-16 20:39:58','2012-10-16 20:39:58','Last week, I attended an event and the complaint from the organizers is that fewer and fewer people are attending. Now part of this particular group\'s situation has to do with poor publicity.  In fact, their attendance has dwindled to such an extent that they have had to change venues. Today I attended another event (different group), same problem: fewer people.\n\nIf you are organizing an event that has been losing audience, you may want to ask yourself these questions:\n\n<strong>Is your publicity reaching new/bigger audiences?</strong>\n\nObviously, if few people know you are having an event, few people will attend. As a communicator, you have to evaluate where you are publicizing your event, and whether you are attracting enough people. Moreover, if you are trying to expand the amount of people at your events, you are going to have to experiment with new ways of publicizing the event. If you can only count on your core group, you don\'t have a recipe for growth.\n\n<strong>Is your program good?</strong>\n\nThere are just so many times I can go to a social media event. I have heard lots of it before. Nothing new there. <strong>Programming content counts.</strong> Doing a boring event or having the same speakers is not going to draw a new or bigger crowd.\n\n<strong>What else is going on that day?</strong>\n\nThis is about the importance of timing. If you are having an event, and there is a presidential debate going on that evening, you are forcing people to choose, and you may lose. Also, what time of day is your event? Have you experimented with other times?\n\n<strong>How good was your last event?</strong>\n\nYou know the saying, <em>you are only as good as your last success</em>. How successful was your last event? Were people interested, motivated, energized? Or did you receive complaints? Was the speaker entertaining or boring?  Unfortunately, you do not have too much control over circumstances (speaker was grumpy, people were late due to mass transit problems, etc.), but it matters anyhow. If you had a crappy event, people aren\'t going to want to attend another event that you put on.\n\n<strong>Do you know who your audience is? Do you know why they attend your events?</strong>\n\nYou don\'t survey you attendees? Big mistake! If you don\'t even know why the people who are there attended, how are you going to figure out why people aren\'t attending? YOU MUST SURVEY...even informally. As an organizer, ask people on the way  in how they found out about the event and on their way out whether they enjoyed the event. Have forms people can fill out. Send out an electronic survey. Do what it takes to find out more about your audience.\n\nWhat are you up against and how are you fixing it? Let me know in the comments.','Are your events drawing fewer people?','','inherit','open','open','','1860-revision','','','2012-10-16 20:39:58','2012-10-16 20:39:58','',1860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1860-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1862,4,'2012-10-16 20:41:25','2012-10-16 20:41:25','Last week, I attended an event and the complaint from the organizers is that fewer and fewer people are attending. Now part of this particular group\'s situation has to do with poor publicity.  In fact, their attendance has dwindled to such an extent that they have had to change venues. Today I attended another event (different group), same problem: fewer people.\n\nIf you are organizing an event that has been losing audience, you may want to ask yourself these questions:\n\n<strong>Is your publicity reaching new/bigger audiences?</strong>\n\nObviously, if few people know you are having an event, few people will attend. As a communicator, you have to evaluate where you are publicizing your event, and whether you are attracting enough people. Moreover, if you are trying to expand the amount of people at your events, you are going to have to experiment with new ways of publicizing the event. If you can only count on your core group, you don\'t have a recipe for growth.\n\n<strong>Is your program good?</strong>\n\nThere are just so many times I can go to a social media event. I have heard lots of it before. Nothing new there. <strong>Programming content counts.</strong> Doing a boring event or having the same speakers is not going to draw a new or bigger crowd.\n\n<strong>What else is going on that day?</strong>\n\nThis is about the importance of timing. If you are having an event, and there is a presidential debate going on that evening, you are forcing people to choose, and you may lose. Also, what time of day is your event? Have you experimented with other times?\n\n<strong>How good was your last event?</strong>\n\nYou know the saying, <em>you are only as good as your last success</em>. How successful was your last event? Were people interested, motivated, energized? Or did you receive complaints? Was the speaker entertaining or boring?  Unfortunately, you do not have too much control over circumstances (speaker was grumpy, people were late due to mass transit problems, etc.), but it matters anyhow. If you had a crappy event, people aren\'t going to want to attend another event that you put on.\n\n<strong>Do you know who your audience is? Do you know why they attend your events?</strong>\n\nYou don\'t survey you attendees? Big mistake! If you don\'t even know why the people who are there attended, how are you going to figure out why people aren\'t attending? YOU MUST SURVEY...even informally. As an organizer, ask people on the way  in how they found out about the event and on their way out whether they enjoyed the event. Have forms people can fill out. Send out an electronic survey. Do what it takes to find out more about your audience.\n\nWhat are you up against and how are you fixing it? Let me know in the comments.','Are your events drawing fewer people?','','inherit','open','open','','1860-autosave','','','2012-10-16 20:41:25','2012-10-16 20:41:25','',1860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1860-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1864,4,'2012-10-20 13:36:10','2012-10-20 13:36:10','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','inherit','open','open','','1863-revision','','','2012-10-20 13:36:10','2012-10-20 13:36:10','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1863-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1865,4,'2012-10-20 13:36:17','2012-10-20 13:36:17','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','inherit','open','open','','1863-revision-2','','','2012-10-20 13:36:17','2012-10-20 13:36:17','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1863-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1866,4,'2012-10-20 13:46:33','2012-10-20 13:46:33','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','inherit','open','open','','1863-revision-3','','','2012-10-20 13:46:33','2012-10-20 13:46:33','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1863-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1867,4,'2012-10-20 14:34:04','2012-10-20 14:34:04','','Picture0005','','inherit','open','open','','picture0005','','','2012-10-20 14:34:04','2012-10-20 14:34:04','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Picture0005.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1868,4,'2012-10-20 14:28:24','2012-10-20 14:28:24','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','inherit','open','open','','1863-revision-4','','','2012-10-20 14:28:24','2012-10-20 14:28:24','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1863-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1869,4,'2012-10-20 15:18:35','2012-10-20 15:18:35','Today I am at WordCamp Philly, which is the second WordPress \"camp\" I am attending.<!--more-->  I have already learned (within 15 minutes) how to do something cool.','Learning WordPress','','inherit','open','open','','1863-revision-5','','','2012-10-20 15:18:35','2012-10-20 15:18:35','',1863,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1863-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1920,4,'2012-11-20 14:14:48','0000-00-00 00:00:00','This is a fact: if organizations fail to appeal to younger people, they will not survive. There is no growth potential in appealing ONLY to older populations. They are not the future.  And yet, how many organizations are doing nothing--communications or programming-wise--to appeal to a younger audience?\r\n\r\nLast week, I attended an event where I was the youngest person. And I am not considered young (demographically speaking, of course).  It got me thinking about what organizations will have to do to appeal to younger people. Will it suffice to change and expand their communications efforts, or will they have to revamp their program offerings? Or both?\r\n\r\nNot appealing to younger people is a mistake of epic proportions. Witness the Republican Party\'s handwringing in light of their presidential loss to the Democrats. Even Mitt Romney seems to acknowledge his party was not offering much to young people (although his assertion that Obama was offering young people \"gifts\" was misguided at best).  The GOP is now dealing with the fact that their primary target of older, white male voters is a shrinking demographic.','Kidding around: appealing to younger people','','draft','open','open','','','','','2012-11-20 14:14:48','2012-11-20 14:14:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1920',0,'post','',0),(1872,4,'2012-10-23 15:05:55','2012-10-23 15:05:55','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\r\n\r\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\r\n\r\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\r\n\r\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\r\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\r\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\r\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\r\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\r\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\r\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\r\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\r\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\r\n\r\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\r\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\r\n	<li>Akismet</li>\r\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\r\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\r\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\r\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\r\n\r\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\r\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\r\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large organizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\r\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\r\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','All I learned about WordPress I learned at camp','','publish','open','open','','all-i-learned-about-wordpress','','','2012-10-23 15:07:59','2012-10-23 15:07:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1872',0,'post','',2),(1873,4,'2012-10-23 15:02:28','2012-10-23 15:02:28','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\n\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\n\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\n\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\n<ul>\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\n\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\n<ul>\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\n	<li>Akismet</li>\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>\n<strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\n\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large 0rganizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','1872-revision','','','2012-10-23 15:02:28','2012-10-23 15:02:28','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1874,4,'2012-10-23 15:03:34','2012-10-23 15:03:34','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\r\n\r\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\r\n\r\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\r\n\r\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\r\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\r\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\r\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\r\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\r\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\r\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\r\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\r\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\r\n\r\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\r\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\r\n	<li>Akismet</li>\r\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\r\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>\r\n<strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\r\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\r\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\r\n\r\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\r\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\r\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large 0rganizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\r\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\r\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','1872-revision-2','','','2012-10-23 15:03:34','2012-10-23 15:03:34','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1875,4,'2012-10-23 15:05:03','2012-10-23 15:05:03','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\r\n\r\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\r\n\r\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\r\n\r\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\r\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\r\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\r\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\r\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\r\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\r\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\r\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\r\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\r\n\r\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\r\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\r\n	<li>Akismet</li>\r\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\r\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>\r\n<strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\r\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\r\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\r\n\r\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\r\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\r\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large 0rganizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\r\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\r\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','All I learned about WordPress I learned at camp','','inherit','open','open','','1872-revision-3','','','2012-10-23 15:05:03','2012-10-23 15:05:03','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1876,4,'2012-10-23 15:05:07','2012-10-23 15:05:07','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\r\n\r\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\r\n\r\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\r\n\r\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\r\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\r\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\r\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\r\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\r\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\r\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\r\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\r\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\r\n\r\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\r\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\r\n	<li>Akismet</li>\r\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\r\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\r\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\r\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\r\n\r\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\r\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\r\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large 0rganizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\r\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\r\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','All I learned about WordPress I learned at camp','','inherit','open','open','','1872-revision-4','','','2012-10-23 15:05:07','2012-10-23 15:05:07','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1877,4,'2012-10-23 15:05:55','2012-10-23 15:05:55','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\r\n\r\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\r\n\r\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\r\n\r\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\r\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\r\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\r\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\r\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\r\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\r\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\r\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\r\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\r\n\r\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\r\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\r\n	<li>Akismet</li>\r\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\r\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\r\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\r\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\r\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\r\n\r\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\r\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\r\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large 0rganizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\r\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\r\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','All I learned about WordPress I learned at camp','','inherit','open','open','','1872-revision-5','','','2012-10-23 15:05:55','2012-10-23 15:05:55','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1878,4,'2012-10-23 15:09:02','2012-10-23 15:09:02','This blog is hosted on a website built on <a href=\"http://wordpress.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress</a>. Lots of blogs, and many websites, are built using WordPress because it is easy to use and easy to customize. Because WordPress makes it so easy to update your content, there are more organizations using WordPress as a content management system (CMS). If you use software such as Dreamweaver to build a website, you probably have to call your “web person” to ask him/her to make updates.\n\nWordPress has built quite a large community of users and developers, many of whom have regular meet ups and discussion groups. A very popular (and fun) way to get a large group of WordPress enthusiasts together is <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress “camp.” </a>These camps happen year round in cities worldwide. All are volunteer run.\n\nThis past weekend I attended <a href=\"http://2012.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Word Camp Philadelphia</a>, and last month I went to Word Camp in Baltimore. I am trying to learn all I can about WordPress since I don’t have an IT department or anybody handling my website (which is a long story).\n\nI learned a lot at Word Camp Philadelphia (and kudos to the organizers who made this volunteer run event run smoothly and professionally). Here are some main takeaways:\n<h3> <strong>Make security a priority</strong></h3>\nAll websites are vulnerable to hacking. There are several steps you can take to minimize the risk. Among them:\n<ul>\n	<li>            Do not use admin as your log on name</li>\n	<li>            Have a strong password</li>\n	<li>            Always update to the newest version of WordPress</li>\n	<li>            Be sure your plugins are compatible and updated</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong>Backup often</strong></h3>\nWe heard this time and time again—make your back ups happen automatically. There are many plugins (free and paid) that make this easy. The one mentioned by many presenters was BackupBuddy.\n<h3> <strong>Plugins are cool</strong></h3>\nPlugins are little programs that add functionality to your WordPress site. There are thousands of plugins available for download from WordPress.org, providing the ability to share posts, create backups, and add lots of bells and whistles. You should keep plugins updated, and you should remove any you aren’t using. Too many plugins can slow a website down, and create issues.\n\nA few that were mentioned repeatedly were:\n<ul>\n	<li>All in One SEO pack</li>\n	<li>AntispamBee</li>\n	<li>Akismet</li>\n	<li>Yet Another Related Post (YARPP) (running on this site)</li>\n	<li>Digg Digg (for social sharing)</li>\n</ul>\n<h3><strong> Content is crucial</strong></h3>\nIf you don’t have interesting and relevant content on your blog/website, why would anybody want to visit? Keep in mind that people don’t like to read long chunks of text (as Jess Ostroff from <a href=\"http://dontpanicmgmt.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Don’t Panic Management</a> put it: <strong>TL;DR</strong>, which stands for too long; didn’t read). Also, to avoid long uninterrupted text is why we break up content using headings, bullets and images. To organize your content, you should use some sort of content management system. Jess Ostroff recommended <a href=\"http://www.divvyhq.com/\" target=\"_blank\">DivvyHQ.com</a> (paid) or the WordPress Editorial Calendar (free).\n<h3> <strong>Websites should be accessible</strong></h3>\nThere is such a thing as making your website “handicapped accessible.” For example,  blind people use web readers to visit websites. If you have images on your website, you should make sure to add alt text  so that these readers can include a description of these images.\n\nAnother type of accessibility is for mobile devices. The newest version of the simple WordPress theme (Twenty Twelve) adjusts the dimensions of your website to make it fit to a mobile phone screen.\n<h3> <strong>WordPress: it’s not just for blogging anymore!</strong></h3>\nThe most important takeaway is that WordPress is not just for blogging. Large organizations have already migrated their websites to a WordPress platform.\n<h3><strong>Go to camp  already!</strong></h3>\nIf you are interested in learning more about WordPress, I highly recommend going to Word Camp. However, not all camps are created equal and it may be worth it to travel to a camp that is well organized.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','All I learned about WordPress I learned at camp','','inherit','open','open','','1872-autosave','','','2012-10-23 15:09:02','2012-10-23 15:09:02','',1872,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1872-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1880,4,'2012-10-25 19:39:46','2012-10-25 19:39:46','This year, we have been bombarded with political ads on TV, especially in swing states. I can attest to this since my TV DMA covers Northern Virginia, and Virginia is a swing state, so we have been seeing (too) many here in Maryland.\r\n\r\nThe spending is in the billions. Adweek reports: <a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/political-tv-ads-shatter-records-144746\" target=\"_blank\">Political TV Ads Shatter Records. It\'s not over yet.</a>  According to Adweek, as of last week, 915,000 presidential ads have appeared. Add to that congressional and senate ads, and ballot question ads, and I would be surprised if you have seen even one commercial for Viagra!\r\n\r\nIn today\'s Washington Post, Ned Martel writes in the article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/could-the-campaign-ads-benefit-from-the-mad-men-touch/2012/10/24/84a09c60-1215-11e2-ba83-a7a396e6b2a7_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Could the campaign ads benefit from Mad Men touch\"</a> that the ads are not even that good.  He says:\r\n<blockquote>To advertising executives, this onslaught of attack ads looks like a giant waste of money. It certainly runs counter to every risk-conscious maxim the industry has honed since the days of “Mad Men.”</blockquote>\r\nNegative ads have been a staple of political campaigns forever. You want to discredit your opponent, that is understood. Unfortunately, this year especially (or so it seems...memories are short), we are seeing that not only are these ads negative, they are also factually challenged. Glenn Kessler, \"The Fact Checker\" writer at the Washington Post,<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/romney-doubling-down-on-debate-misstatements/2012/10/24/c1d34826-1e22-11e2-ba31-3083ca97c314_blog.html\" target=\"_blank\"> today rated  one of Mitt Romney\'s ads regarding Obama\'s so-called Apology Tour </a>four Pinnochios (which means that this particular ad includes falsehoods).\r\n\r\nWe are seeing a lot of back and forth: Romney says one thing, and Obama answers it. And to add legitimacy, we are seeing the use of news footage. An Obama ad recently used footage from a 60 Minutes interview of Mitt Romney.\r\n\r\nBut does any of it make any difference in trying to reach the mythical undecided voter? I am not sure. I think it must have some impact but does it change minds? Do people watch the ads or do they tune them out? I don\'t know. What are your thoughts?','Do political ads work?','','publish','open','open','','do-political-ads-work','','','2012-10-25 19:39:46','2012-10-25 19:39:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1880',0,'post','',0),(1881,4,'2012-10-25 19:39:00','2012-10-25 19:39:00','This year, we have been bombarded with political ads on TV, especially in swing states. I can attest to this since my TV DMA covers Northern Virginia, and Virginia is a swing state, so we have been seeing (too) many here in Maryland.\n\nThe spending is in the billions. Adweek reports: <a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/political-tv-ads-shatter-records-144746\" target=\"_blank\">Political TV Ads Shatter Records. It\'s not over yet.</a>  According to Adweek, as of last week, 915,000 presidential ads have appeared. Add to that congressional and senate ads, and ballot question ads, and I would be surprised if you have seen even one commercial for Viagra!\n\nIn today\'s Washington Post, Ned Martel writes in the article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/could-the-campaign-ads-benefit-from-the-mad-men-touch/2012/10/24/84a09c60-1215-11e2-ba83-a7a396e6b2a7_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Could the campaign ads benefit from Mad Men touch\"</a> that the ads are not even that good.  He says:\n<blockquote>To advertising executives, this onslaught of attack ads looks like a giant waste of money. It certainly runs counter to every risk-conscious maxim the industry has honed since the days of “Mad Men.”</blockquote>\nNegative ads have been a staple of political campaigns forever. You want to discredit your opponent, that is understood. Unfortunately, this year especially (or so it seems...memories are short), we are seeing that not only are these ads negative, they are also factually challenged. Glenn Kessler, \"The Fact Checker\" writer at the Washington Post,<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/romney-doubling-down-on-debate-misstatements/2012/10/24/c1d34826-1e22-11e2-ba31-3083ca97c314_blog.html\" target=\"_blank\"> today rated  one of Mitt Romney\'s ads regarding Obama\'s so-called Apology Tour </a>four Pinnochios (which means that this particular ad includes falsehoods).\n\nWe are seeing a lot of back and forth: Romney says one thing, and Obama answers it. And to add legitimacy, we are seeing the use of news footage. An Obama ad recently used footage from a 60 Minutes interview of Mitt Romney.\n\nBut does any of it make any difference in trying to reach the mythical undecided voter? I am not sure. I think it must have some impact but does it change minds? Do people watch the ads or do they tune them out? I don\'t know. What are your thoughts?','Do political ads work?','','inherit','open','open','','1880-revision','','','2012-10-25 19:39:00','2012-10-25 19:39:00','',1880,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1880-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1883,4,'2012-10-29 14:57:25','2012-10-29 14:57:25','If you are anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard you are feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy (or at least, you are hearing about the effects of Sandy on the nonstop news coverage). You are probably hunkered down at home since few people ventured out to work today.  If your job is to communicate, you are faced with a tough situation: you cannot compete for attention! What should you do?\r\n\r\nIf you already have a <strong>print campaign</strong> running, there is nothing you can or should do. People realize that your ad or press release went out way before the storm.\r\n\r\nIf you have <strong>TV  ad campaign</strong> running, realize that your spots probably won\'t run. Too much air space will be devoted to hurricane coverage. The issue you will have to face is whether you can continue to use those spots after the storm. Are they still relevant? More importantly, if people are dealing with after-disaster effects, how much impact will your ads have?\r\n\r\nIf you had scheduled a<strong> press conference</strong>, you should cancel it. Nobody wants to hear about product launches when they are worried about a tree crashing down on their house.\r\n\r\nIf you handle <strong>communications for a business or organization</strong>--especially a retail operation--you should update your website and social media feeds regarding your status (are you open or closed, do you have power or not, will you honor late payments etc.) You should also record a phone message for your location. Not everyone will have access to the Internet. You may also consider sending emails/SMS messages to customers who may need to reschedule appointments etc.\r\n\r\nIf you have a <strong>press release</strong> going out this week, you may want to reschedule it. Your news will have to compete with disaster information.\r\n\r\nIf you have a <strong>social media campaign</strong> running, first realize that many people may not have Internet access. You may want to postpone your campaign, and certainly, revisit and reconsider any scheduled Tweets, Facebook updates or blog posts.  Mary Fletcher Jones of Fletcher Jones has written a very useful blog post: <a href=\"http://fletcher-prince.com/2012/10/28/6-tips-how-communicators-can-prepare-for-hurricane-sandy/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Tips: How Communicators Can Prepare for Hurricane Sandy</a> where she deals with special considerations for social media.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to communicate during and after the storm? Please share any insights here.','Communicating when disaster strikes','','publish','open','open','','communicating-when-disaster-strikes','','','2012-10-29 14:57:25','2012-10-29 14:57:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1883',0,'post','',0),(1884,4,'2012-10-29 14:56:51','2012-10-29 14:56:51','If you are anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard you are feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy (or at least, you are hearing about the effects of Sandy on the nonstop news coverage). You are probably hunkered down at home since few people ventured out to work today.  If your job is to communicate, you are faced with a tough situation: there\'s no competing for attention! What should you do?\n\nIf you already have a <strong>print campaign</strong> running, there is nothing you can or should do. People realize that your ad or press release went out way before the storm.\n\nIf you have <strong>TV  ad campaign</strong> running, realize that your spots probably won\'t run. Too much air space will be devoted to hurricane coverage. The issue you will have to face is whether you can continue to use those spots after the storm. Are they still relevant? More importantly, if people are dealing with after-disaster effects, how much impact will your ads have?\n\nIf you had scheduled a<strong> press conference</strong>, you should cancel it. Nobody wants to hear about product launches when they are worried about a tree crashing down on their house.\n\nIf you handle <strong>communications for a business or organization</strong>--especially a retail operation--you should update your website and social media feeds regarding your status (are you open or closed, do you have power or not, will you honor late payments etc.) You should also record a phone message for your location. Not everyone will have access to the Internet. You may also consider sending emails/SMS messages to customers who may need to reschedule appointments etc.\n\nIf you have a <strong>press release</strong> going out this week, you may want to reschedule it. Your news will have to compete with disaster information.\n\nIf you have a <strong>social media campaign</strong> running, first realize that many people may not have Internet access. You may want to postpone your campaign, and certainly, revisit and reconsider any scheduled Tweets, Facebook updates or blog posts.  Mary Fletcher Jones of Fletcher Jones has written a very useful blog post: <a href=\"http://fletcher-prince.com/2012/10/28/6-tips-how-communicators-can-prepare-for-hurricane-sandy/\" target=\"_blank\">6 Tips: How Communicators Can Prepare for Hurricane Sandy</a> where she deals with special considerations for social media.\n\nWhat are you doing to communicate during and after the storm? Please share any insights here.','Communicating when disaster strikes','','inherit','open','open','','1883-revision','','','2012-10-29 14:56:51','2012-10-29 14:56:51','',1883,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1883-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1885,4,'2012-10-31 14:01:38','2012-10-31 14:01:38','Yes, I know, it is somewhat formulaic to have a scary things post at Halloween, but why not? Following, in no particular order, are the scary (wrong) things communicators do:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Not know their effect from their affect</li>\r\n	<li> Declare that social media isn’t necessary</li>\r\n	<li> On the other hand, think that all they need to do is Tweet something out</li>\r\n	<li> Think a USP is something like a USB</li>\r\n	<li>Overlook the basics: not checking the address is correct, for example</li>\r\n	<li>Network all the time or not at all</li>\r\n	<li> Steer clear of professional development events because “there’s nothing new to learn”</li>\r\n	<li> Use corporate-speak phrases just to achieve buy-in or ramp up their core competency</li>\r\n	<li> Fail to adapt to changing conditions (“We will send out the press release, I don’t care that Hurricane Sandy just devastated New York.”)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nI know you have a few good ones to add--so please, please add them in the comments!\r\n\r\nHave a happy Halloween! Hope you get more treats than tricks.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1886\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1886\" title=\"Pumpkins\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Row of pumpkins at Farmers\' Market\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Pumpkins just in time for Halloween[/caption]','Scary things communicators do','','publish','open','open','','scary-things-communicators-do','','','2012-10-31 14:01:38','2012-10-31 14:01:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1885',0,'post','',0),(1886,4,'2012-10-31 13:58:26','2012-10-31 13:58:26','','Pumpkins','Pumpkins just in time for Halloween','inherit','open','open','','pumpkins','','','2012-10-31 13:58:26','2012-10-31 13:58:26','',1885,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1887,4,'2012-10-31 13:59:32','2012-10-31 13:59:32','Yes, I know, it is somewhat formulaic to have a scary things post at Halloween, but why not? Following, in no particular order, are the scary (wrong) things communicators do:\n<ul>\n	<li>Not know their effect from their affect</li>\n	<li> Declare that social media isn’t necessary</li>\n	<li> On the other hand, think that all they need to do is Tweet something out</li>\n	<li> Think USP is something like a USB</li>\n	<li>Overlook the basics: not checking the address is correct, for example</li>\n	<li>Network all the time or not at all</li>\n	<li> Steer clear of professional development events because “there’s nothing new to learn”</li>\n	<li> Use corporate-speak phrases just to achieve buy-in or ramp up their core competency</li>\n	<li> Fail to adapt to changing conditions (“We will send out the press release, I don’t care that Hurricane Sandy just devastated New York.”)</li>\n</ul>\nI know you have a few good ones to add--so please, please add them in the comments!\n\nHave a happy Halloween! Hope you get more treats than tricks.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1886\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1886\" title=\"Pumpkins\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Row of pumpkins at Farmers\' Market\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Pumpkins just in time for Halloween[/caption]','Scary things communicators do','','inherit','open','open','','1885-revision','','','2012-10-31 13:59:32','2012-10-31 13:59:32','',1885,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1885-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1888,4,'2012-10-31 14:00:32','2012-10-31 14:00:32','Yes, I know, it is somewhat formulaic to have a scary things post at Halloween, but why not? Following, in no particular order, are the scary (wrong) things communicators do:\n<ul>\n	<li>Not know their effect from their affect</li>\n	<li> Declare that social media isn’t necessary</li>\n	<li> On the other hand, think that all they need to do is Tweet something out</li>\n	<li> Think a USP is something like a USB</li>\n	<li>Overlook the basics: not checking the address is correct, for example</li>\n	<li>Network all the time or not at all</li>\n	<li> Steer clear of professional development events because “there’s nothing new to learn”</li>\n	<li> Use corporate-speak phrases just to achieve buy-in or ramp up their core competency</li>\n	<li> Fail to adapt to changing conditions (“We will send out the press release, I don’t care that Hurricane Sandy just devastated New York.”)</li>\n</ul>\nI know you have a few good ones to add--so please, please add them in the comments!\n\nHave a happy Halloween! Hope you get more treats than tricks.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1886\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1886\" title=\"Pumpkins\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Pumpkins-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Row of pumpkins at Farmers\' Market\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Pumpkins just in time for Halloween[/caption]','Scary things communicators do','','inherit','open','open','','1885-revision-2','','','2012-10-31 14:00:32','2012-10-31 14:00:32','',1885,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/1885-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1890,4,'2012-11-01 17:13:16','2012-11-01 17:13:16','<strong>Work for your treats!</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night was Halloween, and I had a bowlful of good (chocolate) candy. There seemed fewer trick-or-treaters this year than last, and a lot fewer cute costumes. I am not sure what that was about. But what really bugged me was the teenager who showed up with her backpack open, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">wearing no costume</span>,  just ready to grab some candy. Really? She made no effort at all and perhaps she felt a sense of entitlement. I shut the door after that and decided to keep the rest of the candy for myself.\r\n\r\n(Also, why is it that the littlest kids grabbed one piece of candy each, but the teenagers grabbed a handful?)\r\n\r\n<em>The takeaway here is that looking the part helps with buy-in. I am not inclined to give you candy if you don\'t look like a trick-or-treater, right?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>How am I supposed to get home?</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week I called a couple of dealerships about a malfunctioning knob in my car. Both dealerships were able to figure out approximately how much it would cost to fix but only one dealership offered a shuttle to take me home and pick me up. Where do you think I made a service appointment?\r\n\r\nWhen your car is in the shop, and it is going to take all day to fix, what are you supposed to do? You can\'t drive yourself, obviously, but you do have options: 1) you could sit at the dealership all day (and be bored and unproductive); 2) you could get a friend or family member to pick you up and take you back (if you have a favor that needs returning); 3) you could take a cab (could cost you lots of money); or 4)  you could take public transportation to where you need to go (if it is even available).\r\n\r\n<em>The marketing lesson here is that offering a useful service like a courtesy shuttle will set you apart and bring you business, often more than advertising will.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>Complain but with a purpose</strong>\r\n\r\nBlogs are great for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it gives you a place to air your concerns. If you have a personal blog, complaining about something that happened to you at your local fast food shop or a blow up with a neighbor is appropriate. However, if you are writing for a small business or organizational blog, complaining just to blow off steam is not only useless, it may be detrimental. What is the reason that you are sharing the complaint? How is it helping your blog\'s readers? How is it getting your blog more readers of the kind you want?\r\n\r\nFor example, a couple of years ago, I wrote a complaint post about a certain cosmetics company. I did try to give it a communications spin, but the people that find my blog because of that particular post are other angry customers who are in no way interested in my thoughts on marketing communications, but rather in complaining about the cosmetics company. It gets me readers, but not readers in my target audience.\r\n\r\n<em>Before you start a complaint blog post or rant, think about how it fits with your blog\'s  purpose and  target audience.</em>\r\n\r\nHappy November!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Random thoughts to start November','','publish','open','open','','random-thoughts-to-start-november','','','2012-11-01 17:13:16','2012-11-01 17:13:16','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1890',0,'post','',0),(1891,4,'2012-11-01 17:12:51','2012-11-01 17:12:51','<strong>Work for your treats!</strong>\n\nLast night was Halloween, and I had a bowlful of good (chocolate) candy. There seemed fewer trick-or-treaters this year than last, and a lot fewer cute costumes. I am not sure what that was about. But what really bugged me was the teenager who showed up with her backpack open, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">wearing no costume</span>,  just ready to grab some candy. Really? She made no effort at all and perhaps she felt a sense of entitlement. I shut the door after that and decided to keep the rest of the candy for myself.\n\n(Also, why is it that the littlest kids grabbed one piece of candy each, but the teenagers grabbed a handful?)\n\n<em>The takeaway here is that looking the part helps with buy-in. I am not inclined to give you candy if you don\'t look like a trick-or-treater, right?</em>\n\n<strong>How am I supposed to get home?</strong>\n\nLast week I called a couple of dealerships about a malfunctioning knob in my car. Both dealerships were able to figure out approximately how much it would cost to fix but only one dealership offered a shuttle to take me home and pick me up. Where do you think I made a service appointment?\n\nWhen your car is in the shop, and it is going to take all day to fix, what are you supposed to do? You can\'t drive yourself, obviously, but you do have options: 1) you could sit at the dealership all day (and be bored and unproductive); 2) you could get a friend or family member to pick you up and take you back (if you have a favor that needs returning); 3) you could take a cab (could cost you lots of money); or 4)  you could take public transportation to where you need to go (if it is even available).\n\n<em>The marketing lesson here is that offering a useful service like a courtesy shuttle will set you apart and bring you business, often more than advertising will.</em>\n\n<strong>Complain but with a purpose</strong>\n\nBlogs are great for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it gives you a place to air your concerns. If you have a personal blog, complaining about something that happened to you at your local fast food shop or a blow up with a neighbor is appropriate. However, if you are writing for a small business or organizational blog, complaining just to blow off steam is not only useless, it may be detrimental. What is the reason that you are sharing the complaint? How is it helping your blog\'s readers? How is it getting your blog more readers of the kind you want?\n\nFor example, a couple of years ago, I wrote a complaint post about a certain cosmetics company. I did try to give it a communications spin, but the people that find my blog because of that particular post are other angry customers who are in no way interested in my thoughts on marketing communications, but rather in complaining about the cosmetics company. It gets me readers, but not readers in my target audience.\n\n<em>Before you start a complaint blog post or rant, think about how it fits with your blog\'  purpose and  target audience.</em>\n\nHappy November!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Random thoughts to start November','','inherit','open','open','','1890-revision','','','2012-11-01 17:12:51','2012-11-01 17:12:51','',1890,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1890-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1893,4,'2012-11-05 21:39:18','2012-11-05 21:39:18','Last week, when we were waiting for Hurricane Sandy to hit, my main worry was losing power. Because the storm was predicted many days out, Pepco was actually ready, with out-of-state assets in place. Pepco also warned it could take a week or more to restore powe (managing expectations?)  Thankfully, Montgomery County was spared the worst of storm, and although some customers did lose power, the majority did not. Of course, New Jersey and New York were hit pretty badly and are still struggling to get power restored.\r\n\r\n<strong>Detailed preparedness plan, communicated </strong>\r\n\r\nPepco seemed to go to great pains to communicate exactly how it was prepared to deal with the storm (participated in mutual aid calls, got repair crews in place, and so forth). Prior to the storm, every customer received a robocall warning to be prepared.\r\n\r\n<strong>More faces of Pepco</strong>\r\n\r\nI noticed that prior to the storm, Pepco held a couple of news conferences. Instead of featuring Tom Graham, Pepco’s regional president, who was everywhere during the Derecho coverage, Pepco featured David Velazquez, the executive vice president for power delivery for PHI (Pepco’s parent company).\r\n\r\nHere\'s the video:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzlyJyf2LmM?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Different tone and trying to do the right thing</strong>\r\n\r\nIn a full page color ad placed in yesterday\'s Sunday Washington Post, Pete Pedersen, Pepco’s emergency preparedness manager is featured (again, not Tom Graham). The headline is “Thank you for weathering the storm with us.” The body of the ad seems to recognize how much suffering being without power engenders saying:\r\n<blockquote>Because so many other communities are suffering right now, we hope you will join us in making a contribution to the American Red Cross.\r\n\r\nWith any storm like this, we’re all in it together.</blockquote>\r\nThe ad includes the American Red Cross logo and how to make a contribution. This shows some element of corporate social responsibility, which is in stark contrast to the lack of empathy exhibited during the Derecho, when Pepco even tried to charge customers a fee for the days they did not have power.\r\n\r\nGone is the defensiveness of the post-Derecho advertising.  But this is Pepco after all, and there still is an element of back-patting:\r\n<blockquote>But because of early preparations and your help in reporting outages and downed lines, we were able to respond quickly to this historic event.</blockquote>\r\nIs this a new Pepco? I am cautiously optimistic.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Has Pepco changed its communication strategy?','','publish','open','open','','has-pepco-changed-its-communication-strategy','','','2012-11-05 21:39:18','2012-11-05 21:39:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1893',0,'post','',0),(1894,4,'2012-11-05 21:35:28','2012-11-05 21:35:28','Last week, when we were waiting for Hurricane Sandy to hit, my main worry was losing power. Because the storm was predicted many days out, Pepco was actually ready, with out-of-state assets in place. Pepco also warned it could take a week or more to restore power. Every customer received a robocall warning to be prepared.  Thankfully, Montgomery County was spared the worst of storm, and although some customers did lose power, the majority did not. Of course, New Jersey and New York were hit pretty badly and are still struggling to get power restored.\n\n<strong>Detailed preparedness plan, communicated </strong>\n\nPepco seemed to go to great pains to communicate exactly how it was prepared to deal with the storm (participated in mutual aid calls, got repair crews in place, and so forth).\n\n<strong>More faces of Pepco</strong>\n\nI noticed that prior to the storm, Pepco held a couple of news conferences. Instead of featuring Tom Graham, Pepco’s regional president, who was everywhere during the Derecho coverage, Pepco featured David Velazquez, the executive vice president for power delivery for PHI (Pepco’s parent company).\n\nHere\'s the video:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzlyJyf2LmM?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\n\n<strong>Different tone and trying to do the right thing</strong>\n\nIn a full page color ad placed in yesterday\'s Sunday Washington Post, Pete Pedersen, Pepco’s emergency preparedness manager is featured (again, not Tom Graham). The headline is “Thank you for weathering the storm with us.” The body of the ad seems to recognize how much suffering being without power engenders saying:\n<blockquote>Because so many other communities are suffering right now, we hope you will join us in making a contribution to the American Red Cross.\n\nWith any storm like this, we’re all in it together.</blockquote>\nThe ad includes the American Red Cross logo and how to make a contribution.\n\nGone is the defensiveness of the post-Derecho advertising. There still is an element of back-patting:\n<blockquote>But because of early preparations and your help in reporting outages and downed lines, we were able to respond quickly to this historic event.</blockquote>\nIs this a new Pepco? I am cautiously optimistic.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Has Pepco changed its communication strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','1893-revision','','','2012-11-05 21:35:28','2012-11-05 21:35:28','',1893,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1893-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1895,4,'2012-11-05 21:35:57','2012-11-05 21:35:57','Last week, when we were waiting for Hurricane Sandy to hit, my main worry was losing power. Because the storm was predicted many days out, Pepco was actually ready, with out-of-state assets in place. Pepco also warned it could take a week or more to restore power. Every customer received a robocall warning to be prepared.  Thankfully, Montgomery County was spared the worst of storm, and although some customers did lose power, the majority did not. Of course, New Jersey and New York were hit pretty badly and are still struggling to get power restored.\r\n\r\n<strong>Detailed preparedness plan, communicated </strong>\r\n\r\nPepco seemed to go to great pains to communicate exactly how it was prepared to deal with the storm (participated in mutual aid calls, got repair crews in place, and so forth).\r\n\r\n<strong>More faces of Pepco</strong>\r\n\r\nI noticed that prior to the storm, Pepco held a couple of news conferences. Instead of featuring Tom Graham, Pepco’s regional president, who was everywhere during the Derecho coverage, Pepco featured David Velazquez, the executive vice president for power delivery for PHI (Pepco’s parent company).\r\n\r\nHere\'s the video:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/VzlyJyf2LmM?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Different tone and trying to do the right thing</strong>\r\n\r\nIn a full page color ad placed in yesterday\'s Sunday Washington Post, Pete Pedersen, Pepco’s emergency preparedness manager is featured (again, not Tom Graham). The headline is “Thank you for weathering the storm with us.” The body of the ad seems to recognize how much suffering being without power engenders saying:\r\n<blockquote>Because so many other communities are suffering right now, we hope you will join us in making a contribution to the American Red Cross.\r\n\r\nWith any storm like this, we’re all in it together.</blockquote>\r\nThe ad includes the American Red Cross logo and how to make a contribution.\r\n\r\nGone is the defensiveness of the post-Derecho advertising. There still is an element of back-patting:\r\n<blockquote>But because of early preparations and your help in reporting outages and downed lines, we were able to respond quickly to this historic event.</blockquote>\r\nIs this a new Pepco? I am cautiously optimistic.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Has Pepco changed its communication strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','1893-revision-2','','','2012-11-05 21:35:57','2012-11-05 21:35:57','',1893,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1893-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1958,4,'2012-12-27 13:45:44','2012-12-27 13:45:44','<strong>1. Understand the basics (who you are and what you do) before doing anything else</strong>. I worked with one client this year who had launched a website, hired a marketing person and even commissioned a video without ever having examined what the company’s main message was, defined a target audience or main competitors and certainly hadn’t thought out its USP.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You don’t have to market everywhere, just where you are likely to find your target audience</strong>. There’s no need to spread your marketing message far and wide. You can have success by focusing your efforts where you are likely to find your audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. There is only one content strategy (getting your target audience to read your content).</strong> <strong>Everything else is a TACTIC. </strong>I have read many articles about content marketing, all claiming to have new “strategies.” In most, if not all, cases, these strategies were really tactics.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"School Blackboard by H2O Alchemist, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2oalchemist/414924312/\"><img class=\" \" title=\"School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/158/414924312_26809b1259.jpg\" alt=\"School Blackboard\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong> 4.</strong> <strong>Acknowledge the reality on the ground</strong>. This year we have seen several advertisers (and a politician or two) who just did not get it. Like Pepco, who continued patting itself on its back about “reliability” when hundreds of thousands of customers were without power during extreme heat for several days.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5</strong>. <strong>Depending on Facebook (or any free, third-party service) as a marketing platform will cost you.</strong> Sure, you can have a Facebook page for free, but figuring out its ever changing policies will cost you in time and effort.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Stop scheduling your tweets! </strong>Tweeting about your fun weekend ahead while people are mourning 20 dead children is tacky and preventable. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Twitter is about immediacy, engagement and responsiveness. Scheduled tweets are just the opposite.</span>\r\n\r\nWhat lessons did you draw from the year that was? Anything jump out at you? If so, please share in the comments.','6 marketing and communications lessons from 2012','','publish','open','open','','6-marketing-and-communications-lessons-from-2012','','','2012-12-27 13:45:44','2012-12-27 13:45:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1958',0,'post','',0),(1898,4,'2012-11-08 17:37:21','2012-11-08 17:37:21','There\'s lots of advice floating around there about how often you should blog. Some say blog every day, some say twice a week. Does frequency matter? Should you blog more often or less often?\r\n\r\nI advocate for blogging consistently rather than frequently. For some bloggers it may too much pressure to blog every day or even once a week. What can you accomplish consistently? Can you do once a month? In that case, that should be your blogging frequency.\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I ran a poll via LinkedIn, asking the following question:\r\n\r\nDo you judge a blog/blogger by the frequency of posting.\r\n\r\nThe answer options were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Yes</li>\r\n	<li>No</li>\r\n	<li>Depends on blog type</li>\r\n	<li>I judge based on content rather than frequency.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOverwhelmingly, people said they judged based on content. Frequency may not matter that much.\r\n\r\nThe answer to should you blog more often is, quite simply, it depends.\r\n\r\nIn the end, you have to decide what is best for your target audience, and for your ability to blog. Does your target need frequent updates? Are you able to deliver the frequency? If so, then blog more often. Are you using your blog to provide relevant information, that does not have to be updated so often? Then blog less often.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What have you found works best for you, and why?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Should you blog more often?','','publish','open','open','','should-you-blog-more-often','','','2012-11-08 17:37:21','2012-11-08 17:37:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1898',0,'post','',0),(1899,4,'2012-11-08 17:36:59','2012-11-08 17:36:59','There\'s lots of advice floating around there about how often you should blog. Some say blog every day, some say twice a week. Does frequency matter? Should you blog more often or less often?\n\nI advocate for blogging consistently rather than frequently. For some bloggers it may too much pressure to blog every day or even once a week. What can you accomplish consistently? Can you do once a month? In that case, that should be your blogging frequency.\n\nA few weeks ago, I ran a poll via LinkedIn, asking the following question:\n\nDo you judge a blog/blogger by the frequency of posting.\n\nThe answer options were:\n<ul>\n	<li>Yes</li>\n	<li>No</li>\n	<li>Depends on blog type</li>\n	<li>I judge based on content rather than frequency.</li>\n</ul>\nOverwhelmingly, people said they judged based on content. Frequency may not matter that much.\n\nThe answer to should you blog more often is, quite simply, it depends.\n\nIn the end, you have to decide what is best for your target audience, and for your ability to blog. Does your target need frequent updates? Are you able to deliver the frequency? If so, then blog more often. Are you using your blog to provide relevant information, that does not have to be updated so often? Then blog less often.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat do you think? Should you blog more often or less often?\n\n&nbsp;','Should you blog more often?','','inherit','open','open','','1898-revision','','','2012-11-08 17:36:59','2012-11-08 17:36:59','',1898,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1898-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1900,4,'2012-11-08 17:38:29','2012-11-08 17:38:29','There\'s lots of advice floating around there about how often you should blog. Some say blog every day, some say twice a week. Does frequency matter? Should you blog more often or less often?\n\nI advocate for blogging consistently rather than frequently. For some bloggers it may too much pressure to blog every day or even once a week. What can you accomplish consistently? Can you do once a month? In that case, that should be your blogging frequency.\n\nA few weeks ago, I ran a poll via LinkedIn, asking the following question:\n\nDo you judge a blog/blogger by the frequency of posting.\n\nThe answer options were:\n<ul>\n	<li>Yes</li>\n	<li>No</li>\n	<li>Depends on blog type</li>\n	<li>I judge based on content rather than frequency.</li>\n</ul>\nOverwhelmingly, people said they judged based on content. Frequency may not matter that much.\n\nThe answer to should you blog more often is, quite simply, it depends.\n\nIn the end, you have to decide what is best for your target audience, and for your ability to blog. Does your target need frequent updates? Are you able to deliver the frequency? If so, then blog more often. Are you using your blog to provide relevant information, that does not have to be updated so often? Then blog less often.\n\nWhat do you think? What have you found works best for you, and why?\n\n&nbsp;','Should you blog more often?','','inherit','open','open','','1898-autosave','','','2012-11-08 17:38:29','2012-11-08 17:38:29','',1898,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1898-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1910,4,'2012-11-09 19:21:56','2012-11-09 19:21:56','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-7','','','2012-11-09 19:21:56','2012-11-09 19:21:56','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1905,4,'2012-11-09 19:19:31','2012-11-09 19:19:31','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\n\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-2','','','2012-11-09 19:19:31','2012-11-09 19:19:31','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1906,4,'2012-11-09 19:19:50','2012-11-09 19:19:50','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-3','','','2012-11-09 19:19:50','2012-11-09 19:19:50','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1907,4,'2012-11-09 19:19:53','2012-11-09 19:19:53','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-4','','','2012-11-09 19:19:53','2012-11-09 19:19:53','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1908,4,'2012-11-09 19:20:05','2012-11-09 19:20:05','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-5','','','2012-11-09 19:20:05','2012-11-09 19:20:05','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1909,4,'2012-11-09 19:21:41','2012-11-09 19:21:41','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease fill out my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<noscript><a href=\"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6678494/\">Do you use a RSS reader?</a></noscript>','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-6','','','2012-11-09 19:21:41','2012-11-09 19:21:41','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1911,4,'2012-11-09 19:23:19','2012-11-09 19:23:19','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease answer my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n[polldaddy poll=\"6678494\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-8','','','2012-11-09 19:23:19','2012-11-09 19:23:19','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1912,4,'2012-11-09 19:23:26','2012-11-09 19:23:26','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\r\n\r\nPlease answer my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\r\n\r\n[polldaddy poll=\"6678494\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-revision-9','','','2012-11-09 19:23:26','2012-11-09 19:23:26','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(1913,4,'2012-11-09 19:24:51','2012-11-09 19:24:51','I have more than 100 subscriptions on my Google Reader. I love having the convenience of all those blogs in one place. Yesterday, I led my \"How to write your blog\" workshop, and the participants told me they don\'t use readers and doubt they have much traction. So, I thought I would survey to see if people use readers.\n\nPlease answer my poll. I will share the information with you in a blog post.\n\n[polldaddy poll=\"6678494\"]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Where do all the RSS feeds go','','inherit','open','open','','1903-autosave','','','2012-11-09 19:24:51','2012-11-09 19:24:51','',1903,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1903-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1915,4,'2012-11-13 18:01:20','2012-11-13 18:01:20','There are a few things that people tend to overlook or to simply not check.\n\n<strong>Check the contact information CAREFULLY on your website/marketing materials</strong>\n\nYou want to make sure it is accurate. Perhaps have someone read it off to you. For example, in my newsletter I found the address had the wrong ZIP code.  A graphic designer I know had one digit wrong in her phone number.\n\n<strong>And check whether it can be found easily</strong>\n\nI just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find where an art class was being offered--you know--the actual physical place where it was meeting. The website made you go to the About page where you had to scroll to the \"where to find us\" page. Why make it so complicated?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Check to see if GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest can find your address?</strong>\n\nIf you are any type of location that people drive to (store, restaurant, hotel, attraction), have you checked that the address you give out works on GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest? Sometimes street names have changed or are new and do not show up.\n\n<strong>Check how your email and enewsletters  show up to recipients?</strong>\n\nBefore you send out anything to the world, send yourself a sample. You want to make sure your name is spelled correctly, and how it shows up in the recipient\'s inbox.  For example, someone I know was sending email that was coming from Email box 2 instead of her name. And just today I received an enewsletter titled \"Sample Newsletter\" from a well known institution. These can result in people not knowing who you are and ultimately, not opening your email/enewsletter.\n\n&nbsp;','Quick! Check these potential problems right now','','inherit','open','open','','1914-revision','','','2012-11-13 18:01:20','2012-11-13 18:01:20','',1914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1914-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1916,4,'2012-11-13 18:03:20','2012-11-13 18:03:20','There are a few things that people tend to overlook or to simply not check.\n\n<strong>Check the contact information CAREFULLY on your website/marketing materials</strong>\n\nYou want to make sure it is accurate. Perhaps have someone read it off to you. For example, in my newsletter I found the address had the wrong ZIP code.  A graphic designer I know had one digit wrong in her phone number.\n\n<strong>And check whether it can be found easily</strong>\n\nI just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find where an art class was being offered--you know--the actual physical place where it was meeting. The website made you go to the About page where you had to scroll to the \"where to find us\" page. Why make it so complicated?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a title=\"check by PNASH, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnash/5227436224/\"><img src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5165/5227436224_aa52b49262_m.jpg\" alt=\"check\" width=\"240\" height=\"131\" /></a>\n\n<strong>Check to see if GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest can find your address?</strong>\n\nIf you are any type of location that people drive to (store, restaurant, hotel, attraction), have you checked that the address you give out works on GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest? Sometimes street names have changed or are new and do not show up.\n\n<strong>Check how your email and enewsletters  show up to recipients?</strong>\n\nBefore you send out anything to the world, send yourself a sample. You want to make sure your name is spelled correctly, and how it shows up in the recipient\'s inbox.  For example, someone I know was sending email that was coming from Email box 2 instead of her name. And just today I received an enewsletter titled \"Sample Newsletter\" from a well known institution. These can result in people not knowing who you are and ultimately, not opening your email/enewsletter.\n\n&nbsp;','Quick! Check these potential problems right now','','inherit','open','open','','1914-revision-2','','','2012-11-13 18:03:20','2012-11-13 18:03:20','',1914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1914-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1917,4,'2012-11-13 18:05:43','2012-11-13 18:05:43','There are a few things that people tend to overlook or to simply not check.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check the contact information CAREFULLY on your website/marketing materials</strong>\r\n\r\nYou want to make sure it is accurate. Perhaps have someone read it off to you. For example, in my newsletter I found the address had the wrong ZIP code.  A graphic designer I know had one digit wrong in her phone number.\r\n\r\n<strong>And check whether it can be found easily</strong>\r\n\r\nI just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find where an art class was being offered--you know--the actual physical place where it was meeting. The website made you go to the About page where you had to scroll to the \"where to find us\" page. Why make it so complicated?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"216\"]<a title=\"check by PNASH, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnash/5227436224/\"><img title=\"Check mark\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5165/5227436224_aa52b49262_m.jpg\" alt=\"check\" width=\"216\" height=\"118\" /></a> By PNASH, Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>Check to see if GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest can find your address</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are any type of location that people drive to (store, restaurant, hotel, attraction), have you checked that the address you give out  works on GPS/Google Maps/Mapquest? Sometimes street names have changed or are new and do not show up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check how your email and enewsletters  show up to recipients</strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you send out anything to the world, send yourself a sample. You want to make sure your name is spelled correctly, and how it shows up in the recipient\'s inbox.  For example, someone I know was sending email that was coming from Email box 2 instead of her name. And just today I received an enewsletter titled \"Sample Newsletter\" from a well known institution. These can result in people not knowing who you are and ultimately, not opening your email/enewsletter.\r\n\r\nGo check these things right now. Fix them if they don\'t check out. You will be glad you did.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Quick! Check these potential problems right now','','inherit','open','open','','1914-revision-3','','','2012-11-13 18:05:43','2012-11-13 18:05:43','',1914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1914-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1921,4,'2012-11-20 14:08:35','2012-11-20 14:08:35','This is a fact: if organizations fail to appeal to younger people, they will not survive. There is no growth potential in appealing ONLY to older populations. They are not the future.  And yet, how many organizations are doing nothing--communications or programming-wise--to appeal to a younger audience?\n\nLast week, I attended an event where I was the youngest person. And I am not considered young (demographically speaking, of course).  It got me thinking about what organizations will have to do to appeal to younger people. Will it suffice to change and expand their communications efforts, or will they have to revamp their program offerings? Or both?\n\nNot appealing to younger people is a mistake of epic proportions. Witness the Republican Party\'s handwringing in light of their presidential loss to the Democrats. Even Mitt Romney seems to acknowledge his party was not offering much to young people (although his assertion that Obama was offering young people \"gifts\" was misguided at best).  The GOP is now dealing with the fact that their primary target of older, white male voters is a shrinking demographic.','Kidding around: appealing to younger people','','inherit','open','open','','1920-revision','','','2012-11-20 14:08:35','2012-11-20 14:08:35','',1920,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1920-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1922,4,'2012-11-21 13:50:45','2012-11-21 13:50:45','In case you haven\'t signed up for my newsletter (the sign up is on the top right), you can read the Fall/Thanksgiving one <a href=\"http://mad.ly/a36043\" target=\"_blank\">right here</a>.\r\n\r\nWishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Thanksgiving!','','publish','open','open','','happy-thanksgiving','','','2012-11-21 13:50:45','2012-11-21 13:50:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1922',0,'post','',0),(1923,4,'2012-11-21 13:47:03','2012-11-21 13:47:03','In case you haven\'t signed up for my newsletter (the sign up is on the top right), you can read the Fall/Thanksgiving one <a href=\"http://mad.ly/a36043\" target=\"_blank\">right here</a>.\n\nWishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!\n\n&nbsp;','Happy Thanksgiving!','','inherit','open','open','','1922-revision','','','2012-11-21 13:47:03','2012-11-21 13:47:03','',1922,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1922-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1926,4,'2012-11-28 21:25:41','2012-11-28 21:25:41','You learned it way back in kindergarten, remember? Show and tell was when you brought something in and you told your classmates about it. Some people\'s show and tell was boring and some was really good. I can\'t remember anything from kindergarten but I know the lesson of showing and telling is a good one for anybody trying to communicate.\n\nYou would think something as basic as show and tell would stay with most people. And yet it hasn\'t.\n\nToday, I am searching for an online task manager. There are many (and I am not really sure which one to use). Some show you screen shots of the software. Some show you video. All of them tell you what they do (but not how exactly).  One in particular does not show or tell me anything. It asks me to sign up. I don\'t know about you, but I am not signing up for ANYTHING, even if it is free, if I don\'t know what it is exactly.\n\nPerhaps this company\'s principals did not attend kindergarten.\n\nRemember, sh','Show and tell!','','inherit','open','open','','1925-revision','','','2012-11-28 21:25:41','2012-11-28 21:25:41','',1925,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1925-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1927,4,'2012-11-28 21:27:36','2012-11-28 21:27:36','You learned it way back in kindergarten, remember? Show and tell was when you brought something in and you told your classmates about it. Some people\'s show and tell was boring and some was really good. I can\'t remember anything from kindergarten but I know the lesson of showing and telling is a good one for anybody trying to communicate.\n\nYou would think something as basic as show and tell would stay with most people. And yet it hasn\'t.\n\nToday, I am searching for an online task manager. There are many (and I am not really sure which one to use). Some show you screen shots of the software. Some show you video. All of them tell you what they do (but not how exactly).  One in particular does not show or tell me anything. It asks me to sign up. I don\'t know about you, but I am not signing up for ANYTHING, even if it is free, if I don\'t know what it is exactly.\n\nPerhaps this company\'s principals did not attend kindergarten.\n\nRemember, show and tell. People need to see what they are getting and they need to understand it too.\n\nRight?\n\n&nbsp;','Show and tell!','','inherit','open','open','','1925-autosave','','','2012-11-28 21:27:36','2012-11-28 21:27:36','',1925,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1925-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1942,4,'2012-12-07 14:57:09','2012-12-07 14:57:09','Last week, I read a guest post on a popular PR blog that counseled people to spend 10 minutes a year on their LinkedIn profile and to schedule one or two tweets a day \"to maintain a presence on Twitter.\"\n\nCan you do social media in a few minutes a year? Sure you <em>can</em>.  But, the question is not whether you can, it is whether you <em>should</em>. And if you think you can achieve good outcomes by doing it the easy way, you are in for a big surprise.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"hard work 2  by idlphoto, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/idlphoto/4172394956/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2800/4172394956_653cbf4ef5.jpg\" alt=\"hard work 2 \" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by idlphoto from Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nMarketing in general, and social media marketing in particular, are not easy tasks. In fact, to achieve results, you have to spend<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> lots of time and effort</span> (and sometimes money too). Anybody who tells you you can do it a couple of minutes a day is lying to you (or maybe just misleading you).  <strong>Just having or maintaining a presence is simply not enough.</strong>\n\nYour goal may be to just have a presence. But why would that be your goal? If you are marketing (yourself, a product, a cause, an idea), you probably have goal that involves movement (more followers, more buyers, more supporters). Just being is not going to move your goal very far forward.\n\nTake Twitter. If you schedule your tweets and then do nothing else, what exactly are you achieving? Not engagement, that\'s for sure. Twitter is a responsive platform. People comment and respond in real time. If you don\'t participate in real time, and respond quickly, I am not sure you should be on Twitter at all. Beside the fact that one or two tweets a day will likely get missed, especially if there is something else going on (and breaking news breaks on Twitter).\n\nTake LinkedIn. If you refresh your profile one time per year, and then don\'t do anything else, you aren\'t going to appear on the timeline. People will forget about you.\n\nPerhaps what the guess blogger I referenced above was trying to say is that you have to have a<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> minimum presence</span> if you are going to participate in social media channels. However, you can\'t and shouldn\'t be satisfied with the minimum. You need to MAXIMIZE your presence if you are trying to achieve goals. And perhaps you don\'t need to be on every social media channel. Perhaps you choose one or two where you can make an effort.\n\nSocial media marketing may be easy to understand, but it is not easy to achieve. It takes a lot of time, and a lot of effort. That\'s a fact.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you think social media marketing can be accomplished easily? Do you think a minimum works? I would love your thoughts in the comments.','As easy as 1, 2, 3 (or not)','','inherit','open','open','','1941-revision','','','2012-12-07 14:57:09','2012-12-07 14:57:09','',1941,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1941-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1929,4,'2012-11-29 16:36:17','2012-11-29 16:36:17','Yesterday, a friend posted this on Facebook:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Merry-christmas.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1931\" title=\"Merry christmas\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Merry-christmas-300x267.jpg\" alt=\"It\'s not happy holidays, it\'s merry christmas\" width=\"300\" height=\"267\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI could not disagree more. This seems to be part of a growing (and conservative) movement, which claims saying Happy Holidays is taking the Christmas out of Christmas. In my opinion, this is a completely intolerant and ignorant view and understanding of the reality of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic world.  Christmas is celebrated by Christians, but not by Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Zen-Taoists and others.\r\n\r\nWishing happy holidays or season\'s greetings is a way of acknowledging the various holidays taking place at the end of the year: Christmas, New Year\'s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa.\r\n\r\nWhen you wish someone a Merry Christmas, you are saying you wish him or her a happy day of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.\r\n\r\nOne is inclusive, and one is exclusive. One assumes a belief and one doesn\'t.\r\n\r\nAs a communicator, you have to be careful not to make members of your audience feel excluded.  Clearly, whether you wish Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas depends on who your target audience is.  A church, for example, has a target audience of Christian worshipers and supporters. For a church to wish its audience Merry Christmas would be completely appropriate. For a non-religious institution (like the government or your business) to wish its audience Merry Christmas, would be exclusionary.\r\n\r\nWith business communications, there\'s the additional desire to steer clear of hot topics like religion and politics. Merry Christmas is a religious statement. Happy Holidays is not.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you wish people Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas or something else?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-happy-holidays-or-merry-christmas','','','2012-11-29 16:36:17','2012-11-29 16:36:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1929',0,'post','',2),(1930,4,'2012-11-29 16:19:29','2012-11-29 16:19:29','Yesterday, a friend posted this on Facebook:\n\nI could not disagree more. This seems to be part of a growi movement, which claims saying Happy Holidays is taking the Christmas out of Christmas, is completely intolerant and ignorant of the reality of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic world.','Is it Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?','','inherit','open','open','','1929-revision','','','2012-11-29 16:19:29','2012-11-29 16:19:29','',1929,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1929-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1931,4,'2012-11-29 16:32:51','2012-11-29 16:32:51','','Merry christmas','','inherit','open','open','','merry-christmas','','','2012-11-29 16:32:51','2012-11-29 16:32:51','',1929,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Merry-christmas.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1932,4,'2012-11-29 16:36:14','2012-11-29 16:36:14','Yesterday, a friend posted this on Facebook:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Merry-christmas.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1931\" title=\"Merry christmas\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Merry-christmas-300x267.jpg\" alt=\"It\'s not happy holidays, it\'s merry christmas\" width=\"300\" height=\"267\" /></a>\n\nI could not disagree more. This seems to be part of a growing (and conservative) movement, which claims saying Happy Holidays is taking the Christmas out of Christmas. In my opinion, this is a completely intolerant and ignorant view and understanding of the reality of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic world.  Christmas is celebrated by Christians, but not by Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Zen-Taoists and others.\n\nWishing happy holidays or season\'s greetings is a way of acknowledging the various holidays taking place at the end of the year: Christmas, New Year\'s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa.\n\nWhen you wish someone a Merry Christmas, you are saying you wish him or her a happy day of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.\n\nOne is inclusive, and one is exclusive. One assumes a belief and one doesn\'t.\n\nAs a communicator, you have to be careful not to make members of your audience feel excluded.  Clearly, whether you wish Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas depends on who your target audience is.  A church, for example, has a target audience of Christian worshipers and supporters. For a church to wish its audience Merry Christmas would be completely appropriate. For a non-religious institution (like the government or your business) to wish its audience Merry Christmas, would be exclusionary.\n\nWith business communications, there\'s the additional desire to steer clear of hot topics like religion and politics. Merry Christmas is a religious statement. Happy Holidays is not.\n\nWhat do you think? Do you wish people Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas or something else?\n\n&nbsp;','Is it Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?','','inherit','open','open','','1929-revision-2','','','2012-11-29 16:36:14','2012-11-29 16:36:14','',1929,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1929-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1934,4,'2012-12-04 15:07:20','2012-12-04 15:07:20','Chances are good that if you have a cable service,  you also have a DVR (digital video recorder).  In fact, according to a Nielsen study, quoted in Mashable.com (<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/nielsen-dvr-study/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>),  the use of DVRs increased five-fold from 2006 to 2011. It seems that of all the devices connected to our TV, we use the DVR the most.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"HD DVR HD by apalapala, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/apalapala/5112667364/\"><img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1371/5112667364_89eed4bf67.jpg\" alt=\"HD DVR HD\" width=\"500\" height=\"238\" /></a> HD DVR photo by Apalapala on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nLike the VCR of yore, the DVR lets you record a show for viewing at your convenience. Perhaps you are at work during the latest episode of Dr. Phil or you have to attend a family gathering during the Oscars.  And unlike the VCR, DVRs use hard disk space, giving you hundreds of hours of recording time. A DVR would have been a tremendous help to me during the last episode of Felicity back in the 90s, which due to a VCR glitch ,did not record and I never was able to watch it (but I digress).\r\n\r\nYesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/dvrs-and-weak-shows-explain-low-ratings-for-tv-networks.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times has an article</a> that says the networks are now blaming the DVR for weaker ratings ( although weaker shows may be more to blame).\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt that DVRs are affecting how we view TV. One immediate effect for most people is that we no longer view the commercials thanks to the fast forward button. Does this mean that advertisers should re-evaluate whether to even have TV commercials in the advertising mix? Well, yes, they should. Clearly, relying on TV commercials, especially on shows that people tend to record (perhaps daytime shows or late night shows), is a risky proposition.\r\n\r\nHowever, keep in mind that fast forward does not mean delete. You have to watch the screen while you are fast forwarding, so an intriguing commercial may actually catch your eye and make you hit play.\r\n\r\n<strong>The DVR Factor</strong> is that forgettable or boring commercials will not attract attention anymore, and will even be ignored. On the other hand, interesting and creative commercials will stand out and perhaps even be more memorable and effective.\r\n\r\nWe are surrounded by advertising--much of which we can skip or ignore. But we still pay attention to advertising messages that resonate with us, whether because they are eye-catching or interesting.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch ads at all?','The DVR Factor','','publish','open','open','','the-dvr-factor','','','2012-12-04 15:07:20','2012-12-04 15:07:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1934',0,'post','',0),(1935,4,'2012-12-04 15:00:37','2012-12-04 15:00:37','Chances are good that if you have a cable service,  you also have a DVR (digital video recorder).  In fact, according to a Nielsen study, quoted in Mashable.com (<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/nielsen-dvr-study/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>),  the use of DVRs increased five-fold from 2006 to 2011. It seems that of all the devices connected to our TV, we use the DVR the most.\n\nLike the VCR of yore, the DVR lets you record a show for viewing at your convenience. Perhaps you are at work during the latest episode of Dr. Phil or you have to attend a family gathering during the Oscars.  And unlike the VCR, DVRs use hard disk space, giving you hundreds of hours of recording time. A DVR would have been a tremendous help to me during the last episode of Felicity back in the 90s, which due to a VCR glitch ,did not record and I never was able to watch it (but I digress).\n\nYesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/dvrs-and-weak-shows-explain-low-ratings-for-tv-networks.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times has an article</a> that says the networks are now blaming the DVR for weaker ratings ( although weaker shows may be more to blame).\n\nThere is no doubt that DVRs are affecting how we view TV. One immediate effect for most people is that we no longer view the commercials thanks to the fast forward button. Does this mean that advertisers should re-evaluate whether to even have TV commercials in the advertising mix? Well, yes, they should. Clearly, relying on TV commercials, especially on shows that people tend to record (perhaps daytime shows or late night shows), is a risky proposition.\n\nHowever, keep in mind that fast forward does not mean delete. You have to watch the screen while you are fast forwarding, so an intriguing commercial may actually catch your eye and make you hit play.\n\n<strong>The DVR Factor</strong> is that forgettable or boring commercials will not attract attention anymore, and will even be ignored. On the other hand, interesting and creative commercials will stand out and perhaps even be more memorable and effective.\n\nWe are surrounded by advertising--much of which we can skip or ignore. But we still pay attention to advertising messages that resonate with us, whether because they are eye-catching or interesting.\n\nWhat do you think? Do you watch ads at all? Has th','The DVR Factor','','inherit','open','open','','1934-revision','','','2012-12-04 15:00:37','2012-12-04 15:00:37','',1934,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1934-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1936,4,'2012-12-04 15:01:37','2012-12-04 15:01:37','Chances are good that if you have a cable service,  you also have a DVR (digital video recorder).  In fact, according to a Nielsen study, quoted in Mashable.com (<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/nielsen-dvr-study/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>),  the use of DVRs increased five-fold from 2006 to 2011. It seems that of all the devices connected to our TV, we use the DVR the most.\n\nLike the VCR of yore, the DVR lets you record a show for viewing at your convenience. Perhaps you are at work during the latest episode of Dr. Phil or you have to attend a family gathering during the Oscars.  And unlike the VCR, DVRs use hard disk space, giving you hundreds of hours of recording time. A DVR would have been a tremendous help to me during the last episode of Felicity back in the 90s, which due to a VCR glitch ,did not record and I never was able to watch it (but I digress).\n\nYesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/dvrs-and-weak-shows-explain-low-ratings-for-tv-networks.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times has an article</a> that says the networks are now blaming the DVR for weaker ratings ( although weaker shows may be more to blame).\n\nThere is no doubt that DVRs are affecting how we view TV. One immediate effect for most people is that we no longer view the commercials thanks to the fast forward button. Does this mean that advertisers should re-evaluate whether to even have TV commercials in the advertising mix? Well, yes, they should. Clearly, relying on TV commercials, especially on shows that people tend to record (perhaps daytime shows or late night shows), is a risky proposition.\n\nHowever, keep in mind that fast forward does not mean delete. You have to watch the screen while you are fast forwarding, so an intriguing commercial may actually catch your eye and make you hit play.\n\n<strong>The DVR Factor</strong> is that forgettable or boring commercials will not attract attention anymore, and will even be ignored. On the other hand, interesting and creative commercials will stand out and perhaps even be more memorable and effective.\n\nWe are surrounded by advertising--much of which we can skip or ignore. But we still pay attention to advertising messages that resonate with us, whether because they are eye-catching or interesting.\n\nWhat do you think? Do you watch ads at all?','The DVR Factor','','inherit','open','open','','1934-revision-2','','','2012-12-04 15:01:37','2012-12-04 15:01:37','',1934,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1934-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1937,4,'2012-12-04 15:06:52','2012-12-04 15:06:52','Chances are good that if you have a cable service,  you also have a DVR (digital video recorder).  In fact, according to a Nielsen study, quoted in Mashable.com (<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/nielsen-dvr-study/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>),  the use of DVRs increased five-fold from 2006 to 2011. It seems that of all the devices connected to our TV, we use the DVR the most.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"HD DVR HD by apalapala, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/apalapala/5112667364/\"><img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1371/5112667364_89eed4bf67.jpg\" alt=\"HD DVR HD\" width=\"500\" height=\"238\" /></a> HD DVR photo by Apalapala on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nLike the VCR of yore, the DVR lets you record a show for viewing at your convenience. Perhaps you are at work during the latest episode of Dr. Phil or you have to attend a family gathering during the Oscars.  And unlike the VCR, DVRs use hard disk space, giving you hundreds of hours of recording time. A DVR would have been a tremendous help to me during the last episode of Felicity back in the 90s, which due to a VCR glitch ,did not record and I never was able to watch it (but I digress).\r\n\r\nYesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/dvrs-and-weak-shows-explain-low-ratings-for-tv-networks.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times has an article</a> that says the networks are now blaming the DVR for weaker ratings ( although weaker shows may be more to blame).\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt that DVRs are affecting how we view TV. One immediate effect for most people is that we no longer view the commercials thanks to the fast forward button. Does this mean that advertisers should re-evaluate whether to even have TV commercials in the advertising mix? Well, yes, they should. Clearly, relying on TV commercials, especially on shows that people tend to record (perhaps daytime shows or late night shows), is a risky proposition.\r\n\r\nHowever, keep in mind that fast forward does not mean delete. You have to watch the screen while you are fast forwarding, so an intriguing commercial may actually catch your eye and make you hit play.\r\n\r\n<strong>The DVR Factor</strong> is that forgettable or boring commercials will not attract attention anymore, and will even be ignored. On the other hand, interesting and creative commercials will stand out and perhaps even be more memorable and effective.\r\n\r\nWe are surrounded by advertising--much of which we can skip or ignore. But we still pay attention to advertising messages that resonate with us, whether because they are eye-catching or interesting.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch ads at all?','The DVR Factor','','inherit','open','open','','1934-revision-3','','','2012-12-04 15:06:52','2012-12-04 15:06:52','',1934,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1934-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1938,4,'2012-12-04 15:06:58','2012-12-04 15:06:58','Chances are good that if you have a cable service,  you also have a DVR (digital video recorder).  In fact, according to a Nielsen study, quoted in Mashable.com (<a href=\"http://mashable.com/2012/03/01/nielsen-dvr-study/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>),  the use of DVRs increased five-fold from 2006 to 2011. It seems that of all the devices connected to our TV, we use the DVR the most.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"HD DVR HD by apalapala, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/apalapala/5112667364/\"><img src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1371/5112667364_89eed4bf67.jpg\" alt=\"HD DVR HD\" width=\"500\" height=\"238\" /></a> HD DVR photo by Apalapala on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nLike the VCR of yore, the DVR lets you record a show for viewing at your convenience. Perhaps you are at work during the latest episode of Dr. Phil or you have to attend a family gathering during the Oscars.  And unlike the VCR, DVRs use hard disk space, giving you hundreds of hours of recording time. A DVR would have been a tremendous help to me during the last episode of Felicity back in the 90s, which due to a VCR glitch ,did not record and I never was able to watch it (but I digress).\r\n\r\nYesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/dvrs-and-weak-shows-explain-low-ratings-for-tv-networks.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">New York Times has an article</a> that says the networks are now blaming the DVR for weaker ratings ( although weaker shows may be more to blame).\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt that DVRs are affecting how we view TV. One immediate effect for most people is that we no longer view the commercials thanks to the fast forward button. Does this mean that advertisers should re-evaluate whether to even have TV commercials in the advertising mix? Well, yes, they should. Clearly, relying on TV commercials, especially on shows that people tend to record (perhaps daytime shows or late night shows), is a risky proposition.\r\n\r\nHowever, keep in mind that fast forward does not mean delete. You have to watch the screen while you are fast forwarding, so an intriguing commercial may actually catch your eye and make you hit play.\r\n\r\n<strong>The DVR Factor</strong> is that forgettable or boring commercials will not attract attention anymore, and will even be ignored. On the other hand, interesting and creative commercials will stand out and perhaps even be more memorable and effective.\r\n\r\nWe are surrounded by advertising--much of which we can skip or ignore. But we still pay attention to advertising messages that resonate with us, whether because they are eye-catching or interesting.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch ads at all?','The DVR Factor','','inherit','open','open','','1934-revision-4','','','2012-12-04 15:06:58','2012-12-04 15:06:58','',1934,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1934-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1941,4,'2012-12-07 14:57:13','2012-12-07 14:57:13','Last week, I read a guest post on a popular PR blog that counseled people to spend 10 minutes a year on their LinkedIn profile and to schedule one or two tweets a day \"to maintain a presence on Twitter.\"\r\n\r\nCan you do social media in a few minutes a year? Sure you <em>can</em>.  But, the question is not whether you can, it is whether you <em>should</em>. And if you think you can achieve good outcomes by doing it the easy way, you are in for a big surprise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"hard work 2  by idlphoto, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/idlphoto/4172394956/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2800/4172394956_653cbf4ef5.jpg\" alt=\"hard work 2 \" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by idlphoto from Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nMarketing in general, and social media marketing in particular, are not easy tasks. In fact, to achieve results, you have to spend<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> lots of time and effort</span> (and sometimes money too). Anybody who tells you you can do it a couple of minutes a day is lying to you (or maybe just misleading you).  <strong>Just having or maintaining a presence is simply not enough.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour goal may be to just have a presence. But why would that be your goal? If you are marketing (yourself, a product, a cause, an idea), you probably have goal that involves movement (more followers, more buyers, more supporters). Just being is not going to move your goal very far forward.\r\n\r\nTake Twitter. If you schedule your tweets and then do nothing else, what exactly are you achieving? Not engagement, that\'s for sure. Twitter is a responsive platform. People comment and respond in real time. If you don\'t participate in real time, and respond quickly, I am not sure you should be on Twitter at all. Beside the fact that one or two tweets a day will likely get missed, especially if there is something else going on (and breaking news breaks on Twitter).\r\n\r\nTake LinkedIn. If you refresh your profile one time per year, and then don\'t do anything else, you aren\'t going to appear on the timeline. People will forget about you.\r\n\r\nPerhaps what the guess blogger I referenced above was trying to say is that you have to have a<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> minimum presence</span> if you are going to participate in social media channels. However, you can\'t and shouldn\'t be satisfied with the minimum. You need to MAXIMIZE your presence if you are trying to achieve goals. And perhaps you don\'t need to be on every social media channel. Perhaps you choose one or two where you can make an effort.\r\n\r\nSocial media marketing may be easy to understand, but it is not easy to achieve. It takes a lot of time, and a lot of effort. That\'s a fact.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you think social media marketing can be accomplished easily? Do you think a minimum works? I would love your thoughts in the comments.','As easy as 1, 2, 3 (or not)','','publish','open','open','','as-easy-as-1-2-3-or-not','','','2012-12-07 14:57:13','2012-12-07 14:57:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1941',0,'post','',0),(1955,4,'2012-12-19 21:50:25','2012-12-19 21:50:25','Perhaps its a sign that our social fabric is stretched too thin. Perhaps people don\'t know how to behave when they have the cover of social media. What is happening more and more is that people are expressing hate and hateful things to strangers on social media channels.\r\n\r\nOn Twitter, haters will search for ideas that they disagree with and then attack whoever tweeted those thoughts.  On blogs, people will leave nasty comments. On news sites, people will disparage others they disagree with. Social media seems rife with haters and trolls.\r\n\r\nHow do you deal with all these haters?\r\n\r\nFirst, do NOT take these comments personally.\r\n\r\nSecond, ignore the hater/troll. Most of these people are attention-seekers or enjoy getting an angry reaction from others. On Twitter, go to the hater\'s profile and block him or her. On your blog, discard the comment (you are under no obligation to provide a platform for others\' ideas, especially if they are contrary to your own and expressed in a disrespectful manner).  If feasible, delete the comments on Facebook.\r\n\r\nI am not saying to get rid of all comments that show a different viewpoint or even that question you, just get rid of comments that are obviously motivated by hate or the desire to incite argument.\r\n\r\nThird, move on. Social media is a constantly changing landscape, and what was interesting and hot five minutes ago may not be now.\r\n\r\nHow do you deal with haters or trolls? Would you add anything?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Dealing with the haters (on social media)','','publish','open','open','','dealing-with-the-haters-on-social-media','','','2012-12-19 21:50:25','2012-12-19 21:50:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1955',0,'post','',0),(1944,4,'2012-12-10 15:21:06','2012-12-10 15:21:06','Everybody goes to networking events at one point or another. Some go because they feel they have to and others go because they love to network. The bottom line is that networking is an integral part of marketing, both personal and business. Opportunities always stem from personal relationships and networking is just the path to extend and strengthen your personal relationships.\r\n\r\nDecember is probably the prime networking month as there are all sorts of holiday parties and end of year ceremonies. But if you don\'t think about your networking, all you will end up doing is wasting time (and money).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"handshake by B.T. Indrelunas, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/btindrelunas/4207736768/\"><img class=\" \" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2697/4207736768_2d21b5a225.jpg\" alt=\"handshake\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> Handshake by B.T. Indrelunas on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe inspiration for this post was a woman I \"met\" at a party last week. I didn\'t actually meet her because she was a walking networking don\'t. She approached me and a friend, greeted us, but didn\'t introduce herself. She babbled about the holidays (actually told us about her Thanksgiving dinner), and then said she wanted to get food, and turned around and left. Some time later, she sat down next to me and did not even try to make conversation. She wandered around the party aimlessly. Someone told me she was job-hunting. My impression was that she was slightly unhinged, and had no idea of how to connect with people.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be like that woman! You can make networking events a good marketing tool for yourself or your business if you follow some dos and don\'ts.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Do this:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Have an objective in mind</strong>. You should ask yourself what you would like to get out of this event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Work on your introduction.</strong> Have a short but complete overview of who you are, something like: Hi, my name is Jane Doe, and I am a graphic designer at XZ agency, an Anytown-based advertising agency that specializes in the tech industry.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perfect your handshake, smile and body language</strong>.  A strong but not bone crushing grip, a nice smile and an open stance will help make you more likeable.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your appearance.</strong> Match your dress to the occasion. If it\'s a holiday party, be festive. If it is a morning business meeting, then dress in your business best!\r\n\r\n<strong>Be interested in the other person</strong>. Ask questions and be genuinely interested in the answers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Have business cards at the ready.</strong> Yes, I know people can Google you and phone tap you and whatever, but exchanging business cards is a tangible way to initiate contact.\r\n\r\n<strong>Follow up</strong>. Make sure to send an email to people you have met soon after the event to help establish the connection.  You may even suggest going to coffee or lunch and use the opportunity to get to know the person.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>But don\'t do this:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand out business cards indiscriminately</strong>. Exchange cards with someone only after you have spoken.\r\n\r\n<strong>Go for quantity.</strong> Some people feel they must work the room and meet everyone. I believe that quality is better than quantity, that is, it is better to meet a couple of people who will remember who you are, than a whole bunch of people than can\'t place you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Have a bad handshake.</strong> This includes the limp handshake, the overly strong handshake, the clammy handshake, and one that I experienced last week, the calloused, rough skin on the hand shake (use moisturizer!!!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Be overly self-deprecating.</strong> Don\'t diminish your accomplishments by letting your insecurity shine through.\r\n\r\n<strong>Act weird</strong>. Some people take pride in marching to the beat of a different drummer, and that is fine. But. There is personality and then there is weirdness. Some people (like the woman I mentioned above) don\'t pick up on social cues. Or then there was the guy who went to the holiday party in a kilt. Using a kilt is limited to the following occasions: when you are a schoolgirl in uniform, at your family\'s Scottish ancestral ceremony or it is Halloween.  You don\'t want to get attention for the wrong reasons.\r\n\r\nHappy networking this holiday season. You may just be a party away from meeting your next employer, project or friend!\r\n\r\nWhat are your networking dos and don\'ts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to make networking events a better marketing opportunity','','publish','open','open','','how-to-make-networking-events-a-better-marketing-opportunity','','','2012-12-10 15:21:06','2012-12-10 15:21:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1944',0,'post','',0),(1945,4,'2012-12-10 15:18:58','2012-12-10 15:18:58','Everybody goes to networking events at one point or another. Some go because they feel they have to and others go because they love to network. The bottom line is that networking is an integral part of marketing, both personal and business. Opportunities always stem from personal relationships and networking is just the path to extend and strengthen your personal relationships.\n\nDecember is probably the prime networking month as there are all sorts of holiday parties and end of year ceremonies. But if you don\'t think about your networking, all you will end up doing is wasting time (and money).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"handshake by B.T. Indrelunas, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/btindrelunas/4207736768/\"><img class=\" \" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2697/4207736768_2d21b5a225.jpg\" alt=\"handshake\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> Handshake by B.T. Indrelunas on Flickr[/caption]\n\nThe inspiration for this post was a woman I \"met\" at a party last week. I didn\'t actually meet her because she was a walking networking don\'t. She approached me and a friend, greeted us, but didn\'t introduce herself. She babbled about the holidays (actually told us about her Thanksgiving dinner), and then said she wanted to get food, and turned around and left. Some time later, she sat down next to me and did not even try to make conversation. She wandered around the party aimlessly. Someone told me she was job-hunting. My impression was that she was slightly unhinged, and had no idea of how to connect with people.\n\nDon\'t be like that woman! You can make networking events a good marketing tool for yourself or your business if you follow some dos and don\'ts.\n\nDo this:\n\n<strong>Have an objective in mind</strong>. You should ask yourself what you would like to get out of this event.\n\n<strong>Work on your introduction.</strong> Have a short but complete overview of who you are, something like: Hi, my name is Jane Doe, and I am a graphic designer at XZ agency, an Anytown-based advertising agency that specializes in the tech industry.\n\n<strong>Perfect your handshake, smile and body language</strong>.  A strong but not bone crushing grip, a nice smile and an open stance will help make you more likeable.\n\n<strong>Think about your appearance.</strong> Match your dress to the occasion. If it\'s a holiday party, be festive. If it is a morning business meeting, then dress in your business best!\n\n<strong>Be interested in the other person</strong>. Ask questions and be genuinely interested in the answers.\n\n<strong>Have business cards at the ready.</strong> Yes, I know people can Google you and phone tap you and whatever, but exchanging business cards is a tangible way to initiate contact.\n\n<strong>Follow up</strong>. Make sure to send an email to people you have met soon after the event to help establish the connection.  You may even suggest going to coffee or lunch and use the opportunity to get to know the person.\n\n<strong>But don\'t do this:</strong>\n\n<strong>Hand out business cards indiscriminately</strong>. Exchange cards with someone only after you have spoken.\n\n<strong>Go for quantity.</strong> Some people feel they must work the room and meet everyone. I believe that quality is better than quantity, that is, it is better to meet a couple of people who will remember who you are, than a whole bunch of people than can\'t place you.\n\n<strong>Have a bad handshake.</strong> This includes the limp handshake, the overly strong handshake, the clammy handshake, and one that I experienced last week, the calloused, rough skin on the hand shake (use moisturizer!!!).\n\n<strong>Be overly self-deprecating.</strong> Don\'t diminish your accomplishments by letting your insecurity shine through.\n\n<strong>Act weird</strong>. Some people take pride in marching to the beat of a different drummer, and that is fine. But. There is personality and then there is weirdness. Some people (like the woman I mentioned above) don\'t pick up on social cues. Or then there was the guy who went to the holiday party in a kilt. Using a kilt is limited to the following occasions: when you are a schoolgirl in uniform, at your family\'s Scottish ancestral ceremony or it is Halloween.  You don\'t want to get attention for the wrong reasons.\n\nHappy networking this holiday season. You may just be a party away from meeting your next employer, project or friend!\n\nWhat are your networking dos and don\'ts?\n\n&nbsp;','How to make networking events a better marketing opportunity','','inherit','open','open','','1944-revision','','','2012-12-10 15:18:58','2012-12-10 15:18:58','',1944,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1944-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1946,4,'2012-12-10 15:19:58','2012-12-10 15:19:58','Everybody goes to networking events at one point or another. Some go because they feel they have to and others go because they love to network. The bottom line is that networking is an integral part of marketing, both personal and business. Opportunities always stem from personal relationships and networking is just the path to extend and strengthen your personal relationships.\n\nDecember is probably the prime networking month as there are all sorts of holiday parties and end of year ceremonies. But if you don\'t think about your networking, all you will end up doing is wasting time (and money).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"handshake by B.T. Indrelunas, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/btindrelunas/4207736768/\"><img class=\" \" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2697/4207736768_2d21b5a225.jpg\" alt=\"handshake\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> Handshake by B.T. Indrelunas on Flickr[/caption]\n\nThe inspiration for this post was a woman I \"met\" at a party last week. I didn\'t actually meet her because she was a walking networking don\'t. She approached me and a friend, greeted us, but didn\'t introduce herself. She babbled about the holidays (actually told us about her Thanksgiving dinner), and then said she wanted to get food, and turned around and left. Some time later, she sat down next to me and did not even try to make conversation. She wandered around the party aimlessly. Someone told me she was job-hunting. My impression was that she was slightly unhinged, and had no idea of how to connect with people.\n\nDon\'t be like that woman! You can make networking events a good marketing tool for yourself or your business if you follow some dos and don\'ts.\n\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Do this:</span></strong>\n\n<strong>Have an objective in mind</strong>. You should ask yourself what you would like to get out of this event.\n\n<strong>Work on your introduction.</strong> Have a short but complete overview of who you are, something like: Hi, my name is Jane Doe, and I am a graphic designer at XZ agency, an Anytown-based advertising agency that specializes in the tech industry.\n\n<strong>Perfect your handshake, smile and body language</strong>.  A strong but not bone crushing grip, a nice smile and an open stance will help make you more likeable.\n\n<strong>Think about your appearance.</strong> Match your dress to the occasion. If it\'s a holiday party, be festive. If it is a morning business meeting, then dress in your business best!\n\n<strong>Be interested in the other person</strong>. Ask questions and be genuinely interested in the answers.\n\n<strong>Have business cards at the ready.</strong> Yes, I know people can Google you and phone tap you and whatever, but exchanging business cards is a tangible way to initiate contact.\n\n<strong>Follow up</strong>. Make sure to send an email to people you have met soon after the event to help establish the connection.  You may even suggest going to coffee or lunch and use the opportunity to get to know the person.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>But don\'t do this:</strong></span>\n\n<strong>Hand out business cards indiscriminately</strong>. Exchange cards with someone only after you have spoken.\n\n<strong>Go for quantity.</strong> Some people feel they must work the room and meet everyone. I believe that quality is better than quantity, that is, it is better to meet a couple of people who will remember who you are, than a whole bunch of people than can\'t place you.\n\n<strong>Have a bad handshake.</strong> This includes the limp handshake, the overly strong handshake, the clammy handshake, and one that I experienced last week, the calloused, rough skin on the hand shake (use moisturizer!!!).\n\n<strong>Be overly self-deprecating.</strong> Don\'t diminish your accomplishments by letting your insecurity shine through.\n\n<strong>Act weird</strong>. Some people take pride in marching to the beat of a different drummer, and that is fine. But. There is personality and then there is weirdness. Some people (like the woman I mentioned above) don\'t pick up on social cues. Or then there was the guy who went to the holiday party in a kilt. Using a kilt is limited to the following occasions: when you are a schoolgirl in uniform, at your family\'s Scottish ancestral ceremony or it is Halloween.  You don\'t want to get attention for the wrong reasons.\n\nHappy networking this holiday season. You may just be a party away from meeting your next employer, project or friend!\n\nWhat are your networking dos and don\'ts?\n\n&nbsp;','How to make networking events a better marketing opportunity','','inherit','open','open','','1944-revision-2','','','2012-12-10 15:19:58','2012-12-10 15:19:58','',1944,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1944-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2087,4,'2013-03-04 15:58:37','2013-03-04 15:58:37','Did you watch the 2011 movie <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598822/?ref_=sr_2\" target=\"_blank\">New Year\'s Eve</a></span>? If you spent money on it either in the theater or renting it, I am sorry for your loss.  I only watched the beginning as it was playing on one of  my cable movie channels. After 20 minutes of unbelievable situations and bad lines, I went back to reading the side of the cereal box.\r\n\r\nYou would be forgiven for thinking that this movie was worth watching. After all, it has a cast of well known (and very attractive) actors (including Michelle Pfeiffer, Hillary Swank, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker and even Jon Bon Jovi, to name a few). It is directed by Gary Marshall, who brought us bastions of sitcom TV such as Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.\r\n\r\nBut the actors and the director have to follow a screenplay, which in this case was written by <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297545/?ref_=tt_ov_wr\" target=\"_blank\">Katherine Fugate</a>. Fugate\'s credits include the TV series <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Xena: Warrior Princess.</span> Fugate also wrote <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Valentine\'s Day</span>, another movie that revolves around an over-hyped holiday and which features lots of well known actors (some of the very same ones that appear in <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">New Year\'s Eve</span>).\r\n\r\nApparently, Gary Marshall saw potential in a holiday movie franchise. Perhaps we should prepare for St. Patrick\'s Day: The Movie, in which a group of well known actors would be anxiously wondering how their romantic lives will survive the drinking of green beer.\r\n\r\nMovies are the result of all of the parts working together: acting, directing and writing. You could also throw in cinematography, editing, costume design and sound.  As <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">New Year\'s Eve</span> painfully underscores, even dozens of well-known actors and a funny-guy director do not make a poorly plotted and written screenplay shine. In other words,  a good movie is greater than the sum of its parts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communications is much the same way.  </strong>You have to have more than just pretty, shiny parts that you throw together. To make the movie analogy work here,<strong> your communications efforts need good direction (communications strategy), believable acting (execution or tactics) and a well-written screenplay ( your communications plan).</strong>\r\n\r\nLook at your communications efforts right now.  Are you getting led by pretty tactics (Let\'s go on Pinterest! Let\'s get a blog!) or are you thinking about how everything works together to achieve your goals?','Greater than the sum of its parts','','publish','open','open','','greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts','','','2013-03-04 15:58:37','2013-03-04 15:58:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2087',0,'post','',0),(1988,4,'2013-01-15 18:09:43','2013-01-15 18:09:43','Last night I attended an event where the sole purpose was to get feedback on a new website from community attendees. It was fairly informal--the creators of the website asked for opinions and reactions to the website, which you did on a one-to-one basis.\r\n\r\nI  found this exercise incredibly interesting because it can be so useful. But I wonder how often it is done. My sense is that it isn\'t done often enough! The examples abound: websites that are hard to navigate, brochures that are pointless, ads that fail to entice, and on and on.\r\n\r\n<strong>Get a reality check!</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a marketer or communications person, you should seek outside opinions. This is why in-house communications often employs consultants or agencies. This is why market research exists. But even (perhaps especially) if you are a entrepreneur, you should find someone to discuss your marketing, positioning or other business-related issues. Everybody needs a reality check!\r\n\r\nThere are structured ways to get a reality check. As mentioned above, you could hire a consultant (for personal marketing, perhaps this consultant is a life coach or therapist).\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Big businesses could hire a market research firm.</li>\r\n	<li>Nonprofits can tap into their board of directors or their volunteers.</li>\r\n	<li>Entrepreneurs or solopreneurs may consider joining a peer group or create an ad-hoc advisory council of trusted people.</li>\r\n	<li>Smaller businesses can conduct informal focus groups like the one I attended.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYou most definitely need to conduct a reality check BEFORE you launch--an idea, a product, a marketing piece or a website. Many businesses seem to be afraid of hearing that their idea/ad campaign/marketing materials may be missing the mark.\r\n\r\nHowever scary or uncomfortable it may be, getting a reality check will be immensely valuable. It\'s easier to fix something before it is out there in the public eye.\r\n\r\nDo you get reality checks? If so, from whom or how? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Getting a reality check','','publish','open','open','','getting-a-reality-check','','','2013-01-15 18:09:43','2013-01-15 18:09:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1988',0,'post','',0),(1950,4,'2012-12-12 19:36:28','2012-12-12 19:36:28','Today, I can\'t use Outlook. Why? My ISP, Verizon, is not working. A colleague can\'t access her email. Why? Her web host is having server issues. So we sit and wait and pressure these service providers to fix these things because it affects our business.\r\n\r\nAlthough we can\'t control everything, on some communications-related issues, we have more control than others. I can pressure my ISP to fix my email issues, but I can\'t do a thing about Facebook and its ever changing rules and features. (<a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-changed-edgerank-algorithm-to-hurt-advertisers-2012-10\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook has changed EdgeRank, affecting brand pages</a>) I don\'t have any control over Twitter and its decision not to play nice with Instagram (<a href=\"http://gizmodo.com/5967594/twitter-vs-instagram-ultimate-filter-battle-royale\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter will no longer display Instagram photos on its site</a>).\r\n\r\nI also can\'t do much about Google, Gmail or any number of Internet-based applications and software that we are becoming increasingly dependent on.\r\n\r\nMarketers who enthusiastically recommend having a Facebook page, or an Instagram account, or signing up for Pinterest <strong>MUST</strong> take into consideration that these are services and that as a brand, you are putting yourself at the mercy of their decisions, which do affect you, often without your input or control.\r\n\r\nMany of the most problematic outside vendors (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) are free to use. As users, we have no leverage. We are getting what we pay for.\r\n\r\nA few years ago, a local website decided to get rid of its URL and use Facebook exclusively. Guess what, that website did not survive.\r\n\r\nBe aware that by using the cloud, or using third-party services, you are agreeing to give up control. You may want more of that control than you realize.\r\n\r\nThoughts?','Depending on outside vendors: it\'s risky','','publish','open','open','','depending-on-outside-vendors-its-risky','','','2012-12-12 19:36:28','2012-12-12 19:36:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1950',0,'post','',1),(1951,4,'2012-12-12 19:35:36','2012-12-12 19:35:36','Today, I can\'t use Outlook. Why? My ISP, Verizon, is not working. A colleague can\'t access her email. Why? Her web host is having server issues. So we sit and wait and pressure these service providers to fix these things because it affects our business.\n\nAlthough we can\'t control everything, on some communications-related issues, we have more control than others. I can pressure my ISP to fix my email issues, for example. But I can\'t do a thing about Facebook and its ever changing rules and features. (<a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-changed-edgerank-algorithm-to-hurt-advertisers-2012-10\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook has changed EdgeRank, affecting brand pages</a>) I don\'t have any control over Twitter and its decision not to play nice with Instagram (<a href=\"http://gizmodo.com/5967594/twitter-vs-instagram-ultimate-filter-battle-royale\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter will no longer display Instagram photos on its site</a>).\n\nI also can\'t do much about Google, Gmail or any number of Internet-based applications and software that we are becoming increasingly dependent on.\n\nMarketers who enthusiastically recommend having a Facebook page, or an Instagram account, or signing up for Pinterest MUST take into consideration that these are services and that as a brand, you are putting yourself at the mercy of their decisions, which do affect you, often without your input or control.\n\nMany of the most problematic outside vendors (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) are free to use. As users, we have no leverage. We are getting what we pay for.\n\nA few years ago, a local website decided to get rid of its URL and use Facebook exclusively. Guess what, that website did not survive.\n\nBe aware that by using the cloud, or using third-party services, you are agreeing to give up control. You may want more of that control than you realize.\n\nThoughts?','Depending on outside vendors: it\'s risky','','inherit','open','open','','1950-revision','','','2012-12-12 19:35:36','2012-12-12 19:35:36','',1950,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1950-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1952,4,'2012-12-14 16:32:22','2012-12-14 16:32:22','There are marketers out there who believe that their target audience is made up of stupid people. People who will buy anything, believe anything and do anything.\r\n\r\nThese marketers are the bottom-feeder telemarketers who tend to use robo-calls or use auto-dialers to call frequently at different times on different days. They play the CALLER ID system by using non-specific identifiers such as \"Card Services\" or \"Holiday Rebate.\" (I got a call today that had the CALLER ID as \"Important Call\"-- yes, really.) They ignore the Do Not Call List and refuse to take you off their rolls.\r\n\r\nThese marketers use direct mail with no targeting or culling of lists. They send offers that are too good to be true. They ask for sensitive information just to enter you in a drawing for a fantastic prize you have zero chance of winning.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that by running the same TV ad or print ad over and over and over and over again you will finally be convinced to cough up three convenient payments of $19.99 plus shipping and handling.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that by using an actor dressed as a doctor in an advertisement they are proving their miracle pill has been tested and approved by a reliable source.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that sending spam email that says \"Secure Notification\" on the subject line will make you open an email from a bank with which you have no business.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think people are stupid and will buy anything that sounds great or will be scared by a letter that says this is your final notice (even though you haven\'t gotten any notice before or even do business with that company).\r\n\r\nPreying on people\'s stupidity or gullibility or fear is not ethical. It is not good marketing. And marketers who engage in these practices give all marketers a bad name.','Marketers who assume targets are stupid','','publish','open','open','','marketers-who-assume-targets-are-stupid','','','2013-01-10 17:56:15','2013-01-10 17:56:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1952',0,'post','',0),(1953,4,'2012-12-14 16:32:12','2012-12-14 16:32:12','There are marketers out there who believe that their target audience is made up of stupid people. People who will buy anything, believe anything and do anything.\n\nThese marketers are the bottom-feeder telemarketers who tend to use robo-calls or use auto-dialers to call frequently at different times on different days. They play the CALLER ID system by using non-specific identifiers such as \"Card Services\" or \"Holiday Rebate.\" (I got a call today that had the CALLER ID as \"Important Call--really.) They ignore the Do Not Call List and refuse to take you off their rolls.\n\nThese marketers use direct mail with no targeting or culling of lists. They send offers that are too good to be true. They ask for sensitive information just to enter you in a drawing for a fantastic prize you have zero chance of winning.\n\nThese marketers think that by running the same TV ad or print ad over and over and over and over again you will finally be convinced to cough up three convenient payments of $19.99 plus shipping and handling.\n\nThese marketers think that by using an actor dressed as a doctor in an advertisement they are proving their miracle pill has been tested and approved by a reliable source.\n\nThese marketers think that sending spam email that says \"Secure Notification\" on the subject line will make you open an email from a bank with which you have no business.\n\nThese marketers think people are stupid and will buy anything that sounds great or will be scared by a letter that says this is your final notice (even though you haven\'t gotten any notice before or even do business with that company).\n\nPreying on people\'s stupidity or gullibility or fear is not ethical. It is not good marketing. And marketers who engage in these practices give all marketers a bad name.','Marketers who assume targets are stupid','','inherit','open','open','','1952-revision','','','2012-12-14 16:32:12','2012-12-14 16:32:12','',1952,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1952-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1956,4,'2012-12-19 21:37:44','2012-12-19 21:37:44','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','1955-revision','','','2012-12-19 21:37:44','2012-12-19 21:37:44','',1955,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1955-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1957,4,'2012-12-19 21:50:02','2012-12-19 21:50:02','Perhaps its a sign that our social fabric is stretched too thin. Perhaps people don\'t know how to behave when they have the cover of social media. What is happening more and more is that people are expressing hate and hateful things to strangers on social media channels.\n\nOn Twitter, haters will search for ideas that they disagree with and then attack whoever tweeted those thoughts.  On blogs, people will leave nasty comments. On news sites, people will disparage others they disagree with. Social media seems rife with haters and trolls.\n\nHow do you deal with all these haters?\n\nFirst, do NOT take these comments personally.\n\nSecond, ignore the hater/troll. Most of these people are attention-seekers or enjoy getting an angry reaction from others. On Twitter, go to the hater\'s profile and block him or her. On your blog, discard the comment (you are under no obligation to provide a platform for others\' ideas, especially if they are contrary to your own and expressed in a disrespectful manner).  If feasible, delete the comments on Facebook.\n\nI am not saying to get rid of all comments that show a different viewpoint or even that question you, just get rid of comments that are obviously motivated by hate or the desire to incite argument.\n\nThird, move on. Social media is a constantly changing landscape, and what was interesting and hot five minutes ago may not be now.\n\nHow do you deal with haters or trolls? Would you add anything?\n\n&nbsp;','Dealing with the haters (on social media)','','inherit','open','open','','1955-revision-2','','','2012-12-19 21:50:02','2012-12-19 21:50:02','',1955,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1955-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1959,4,'2012-12-27 13:44:22','2012-12-27 13:44:22','<strong>1. Understand the basics (who you are and what you do) before doing anything else</strong>. I worked with one client this year who had launched a website, hired a marketing person and even commissioned a video without ever having examined what the company’s main message was, defined a target audience or main competitors and certainly hadn’t thought out its USP.\n\n<strong>2. You don’t have to market everywhere, just where you are likely to find your target audience</strong>. There’s no need to spread your marketing message far and wide. You can have success by focusing your efforts where you are likely to find your audience.\n\n<strong>3. There is only one content strategy (getting your target audience to read your content).</strong> <strong>Everything else is a TACTIC. </strong>I have read many articles about content marketing, all claiming to have new “strategies.” In most, if not all, cases, these strategies were really tactics.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"School Blackboard by H2O Alchemist, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2oalchemist/414924312/\"><img class=\" \" title=\"School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/158/414924312_26809b1259.jpg\" alt=\"School Blackboard\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\n<strong> 4.</strong> <strong>Acknowledge the reality on the ground</strong>. This year we have seen several advertisers (and a politician or two) who just did not get it. Like Pepco, who continued patting itself on its back about “reliability” when hundreds of thousands of customers were without power during extreme heat for several days.\n\n<strong> 5</strong>. <strong>Depending on Facebook (or any free, third-party service) as a marketing platform will cost you.</strong> Sure, you can have a Facebook page for free, but figuring out its ever changing policies will cost you in time and effort.\n\n<strong>6. Stop scheduling your tweets! </strong>Tweeting about your fun weekend ahead while people are mourning 20 dead children is tacky and preventable. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Twitter is about immediacy, engagement and responsiveness. Scheduled tweets are just the opposite.</span>\n\nWhat lessons did you draw from the year that was? Anything jump out at you? If so, please share in the comments.','6 marketing and communications lessons from 2012','','inherit','open','open','','1958-revision','','','2012-12-27 13:44:22','2012-12-27 13:44:22','',1958,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1958-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1960,4,'2012-12-27 13:45:08','2012-12-27 13:45:08','<strong>1. Understand the basics (who you are and what you do) before doing anything else</strong>. I worked with one client this year who had launched a website, hired a marketing person and even commissioned a video without ever having examined what the company’s main message was, defined a target audience or main competitors and certainly hadn’t thought out its USP.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You don’t have to market everywhere, just where you are likely to find your target audience</strong>. There’s no need to spread your marketing message far and wide. You can have success by focusing your efforts where you are likely to find your audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. There is only one content strategy (getting your target audience to read your content).</strong> <strong>Everything else is a TACTIC. </strong>I have read many articles about content marketing, all claiming to have new “strategies.” In most, if not all, cases, these strategies were really tactics.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"School Blackboard by H2O Alchemist, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2oalchemist/414924312/\"><img class=\" \" title=\"School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/158/414924312_26809b1259.jpg\" alt=\"School Blackboard\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> School Blackboard in Ghana by H2OAlchemist on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong> 4.</strong> <strong>Acknowledge the reality on the ground</strong>. This year we have seen several advertisers (and a politician or two) who just did not get it. Like Pepco, who continued patting itself on its back about “reliability” when hundreds of thousands of customers were without power during extreme heat for several days.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5</strong>. <strong>Depending on Facebook (or any free, third-party service) as a marketing platform will cost you.</strong> Sure, you can have a Facebook page for free, but figuring out its ever changing policies will cost you in time and effort.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Stop scheduling your tweets! </strong>Tweeting about your fun weekend ahead while people are mourning 20 dead children is tacky and preventable. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Twitter is about immediacy, engagement and responsiveness. Scheduled tweets are just the opposite.</span>\r\n\r\nWhat lessons did you draw from the year that was? Anything jump out at you? If so, please share in the comments.','6 marketing and communications lessons from 2012','','inherit','open','open','','1958-revision-2','','','2012-12-27 13:45:08','2012-12-27 13:45:08','',1958,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1958-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1991,4,'2013-01-17 20:17:04','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Marketing misfits are like social misfits--out of step with those around them, and not even aware of it. Like the woman I saw today at the gym, working out in (I kid you not) in a skirt, blouse and hose. Or the socially awkward guy who shakes your hand weakly and proceeds to talk about himself.\n\nSocial misfits are generally not able to pick up on societal cues. Sometimes it\'s because of a disorder like Asperger\'s and other times it has to do with lack of self-awareness. Whatever it is, those people generally stick out like sore thumbs, and not for positive reasons.\n\nSimilarly, marketing misfits','Are you a marketing misfit?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-01-17 20:17:04','2013-01-17 20:17:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1991',0,'post','',0),(1964,4,'2013-01-08 17:13:28','2013-01-08 17:13:28','It\'s great to highlight your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). In fact, you should. You should communicate to your target audience what makes you special or different than others, especially if you are in a crowded marketplace. A couple of days ago, I came across this ad in the newspaper:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1966\" title=\"Carpet company ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761-594x1024.jpg\" alt=\"carpet company ad\" width=\"594\" height=\"1024\" /></a>The ad above has numerous claims for your attention: special pricing, free pick up, new showroom, new website AND that they have vetted their employees. In short, there\'s too much. They sell rugs but they also clean rugs.\r\n\r\nBesides having too much information, the fact this company is making sure you know that all their employees are checked out--that they have no criminal background, are drug-free and authorized to work in the US--is problematic.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that this company is  bringing up a question that perhaps was not even on their customers\'  minds.  Sure, it\'s good to say employees are carefully vetted, but to highlight that they have been submitted to a \"rigorous background check\" makes me wonder if a) they have had a problem with dishonest/criminal employees before; 2) whether this particular industry has a problem with criminals (and if so, why?) or 3) is this the most important thing I need to know about this company?\r\n\r\nWhat do most customers want to know before they contract with a carpet cleaning company?  That\'s the key question. This ad does not answer that. It tells me price is important as is location. I should be enticed by free pick up and delivery, and that I should rest assured that none of the employees I deal with are \"illegal immigrants\" or druggies or have a criminal background.\r\n\r\nWhat you choose to highlight in your marketing communications pieces should be relevant to your audience\'s needs.\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why would you highlight that?','','publish','open','open','','why-would-you-highlight-that','','','2013-01-08 17:13:28','2013-01-08 17:13:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1964',0,'post','',0),(1965,4,'2013-01-08 16:56:06','2013-01-08 16:56:06','','USP','Carpet company ad','inherit','open','open','','img076','','','2013-01-08 16:56:06','2013-01-08 16:56:06','',1964,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img076.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1966,4,'2013-01-08 16:58:06','2013-01-08 16:58:06','','Carpet company ad','','inherit','open','open','','img076-2','','','2013-01-08 16:58:06','2013-01-08 16:58:06','',1964,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1967,4,'2013-01-08 17:12:40','2013-01-08 17:12:40','It\'s great to highlight your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). In fact, you should. You should communicate to your target audience what makes you special or different than others, especially if you are in a crowded marketplace. A couple of days ago, I came across this ad:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1966\" title=\"Carpet company ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761-594x1024.jpg\" alt=\"carpet company ad\" width=\"594\" height=\"1024\" /></a>The ad above has numerous claims for your attention: special pricing, free pick up, new showroom, new website AND that they have vetted their employees. In short, there\'s too much. They sell rugs but they also clean rugs.\n\nBesides having too much information, the fact this company is making sure you know that all their employees are checked out--that they have no criminal background, are drug-free and authorized to work in the US--is problematic.\n\nThe problem is that this company is  bringing up a question that perhaps was not even on their customers\'  minds.  Sure, it\'s good to say employees are carefully vetted, but to highlight that they have been submitted to a \"rigorous background check\" makes me wonder if a) they have had a problem with dishonest/criminal employees before; 2) whether this particular industry has a problem with criminals (and if so, why?) or 3) is this the most important thing I need to know about this company?\n\nWhat do most customers want to know before they contract with a carpet cleaning company?  That\'s the key question. This ad does not answer that. It tells me price is important as is location. I should be enticed by free pick up and delivery, and that I should rest assured that none of the employees I deal with are \"illegal immigrants\" or druggies or have a criminal background.\n\nWhat you choose to highlight in your marketing communications pieces should be relevant to your audience\'s needs.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Why would you highlight that?','','inherit','open','open','','1964-revision','','','2013-01-08 17:12:40','2013-01-08 17:12:40','',1964,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1964-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1968,4,'2013-01-08 17:14:31','2013-01-08 17:14:31','It\'s great to highlight your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). In fact, you should. You should communicate to your target audience what makes you special or different than others, especially if you are in a crowded marketplace. A couple of days ago, I came across this ad in the newspaper:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1966\" title=\"Carpet company ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img0761-594x1024.jpg\" alt=\"carpet company ad\" width=\"594\" height=\"1024\" /></a>The ad above has numerous claims for your attention: special pricing, free pick up, new showroom, new website AND that they have vetted their employees. In short, there\'s too much. They sell rugs but they also clean rugs.\n\nBesides having too much information, the fact this company is making sure you know that all their employees are checked out--that they have no criminal background, are drug-free and authorized to work in the US--is problematic.\n\nThe problem is that this company is  bringing up a question that perhaps was not even on their customers\'  minds.  Sure, it\'s good to say employees are carefully vetted, but to highlight that they have been submitted to a \"rigorous background check\" makes me wonder if a) they have had a problem with dishonest/criminal employees before; 2) whether this particular industry has a problem with criminals (and if so, why?) or 3) is this the most important thing I need to know about this company?\n\nWhat do most customers want to know before they contract with a carpet cleaning company?  That\'s the key question. This ad does not answer that. It tells me price is important as is location. I should be enticed by free pick up and delivery, and that I should rest assured that none of the employees I deal with are \"illegal immigrants\" or druggies or have a criminal background.\n\nWhat you choose to highlight in your marketing communications pieces should be relevant to your audience\'s needs.\n\nYour thoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Why would you highlight that?','','inherit','open','open','','1964-autosave','','','2013-01-08 17:14:31','2013-01-08 17:14:31','',1964,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1964-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1969,4,'2013-01-09 16:02:21','2013-01-09 16:02:21','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\r\n\r\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\r\n\r\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc.) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\r\n\r\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\r\n\r\n<strong>Volunteers who don\'t have the right (or any) information</strong>\r\n\r\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that the $500 was \"only if I wanted to donate\" and that the event fee was \"totally separate.\" However, the invitation clearly stated that the annual contribution was required.\r\n\r\nVolunteers need to know the facts...all of them. But more importantly, they need to know the reason for the information they are sharing. The nonprofit above SHOULD have informed my contact about the requirements for the event, but moreover, should have told him WHY this event has a minimum contribution, why it is necessary, what the contribution is for (what are the impacts etc.).\r\n\r\nImagine if this guy had come back to me and said this instead: Yes, you are right. You will be required to donate $500 during the year, which by the way, you can give in several installments, not all at once. That money will be used to fund our X initiative, which helps X number of people. Also, you will be assured of meeting some awesome business leaders at the event, and we will be having other events during the year.\r\n\r\nI suspect that this volunteer was only told to recruit people to come to the event.  He didn\'t get any additional information or a script or any other tools that would help him not only recruit attendees, but spread the message about the work the nonprofit is doing and will do with additional funds.\r\n\r\nVolunteers can help with a nonprofit\'s tasks. And volunteers help communicate the nonprofit\'s message. Are your volunteers on message?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','publish','open','open','','are-your-volunteers-on-message','','','2013-01-09 16:02:21','2013-01-09 16:02:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1969',0,'post','',0),(1970,4,'2013-01-09 15:21:50','2013-01-09 15:21:50','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volu','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision','','','2013-01-09 15:21:50','2013-01-09 15:21:50','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1971,4,'2013-01-09 15:30:31','2013-01-09 15:30:31','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\n\nVolunteers who don\'t have the right information\n\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that \"\n\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision-2','','','2013-01-09 15:30:31','2013-01-09 15:30:31','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1972,4,'2013-01-09 15:50:23','2013-01-09 15:50:23','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\n\n<strong>Volunteers who don\'t have the right (or any) information</strong>\n\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that the $500 was \"only if I wanted to donate\" and that the event fee was \"totally separate.\" The invitation clearly stated that the annual contribution was required.\n\nVolunteers need to know the facts...all of them. But more importantly, they need to know the reason for the information they are sharing. The nonprofit above SHOULD have informed my contact about the requirements for the event, but moreover, should have told him WHY this event has a minimum contribution, why it is necessary, what the contribution is for (what are the impacts etc.).\n\nImagine if this guy had come back to me and said this instead: Yes, you are right. You will be required to donate $500 during the year, which by the way, you can give in several installments, not all at once. That money will be used to fund our X initiative. Also, you will be assured of meeting some awesome business leaders at the event, and we will be having other events during the year.\n\nVolunteers can help with a nonprofit\'s tasks. And volunteers help communicate the nonprofit\'s message. Are your volunteer\n\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision-3','','','2013-01-09 15:50:23','2013-01-09 15:50:23','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1973,4,'2013-01-09 15:57:33','2013-01-09 15:57:33','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc.) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\n\n<strong>Volunteers who don\'t have the right (or any) information</strong>\n\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that the $500 was \"only if I wanted to donate\" and that the event fee was \"totally separate.\" However, the invitation clearly stated that the annual contribution was required.\n\nVolunteers need to know the facts...all of them. But more importantly, they need to know the reason for the information they are sharing. The nonprofit above SHOULD have informed my contact about the requirements for the event, but moreover, should have told him WHY this event has a minimum contribution, why it is necessary, what the contribution is for (what are the impacts etc.).\n\nImagine if this guy had come back to me and said this instead: Yes, you are right. You will be required to donate $500 during the year, which by the way, you can give in several installments, not all at once. That money will be used to fund our X initiative, which helps X number of people. Also, you will be assured of meeting some awesome business leaders at the event, and we will be having other events during the year.\n\nI suspect that this volunteer was only told to recruit people to come to the event.  He didn\'t get any additional information or a script or any other tools that would help him not only recruit attendees, but spread the message about the work the nonprofit is doing and will do with additional funds.\n\nVolunteers can help with a nonprofit\'s tasks. And volunteers help communicate the nonprofit\'s message. Are your volunteers on message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision-4','','','2013-01-09 15:57:33','2013-01-09 15:57:33','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1975,4,'2013-01-09 16:01:49','2013-01-09 16:01:49','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc.) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\n\n<strong>Volunteers who don\'t have the right (or any) information</strong>\n\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that the $500 was \"only if I wanted to donate\" and that the event fee was \"totally separate.\" However, the invitation clearly stated that the annual contribution was required.\n\nVolunteers need to know the facts...all of them. But more importantly, they need to know the reason for the information they are sharing. The nonprofit above SHOULD have informed my contact about the requirements for the event, but moreover, should have told him WHY this event has a minimum contribution, why it is necessary, what the contribution is for (what are the impacts etc.).\n\nImagine if this guy had come back to me and said this instead: Yes, you are right. You will be required to donate $500 during the year, which by the way, you can give in several installments, not all at once. That money will be used to fund our X initiative, which helps X number of people. Also, you will be assured of meeting some awesome business leaders at the event, and we will be having other events during the year.\n\nI suspect that this volunteer was only told to recruit people to come to the event.  He didn\'t get any additional information or a script or any other tools that would help him not only recruit attendees, but spread the message about the work the nonprofit is doing and will do with additional funds.\n\nVolunteers can help with a nonprofit\'s tasks. And volunteers help communicate the nonprofit\'s message. Are your volunteers on message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision-6','','','2013-01-09 16:01:49','2013-01-09 16:01:49','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1974,4,'2013-01-09 15:59:49','2013-01-09 15:59:49','Nonprofits are notorious for having difficulty with communications. Many times, it has to do with lack of funds (and thus, insufficient support). What many nonprofits tend to have in spades, however, is volunteers.  Volunteers are great for nonprofit organizations. They can staff an event, or help serve lunch, or provide input, or, maybe most important, help spread the word about the nonprofit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd yet, some nonprofits don\'t seem to appreciate the role that volunteers play in communications.  Let me give you two examples.\n\n<strong>A chaotic, disorganized volunteer experience</strong>\n\nAround Christmas, I volunteered to do some gift-wrapping with a DC-based nonprofit. The sign-up form indicated I was to work from 10 am to 3 pm. I arrived at 10 am, only to find a bit of chaos. The volunteer director told me to go one place, where I was promptly told to go back to where I started. The volunteer manager had limited ability to organize, and ended up wasting a lot of time. Two other volunteers were grousing along with me on how disorganized the event was. We didn\'t start wrapping (in a very chaotic and inefficient manner--also lacking tape, wrapping paper, etc.) until about 11 am. One full hour was wasted. No water or snacks were offered. No guidance as to how long we were expected to stay. When I left around 12:30 pm, no one even noticed or thanked me. In fact, I never got a thank you at all. I will not be volunteering with this organization ever again.\n\nThere are two different issues at play here. One is the negative impact of disorganization on people who volunteer. People (like me) who have a bad experience volunteering won\'t volunteer with your organization again, and worse, will tell others of their bad experience.  The second issue is that volunteer leaders are not being given the tools to make sure they provide both a message and a positive experience, quite possibly because the volunteering role is not valued.\n\n<strong>Volunteers who don\'t have the right (or any) information</strong>\n\nJust this week, someone in my network invited me to attend a business networking event run by a large nonprofit. The invitation said the price of the event itself was $75, but attendees were required to donate a minimum of $500 to the nonprofit during the calendar year. I pointed out that the real cost of attending this event would be $575 to the person who invited me. He called and emailed me to tell me that the $500 was \"only if I wanted to donate\" and that the event fee was \"totally separate.\" However, the invitation clearly stated that the annual contribution was required.\n\nVolunteers need to know the facts...all of them. But more importantly, they need to know the reason for the information they are sharing. The nonprofit above SHOULD have informed my contact about the requirements for the event, but moreover, should have told him WHY this event has a minimum contribution, why it is necessary, what the contribution is for (what are the impacts etc.).\n\nImagine if this guy had come back to me and said this instead: Yes, you are right. You will be required to donate $500 during the year, which by the way, you can give in several installments, not all at once. That money will be used to fund our X initiative, which helps X number of people. Also, you will be assured of meeting some awesome business leaders at the event, and we will be having other events during the year.\n\nI suspect that this volunteer was only told to recruit people to come to the event.  He didn\'t get any additional information or a script or any other tools that would help him not only recruit attendees, but spread the message about the work the nonprofit is doing and will do with additional funds.\n\nVolunteers can help with a nonprofit\'s tasks. And volunteers help communicate the nonprofit\'s message. Are your volunteers on message?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are your volunteers on message?','','inherit','open','open','','1969-revision-5','','','2013-01-09 15:59:49','2013-01-09 15:59:49','',1969,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1969-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1976,4,'2013-01-10 14:52:28','2013-01-10 14:52:28','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\n<strong>Developing a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"240\"]<a title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" /></a> I have been tagged--photo by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable? Does it identify you?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','publish','open','open','','the-higher-power-of-a-great-tagline','','','2013-01-10 14:52:28','2013-01-10 14:52:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1976',0,'post','',0),(1977,4,'2013-01-10 14:45:20','2013-01-10 14:45:20','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\n\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate.\n\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\n\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\n\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\n\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision','','','2013-01-10 14:45:20','2013-01-10 14:45:20','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1978,4,'2013-01-10 14:45:23','2013-01-10 14:45:23','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate.\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-2','','','2013-01-10 14:45:23','2013-01-10 14:45:23','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1979,4,'2013-01-10 14:45:28','2013-01-10 14:45:28','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate.\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-3','','','2013-01-10 14:45:28','2013-01-10 14:45:28','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1980,4,'2013-01-10 14:49:39','2013-01-10 14:49:39','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.\r\n\r\n&lt;a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\" title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\"&gt;&lt;img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-4','','','2013-01-10 14:49:39','2013-01-10 14:49:39','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(1981,4,'2013-01-10 14:49:58','2013-01-10 14:49:58','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\" title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\"></a>\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-5','','','2013-01-10 14:49:58','2013-01-10 14:49:58','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(1982,4,'2013-01-10 14:50:01','2013-01-10 14:50:01','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\" title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\"></a>\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-6','','','2013-01-10 14:50:01','2013-01-10 14:50:01','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(1983,4,'2013-01-10 14:51:10','2013-01-10 14:51:10','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"240\"]<a title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" /></a> I have been tagged--photo by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-7','','','2013-01-10 14:51:10','2013-01-10 14:51:10','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(1984,4,'2013-01-10 14:51:45','2013-01-10 14:51:45','A great tagline will help sell your product, and when it is really great, it will also make you memorable. If I say \"just do it\" you immediately know it\'s Nike\'s tagline. Not many companies can claim a great tagline like that one.\r\n\r\nDeveloping a great (or even a good) tagline is no easy feat. You need to be succinct, clever and find the essence of what you are trying to communicate. A good tagline \"tags\" you--that is, it identifies you, easily and immediately.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"240\"]<a title=\"I Have Been Tagged by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/27999126@N05/3835622294/\"><img src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3835622294_075b1311e2_m.jpg\" alt=\"I Have Been Tagged\" width=\"240\" height=\"168\" /></a> I have been tagged--photo by Jody McNary Photography, on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn online dating service catering to Christians, ChristianMingle.com, has come up with a really good tagline: Find God\'s match for you.  The Washington Post\'s Paul Farhi has written about it today in <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/evoking-god-has-been-good-to-christianmingle/2013/01/09/c3f28148-59dd-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Evoking God has been good to ChristianMingle.\"</a> Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>It might be the most audacious, and perhaps the most presumptuous, ad slogan ever devised.\r\n\r\n“Find God’s Match for You,” sayeth <a href=\"http://www.christianmingle.com/frsplash.html?prm=90121&amp;lgid=christian+matches&amp;refcd=GO4380010137s_christian_matches&amp;tsacr=GO5522432704\" data-xslt=\"_http\">ChristianMingle.com</a>, an online dating service that suggests in its advertising that its computer-generated matches are, well, made in heaven.</blockquote>\r\nFarhi then goes on to report on whether the tagline can be construed as false advertising.  Read the article to see why.\r\n\r\nBut whether or not a tagline can be accused of setting up false expectations, I think that a strong (memorable) tagline (one that immediately communicates your objective ) is one of the strongest tools in your marketing communications arsenal.\r\n\r\nTake a look at your tagline today. Is it powerful? Is it memorable? Does it identify you?','The (higher) power of a great tagline','','inherit','open','open','','1976-revision-8','','','2013-01-10 14:51:45','2013-01-10 14:51:45','',1976,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1976-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(1985,4,'2012-12-14 16:32:22','2012-12-14 16:32:22','There are marketers out there who believe that their target audience is made up of stupid people. People who will buy anything, believe anything and do anything.\r\n\r\nThese marketers are the bottom-feeder telemarketers who tend to use robo-calls or use auto-dialers to call frequently at different times on different days. They play the CALLER ID system by using non-specific identifiers such as \"Card Services\" or \"Holiday Rebate.\" (I got a call today that had the CALLER ID as \"Important Call--really.) They ignore the Do Not Call List and refuse to take you off their rolls.\r\n\r\nThese marketers use direct mail with no targeting or culling of lists. They send offers that are too good to be true. They ask for sensitive information just to enter you in a drawing for a fantastic prize you have zero chance of winning.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that by running the same TV ad or print ad over and over and over and over again you will finally be convinced to cough up three convenient payments of $19.99 plus shipping and handling.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that by using an actor dressed as a doctor in an advertisement they are proving their miracle pill has been tested and approved by a reliable source.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think that sending spam email that says \"Secure Notification\" on the subject line will make you open an email from a bank with which you have no business.\r\n\r\nThese marketers think people are stupid and will buy anything that sounds great or will be scared by a letter that says this is your final notice (even though you haven\'t gotten any notice before or even do business with that company).\r\n\r\nPreying on people\'s stupidity or gullibility or fear is not ethical. It is not good marketing. And marketers who engage in these practices give all marketers a bad name.','Marketers who assume targets are stupid','','inherit','open','open','','1952-revision-2','','','2012-12-14 16:32:22','2012-12-14 16:32:22','',1952,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/12/1952-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1989,4,'2013-01-15 18:09:29','2013-01-15 18:09:29','Last night I attended an event where the sole purpose was to get feedback on a new website from community attendees. It was fairly informal--the creators of the website asked for opinions and reactions to the website, which you did on a one-to-one basis.\n\nI  found this exercise incredibly interesting because it can be so useful. But I wonder how often it is done. My sense is that it isn\'t done often enough! The examples abound: websites that are hard to navigate, brochures that are pointless, ads that fail to entice, and on and on.\n\n<strong>Get a reality check!</strong>\n\nAs a marketer or communications person, you should seek outside opinions. This is why in-house communications often employs consultants or agencies. This is why market research exists. But even (perhaps especially) if you are a entrepreneur, you should find someone to discuss your marketing, positioning or other business-related issues. Everybody needs a reality check!\n\nThere are structured ways to get a reality check. As mentioned above, you could hire a consultant (for personal marketing, perhaps this consultant is a life coach or therapist).\n<ul>\n	<li>Big businesses could hire a market research firm.</li>\n	<li>Nonprofits can tap into their board of directors or their volunteers.</li>\n	<li>Entrepreneurs or solopreneurs may consider joining a peer group or create an ad-hoc advisory council of trusted people.</li>\n	<li>Smaller businesses can conduct informal focus groups like the one I attended.</li>\n</ul>\nYou most definitely need to conduct a reality check BEFORE you launch--an idea, a product, a marketing piece or a website. Many businesses seem to be afraid of hearing that their idea/ad campaign/marketing materials may be missing the mark.\n\nHowever scary or uncomfortable it may be, getting a reality check will be immensely valuable. It\'s easier to fix something before it is out there in the public eye.\n\nDo you get reality checks? If so, from whom or how? Please share in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Getting a reality check','','inherit','open','open','','1988-revision','','','2013-01-15 18:09:29','2013-01-15 18:09:29','',1988,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1988-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1990,4,'2013-01-15 18:10:47','2013-01-15 18:10:47','Last night I attended an event where the sole purpose was to get feedback on a new website from community attendees. It was fairly informal--the creators of the website asked for opinions and reactions to the website, which you did on a one-to-one basis.\n\nI  found this exercise incredibly interesting because it can be so useful. But I wonder how often it is done. My sense is that it isn\'t done often enough! The examples abound: websites that are hard to navigate, brochures that are pointless, ads that fail to entice, and on and on.\n\n<strong>Get a reality check!</strong>\n\nAs a marketer or communications person, you should seek outside opinions. This is why in-house communications often employs consultants or agencies. This is why market research exists. But even (perhaps especially) if you are a entrepreneur, you should find someone to discuss your marketing, positioning or other business-related issues. Everybody needs a reality check!\n\nThere are structured ways to get a reality check. As mentioned above, you could hire a consultant (for personal marketing, perhaps this consultant is a life coach or therapist).\n<ul>\n	<li>Big businesses could hire a market research firm.</li>\n	<li>Nonprofits can tap into their board of directors or their volunteers.</li>\n	<li>Entrepreneurs or solopreneurs may consider joining a peer group or create an ad-hoc advisory council of trusted people.</li>\n	<li>Smaller businesses can conduct informal focus groups like the one I attended.</li>\n</ul>\nYou most definitely need to conduct a reality check BEFORE you launch--an idea, a product, a marketing piece or a website. Many businesses seem to be afraid of hearing that their idea/ad campaign/marketing materials may be missing the mark.\n\nHowever scary or uncomfortable it may be, getting a reality check will be immensely valuable. It\'s easier to fix something before it is out there in the public eye.\n\nDo you get reality checks? If so, from whom or how? Please share in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','Getting a reality check','','inherit','open','open','','1988-autosave','','','2013-01-15 18:10:47','2013-01-15 18:10:47','',1988,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1988-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(1992,4,'2013-01-18 13:53:41','2013-01-18 13:53:41','On LinkedIn this morning, I saw that one of my connections (whom, by the way, I have never met in person) was asking her network how many connections were they aiming for this year. It got me to thinking whether networking should be a numbers game (quantity).\r\n\r\nWe\'ve all heard of SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). In that sense, to have a SMART networking goal, you would indeed have a number, as this would make it measurable.\r\n\r\nSo say you decide you want to make 25 new connections this year, and you only make 15, have you failed at your goal? What if from those 15 connections, you got valuable advice, a job lead and a new best friend?\r\n\r\nCan you measure networking by numbers? I don\'t think you can, and I don\'t think you should.\r\n\r\nAs a business owner, I attend my fair share of networking events. I am not someone who works the room, making sure to shake everybody\'s hand. Instead, I generally end up talking to one or two people more in depth. I understand the value in having a wide network, but I would rather get there more slowly.\r\n\r\nIf people know who I am because we\'ve had several conversations in person, isn\'t that better than trying to expand a network by sending a bunch of blind invitations \"people you may know?\"\r\n\r\nLinkedIn is a great tool and as such, many people, such as the person I referenced at the beginning of the post, tend to abuse it. Too many people think networking is all about quantity regardless of quality. In fact, successful networking is both a quantity and a quality proposition.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? What is your networking advice?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you aiming for quantity or quality (or both)?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-aiming-for-quantity-or-quality-or-both','','','2013-01-18 13:53:41','2013-01-18 13:53:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1992',0,'post','',0),(1993,4,'2013-01-18 13:28:07','2013-01-18 13:28:07','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','1992-revision','','','2013-01-18 13:28:07','2013-01-18 13:28:07','',1992,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1992-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(1994,4,'2013-01-18 13:51:32','2013-01-18 13:51:32','On LinkedIn this morning, I saw that one of my connections (whom, by the way, I have never met in person) was asking her network how many connections were they aiming for this year. It got me to thinking whether networking should be a numbers game (quantity).\n\nWe\'ve all heard of SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). In that sense, to have a SMART networking goal, you would indeed have a number, as this would make it measurable.\n\nSo say you decide you want to make 25 new connections this year, and you only make 15, have you failed at your goal? What if from those 15 connections, you got valuable advice, a job lead and a new best friend?\n\nCan you measure networking by numbers? I don\'t think you can, and I don\'t think you should.\n\nAs a business owner, I attend my fair share of networking events. I am not someone who works the room, making sure to shake everybody\'s hand. Instead, I generally end up talking to one or two people more in depth. I understand the value in having a wide network, but I would rather get there more slowly.\n\nIf people know who I am because we\'ve had several conversations in person, isn\'t that better than trying to expand a network by sending a bunch of blind invitations \"people you may know?\"\n\nLinkedIn is a great tool and as such, many people, such as the person I referenced at the beginning of the post, tend to abuse it. Too many people think networking is all about quantity regardless of quality. In fact, successful networking is both a quantity and a quality proposition.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? What is your networking advice?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are you aiming for quantity or quality (or both)?','','inherit','open','open','','1992-revision-2','','','2013-01-18 13:51:32','2013-01-18 13:51:32','',1992,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1992-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(1995,4,'2013-01-18 13:52:49','2013-01-18 13:52:49','On LinkedIn this morning, I saw that one of my connections (whom, by the way, I have never met in person) was asking her network how many connections were they aiming for this year. It got me to thinking whether networking should be a numbers game (quantity).\r\n\r\nWe\'ve all heard of SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). In that sense, to have a SMART networking goal, you would indeed have a number, as this would make it measurable.\r\n\r\nSo say you decide you want to make 25 new connections this year, and you only make 15, have you failed at your goal? What if from those 15 connections, you got valuable advice, a job lead and a new best friend?\r\n\r\nCan you measure networking by numbers? I don\'t think you can, and I don\'t think you should.\r\n\r\nAs a business owner, I attend my fair share of networking events. I am not someone who works the room, making sure to shake everybody\'s hand. Instead, I generally end up talking to one or two people more in depth. I understand the value in having a wide network, but I would rather get there more slowly.\r\n\r\nIf people know who I am because we\'ve had several conversations in person, isn\'t that better than trying to expand a network by sending a bunch of blind invitations \"people you may know?\"\r\n\r\nLinkedIn is a great tool and as such, many people, such as the person I referenced at the beginning of the post, tend to abuse it. Too many people think networking is all about quantity regardless of quality. In fact, successful networking is both a quantity and a quality proposition.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? What is your networking advice?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you aiming for quantity or quality (or both)?','','inherit','open','open','','1992-revision-3','','','2013-01-18 13:52:49','2013-01-18 13:52:49','',1992,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1992-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(1997,4,'2013-01-21 15:24:02','2013-01-21 15:24:02','Yesterday, I was watching local news coverage of the Inaugural events, and a reporter stated that Barack Obama took the oath of office using Lincoln\'s bible. Except he didn\'t. He used Michele Obama\'s family bible. Then, one of the anchors on this newscast said it was symbolic that the Inauguration taking place today (Monday, January 21) on Martin Luther King\'s birthday. Except that today is the day we OBSERVE MLK\'s birthday. His actual date of birth was January 15th.\r\n\r\nThese may seem like small mix-ups, but it points to a much larger problem. Journalists are not checking their facts, but rather parroting what they hear or repeating something they think they know. And then viewers repeat this information, and thus, misinformation is spread.\r\n\r\nMost people think that what they hear on TV or read in a newspaper is vetted, and therefore true. And yet, I have seen countless examples beyond those above, of news outlets simply failing to fact-check.  Add to this the increasingly sloppy use of grammar and spelling and you have a news media that is less trustworthy and less accurate than ever.\r\n\r\nBloggers, Tweeters and journalists need to be very careful with what they present as fact. It is pretty simple to fact check when MLK\'s birthday was (just Google it!). It is good to double-check information. If you can\'t find another source, then perhaps you should wait before you publish anything (and by publish, I mean making anything public).\r\n\r\nThoughts? Good examples? Share please!','Why fact checking is a crucial skill','','publish','open','open','','why-fact-checking-is-a-crucial-skill','','','2013-01-21 15:24:02','2013-01-21 15:24:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=1997',0,'post','',0),(1998,4,'2013-01-21 15:23:05','2013-01-21 15:23:05','Yesterday, I was watching local news coverage of the Inaugural events, and a reporter stated that Barack Obama took the oath of office using Lincoln\'s bible. Except he didn\'t. He used Michele Obama\'s family bible. Then, one of the anchors on this newscast said it was symbolic that the Inauguration taking place today (Monday, January 21) on Martin Luther King\'s birthday. Except that today is the day we OBSERVE MLK\'s birthday. His actual date of birth was January 15th.\n\nThese may seem like small mix-ups, but it points to a much larger problem. Journalists are not checking their facts, but rather parroting what they hear or repeating something they think they know. And then viewers repeat this information, and thus, misinformation is spread.\n\nMost people think that what they hear on TV or read in a newspaper is vetted, and therefore true. And yet, I have seen countless examples beyond those above, of news outlets simply failing to fact-check.  Add to this the increasingly sloppy use of grammar and spelling and you have a news media that is less trustworthy and less accurate than ever.\n\nBloggers, Tweeters and journalists need to be very careful with what they present as fact. It is pretty simple to fact check when MLK\'s birthday was (just Google it!). It is good to double-check information. If you can\'t find another source, then perhaps you should wait before you publish anything (and by publish, I mean making anything public).\n\nThoughts? Good examp','Why fact checking is a crucial skill','','inherit','open','open','','1997-revision','','','2013-01-21 15:23:05','2013-01-21 15:23:05','',1997,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1997-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2017,4,'2013-01-30 18:40:31','2013-01-30 18:40:31','As anybody who knows me (or sees the theme in this website), I like coffee. I brew a huge mugful every morning. For years, I have been using  store brand (ok, cheaper) unbleached filters and thought nothing of it. However,  I hosted a brunch in December, and was out of coffee and filters, so I bought premium coffee and premium filters ( always want to treat my guests right). Brunch was great and who knew my cousin was such a huge coffee drinker (brewed three pots!).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"I love coffee by Kristoffer Winther Balling, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiba/483626169/\"><img title=\"&quot;I love coffee&quot; \" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/207/483626169_74f5319ebe.jpg\" alt=\"I love coffee\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> \"I love coffee\" by Kristopher Winther Balling on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter I ran out of premium coffee, I reverted back to my usual (good) coffee, but still using the premium filters. And then, two days ago, I ran out of premium filters and was back to store brand. Guess what? My coffee tasted different--and not in a good way. It was more bitter.\r\n\r\nBeing a coffee lover, I had to correct this situation and promptly ran out and bought the premium filters again. Coffee this morning tasted good. The filters make a difference.\r\n\r\nThese are tough times, and many of us need to economize. But, we choose our battles and sometimes price does not win over quality.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let me rephrase that: quality can trump price.</strong>\r\n\r\nMarketing lesson here is simple: price is not the best unique selling proposition (USP). This is not the same as talking about value.  If you are betting that your target audience will be swayed by price alone, you will be disappointed. People may try a product because it is cheaper, but if the quality is not there, they won\'t buy again.  In a sense, generic brands \"get\" this. How often do you see a generic advertised? Never, because the only reason to buy a generic is because it often has a lower price. You don\'t promote generic/store brand products as being of HIGHER quality than brands, just comparable in quality but lower in price.\r\n\r\nFind what makes your product (or service) special outside of the price.  If your target values that attribute,  the target will buy it very often regardless of price.\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, it\'s about showing value and not about discussing price.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat say you? Are there products you buy because you think they have a higher value?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you can learn from coffee filters','','publish','open','open','','what-you-can-learn-from-coffee-filters','','','2013-01-30 18:40:31','2013-01-30 18:40:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2017',0,'post','',0),(2000,4,'2013-01-22 15:18:15','2013-01-22 15:18:15','Yesterday, about 1.1 million tweets were posted regarding President Barack Obama\'s Inauguration ceremony. That\'s a lot of tweets! People commented on everything from Michelle Obama\'s coat to Richard Blanco\'s poem to Beyonce\'s rendition of the National Anthem.\r\n\r\nAs I watched the Inauguration ceremonies and followed my Twitter stream (using the <a href=\"http://mashable.com/category/second-screen/\" target=\"_blank\">second screen</a>), I noticed a  social media \"expert\" tweeting out content management tips. Then I noticed another marketing/social media person promoting a blog post, which had absolutely nothing to do with politics, Martin Luther King or inauguration. It struck me as dissonant.\r\n\r\nI tweeted out that I was ignoring anything not Inaugural-related, and I thought anything regarding other topics would most likely get lost. This led to an exchange with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kathydodd\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Dodd</a>, a Washington, DC-based marketer. It went like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2001\" title=\"convo with kathy dodd\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\" alt=\"Twitter conversation @dbmc and @kathydodd\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSo it wasn\'t just me. What was happening was that those tweets were not following a main tenet of marketing communications: molding your message to the audience\'s needs.  As Kathy said,<strong> the people putting out these messages were not being aware of outside events or of the timing involved.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn those tweets, there was nothing wrong with the message, but the message failed to have an impact. They came off as extraneous and irrelevant.\r\n\r\nTwitter has often been described as one big cocktail party. Can you imagine if you were at a party where everyone was talking about the how much fun they were having at this event, and somebody crashed the party and announced that bananas were on sale across town. Everyone would shake their heads and continue talking about the party, <em>no matter how much they liked bananas </em>because it was a message that wasn\'t suited to the occasion.<em>\r\n</em>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the non-Inaugural tweets from yesterday were previously scheduled, we can\'t really know. But what we do know is that they failed to achieve their goal (selling bananas if they were the party-crashers above) for one simple reason: the people tweeting were not thinking like marketers. <strong>Marketers want to make sure their messages get to the right people at the right time.</strong>\r\n\r\nHere are some tips to tweet like a marketer:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be aware of major events (some are scheduled and some are not) that will hold a majority of your target audience\'s attention.</li>\r\n	<li>Time your tweets for when they are most likely to be well received. For example, if you are promoting your lunch specials, don\'t do it at dinner time.</li>\r\n	<li>Be human, not an automaton. Remember it is <em>social</em> media.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t talk at people; have a conversation with them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Agree or disagree?','How to tweet like a marketer','','publish','open','open','','how-to-tweet-like-a-marketer','','','2013-01-22 15:18:15','2013-01-22 15:18:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2000',0,'post','',2),(2001,4,'2013-01-22 14:46:44','2013-01-22 14:46:44','','convo with kathy dodd','','inherit','open','open','','convo-with-kathy-dodd','','','2013-01-22 14:46:44','2013-01-22 14:46:44','',2000,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(2002,4,'2013-01-22 14:58:12','2013-01-22 14:58:12','Yesterday, about 1.1 million tweets were posted regarding President Barack Obama\'s Inauguration ceremony. That\'s a lot of tweets! People commented on everything from Michelle Obama\'s coat to Richard Blanco\'s poem to Beyonce\'s rendition of the National Anthem.\n\nAs I watched the Inauguration ceremonies and followed my Twitter stream (using the <a href=\"http://mashable.com/category/second-screen/\" target=\"_blank\">second screen</a>), I noticed a  social media \"expert\" tweeting out content management tips. Then I noticed another marketing/social media person promoting a blog post, which had absolutely nothing to do with politics, Martin Luther King or inauguration. It struck me as dissonant.\n\nI tweeted out that I was ignoring anything not Inaugural-related, and I thought anything regarding other topics would most likely get lost. This led to an exchange with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kathydodd\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Dodd</a>, a Washington, DC-based marketer. It went like this:<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2001\" title=\"convo with kathy dodd\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\" alt=\"Twitter conversation @dbmc and @kathydodd\" /></a>\n\nSo it wasn\'t just me. What was happening was that those tweets were not following a main tenet of marketing communications: molding your message to the audience\'s needs.  As Kathy said, the people putting out these messages were not being aware of outside events or of the timing involved.\n\nTwitter has often been described as one big cocktail party. Can you imagine if you were at a party where everyone was talking about\n\nWhether these tweets were scheduled or not, we can\'t really know. But what we do know is that they failed to achieve their goal for one simple reason: the people tweeting were not thinking like marketers.\n\nHere are some tips to tweet like a marketer:\n\nBe aware of major events (some are scheduled and some are not) that will hold a majority of your target audience\'s attention.\n\nTime your tweets for when they are most likely to be well received. For example, if you are promoting your lunch specials, don\'t do it at dinner time.\n\nBe human, not an automaton. Remember it is social media.\n\n&nbsp;','How to tweet like a marketer','','inherit','open','open','','2000-revision','','','2013-01-22 14:58:12','2013-01-22 14:58:12','',2000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2000-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2003,4,'2013-01-22 15:07:39','2013-01-22 15:07:39','Yesterday, about 1.1 million tweets were posted regarding President Barack Obama\'s Inauguration ceremony. That\'s a lot of tweets! People commented on everything from Michelle Obama\'s coat to Richard Blanco\'s poem to Beyonce\'s rendition of the National Anthem.\n\nAs I watched the Inauguration ceremonies and followed my Twitter stream (using the <a href=\"http://mashable.com/category/second-screen/\" target=\"_blank\">second screen</a>), I noticed a  social media \"expert\" tweeting out content management tips. Then I noticed another marketing/social media person promoting a blog post, which had absolutely nothing to do with politics, Martin Luther King or inauguration. It struck me as dissonant.\n\nI tweeted out that I was ignoring anything not Inaugural-related, and I thought anything regarding other topics would most likely get lost. This led to an exchange with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kathydodd\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Dodd</a>, a Washington, DC-based marketer. It went like this:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2001\" title=\"convo with kathy dodd\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\" alt=\"Twitter conversation @dbmc and @kathydodd\" /></a>\n\nSo it wasn\'t just me. What was happening was that those tweets were not following a main tenet of marketing communications: molding your message to the audience\'s needs.  As Kathy said, the people putting out these messages were not being aware of outside events or of the timing involved.\n\nTwitter has often been described as one big cocktail party. Can you imagine if you were at a party where everyone was talking about the how much fun they were having at this event, and somebody came in and announced that bananas were on sale across town. Everyone would shake their heads and continue talking about the party, <em>no matter how much they liked bananas.</em>\n\nPerhaps the non-Inaugural tweets from yesterday were previously scheduled, we can\'t really know. But what we do know is that they failed to achieve their goal (selling bananas if the were the party-crashers for one simple reason: the people tweeting were not thinking like marketers.\n\nHere are some tips to tweet like a marketer:\n<ul>\n	<li>Be aware of major events (some are scheduled and some are not) that will hold a majority of your target audience\'s attention.</li>\n	<li>Time your tweets for when they are most likely to be well received. For example, if you are promoting your lunch specials, don\'t do it at dinner time.</li>\n	<li>Be human, not an automaton. Remember it is <em>social</em> media.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t talk at people; have a conversation with them.</li>\n</ul>\nWhat are your thoughts? Agree or disagree?','How to tweet like a marketer','','inherit','open','open','','2000-revision-2','','','2013-01-22 15:07:39','2013-01-22 15:07:39','',2000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2000-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2004,4,'2013-01-22 15:08:10','2013-01-22 15:08:10','Yesterday, about 1.1 million tweets were posted regarding President Barack Obama\'s Inauguration ceremony. That\'s a lot of tweets! People commented on everything from Michelle Obama\'s coat to Richard Blanco\'s poem to Beyonce\'s rendition of the National Anthem.\r\n\r\nAs I watched the Inauguration ceremonies and followed my Twitter stream (using the <a href=\"http://mashable.com/category/second-screen/\" target=\"_blank\">second screen</a>), I noticed a  social media \"expert\" tweeting out content management tips. Then I noticed another marketing/social media person promoting a blog post, which had absolutely nothing to do with politics, Martin Luther King or inauguration. It struck me as dissonant.\r\n\r\nI tweeted out that I was ignoring anything not Inaugural-related, and I thought anything regarding other topics would most likely get lost. This led to an exchange with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kathydodd\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Dodd</a>, a Washington, DC-based marketer. It went like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2001\" title=\"convo with kathy dodd\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\" alt=\"Twitter conversation @dbmc and @kathydodd\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSo it wasn\'t just me. What was happening was that those tweets were not following a main tenet of marketing communications: molding your message to the audience\'s needs.  As Kathy said, the people putting out these messages were not being aware of outside events or of the timing involved.\r\n\r\nTwitter has often been described as one big cocktail party. Can you imagine if you were at a party where everyone was talking about the how much fun they were having at this event, and somebody crashed the party and announced that bananas were on sale across town. Everyone would shake their heads and continue talking about the party, <em>no matter how much they liked bananas.</em>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the non-Inaugural tweets from yesterday were previously scheduled, we can\'t really know. But what we do know is that they failed to achieve their goal (selling bananas if the were the party-crashers above) for one simple reason: the people tweeting were not thinking like marketers.\r\n\r\nHere are some tips to tweet like a marketer:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be aware of major events (some are scheduled and some are not) that will hold a majority of your target audience\'s attention.</li>\r\n	<li>Time your tweets for when they are most likely to be well received. For example, if you are promoting your lunch specials, don\'t do it at dinner time.</li>\r\n	<li>Be human, not an automaton. Remember it is <em>social</em> media.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t talk at people; have a conversation with them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Agree or disagree?','How to tweet like a marketer','','inherit','open','open','','2000-revision-3','','','2013-01-22 15:08:10','2013-01-22 15:08:10','',2000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2000-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2005,4,'2013-01-22 15:08:13','2013-01-22 15:08:13','Yesterday, about 1.1 million tweets were posted regarding President Barack Obama\'s Inauguration ceremony. That\'s a lot of tweets! People commented on everything from Michelle Obama\'s coat to Richard Blanco\'s poem to Beyonce\'s rendition of the National Anthem.\r\n\r\nAs I watched the Inauguration ceremonies and followed my Twitter stream (using the <a href=\"http://mashable.com/category/second-screen/\" target=\"_blank\">second screen</a>), I noticed a  social media \"expert\" tweeting out content management tips. Then I noticed another marketing/social media person promoting a blog post, which had absolutely nothing to do with politics, Martin Luther King or inauguration. It struck me as dissonant.\r\n\r\nI tweeted out that I was ignoring anything not Inaugural-related, and I thought anything regarding other topics would most likely get lost. This led to an exchange with <a href=\"https://twitter.com/kathydodd\" target=\"_blank\">Kathy Dodd</a>, a Washington, DC-based marketer. It went like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2001\" title=\"convo with kathy dodd\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/convo-with-kathy-dodd.bmp\" alt=\"Twitter conversation @dbmc and @kathydodd\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSo it wasn\'t just me. What was happening was that those tweets were not following a main tenet of marketing communications: molding your message to the audience\'s needs.  As Kathy said, the people putting out these messages were not being aware of outside events or of the timing involved.\r\n\r\nTwitter has often been described as one big cocktail party. Can you imagine if you were at a party where everyone was talking about the how much fun they were having at this event, and somebody crashed the party and announced that bananas were on sale across town. Everyone would shake their heads and continue talking about the party, <em>no matter how much they liked bananas.</em>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the non-Inaugural tweets from yesterday were previously scheduled, we can\'t really know. But what we do know is that they failed to achieve their goal (selling bananas if the were the party-crashers above) for one simple reason: the people tweeting were not thinking like marketers.\r\n\r\nHere are some tips to tweet like a marketer:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be aware of major events (some are scheduled and some are not) that will hold a majority of your target audience\'s attention.</li>\r\n	<li>Time your tweets for when they are most likely to be well received. For example, if you are promoting your lunch specials, don\'t do it at dinner time.</li>\r\n	<li>Be human, not an automaton. Remember it is <em>social</em> media.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t talk at people; have a conversation with them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Agree or disagree?','How to tweet like a marketer','','inherit','open','open','','2000-revision-4','','','2013-01-22 15:08:13','2013-01-22 15:08:13','',2000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2000-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2007,4,'2012-11-09 15:15:50','2012-11-09 15:15:50','No events are currently scheduled.\r\n\r\nPast events:\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write you blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2012-11-09 15:15:50','2012-11-09 15:15:50','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/11/1765-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2084,4,'2013-02-12 22:04:42','2013-02-12 22:04:42','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\nThe next How to Write Your Blog workshop will take place on <strong>Thursday, February 28</strong> at the Silver Spring Civic Building.\r\n\r\nDetails and registration available <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write you blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-02-12 22:04:42','2013-02-12 22:04:42','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/1765-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2008,4,'2013-01-24 14:17:01','2013-01-24 14:17:01','Having an organizational blog has loads of benefits, not the least which is it helps with SEO and it establishes expertise. And yet, many organizations have put off adding a blog, or have abandoned the blog they started. In my experience, there are many reasons for this, among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Not enough personnel or hours in the day</li>\r\n	<li>Not knowing what to write</li>\r\n	<li>Feeling overwhelmed by having to produce something consistently</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBlogging doesn\'t have to be overwhelming or extremely time-consuming. If you don\'t have someone else to handle the blog, it is possible for you to do it. You just need to learn how to do it (and why you should).\r\n\r\nHaving worked with dozens of people who have a desire to blog but don\'t know how to start or what to say, I have developed a way to teach how to do it and it\'s my <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong>. I am offering the next one on Thursday, February 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and will be intensive and participatory. We\'ll discuss why you aren\'t blogging and why you should, and we\'ll get you writing. The cost is $75, and includes materials and refreshments.\r\n\r\nTo register, visit the Eventbrite page at <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com </a>.\r\n\r\nStart or restart your blog in 2013!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to start (or restart) blogging','','publish','open','open','','how-to-start-or-restart-blogging','','','2013-01-24 14:17:01','2013-01-24 14:17:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2008',0,'post','',1),(2009,4,'2013-01-24 14:13:28','2013-01-24 14:13:28','Having an organizational blog has loads of benefits, not the least which is it helps with SEO and it establishes expertise. And yet, many organizations have put off adding a blog, or have abandoned the blog they started. In my experience, there are many reasons for this, among them:\n<ul>\n	<li>Not enough personnel or hours in the day</li>\n	<li>Not knowing what to write</li>\n	<li>Feeling overwhelmed by having to produce something consistently</li>\n</ul>\nBlogging doesn\'t have to be overwhelming or extremely time-consuming. If you don\'t have someone else to handle the blog, it is possible for you to do it. You just need to learn how to do it (and why you should).\n\nHaving worked with dozens of people who have a desire to blog but don\'t know how to start or what to say, I have developed a way to teach how to do it and it\'s my How to write your blog workshop. I am offering the next one on Thursday, February 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and will be intensive and participatory. We\'ll discuss why you aren\'t blogging and why you should, and we\'ll get you writing. The cost is $75, and includes materials and refreshments.\n\nTo register, visit the Eventbrite page at <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com </a>.\n\nStart or restart your blog in 2013!\n\n&nbsp;','How to start (or restart) blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2008-revision','','','2013-01-24 14:13:28','2013-01-24 14:13:28','',2008,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2008-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2010,4,'2013-01-24 14:15:20','2013-01-24 14:15:20','Having an organizational blog has loads of benefits, not the least which is it helps with SEO and it establishes expertise. And yet, many organizations have put off adding a blog, or have abandoned the blog they started. In my experience, there are many reasons for this, among them:\n<ul>\n	<li>Not enough personnel or hours in the day</li>\n	<li>Not knowing what to write</li>\n	<li>Feeling overwhelmed by having to produce something consistently</li>\n</ul>\nBlogging doesn\'t have to be overwhelming or extremely time-consuming. If you don\'t have someone else to handle the blog, it is possible for you to do it. You just need to learn how to do it (and why you should).\n\nHaving worked with dozens of people who have a desire to blog but don\'t know how to start or what to say, I have developed a way to teach how to do it and it\'s my <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong>. I am offering the next one on Thursday, February 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and will be intensive and participatory. We\'ll discuss why you aren\'t blogging and why you should, and we\'ll get you writing. The cost is $75, and includes materials and refreshments.\n\nTo register, visit the Eventbrite page at <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com </a>.\n\nStart or restart your blog in 2013!\n\n&nbsp;','How to start (or restart) blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2008-revision-2','','','2013-01-24 14:15:20','2013-01-24 14:15:20','',2008,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2008-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2011,4,'2013-01-24 14:15:36','2013-01-24 14:15:36','Having an organizational blog has loads of benefits, not the least which is it helps with SEO and it establishes expertise. And yet, many organizations have put off adding a blog, or have abandoned the blog they started. In my experience, there are many reasons for this, among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Not enough personnel or hours in the day</li>\r\n	<li>Not knowing what to write</li>\r\n	<li>Feeling overwhelmed by having to produce something consistently</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBlogging doesn\'t have to be overwhelming or extremely time-consuming. If you don\'t have someone else to handle the blog, it is possible for you to do it. You just need to learn how to do it (and why you should).\r\n\r\nHaving worked with dozens of people who have a desire to blog but don\'t know how to start or what to say, I have developed a way to teach how to do it and it\'s my <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong>. I am offering the next one on Thursday, February 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and will be intensive and participatory. We\'ll discuss why you aren\'t blogging and why you should, and we\'ll get you writing. The cost is $75, and includes materials and refreshments.\r\n\r\nTo register, visit the Eventbrite page at <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com </a>.\r\n\r\nStart or restart your blog in 2013!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to start (or restart) blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2008-revision-3','','','2013-01-24 14:15:36','2013-01-24 14:15:36','',2008,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2008-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2012,4,'2013-01-24 14:16:00','2013-01-24 14:16:00','Having an organizational blog has loads of benefits, not the least which is it helps with SEO and it establishes expertise. And yet, many organizations have put off adding a blog, or have abandoned the blog they started. In my experience, there are many reasons for this, among them:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Not enough personnel or hours in the day</li>\r\n	<li>Not knowing what to write</li>\r\n	<li>Feeling overwhelmed by having to produce something consistently</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBlogging doesn\'t have to be overwhelming or extremely time-consuming. If you don\'t have someone else to handle the blog, it is possible for you to do it. You just need to learn how to do it (and why you should).\r\n\r\nHaving worked with dozens of people who have a desire to blog but don\'t know how to start or what to say, I have developed a way to teach how to do it and it\'s my <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong>. I am offering the next one on Thursday, February 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  The workshop is limited to 10 participants, and will be intensive and participatory. We\'ll discuss why you aren\'t blogging and why you should, and we\'ll get you writing. The cost is $75, and includes materials and refreshments.\r\n\r\nTo register, visit the Eventbrite page at <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com </a>.\r\n\r\nStart or restart your blog in 2013!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to start (or restart) blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2008-revision-4','','','2013-01-24 14:16:00','2013-01-24 14:16:00','',2008,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2008-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2013,4,'2013-01-28 14:45:40','2013-01-28 14:45:40','There are blogs with lots of good, well written and interesting information that are not succeeding. They almost always lack an element or two. Like when I find a great blog post that I want to share, and I can\'t because there are no sharing buttons.  That frustrates me because I now have to add a step or two to share the post on social media, but it also shows me that the blog post author is not looking to increase his/her audience.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"You_Must_See by kokogiak, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokogiak/3912439/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/2/3912439_bab01dc601.jpg\" alt=\"You_Must_See\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by kokogiak on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere are the five items your blog must absolutely, positively have:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Sharing buttons.</strong> There are so many services and plug-ins--find one you like and that shares your post to the main social networks.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Robust about page</strong>.  People want to know who is writing the content. A shady or incomplete author profile does not create confidence that your content is valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Subscription capabilities</strong>. Give people the option to subscribe to your blog, either by email or by RSS feed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Contact information.</strong> Give your readers the ability to contact you beyond your comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Print (or PDF) button</strong>. Some readers need to read things on paper, or want to print to save for posterity that amazing insight you wrote.\r\n\r\nDoes your blog have these? Why or why not? Anything you would add? Let me know! (Oh, another thing your blog should have is a way to comment!!!!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 items that your blog must absolutely, positively have','','publish','open','open','','5-items-that-your-blog-must-have','','','2013-01-28 14:45:40','2013-01-28 14:45:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2013',0,'post','',2),(2014,4,'2013-01-28 14:44:11','2013-01-28 14:44:11','There are blogs with lots of good, well written and interesting information that are not succeeding. They almost always lack an element or two. Like when I find a great blog post that I want to share, and I can\'t because there are no sharing buttons.  That frustrates me because I now have to add a step or two to share the post on social media, but it also shows me that the blog post author is not looking to increase his/her audience.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"You_Must_See by kokogiak, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokogiak/3912439/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/2/3912439_bab01dc601.jpg\" alt=\"You_Must_See\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by kokogiak on Flickr.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere are the five items your blog must absolutely, positively have:\n\n<strong>1. Sharing buttons.</strong> There are so many services and plug-ins--find one you like and that shares your post to the main social networks.\n\n<strong>2. Robust about page</strong>.  People want to know who is writing the content. A shady or incomplete author profile does not create confidence that your content is valid.\n\n<strong>3. Subscription capabilities</strong>. Give people the option to subscribe to your blog, either by email or by RSS feed.\n\n<strong>4. Contact information.</strong> Give your readers the ability to contact you beyond your comments.\n\n<strong>5. Print (or PDF) button</strong>. Some readers need to read things on paper, or want to print to save for posterity that amazing insight you wrote.\n\nDoes your blog have these? Why or why not? Anything you would add? Let me know! (Oh, another thing your blog should have is a way to comment!!!!)\n\n&nbsp;','5 items that your blog must absolutely, positively have','','inherit','open','open','','2013-revision','','','2013-01-28 14:44:11','2013-01-28 14:44:11','',2013,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2013-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2015,4,'2013-01-28 14:44:40','2013-01-28 14:44:40','There are blogs with lots of good, well written and interesting information that are not succeeding. They almost always lack an element or two. Like when I find a great blog post that I want to share, and I can\'t because there are no sharing buttons.  That frustrates me because I now have to add a step or two to share the post on social media, but it also shows me that the blog post author is not looking to increase his/her audience.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"You_Must_See by kokogiak, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokogiak/3912439/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/2/3912439_bab01dc601.jpg\" alt=\"You_Must_See\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by kokogiak on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere are the five items your blog must absolutely, positively have:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Sharing buttons.</strong> There are so many services and plug-ins--find one you like and that shares your post to the main social networks.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Robust about page</strong>.  People want to know who is writing the content. A shady or incomplete author profile does not create confidence that your content is valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Subscription capabilities</strong>. Give people the option to subscribe to your blog, either by email or by RSS feed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Contact information.</strong> Give your readers the ability to contact you beyond your comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Print (or PDF) button</strong>. Some readers need to read things on paper, or want to print to save for posterity that amazing insight you wrote.\r\n\r\nDoes your blog have these? Why or why not? Anything you would add? Let me know! (Oh, another thing your blog should have is a way to comment!!!!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 items that your blog must absolutely, positively have','','inherit','open','open','','2013-revision-2','','','2013-01-28 14:44:40','2013-01-28 14:44:40','',2013,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2013-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2016,4,'2013-01-28 14:45:33','2013-01-28 14:45:33','There are blogs with lots of good, well written and interesting information that are not succeeding. They almost always lack an element or two. Like when I find a great blog post that I want to share, and I can\'t because there are no sharing buttons.  That frustrates me because I now have to add a step or two to share the post on social media, but it also shows me that the blog post author is not looking to increase his/her audience.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"You_Must_See by kokogiak, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokogiak/3912439/\"><img src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/2/3912439_bab01dc601.jpg\" alt=\"You_Must_See\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> Photo by kokogiak on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere are the five items your blog must absolutely, positively have:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Sharing buttons.</strong> There are so many services and plug-ins--find one you like and that shares your post to the main social networks.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Robust about page</strong>.  People want to know who is writing the content. A shady or incomplete author profile does not create confidence that your content is valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Subscription capabilities</strong>. Give people the option to subscribe to your blog, either by email or by RSS feed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Contact information.</strong> Give your readers the ability to contact you beyond your comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Print (or PDF) button</strong>. Some readers need to read things on paper, or want to print to save for posterity that amazing insight you wrote.\r\n\r\nDoes your blog have these? Why or why not? Anything you would add? Let me know! (Oh, another thing your blog should have is a way to comment!!!!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 items that your blog must absolutely, positively have','','inherit','open','open','','2013-revision-3','','','2013-01-28 14:45:33','2013-01-28 14:45:33','',2013,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2013-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2018,4,'2013-01-30 18:24:52','2013-01-30 18:24:52','As anybody who knows me (or sees the theme in this website), I like coffee. I brew a huge mugful every morning. For years, I have been using  store brand (ok, cheaper) unbleached filters and thought nothing of it. However,  I hosted a brunch in December, and was out of coffee and filters, so I bought premium coffee and premium filters ( always want to treat my guests right). Brunch was great and who knew my cousin was such a huge coffee drinker (brewed three pots!).\n\nAfter I ran out of premium coffee, I reverted back to my usual (good) coffee, but still using the premium filters. And then, two days ago, I ran out of premium filters and was back to store brand. Guess what? My coffee tasted different--and not in a good way. It was more bitter.\n\nBeing a coffee lover, I had to correct this situation and promptly ran out and bought the premium filters again. Coffee this morning tasted good. The filters make a difference.\n\nThese are tough times, and many of us need to economize. But, we choose our battles and sometimes price does not win over quality.\n\n<strong>Let me rephrase that: quality can trump price.</strong>\n\nMarketing lesson here is simple: price is not the best point of comparison (not talking about value).  If you are betting that your target audience will be swayed by price alone, you will be disappointed. People may try a product because it is cheaper, but if the quality is not there, they won\'t buy again. In a sense, generic brands \"get\" this. How often do you see a generic advertised? Never, because the only reason to buy a generic is because it often has a lower price. You don\'t promote generic products as being of HIGHER quality than brands, just comparable in quality but lower in price.\n\n&nbsp;','What you can learn from coffee filters','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision','','','2013-01-30 18:24:52','2013-01-30 18:24:52','',2017,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2017-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2019,4,'2013-01-30 18:38:21','2013-01-30 18:38:21','As anybody who knows me (or sees the theme in this website), I like coffee. I brew a huge mugful every morning. For years, I have been using  store brand (ok, cheaper) unbleached filters and thought nothing of it. However,  I hosted a brunch in December, and was out of coffee and filters, so I bought premium coffee and premium filters ( always want to treat my guests right). Brunch was great and who knew my cousin was such a huge coffee drinker (brewed three pots!).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"I love coffee by Kristoffer Winther Balling, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiba/483626169/\"><img title=\"&quot;I love coffee&quot; \" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/207/483626169_74f5319ebe.jpg\" alt=\"I love coffee\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> \"I love coffee\" by Kristopher Winther Balling on Flickr[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter I ran out of premium coffee, I reverted back to my usual (good) coffee, but still using the premium filters. And then, two days ago, I ran out of premium filters and was back to store brand. Guess what? My coffee tasted different--and not in a good way. It was more bitter.\n\nBeing a coffee lover, I had to correct this situation and promptly ran out and bought the premium filters again. Coffee this morning tasted good. The filters make a difference.\n\nThese are tough times, and many of us need to economize. But, we choose our battles and sometimes price does not win over quality.\n\n<strong>Let me rephrase that: quality can trump price.</strong>\n\nMarketing lesson here is simple: price is not the best unique selling proposition (USP). This is not the same as talking about value.  If you are betting that your target audience will be swayed by price alone, you will be disappointed. People may try a product because it is cheaper, but if the quality is not there, they won\'t buy again.  In a sense, generic brands \"get\" this. How often do you see a generic advertised? Never, because the only reason to buy a generic is because it often has a lower price. You don\'t promote generic/store brand products as being of HIGHER quality than brands, just comparable in quality but lower in price.\n\nFind what makes your product (or service) special outside of the price.  If your target values that attribute,  the target will buy it very often regardless of price.\n\n&nbsp;','What you can learn from coffee filters','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-2','','','2013-01-30 18:38:21','2013-01-30 18:38:21','',2017,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2017-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2020,4,'2013-01-30 18:39:10','2013-01-30 18:39:10','As anybody who knows me (or sees the theme in this website), I like coffee. I brew a huge mugful every morning. For years, I have been using  store brand (ok, cheaper) unbleached filters and thought nothing of it. However,  I hosted a brunch in December, and was out of coffee and filters, so I bought premium coffee and premium filters ( always want to treat my guests right). Brunch was great and who knew my cousin was such a huge coffee drinker (brewed three pots!).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"I love coffee by Kristoffer Winther Balling, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiba/483626169/\"><img title=\"&quot;I love coffee&quot; \" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/207/483626169_74f5319ebe.jpg\" alt=\"I love coffee\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> \"I love coffee\" by Kristopher Winther Balling on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter I ran out of premium coffee, I reverted back to my usual (good) coffee, but still using the premium filters. And then, two days ago, I ran out of premium filters and was back to store brand. Guess what? My coffee tasted different--and not in a good way. It was more bitter.\r\n\r\nBeing a coffee lover, I had to correct this situation and promptly ran out and bought the premium filters again. Coffee this morning tasted good. The filters make a difference.\r\n\r\nThese are tough times, and many of us need to economize. But, we choose our battles and sometimes price does not win over quality.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let me rephrase that: quality can trump price.</strong>\r\n\r\nMarketing lesson here is simple: price is not the best unique selling proposition (USP). This is not the same as talking about value.  If you are betting that your target audience will be swayed by price alone, you will be disappointed. People may try a product because it is cheaper, but if the quality is not there, they won\'t buy again.  In a sense, generic brands \"get\" this. How often do you see a generic advertised? Never, because the only reason to buy a generic is because it often has a lower price. You don\'t promote generic/store brand products as being of HIGHER quality than brands, just comparable in quality but lower in price.\r\n\r\nFind what makes your product (or service) special outside of the price.  If your target values that attribute,  the target will buy it very often regardless of price.\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, it\'s about showing value and not about discussing price.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat say you? Are there products you buy because you think they have a higher value?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you can learn from coffee filters','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-3','','','2013-01-30 18:39:10','2013-01-30 18:39:10','',2017,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2017-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2021,4,'2013-01-30 18:39:19','2013-01-30 18:39:19','As anybody who knows me (or sees the theme in this website), I like coffee. I brew a huge mugful every morning. For years, I have been using  store brand (ok, cheaper) unbleached filters and thought nothing of it. However,  I hosted a brunch in December, and was out of coffee and filters, so I bought premium coffee and premium filters ( always want to treat my guests right). Brunch was great and who knew my cousin was such a huge coffee drinker (brewed three pots!).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"I love coffee by Kristoffer Winther Balling, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiba/483626169/\"><img title=\"&quot;I love coffee&quot; \" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/207/483626169_74f5319ebe.jpg\" alt=\"I love coffee\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a> \"I love coffee\" by Kristopher Winther Balling on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter I ran out of premium coffee, I reverted back to my usual (good) coffee, but still using the premium filters. And then, two days ago, I ran out of premium filters and was back to store brand. Guess what? My coffee tasted different--and not in a good way. It was more bitter.\r\n\r\nBeing a coffee lover, I had to correct this situation and promptly ran out and bought the premium filters again. Coffee this morning tasted good. The filters make a difference.\r\n\r\nThese are tough times, and many of us need to economize. But, we choose our battles and sometimes price does not win over quality.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let me rephrase that: quality can trump price.</strong>\r\n\r\nMarketing lesson here is simple: price is not the best unique selling proposition (USP). This is not the same as talking about value.  If you are betting that your target audience will be swayed by price alone, you will be disappointed. People may try a product because it is cheaper, but if the quality is not there, they won\'t buy again.  In a sense, generic brands \"get\" this. How often do you see a generic advertised? Never, because the only reason to buy a generic is because it often has a lower price. You don\'t promote generic/store brand products as being of HIGHER quality than brands, just comparable in quality but lower in price.\r\n\r\nFind what makes your product (or service) special outside of the price.  If your target values that attribute,  the target will buy it very often regardless of price.\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, it\'s about showing value and not about discussing price.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat say you? Are there products you buy because you think they have a higher value?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you can learn from coffee filters','','inherit','open','open','','2017-revision-4','','','2013-01-30 18:39:19','2013-01-30 18:39:19','',2017,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/2017-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2023,4,'2013-02-01 14:53:57','2013-02-01 14:53:57','You know the stakes are high when an advertiser takes out a full page ad to promote a TV commercial. Of course, it\'s not just any TV commercial--it\'s a commercial during the Super Bowl.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2024\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"212\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2024\" title=\"cars.com ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" /></a> Top quarter of full page cars.com ad in Feb. 1 Washington Post[/caption]\r\n\r\nSuper Bowl advertising costs are at an all-time high. According to<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/as-super-bowl-ad-prices-rise-some-decide-to-release-commercials-before-big-game/2013/01/31/2b2929a6-6bf5-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Lisa de Moraes\' TV column </a>in today\'s Washington Post, CBS is charging nearly $4 million per 30-second spot. De Moraes says that due to the high cost and the clutter, advertisers are doing what they can to promote their commercials. Some advertisers are releasing the commercial prior to the game and others are giving viewers the option of choosing the ad ending.\r\n\r\nCars.com seems to think that producing a full page ad will focus eye balls on their commercial. Notice that in addition, the ad is promoting <a href=\"http://www.cars.com/nodrama\" target=\"_blank\">this website</a>, where, in meta-fashion, they have some drama about the focus group about the impact of the ad. Let\'s see, based on this, I think we can expect a dramatic ad, or an ad with drama, or an ironic take on car buying, or an exaggeration. Or maybe the point is that we won\'t know what to expect.\r\n\r\nI am not sure this tack works. For one, the need to advertise an advertisement seems bizarre. And second, it sets up a very high expectation that this ad is going to stand out. If the commercial doesn\'t meet expectations, then no one wins. The advertiser will have spent $4 million plus the cost of producing the video about the commercial plus the cost of advertising the ad (design, placement, etc.). I would say cars.com\'s investment is a minimum of $5 million (and I don\'t know how much the Super Bowl commercial cost to produce or how many newspapers the print ad ran in).\r\n\r\nWill you be watching the Super Bowl?\r\n<h6>Want to learn to blog?</h6>\r\nIf you would like to have a successful blog (consistent, interesting, and focused on your audience) and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my next blogging workshop on February 28. More details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','An ad to promote a TV commercial...','','publish','open','open','','an-ad-to-promote-a-tv-commercial','','','2013-02-01 14:53:57','2013-02-01 14:53:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2023',0,'post','',0),(2024,4,'2013-02-01 14:28:21','2013-02-01 14:28:21','','cars.com ad','Top quarter of full page cars.com ad in Feb. 1 Washington Post','inherit','open','open','','cars-com-ad','','','2013-02-01 14:28:21','2013-02-01 14:28:21','',2023,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2025,4,'2013-02-01 14:48:58','2013-02-01 14:48:58','You know the stakes are high when an advertiser takes out a full page ad to promote a TV commercial. Of course, it\'s not just any TV commercial--it\'s a commercial during the Super Bowl.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_2024\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"212\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2024\" title=\"cars.com ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" /></a> Top quarter of full page cars.com ad in Feb. 1 Washington Post[/caption]\n\nSuper Bowl advertising costs are at an all-time high. According to<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/as-super-bowl-ad-prices-rise-some-decide-to-release-commercials-before-big-game/2013/01/31/2b2929a6-6bf5-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Lisa de Moraes\' TV column </a>in today\'s Washington Post, CBS is charging nearly $4 million per 30-second spot. De Moraes says that due to the high cost and the clutter, advertisers are doing what they can to promote their commercials. Some advertisers are releasing the commercial prior to the game and others are giving viewers the option of choosing the ad ending.\n\nCars.com seems to think that producing a full page ad will focus eye balls on their commercial. Notice that in addition, the ad is promoting <a href=\"http://www.cars.com/nodrama\" target=\"_blank\">this website</a>. Where, in meta-fashion, they have some drama about the focus group about the impact of the ad. Let\'s see, we can expect a dramatic ad, or an ad with drama, or something.\n\nI am not sure this tack works. For one, the need to advertise an advertisement seems bizarre. And second, it sets up a very high expectation that this ad is going to stand out. If the commercial doesn\'t meet expectations, then no one wins. The advertiser will have spent $4 million plus the cost of producing the video about the commercial plus the cost of advertising the ad (design, placement, etc.). I would say cars.com\'s investment is a minimum of $5 million (and I don\'t know how much the Super Bowl commercial cost to produce or how many newspapers the print ad ran in).\n\nWill you be watching the Super Bowl?\n<h6>Want to learn to blog?</h6>\nIf you would like to have a successful blog (consistent, interesting, and focused on your audience) and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my next blogging workshop on February 28. More details and registration here.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','An ad to promote a TV commercial...','','inherit','open','open','','2023-revision','','','2013-02-01 14:48:58','2013-02-01 14:48:58','',2023,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2023-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2026,4,'2013-02-01 14:49:32','2013-02-01 14:49:32','You know the stakes are high when an advertiser takes out a full page ad to promote a TV commercial. Of course, it\'s not just any TV commercial--it\'s a commercial during the Super Bowl.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2024\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"212\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2024\" title=\"cars.com ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" /></a> Top quarter of full page cars.com ad in Feb. 1 Washington Post[/caption]\r\n\r\nSuper Bowl advertising costs are at an all-time high. According to<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/as-super-bowl-ad-prices-rise-some-decide-to-release-commercials-before-big-game/2013/01/31/2b2929a6-6bf5-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Lisa de Moraes\' TV column </a>in today\'s Washington Post, CBS is charging nearly $4 million per 30-second spot. De Moraes says that due to the high cost and the clutter, advertisers are doing what they can to promote their commercials. Some advertisers are releasing the commercial prior to the game and others are giving viewers the option of choosing the ad ending.\r\n\r\nCars.com seems to think that producing a full page ad will focus eye balls on their commercial. Notice that in addition, the ad is promoting <a href=\"http://www.cars.com/nodrama\" target=\"_blank\">this website</a>. Where, in meta-fashion, they have some drama about the focus group about the impact of the ad. Let\'s see, we can expect a dramatic ad, or an ad with drama, or something.\r\n\r\nI am not sure this tack works. For one, the need to advertise an advertisement seems bizarre. And second, it sets up a very high expectation that this ad is going to stand out. If the commercial doesn\'t meet expectations, then no one wins. The advertiser will have spent $4 million plus the cost of producing the video about the commercial plus the cost of advertising the ad (design, placement, etc.). I would say cars.com\'s investment is a minimum of $5 million (and I don\'t know how much the Super Bowl commercial cost to produce or how many newspapers the print ad ran in).\r\n\r\nWill you be watching the Super Bowl?\r\n<h6>Want to learn to blog?</h6>\r\nIf you would like to have a successful blog (consistent, interesting, and focused on your audience) and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my next blogging workshop on February 28. More details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','An ad to promote a TV commercial...','','inherit','open','open','','2023-revision-2','','','2013-02-01 14:49:32','2013-02-01 14:49:32','',2023,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2023-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2027,4,'2013-02-01 14:49:54','2013-02-01 14:49:54','You know the stakes are high when an advertiser takes out a full page ad to promote a TV commercial. Of course, it\'s not just any TV commercial--it\'s a commercial during the Super Bowl.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2024\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"212\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2024\" title=\"cars.com ad\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cars.com-ad-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" /></a> Top quarter of full page cars.com ad in Feb. 1 Washington Post[/caption]\r\n\r\nSuper Bowl advertising costs are at an all-time high. According to<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/as-super-bowl-ad-prices-rise-some-decide-to-release-commercials-before-big-game/2013/01/31/2b2929a6-6bf5-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Lisa de Moraes\' TV column </a>in today\'s Washington Post, CBS is charging nearly $4 million per 30-second spot. De Moraes says that due to the high cost and the clutter, advertisers are doing what they can to promote their commercials. Some advertisers are releasing the commercial prior to the game and others are giving viewers the option of choosing the ad ending.\r\n\r\nCars.com seems to think that producing a full page ad will focus eye balls on their commercial. Notice that in addition, the ad is promoting <a href=\"http://www.cars.com/nodrama\" target=\"_blank\">this website</a>. Where, in meta-fashion, they have some drama about the focus group about the impact of the ad. Let\'s see, we can expect a dramatic ad, or an ad with drama, or something.\r\n\r\nI am not sure this tack works. For one, the need to advertise an advertisement seems bizarre. And second, it sets up a very high expectation that this ad is going to stand out. If the commercial doesn\'t meet expectations, then no one wins. The advertiser will have spent $4 million plus the cost of producing the video about the commercial plus the cost of advertising the ad (design, placement, etc.). I would say cars.com\'s investment is a minimum of $5 million (and I don\'t know how much the Super Bowl commercial cost to produce or how many newspapers the print ad ran in).\r\n\r\nWill you be watching the Super Bowl?\r\n<h6>Want to learn to blog?</h6>\r\nIf you would like to have a successful blog (consistent, interesting, and focused on your audience) and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my next blogging workshop on February 28. More details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','An ad to promote a TV commercial...','','inherit','open','open','','2023-revision-3','','','2013-02-01 14:49:54','2013-02-01 14:49:54','',2023,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2023-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2060,4,'2013-01-23 17:09:53','2013-01-23 17:09:53','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\nThe next How to Write Your Blog workshop will take place on <strong>Thursday, February 28</strong> at the Silver Spring Civic Building.\r\n\r\nDetails and registration available <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write you blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Events','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-01-23 17:09:53','2013-01-23 17:09:53','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/01/1765-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2029,4,'2013-02-04 14:28:06','2013-02-04 14:28:06','Long-time readers of this blog know that I have written before about Pepco, the Potomac Electric Power Company, which serves nearly 800,000 customers in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  My posts have focused on the fact that Pepco\'s advertising does not match people\'s experiences with the power company.\r\n\r\nLast night, viewers of Super Bowl 47 were surprised to see the lights go out during the game in the Superdome in New Orleans, where the game was being played. In fact, the power was out for about 35 minutes. Entergy, the electricity provider in New Orleans said that the issue was not with them but with the stadium. As of right now, I am not sure what caused the power failure but I do know what people in Maryland and DC thought about it by their postings on Twitter: Pepco must surely be involved.\r\n\r\nPepco\'s reliability has become a joke. It has a negative perception so deeply ingrained in customers\' minds that comments like: \"Who knew <strong>Pepco</strong> was the official energy provider for the Super Bowl\" by @djrothkopf or \"Talked to <strong>Pepco </strong>and they\'re confident power will be restored to all parts of the stadium by Wednesday\" by @timothypmurphy were rampant (and often retweeted) on Twitter on Sunday night.\r\n\r\nNo amount of advertising will fix a real, on-the-ground problem. Other organizations, such as the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA), need to learn this lesson too. When you have let your customers down repeatedly, they will no longer trust you. Your advertising and your public relations will not rehabilitate your image.\r\n\r\nIn order to change people\'s perceptions of your brand, you need to move beyond just communications. You need to make positive changes and be able to provide proof that you have done so. Once you have made measurable progress and you have something tangible to report, you can move forward with a communications program. Even then, bad experiences are difficult to overcome.\r\n\r\nIt will take actual reliability and good experiences with Pepco for customers to learn to trust this company.  As I have said before, you can tell me in your advertising that you are working on your reliability, but if I am sitting in the dark for days on end (like I was during last summer\'s Derecho storm), I am going to doubt you are doing very much at all.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? If you are in Maryland or DC did you also joke that Pepco was behind the power outage at the Super Bowl?','The power to recognize advertising is not enough','','publish','open','open','','the-power-to-recognize-advertising-is-not-enough','','','2013-02-04 14:28:06','2013-02-04 14:28:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2029',0,'post','',0),(2030,4,'2013-02-04 14:27:19','2013-02-04 14:27:19','Long-time readers of this blog know that I have written before about Pepco, the Potomac Electric Power Company, which serves nearly 800,000 customers in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  My posts have focused on the fact that Pepco\'s advertising does not match people\'s experiences with the power company.\n\nLast night, viewers of Super Bowl 47 were surprised to see the lights go out during the game in the Superdome in New Orleans, where the game was being played. In fact, the power was out for about 35 minutes. Entergy, the electricity provider in New Orleans said that the issue was not with them but with the stadium. As of right now, I am not sure what caused the power failure but I do know what people in Maryland and DC thought about it by their postings on Twitter: Pepco must surely be involved.\n\nPepco\'s reliability has become a joke. It has a negative perception so deeply ingrained in customers\' minds that comments like: \"Who knew <strong>Pepco</strong> was the official energy provider for the Super Bowl\" by @djrothkopf or \"Talked to <strong>Pepco </strong>and they\'re confident power will be restored to all parts of the stadium by Wednesday\" by @timothypmurphy were rampant (and often retweeted) on Twitter on Sunday night.\n\nNo amount of advertising will fix a real, on-the-ground problem. Other organizations, such as the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA), need to learn this lesson too. When you have let your customers down repeatedly, they will no longer trust you. Your advertising and your public relations will not rehabilitate your image.\n\nIn order to change people\'s perceptions of your brand, you need to move beyond just communications. You need to make positive changes and be able to provide proof that you have done so. Once you have made measurable progress and you have something tangible to report, you can move forward with a communications program. Even then, bad experiences are difficult to overcome.\n\nIt will take actual reliability and good experiences with Pepco for customers to learn to trust this company.  As I have said before, you can tell me in your advertising that you are working on your reliability, but if I am sitting in the dark for days on end (like I was during last summer\'s Derecho storm), I am going to doubt you are doing very much at all.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? If you are in Maryland or DC did you also joke that Pepco was behind the power outage at the Super Bowl?','The power to recognize advertising is not enough','','inherit','open','open','','2029-revision','','','2013-02-04 14:27:19','2013-02-04 14:27:19','',2029,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2029-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2031,4,'2013-02-04 14:29:10','2013-02-04 14:29:10','Long-time readers of this blog know that I have written before about Pepco, the Potomac Electric Power Company, which serves nearly 800,000 customers in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  My posts have focused on the fact that Pepco\'s advertising does not match people\'s experiences with the power company.\n\nLast night, viewers of Super Bowl 47 were surprised to see the lights go out during the game in the Superdome in New Orleans, where the game was being played. In fact, the power was out for about 35 minutes. Entergy, the electricity provider in New Orleans said that the issue was not with them but with the stadium. As of right now, I am not sure what caused the power failure but I do know what people in Maryland and DC thought about it by their postings on Twitter: Pepco must surely be involved.\n\nPepco\'s reliability has become a joke. It has a negative perception so deeply ingrained in customers\' minds that comments like: \"Who knew <strong>Pepco</strong> was the official energy provider for the Super Bowl\" by @djrothkopf or \"Talked to <strong>Pepco </strong>and they\'re confident power will be restored to all parts of the stadium by Wednesday\" by @timothypmurphy were rampant (and often retweeted) on Twitter on Sunday night.\n\nNo amount of advertising will fix a real, on-the-ground problem. Other organizations, such as the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA), need to learn this lesson too. When you have let your customers down repeatedly, they will no longer trust you. Your advertising and your public relations will not rehabilitate your image.\n\nIn order to change people\'s perceptions of your brand, you need to move beyond just communications. You need to make positive changes and be able to provide proof that you have done so. Once you have made measurable progress and you have something tangible to report, you can move forward with a communications program. Even then, bad experiences are difficult to overcome.\n\nIt will take actual reliability and good experiences with Pepco for customers to learn to trust this company.  As I have said before, you can tell me in your advertising that you are working on your reliability, but if I am sitting in the dark for days on end (like I was during last summer\'s Derecho storm), I am going to doubt you are doing very much at all.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? If you are in Maryland or DC did you also joke that Pepco was behind the power outage at the Super Bowl?','The power to recognize advertising is not enough','','inherit','open','open','','2029-autosave','','','2013-02-04 14:29:10','2013-02-04 14:29:10','',2029,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2029-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2062,4,'2013-02-13 15:49:22','2013-02-13 15:49:22','Have you ever looked at someone and wanted to make him/her over? Yesterday I saw a woman with frizzy, long and shapeless hair wearing an equally long and shapeless prairie-type dress of a circa 1982 vintage.  Perhaps vintage wines are good but dresses fade and look, well, dated. I wondered if she was aware of how she appeared: as someone who did not care about her appearance and/or hadn\'t been shopping in 30 years and/or didn\'t have a good friend to tell her she needed to update.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"Little Claire on the Prairie by chris_ford_uk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/11694215@N00/817748586/\"><img alt=\"Little Claire on the Prairie\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1021/817748586_e6ec6ed504.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Little Claire on the Prairie by Chris_Ford_UK on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat does this 80s refugee have to do with marketing and communications? Simple, they too can benefit from an update and a makeover. When was the last time you really examined your website? Does the design indicate that we are in 2013 or is it the same look you had when you launched your website back in 1996? When was the last time you posted something on your blog or changed your about us page? How about your logo? Still using fonts that were popular in the 1970s?\r\n\r\nBut updates don\'t only refer to outward appearance. You must also look at the back end. Is your software up to date? Have you looked at your mission statement lately? Or your target audience description? Perhaps your messaging needs an update too.\r\n\r\nMake it one your goals for 2013 to determine what needs to be updated and then get it done! Here is a list to help you:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo</li>\r\n	<li>Tagline</li>\r\n	<li>Website (including blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Brochure (even if it\'s a PDF/online version)</li>\r\n	<li>Business stationery (including letterhead and business cards)</li>\r\n	<li>Annual report</li>\r\n	<li>Press release boilerplate</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational mission/vision</li>\r\n	<li>Target audience description</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational description in various formats and lengths</li>\r\n	<li>Services/products list (and pricing if appropriate)</li>\r\n	<li>Social media avatars/biographies/descriptions</li>\r\n	<li>Software/hardware</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>A makeover is a chance to refresh and renew. </strong> With people, makeovers tend to make them look younger and more attractive. With organizations, makeovers make them look in touch, modern and more attractive (to potential customers/clients/donors/supporters).\r\n\r\nWhat are you going to change this year?\r\n<h3>Improve your blog/blogging process!</h3>\r\nIf you are in the Washington, DC metro area and would like to improve your blog or blogging process, sign up for my How to Write your Blog workshop today! The workshop takes place on Thursday, February 28 at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  For more details and to register, visit the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page.</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it time for a makeover?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-time-for-a-makeover','','','2013-02-13 15:49:22','2013-02-13 15:49:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2062',0,'post','',0),(2033,4,'2013-02-05 16:45:34','2013-02-05 16:45:34','Is your organization\'s blog feeling tired? Perhaps it\'s time to try  a few new things like soliciting guest blog posts, or live blogging a conference. Read <a href=\"http://www.batescreativegroup.com/align/5-easy-ways-to-invigorate-your-organizations-blog\" target=\"_blank\">the five tips to re-invigorate your blog </a>that I share as a guest blogger at <a href=\"http://batescreativegroup.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bates Creative Group</a>\'s <em>Align</em> blog.\r\n\r\nMy thanks to Director of Business Development Heather Shelton and Marketing Specialist Amanda Jennison of Bates Creative Group for including me in their blog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Invigorate your organization\'s blog','','publish','open','open','','invigorate-your-organizations-blog','','','2013-02-05 16:45:34','2013-02-05 16:45:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2033',0,'post','',0),(2034,4,'2013-02-05 16:44:46','2013-02-05 16:44:46','Is your organization\'s blog feeling tired? Perhaps it\'s time to try  a few new things like soliciting guest blog posts, or live blogging a conference. Read <a href=\"http://www.batescreativegroup.com/align/5-easy-ways-to-invigorate-your-organizations-blog\" target=\"_blank\">the five tips to re-invigorate your blog </a>that I share as a guest blogger at <a href=\"http://batescreativegroup.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bates Creative Group</a>\'s <em>Align</em> blog.\n\nMy thanks to Director of Business Development Heather Shelton and Marketing Specialist Amanda Jennison of Bates Creative Group for including me in their blog!\n\n&nbsp;','Invigorate your organization\'s blog','','inherit','open','open','','2033-revision','','','2013-02-05 16:44:46','2013-02-05 16:44:46','',2033,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2033-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2035,4,'2013-02-05 16:46:38','2013-02-05 16:46:38','Is your organization\'s blog feeling tired? Perhaps it\'s time to try  a few new things like soliciting guest blog posts, or live blogging a conference. Read <a href=\"http://www.batescreativegroup.com/align/5-easy-ways-to-invigorate-your-organizations-blog\" target=\"_blank\">the five tips to re-invigorate your blog </a>that I share as a guest blogger at <a href=\"http://batescreativegroup.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bates Creative Group</a>\'s <em>Align</em> blog.\n\nMy thanks to Director of Business Development Heather Shelton and Marketing Specialist Amanda Jennison of Bates Creative Group for including me in their blog!\n\n&nbsp;','Invigorate your organization\'s blog','','inherit','open','open','','2033-autosave','','','2013-02-05 16:46:38','2013-02-05 16:46:38','',2033,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2033-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2036,4,'2013-02-26 17:48:28','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Yesterday, I attempted to go to a Starbucks and get some reading done.  Even before I ordered, I had a bad feeling.  The two \"baristas\" were busy arguing among themselves, about what, I am not sure. What I do know is that they were not remotely interested in the customers, the shop or anything else. I was not greeted with a smile.  My order was given to me and my money was taken and that was it.\n\nWe know that a dismissive and indifferent attitude is not good for sales.\n\nIn spite of all this, the place was packed. So much so, I was not able to find a seat and had to leave. My reading would have to wait.\n\n&nbsp;','Attitude makes a difference','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-02-26 17:48:28','2013-02-26 17:48:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2036',0,'post','',0),(2037,4,'2013-02-07 15:08:02','2013-02-07 15:08:02','Yesterday, I attempted to go to a Starbucks and get some reading done.  Even before I ordered, I had a bad feeling.  The two \"baristas\" were busy arguing among themselves, about what, I am not sure. What I do know is that they were not remotely interested in the customers, the shop or anything else. I was not greeted with a smile.  My order was given to me and my money was taken and that was it.\n\nWe know that a dismissive and indifferent attitude is not good for sales.\n\nIn spite of all this, the place was packed. So much so, I was not able to find a seat and had to leave. My reading would have to wait.\n\n&nbsp;','Attitude makes a difference','','inherit','open','open','','2036-revision','','','2013-02-07 15:08:02','2013-02-07 15:08:02','',2036,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2036-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2038,4,'2012-05-29 14:25:45','2012-05-29 14:25:45','We are located in the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro area:\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address><address> </address><strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n301-424-2488 (office) or  305-336-4357  (mobile)\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2012-05-29 14:25:45','2012-05-29 14:25:45','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/05/24-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2039,4,'2013-02-07 21:27:06','2013-02-07 21:27:06','We are located in the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro area:\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address><address> </address><strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2013-02-07 21:27:06','2013-02-07 21:27:06','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/24-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2040,4,'2013-02-07 21:28:37','2013-02-07 21:28:37','We are located in the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro area:\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address><address> </address><strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC (3262)\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2013-02-07 21:28:37','2013-02-07 21:28:37','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/24-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2081,4,'2013-02-27 15:09:08','2013-02-27 15:09:08','I was reading a transcript of an online discussion regarding the benefits of blogging for business. One of the people in the discussion declared that she did not have time to blog since she was way too busy doing client work. Her blog was basically abandoned, and she was OK with that. I wasn\'t in on the conversation, but if I had been,  I would have told her she is making a big mistake.\r\n\r\nIt\'s very simple. If you don\'t do any marketing because you are busy, you will inevitably have to work twice as hard to market yourself when you aren\'t busy. And yes, blogging is a marketing effort:  It boosts your visibility. It keeps your website current. It helps with SEO.\r\n\r\nNot blogging because you are too busy is like not networking because you already have a job. If you lose your job (which unfortunately can happen from one day to the next) you will soon realize you don\'t have relationships in place to help you in a job search. You must keep networking and building relationships, whether you \"need\" them now or not, because you never know what will happen in the future.\r\n\r\nWhether you are busy or not, blogging should be a part of your business marketing routine. To neglect your blog now because you are busy working on your client\'s behalf is a rookie mistake. Those of us who have been in the business world for a while know that clients come and go. Clients can face budget shortfalls and cut you from one day to the next.\r\n\r\n<strong>Put energy into your own business, not just your client\'s business.</strong> This applies to you whether you have your own business, or you work for someone else, and even if you are concerned with developing your career. If you are a worker bee, why not have a personal blog? If you work for an organization, you should insist that the organizational should be kept up to date.  And it goes without saying that if you own your own business, you are solely responsible for keeping you presence out there.\r\n\r\nDon\'t wait! Write a blog post today!','Why you should blog even if you don\'t have the time','','publish','open','open','','why-you-should-blog-even-if-you-dont-have-the-time','','','2013-02-27 15:09:08','2013-02-27 15:09:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2081',0,'post','',0),(2042,4,'2013-02-07 21:35:21','2013-02-07 21:35:21','We are located in the <strong>Washington, DC</strong> metro area:\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address><address> </address><strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC (3262)\r\n\r\n<object type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" data=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" width=\"230\" height=\"85\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"FlashVars\" value=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&style=0\" /></object>\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2013-02-07 21:35:21','2013-02-07 21:35:21','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/24-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2044,4,'2013-02-11 15:31:24','2013-02-11 15:31:24','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n<h3>Blog Workshop on Feb. 28</h3>\r\nWant to improve your blogging? If you are located in the DC area, attend my upcoming How to Write Your Blog workshop on Thursday, February 28 in Silver Spring, MD. Details and registration are <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','publish','open','open','','you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know','','','2013-02-11 15:31:24','2013-02-11 15:31:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2044',0,'post','',1),(2045,4,'2013-02-11 15:15:46','2013-02-11 15:15:46','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design, web development.\n\nWhat is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.\n\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\n\nI needed to make a few more backend hanges and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She said I had to pay to have Wordpress.com redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.)\n\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\n\n<strong>You don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do. If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\n\nIt is trial and error (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\n\n&nbsp;','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision','','','2013-02-11 15:15:46','2013-02-11 15:15:46','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2046,4,'2013-02-11 15:20:33','2013-02-11 15:20:33','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\n\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\n\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\n\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\n\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\n\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\n\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\n\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\n\nIt is trial and error (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\n\n&nbsp;','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-2','','','2013-02-11 15:20:33','2013-02-11 15:20:33','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2047,4,'2013-02-11 15:21:33','2013-02-11 15:21:33','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\n\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\n\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\n\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\n\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\n\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\n\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\n\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\n\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\n\n&nbsp;','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-3','','','2013-02-11 15:21:33','2013-02-11 15:21:33','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2048,4,'2013-02-11 15:21:50','2013-02-11 15:21:50','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-4','','','2013-02-11 15:21:50','2013-02-11 15:21:50','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2049,4,'2013-02-11 15:22:49','2013-02-11 15:22:49','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n[post_ender]','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-5','','','2013-02-11 15:22:49','2013-02-11 15:22:49','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2050,4,'2013-02-11 15:22:57','2013-02-11 15:22:57','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n[post_ender]','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-6','','','2013-02-11 15:22:57','2013-02-11 15:22:57','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2051,4,'2013-02-11 15:23:32','2013-02-11 15:23:32','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n\r\n\r\n[post_ender]','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-7','','','2013-02-11 15:23:32','2013-02-11 15:23:32','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(2052,4,'2013-02-11 15:27:29','2013-02-11 15:27:29','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n\r\n\r\n[post_ender]','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-8','','','2013-02-11 15:27:29','2013-02-11 15:27:29','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2053,4,'2013-02-11 15:30:00','2013-02-11 15:30:00','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n<h3>Blog Workshop on Feb. 28Want to improve your blogging? If you are located in the DC area, attend my upcoming How to Write Your Blog workshop on Thursday, February 28 in Silver Spring, MD. Details and registration are <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</h3>','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-9','','','2013-02-11 15:30:00','2013-02-11 15:30:00','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(2054,4,'2013-02-11 15:30:43','2013-02-11 15:30:43','Obvious right? If you don\'t know something, you don\'t even know you don\'t know.  But you do know that you don\'t know everything, which is why you hire experts to help you with stuff like your taxes, your computer network, your health, and so forth.  And this is why you hire people to help you with marketing, advertising, public relation, design and web development.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is tricky about hiring experts to help you with what you don\'t know, is that often you don\'t know enough to ask the right questions or even evaluate the outcomes.</strong>\r\n\r\nLet me give you a specific example. I hired someone  (who shall remain nameless) to create my website using WordPress and transfer the contents of my former blog hosted at Wordpress.com. Check and check. However, somehow people were still finding my old blog and commenting on stuff over there. The person I hired to develop my site had proven to be unreliable and has never been heard from since, so I couldn\'t ask how to fix this problem.\r\n\r\nI needed to make a few other backend changes and contacted <a href=\"http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Kim Woodbridge</a> .  I asked her how I could get people to stop going to my other blog. She told me that it was simple, all I had to do was pay Wordpress.com to redirect people to my website. (Note: it took about two minutes and $13 to get people redirected.) Once people are no longer going to the other blog, I can bring it down.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t know what I had to do or I would have done it sooner. Since the first Wordpress developer failed to do this or advise me to do this, people have been going to my old blog, not realizing it was housed elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<strong>Working with experts</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Remember: you don\'t know what you don\'t know.</strong> When hiring experts you are expecting they will have the knowledge you don\'t. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don\'t. You must start with the assumption that nobody knows everything, but they may know more than you do.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Remember:  you can question.</strong> If something seems wrong or gives you a funny feeling, question it. This is why we get second opinions from doctors. This is why if your taxes seem unusually high, you may ask your accountant to recalculate or even find another accountant.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Think of it as trial and error</strong> (and hopefully, more trial than error). But remember that you absolutely don\'t know and the expert knows a bit more than you do.\r\n<h3>Blog Workshop on Feb. 28</h3>\r\nWant to improve your blogging? If you are located in the DC area, attend my upcoming How to Write Your Blog workshop on Thursday, February 28 in Silver Spring, MD. Details and registration are <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.','You don\'t know what you don\'t know','','inherit','open','open','','2044-revision-10','','','2013-02-11 15:30:43','2013-02-11 15:30:43','',2044,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2044-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2055,4,'2013-02-12 14:02:41','2013-02-12 14:02:41','Yesterday, <a title=\"You don’t know what you don’t know\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know/\">I wrote about the need to work with experts.</a> Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas where you are lacking in specialized skills or knowledge.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"375\"]<a title=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlekoshka/6957963962/\"><img alt=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/6957963962_6f3b938ec8.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a> Twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>Keep in mind that not every expert has the same level of expertise</strong>. Let\'s take accounting. If you are someone that has few investments and a W2, you may be perfectly fine doing it yourself, using tax software or going to one of the big box tax advisers that we often see advertised around this time. However, if you are in a special situation (small business, self-employed freelancer, artist, etc.) you will NEED to find someone who understands the tax implications of your situation, and can work with you on filing the proper forms. This is an area where expertise (or lack thereof) can have tremendous financial consequences.\r\n\r\nHow do you figure out if someone has the expertise you require?\r\n\r\n<strong>First, figure out the exact problem you are trying to solve.</strong> If you are having a slump in sales, is it fulfillment, customer service or your marketing/communications?\r\n\r\n<strong>Second, start searching through your network first.</strong> Say you need someone to help you with a public relations issue, ask your network whom they recommend. Alternatively, use LinkedIn to search and see if you have connections in common. Ask your connections if they can give you some idea about the professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>Third, interview the expert.</strong> Be prepared to ask a lot of questions such as \"have you worked with this type of situation before?\"\r\n<strong>Fourth, see if the expert asks you questions.</strong> A real expert needs to get a handle on a situation. He or she should be asking you a lot of questions, including \"why do you need an expert?\" or \"why have you contacted me?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Fifth, be wary of pat answers or 100% assurances.</strong> Nobody, but nobody can solve any problem with 100% certainty.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sixth, check with your gut.</strong> Do you like this person? Does this person seem genuine?\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, there are great many people out there who are very good at talking themselves up. And as I said in my post yesterday, you don\'t know what you don\'t know so you are unable at times to ask the right questions.\r\n\r\nFor example, I had a client who was desperate to increase his share of the market. He had hired a \"marketing expert\" to help.  The client knew next to nothing about marketing and neither did the \"expert.\" By the time I came in and asked questions like \"who is your target?\" and \"who is your main competition?\" they had already set out a marketing destination that was not aligned with BASIC MARKETING PRINCIPLES. These questions had never been asked before because the so-called expert was not a strategic thinker but was really selling a package of tactics (put up a website, use a QR code, print a postcard, make a video) without a unifying message or idea of how success would be measured.\r\n\r\nCould the client have avoided the situation above? Maybe yes or maybe no. He didn\'t know what he didn\'t know, but he also didn\'t bother to ask questions and study up on the topic.\r\n\r\n<strong>My takeaway here is the old Ronald Reagan line: trust but verify. </strong> You should do your due diligence when hiring an expert because not everything is as it seems.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Not everything is as it seems','','publish','open','open','','not-everything-is-as-it-seems','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know/','2013-02-12 14:02:41','2013-02-12 14:02:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2055',0,'post','',0),(2056,4,'2013-02-12 13:52:57','2013-02-12 13:52:57','Yesterday, I wrote about the need to work with experts. Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas where you are lacking in specialized skills or knowledge.\n\n<strong>Keep in mind that not every expert has the same level of expertise</strong>. Let\'s take accounting. If you are someone that has few investments and a W2, you may be perfectly fine doing it yourself, using tax software or going to one of the big box tax advisers that we often see advertised around this time. However, if you are in a special situation (small business, self-employed freelancer, artist, etc.) you will NEED to find someone who understands the tax implications of your situation, and can work with you on filing the proper forms. This is an area where expertise (or lack thereof) can have tremendous financial consequences.\n\nHow do you figure out if someone has the expertise you require?\n\n<strong>First, figure out the exact problem you are trying to solve.</strong> If you are having a slump in sales, is it fulfillment, customer service or your marketing/communications?\n\n<strong>Second, start searching through your network first.</strong> Say you need someone to help you with a public relations issue, ask you network whom they recommend. Alternatively, use LinkedIn to search and see if you have connections in common. Ask your connections if they can give you some idea about the professional.\n\n<strong>Third, interview the expert.</strong> Be prepared to ask a lot of questions such as \"have you worked with this type of situation before?\"\n<strong>Fourth, see if the expert asks you questions.</strong> A real expert needs to get a handle on a situation. He or she should be asking you a lot of questions, including \"why do you need an expert?\" or \"why have you contacted me?\"\n\n<strong>Fifth, be wary of pat answers or 100% assurances.</strong> Nobody, but nobody can solve any problem with 100% certainty.\n\nSixth, check with your gut. Do you like this person? Does this person seem genuine?\n\nUnfortunately, there are great many people out there who are very good at talking themselves up. And as I said in my post yesterday, you don\'t know what you don\'t know so you are unable at times to ask the right questions.\n\nFor example, I had a client who was desperate to increase his share of the market. He had hired a \"marketing expert\" to help.  The client knew next to nothing about marketing and neither did the \"expert.\" By the time I came in and asked questions like \"who is your target?\" and \"who is your main competition?\" they had already set out a marketing destination that was not aligned with BASIC MARKETING PRINCIPLES. These questions had never been asked before because the so-called expert was not a strategic thinker but was really selling a package of tactics (put up a website, use a QR code, print a postcard, make a video) without a unifying message or idea of how success would be measured.\n\nCould the client have avoided the situation above? Maybe yes or maybe no. He didn\'t know what he didn\'t know, but he also didn\'t bother to ask questions and study up on the topic.\n\nMy takeaway here is the old Ronald Reagan line: trust but verify.  You should do your due diligence when hiring an expert because not\n\n&nbsp;','Not everything is as it seems','','inherit','open','open','','2055-revision','','','2013-02-12 13:52:57','2013-02-12 13:52:57','',2055,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2055-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2057,4,'2013-02-12 13:53:57','2013-02-12 13:53:57','Yesterday, I wrote about the need to work with experts. Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas where you are lacking in specialized skills or knowledge.\n\n<strong>Keep in mind that not every expert has the same level of expertise</strong>. Let\'s take accounting. If you are someone that has few investments and a W2, you may be perfectly fine doing it yourself, using tax software or going to one of the big box tax advisers that we often see advertised around this time. However, if you are in a special situation (small business, self-employed freelancer, artist, etc.) you will NEED to find someone who understands the tax implications of your situation, and can work with you on filing the proper forms. This is an area where expertise (or lack thereof) can have tremendous financial consequences.\n\nHow do you figure out if someone has the expertise you require?\n\n<strong>First, figure out the exact problem you are trying to solve.</strong> If you are having a slump in sales, is it fulfillment, customer service or your marketing/communications?\n\n<strong>Second, start searching through your network first.</strong> Say you need someone to help you with a public relations issue, ask you network whom they recommend. Alternatively, use LinkedIn to search and see if you have connections in common. Ask your connections if they can give you some idea about the professional.\n\n<strong>Third, interview the expert.</strong> Be prepared to ask a lot of questions such as \"have you worked with this type of situation before?\"\n<strong>Fourth, see if the expert asks you questions.</strong> A real expert needs to get a handle on a situation. He or she should be asking you a lot of questions, including \"why do you need an expert?\" or \"why have you contacted me?\"\n\n<strong>Fifth, be wary of pat answers or 100% assurances.</strong> Nobody, but nobody can solve any problem with 100% certainty.\n\nSixth, check with your gut. Do you like this person? Does this person seem genuine?\n\nUnfortunately, there are great many people out there who are very good at talking themselves up. And as I said in my post yesterday, you don\'t know what you don\'t know so you are unable at times to ask the right questions.\n\nFor example, I had a client who was desperate to increase his share of the market. He had hired a \"marketing expert\" to help.  The client knew next to nothing about marketing and neither did the \"expert.\" By the time I came in and asked questions like \"who is your target?\" and \"who is your main competition?\" they had already set out a marketing destination that was not aligned with BASIC MARKETING PRINCIPLES. These questions had never been asked before because the so-called expert was not a strategic thinker but was really selling a package of tactics (put up a website, use a QR code, print a postcard, make a video) without a unifying message or idea of how success would be measured.\n\nCould the client have avoided the situation above? Maybe yes or maybe no. He didn\'t know what he didn\'t know, but he also didn\'t bother to ask questions and study up on the topic.\n\nMy takeaway here is the old Ronald Reagan line: trust but verify.  You should do your due diligence when hiring an expert because not everything is as it seems.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Not everything is as it seems','','inherit','open','open','','2055-revision-2','','','2013-02-12 13:53:57','2013-02-12 13:53:57','',2055,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2055-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2058,4,'2013-02-12 14:02:17','2013-02-12 14:02:17','Yesterday, <a title=\"You don’t know what you don’t know\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know/\">I wrote about the need to work with experts.</a> Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas where you are lacking in specialized skills or knowledge.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"375\"]<a title=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlekoshka/6957963962/\"><img alt=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/6957963962_6f3b938ec8.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a> Twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>Keep in mind that not every expert has the same level of expertise</strong>. Let\'s take accounting. If you are someone that has few investments and a W2, you may be perfectly fine doing it yourself, using tax software or going to one of the big box tax advisers that we often see advertised around this time. However, if you are in a special situation (small business, self-employed freelancer, artist, etc.) you will NEED to find someone who understands the tax implications of your situation, and can work with you on filing the proper forms. This is an area where expertise (or lack thereof) can have tremendous financial consequences.\r\n\r\nHow do you figure out if someone has the expertise you require?\r\n\r\n<strong>First, figure out the exact problem you are trying to solve.</strong> If you are having a slump in sales, is it fulfillment, customer service or your marketing/communications?\r\n\r\n<strong>Second, start searching through your network first.</strong> Say you need someone to help you with a public relations issue, ask your network whom they recommend. Alternatively, use LinkedIn to search and see if you have connections in common. Ask your connections if they can give you some idea about the professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>Third, interview the expert.</strong> Be prepared to ask a lot of questions such as \"have you worked with this type of situation before?\"\r\n<strong>Fourth, see if the expert asks you questions.</strong> A real expert needs to get a handle on a situation. He or she should be asking you a lot of questions, including \"why do you need an expert?\" or \"why have you contacted me?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Fifth, be wary of pat answers or 100% assurances.</strong> Nobody, but nobody can solve any problem with 100% certainty.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sixth, check with your gut.</strong> Do you like this person? Does this person seem genuine?\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, there are great many people out there who are very good at talking themselves up. And as I said in my post yesterday, you don\'t know what you don\'t know so you are unable at times to ask the right questions.\r\n\r\nFor example, I had a client who was desperate to increase his share of the market. He had hired a \"marketing expert\" to help.  The client knew next to nothing about marketing and neither did the \"expert.\" By the time I came in and asked questions like \"who is your target?\" and \"who is your main competition?\" they had already set out a marketing destination that was not aligned with BASIC MARKETING PRINCIPLES. These questions had never been asked before because the so-called expert was not a strategic thinker but was really selling a package of tactics (put up a website, use a QR code, print a postcard, make a video) without a unifying message or idea of how success would be measured.\r\n\r\nCould the client have avoided the situation above? Maybe yes or maybe no. He didn\'t know what he didn\'t know, but he also didn\'t bother to ask questions and study up on the topic.\r\n\r\n<strong>My takeaway here is the old Ronald Reagan line: trust but verify. </strong> You should do your due diligence when hiring an expert because not everything is as it seems.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Not everything is as it seems','','inherit','open','open','','2055-revision-3','','','2013-02-12 14:02:17','2013-02-12 14:02:17','',2055,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2055-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2059,4,'2013-02-12 14:03:47','2013-02-12 14:03:47','Yesterday, <a title=\"You don’t know what you don’t know\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know/\">I wrote about the need to work with experts.</a> Nobody knows everything and many times it is imperative to hire an expert to help in the areas where you are lacking in specialized skills or knowledge.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"375\"]<a title=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlekoshka/6957963962/\"><img alt=\"twisted reflection in the fun house mirror\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/6957963962_6f3b938ec8.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a> Twisted reflection in the fun house mirror by Little Koshka on Flickr[/caption]\n\n<strong>Keep in mind that not every expert has the same level of expertise</strong>. Let\'s take accounting. If you are someone that has few investments and a W2, you may be perfectly fine doing it yourself, using tax software or going to one of the big box tax advisers that we often see advertised around this time. However, if you are in a special situation (small business, self-employed freelancer, artist, etc.) you will NEED to find someone who understands the tax implications of your situation, and can work with you on filing the proper forms. This is an area where expertise (or lack thereof) can have tremendous financial consequences.\n\nHow do you figure out if someone has the expertise you require?\n\n<strong>First, figure out the exact problem you are trying to solve.</strong> If you are having a slump in sales, is it fulfillment, customer service or your marketing/communications?\n\n<strong>Second, start searching through your network first.</strong> Say you need someone to help you with a public relations issue, ask your network whom they recommend. Alternatively, use LinkedIn to search and see if you have connections in common. Ask your connections if they can give you some idea about the professional.\n\n<strong>Third, interview the expert.</strong> Be prepared to ask a lot of questions such as \"have you worked with this type of situation before?\"\n<strong>Fourth, see if the expert asks you questions.</strong> A real expert needs to get a handle on a situation. He or she should be asking you a lot of questions, including \"why do you need an expert?\" or \"why have you contacted me?\"\n\n<strong>Fifth, be wary of pat answers or 100% assurances.</strong> Nobody, but nobody can solve any problem with 100% certainty.\n\n<strong>Sixth, check with your gut.</strong> Do you like this person? Does this person seem genuine?\n\nUnfortunately, there are great many people out there who are very good at talking themselves up. And as I said in my post yesterday, you don\'t know what you don\'t know so you are unable at times to ask the right questions.\n\nFor example, I had a client who was desperate to increase his share of the market. He had hired a \"marketing expert\" to help.  The client knew next to nothing about marketing and neither did the \"expert.\" By the time I came in and asked questions like \"who is your target?\" and \"who is your main competition?\" they had already set out a marketing destination that was not aligned with BASIC MARKETING PRINCIPLES. These questions had never been asked before because the so-called expert was not a strategic thinker but was really selling a package of tactics (put up a website, use a QR code, print a postcard, make a video) without a unifying message or idea of how success would be measured.\n\nCould the client have avoided the situation above? Maybe yes or maybe no. He didn\'t know what he didn\'t know, but he also didn\'t bother to ask questions and study up on the topic.\n\n<strong>My takeaway here is the old Ronald Reagan line: trust but verify. </strong> You should do your due diligence when hiring an expert because not everything is as it seems.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Not everything is as it seems','','inherit','open','open','','2055-autosave','','','2013-02-12 14:03:47','2013-02-12 14:03:47','',2055,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2055-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2061,4,'2013-02-12 21:04:59','2013-02-12 21:04:59','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\nThe next How to Write Your Blog workshop will take place on <strong>Thursday, February 28</strong> at the Silver Spring Civic Building.\r\n\r\nDetails and registration available <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write you blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-02-12 21:04:59','2013-02-12 21:04:59','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/1765-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(2063,4,'2013-02-13 15:43:35','2013-02-13 15:43:35','Have you ever looked at someone and wanted to make him/her over? Yesterday I saw a woman with frizzy, long and shapeless hair wearing an equally long and shapeless dress of a circa 1982 vintage.  Perhaps vintage wines are good but dresses fade and look, well, dated. I wondered if she was aware of how she appeared: as someone who did not care about her appearance and/or hadn\'t been shopping in 30 years and/or didn\'t have a good friend to tell her she needed to update.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"Little Claire on the Prairie by chris_ford_uk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/11694215@N00/817748586/\"><img alt=\"Little Claire on the Prairie\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1021/817748586_e6ec6ed504.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Little Claire on the Prairie by Chris_Ford_UK on Flickr[/caption]\n\nWhat does this 80s refugee have to do with marketing and communications? Simple, they too can benefit from an update and a makeover. When was the last time you really examined your website? Does the design indicate that we are in 2013 or is it the same look you had when you launched your website back in 1996? When was the last time you posted something on your blog or changed your about us page? How about your logo? Still using fonts that were popular in the 1970s?\n\nBut updates don\'t only refer to outward appearance. You must also look at the back end. Is your software up to date? Have you looked at your mission statement lately? Or your target audience description? Perhaps your messaging needs an update too.\n\nMake it one your goals for 2013 to determine what needs to be updated and then get it done! Here is a list to help you:\n<ul>\n	<li>Logo</li>\n	<li>Tagline</li>\n	<li>Website (including blog)</li>\n	<li>Brochure (even if it\'s a PDF/online version)</li>\n	<li>Business stationery (including letterhead and business cards)</li>\n	<li>Annual report</li>\n	<li>Press release boilerplate</li>\n	<li>Organizational mission/vision</li>\n	<li>Target audience description</li>\n	<li>Organizational description in various formats and lengths</li>\n	<li>Services/products list (and pricing if appropriate)</li>\n	<li>Social media avatars/biographies/descriptions</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>A makeover is a chance to refresh and renew. </strong> With people, makeovers tend to make them look younger and more attractive. With organizations, makeovers make them look in touch, modern and more attractive (to potential customers/clients/donors/supporters).\n\nWhat are you going to change this year?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Is it time for a makeover?','','inherit','open','open','','2062-revision','','','2013-02-13 15:43:35','2013-02-13 15:43:35','',2062,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2062-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2064,4,'2013-02-13 15:44:43','2013-02-13 15:44:43','Have you ever looked at someone and wanted to make him/her over? Yesterday I saw a woman with frizzy, long and shapeless hair wearing an equally long and shapeless dress of a circa 1982 vintage.  Perhaps vintage wines are good but dresses fade and look, well, dated. I wondered if she was aware of how she appeared: as someone who did not care about her appearance and/or hadn\'t been shopping in 30 years and/or didn\'t have a good friend to tell her she needed to update.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"Little Claire on the Prairie by chris_ford_uk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/11694215@N00/817748586/\"><img alt=\"Little Claire on the Prairie\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1021/817748586_e6ec6ed504.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Little Claire on the Prairie by Chris_Ford_UK on Flickr[/caption]\n\nWhat does this 80s refugee have to do with marketing and communications? Simple, they too can benefit from an update and a makeover. When was the last time you really examined your website? Does the design indicate that we are in 2013 or is it the same look you had when you launched your website back in 1996? When was the last time you posted something on your blog or changed your about us page? How about your logo? Still using fonts that were popular in the 1970s?\n\nBut updates don\'t only refer to outward appearance. You must also look at the back end. Is your software up to date? Have you looked at your mission statement lately? Or your target audience description? Perhaps your messaging needs an update too.\n\nMake it one your goals for 2013 to determine what needs to be updated and then get it done! Here is a list to help you:\n<ul>\n	<li>Logo</li>\n	<li>Tagline</li>\n	<li>Website (including blog)</li>\n	<li>Brochure (even if it\'s a PDF/online version)</li>\n	<li>Business stationery (including letterhead and business cards)</li>\n	<li>Annual report</li>\n	<li>Press release boilerplate</li>\n	<li>Organizational mission/vision</li>\n	<li>Target audience description</li>\n	<li>Organizational description in various formats and lengths</li>\n	<li>Services/products list (and pricing if appropriate)</li>\n	<li>Social media avatars/biographies/descriptions</li>\n	<li>Software/hardware</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>A makeover is a chance to refresh and renew. </strong> With people, makeovers tend to make them look younger and more attractive. With organizations, makeovers make them look in touch, modern and more attractive (to potential customers/clients/donors/supporters).\n\nWhat are you going to change this year?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Is it time for a makeover?','','inherit','open','open','','2062-revision-2','','','2013-02-13 15:44:43','2013-02-13 15:44:43','',2062,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2062-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2065,4,'2013-02-13 15:48:15','2013-02-13 15:48:15','Have you ever looked at someone and wanted to make him/her over? Yesterday I saw a woman with frizzy, long and shapeless hair wearing an equally long and shapeless prairie-type dress of a circa 1982 vintage.  Perhaps vintage wines are good but dresses fade and look, well, dated. I wondered if she was aware of how she appeared: as someone who did not care about her appearance and/or hadn\'t been shopping in 30 years and/or didn\'t have a good friend to tell her she needed to update.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"Little Claire on the Prairie by chris_ford_uk, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/11694215@N00/817748586/\"><img alt=\"Little Claire on the Prairie\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1021/817748586_e6ec6ed504.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Little Claire on the Prairie by Chris_Ford_UK on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat does this 80s refugee have to do with marketing and communications? Simple, they too can benefit from an update and a makeover. When was the last time you really examined your website? Does the design indicate that we are in 2013 or is it the same look you had when you launched your website back in 1996? When was the last time you posted something on your blog or changed your about us page? How about your logo? Still using fonts that were popular in the 1970s?\r\n\r\nBut updates don\'t only refer to outward appearance. You must also look at the back end. Is your software up to date? Have you looked at your mission statement lately? Or your target audience description? Perhaps your messaging needs an update too.\r\n\r\nMake it one your goals for 2013 to determine what needs to be updated and then get it done! Here is a list to help you:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo</li>\r\n	<li>Tagline</li>\r\n	<li>Website (including blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Brochure (even if it\'s a PDF/online version)</li>\r\n	<li>Business stationery (including letterhead and business cards)</li>\r\n	<li>Annual report</li>\r\n	<li>Press release boilerplate</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational mission/vision</li>\r\n	<li>Target audience description</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational description in various formats and lengths</li>\r\n	<li>Services/products list (and pricing if appropriate)</li>\r\n	<li>Social media avatars/biographies/descriptions</li>\r\n	<li>Software/hardware</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>A makeover is a chance to refresh and renew. </strong> With people, makeovers tend to make them look younger and more attractive. With organizations, makeovers make them look in touch, modern and more attractive (to potential customers/clients/donors/supporters).\r\n\r\nWhat are you going to change this year?\r\n<h3>Improve your blog/blogging process!</h3>\r\nIf you are in the Washington, DC metro area and would like to improve your blog or blogging process, sign up for my How to Write your Blog workshop today! The workshop takes place on Thursday, February 28 at the Silver Spring Civic Building.  For more details and to register, visit the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page.</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it time for a makeover?','','inherit','open','open','','2062-revision-3','','','2013-02-13 15:48:15','2013-02-13 15:48:15','',2062,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2062-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2067,4,'2013-02-18 20:21:02','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Although we tend to pay much more attention and spend much more money on marketing communications (brochures, websites, ads, etc.), we should probably be spending as much effort on everyday business communications (memos, customer contact, letters, emails, etc.).\r\n\r\nI live in a townhouse community with a homeowner\'s association and a management company, which do not do a good job with business communication. Case in point: I received a postcard on Friday informing me of very noisy and disruptive work over this past weekend. The card did not specify the nature of the work, only gave an email for contact, and never used the phrase \"we apologize for any inconvenience.\"\r\n\r\nWhen you are communicating with customers/clients/donors or other target audiences your first priority is to figure out what information THEY need to understand your message.  It may be useful to make sure you are answering the journalist\'s W\'s: why, where, what, who and how.\r\n\r\nYou may want to check that you Here\'s a list of stuff that you may be easily overlooked:\r\n\r\nHours\r\n\r\nLocation\r\n\r\nComplete contact information. An email is not sufficient.\r\n\r\nDirections\r\n\r\nDates\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt seems basic, and yet how many letters have we all received that fail to mention crucial information?\r\n\r\nAnd remember, even though most of us look up addresses and information on the Internet, the Internet or your website can go down. You should have a analog form of communication.','Better business communication is essential','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-02-18 20:21:02','2013-02-18 20:21:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2067',0,'post','',0),(2068,4,'2013-02-18 19:35:27','2013-02-18 19:35:27','Although we tend to pay much more attention and spend much more money on marketing communications (brochures, websites, ads, etc.), we should probably be spending as much effort on everyday business communications (memos, customer contact, letters, emails, etc.).\n\nI live in a townhouse community with a homeowner\'s association and a management company, which do not do a good job with business communication. Case in point: I received a postcard on Friday informing me of very noisy and disruptive work over this past weekend. The card did not specify the nature of the work, only gave an email for contact, and never used the phrase \"we apologize for any inconvenience.\"\n\nWhen you are communicating with customers/clients/donors or other target audiences your first priority is to figure out what information THEY need to understand your message.  It may be useful to make sure you are answering the journalist\'s W\'s: why, where, what, who and how.\n\nYou may want to check that you Here\'s a list of stuff that you may be easily overlooked:\n\nHours\n\nLocation\n\nComplete contact information. An email is not sufficient.\n\nDirections\n\nDates\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt seems basic, and yet how many letters have we all received that fail to mention crucial information?\n\nAnd remember, even though most of us look up addresses and information on the Internet, the Internet or your website can go down. You should have a analog form of communication.','Better business communication is essential','','inherit','open','open','','2067-revision','','','2013-02-18 19:35:27','2013-02-18 19:35:27','',2067,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2067-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2069,4,'2013-02-18 19:36:45','2013-02-18 19:36:45','Although we tend to pay much more attention and spend much more money on marketing communications (brochures, websites, ads, etc.), we should probably be spending as much effort on everyday business communications (memos, customer contact, letters, emails, etc.).\n\nI live in a townhouse community with a homeowner\'s association and a management company, which do not do a good job with business communication. Case in point: I received a postcard on Friday informing me of very noisy and disruptive work over this past weekend. The card did not specify the nature of the work, only gave an email for contact, and never used the phrase \"we apologize for any inconvenience.\"\n\nWhen you are communicating with customers/clients/donors or other target audiences your first priority is to figure out what information THEY need to understand your message.  It may be useful to make sure you are answering the journalist\'s W\'s: why, where, what, who and how.\n\nYou may want to check that you Here\'s a list of stuff that you may be easily overlooked:\n\nHours\n\nLocation\n\nComplete contact information. An email is not sufficient.\n\nDirections\n\nDates\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt seems basic, and yet how many letters have we all received that fail to mention crucial information?\n\nAnd remember, even though most of us look up addresses and information on the Internet, the Internet or your website can go down. You should have a analog form of communication.','Better business communication is essential','','inherit','open','open','','2067-revision-2','','','2013-02-18 19:36:45','2013-02-18 19:36:45','',2067,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2067-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2071,4,'2013-02-21 15:13:51','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Marketers have flocked to social media in order to cut costs. Social media is seen as a free or inexpensive way to reach lots of people. And it can be, but there are costs.\n\nYesterday, I attended a few programs for Social Media Week DC.  The first one','There is no free lunch','','draft','open','open','','there-is-no-free-lunch','','','2013-02-21 15:13:51','2013-02-21 15:13:51','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2071',0,'post','',0),(2072,4,'2013-02-21 15:12:14','2013-02-21 15:12:14','Marketers have flocked to social media in order to cut costs. Social media is seen as a free or inexpensive way to reach lots of people. And it can be, but there are costs.\n\nYesterday, I attended a few programs for Social Media Week DC.  Th','There is no free lunch','','inherit','open','open','','2071-revision','','','2013-02-21 15:12:14','2013-02-21 15:12:14','',2071,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2071-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2094,4,'2013-03-12 15:45:35','2013-03-12 15:45:35','It is not an exaggeration to say that blogs can help change the world. Take, for example blogger (and dissident) Yoani Sanchez.  Since 2007, Yoani has been an outspoken critic of the situation in Cuba on her blog Generacion Y.  She has attracted worldwide attention and is currently on tour, <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/yoani-sanchez-dissident-cuban-blogger-behind-generation-y-goes-on-tour/2013/03/11/c505af4c-8a75-11e2-a88e-461ffa2e34e4_story_1.html\" target=\"_blank\">as reported in the Washington Post toda</a>y.\r\n\r\nAnd then there is A<a href=\"http://aiweiwei.com/\" target=\"_blank\">i Weiwei,</a> the Chinese artist  who has been using his blog (and Twitter) to document the China\'s governmental cover up of shoddy building codes that led to the the death of more than 5,000 schoolchildren in the aftermath of the devastating 2008 earthquake.\r\n\r\nBoth Sanchez and Ai Weiwei live in repressive societies where the government controls mass media. Both were able to use blogs, because they are self-published mass media outlets, to get their message and thoughts out to the world. By  providing an alternative news/opinion source, not only to their fellow citizens, but to the world, they are shining a bright spotlight that would otherwise not exist.\r\n\r\nBlogs are powerful. They allow you to communicate your thoughts to people everywhere around the world. You can use words, photos, video or even music with few barriers, at a low monetary cost (and sometimes, even free).\r\n\r\nIf you really want to make an impact, there is no better nor a more direct way than on your own blog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogs can help change the world','','publish','open','open','','blogs-can-help-change-the-world','','','2013-03-12 15:45:35','2013-03-12 15:45:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2094',0,'post','',0),(2074,4,'2013-02-22 16:12:27','2013-02-22 16:12:27','You may have a great offering, beautiful marketing collateral, an interactive website, a robust presence on social media and yet, you are not achieving your marketing objectives. There could be many causes for this, like a poor economy or poor pricing or too much competition, but it could also be that you are<strong> being too aggressive</strong>. You are turning people off.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"239\"]<a title=\"bullhorn by spDuchamp, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/15296832/\"><img alt=\"bullhorn\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/13/15296832_d279064329.jpg\" width=\"239\" height=\"500\" /></a> Bullhorn by spDuchamp from Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nTelemarketers are especially bad at understanding that aggressiveness does not build customer trust. Quite the opposite. It builds distrust and worse, dislike. Calling repeatedly at all times of day and night does not make a potential customer or donor enamored of your product or cause.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this is the divide between marketing and sales. In marketing, you are trying to build interest in your product and service by using tools such as the \"Four Ps\" (pricing, promotion, product, placement), whereas in sales you are trying to achieve quotas, generally measured in revenue.\r\n\r\nSay you are shopping for a new car. The marketing function will get you to consider the new XYZ hybrid sedan from the big car manufacturer. You are intrigued by the miles per gallon or the comfort or whatever other attribute. You walk into a showroom and immediately a sales representative is there, trying to get you to buy. If he or she is too aggressive, chances are good you will walk out without making a purchase. The marketing worked but the sales pitch didn\'t.\r\n\r\nBrad Phillips of Phillips Media Relations had such a thing happen to him with a PR service. He<a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/\" target=\"_blank\"> discussed it yesterday  on his Mr. Media Training blog</a>, and received a lot of support (read the comments).  He signed up for a service that is marketed to people like him, but then was assaulted by a too-aggressive sales person trying to sell him other products and services.  The problem was not the offering as much as the aggression.\r\n\r\nAre you being to aggressive in your pitch? Here are some instances of marketing (and sales) aggressiveness:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Calling too much/ too often</li>\r\n	<li>Sending too many emails (including enewsletters)</li>\r\n	<li>Invading privacy (such as asking Google or Facebook to scan private messages for keywords)</li>\r\n	<li>In traditional advertising, opting for frequency over reach (have you ever watched a TV program where the same ad is shown multiple times?)</li>\r\n	<li>Send enewsletters out without prior opt-in, and without an easy opt-out.</li>\r\n	<li>Loud (literally) advertising (even though it has been regulated, I am still hearing ads that have a higher volume than the programming)</li>\r\n	<li>Bait-and-switch tactics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat results from these tactics is that people feel attacked or overwhelmed or frustrated. They can\'t lower the volume and they resent it. They feel that your sales pitch is invading their private space.\r\n\r\nCan you think of other aggressive behavior? How do you react to aggressive marketing? Do you think the results justify the means?\r\n<h3>Blogging workshop next week!</h3>\r\nThere\'s still time to register for my How to Blog Workshop, which takes place next Thursday, February 28 in Silver Spring, MD. Visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com</a> for more details and registration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The one thing that will kill your marketing efforts','','publish','open','open','','the-one-thing-that-will-kill-your-marketing-efforts','','\nhttp://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/','2013-02-22 16:15:10','2013-02-22 16:15:10','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2074',0,'post','',0),(2075,4,'2013-02-22 16:11:19','2013-02-22 16:11:19','You may have a great offering, beautiful marketing collateral, an interactive website, a robust presence on social media and yet, you are not achieving your marketing objectives. There could be many causes for this, like a poor economy or poor pricing or too much competition, but it could also be that you are<strong> being too aggressive</strong>. You are turning people off.\n\n<a title=\"bullhorn by spDuchamp, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/15296832/\"><img alt=\"bullhorn\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/13/15296832_d279064329.jpg\" width=\"239\" height=\"500\" /></a>\n\nTelemarketers are especially bad at understanding that aggressiveness does not build customer trust. Quite the opposite. It builds distrust and worse, dislike. Calling repeatedly at all times of day and night does not make a potential customer or donor enamored of your product or cause.\n\nPerhaps this is the divide between marketing and sales. In marketing, you are trying to build interest in your product and service by using tools such as the \"Four Ps\" (pricing, promotion, product, placement), whereas in sales you are trying to achieve quotas, generally measured in revenue.\n\nSay you are shopping for a new car. The marketing function will get you to consider the new XYZ hybrid sedan from the big car manufacturer. You are intrigued by the miles per gallon or the comfort or whatever other attribute. You walk into a showroom and immediately a sales representative is there, trying to get you to buy. If he or she is too aggressive, chances are good you will walk out without making a purchase. The marketing worked but the sales pitch didn\'t.\n\nBrad Phillips of Phillips Media Relations had such a thing happen to him with a PR service. He<a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/\" target=\"_blank\"> discussed it yesterday  on his Mr. Media Training blog</a>, and received a lot of support (read the comments).  He signed up for a service that is marketed to people like him, but then was assaulted by a too-aggressive sales person trying to sell him other products and services.  The problem was not the offering as much as the aggression.\n\nAre you being to aggressive in your pitch? Here are some instances of marketing (and sales) aggressiveness:\n<ul>\n	<li>Calling too much/ too often</li>\n	<li>Sending too many emails (including enewsletters)</li>\n	<li>Invading privacy (such as asking Google or Facebook to scan private messages for keywords)</li>\n	<li>In traditional advertising, opting for frequency over reach (have you ever watched a TV program where the same ad is shown multiple times?)</li>\n	<li>Send enewsletters out without prior opt-in, and without an easy opt-out.</li>\n	<li>Loud (literally) advertising (even though it has been regulated, I am still hearing ads that have a higher volume than the programming)</li>\n	<li>Bait-and-switch tactics</li>\n</ul>\nWhat results from these tactics is that people feel attacked or overwhelmed or frustrated. They can\'t lower the volume and they resent it. They feel that your sales pitch is invading their private space.\n\nCan you think of other aggressive behavior? How do you react to aggressive marketing? Do you think the results justify the means?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','The one thing that will kill your marketing efforts','','inherit','open','open','','2074-revision','','','2013-02-22 16:11:19','2013-02-22 16:11:19','',2074,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2074-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2076,4,'2013-02-22 16:12:19','2013-02-22 16:12:19','You may have a great offering, beautiful marketing collateral, an interactive website, a robust presence on social media and yet, you are not achieving your marketing objectives. There could be many causes for this, like a poor economy or poor pricing or too much competition, but it could also be that you are<strong> being too aggressive</strong>. You are turning people off.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"239\"]<a title=\"bullhorn by spDuchamp, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/15296832/\"><img alt=\"bullhorn\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/13/15296832_d279064329.jpg\" width=\"239\" height=\"500\" /></a> Bullhorn by spDuchamp from Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nTelemarketers are especially bad at understanding that aggressiveness does not build customer trust. Quite the opposite. It builds distrust and worse, dislike. Calling repeatedly at all times of day and night does not make a potential customer or donor enamored of your product or cause.\n\nPerhaps this is the divide between marketing and sales. In marketing, you are trying to build interest in your product and service by using tools such as the \"Four Ps\" (pricing, promotion, product, placement), whereas in sales you are trying to achieve quotas, generally measured in revenue.\n\nSay you are shopping for a new car. The marketing function will get you to consider the new XYZ hybrid sedan from the big car manufacturer. You are intrigued by the miles per gallon or the comfort or whatever other attribute. You walk into a showroom and immediately a sales representative is there, trying to get you to buy. If he or she is too aggressive, chances are good you will walk out without making a purchase. The marketing worked but the sales pitch didn\'t.\n\nBrad Phillips of Phillips Media Relations had such a thing happen to him with a PR service. He<a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/\" target=\"_blank\"> discussed it yesterday  on his Mr. Media Training blog</a>, and received a lot of support (read the comments).  He signed up for a service that is marketed to people like him, but then was assaulted by a too-aggressive sales person trying to sell him other products and services.  The problem was not the offering as much as the aggression.\n\nAre you being to aggressive in your pitch? Here are some instances of marketing (and sales) aggressiveness:\n<ul>\n	<li>Calling too much/ too often</li>\n	<li>Sending too many emails (including enewsletters)</li>\n	<li>Invading privacy (such as asking Google or Facebook to scan private messages for keywords)</li>\n	<li>In traditional advertising, opting for frequency over reach (have you ever watched a TV program where the same ad is shown multiple times?)</li>\n	<li>Send enewsletters out without prior opt-in, and without an easy opt-out.</li>\n	<li>Loud (literally) advertising (even though it has been regulated, I am still hearing ads that have a higher volume than the programming)</li>\n	<li>Bait-and-switch tactics</li>\n</ul>\nWhat results from these tactics is that people feel attacked or overwhelmed or frustrated. They can\'t lower the volume and they resent it. They feel that your sales pitch is invading their private space.\n\nCan you think of other aggressive behavior? How do you react to aggressive marketing? Do you think the results justify the means?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','The one thing that will kill your marketing efforts','','inherit','open','open','','2074-revision-2','','','2013-02-22 16:12:19','2013-02-22 16:12:19','',2074,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2074-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2077,4,'2013-02-22 16:15:04','2013-02-22 16:15:04','You may have a great offering, beautiful marketing collateral, an interactive website, a robust presence on social media and yet, you are not achieving your marketing objectives. There could be many causes for this, like a poor economy or poor pricing or too much competition, but it could also be that you are<strong> being too aggressive</strong>. You are turning people off.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"239\"]<a title=\"bullhorn by spDuchamp, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/15296832/\"><img alt=\"bullhorn\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/13/15296832_d279064329.jpg\" width=\"239\" height=\"500\" /></a> Bullhorn by spDuchamp from Flickr[/caption]\n\nTelemarketers are especially bad at understanding that aggressiveness does not build customer trust. Quite the opposite. It builds distrust and worse, dislike. Calling repeatedly at all times of day and night does not make a potential customer or donor enamored of your product or cause.\n\nPerhaps this is the divide between marketing and sales. In marketing, you are trying to build interest in your product and service by using tools such as the \"Four Ps\" (pricing, promotion, product, placement), whereas in sales you are trying to achieve quotas, generally measured in revenue.\n\nSay you are shopping for a new car. The marketing function will get you to consider the new XYZ hybrid sedan from the big car manufacturer. You are intrigued by the miles per gallon or the comfort or whatever other attribute. You walk into a showroom and immediately a sales representative is there, trying to get you to buy. If he or she is too aggressive, chances are good you will walk out without making a purchase. The marketing worked but the sales pitch didn\'t.\n\nBrad Phillips of Phillips Media Relations had such a thing happen to him with a PR service. He<a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/\" target=\"_blank\"> discussed it yesterday  on his Mr. Media Training blog</a>, and received a lot of support (read the comments).  He signed up for a service that is marketed to people like him, but then was assaulted by a too-aggressive sales person trying to sell him other products and services.  The problem was not the offering as much as the aggression.\n\nAre you being to aggressive in your pitch? Here are some instances of marketing (and sales) aggressiveness:\n<ul>\n	<li>Calling too much/ too often</li>\n	<li>Sending too many emails (including enewsletters)</li>\n	<li>Invading privacy (such as asking Google or Facebook to scan private messages for keywords)</li>\n	<li>In traditional advertising, opting for frequency over reach (have you ever watched a TV program where the same ad is shown multiple times?)</li>\n	<li>Send enewsletters out without prior opt-in, and without an easy opt-out.</li>\n	<li>Loud (literally) advertising (even though it has been regulated, I am still hearing ads that have a higher volume than the programming)</li>\n	<li>Bait-and-switch tactics</li>\n</ul>\nWhat results from these tactics is that people feel attacked or overwhelmed or frustrated. They can\'t lower the volume and they resent it. They feel that your sales pitch is invading their private space.\n\nCan you think of other aggressive behavior? How do you react to aggressive marketing? Do you think the results justify the means?\n<h3>Blogging workshop next week!</h3>\nThere\'s still time to register for my How to Blog Workshop, which takes place next Thursday, February 28 in Silver Spring, MD. Visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com</a> for more details and registration.\n\n&nbsp;','The one thing that will kill your marketing efforts','','inherit','open','open','','2074-autosave','','','2013-02-22 16:15:04','2013-02-22 16:15:04','',2074,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2074-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2078,4,'2013-02-22 16:12:27','2013-02-22 16:12:27','You may have a great offering, beautiful marketing collateral, an interactive website, a robust presence on social media and yet, you are not achieving your marketing objectives. There could be many causes for this, like a poor economy or poor pricing or too much competition, but it could also be that you are<strong> being too aggressive</strong>. You are turning people off.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"239\"]<a title=\"bullhorn by spDuchamp, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/duchamp/15296832/\"><img alt=\"bullhorn\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/13/15296832_d279064329.jpg\" width=\"239\" height=\"500\" /></a> Bullhorn by spDuchamp from Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nTelemarketers are especially bad at understanding that aggressiveness does not build customer trust. Quite the opposite. It builds distrust and worse, dislike. Calling repeatedly at all times of day and night does not make a potential customer or donor enamored of your product or cause.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this is the divide between marketing and sales. In marketing, you are trying to build interest in your product and service by using tools such as the \"Four Ps\" (pricing, promotion, product, placement), whereas in sales you are trying to achieve quotas, generally measured in revenue.\r\n\r\nSay you are shopping for a new car. The marketing function will get you to consider the new XYZ hybrid sedan from the big car manufacturer. You are intrigued by the miles per gallon or the comfort or whatever other attribute. You walk into a showroom and immediately a sales representative is there, trying to get you to buy. If he or she is too aggressive, chances are good you will walk out without making a purchase. The marketing worked but the sales pitch didn\'t.\r\n\r\nBrad Phillips of Phillips Media Relations had such a thing happen to him with a PR service. He<a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2013/02/21/come-on-vocus-help-a-busy-pr-professional-out/\" target=\"_blank\"> discussed it yesterday  on his Mr. Media Training blog</a>, and received a lot of support (read the comments).  He signed up for a service that is marketed to people like him, but then was assaulted by a too-aggressive sales person trying to sell him other products and services.  The problem was not the offering as much as the aggression.\r\n\r\nAre you being to aggressive in your pitch? Here are some instances of marketing (and sales) aggressiveness:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Calling too much/ too often</li>\r\n	<li>Sending too many emails (including enewsletters)</li>\r\n	<li>Invading privacy (such as asking Google or Facebook to scan private messages for keywords)</li>\r\n	<li>In traditional advertising, opting for frequency over reach (have you ever watched a TV program where the same ad is shown multiple times?)</li>\r\n	<li>Send enewsletters out without prior opt-in, and without an easy opt-out.</li>\r\n	<li>Loud (literally) advertising (even though it has been regulated, I am still hearing ads that have a higher volume than the programming)</li>\r\n	<li>Bait-and-switch tactics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat results from these tactics is that people feel attacked or overwhelmed or frustrated. They can\'t lower the volume and they resent it. They feel that your sales pitch is invading their private space.\r\n\r\nCan you think of other aggressive behavior? How do you react to aggressive marketing? Do you think the results justify the means?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The one thing that will kill your marketing efforts','','inherit','open','open','','2074-revision-3','','','2013-02-22 16:12:27','2013-02-22 16:12:27','',2074,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2074-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2079,4,'2013-02-25 15:06:00','2013-02-25 15:06:00','In case you missed it, last night was the movie awards ceremony formerly known as The Academy Awards, now known simply as the Oscars. Not sure what the TV broadcast viewership was, but it was large (very large). The Oscars are one of the most viewed, most commented and most followed awards.  The #oscars2013 hashtag certainly lit up my Twitter stream last night, proving that most major televised events are having the \"second-screen\" effect.\r\n\r\nDo you know who won for Best Picture? Or for Best Director?You should, but in case you are a person who doesn\'t watch TV or movies or read a newspaper or the Yahoo! home page, it was Argo and Ang Lee for Life of Pi,  respectively.\r\n\r\n<strong> If you want to be successful in marketing communications, you need to be conversant in pop culture.</strong> You just do. Pop culture is the currency that allows you to participate in the world. It is the fodder of small talk at happy hours and cocktail receptions and what brings people together around the proverbial water cooler (even if your water cooler is Twitter). If you don\'t know Ben Affleck from Quentin Tarantino, Adele from Lady Gaga,  you are out of touch with what many people share in society.\r\n\r\nI know people that refuse to watch movies or TV shows because nothing compares to whatever they feel was the golden age of entertainment. Some people never tune in to the top 40 station on their radios. Others don\'t read current bestsellers claiming nothing worthwhile is being written today. That\'s fine. <strong>No one should have to watch, listen or read anything they find distasteful.  But they should know what it is they are not watching, listening or reading. </strong> In other words, you should know who won the Oscars last night even if you didn\'t watch the show or see any of the movies nominated.\r\n\r\nWill something evil befall you if you don\'t know? No, of course not.  You will just be out of step with what most people follow. If you see a reference to Jennifer Lawrence or Anne Hathaway, you won\'t understand why they are being talked about.  And you may also be missing out on relationship-building conversations.  The beauty of pop culture is that it is out there, available to everyone. You don\'t have to be an insider or well-connected.\r\n\r\nSo, do you know who won at the Oscars last night?\r\n<h3>Want to improve your blogging?</h3>\r\nIf you want to improve your blogging or even get your blog off the ground,  and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my blogging workshop <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">this Thursday.</span> You must pre-register. More details and registration: <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you should know who won at the Oscars','','publish','open','open','','why-you-should-know-who-won-at-the-oscars','','','2013-02-25 15:06:00','2013-02-25 15:06:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2079',0,'post','',0),(2080,4,'2013-02-25 15:05:10','2013-02-25 15:05:10','In case you missed it, last night was the movie awards ceremony formerly known as The Academy Awards, now known simply as the Oscars. Not sure what the TV broadcast viewership was, but it was large (very large). The Oscars are one of the most viewed, most commented and most followed awards.  The #oscars2013 hashtag certainly lit up my Twitter stream last night, proving that most major televised events are having the \"second-screen\" effect.\n\nDo you know who won for Best Picture? Or for Best Director?You should, but in case you are a person who doesn\'t watch TV or movies or read a newspaper or the Yahoo! home page, it was Argo and Ang Lee for Life of Pi,  respectively.\n\n<strong> If you want to be successful in marketing communications, you need to be conversant in pop culture.</strong> You just do. Pop culture is the currency that allows you to participate in the world. It is the fodder of small talk at happy hours and cocktail receptions and what brings people together around the proverbial water cooler (even if your water cooler is Twitter). If you don\'t know Ben Affleck from Quentin Tarantino, Adele from Lady Gaga,  you are out of touch with what many people share in society.\n\nI know people that refuse to watch movies or TV shows because nothing compares to whatever they feel was the golden age of entertainment. Some people never tune in to the top 40 station on their radios. Others don\'t read current bestsellers claiming nothing worthwhile is being written today. That\'s fine. No one should have to watch, listen or read anything they find distasteful.  But they should know what it is they are not watching, listening or reading.  In other words, you should know who won the Oscars last night even if you didn\'t watch the show or see any of the movies nominated.\n\nWill something evil befall you if you don\'t know? No, of course not.  You will just be out of step with what most people follow. If you see a reference to Jennifer Lawrence or Anne Hathaway, you won\'t understand why they are being talked about.  And you may also be missing out on relationship-building conversations.  The beauty of pop culture is that it is out there, available to everyone. You don\'t have to be an insider or well-connected.\n<h3>Want to improve your blogging?</h3>\nIf you want to improve your blogging or even get your blog off the ground,  and you are in the Washington, DC metro area, check out my blogging workshop <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">this Thursday.</span> You must pre-register. More details and registration: <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">http://howtowriteyourblog3.eventbrite.com/#</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Why you should know who won at the Oscars','','inherit','open','open','','2079-revision','','','2013-02-25 15:05:10','2013-02-25 15:05:10','',2079,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2079-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2082,4,'2013-02-26 20:55:50','2013-02-26 20:55:50','I was reading a transcript of an online discussion regarding the benefits of blogging for business. One the people in the discussion said she did not have time to blog since she was way too busy doing client work. I wasn\'t on the conversation, but I would have told her she is making a big mistake.\n\nIt\'s very simple. If you don\'t do any marketing because you are busy, you will inevitably have to work twice as hard when you aren\'t. And yes, blogging is a marketing effort. It boosts your visibility. It keeps your website current. It helps with SEO.\n\nIt\'s like people who don\'t network because they have a job. And then they lose the job and realize they don\'t have relationships in place to help them in a job search.\n\nWhether you are busy or not, blogging should be a part of your business marketing routine. To neglect your blog now because you are busy working on your client\'s behalf is a rookie mistake. Those of us who have been in the business world for a while know that clients come and go. Clients can face budget shortfalls and cut you from one day to the next.','Why you should blog even if you don\'t have the time','','inherit','open','open','','2081-revision','','','2013-02-26 20:55:50','2013-02-26 20:55:50','',2081,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2081-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2083,4,'2013-02-27 15:08:25','2013-02-27 15:08:25','I was reading a transcript of an online discussion regarding the benefits of blogging for business. One of the people in the discussion declared that she did not have time to blog since she was way too busy doing client work. Her blog was basically abandoned, and she was OK with that. I wasn\'t in on the conversation, but if I had been,  I would have told her she is making a big mistake.\n\nIt\'s very simple. If you don\'t do any marketing because you are busy, you will inevitably have to work twice as hard to market yourself when you aren\'t busy. And yes, blogging is a marketing effort:  It boosts your visibility. It keeps your website current. It helps with SEO.\n\nNot blogging because you are too busy is like not networking because you already have a job. If you lose your job (which unfortunately can happen from one day to the next) you will soon realize you don\'t have relationships in place to help you in a job search. You must keep networking and building relationships, whether you \"need\" them now or not, because you never know what will happen in the future.\n\nWhether you are busy or not, blogging should be a part of your business marketing routine. To neglect your blog now because you are busy working on your client\'s behalf is a rookie mistake. Those of us who have been in the business world for a while know that clients come and go. Clients can face budget shortfalls and cut you from one day to the next.\n\n<strong>Put energy into your business, not just your client\'s business.</strong> This applies to you whether you have your own business, or you work for someone else, and even if you are concerned with developing your career. If you are a worker bee, why not have a personal blog? If you work for an organization, you should insist that the blog not be neglected. And it goes without saying that if you own your own business, you are solely responsible for keeping you presence up-to-date.\n\nDon\'t wait! Write a blog post today!','Why you should blog even if you don\'t have the time','','inherit','open','open','','2081-revision-2','','','2013-02-27 15:08:25','2013-02-27 15:08:25','',2081,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/02/2081-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2085,4,'2013-03-01 14:20:12','2013-03-01 14:20:12','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\nThere are no events currently scheduled.\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-03-01 14:20:12','2013-03-01 14:20:12','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/1765-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(2088,4,'2013-03-04 15:58:21','2013-03-04 15:58:21','Did you watch the 2011 movie <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598822/?ref_=sr_2\" target=\"_blank\">New Year\'s Eve</a></span>? If you spent money on it either in the theater or renting it, I am sorry for your loss.  I only watched the beginning as it was playing on one of  my cable movie channels. After 20 minutes of unbelievable situations and bad lines, I went back to reading the side of the cereal box.\n\nYou would be forgiven for thinking that this movie was worth watching. After all, it has a cast of well known (and very attractive) actors (including Michelle Pfeiffer, Hillary Swank, Robert DeNiro, Halle Berry, Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker and even Jon Bon Jovi, to name a few). It is directed by Gary Marshall, who brought us bastions of sitcom TV such as Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.\n\nBut the actors and the director have to follow a screenplay, which in this case was written by <a href=\"http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297545/?ref_=tt_ov_wr\" target=\"_blank\">Katherine Fugate</a>. Fugate\'s credits include the TV series <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Xena: Warrior Princess.</span> Fugate also wrote <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Valentine\'s Day</span>, another movie that revolves around an over-hyped holiday and which features lots of well known actors (some of the very same ones that appear in <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">New Year\'s Eve</span>).\n\nApparently, Gary Marshall saw potential in a holiday movie franchise. Perhaps we should prepare for St. Patrick\'s Day: The Movie, in which a group of well known actors would be anxiously wondering how their romantic lives will survive the drinking of green beer.\n\nMovies are the result of all of the parts working together: acting, directing and writing. You could also throw in cinematography, editing, costume design and sound.  As <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">New Year\'s Eve</span> painfully underscores, even dozens of well-known actors and a funny-guy director do not make a poorly plotted and written screenplay shine. In other words,  a good movie is greater than the sum of its parts.\n\n<strong>Communications is much the same way.  </strong>You have to have more than just pretty, shiny parts that you throw together. To make the movie analogy work here,<strong> your communications efforts need good direction (communications strategy), believable acting (execution or tactics) and a well-written screenplay ( your communications plan).</strong>\n\nLook at your communications efforts right now.  Are you getting led by pretty tactics (Let\'s go on Pinterest! Let\'s get a blog!) or are you thinking about how everything works together to achieve your goals?','Greater than the sum of its parts','','inherit','open','open','','2087-revision','','','2013-03-04 15:58:21','2013-03-04 15:58:21','',2087,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2087-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2089,4,'2013-03-06 14:42:33','2013-03-06 14:42:33','Last night I  watched the 2003 documentary<a href=\"http://www.lostboysfilm.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> The Lost Boys of Sudan</span></a>.  The Lost Boys are a group of young men who managed to escape a brutal massacre of their people in Sudan and walked across the dessert to end up in a refugee camp in Kenya. Many of the boys lost both parents or entire families and some have no idea what happened to their families.  Some Lost Boys were repatriated to the United States, and this documentary focuses on two of them.\r\n\r\nThe documentary deals with the difficulty these boys have adapting to the United States. Nobody seems to tell them what to expect or how to navigate anything. Santino, one of the boys featured in the film, drives a car without a license or insurance and ends up hitting another car. He ends up in court where the judge tells him that it doesn\'t matter that he is in the process of getting a license, he is still responsible for not having one and driving anyway. His confusion and upset are palpable. He is earning $7 an hour, and now he has more than $500 in fines.  Nobody explained it to him and he had no way of knowing.\r\n\r\nCan you imagine being transported from a refugee camp in Africa to Houston, Texas? It must have been an extreme culture shock for these young men. And yet, they are greeted by two YMCA workers that speak to them in colloquial and fast English, even though the boys speak limited English, and it is not their primary language by far. And that is just the language gap. The film doesn\'t say much about these YMCA people, but it seems that they are clueless about the vast differences between someone from Sudan (who has survived trauma and has been living in a refugee camp) and someone who has been living in the U.S. all his or her life.\r\n\r\nIn the film, the boys are taken to an apartment, told that their rent will be paid for four months \"while they get on their feet,\" and seemingly, expected to fend for themselves without much guidance at all.\r\n\r\nThe documentary is a study in the contrasts between Americans and the Africans. Americans exhibit a very sheltered and ignorant view of the world.  The Africans quickly learn that they are different--not only from the white Americans but from the black Americans too. Their skin is darker, their culture is different.\r\n\r\nAs well-meaning as the YMCA and the others involved in the resettlement project were, they failed (miserably in my opinion) to consider how to properly communicate with the Lost Boys.  Good communication bridges differences. Bad communication forms barriers.\r\n\r\nTainted with cultural blindness, the Americans did not so much as consider how hard it would be to adjust to American society, or really, what it takes to navigate day-to-day interactions. The boys had never had jobs or earned money or paid rent or dealt with car insurance. And yet, they were left to deal with everything by themselves.\r\n\r\nWhat is worse is that the boys  came to America expecting to get an education. In the film, it seems their sponsors thought they should be grateful to get low skilled, low paying jobs.\r\n\r\nBecause expectations were not properly communicated and because the Americans did not take into consideration the needs of the Lost Boys, the film documents  a story of struggle and disaffection rather than of triumph and happiness. As hard as their lives were in Africa, it is not easier for them in the United States.\r\n\r\nTo me, this documentary illustrates perfectly how communication will fail if you don\'t consider your audience and its needs. Even the first decision of what language to use to communicate is a poor one. Communicating in English to people who barely speak the language is a recipe for failure.\r\n\r\nAre you considering your audience when you communicate? Or are you so focused on your message you are not checking to see if it is being received?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Lost in communication: the sad story of the Lost Boys of Sudan','','publish','open','open','','lost-boys','','','2013-03-06 14:42:33','2013-03-06 14:42:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2089',0,'post','',0),(2090,4,'2013-03-06 14:41:59','2013-03-06 14:41:59','Last night I  watched the 2003 documentary<a href=\"http://www.lostboysfilm.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> The Lost Boys of Sudan</span></a>.  The Lost Boys are a group of young men who managed to escape a brutal massacre of their people in Sudan and walked across the dessert to end up in a refugee camp in Kenya. Many of the boys lost both parents or entire families and some have no idea what happened to their families.  Some Lost Boys were repatriated to the United States, and this documentary focuses on two of them.\n\nThe documentary deals with the difficulty these boys have adapting to the United States. Nobody seems to tell them what to expect or how to navigate anything. Santino, one of the boys featured in the film, drives a car without a license or insurance and ends up hitting another car. He ends up in court where the judge tells him that it doesn\'t matter that he is in the process of getting a license, he is still responsible for not having one and driving anyway. His confusion and upset are palpable. He is earning $7 an hour, and now he has more than $500 in fines.  Nobody explained it to him and he had no way of knowing.\n\nCan you imagine being transported from a refugee camp in Africa to Houston, Texas? It must have been an extreme culture shock for these young men. And yet, they are greeted by two YMCA workers that speak to them in colloquial and fast English, even though the boys speak limited English, and it is not their primary language by far. And that is just the language gap. The film doesn\'t say much about these YMCA people, but it seems that they are clueless about the vast differences between someone from Sudan (who has survived trauma and has been living in a refugee camp) and someone who has been living in the U.S. all his or her life.\n\nIn the film, the boys are taken to an apartment, told that their rent will be paid for four months \"while they get on their feet,\" and seemingly, expected to fend for themselves without much guidance at all.\n\nThe documentary is a study in the contrasts between Americans and the Africans. Americans exhibit a very sheltered and ignorant view of the world.  The Africans quickly learn that they are different--not only from the white Americans but from the black Americans too. Their skin is darker, their culture is different.\n\nAs well-meaning as the YMCA and the others involved in the resettlement project were, they failed (miserably in my opinion) to consider how to properly communicate with the Lost Boys.  Good communication bridges differences. Bad communication forms barriers.\n\nTainted with cultural blindness, the Americans did not so much as consider how hard it would be to adjust to American society, or really, what it takes to navigate day-to-day interactions. The boys had never had jobs or earned money or paid rent or dealt with car insurance. And yet, they were left to deal with everything by themselves.\n\nWhat is worse is that the boys  came to America expecting to get an education. In the film, it seems their sponsors thought they should be grateful to get low skilled, low paying jobs.\n\nBecause expectations were not properly communicated and because the Americans did not take into consideration the needs of the Lost Boys, the film documents  a story of struggle and disaffection rather than of triumph and happiness. As hard as their lives were in Africa, it is not easier for them in the United States.\n\nTo me, this documentary illustrates perfectly how communication will fail if you don\'t consider your audience and its needs. Even the first decision of what language to use to communicate is a poor one. Communicating in English to people who barely speak the language is a recipe for failure.\n\nAre you considering your audience when you communicate? Or are you so focused on your message you are not checking to see if it i\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Lost in communication: the sad story of the Lost Boys of Sudan','','inherit','open','open','','2089-revision','','','2013-03-06 14:41:59','2013-03-06 14:41:59','',2089,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2089-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2092,4,'2013-03-08 14:25:44','2013-03-08 14:25:44','Yesterday, somebody on Twitter asked me whether she should advertise on Facebook. I asked what she was trying to accomplish. Her answer was to get more readers to her blog. Is that enough information to decide whether it is worth it to advertise? Not at all.\r\n\r\nLet me preface the following by saying that I don\'t believe that you should do advertising on a case-by-case basis. It is much smarter to look at your overall marketing communications goals and have a plan to meet them. <strong>Advertising is a tactic</strong> that you should use to bolster your strategy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Goals (measurable is better)</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, you have to figure out what your goal really is. In this case, the blog owner could say she would like to increase her readership by 10% (that is, if she has the numbers for her current readership).  But the real question is why? Why does she want more readers? What will having more readers mean? Depending on your type of organization,  it could mean increased sales or donations or votes.\r\n\r\n<strong>Target audience</strong>\r\n\r\nSecond, you have to figure out exactly who your audience is and where you can find them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Budget</strong>\r\n\r\nThird, you have to figure out your advertising budget. Throwing a few dollars here and a few dollars there is not a budget. Advertising is an investment in your business. How much are you able or willing to invest?\r\n\r\n<strong>Trial</strong>\r\n\r\nFourth, once you have done your homework (if you know your audience, you have a target, you have budgeted a certain amount) then you are ready to try advertising.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tracking and measurement</strong>\r\n\r\nLastly, once you are running a campaign, you will need to pay special attention to your metrics.  Where are people finding you from? How will you track it?\r\n\r\nFiguring out how to do advertising is not a science. There is art to it. I know, I  was a media buyer eons ago, and I learned that some things look great on paper but don\'t work out. You can analyze CPM (cost per thousand) all you want, but sometimes, you have to let your instinct guide you.  Also, just because something is affordable, doesn\'t mean you should include it in your advertising plan. Sometimes, you don\'t know until you try it!\r\n\r\nIf you want help figuring out your advertising plan, <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact me</a>.  Advertising planning is a process, which should be part of your overall communications plan.','To advertise or not to advertise','','publish','open','open','','to-advertise-or-not-to-advertise','','','2013-03-08 14:25:44','2013-03-08 14:25:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2092',0,'post','',0),(2093,4,'2013-03-08 14:25:35','2013-03-08 14:25:35','Yesterday, somebody on Twitter asked me whether she should advertise on Facebook. I asked what she was trying to accomplish. Her answer was to get more readers to her blog. Is that enough information to decide whether it is worth it to advertise? Not at all.\n\nLet me preface the following by saying that I don\'t believe that you should do advertising on a case-by-case basis. It is much smarter to look at your overall marketing communications goals and have a plan to meet them. <strong>Advertising is a tactic</strong> that you should use to bolster your strategy.\n\n<strong>Goals (measurable is better)</strong>\n\nFirst, you have to figure out what your goal really is. In this case, the blog owner could say she would like to increase her readership by 10% (that is, if she has the numbers for her current readership).  But the real question is why? Why does she want more readers? What will having more readers mean? Depending on your type of organization,  it could mean increased sales or donations or votes.\n\n<strong>Target audience</strong>\n\nSecond, you have to figure out exactly who your audience is and where you can find them.\n\n<strong>Budget</strong>\n\nThird, you have to figure out your advertising budget. Throwing a few dollars here and a few dollars there is not a budget. Advertising is an investment in your business. How much are you able or willing to invest?\n\n<strong>Trial</strong>\n\nFourth, once you have done your homework (if you know your audience, you have a target, you have budgeted a certain amount) then you are ready to try advertising.\n\n<strong>Tracking and measurement</strong>\n\nLastly, once you are running a campaign, you will need to pay special attention to your metrics.  Where are people finding you from? How will you track it?\n\nFiguring out how to do advertising is not a science. There is art to it. I know, I  was a media buyer eons ago, and I learned that some things look great on paper but don\'t work out. You can analyze CPM (cost per thousand) all you want, but sometimes, you have to let your instinct guide you.  Also, just because something is affordable, doesn\'t mean you should include it in your advertising plan. Sometimes, you don\'t know until you try it!\n\nIf you want help figuring out your advertising plan, <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact me</a>.  Advertising planning is a process, which should be part of your overall communications plan.','To advertise or not to advertise','','inherit','open','open','','2092-revision','','','2013-03-08 14:25:35','2013-03-08 14:25:35','',2092,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2092-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2095,4,'2013-03-12 15:45:20','2013-03-12 15:45:20','It is not an exaggeration to say that blogs can help change the world. Take, for example blogger (and dissident) Yoani Sanchez.  Since 2007, Yoani has been an outspoken critic of the situation in Cuba on her blog Generacion Y.  She has attracted worldwide attention and is currently on tour, <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/yoani-sanchez-dissident-cuban-blogger-behind-generation-y-goes-on-tour/2013/03/11/c505af4c-8a75-11e2-a88e-461ffa2e34e4_story_1.html\" target=\"_blank\">as reported in the Washington Post toda</a>y.\n\nAnd then there is A<a href=\"http://aiweiwei.com/\" target=\"_blank\">i Weiwei,</a> the Chinese artist  who has been using his blog (and Twitter) to document the China\'s governmental cover up of shoddy building codes that led to the the death of more than 5,000 schoolchildren in the aftermath of the devastating 2008 earthquake.\n\nBoth Sanchez and Ai Weiwei live in repressive societies where the government controls mass media. Both were able to use blogs, because they are self-published mass media outlets, to get their message and thoughts out to the world. By  providing an alternative news/opinion source, not only to their fellow citizens, but to the world, they are shining a bright spotlight that would otherwise not exist.\n\nBlogs are powerful. They allow you to communicate your thoughts to people everywhere around the world. You can use words, photos, video or even music with few barriers, at a low monetary cost (and sometimes, even free).\n\nIf you really want to make an impact, there is no better nor a more direct way than on your own blog.\n\n&nbsp;','Blogs can help change the world','','inherit','open','open','','2094-revision','','','2013-03-12 15:45:20','2013-03-12 15:45:20','',2094,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2094-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2096,4,'2013-03-12 15:46:41','2013-03-12 15:46:41','It is not an exaggeration to say that blogs can help change the world. Take, for example blogger (and dissident) Yoani Sanchez.  Since 2007, Yoani has been an outspoken critic of the situation in Cuba on her blog Generacion Y.  She has attracted worldwide attention and is currently on tour, <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/yoani-sanchez-dissident-cuban-blogger-behind-generation-y-goes-on-tour/2013/03/11/c505af4c-8a75-11e2-a88e-461ffa2e34e4_story_1.html\" target=\"_blank\">as reported in the Washington Post toda</a>y.\n\nAnd then there is A<a href=\"http://aiweiwei.com/\" target=\"_blank\">i Weiwei,</a> the Chinese artist  who has been using his blog (and Twitter) to document the China\'s governmental cover up of shoddy building codes that led to the the death of more than 5,000 schoolchildren in the aftermath of the devastating 2008 earthquake.\n\nBoth Sanchez and Ai Weiwei live in repressive societies where the government controls mass media. Both were able to use blogs, because they are self-published mass media outlets, to get their message and thoughts out to the world. By  providing an alternative news/opinion source, not only to their fellow citizens, but to the world, they are shining a bright spotlight that would otherwise not exist.\n\nBlogs are powerful. They allow you to communicate your thoughts to people everywhere around the world. You can use words, photos, video or even music with few barriers, at a low monetary cost (and sometimes, even free).\n\nIf you really want to make an impact, there is no better nor a more direct way than on your own blog.\n\n&nbsp;','Blogs can help change the world','','inherit','open','open','','2094-autosave','','','2013-03-12 15:46:41','2013-03-12 15:46:41','',2094,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2094-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2109,4,'2013-03-25 14:58:56','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Brands like Starbucks or Coke have thousands of followers on social media because people like their products or services. I would argue that mass appeal brands don\'t have to do much to be like-able because their offering is what people already like. However, the rest of us have to work a bit harder. People don\'t know us and they have to be convinced.\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen several small agencies practically begging for followers on Twitter. It seems to me that if these organizations were more \"like-able\" they would not feel the need to ask for followers.\r\n\r\nAre you (or your organization) like-able?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>First, are you on social media? How can people like you on Facebook if you aren\'t there?</li>\r\n	<li>Are you sharing valuable or interesting content?</li>\r\n	<li>Are you interacting?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOr, are you doing the following things (these are my particular pet peeves and reasons why I have stopped following people):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Posting too little or too much</li>\r\n	<li>Using obscenity</li>\r\n	<li>Complaining all the time</li>\r\n	<li>Never responding</li>\r\n	<li>Auto posting</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLike-ability is really about manners and common-sense.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you like-able?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-03-25 14:58:56','2013-03-25 14:58:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2109',0,'post','',0),(2099,4,'2013-03-14 13:00:34','2013-03-14 13:00:34','I am sure you have probably seen Microsoft\'s ad campaign against Google, where the company claims you are getting \"scroogled\" by Google. It is clever, and has some basis in reality. If you haven\'t, one of the ads is for Outlook.com, which is being presented as an alternative to Gmail. The ad implies that Google is reading your \"private\" email to be able to target advertising to you.\r\n\r\nI am not sure Microsoft is the correct alternative to Google, but I think they are on to something with the term \"scroogled.\" Google, which is ubiquitous, is desperately trying to get more people on its (useless in my opinion) Google Plus platform. To force you to join, they are now killing the extremely useful Google Reader.\r\n\r\nI have been using Google Reader for years, and often advise attendees to my blogging workshops that they should set up a reader. I also think readers are the only way to keep up with blogs, since you may follow dozens (if not hundreds). Readers give you one place to see what is new. If you only follow one or two blogs, then getting email updates works.\r\n\r\n<strong>Alternatives to Google Reader: Get one ASAP!</strong>\r\n\r\nIn any case, Google Reader will be gone as of July 1.  Luckily, there are some alternatives out there. Here are some reviews and compilations for you to check out:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57574201-233/google-reader-is-dying-but-we-have-five-worthy-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\">CNET: 5 Worthy Alternatives</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://siliconangle.com/blog/2013/02/11/6-alternatives-to-the-dying-google-reader/\" target=\"_blank\">Silicon Angle: 6 Alternatives to the Dying Google Reader</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://lifehacker.com/5990456/google-reader-is-getting-shut-down-here-are-the-best-alternatives\" target=\"_blank\">Lifehacker: Google Reader is Shutting Down; Here Are the Best Alternatives</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t get \"scroogled!\"</strong>\r\n\r\nThe lesson I draw from this is that any free service is free to let you down in the end.  Many individuals and organizations put all their eggs in the proverbial free basket, and will suffer the consequences when organizations like Google and Facebook change the rules of the road whenever they like.  My advice is to make sure you own your own website or blog (don\'t depend on Blogger or Wordpress.com), have your own email (which you can usually get when you have your own domain and web hosting) and have alternatives to the free behemoths, which after all have their own agenda to push and ultimately, don\'t care about your needs and wants.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you feel that Google is treating you fairly?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Getting \"scroogled\"','','publish','open','open','','getting-scroogled','','','2013-03-14 13:00:34','2013-03-14 13:00:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2099',0,'post','',0),(2100,4,'2013-03-14 12:59:52','2013-03-14 12:59:52','I am sure you have probably seen Microsoft\'s ad campaign against Google, where the company claims you are getting \"scroogled\" by Google. It is clever, and has some basis in reality. If you haven\'t, one of the ads is for Outlook.com, which is being presented as an alternative to Gmail. The ad implies that Google is reading your \"private\" email to be able to target advertising to you.\n\nI am not sure Microsoft is the correct alternative to Google, but I think they are on to something with the term \"scroogled.\" Google, which is ubiquitous, is desperately trying to get more people on its (useless in my opinion) Google Plus platform. To force you to join, they are now killing the extremely useful Google Reader.\n\nI have been using Google Reader for years, and often advise attendees to my blogging workshops that they should set up a reader. I also think readers are the only way to keep up with blogs, since you may follow dozens (if not hundreds). Readers give you one place to see what is new. If you only follow one or two blogs, then getting email updates works.\n\n<strong>Alternatives to Google Reader: Get one ASAP!</strong>\n\nIn any case, Google Reader will be gone as of July 1.  Luckily, there are some alternatives out there. Here are some reviews and compilations for you to check out:\n\n<a href=\"http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57574201-233/google-reader-is-dying-but-we-have-five-worthy-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\">CNET: 5 Worthy Alternatives</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://siliconangle.com/blog/2013/02/11/6-alternatives-to-the-dying-google-reader/\" target=\"_blank\">Silicon Angle: 6 Alternatives to the Dying Google Reader</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://lifehacker.com/5990456/google-reader-is-getting-shut-down-here-are-the-best-alternatives\" target=\"_blank\">Lifehacker: Google Reader is Shutting Down; Here Are the Best Alternatives</a>\n\n<strong>Don\'t get \"scroogled!\"</strong>\n\nThe lesson I draw from this is that any free service is free to let you down in the end.  Many individuals and organizations put all their eggs in the proverbial free basket, and will suffer the consequences when organizations like Google and Facebook change the rules of the road whenever they like.  My advice is to make sure you own your own website or blog (don\'t depend on Blogger or Wordpress.com), have your own email (which you can usually get when you have your own domain and web hosting) and have alternatives to the free behemoths, which after all have their own agenda to push and ultimately, don\'t care about your needs and wants.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you feel that Google is treating you fairly?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Getting \"scroogled\"','','inherit','open','open','','2099-revision','','','2013-03-14 12:59:52','2013-03-14 12:59:52','',2099,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2099-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2102,4,'2013-03-18 13:20:52','2013-03-18 13:20:52','There\'s no doubt that online reviews are influential. There are specialized review sites like Trip Advisor and then there\'s the seemingly all-purpose Yelp. I admit I read reviews and have been swayed about staying at a hotel or eating a restaurant because of what other people say, and that is the point.\r\n\r\n<strong>As a business, should part of your marketing efforts be to solicit reviews?</strong>\r\n\r\nLet\'s start with the fact that reviews will happen whether you solicit them or not. Sadly, because of our passive-aggressive culture, it\'s become more likely that an unsatisfied customer will take to social media to complain about your service. Which is to say, that if you give bad service, you will most likely get negative reviews.\r\n\r\nHowever, negative reviews are always balanced out by positive reviews. If, as a consumer, you are researching anything, you will read both the good and the bad reviews. Most people will be able to identify disgruntled employees or nit-picky reviewers.  If most of the reviews are positive, you will discount the few reviews that are negative. Likewise, if most of the reviews are negative, you will discount the reviews that are positive. The lesson here is that genuine, positive reviews are important.\r\n\r\nWhat generates positive reviews? Good service or product! As a business, you will need to focus most of your energy on providing positive experiences for your customers. If you don\'t, whether you solicit them or not, you will get negative reviews.\r\n\r\n<strong>There is a difference between feedback and reviews</strong>\r\n\r\nI recently had my hair cut at a salon I have gone to for a couple of years. The salon actively pursues online engagement. After my appointment, I got an email from the salon asking to provide feedback. The \"feedback\" was actually a link to give an online review.  I was in a quandary. I had a bad experience this time: the receptionist was unhelpful and confused; I was made to wait 30 minutes; and the water was cool (on a very cold day) when they washed my hair. My stylist tried to make it better by giving me a discount and comping me a bottle of shampoo. But I thought management needed to know that things were not working well.  Is the best way for me to give them a one or two-star review? Is that going to communicate to the salon something is wrong?\r\n\r\n<strong>Businesses should actively solicit feedback AND positive reviews. They are not the same.</strong> In the hair salon\'s case, they are confusing feedback and online reviews.\r\n\r\nA better way to get BOTH is to say something like:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">We are committed to providing the best possible service. If we did not meet your expectations, please contact (manager). We want to know how to improve our service!</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you enjoyed the service today, we\'d love if you reviewed us here (link to the site).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Thanks for your patronage.</p>\r\n<strong>The answer then is yes, you should solicit positive reviews, but don\'t think of that as feedback. You need to be aware of what is wrong so that you can fix it.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts about online reviews? Is it part of your marketing to solicit them?','Should you solicit online reviews?','','publish','open','open','','should-you-solicit-online-reviews','','','2013-03-18 13:20:52','2013-03-18 13:20:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2102',0,'post','',0),(2103,4,'2013-03-18 13:19:19','2013-03-18 13:19:19','There\'s no doubt that online reviews are influential. There are specialized review sites like Trip Advisor and then there\'s the seemingly all-purpose Yelp. I admit I read reviews and have been swayed about staying at a hotel or eating a restaurant because of what other people say, and that is the point.\n\n<strong>As a business, should part of your marketing efforts be to solicit reviews?</strong>\n\nLet\'s start with the fact that reviews will happen whether you solicit them or not. Sadly, because of our passive-aggressive culture, it\'s become more likely that an unsatisfied customer will take to social media to complain about your service. Which is to say, that if you give bad service, you will most likely get negative reviews.\n\nHowever, negative reviews are always balanced out by positive reviews. If, as a consumer, you are researching anything, you will read both the good and the bad reviews. Most people will be able to identify disgruntled employees or nit-picky reviewers.  If most of the reviews are positive, you will discount the few reviews that are negative. Likewise, if most of the reviews are negative, you will discount the reviews that are positive. The lesson here is that genuine, positive reviews are important.\n\nWhat generates positive reviews? Good service or product! As a business, you will need to focus most of your energy on providing positive experiences for your customers. If you don\'t, whether you solicit them or not, you will get negative reviews.\n\n<strong>There is a difference between feedback and reviews</strong>\n\nI recently had my hair cut at a salon I have gone to for a couple of years. The salon actively pursues online engagement. After my appointment, I got an email from the salon asking to provide feedback. The \"feedback\" was actually a link to give an online review.  I was in a quandary. I had a bad experience this time: the receptionist was unhelpful and confused; I was made to wait 30 minutes; and the water was cool (on a very cold day) when they washed my hair. My stylist tried to make it better by giving me a discount and comping me a bottle of shampoo. But I thought management needed to know that things were not working well.  Is the best way for me to give them a one or two-star review? Is that going to communicate to the salon something is wrong?\n\n<strong>Businesses should actively solicit feedback AND positive reviews. They are not the same.</strong> In the hair salon\'s case, they are confusing feedback and online reviews.\n\nA better way to get BOTH is to say something like:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">We are committed to providing the best possible service. If we did not meet your expectations, please contact (manager). We want to know how to improve our service!</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you enjoyed the service today, we\'d love if you reviewed us here (link to the site).</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Thanks for your patronage.</p>\n<strong>The answer then is yes, you should solicit positive reviews, but don\'t think of that as feedback. You need to be aware of what is wrong so that you can fix it.</strong>\n\nWhat are your thoughts about online reviews? Is it part of your marketing to solicit them?','Should you solicit online reviews?','','inherit','open','open','','2102-revision','','','2013-03-18 13:19:19','2013-03-18 13:19:19','',2102,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2102-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2111,4,'2013-03-28 14:56:12','2013-03-28 14:56:12','I know a scholar who is very smart and informed and yet, this scholar doesn\'t ever ask for or listen to marketing advice. A few years ago, this person, who had written a couple books, decided to launch a website. I met with her after she had already done it. She wanted some feedback. I thought she should have a blog. But, she couldn\'t add one since her site had been built in Dreamweaver. I wished she had asked my opinion  before she created her site.\r\n\r\nThis scholar sends out weekly email blasts. She does not have sharing capabilities on her emails. I have advised her time and again that she could get the word out even farther if she would add the ability to share on Facebook (where she has a presence). But she either doesn\'t care or doesn\'t think my advice is worthwhile.\r\n\r\nI have stopped giving her any advice. It is clear that she thinks she knows enough about marketing herself to ask me (or anyone) for help.\r\n\r\nIn any aspect of life it is helpful to know (and acknowledge) your strengths and weaknesses.  You play to your strengths and get help in the areas you are weak. For example, say you have great ideas but can\'t spell for your life.  If you are blogging, you know you need to get an editor to read over your stuff.\r\n\r\nIn the scholar\'s case, her weakness is marketing (and social media). She should acknowledge that and get help (or at least listen to advice).\r\n\r\nWe may not know our strengths and weaknesses, but we should work to find out what they are and act appropriately. Get feedback (listen to feedback!).\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Know your strengths and weaknesses','','publish','open','open','','know-your-strengths-and-weaknesses','','','2013-03-28 14:56:12','2013-03-28 14:56:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2111',0,'post','',0),(2114,4,'2013-04-01 13:43:49','2013-04-01 13:43:49','For many, April 1 is April Fools Day, and they act accordingly foolish. For others, it is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and they make plans to attend a game.  For some, April 1 may simply be the start to a new month or the second quarter of the year.\r\n\r\nMy point is that just because for you April 1 means pulling stupid  pranks on people or going to the ballpark it does not mean other people share your views. As a communicator or marketer, you have to be sure that your target audience will get or share the prism with which you see the world.\r\n\r\nCorporations use holidays/special days in their advertising all the time. Maybe it\'s Easter or Christmas, or Valentine\'s Day or MLK Day. Those days may or may not resonate with your target audience. It is your job as a communicator to make sure that you are not losing your audience by focusing on the wrong thing.\r\n\r\nLast week, a local DC organization (which I will not name because it certainly does not deserve publicity) thought it would get a jump on April Fools, so it pranked its membership. In my mind, it made the organization look juvenile. I am sure to the organization\'s leadership it was a harmless joke--just having a bit of fun.\r\n\r\nHowever you choose to celebrate April  1, take a moment to check whether your audience understands and embraces that. The Onion is expected to make an April Fools joke, but is CNN?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does April 1 mean to you?','','publish','open','open','','what-does-april-1-mean-to-you','','','2013-04-01 13:43:49','2013-04-01 13:43:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2114',0,'post','',0),(2107,4,'2013-03-21 15:25:48','2013-03-21 15:25:48','<strong>You must provide enough information whenever you expect an answer from someone.</strong> It seems fairly simple doesn\'t it? And yet, look at this email I received a couple of days ago:\r\n<blockquote>Deborah,\r\nHope you\'re well. We\'re looking for some freelance technical/medical writers and I thought you might be interested or might know some people. We have some general needs and a very specific need for someone in Boston.\r\n[name]</blockquote>\r\nNo email signature with contact information or point of reference here. I do not know the sender--have never met him or even heard of him. Did he find me on LinkedIn, doing a web search or what? No clue.\r\n\r\nI looked up the sender based on his email address, and found out he is the president (!!!!) of what looks to be an advertising agency (very confusing website...that is another blog post) with presence in multiple states, not around where I am located.\r\n\r\nWould you respond to this person? After looking up, I did.  I sent back an email asking for more details. Guess what? He never responded.\r\n\r\nIf you are prospecting for clients or consultants or anything else, you need to provide information, like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Complete contact information</li>\r\n	<li>How you found or know of the prospect</li>\r\n	<li>What you are looking for specifically</li>\r\n	<li>How to respond</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nDo you have an email template that you use when prospecting? What information do you provide?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you providing enough information?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-providing-enough-information','','','2013-03-21 15:25:48','2013-03-21 15:25:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2107',0,'post','',0),(2108,4,'2013-03-21 15:24:04','2013-03-21 15:24:04','<strong>You must provide enough information whenever you expect an answer from someone.</strong> It seems fairly simple doesn\'t it? And yet, look at this email I received a couple of days ago:\n<blockquote>Deborah,\nHope you\'re well. We\'re looking for some freelance technical/medical writers and I thought you might be interested or might know some people. We have some general needs and a very specific need for someone in Boston.\n[name]</blockquote>\nNo email signature with contact information or point of reference here. I do not know the sender--have never met him or even heard of him. Did he find me on LinkedIn, doing a web search or what? No clue.\n\nI looked up the sender based on his email address, and found out he is the president (!!!!) of what looks to be an advertising agency (very confusing website...that is another blog post) with presence in multiple states, not around where I am located.\n\nWould you respond to this person? After looking up, I did.  I sent back an email asking for more details. Guess what? He never responded.\n\nIf you are prospecting for clients or consultants or anything else, you need to provide information, like:\n<ul>\n	<li>Complete contact information</li>\n	<li>How you found or know of the prospect</li>\n	<li>What you are looking for specifically</li>\n	<li>How to respond</li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Are you providing enough information?','','inherit','open','open','','2107-revision','','','2013-03-21 15:24:04','2013-03-21 15:24:04','',2107,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2107-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2110,4,'2013-03-25 14:58:40','2013-03-25 14:58:40','Brands like Starbucks or Coke have thousands of followers on social media because people like their products or services. I would argue that mass appeal brands don\'t have to do much to be like-able because their offering is what people already like. However, the rest of us have to work a bit harder. People don\'t know us and they have to be convinced.\n\nLately, I have seen several small agencies practically begging for followers on Twitter. It seems to me that if these organizations were more \"like-able\" they would not feel the need to ask for followers.\n\nAre you (or your organization) like-able?\n<ul>\n	<li>First, are you on social media? How can people like you on Facebook if you aren\'t there?</li>\n	<li>Are you sharing valuable or interesting content?</li>\n	<li>Are you interacting?</li>\n</ul>\nOr, are you doing the following things (these are my particular pet peeves and reasons why I have stopped following people):\n<ul>\n	<li>Posting too little or too much</li>\n	<li>Using obscenity</li>\n	<li>Complaining all the time</li>\n	<li>Never responding</li>\n	<li>Auto posting</li>\n</ul>\nLike-ability is really about manners and common-sense.\n\n&nbsp;','Are you like-able?','','inherit','open','open','','2109-revision','','','2013-03-25 14:58:40','2013-03-25 14:58:40','',2109,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2109-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2112,4,'2013-03-28 14:55:28','2013-03-28 14:55:28','I know a scholar who is very smart and informed and yet, this scholar doesn\'t ever ask for or listen to marketing advice. A few years ago, this person, who had written a couple books, decided to launch a website. I met with her after she had already done it. She wanted some feedback. I thought she should have a blog. But, she couldn\'t add one since her site had been built in Dreamweaver. I wished she had asked my opinion  before she created her site.\n\nThis scholar sends out weekly email blasts. She does not have sharing capabilities on her emails. I have advised her time and again that she could get the word out even farther if she would add the ability to share on Facebook (where she has a presence). But she either doesn\'t care or doesn\'t think my advice is worthwhile.\n\nI have stopped giving her any advice. It is clear that she thinks she knows enough about marketing herself to ask me (or anyone) for help.\n\nIn any aspect of life it is helpful to know (and acknowledge) your strengths and weaknesses.  You play to your strengths and get help in the areas you are weak. For example, say you have great ideas but can\'t spell for your life.  If you are blogging, you know you need to get an editor to read over your stuff.\n\nIn the scholar\'s case, her weakness is marketing (and social media). She should acknowledge that and get help (or at least listen to advice).\n\nWe may not know our strengths and weaknesses, but we should work to\n\n&nbsp;','Know your strengths and weaknesses','','inherit','open','open','','2111-revision','','','2013-03-28 14:55:28','2013-03-28 14:55:28','',2111,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2111-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2113,4,'2013-03-28 14:57:34','2013-03-28 14:57:34','I know a scholar who is very smart and informed and yet, this scholar doesn\'t ever ask for or listen to marketing advice. A few years ago, this person, who had written a couple books, decided to launch a website. I met with her after she had already done it. She wanted some feedback. I thought she should have a blog. But, she couldn\'t add one since her site had been built in Dreamweaver. I wished she had asked my opinion  before she created her site.\n\nThis scholar sends out weekly email blasts. She does not have sharing capabilities on her emails. I have advised her time and again that she could get the word out even farther if she would add the ability to share on Facebook (where she has a presence). But she either doesn\'t care or doesn\'t think my advice is worthwhile.\n\nI have stopped giving her any advice. It is clear that she thinks she knows enough about marketing herself to ask me (or anyone) for help.\n\nIn any aspect of life it is helpful to know (and acknowledge) your strengths and weaknesses.  You play to your strengths and get help in the areas you are weak. For example, say you have great ideas but can\'t spell for your life.  If you are blogging, you know you need to get an editor to read over your stuff.\n\nIn the scholar\'s case, her weakness is marketing (and social media). She should acknowledge that and get help (or at least listen to advice).\n\nWe may not know our strengths and weaknesses, but we should work to find out what they are and act appropriately. Get feedback (listen to feedback!).\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','Know your strengths and weaknesses','','inherit','open','open','','2111-autosave','','','2013-03-28 14:57:34','2013-03-28 14:57:34','',2111,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/2111-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2115,4,'2013-04-01 13:43:35','2013-04-01 13:43:35','For many, April 1 is April Fools Day, and they act accordingly foolish. For others, it is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and they make plans to attend a game.  For some, April 1 may simply be the start to a new month or the second quarter of the year.\n\nMy point is that just because for you April 1 means pulling stupid  pranks on people or going to the ballpark it does not mean other people share your views. As a communicator or marketer, you have to be sure that your target audience will get or share the prism with which you see the world.\n\nCorporations use holidays/special days in their advertising all the time. Maybe it\'s Easter or Christmas, or Valentine\'s Day or MLK Day. Those days may or may not resonate with your target audience. It is your job as a communicator to make sure that you are not losing your audience by focusing on the wrong thing.\n\nLast week, a local DC organization (which I will not name because it certainly does not deserve publicity) thought it would get a jump on April Fools, so it pranked its membership. In my mind, it made the organization look juvenile. I am sure to the organization\'s leadership it was a harmless joke--just having a bit of fun.\n\nHowever you choose to celebrate April  1, take a moment to check whether your audience understands and embraces that. The Onion is expected to make an April Fools joke, but is CNN?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','What does April 1 mean to you?','','inherit','open','open','','2114-revision','','','2013-04-01 13:43:35','2013-04-01 13:43:35','',2114,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2114-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2132,4,'2013-04-17 13:55:44','2013-04-17 13:55:44','So many people don\'t ever get their blogs off the ground because of various fears: fear of not knowing what to write, fear of not having enough content, fear of writing itself. Well, you can conquer those fears by attending my <strong>\"How to write your blog\"</strong> workshop. I cover what you should write about, how to come up with ideas and inspiration and getting the blog post written.\r\n\r\nThe next <strong>blogging workshop will take place on Friday, May 17 starting at 9:30 a.m</strong>. This time, I am traveling across the state lines Virginia to hold the workshop at <a href=\"http://linklocale.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Link Locale</a>, a co-working space in Clarendon.  Also new this time is that I am offering an discounted price for early registration of $70 if you register by May 1. After that, the price goes up to $79.\r\n\r\nMore details and registration are available at the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite </a>page.\r\n\r\nHope to see you there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Learn how to write your blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2128-revision-4','','','2013-04-17 13:55:44','2013-04-17 13:55:44','',2128,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2128-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2117,4,'2013-04-05 17:19:37','2013-04-05 17:19:37','This past week, I got four or five calls/messages from a guy at a car dealership saying he had the information I requested. Trouble is, I didn\'t request the information. The guy most likely had the wrong phone number. His message was not reaching the right person.\r\n\r\nIf you want to communicate a message, you have to make sure that you are reaching your target audience, whether it is a one-to-one interaction or a specific demographic group.\r\n\r\nWhat can we learn from the dealership guy?\r\n\r\n<strong>First, get the details and information that you need.</strong> In this case, the dealership guy had the wrong phone number. If you want to communicate with any audience, it is important that you know where they are and how to reach them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Second, if you aren\'t getting a response, check why.</strong> This guy left me four messages. The fact that I wasn\'t getting back to him did not seem to trigger the realization that he was calling the wrong person. For marketing communications, you may want to check the reach of the channel you are using, or whether the message is appropriate to your target audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>Third, pay attention!</strong> If the dealership guy had bothered to pay attention to my voice mail message he might have realized he was calling the wrong person. Many marketers are, like him, going through the motions. If the playbook says, contact someone three times or run an ad for a month, that is what these inattentive marketers are doing, regardless of effectiveness.\r\n\r\nAre you sure your message is getting through to your intended target audience?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your message reaching the right person?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-message-reaching-the-right-person','','','2013-04-05 17:19:37','2013-04-05 17:19:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2117',0,'post','',0),(2118,4,'2013-04-05 17:18:54','2013-04-05 17:18:54','This past week, I got four or five calls/messages from a guy at a car dealership saying he had the information I requested. Trouble is, I didn\'t request the information. The guy most likely had the wrong phone number. His message was not reaching the right person.\n\nIf you want to communicate a message, you have to make sure that you are reaching your target audience, whether it is a one-to-one interaction or a specific demographic group.\n\nWhat can we learn from the dealership guy?\n\n<strong>First, get the details and information that you need.</strong> In this case, the dealership guy had the wrong phone number. If you want to communicate with any audience, it is important that you know where they are and how to reach them.\n\n<strong>Second, if you aren\'t getting a response, check why.</strong> This guy left me four messages. The fact that I wasn\'t getting back to him did not seem to trigger the realization that he was calling the wrong person. For marketing communications, you may want to check the reach of the channel you are using, or whether the message is appropriate to your target audience.\n\n<strong>Third, pay attention!</strong> If the dealership guy had bothered to pay attention to my voice mail message he might have realized he was calling the wrong person. Many marketers are, like him, going through the motions. If the playbook says, contact someone three times or run an ad for a month, that is what theseinattentive marketers are doing, regardless of effectiveness.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Is your message reaching the right person?','','inherit','open','open','','2117-revision','','','2013-04-05 17:18:54','2013-04-05 17:18:54','',2117,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2117-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2120,4,'2013-04-10 18:02:44','2013-04-10 18:02:44','<em>Note: The following applies to business or organizational blogs not personal blogs.</em>\r\n\r\nWhat makes so many blogs fun to read is that they are more personal than other forms of communication. Since there are few (or no) editorial layers, most blogs are more frank and more conversational than other types of writing.\r\n\r\nBut there is a difference between showing your personality and being personal. I am certainly in favor of showing personality. If you like to compare everything to sports or music or movies, then do it. If you talk about your passions for cooking or travel, it makes you look like a well-rounded person.\r\n\r\nThere is also room for personal stories, as long as you are using them to illustrate a point or explain a position. What there is no room for, in my opinion, is really personal stuff that you would share with family and friends, but not with business acquaintances, such as a discussion of your latest mammogram or romantic break-up or philosophical musing.\r\n\r\nYes, I know you have a right to blog about whatever you like. This is especially true if you, like me, are a solopreneur or head of a very small company. Your business is personal...but your blog can\'t be. Remember why you are blogging---perhaps it is to help with thought leadership, lead generation and/or SEO. Ask yourself if the very personal post you are writing will advance or detract from that.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is there a line? And if someone crosses that line on his/her blog, are there consequences? I would appreciate if you shared your thoughts in the comments.','Blogging: when is it too personal?','','publish','open','open','','blogging-when-is-it-too-personal','','','2013-04-10 18:02:44','2013-04-10 18:02:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2120',0,'post','',0),(2121,4,'2013-04-10 18:02:34','2013-04-10 18:02:34','<em>Note: The following applies to business or organizational blogs not personal blogs.</em>\n\nWhat makes so many blogs fun to read is that they are more personal than other forms of communication. Since there are few (or no) editorial layers, most blogs are more frank and more conversational than other types of writing.\n\nBut there is a difference between showing your personality and being personal. I am certainly in favor of showing personality. If you like to compare everything to sports or music or movies, then do it. If you talk about your passions for cooking or travel, it makes you look like a well-rounded person.\n\nThere is also room for personal stories, as long as you are using them to illustrate a point or explain a position. What there is no room for, in my opinion, is really personal stuff that you would share with family and friends, but not with business acquaintances, such as a discussion of your latest mammogram or romantic break-up or philosophical musing.\n\nYes, I know you have a right to blog about whatever you like. This is especially true if you, like me, are a solopreneur or head of a very small company. Your business is personal...but your blog can\'t be. Remember why you are blogging---perhaps it is to help with thought leadership, lead generation and/or SEO. Ask yourself if the very personal post you are writing will advance or detract from that.\n\nWhat do you think? Is there a line? And if someone crosses that line on his/her blog, are there consequences? I would appreciate if you shared your thoughts in the comments.','Blogging: when is it too personal?','','inherit','open','open','','2120-revision','','','2013-04-10 18:02:34','2013-04-10 18:02:34','',2120,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2120-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2122,4,'2013-04-10 18:03:48','2013-04-10 18:03:48','<em>Note: The following applies to business or organizational blogs not personal blogs.</em>\n\nWhat makes so many blogs fun to read is that they are more personal than other forms of communication. Since there are few (or no) editorial layers, most blogs are more frank and more conversational than other types of writing.\n\nBut there is a difference between showing your personality and being personal. I am certainly in favor of showing personality. If you like to compare everything to sports or music or movies, then do it. If you talk about your passions for cooking or travel, it makes you look like a well-rounded person.\n\nThere is also room for personal stories, as long as you are using them to illustrate a point or explain a position. What there is no room for, in my opinion, is really personal stuff that you would share with family and friends, but not with business acquaintances, such as a discussion of your latest mammogram or romantic break-up or philosophical musing.\n\nYes, I know you have a right to blog about whatever you like. This is especially true if you, like me, are a solopreneur or head of a very small company. Your business is personal...but your blog can\'t be. Remember why you are blogging---perhaps it is to help with thought leadership, lead generation and/or SEO. Ask yourself if the very personal post you are writing will advance or detract from that.\n\nWhat do you think? Is there a line? And if someone crosses that line on his/her blog, are there consequences? I would appreciate if you shared your thoughts in the comments.','Blogging: when is it too personal?','','inherit','open','open','','2120-autosave','','','2013-04-10 18:03:48','2013-04-10 18:03:48','',2120,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2120-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2123,4,'2013-03-01 14:28:01','2013-03-01 14:28:01','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\nThere are no events currently scheduled.\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-03-01 14:28:01','2013-03-01 14:28:01','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/03/1765-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(2124,4,'2013-04-15 20:53:43','2013-04-15 20:53:43','<h2>Current events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop. Registration and details here:\r\n<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-04-15 20:53:43','2013-04-15 20:53:43','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/1765-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(2125,4,'2013-04-16 13:26:37','2013-04-16 13:26:37','You have probably heard of Emotional Intelligence (EI), which is defined as the ability to perceive, evaluate and control emotions. EI is the ability to figure out how to respond appropriately to a situation.  There are people that rank low on the EI scale--they lack empathy or social skills. They may laugh inappropriately or not seem saddened by a tragic moment. And there are those who have high EI and are very adept at navigating human interactions.\r\n\r\nYesterday\'s attack on the Boston Marathon got me thinking about a variation of EI--what I am terming <strong>social media intelligence</strong>. The news was just awful, and coming out in dribs and drabs. On Twitter, there was a ton of  (mis)information. There was one bomb, then there were three. Was it domestic terrorism or did this have the hallmarks of Al Qaeda? Wild speculation abounded.\r\n\r\n<strong>The people who have social media intelligence were the ones had reasonable responses and tweets.</strong> Some asked people to check their sources before tweeting and some asked others to refrain from posting exceedingly graphic images.\r\n\r\nThose with<strong> low social media intelligence are the people that appear unaware how their communications affect their followers </strong>and who were busy re-tweeting thoughtlessly,  spreading rumors and even engaging in fear-mongering.\r\n\r\nAnother variation of low social media intelligence was being unaware that a big news event was happening and tweeting/posting about mundane, unrelated stuff. Unfortunately some of these are communications folks who have automated posts to send out press releases and other announcements. There is little that is as jarring as reading about an upcoming event  (join us for a spectacular fun-filled evening!) when simultaneously finding out that the nation\'s oldest marathon has been targeted by terror. Some people (those with higher social media intelligence) called out this behavior.\r\n\r\nWhether EI is learned or you are born with it is an open question. Social media intelligence on the other hand, can most certainly be learned. In fact, in today\'s social media fueled information age, having this type of intelligence is an essential skill. Here are a few guidelines:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be aware of what is going on and act accordingly. Don\'t post without checking your feeds.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t assume that everything you see on social media is true and deserving of re-posting. Double-check facts and sources.</li>\r\n	<li>Every social media network is different--post accordingly. Perhaps your personal trials and tribulations are best left to Facebook and taken off LinkedIn.</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that people can see your posts both in real-time and in the future.</li>\r\n	<li>Discussions on social media are not all about you. Remember the social in social media.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat would you add? What makes someone have social media intelligence? What are examples of lacking or having social media intelligence?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Social media intelligence is an essential skill','','publish','open','open','','social-media-intelligence-is-an-essential-skill','','','2013-04-16 13:26:37','2013-04-16 13:26:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2125',0,'post','',1),(2126,4,'2013-04-16 13:25:55','2013-04-16 13:25:55','You have probably heard of Emotional Intelligence (EI), which is defined as the ability to perceive, evaluate and control emotions. EI is the ability to figure out how to respond appropriately to a situation.  There are people that rank low on the EI scale--they lack empathy or social skills. They may laugh inappropriately or not seem saddened by a tragic moment. And there are those who have high EI and are very adept at navigating human interactions.\n\nYesterday\'s attack on the Boston Marathon got me thinking about a variation of EI--what I am terming <strong>social media intelligence</strong>. The news was just awful, and coming out in dribs and drabs. On Twitter, there was a ton of  (mis)information. There was one bomb, then there were three. Was it domestic terrorism or did this have the hallmarks of Al Qaeda? Wild speculation abounded.\n\n<strong>The people who have social media intelligence were the ones had reasonable responses and tweets.</strong> Some asked people to check their sources before tweeting and some asked others to refrain from posting exceedingly graphic images.\n\nThose with<strong> low social media intelligence are the people that appear unaware how their communications affect their followers </strong>and who were busy re-tweeting thoughtlessly,  spreading rumors and even engaging in fear-mongering.\n\nAnother variation of low social media intelligence was being unaware that a big news event was happening and tweeting/posting about mundane, unrelated stuff. Unfortunately some of these are communications folks who have automated posts to send out press releases and other announcements. There is little that is as jarring as reading about an upcoming event  (join us for a spectacular fun-filled evening!) when simultaneously finding out that the nation\'s oldest marathon has been targeted by terror. Some people (those with higher social media intelligence) called out this behavior.\n\nWhether EI is learned or you are born with it is an open question. Social media intelligence on the other hand, can most certainly be learned. In fact, in today\'s social media fueled information age, having this type of intelligence is an essential skill. Here are a few guidelines:\n<ul>\n	<li>Be aware of what is going on and act accordingly. Don\'t post without checking your feeds.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t assume that everything you see on social media is true and deserving of re-posting. Double-check facts and sources.</li>\n	<li>Every social media network is different--post accordingly. Perhaps your personal trials and tribulations are best left to Facebook and taken off LinkedIn.</li>\n	<li>Remember that people can see your posts both in real-time and in the future.</li>\n	<li>Discussions on social media are not all about you. Remember the social in social media.</li>\n</ul>\nWhat would you add? What makes someone have social media intelligence? What are examples of lacking or having social media intelligence?\n\n&nbsp;','Social media intelligence is an essential skill','','inherit','open','open','','2125-revision','','','2013-04-16 13:25:55','2013-04-16 13:25:55','',2125,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2125-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2185,4,'2013-05-16 17:51:43','2013-05-16 17:51:43','Yesterday, I read Gini Dietrich\'s take on the state of the PR industry, <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/communication/the-pr-industry-does-need-better-pr/\" target=\"_blank\">The PR Industry Does Need Better PR</a>, on her firm\'s blog, Spin Sucks. Basically, Gini points out that what people think they know about PR is wrong or misleading. It\'s her conclusion that what the PR industry needs is better PR.\n\n<strong>I think what the PR industry needs is better business skills.</strong>\n\nHave you been to a PR networking event lately? If you have, you\'ve probably noticed a lot of young people, mostly women. These young people often have inflated titles--including account manager, account director and even vice president--after being in the industry for three years or so. Many of these PR \"pros\" studied PR in college. Some may have even had an internship or two.\n\nYou may also have met a lot of former journalists who have decided they will have more job stability in public relations, while using their writing skills and knowledge of what is newsworthy.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What few of these PR people have is a solid understanding of business.</span> Few, if any, have gone to business school. Few, if any, understand basic marketing ideas like push-pull. Fewer still understand finance, balance sheets or even how to read and  intrepret data.\n\nLots of people are busy trying to figure out how to get the word out about an event, or how to have a great social media campaign, but what they are failing to see is the big picture--how public relations helps a company to achieve its business objectives.\n\nA big part of the disconnect that currently exists between public relations agencies and the business side of the industries served has to do with the separation between communications functions and marketing and sales roles. Even though public relations is part of marketing communications, public relations does not usually have a stake in marketing and sales processes and outcomes. Businesses may hire public relations agencies to help with image, but even then, the point usually is to increase the bottom line (i.e. sales in for profit organizations, influence or donors at nonprofit organizations).\n\nIn his article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/14477.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">3 reasons to find a new PR/social media</a>, Scott Signore states quite succinctly the following as his third reason:\n<blockquote><strong>Finally</strong>, despite the evolution in the category and the number of significant changes the PR business has endured over the years, it’s still about executing a communications program that helps drive business. So, look for another PR and social media agency partner if your current group is not directly supporting your business objectives.</blockquote>\nWhat Scott is saying is that if PR agencies are not helping companies achieve <strong>business objectives</strong> ,they should be fired.  They are not doing their fundamental job.\n\nAnd yet, as I said before, too many PR professionals simply do not understand business. All public relations pros should be reading business books or articles or watching business-focused programs. Those who want to be high-level agency executives should consider going to business school.\n\nWhat do you think? Is it a PR problem? Or is it a lack of business know-how?','Is it a PR problem or is it a business problem?','','inherit','open','open','','2184-revision','','','2013-05-16 17:51:43','2013-05-16 17:51:43','',2184,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2184-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2128,4,'2013-04-17 13:55:44','2013-04-17 13:55:44','So many people don\'t ever get their blogs off the ground because of various fears: fear of not knowing what to write, fear of not having enough content, fear of writing itself. Well, you can conquer those fears by attending my <strong>\"How to write your blog\"</strong> workshop. I cover what you should write about, how to come up with ideas and inspiration and getting the blog post written.\r\n\r\nThe next <strong>blogging workshop will take place on Friday, May 17 starting at 9:30 a.m</strong>. This time, I am traveling across  state lines to Virginia to hold the workshop at <a href=\"http://linklocale.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Link Locale</a>, a co-working space in Clarendon.  Also new this time is that I am offering an discounted price for early registration of $70 if you register by May 1. After that, the price goes up to $79.\r\n\r\nMore details and registration are available at the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite </a>page.\r\n\r\nHope to see you there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Learn how to write your blog ','','publish','open','open','','learn-how-to-write-your-blog','','','2013-04-18 14:57:11','2013-04-18 14:57:11','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2128',0,'post','',0),(2129,4,'2013-04-17 13:51:38','2013-04-17 13:51:38','So many people don\'t ever get their blogs off the ground because of various fears: fear of not knowing what to write, fear of not having enough content, fear of writing itself. Well, you can conquer those fears by attending my \"How to write your blog\" workshop. I cover what you should write about, how to come up with ideas and inspiration and getting the blog post written.\n\nThe next blogging workshop will take place on Friday, May 17 starting at 9:30 a.m. This time, I am traveling across the state lines Virginia to hold the workshop at <a href=\"http://linklocale.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Link Locale</a>, a co-working space in Clarendon.  Also new this time is that I am offering an discounted price for early registration of $70 if you register by May 1. After that, the price goes up to $79.\n\nMore details and registration are available at the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite </a>page.\n\nHope to see you there!\n\n&nbsp;','Learn how to write your blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2128-revision','','','2013-04-17 13:51:38','2013-04-17 13:51:38','',2128,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2128-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2130,4,'2013-04-17 13:54:13','2013-04-17 13:54:13','So many people don\'t ever get their blogs off the ground because of various fears: fear of not knowing what to write, fear of not having enough content, fear of writing itself. Well, you can conquer those fears by attending my \"How to write your blog\" workshop. I cover what you should write about, how to come up with ideas and inspiration and getting the blog post written.\r\n\r\nThe next blogging workshop will take place on Friday, May 17 starting at 9:30 a.m. This time, I am traveling across the state lines Virginia to hold the workshop at <a href=\"http://linklocale.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Link Locale</a>, a co-working space in Clarendon.  Also new this time is that I am offering an discounted price for early registration of $70 if you register by May 1. After that, the price goes up to $79.\r\n\r\nMore details and registration are available at the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite </a>page.\r\n\r\nHope to see you there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Learn how to write your blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2128-revision-2','','','2013-04-17 13:54:13','2013-04-17 13:54:13','',2128,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2128-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2131,4,'2013-04-17 13:55:14','2013-04-17 13:55:14','So many people don\'t ever get their blogs off the ground because of various fears: fear of not knowing what to write, fear of not having enough content, fear of writing itself. Well, you can conquer those fears by attending my <strong>\"How to write your blog\"</strong> workshop. I cover what you should write about, how to come up with ideas and inspiration and getting the blog post written.\r\n\r\nThe next <strong>blogging workshop will take place on Friday, May 17 starting at 9:30 a.m</strong>. This time, I am traveling across the state lines Virginia to hold the workshop at <a href=\"http://linklocale.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Link Locale</a>, a co-working space in Clarendon.  Also new this time is that I am offering an discounted price for early registration of $70 if you register by May 1. After that, the price goes up to $79.\r\n\r\nMore details and registration are available at the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite </a>page.\r\n\r\nHope to see you there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Learn how to write your blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2128-revision-3','','','2013-04-17 13:55:14','2013-04-17 13:55:14','',2128,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2128-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2133,4,'2013-04-19 14:55:35','2013-04-19 14:55:35','Honored to be featured on the<a href=\"http://fletcher-prince.com/2013/04/19/a-great-business-card-is-a-powerful-budget-marketing-tactic/\" target=\"_blank\"> Fletcher Prince blo</a>g, discussing business cards as a budget marketing tactic.\r\n\r\nHave you looked at your business card lately?','Check out my guest post at Fletcher Prince\'s blog','','publish','open','open','','check-out-my-guest-post-at-fletcher-princes-blog','','','2013-04-19 14:55:35','2013-04-19 14:55:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2133',0,'post','',0),(2134,4,'2013-04-19 14:55:23','2013-04-19 14:55:23','Honored to be featured on the<a href=\"http://fletcher-prince.com/2013/04/19/a-great-business-card-is-a-powerful-budget-marketing-tactic/\" target=\"_blank\"> Fletcher Prince blo</a>g, discussing business cards as a budget marketing tactic.\n\nHave you looked at your business card lately?','Check out my guest post at Fletcher Prince\'s blog','','inherit','open','open','','2133-revision','','','2013-04-19 14:55:23','2013-04-19 14:55:23','',2133,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2133-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2135,4,'2013-04-19 14:56:41','2013-04-19 14:56:41','Honored to be featured on the<a href=\"http://fletcher-prince.com/2013/04/19/a-great-business-card-is-a-powerful-budget-marketing-tactic/\" target=\"_blank\"> Fletcher Prince blo</a>g, discussing business cards as a budget marketing tactic.\n\nHave you looked at your business card lately?','Check out my guest post at Fletcher Prince\'s blog','','inherit','open','open','','2133-autosave','','','2013-04-19 14:56:41','2013-04-19 14:56:41','',2133,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2133-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2158,4,'2013-05-01 13:13:37','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Any marketing communications you engage in are there to support the business\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany ex-journalists are turning to careers in PR.  After all, the journalism business is changing and demanding more from its practitioners. PR work requires many of the skills journalists have: writing, understanding (finding) the news value of a story, understanding how a newsroom works, and on. What many journalists don\'t have is a good understanding of business.\r\n\r\nPR is a function of marketing communications. Marketing communications is there to support the business, whether it is to generate sales, increase awareness, enhance a brand or other strategic business goals.','It\'s about business','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-05-01 13:13:37','2013-05-01 13:13:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2158',0,'post','',0),(2137,4,'2013-04-22 20:17:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Besides physics, calculus and these are a few things I don\'t understand:\r\n\r\nHaving a social media profile (especially LinkedIn) with no photograph.\r\n\r\nPeople who want to be friends on Facebook and you don\'t know who they are.\r\n\r\nPeople who want to be friends on Facebook, but who never speak to you in person.\r\n\r\nPeople who only post to Facebook when they get engaged, married or have a child.\r\n\r\nSending LinkedIn invitations to random people you don\'t know.\r\n\r\nSending out a press release because the calendar says you should.\r\n\r\nCommunications experts who don\'t use or understand social media.\r\n\r\nPR people who don\'t follow the news, at all.\r\n\r\nNot having business cards or having business cards without crucial contact information.\r\n\r\nGoing to networking events and not networking.\r\n\r\n80s inspired clothing. Didn\'t work then, definitely doesn\'t work now.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Things I don\'t understand','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-04-22 20:17:58','2013-04-22 20:17:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2137',0,'post','',0),(2138,4,'2013-04-22 20:07:16','2013-04-22 20:07:16','Besides physics, calculus and these are a few things I don\'t understand:\n\nHaving a social media profile (especially LinkedIn) with no photograph.\n\nPeople who want to be friends on Facebook and you don\'t know who they are.\n\nPeople who want to be friends on Facebook, but who never speak to you in person.\n\nPeople who only post to Facebook when they get engaged, married or have a child.\n\nSending LinkedIn invitations to random people you don\'t know.\n\nSending out a press release because the calendar says you should.\n\nCommunications experts who don\'t use or understand social media.\n\nPR people who don\'t follow the news, at all.\n\nNot having business cards or having business cards without crucial contact information.\n\nGoing to networking events and not networking.\n\n80s inspired clothing. Didn\'t work then, definitely doesn\'t work now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Things I don\'t understand','','inherit','open','open','','2137-revision','','','2013-04-22 20:07:16','2013-04-22 20:07:16','',2137,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2137-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2139,4,'2013-04-23 14:55:38','2013-04-23 14:55:38','Do you watch <a href=\"http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3032608/\" target=\"_blank\">Meet the Press</a>? If so, you have probably noticed that Senator John McCain has been a frequent guest. He\'s also been on the other Sunday shows like <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/face-the-nation/\" target=\"_blank\">Face the Nation.</a> According to  <a href=\"http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_03/017520.php\" target=\"_blank\">The Washington Monthly,</a> as of 2009, McCain had been on Meet the Press 54 times. Since then, I would say he has been on many more times, making that number 60 or larger.\r\n\r\nOther people appear quite frequently too. In fact, based on Sunday show appearances, you would be excused for thinking there are only about 10 senators in the U.S. Senate. Other frequent guests are Senators Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin. (As an aside, it seems that male senators appear more frequently than female senators...). Back in the 90s, when I first started watching Meet the Press with Tim Russert, the go-to senator was the Senator Orrin Hatch. In fact, I stopped watching MTP because it seemed like Sen. Hatch was always on!\r\n\r\nIs John McCain a more important senator than the other 99? No. What he may be is more  media savvy. And he is a proven commodity. The Sunday shows know they can count on McCain for making strong pronouncements or taking controversial views.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. by Medill DC, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/medilldc/6761048861/\"><img title=\"Sen. John McCain\" alt=\"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6761048861_1504a05f48.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a> Sen. John McCain (photo by Medill DC on Flickr)[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nThere\'s a few PR lessons you can learn from John McCain.\r\n\r\n1) Be the go-to person on your areas of expertise (McCain\'s areas are mostly immigration, foreign policy and defense). Some may say this is being a \"thought leader.\"\r\n\r\n2) Make yourself available and say yes to invitations.  (My guess is that MTP knows that it can get McCain pretty much any time.) If you turn down an interview, the producer will simply go on to the next person on the list.\r\n\r\n3) Have clearly defined, strong messages and/or positions.  (MTP knows what it will get when it books McCain.)\r\n\r\n4) Once you are in, you are in. (McCain does not have to prove anything or do much to get invited on the shows.)\r\n\r\nWhat do you take away from McCain\'s frequent appearance?','What you can learn from John McCain','','publish','open','open','','what-you-can-learn-from-john-mccain','','','2013-04-23 14:55:38','2013-04-23 14:55:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2139',0,'post','',0),(2140,4,'2013-04-23 14:54:58','2013-04-23 14:54:58','Do you watch <a href=\"http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3032608/\" target=\"_blank\">Meet the Press</a>? If so, you have probably noticed that John McCain has been a frequent guest. He\'s also been on the other Sunday shows like <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/face-the-nation/\" target=\"_blank\">Face the Nation.</a> According to  <a href=\"http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_03/017520.php\" target=\"_blank\">The Washington Monthly,</a> as of 2009, McCain had been on Meet the Press 54 times. Since then, I would say he has been on many more times, making that number 60 or larger.\n\nOther people appear quite frequently too. In fact, based on Sunday show appearances, you would be excused for thinking there are only about 10 senators in the U.S. Senate. Other frequent guests are Senators Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin. (As an aside, it seems that male senators appear more frequently than female senators...). Back in the 90s, when I first started watching Meet the Press with Tim Russert, the go-to senator was the Senator Orrin Hatch. In fact, I stopped watching MTP because it seemed like Hatch was always on!\n\nIs John McCain a more important senator than the other 99? No. What he may be is more  more media savvy. And he is a proven commodity. The Sunday shows know they can count on McCain for making strong pronouncements or taking controversial views.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. by Medill DC, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/medilldc/6761048861/\"><img title=\"Sen. John McCain\" alt=\"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6761048861_1504a05f48.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" /></a> Sen. John McCain (photo by Medill DC on Flickr)[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nThere\'s a few PR lessons you can learn from John McCain.\n\n1) Be the go-to person on your areas of expertise (McCain\'s areas are mostly immigration, foreign policy and defense). Some may say this is being a \"thought leader.\"\n\n2) Make yourself available and say yes to invitations.  (My guess is that MTP knows that it can get McCain pretty much any time.) If you turn down an interview, the producer will simply go on to the next person on the list.\n\n3) Have clearly defined, strong messages and/or positions.  (MTP knows what it will get when it books McCain.)\n\n4) Once you are in, you are in. (McCain does not have to prove anything or do much to get invited on the shows.)\n\nWhat do you take away from McCain\'s frequent appearance?','What you can learn from John McCain','','inherit','open','open','','2139-revision','','','2013-04-23 14:54:58','2013-04-23 14:54:58','',2139,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2139-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2208,4,'2013-05-30 20:01:41','2013-05-30 20:01:41','Several weeks ago, I started getting a weekly newspaper in the mail. It was a supposed to be a four-week free subscription to thank me for some volunteering I had done. The enclosed note said that they hoped I would consider subscribing.\r\n\r\nI would consider subscribing, but I haven\'t been given the chance. I keep getting this newspaper, even though it has been more than eight weeks (twice what was originally offered) and never once has a subscription card come along with it. I guess they are wishing I call them and say \"please charge me for the paper you are already sending me for free!\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Wishing is not a good marketing tactic.</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake by Ben Sutherland, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensutherland/5800945753/\"><img alt=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3659/5800945753_ee040e1ff4.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"298\" /></a> Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake by Ben Sutherland on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Instead, ask for what you want</strong> or give potential customers a pathway to becoming paying customers. In this case, the newspaper could send me a card saying that they hope I have enjoyed my free trial subscription, and if I would like to continue getting this newspaper, then please send a check in the enclosed envelope or call some phone number with my credit card information.\r\n\r\nWe see this with many other situations. Another common example is failing to ask for referrals. Does your hair or beauty salon ever ask you specifically to refer people? They probably wish you did, but they don\'t make it easy or worth your while. Say they said to you when you were checking out: We hope you like your new hair do. Perhaps you know someone else who wants a new haircut. If you do, we have a referral program. Just tell your friend to call us the number on this card, and we will give you a discount on your next service.\r\n\r\nSometimes you have to ask very specifically for what you want. A few days ago, I read that the tweets that get the most traction are the ones that have an ask in them: please retweet,  please help, please donate, etc.  You can\'t wish for things to happen...you have to make them happen!\r\n\r\nThoughts?','Wishing is not a marketing tactic','','publish','open','open','','wishing-is-not-a-marketing-tactic','','','2013-05-30 20:01:41','2013-05-30 20:01:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2208',0,'post','',0),(2143,4,'2013-04-26 14:15:03','2013-04-26 14:15:03','I have been training people on how to blog for nearly a year now. In that time, I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people who want to blog, but haven\'t been able to for various reasons. Among the most common reasons given are these:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Don\'t have the time to blog (also phrased as blogging takes up too much time)</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know what to write about</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t have sufficient ideas or material</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t think anyone wants to read my thoughts</li>\r\n	<li>I am not a good writer</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know who is going to read my blog or how people will find it</li>\r\n	<li>My organization insists on a long chain of approval to publish anything</li>\r\n	<li>I don\'t have buy-in from top-level executives at my organization</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t see the point or purpose in blogging</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know how to set up a blog</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nDo any of these sound familiar to you?\r\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop on May 17</h3>\r\nIf you struggle with these common blogging issues, check out the three-hour hands-on <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong> I am offering on Friday, May 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. It takes place at Link Locale in Arlington, VA, near the Clarendon Metro stop. If you sign up by May 1, you get the early registration price of $70 (regular price is $79).  For more details and to sign up,  visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','10 reasons people don\'t blog','','publish','open','open','','10-reasons-people-dont-blog','','','2013-04-26 14:15:03','2013-04-26 14:15:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2143',0,'post','',0),(2146,4,'2013-04-26 14:14:12','2013-04-26 14:14:12','I have been training people on how to blog for nearly a year now. In that time, I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people who want to blog, but haven\'t been able to for various reasons. Among the most common reasons given are these:\n<ol>\n	<li>Don\'t have the time to blog (also phrased as blogging takes up too much time)</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know what to write about</li>\n	<li>Don\'t have sufficient ideas or material</li>\n	<li>Don\'t think anyone wants to read my thoughts</li>\n	<li>I am not a good writer</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know who is going to read my blog or how people will find it</li>\n	<li>My organization insists on a long chain of approval to publish anything</li>\n	<li>I don\'t have buy-in from top-level executives at my organization</li>\n	<li>Don\'t see the point or purpose in blogging</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know how to set up a blog</li>\n</ol>\nDo any of these sound familiar to you?\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop on May 17</h3>\nIf you struggle with these common blogging issues, check out the three-hour hands-on <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong> I am offering on Friday, May 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. It takes place at Link Locale in Arlington, VA, near the Clarendon Metro stop. If you sign up by May 1, you get the early registration price of $70 (regular price is $79).  For more details and to sign up,  visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','10 reasons people don\'t blog','','inherit','open','open','','2143-revision-3','','','2013-04-26 14:14:12','2013-04-26 14:14:12','',2143,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2143-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2144,4,'2013-04-26 14:08:47','2013-04-26 14:08:47','I have been training people on how to blog for nearly a year now. In that time, I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people who want to blog, but haven\'t been able to for various reasons. Among the most common reasons given are these:\n<ol>\n	<li>Don\'t have the time to blog (also phrased as blogging takes up too much time)</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know what to write about</li>\n	<li>Don\'t have sufficient ideas or material</li>\n	<li>Don\'t think anyone wants to read my thoughts</li>\n	<li>I am not a good writer</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know who is going to read my blog or how people will find it</li>\n	<li>My organization insists on a long chain of approval to publish anything</li>\n	<li>I don\'t have buy-in from top-level executives at my organization</li>\n	<li>Don\'t see the point or purpose in blogging</li>\n	<li>Don\'t know how to set up a blog</li>\n</ol>\nDo any of these sound familiar to you?\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop on May 17</h3>\nIf you struggle with these common blogging issues, check out my three-hour hands-on <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong> I am offering on Friday, May 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. It takes place at Link Locale in Arlington, VA, near the Clarendon Metro stop. If you sign up by May 1, you get the early registration price of $70 (regular price is $79). To sign up and for more details,  visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','10 reasons people don\'t blog','','inherit','open','open','','2143-revision','','','2013-04-26 14:08:47','2013-04-26 14:08:47','',2143,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2143-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2145,4,'2013-04-26 14:11:24','2013-04-26 14:11:24','I have been training people on how to blog for nearly a year now. In that time, I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people who want to blog, but haven\'t been able to for various reasons. Among the most common reasons given are these:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Don\'t have the time to blog (also phrased as blogging takes up too much time)</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know what to write about</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t have sufficient ideas or material</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t think anyone wants to read my thoughts</li>\r\n	<li>I am not a good writer</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know who is going to read my blog or how people will find it</li>\r\n	<li>My organization insists on a long chain of approval to publish anything</li>\r\n	<li>I don\'t have buy-in from top-level executives at my organization</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t see the point or purpose in blogging</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t know how to set up a blog</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nDo any of these sound familiar to you?\r\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop on May 17</h3>\r\nIf you struggle with these common blogging issues, check out my three-hour hands-on <strong>How to write your blog workshop</strong> I am offering on Friday, May 17, starting at 9:30 a.m. It takes place at Link Locale in Arlington, VA, near the Clarendon Metro stop. If you sign up by May 1, you get the early registration price of $70 (regular price is $79). To sign up and for more details,  visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','10 reasons people don\'t blog','','inherit','open','open','','2143-revision-2','','','2013-04-26 14:11:24','2013-04-26 14:11:24','',2143,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2143-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2148,4,'2011-07-22 03:58:08','2011-07-22 03:58:08','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing plan?  Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger  strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody  Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing  ideas and strategies.','Communications Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 03:58:08','2011-07-22 03:58:08','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/51-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2149,4,'2016-03-08 15:39:31','2016-03-08 20:39:31','Written materials are the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear, concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and your business stand out.\n\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\n<ul>\n	<li>Website content</li>\n	<li>Blog posts</li>\n	<li>Marketing collateral\n<ul>\n	<li>Brochures</li>\n	<li>Flyers</li>\n	<li>Taglines</li>\n	<li>Ebooks</li>\n	<li>Newsletter copy</li>\n	<li>Email copy</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\n	<li>Public relations materials\n<ul>\n	<li>Press releases</li>\n	<li>Executive biographies</li>\n	<li>Position papers</li>\n	<li>White papers</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n	<li>Messaging materials\n<ul>\n	<li>Key messages</li>\n	<li>Company descriptions</li>\n	<li>Boilerplate</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>','Writing/Copywriting','','inherit','open','open','','49-autosave-v1','','','2016-03-08 15:39:31','2016-03-08 20:39:31','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/49-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2150,4,'2011-07-22 03:55:02','2011-07-22 03:55:02','Writing is the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear,  concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and  your business stand out.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, letters)</li>\r\n	<li>Website content</li>\r\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\r\n	<li>Public relations materials</li>\r\n</ul>','Writing/Copywriting','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 03:55:02','2011-07-22 03:55:02','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/49-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2151,4,'2013-04-26 17:35:52','2013-04-26 17:35:52','Training enables an organization\'s staff to take over ongoing communications functions such as blogging. Currently, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications offers public workshops on how to write your blog. We also can create customized training for your organization on the follow','Training','','inherit','open','open','','53-autosave','','','2013-04-26 17:35:52','2013-04-26 17:35:52','',53,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/53-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2152,4,'2011-07-22 06:18:20','2011-07-22 06:18:20','','Communication Audit','','inherit','open','open','','53-revision-3','','','2011-07-22 06:18:20','2011-07-22 06:18:20','',53,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/53-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2153,4,'2013-04-26 17:36:35','2013-04-26 17:36:35','Training enables an organization\'s staff to take over ongoing communications functions such as blogging. Currently, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications offers public workshops on how to write your blog. We also can create customized training for your organization on the following topics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Public relations writing</li>\r\n	<li>Blogging</li>\r\n	<li>Creating key messages</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Training','','inherit','open','open','','53-revision-4','','','2013-04-26 17:36:35','2013-04-26 17:36:35','',53,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/53-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2156,4,'2013-04-29 15:46:41','2013-04-29 15:46:41','Someone I know posted this update on Facebook:\n\n\"A real game of yuck this week.\"\n\nWho knows what she meant. I am sure you have seen similar coy or opaque statements that just beg followers to ask for more information. And that is what the poster wants...you to ask for details. This may or may not be a good tactic to get attention on Facebook. It certainly is a bad tactic to use if you are trying to get attention in your email marketing, your blog posts, and other marketing content.\n\nSay you have an email newsletter you send to your clients. You write:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>Spring is a lovely time of year. Good things happen in the spring, it is a time of renewal. Tulips are blooming and spring sales are everywhere.</em></p>\nUnless you want to get people upset at your opaqueness, there is little use for being coy in marketing communication. Instead, you should know what you want and ask for it. Instead of rhapsodizing about spring in your newsletter, why not figure out what action you want your target audience to take (this is your <strong>call to action, </strong>in marketing terms)<strong>.</strong>  Don\'t make your audience guess. Tell them, clearly and precisely. Here are a few examples:\n<ul>\n	<li>Spring means renewal! Time to renew your subscription to our newsletter</li>\n	<li>Spring classes are starting. Here is how to enroll in our next class.</li>\n	<li>Spring sales are on! Check out the reduced prices on our newest product</li>\n</ul>\nThese are all <strong>specific actions</strong> you want your audience to take.\n\nAre you being coy in your communications? Why not start being direct and asking for what you want?!\n\nHow to blog workshop on May 17\n\nSign up today to get your early registration discount to my next How to Blog workshop taking place on May 17. For more details and to register visit howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com .\n\n&nbsp;','Are you being coy?','','inherit','open','open','','2155-revision','','','2013-04-29 15:46:41','2013-04-29 15:46:41','',2155,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2155-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2157,4,'2013-04-29 15:47:41','2013-04-29 15:47:41','Someone I know posted this update on Facebook:\n\n\"A real game of yuck this week.\"\n\nWho knows what she meant. I am sure you have seen similar coy or opaque statements that just beg followers to ask for more information. And that is what the poster wants...you to ask for details. This may or may not be a good tactic to get attention on Facebook. It certainly is a bad tactic to use if you are trying to get attention in your email marketing, your blog posts, and other marketing content.\n\nSay you have an email newsletter you send to your clients. You write:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>Spring is a lovely time of year. Good things happen in the spring, it is a time of renewal. Tulips are blooming and spring sales are everywhere.</em></p>\nUnless you want to get people upset at your opaqueness, there is little use for being coy in marketing communication. Instead, you should know what you want and ask for it. Instead of rhapsodizing about spring in your newsletter, why not figure out what action you want your target audience to take (this is your <strong>call to action, </strong>in marketing terms)<strong>.</strong>  Don\'t make your audience guess. Tell them, clearly and precisely. Here are a few examples:\n<ul>\n	<li>Spring means renewal! Time to renew your subscription to our newsletter</li>\n	<li>Spring classes are starting. Here is how to enroll in our next class.</li>\n	<li>Spring sales are on! Check out the reduced prices on our newest product</li>\n</ul>\nThese are all <strong>specific actions</strong> you want your audience to take.\n\nAre you being coy in your communications? Why not start being direct and asking for what you want?!\n<h3>How to blog workshop on May 17</h3>\nSign up today to get your early registration discount to my next How to Blog workshop taking place on May 17. For more details and to register visit <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com</a> .\n\n&nbsp;','Are you being coy?','','inherit','open','open','','2155-revision-2','','','2013-04-29 15:47:41','2013-04-29 15:47:41','',2155,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/2155-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2159,4,'2013-05-01 13:13:01','2013-05-01 13:13:01','Any marketing com\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMany ex-journalists are turning to careers in PR.  After all, the journalism business is changing and demanding more from its practitioners. PR work requires many of the skills journalists have: writing, understanding (finding) the news value of a story, understanding how a newsroom works, and on. What many journalists don\'t have is a good understanding of business.\n\nPR is a function of marketing communications. Marketing communications is there to support the business, whether it is to generate sales, increase awareness, enhance a brand or other strategic business goals.','It\'s about business','','inherit','open','open','','2158-revision','','','2013-05-01 13:13:01','2013-05-01 13:13:01','',2158,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2158-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2160,4,'2013-05-01 14:21:24','2013-05-01 14:21:24','Most people can write, but some don\'t do it very well. That is why most people would also benefit from having an editor.\r\n\r\nI often edit other people\'s work. Most of the time, the writing is done by people whose primary job does not include writing.  There are a few things I correct over and over. Here\'s a list:\r\n\r\n<strong>Wordiness</strong>. Using too many words when fewer will do. In grad school, a professor of mine had us remove ten words from every assignment. It\'s a good exercise for everyone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Long, complicated sentences</strong>. This is somewhat related to wordiness, but also shows that people are afraid of short, direct sentences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Using I instead of me</strong>. I am not talking about a sentence like this one. People don\'t seem to want to use the word me in constructions such as \"that time works for John and me.\"  I am not sure why.\r\n\r\n<strong>Subject-verb agreement.</strong> I hear it on the news all the time, and see it, often in long, complicated sentences. If your subject is singular, then your verb should be too.  Not like this line from a pop song: \"The color of her eyes were.\" (In this case, the subject is the color, which is singular, therefore the verb should be was.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Misusing words</strong>. Often, people think they know what a word means, but they really don\'t. (I am working on compiling a list of these...)\r\n\r\n<strong>Using jargon and/or big words</strong>. The more jargon you use, the more I think you don\'t know what you are talking about. I also don\'t think using the word utilize makes you seem smarter. Read this <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\">excellent article</a> from Content Management on how to get rid of jargon.\r\n\r\nI know most people can\'t afford to get an editor. Heck, I don\'t have an editor for this blog either. Next time you write something,  look it over for the items above. If you are unsure, ask!\r\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\r\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','Why you need an editor','','publish','open','open','','why-you-need-an-editor','','','2013-05-01 14:21:24','2013-05-01 14:21:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2160',0,'post','',0),(2161,4,'2013-05-01 14:20:01','2013-05-01 14:20:01','Most people can write, but some don\'t do it very well. That is why most people would also benefit from having an editor.\n\nI often edit other people\'s work. Most of the time, the writing is done by people whose primary job does not include writing.  There are a few things I correct over and over. Here\'s a list:\n\n<strong>Wordiness</strong>. Using too many words when fewer will do. In grad school, a professor of mine had us remove ten words from every assignment. It\'s a good exercise for everyone.\n\n<strong>Long, complicated sentences</strong>. This is somewhat related to wordiness, but also shows that people are afraid of short, direct sentences.\n\n<strong>Using I instead of me</strong>. I am not talking about a sentence like this one. People don\'t seem to want to use the word me in constructions such as \"that time works for John and me.\"  I am not sure why.\n\n<strong>Subject-verb agreement.</strong> I hear it on the news all the time, and see it, often in long, complicated sentences. If your subject is singular, then your verb should be too.  Not like this line from a pop song: \"The color of her eyes were.\" (In this case, the subject is the color, which is singular, therefore the verb should be was.)\n\n<strong>Misusing words</strong>. Often, people think they know what a word means, but they really don\'t. (I am working on compiling a list of these...)\n\n<strong>Using jargon and/or big words</strong>. The more jargon you use, the more I think you don\'t know what you are talking about. I also don\'t think using the word utilize makes you seem smarter. Read this <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\">excellent article</a> from Content Management on how to get rid of jargon.\n\nI know most people can\'t afford to get an editor. Heck, I don\'t have an editor for this blog either. Next time you write something,  look it over for the items above. If you are unsure, ask!\n\nHow to write your blog workshop\n\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration here:','Why you need an editor','','inherit','open','open','','2160-revision','','','2013-05-01 14:20:01','2013-05-01 14:20:01','',2160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2160-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2162,4,'2013-05-01 14:21:01','2013-05-01 14:21:01','Most people can write, but some don\'t do it very well. That is why most people would also benefit from having an editor.\n\nI often edit other people\'s work. Most of the time, the writing is done by people whose primary job does not include writing.  There are a few things I correct over and over. Here\'s a list:\n\n<strong>Wordiness</strong>. Using too many words when fewer will do. In grad school, a professor of mine had us remove ten words from every assignment. It\'s a good exercise for everyone.\n\n<strong>Long, complicated sentences</strong>. This is somewhat related to wordiness, but also shows that people are afraid of short, direct sentences.\n\n<strong>Using I instead of me</strong>. I am not talking about a sentence like this one. People don\'t seem to want to use the word me in constructions such as \"that time works for John and me.\"  I am not sure why.\n\n<strong>Subject-verb agreement.</strong> I hear it on the news all the time, and see it, often in long, complicated sentences. If your subject is singular, then your verb should be too.  Not like this line from a pop song: \"The color of her eyes were.\" (In this case, the subject is the color, which is singular, therefore the verb should be was.)\n\n<strong>Misusing words</strong>. Often, people think they know what a word means, but they really don\'t. (I am working on compiling a list of these...)\n\n<strong>Using jargon and/or big words</strong>. The more jargon you use, the more I think you don\'t know what you are talking about. I also don\'t think using the word utilize makes you seem smarter. Read this <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\">excellent article</a> from Content Management on how to get rid of jargon.\n\nI know most people can\'t afford to get an editor. Heck, I don\'t have an editor for this blog either. Next time you write something,  look it over for the items above. If you are unsure, ask!\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','Why you need an editor','','inherit','open','open','','2160-revision-2','','','2013-05-01 14:21:01','2013-05-01 14:21:01','',2160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2160-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2163,4,'2013-05-03 13:58:45','2013-05-03 13:58:45','There are two actions that will improve your communications efforts. These are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Listening</strong> (really listening, not just nodding your head)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Saying what you mean</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt sounds absurdly simple, but chances are that you are not doing one or both well.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listening is crucial.</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday, I went to a large home improvement store (I won\'t name names). I was on the search for an edger/trimmer for my pocket-sized lawn. I have never bought this item and I have no idea what I need. I flagged down an associate and I explained that I have a small lawn, and that the grass is hard to cut near the fence, and that I did not want to spend too much money. So this associate points me to the high end trimmers, starting at $100. And then he says to me: \"well, you said you wanted to cut your shrubs.\" Huh? I said NOTHING about shrubs since I don\'t have shrubs. Clearly, this associate was not listening. He was also not very qualified to talk about edgers, but that is a different story.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you don\'t listen, you are not going to \"get\" the story, whatever it may be.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other side of the communications equation is <strong>saying what you mean</strong>. Lots of people (and organizations) say what they think the other person (or their target audience) wants to hear. Saying what you mean is not burying things in fine print or in if-thens. <strong>Be clear! And please, be sincere.</strong> People can tell when you are not saying what you mean. And then they don\'t trust you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mattress stores don\'t say what they mean</strong>\r\n\r\nA great example of communications that don\'t say what they mean is mattress store advertisements. Having just gone through mattress shopping, I can tell you, just ignore the ads. They are designed to entice you into the store. Once you are in the store, you find out the real deal. Generally in the world of mattress sales, the enticement is free something or the other (free box spring, free delivery, free set-up, free TV, etc.). The reality is that the pricing is structured so that you can\'t compare it to other stores, and there are caveats. If you get a mattress priced over $X, then you get free delivery. If you want to price match, we have to make sure it is the same mattress (and since mattresses are made specifically for each store, there is no exact same name). If you want us to remove your old bed, then we charge you a fee. If you want the ten-year warranty, then you have to buy our overpriced mattress cover. And on and on.\r\n\r\nNo clarity. No saying what they mean. Making people distrust what you are saying. That is not communications!\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #339966;\">It is about effective communications. Effective means that something is successful in achieving the intended result. If you are intending to sell mattresses or edgers or any product, service or opinion, you should both listen and say what you mean.</span>\r\n\r\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\r\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\r\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','The two actions that will make your communications more effective','','publish','open','open','','the-two-actions-that-will-make-your-communications-more-effective','','','2013-05-03 13:58:45','2013-05-03 13:58:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2163',0,'post','',0),(2164,4,'2013-05-03 13:52:59','2013-05-03 13:52:59','There are two actions that will improve your communications efforts. These are:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Listening</strong> (really listening, not just nodding your head)</li>\n	<li><strong>Saying what you mean</strong></li>\n</ul>\nIt sounds absurdly simple, but chances are that you are not doing one or both well.\n\n<strong>Listening is crucial.</strong>\n\nYesterday, I went to a large home improvement store (I won\'t name names). I was on the search for an edger/trimmer for my pocket-sized lawn. I have never bought this item and I have no idea what I need. I flagged down an associate and I explained that I have a small lawn, and that the grass is hard to cut near the fence, and that I did not want to spend too much money. So this associate points me to the high end trimmers, starting at $100. And then he says to me: \"well, you said you wanted to cut your shrubs.\" Huh? I said NOTHING about shrubs since I don\'t have shrubs. Clearly, this associate was not listening. He was also not very qualified to talk about edgers, but that is a different story.\n\n<strong>If you don\'t listen, you are not going to \"get\" the story, whatever it may be.</strong>\n\nThe other side of the communications equation is saying what you mean. Lots of people say what they think the other person (or their target audience) wants to hear. Saying what you mean is not burying things in fine print or in if-thens. Be clear! And please, be sincere. People can tell when you are not saying what you mean. And then they don\'t trust you.\n\nA great example of communications that don\'t say what they mean is mattress store advertisements. Having just gone through mattress shopping, I can tell you, just ignore the ads. They are designed to entice you into the store. Once you are in the store, you find out the real deal. Generally in the world of mattress sales, the enticement is free something or the other (free box spring, free delivery, free set-up, free TV, etc.). The reality is that the pricing is structured so that you can\'t compare it to other stores, and there are caveats. If you get a mattress priced over $X, then you get free delivery. If you want to price match, we have to make sure it is the same mattress (and since mattresses are made specifically for each store, there is no exact same name). If you want us to remove your old bed, then we charge you a fee. If you want the ten-year warranty, then you have to buy our overpriced mattress cover. And on and on.\n\nNo clarity. No saying what they mean. Making people distrust what you are saying. That is not communications!\n\nInstead, say what you mean. Say it clearly.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','The two actions that will make your communications more effective','','inherit','open','open','','2163-revision','','','2013-05-03 13:52:59','2013-05-03 13:52:59','',2163,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2163-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2165,4,'2013-05-03 13:53:55','2013-05-03 13:53:55','There are two actions that will improve your communications efforts. These are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Listening</strong> (really listening, not just nodding your head)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Saying what you mean</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt sounds absurdly simple, but chances are that you are not doing one or both well.\r\n\r\n<strong>Listening is crucial.</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday, I went to a large home improvement store (I won\'t name names). I was on the search for an edger/trimmer for my pocket-sized lawn. I have never bought this item and I have no idea what I need. I flagged down an associate and I explained that I have a small lawn, and that the grass is hard to cut near the fence, and that I did not want to spend too much money. So this associate points me to the high end trimmers, starting at $100. And then he says to me: \"well, you said you wanted to cut your shrubs.\" Huh? I said NOTHING about shrubs since I don\'t have shrubs. Clearly, this associate was not listening. He was also not very qualified to talk about edgers, but that is a different story.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you don\'t listen, you are not going to \"get\" the story, whatever it may be.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other side of the communications equation is saying what you mean. Lots of people say what they think the other person (or their target audience) wants to hear. Saying what you mean is not burying things in fine print or in if-thens. Be clear! And please, be sincere. People can tell when you are not saying what you mean. And then they don\'t trust you.\r\n\r\nA great example of communications that don\'t say what they mean is mattress store advertisements. Having just gone through mattress shopping, I can tell you, just ignore the ads. They are designed to entice you into the store. Once you are in the store, you find out the real deal. Generally in the world of mattress sales, the enticement is free something or the other (free box spring, free delivery, free set-up, free TV, etc.). The reality is that the pricing is structured so that you can\'t compare it to other stores, and there are caveats. If you get a mattress priced over $X, then you get free delivery. If you want to price match, we have to make sure it is the same mattress (and since mattresses are made specifically for each store, there is no exact same name). If you want us to remove your old bed, then we charge you a fee. If you want the ten-year warranty, then you have to buy our overpriced mattress cover. And on and on.\r\n\r\nNo clarity. No saying what they mean. Making people distrust what you are saying. That is not communications!\r\n\r\nInstead, say what you mean. Say it clearly.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\r\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\r\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','The two actions that will make your communications more effective','','inherit','open','open','','2163-revision-2','','','2013-05-03 13:53:55','2013-05-03 13:53:55','',2163,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2163-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2166,4,'2013-05-03 13:56:59','2013-05-03 13:56:59','There are two actions that will improve your communications efforts. These are:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Listening</strong> (really listening, not just nodding your head)</li>\n	<li><strong>Saying what you mean</strong></li>\n</ul>\nIt sounds absurdly simple, but chances are that you are not doing one or both well.\n\n<strong>Listening is crucial.</strong>\n\nYesterday, I went to a large home improvement store (I won\'t name names). I was on the search for an edger/trimmer for my pocket-sized lawn. I have never bought this item and I have no idea what I need. I flagged down an associate and I explained that I have a small lawn, and that the grass is hard to cut near the fence, and that I did not want to spend too much money. So this associate points me to the high end trimmers, starting at $100. And then he says to me: \"well, you said you wanted to cut your shrubs.\" Huh? I said NOTHING about shrubs since I don\'t have shrubs. Clearly, this associate was not listening. He was also not very qualified to talk about edgers, but that is a different story.\n\n<strong>If you don\'t listen, you are not going to \"get\" the story, whatever it may be.</strong>\n\nThe other side of the communications equation is <strong>saying what you mean</strong>. Lots of people (and organizations) say what they think the other person (or their target audience) wants to hear. Saying what you mean is not burying things in fine print or in if-thens. <strong>Be clear! And please, be sincere.</strong> People can tell when you are not saying what you mean. And then they don\'t trust you.\n\n<strong>Mattress stores don\'t say what they mean</strong>\n\nA great example of communications that don\'t say what they mean is mattress store advertisements. Having just gone through mattress shopping, I can tell you, just ignore the ads. They are designed to entice you into the store. Once you are in the store, you find out the real deal. Generally in the world of mattress sales, the enticement is free something or the other (free box spring, free delivery, free set-up, free TV, etc.). The reality is that the pricing is structured so that you can\'t compare it to other stores, and there are caveats. If you get a mattress priced over $X, then you get free delivery. If you want to price match, we have to make sure it is the same mattress (and since mattresses are made specifically for each store, there is no exact same name). If you want us to remove your old bed, then we charge you a fee. If you want the ten-year warranty, then you have to buy our overpriced mattress cover. And on and on.\n\nNo clarity. No saying what they mean. Making people distrust what you are saying. That is not communications!\n\nIt is about effective communications. Effective means that something is successful in achieving the intended result. If you are intending to sell mat\n\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','The two actions that will make your communications more effective','','inherit','open','open','','2163-revision-3','','','2013-05-03 13:56:59','2013-05-03 13:56:59','',2163,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2163-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2167,4,'2013-05-03 13:57:59','2013-05-03 13:57:59','There are two actions that will improve your communications efforts. These are:\n<ul>\n	<li><strong>Listening</strong> (really listening, not just nodding your head)</li>\n	<li><strong>Saying what you mean</strong></li>\n</ul>\nIt sounds absurdly simple, but chances are that you are not doing one or both well.\n\n<strong>Listening is crucial.</strong>\n\nYesterday, I went to a large home improvement store (I won\'t name names). I was on the search for an edger/trimmer for my pocket-sized lawn. I have never bought this item and I have no idea what I need. I flagged down an associate and I explained that I have a small lawn, and that the grass is hard to cut near the fence, and that I did not want to spend too much money. So this associate points me to the high end trimmers, starting at $100. And then he says to me: \"well, you said you wanted to cut your shrubs.\" Huh? I said NOTHING about shrubs since I don\'t have shrubs. Clearly, this associate was not listening. He was also not very qualified to talk about edgers, but that is a different story.\n\n<strong>If you don\'t listen, you are not going to \"get\" the story, whatever it may be.</strong>\n\nThe other side of the communications equation is <strong>saying what you mean</strong>. Lots of people (and organizations) say what they think the other person (or their target audience) wants to hear. Saying what you mean is not burying things in fine print or in if-thens. <strong>Be clear! And please, be sincere.</strong> People can tell when you are not saying what you mean. And then they don\'t trust you.\n\n<strong>Mattress stores don\'t say what they mean</strong>\n\nA great example of communications that don\'t say what they mean is mattress store advertisements. Having just gone through mattress shopping, I can tell you, just ignore the ads. They are designed to entice you into the store. Once you are in the store, you find out the real deal. Generally in the world of mattress sales, the enticement is free something or the other (free box spring, free delivery, free set-up, free TV, etc.). The reality is that the pricing is structured so that you can\'t compare it to other stores, and there are caveats. If you get a mattress priced over $X, then you get free delivery. If you want to price match, we have to make sure it is the same mattress (and since mattresses are made specifically for each store, there is no exact same name). If you want us to remove your old bed, then we charge you a fee. If you want the ten-year warranty, then you have to buy our overpriced mattress cover. And on and on.\n\nNo clarity. No saying what they mean. Making people distrust what you are saying. That is not communications!\n\n<span style=\"color: #339966;\">It is about effective communications. Effective means that something is successful in achieving the intended result. If you are intending to sell mattresses or edgers or any product, service or opinion, you should both listen and say what you mean.</span>\n\n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n<h3>How to write your blog workshop</h3>\nWhat are you doing on May 17? Why not sign up for my How to write your blog workshop? You will learn how to make your blog more effective, how to come up with blog post ideas and lots of other good stuff. Details and registration<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2013/04/stop-jargon-pulling-plug-from-powerful-content/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>','The two actions that will make your communications more effective','','inherit','open','open','','2163-revision-4','','','2013-05-03 13:57:59','2013-05-03 13:57:59','',2163,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2163-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2170,4,'2013-05-07 19:10:19','2013-05-07 19:10:19','Social media takes a magnifying lens to everything. It makes everything appear bigger and closer (kind of like your side view mirrors).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"fun with magnifying glasses by matlock, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/matlocktest/861570798/\"><img class=\" \" title=\"Fun with magnifying glasses by matlock on Flickr\" alt=\"fun with magnifying glasses\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1059/861570798_83545b2f90.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Fun with magnifying glasses by matlock on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nYou\'ve probably heard that social media serves to amplify your message. You tell your friends on Facebook, and they then share it with their friends, and so on.  I have come to realize that social media amplifies more than your message. It amplifies mistakes,  personality traits and  business smarts (or lack thereof).\r\n\r\n<strong>Mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nYou used to be able to slip up and it would be forgotten. Not any more. Now, someone will catch your mistake, and put it on Twitter or YouTube. And then people will share that. And before you know it, everyone knows of your mistake. Perhaps forgiven, but not forgotten.\r\n\r\n<strong>Personality traits</strong>\r\n\r\nAre you an angry person? You will appear even angrier when trying to contain your ire to 140 characters. Your nastiness will be contained and then disseminated. Are you rude? Not only will the person appalled at your belching at the dinner table know about it, but everyone else will too. Self-centered? It will be evident in endless self-promotional posts.  On the other hand, if you are a connector or naturally gregarious, it will be evident because you will have 1000s of followers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Business know-how</strong>\r\n\r\nDo you answer your customer queries? If you don\'t do it regularly and quickly, it will be even more apparent on social media channels. People will complain. And since you aren\'t used to replying quickly, the problem will grow.\r\n\r\nNot sure what social media is for and ignoring it? You can be sure others will not be. You will either look like a fool or lose customers.\r\n\r\nFor example, today I was looking at service providers \"website.\" All it was a poorly formed Wordpress site. There was no contact information. None. No listing of services. No reason why I should hire. In short, it was a disaster. I found a Twitter handle, and tweeted. No response.  Better to not be on the web at all!\r\n\r\nRemember that social media gives people the ability to share the good and the bad about you. Small can become big. And that can be a good thing, or it can be a disaster. Your choice!\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Social media amplifies everything','','publish','open','open','','social-media-amplifies-everything','','','2013-05-07 19:10:19','2013-05-07 19:10:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2170',0,'post','',0),(2171,4,'2013-05-07 19:06:51','2013-05-07 19:06:51','Social media takes a magnifying lens to everything. It makes everything appear bigger and closer (kind of like your side view mirrors).\n\n<a title=\"fun with magnifying glasses by matlock, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/matlocktest/861570798/\"><img alt=\"fun with magnifying glasses\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1059/861570798_83545b2f90.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a>\n\nYou\'ve probably heard that social media serves to amplify your message. You tell your friends on Facebook, and they then share it with their friends, and so on.  I have come to realize that social media amplifies more than your message. It amplifies mistakes,  personality traits and  business smarts (or lack thereof).\n\n<strong>Mistakes</strong>\n\nYou used to be able to slip up and it would be forgotten. Not any more. Now, someone will catch your mistake, and put it on Twitter or YouTube. And then people will share that. And before you know it, everyone knows of your mistake. Perhaps forgiven, but not forgotten.\n\n<strong>Personality traits</strong>\n\nAre you an angry person? You will appear even angrier when trying to contain your ire to 140 characters. Your nastiness will be contained and then disseminated. Are you rude? Not only will the person appalled at your belching at the dinner table know about it, but everyone else will too. Self-centered? It will be evident in endless self-promotional posts.  On the other hand, if you are a connector or naturally gregarious, it will be evident because you will have 1000s of followers.\n\n<strong>Business know-how</strong>\n\nDo you answer your customer queries? If you don\'t do it regularly and quickly, it will be even more apparent on social media channels. People will complain. And since you aren\'t used to replying quickly, the problem will grow.\n\nNot sure what social media is for and ignoring it? You can be sure others will not be. You will either look like a fool or lose customers.\n\nFor example, today I was looking at service providers \"website.\" All it was a poorly formed Wordpress site. There was no contact information. None. No listing of services. No reason why I should hire. In short, it was a disaster. I found a Twitter handle, and tweeted. No response.  Better to not be on the web at all!\n\nRemember that social media gives people the ability to share the good and the bad about you. Small can become big. And that can be a good thing, or it can be a disaster. Your choice!\n\n<strong>Don\'t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Social media amplifies everything','','inherit','open','open','','2170-revision','','','2013-05-07 19:06:51','2013-05-07 19:06:51','',2170,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2170-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2172,4,'2013-05-07 19:07:53','2013-05-07 19:07:53','Social media takes a magnifying lens to everything. It makes everything appear bigger and closer (kind of like your side view mirrors).\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"> <a title=\"fun with magnifying glasses by matlock, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/matlocktest/861570798/\"><img class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"Fun with magnifying glasses by matlock on Flickr\" alt=\"fun with magnifying glasses\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1059/861570798_83545b2f90.jpg\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" /></a></p>\nYou\'ve probably heard that social media serves to amplify your message. You tell your friends on Facebook, and they then share it with their friends, and so on.  I have come to realize that social media amplifies more than your message. It amplifies mistakes,  personality traits and  business smarts (or lack thereof).\n\n<strong>Mistakes</strong>\n\nYou used to be able to slip up and it would be forgotten. Not any more. Now, someone will catch your mistake, and put it on Twitter or YouTube. And then people will share that. And before you know it, everyone knows of your mistake. Perhaps forgiven, but not forgotten.\n\n<strong>Personality traits</strong>\n\nAre you an angry person? You will appear even angrier when trying to contain your ire to 140 characters. Your nastiness will be contained and then disseminated. Are you rude? Not only will the person appalled at your belching at the dinner table know about it, but everyone else will too. Self-centered? It will be evident in endless self-promotional posts.  On the other hand, if you are a connector or naturally gregarious, it will be evident because you will have 1000s of followers.\n\n<strong>Business know-how</strong>\n\nDo you answer your customer queries? If you don\'t do it regularly and quickly, it will be even more apparent on social media channels. People will complain. And since you aren\'t used to replying quickly, the problem will grow.\n\nNot sure what social media is for and ignoring it? You can be sure others will not be. You will either look like a fool or lose customers.\n\nFor example, today I was looking at service providers \"website.\" All it was a poorly formed Wordpress site. There was no contact information. None. No listing of services. No reason why I should hire. In short, it was a disaster. I found a Twitter handle, and tweeted. No response.  Better to not be on the web at all!\n\nRemember that social media gives people the ability to share the good and the bad about you. Small can become big. And that can be a good thing, or it can be a disaster. Your choice!\n\n<strong>Don\'t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Social media amplifies everything','','inherit','open','open','','2170-revision-2','','','2013-05-07 19:07:53','2013-05-07 19:07:53','',2170,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2170-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2173,4,'2013-05-07 19:08:47','2013-05-07 19:08:47','Social media takes a magnifying lens to everything. It makes everything appear bigger and closer (kind of like your side view mirrors).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"338\"]<a title=\"fun with magnifying glasses by matlock, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/matlocktest/861570798/\"><img class=\" \" title=\"Fun with magnifying glasses by matlock on Flickr\" alt=\"fun with magnifying glasses\" src=\"http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1059/861570798_83545b2f90.jpg\" width=\"338\" height=\"450\" /></a> Fun with magnifying glasses by matlock on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nYou\'ve probably heard that social media serves to amplify your message. You tell your friends on Facebook, and they then share it with their friends, and so on.  I have come to realize that social media amplifies more than your message. It amplifies mistakes,  personality traits and  business smarts (or lack thereof).\r\n\r\n<strong>Mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nYou used to be able to slip up and it would be forgotten. Not any more. Now, someone will catch your mistake, and put it on Twitter or YouTube. And then people will share that. And before you know it, everyone knows of your mistake. Perhaps forgiven, but not forgotten.\r\n\r\n<strong>Personality traits</strong>\r\n\r\nAre you an angry person? You will appear even angrier when trying to contain your ire to 140 characters. Your nastiness will be contained and then disseminated. Are you rude? Not only will the person appalled at your belching at the dinner table know about it, but everyone else will too. Self-centered? It will be evident in endless self-promotional posts.  On the other hand, if you are a connector or naturally gregarious, it will be evident because you will have 1000s of followers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Business know-how</strong>\r\n\r\nDo you answer your customer queries? If you don\'t do it regularly and quickly, it will be even more apparent on social media channels. People will complain. And since you aren\'t used to replying quickly, the problem will grow.\r\n\r\nNot sure what social media is for and ignoring it? You can be sure others will not be. You will either look like a fool or lose customers.\r\n\r\nFor example, today I was looking at service providers \"website.\" All it was a poorly formed Wordpress site. There was no contact information. None. No listing of services. No reason why I should hire. In short, it was a disaster. I found a Twitter handle, and tweeted. No response.  Better to not be on the web at all!\r\n\r\nRemember that social media gives people the ability to share the good and the bad about you. Small can become big. And that can be a good thing, or it can be a disaster. Your choice!\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Social media amplifies everything','','inherit','open','open','','2170-revision-3','','','2013-05-07 19:08:47','2013-05-07 19:08:47','',2170,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2170-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2190,4,'2013-05-20 13:46:58','2013-05-20 13:46:58','Sometimes you see stuff that makes you shake your head (or slap your forehead) and wonder how some people manage to stay afloat.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP by happy via, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/via/133833172/\"><img alt=\"THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/48/133833172_ba78ee5077.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" /></a> THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP by happy via on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\nBased on personal experiences in the past week alone, here are three guaranteed ways to lose business fast:</p>\r\n<strong>1. If you have a website, make sure it is lacking relevant information.</strong>\r\n\r\nSure, every business should have a website, but not any website will do. Websites should be useful if you want them to support your business.\r\n\r\nI was looking for a restaurant in which to grab some lunch. I found several and checked out their websites. One place had a website that did not have the following: hours of operation, location, menu.  Guess what? I did not have lunch there.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Make it very difficult to do business with you (and easier to do it with competitors)</strong>\r\n\r\nHow many hoops do you want your potential customers to jump through? Five? Ten? Perhaps you are putting a few too many obstacles for your customers to climb through to get to you. These obstacles can be things like too many forms to fill, rules, not providing services your competitors provide, and so forth.\r\n\r\nI wanted to get some catering for my workshop last week. I usually order coffee and pastries from a national chain, but that place was not nearby the location last week. I thought I would patronize a local place, so I checked it out. First, it took ONE week to get an answer back. Then, I was told that coffee could be provided, but the coffee urn would have a $100 deposit (meanwhile, almost all coffee chains have a portable cardboard coffee box that they don\'t have to charge a deposit for). Oh, and they do not provide plates for the pastries. Guess what? I found another place to get some coffee and pastries.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ignore your social media responses and/or your emails. Take your time responding if you do get around to it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe thing about social media and in some cases email too is that it is a quick response forum. This is not the pony express or even the USPS. I don\'t send a missive on social media expecting a response next week. I expect it today, or even sooner.\r\n\r\nI wanted to refer someone some business, but did not have complete contact information. I tweeted and got no response. Even now, more than a week later, I have yet to receive any type of acknowledgement. I can\'t send business to someone who either doesn\'t care to respond or doesn\'t understand how social media works. And then there is the case of the coffee shop I mentioned above. One week to answer an email about doing business with you? That is unacceptable. If you can\'t answer emails or tweets, then I think you don\'t have the time or the interest to do business with me.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these classic business mistakes?','3 guaranteed ways to lose business fast','','publish','open','open','','3-guaranteed-ways-to-lose-business-fast','','','2013-05-20 13:46:58','2013-05-20 13:46:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2190',0,'post','',0),(2175,4,'2013-05-09 17:54:18','2013-05-09 17:54:18','OK, so you don\'t like to blog. You hate tweeting. You refuse to put up a picture on your LinkedIn profile. And yet you have all those social media platforms. Perhaps you should get rid of them.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing. If you don\'t use them--for whatever reason--don\'t have them. Having an old blog, and old profile or an unused Twitter makes it seem like you are no longer around or worse, that you just don\'t care.\r\n\r\nLast night, I attended a panel presentation where one of the presenters said that potential employers and/or new business connections are checking out your social media profiles  prior to meeting with you. Having an outdated social media presence sends a message, and it is not a good one. (As an aside, and kind of weird, I checked the social media presence for some of these panelists and I found a blog that hasn\'t been updated since 2009 and someone with four  LinkedIn profiles with about one connection each. Hmm. That is not a great message is it?)\r\n\r\nThis is the message I am getting from you:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You say you know how to do social media but you haven\'t tweeted in two months and you only have 50 followers? I don\'t believe you.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You are a writer and you say you can help others blog but your website doesn\'t have a blog? You don\'t know how to position yourself and what a blog is really for.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You are a communications executive and all you have is a personal Facebook page?  You don\'t get the power of social media to educate and expand your network.</p>\r\nYou are sending a message  by having an outdated or unused profile and it may not be one that you want to communicate. An outdated or unused profile  could  mean that you are not comfortable on social media, that you don\'t have much to say, that you don\'t pay attention to social media or even that you experiment but don\'t follow through. None of it is positive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>','What message are you sending?','','publish','open','open','','what-message-are-you-sending','','','2013-05-09 17:54:18','2013-05-09 17:54:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2175',0,'post','',0),(2176,4,'2013-05-09 17:54:15','2013-05-09 17:54:15','OK, so you don\'t like to blog. You hate tweeting. You refuse to put up a picture on your LinkedIn profile. And yet you have all those social media platforms. Perhaps you should get rid of them.\n\nHere\'s the thing. If you don\'t use them--for whatever reason--don\'t have them. Having an old blog, and old profile or an unused Twitter makes it seem like you are no longer around or worse, that you just don\'t care.\n\nLast night, I attended a panel presentation where one of the presenters said that potential employers and/or new business connections are checking out your social media profiles  prior to meeting with you. Having an outdated social media presence sends a message, and it is not a good one. (As an aside, and kind of weird, I checked the social media presence for some of these panelists and I found a blog that hasn\'t been updated since 2009 and someone with four  LinkedIn profiles with about one connection each. Hmm. That is not a great message is it?)\n\nThis is the message I am getting from you:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You say you know how to do social media but you haven\'t tweeted in two months and you only have 50 followers? I don\'t believe you.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You are a writer and you say you can help others blog but your website doesn\'t have a blog? You don\'t know how to position yourself and what a blog is really for.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You are a communications executive and all you have is a personal Facebook page?  You don\'t get the power of social media to educate and expand your network.</p>\nYou are sending a message  by having an outdated or unused profile and it may not be one that you want to communicate. An outdated or unused profile  could  mean that you are not comfortable on social media, that you don\'t have much to say, that you don\'t pay attention to social media or even that you experiment but don\'t follow through. None of it is positive.\n\n<strong>Don’t miss out! Sign up for the next How to blog workshop, taking place on May 17. Details and registration<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></strong>','What message are you sending?','','inherit','open','open','','2175-revision','','','2013-05-09 17:54:15','2013-05-09 17:54:15','',2175,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2175-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2177,4,'2013-05-14 14:00:31','2013-05-14 14:00:31','We use different tones, depending on the audience we are speaking to and our personalities. Tones help define us and the content of what we are saying.  For examply, the professorial types always sound like they are lecturing, even when they are just discussing the weather.\r\n\r\nWhenever we write something, we engage a certain tone. If we are writing an academic paper, we may use an authoritative tone. If we are writing an ad for a baby boutique, we may take on a cheerful tone.  And of course, when we are writing blogs, we should have a definable tone. Some blogs are matter-of-fact. Others are irreverent. Some are angry (and those are generally using the blogosphere to rally against something or someone).  What tone does your blog have?\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<b>Some tones to use include:<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></b>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>candid</li>\r\n	<li>casual</li>\r\n	<li>cheerful</li>\r\n	<li>compassionate</li>\r\n	<li>conciliatory</li>\r\n	<li>confident</li>\r\n	<li>curious</li>\r\n	<li>empathetic</li>\r\n	<li>encouraging</li>\r\n	<li>excited</li>\r\n	<li>expectant</li>\r\n	<li>fervent</li>\r\n	<li>formal</li>\r\n	<li>fun</li>\r\n	<li>happy</li>\r\n	<li>humorous</li>\r\n	<li>incisive</li>\r\n	<li>objective</li>\r\n	<li>optimistic</li>\r\n	<li>outspoken</li>\r\n	<li>relaxed</li>\r\n	<li>serious</li>\r\n	<li>skeptical</li>\r\n	<li>sympathetic</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<b>Some tones to avoid:</b>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>brusque</li>\r\n	<li>contentious</li>\r\n	<li>cynical</li>\r\n	<li>derogatory</li>\r\n	<li>desperate</li>\r\n	<li>doubtful</li>\r\n	<li>fatalistic</li>\r\n	<li>fearful</li>\r\n	<li>frantic</li>\r\n	<li>gloomy</li>\r\n	<li>grim</li>\r\n	<li> holier-than-thou</li>\r\n	<li>hopeless</li>\r\n	<li>lethargic</li>\r\n	<li>melancholy</li>\r\n	<li>paranoid</li>\r\n	<li>pedantic</li>\r\n	<li>selfish</li>\r\n	<li>unsympathetic</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Want to make your blogging better?</h3>\r\nAttend my How to Write Your Blog workshop THIS Friday, May 17. Details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n</div>','Does your blog have a tone of voice?','','publish','open','open','','does-your-blog-have-a-tone-of-voice','','','2013-05-14 14:00:31','2013-05-14 14:00:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2177',0,'post','',0),(2195,4,'2013-04-15 20:54:32','2013-04-15 20:54:32','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop. Registration and details here:\r\n<a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\"> http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-04-15 20:54:32','2013-04-15 20:54:32','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/1765-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(2179,4,'2013-05-14 13:59:13','2013-05-14 13:59:13','We use different tones, depending on the audience we are speaking to and our personalities. Tones help define us and the content of what we are saying.  For examply, the professorial types always sound like they are lecturing, even when they are just discussing the weather.\n\nWhenever we write something, we engage a certain tone. If we are writing an academic paper, we may use an authoritative tone. If we are writing an ad for a baby boutique, we may take on a cheerful tone.  And of course, when we are writing blogs, we should have a definable tone. Some blogs are matter-of-fact. Others are irreverent. Some are angry (and those are generally using the blogosphere to rally against something or someone).  What tone does your blog have?\n<div>\n\n<b>Some tones to use include:<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\n</span></b>\n\n</div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n	<li>candid</li>\n	<li>casual</li>\n	<li>cheerful</li>\n	<li>compassionate</li>\n	<li>conciliatory</li>\n	<li>confident</li>\n	<li>curious</li>\n	<li>empathetic</li>\n	<li>encouraging</li>\n	<li>excited</li>\n	<li>expectant</li>\n	<li>fervent</li>\n	<li>formal</li>\n	<li>fun</li>\n	<li>happy</li>\n	<li>humorous</li>\n	<li>incisive</li>\n	<li>objective</li>\n	<li>optimistic</li>\n	<li>outspoken</li>\n	<li>relaxed</li>\n	<li>serious</li>\n	<li>skeptical</li>\n	<li>sympathetic</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<div>\n\n<b>Some tones to avoid:</b>\n\n</div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n	<li>brusque</li>\n	<li>contentious</li>\n	<li>cynical</li>\n	<li>derogatory</li>\n	<li>desperate</li>\n	<li>doubtful</li>\n	<li>fatalistic</li>\n	<li>fearful</li>\n	<li>frantic</li>\n	<li>gloomy</li>\n	<li>grim</li>\n	<li> holier-than-thou</li>\n	<li>hopeless</li>\n	<li>lethargic</li>\n	<li>melancholy</li>\n	<li>paranoid</li>\n	<li>pedantic</li>\n	<li>selfish</li>\n	<li>unsympathetic</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Want to make your blogging better?</h3>\nAttend my How to Write Your Blog workshop THIS Friday, May 17. Details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\n\n</div>','Does your blog have a tone of voice?','','inherit','open','open','','2177-revision','','','2013-05-14 13:59:13','2013-05-14 13:59:13','',2177,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2177-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2180,4,'2013-05-14 13:59:16','2013-05-14 13:59:16','We use different tones, depending on the audience we are speaking to and our personalities. Tones help define us and the content of what we are saying.  For examply, the professorial types always sound like they are lecturing, even when they are just discussing the weather.\r\n\r\nWhenever we write something, we engage a certain tone. If we are writing an academic paper, we may use an authoritative tone. If we are writing an ad for a baby boutique, we may take on a cheerful tone.  And of course, when we are writing blogs, we should have a definable tone. Some blogs are matter-of-fact. Others are irreverent. Some are angry (and those are generally using the blogosphere to rally against something or someone).  What tone does your blog have?\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<b>Some tones to use include:<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\r\n</span></b>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>candid</li>\r\n	<li>casual</li>\r\n	<li>cheerful</li>\r\n	<li>compassionate</li>\r\n	<li>conciliatory</li>\r\n	<li>confident</li>\r\n	<li>curious</li>\r\n	<li>empathetic</li>\r\n	<li>encouraging</li>\r\n	<li>excited</li>\r\n	<li>expectant</li>\r\n	<li>fervent</li>\r\n	<li>formal</li>\r\n	<li>fun</li>\r\n	<li>happy</li>\r\n	<li>humorous</li>\r\n	<li>incisive</li>\r\n	<li>objective</li>\r\n	<li>optimistic</li>\r\n	<li>outspoken</li>\r\n	<li>relaxed</li>\r\n	<li>serious</li>\r\n	<li>skeptical</li>\r\n	<li>sympathetic</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<b>Some tones to avoid:</b>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>brusque</li>\r\n	<li>contentious</li>\r\n	<li>cynical</li>\r\n	<li>derogatory</li>\r\n	<li>desperate</li>\r\n	<li>doubtful</li>\r\n	<li>fatalistic</li>\r\n	<li>fearful</li>\r\n	<li>frantic</li>\r\n	<li>gloomy</li>\r\n	<li>grim</li>\r\n	<li> holier-than-thou</li>\r\n	<li>hopeless</li>\r\n	<li>lethargic</li>\r\n	<li>melancholy</li>\r\n	<li>paranoid</li>\r\n	<li>pedantic</li>\r\n	<li>selfish</li>\r\n	<li>unsympathetic</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Want to make your blogging better?</h3>\r\nAttend my How to Write Your Blog workshop THIS Friday, May 17. Details and registration <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblog4.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n</div>','Does your blog have a tone of voice?','','inherit','open','open','','2177-revision-2','','','2013-05-14 13:59:16','2013-05-14 13:59:16','',2177,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2177-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2184,4,'2013-05-16 17:53:23','2013-05-16 17:53:23','Yesterday, I read Gini Dietrich\'s take on the state of the PR industry, <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/communication/the-pr-industry-does-need-better-pr/\" target=\"_blank\">The PR Industry Does Need Better PR</a>, on her firm\'s blog, Spin Sucks. Basically, Gini points out that what people think they know about PR is wrong or misleading. It\'s her conclusion that what the PR industry needs is better PR.\r\n\r\n<strong>I think what the PR industry needs is better business skills.</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you been to a PR networking event lately? If you have, you\'ve probably noticed a lot of young people, mostly women. These young people often have inflated titles--including account manager, account director and even vice president--after being in the industry for three years or so. Many of these PR \"pros\" studied PR in college. Some may have even had an internship or two.\r\n\r\nYou may also have met a lot of former journalists who have decided they will have more job stability in public relations, while using their writing skills and knowledge of what is newsworthy.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What few of these PR people have is a solid understanding of business.</span> Few, if any, have gone to business school. Few, if any, understand basic marketing ideas like push-pull. Fewer still understand finance, balance sheets or even how to read and  interpret data.\r\n\r\nLots of people are busy trying to figure out how to get the word out about an event, or how to have a great social media campaign, but what they are failing to see is the big picture--how public relations helps a company to achieve its business objectives.\r\n\r\nA big part of the disconnect that currently exists between public relations agencies and the business side of the industries served has to do with the separation between communications functions and marketing and sales roles. Even though public relations is part of marketing communications, public relations does not usually have a stake in marketing and sales processes and outcomes. Businesses may hire public relations agencies to help with image, but even then, the point usually is to increase the bottom line (i.e. sales in for profit organizations, influence or donors at nonprofit organizations).\r\n\r\nIn his article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/14477.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">3 reasons to find a new PR/social media agency</a>, Scott Signore states quite succinctly the following as his third reason:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Finally</strong>, despite the evolution in the category and the number of significant changes the PR business has endured over the years, it’s still about executing a communications program that helps drive business. So, look for another PR and social media agency partner if your current group is not directly supporting your business objectives.</blockquote>\r\nWhat Scott is saying is that if PR agencies are not helping companies achieve <strong>business objectives</strong>, they should be fired. Fundamentally, they are not doing their job.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, as I said before, too many PR professionals simply do not understand business. All public relations pros should be reading business books or articles or watching business-focused programs. Those who want to be high-level agency executives should consider going to business school.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is it a PR problem? Or is it a lack of business know-how?','Is it a PR problem or is it a business problem?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-a-pr-problem-or-is-it-a-business-problem','','\nhttp://spinsucks.com/communication/the-pr-industry-does-need-better-pr/','2013-05-16 17:54:27','2013-05-16 17:54:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2184',0,'post','',0),(2186,4,'2013-05-16 17:52:44','2013-05-16 17:52:44','Yesterday, I read Gini Dietrich\'s take on the state of the PR industry, <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/communication/the-pr-industry-does-need-better-pr/\" target=\"_blank\">The PR Industry Does Need Better PR</a>, on her firm\'s blog, Spin Sucks. Basically, Gini points out that what people think they know about PR is wrong or misleading. It\'s her conclusion that what the PR industry needs is better PR.\n\n<strong>I think what the PR industry needs is better business skills.</strong>\n\nHave you been to a PR networking event lately? If you have, you\'ve probably noticed a lot of young people, mostly women. These young people often have inflated titles--including account manager, account director and even vice president--after being in the industry for three years or so. Many of these PR \"pros\" studied PR in college. Some may have even had an internship or two.\n\nYou may also have met a lot of former journalists who have decided they will have more job stability in public relations, while using their writing skills and knowledge of what is newsworthy.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What few of these PR people have is a solid understanding of business.</span> Few, if any, have gone to business school. Few, if any, understand basic marketing ideas like push-pull. Fewer still understand finance, balance sheets or even how to read and  interpret data.\n\nLots of people are busy trying to figure out how to get the word out about an event, or how to have a great social media campaign, but what they are failing to see is the big picture--how public relations helps a company to achieve its business objectives.\n\nA big part of the disconnect that currently exists between public relations agencies and the business side of the industries served has to do with the separation between communications functions and marketing and sales roles. Even though public relations is part of marketing communications, public relations does not usually have a stake in marketing and sales processes and outcomes. Businesses may hire public relations agencies to help with image, but even then, the point usually is to increase the bottom line (i.e. sales in for profit organizations, influence or donors at nonprofit organizations).\n\nIn his article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/14477.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">3 reasons to find a new PR/social media</a>, Scott Signore states quite succinctly the following as his third reason:\n<blockquote><strong>Finally</strong>, despite the evolution in the category and the number of significant changes the PR business has endured over the years, it’s still about executing a communications program that helps drive business. So, look for another PR and social media agency partner if your current group is not directly supporting your business objectives.</blockquote>\nWhat Scott is saying is that if PR agencies are not helping companies achieve <strong>business objectives</strong> ,they should be fired.  They are not doing their fundamental job.\n\nAnd yet, as I said before, too many PR professionals simply do not understand business. All public relations pros should be reading business books or articles or watching business-focused programs. Those who want to be high-level agency executives should consider going to business school.\n\nWhat do you think? Is it a PR problem? Or is it a lack of business know-how?','Is it a PR problem or is it a business problem?','','inherit','open','open','','2184-revision-2','','','2013-05-16 17:52:44','2013-05-16 17:52:44','',2184,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2184-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2187,4,'2013-05-16 17:53:23','2013-05-16 17:53:23','Yesterday, I read Gini Dietrich\'s take on the state of the PR industry, <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/communication/the-pr-industry-does-need-better-pr/\" target=\"_blank\">The PR Industry Does Need Better PR</a>, on her firm\'s blog, Spin Sucks. Basically, Gini points out that what people think they know about PR is wrong or misleading. It\'s her conclusion that what the PR industry needs is better PR.\r\n\r\n<strong>I think what the PR industry needs is better business skills.</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you been to a PR networking event lately? If you have, you\'ve probably noticed a lot of young people, mostly women. These young people often have inflated titles--including account manager, account director and even vice president--after being in the industry for three years or so. Many of these PR \"pros\" studied PR in college. Some may have even had an internship or two.\r\n\r\nYou may also have met a lot of former journalists who have decided they will have more job stability in public relations, while using their writing skills and knowledge of what is newsworthy.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What few of these PR people have is a solid understanding of business.</span> Few, if any, have gone to business school. Few, if any, understand basic marketing ideas like push-pull. Fewer still understand finance, balance sheets or even how to read and  interpret data.\r\n\r\nLots of people are busy trying to figure out how to get the word out about an event, or how to have a great social media campaign, but what they are failing to see is the big picture--how public relations helps a company to achieve its business objectives.\r\n\r\nA big part of the disconnect that currently exists between public relations agencies and the business side of the industries served has to do with the separation between communications functions and marketing and sales roles. Even though public relations is part of marketing communications, public relations does not usually have a stake in marketing and sales processes and outcomes. Businesses may hire public relations agencies to help with image, but even then, the point usually is to increase the bottom line (i.e. sales in for profit organizations, influence or donors at nonprofit organizations).\r\n\r\nIn his article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/14477.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">3 reasons to find a new PR/social media</a>, Scott Signore states quite succinctly the following as his third reason:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Finally</strong>, despite the evolution in the category and the number of significant changes the PR business has endured over the years, it’s still about executing a communications program that helps drive business. So, look for another PR and social media agency partner if your current group is not directly supporting your business objectives.</blockquote>\r\nWhat Scott is saying is that if PR agencies are not helping companies achieve <strong>business objectives</strong>, they should be fired. Fundamentally, they are not doing their job.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, as I said before, too many PR professionals simply do not understand business. All public relations pros should be reading business books or articles or watching business-focused programs. Those who want to be high-level agency executives should consider going to business school.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is it a PR problem? Or is it a lack of business know-how?','Is it a PR problem or is it a business problem?','','inherit','open','open','','2184-revision-3','','','2013-05-16 17:53:23','2013-05-16 17:53:23','',2184,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2184-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2191,4,'2013-05-20 13:41:19','2013-05-20 13:41:19','Sometimes you see stuff that makes you shake your head and wonder how some people manage to stay afloat.\n\nBased on personal experiences in the past week alone, here are three guaranteed ways to lose business fast:\n\n<strong>1. If you have a website, make sure it is lacking relevant information.</strong>\n\nSure, every business should have a website, but not any website will do. Websites should be useful if you want them to support your business.\n\nI was looking for a restaurant in which to grab some lunch. I found several and checked out their websites. One place had a website that did not have the following: hours of operation, location, menu.  Guess what? I did not have lunch there.\n\n<strong>2. Make it very difficult to do business with you (and easier to do it with competitors)</strong>\n\nHow many hoops do you want your potential customers to jump through? Five? Ten? Perhaps you are putting a few too many obstacles for your customers to climb through to get to you. These obstacles can be things like too many forms to fill, rules, not providing services your competitors provide, and so forth.\n\nI wanted to get some catering for my workshop last week. I usually order coffee and pastries from a national chain, but that place was not nearby the location last week. I thought I would patronize a local place, so I checked it out. First, it took ONE week to get an answer back. Then, I was told that coffee could be provided, but the coffee urn would have a $100 deposit (meanwhile, almost all coffee chains have a portable cardboard coffee box that they don\'t have to charge a deposit for). Oh, and they do not provide plates for the pastries. Guess what? I found another place to get some coffee and pastries.\n\n<strong>3. Ignore your social media responses and/or your emails. Take your time responding if you do get around to it.</strong>\n\nThe thing about social media and in some cases email too is that it is a quick response forum. This is not the pony express or even the USPS. I don\'t send a missive on social media expecting a response next week. I expect it today, or even sooner.\n\nI wanted to refer someone some business, but did not have complete contact information. I tweeted and got no response. Even now, more than a week later, I have yet to receive any type of acknowledgement. I can\'t send business to someone who either doesn\'t care to respond or doesn\'t understand how social media works. And then there is the case of the coffee shop I mentioned above. One week to answer an email about doing business with you? That is unacceptable. If you can\'t answer emails or tweets, then I think you don\'t have the time or the interest to do business with me.\n\nHave you seen these classic business mistakes?','3 guaranteed ways to lose business fast','','inherit','open','open','','2190-revision','','','2013-05-20 13:41:19','2013-05-20 13:41:19','',2190,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2190-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2192,4,'2013-05-20 13:41:33','2013-05-20 13:41:33','Sometimes you see stuff that makes you shake your head and wonder how some people manage to stay afloat.\r\n\r\nBased on personal experiences in the past week alone, here are three guaranteed ways to lose business fast:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. If you have a website, make sure it is lacking relevant information.</strong>\r\n\r\nSure, every business should have a website, but not any website will do. Websites should be useful if you want them to support your business.\r\n\r\nI was looking for a restaurant in which to grab some lunch. I found several and checked out their websites. One place had a website that did not have the following: hours of operation, location, menu.  Guess what? I did not have lunch there.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Make it very difficult to do business with you (and easier to do it with competitors)</strong>\r\n\r\nHow many hoops do you want your potential customers to jump through? Five? Ten? Perhaps you are putting a few too many obstacles for your customers to climb through to get to you. These obstacles can be things like too many forms to fill, rules, not providing services your competitors provide, and so forth.\r\n\r\nI wanted to get some catering for my workshop last week. I usually order coffee and pastries from a national chain, but that place was not nearby the location last week. I thought I would patronize a local place, so I checked it out. First, it took ONE week to get an answer back. Then, I was told that coffee could be provided, but the coffee urn would have a $100 deposit (meanwhile, almost all coffee chains have a portable cardboard coffee box that they don\'t have to charge a deposit for). Oh, and they do not provide plates for the pastries. Guess what? I found another place to get some coffee and pastries.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ignore your social media responses and/or your emails. Take your time responding if you do get around to it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe thing about social media and in some cases email too is that it is a quick response forum. This is not the pony express or even the USPS. I don\'t send a missive on social media expecting a response next week. I expect it today, or even sooner.\r\n\r\nI wanted to refer someone some business, but did not have complete contact information. I tweeted and got no response. Even now, more than a week later, I have yet to receive any type of acknowledgement. I can\'t send business to someone who either doesn\'t care to respond or doesn\'t understand how social media works. And then there is the case of the coffee shop I mentioned above. One week to answer an email about doing business with you? That is unacceptable. If you can\'t answer emails or tweets, then I think you don\'t have the time or the interest to do business with me.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these classic business mistakes?','3 guaranteed ways to lose business fast','','inherit','open','open','','2190-revision-2','','','2013-05-20 13:41:33','2013-05-20 13:41:33','',2190,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2190-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2193,4,'2013-05-20 13:46:27','2013-05-20 13:46:27','Sometimes you see stuff that makes you shake your head (or slap your forehead) and wonder how some people manage to stay afloat.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP by happy via, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/via/133833172/\"><img alt=\"THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/48/133833172_ba78ee5077.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" /></a> THE G.A.H. PERM FOREHEAD SLAP by happy via on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\nBased on personal experiences in the past week alone, here are three guaranteed ways to lose business fast:</p>\r\n<strong>1. If you have a website, make sure it is lacking relevant information.</strong>\r\n\r\nSure, every business should have a website, but not any website will do. Websites should be useful if you want them to support your business.\r\n\r\nI was looking for a restaurant in which to grab some lunch. I found several and checked out their websites. One place had a website that did not have the following: hours of operation, location, menu.  Guess what? I did not have lunch there.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Make it very difficult to do business with you (and easier to do it with competitors)</strong>\r\n\r\nHow many hoops do you want your potential customers to jump through? Five? Ten? Perhaps you are putting a few too many obstacles for your customers to climb through to get to you. These obstacles can be things like too many forms to fill, rules, not providing services your competitors provide, and so forth.\r\n\r\nI wanted to get some catering for my workshop last week. I usually order coffee and pastries from a national chain, but that place was not nearby the location last week. I thought I would patronize a local place, so I checked it out. First, it took ONE week to get an answer back. Then, I was told that coffee could be provided, but the coffee urn would have a $100 deposit (meanwhile, almost all coffee chains have a portable cardboard coffee box that they don\'t have to charge a deposit for). Oh, and they do not provide plates for the pastries. Guess what? I found another place to get some coffee and pastries.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ignore your social media responses and/or your emails. Take your time responding if you do get around to it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe thing about social media and in some cases email too is that it is a quick response forum. This is not the pony express or even the USPS. I don\'t send a missive on social media expecting a response next week. I expect it today, or even sooner.\r\n\r\nI wanted to refer someone some business, but did not have complete contact information. I tweeted and got no response. Even now, more than a week later, I have yet to receive any type of acknowledgement. I can\'t send business to someone who either doesn\'t care to respond or doesn\'t understand how social media works. And then there is the case of the coffee shop I mentioned above. One week to answer an email about doing business with you? That is unacceptable. If you can\'t answer emails or tweets, then I think you don\'t have the time or the interest to do business with me.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these classic business mistakes?','3 guaranteed ways to lose business fast','','inherit','open','open','','2190-revision-3','','','2013-05-20 13:46:27','2013-05-20 13:46:27','',2190,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2190-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2196,4,'2013-05-22 20:12:02','2013-05-22 20:12:02','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\nJune 25, 2013 Presenting a session entitle <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-05-22 20:12:02','2013-05-22 20:12:02','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/1765-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(2212,4,'2013-06-05 14:34:52','2013-06-05 14:34:52','If you have received any type of contact email, you know there is a way to do it and a way not to.  Just this week I received a contact email that made me realize lots of salespeople don\'t know how to do it.  The email I got was this:\r\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah:\r\n\r\nI’m working with the [company name] sales channel, and my client requires the assistance of a company specializing in “Communications Audits”.\r\n\r\nKindly drop me a line to discuss (my phone number is provided below).  Thanks,\r\n\r\n[Email signature]</blockquote>\r\nThis email followed a voice message that went like this:\r\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah, My name is X , a consultant working with the sales channel (...) and [my client] is inquiring about a communications audit. And I\'d like to talk to you about it, how does it work, relative to their sales channel, it would be very lucrative to your business. ...</blockquote>\r\nThe consultant seems to assume I understand what \"the sales channel\" is supposed to be. He is also looking for \"communications audits\" relative to the sales channel. And lastly, he is telling me it would be lucrative to my business.  There are two things going on in the contact, and they are at odds with each other: looking for a solution for a client and offering something to me. Which is it? Neither is clear.\r\n\r\nI asked for clarification as to what exactly he was looking for, and this consultant suggested having a 15-minute conversation. When I said I needed more information to see if there was a fit, he repeated what he had told me. I then wrote back saying I thought there wasn\'t a fit. To top it off, I got this email back from him:\r\n<blockquote>I’ll gladly give you appropriate details if we were to connect.\r\n\r\nSurely you’re not too busy to grow your business and frankly, if you are – delegate to as a sales rep.\r\n\r\nYou’re not too important to talk to me; I deal with Presidents of companies with revenues exceeding $100M.</blockquote>\r\nIn the end, this person is really trying to sell ME something, which is obvious since he can\'t tell me what problem his client is having that he thinks I can help with.  What he really wants is to have a connection with me. And he thinks that by insulting me and assuming things about me, I will want to talk to him (not to mention that he has grammatical challenges...)\r\n\r\nIf you want to have write a successful contact email, do not follow the example above. Here is what you should do instead:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1. Start with being clear on the purpose of your contact. What you are looking for. Are you looking for a quote? A description of services? A location?</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">2. Tell the contact how you found him/her  and/or why you are contacting him/her.  For example: I am looking for a general contractor, and I came across your name in the XYX directory.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">3. Provide details that may be relevant. Don\'t assume that the person understands everything you are saying. Using the example of the general contractor: I am looking to add a powder room to the first level of my two-level house. Currently, I have two bathrooms upstairs. I think there is enough space on the first level to accommodate this change. I am not sure if the plumbing can be worked in.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">4. Ask specific questions. Are you able to do this service? What do you charge? What other information do you require?</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">5. Close nicely and provide contact information: Thanks for your attention and please contact me either by email or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">6. Before sending, make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Emails that are full of typos and mistakes make you look unprofessional.</p>\r\nRealize that you may not always get a response. That\'s OK. And if you do get a request for clarification, clarify! You may have questions, and the contact may have questions. Don\'t assume that you both know everything.\r\n\r\nFinally, don\'t do what the guy in the contact email to me did: say you want one thing, while meaning something else. People see through that and it makes you look bad.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to write a contact email','','publish','open','open','','how-to-write-a-contact-email','','','2013-06-05 14:34:52','2013-06-05 14:34:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2212',0,'post','',2),(2198,4,'2013-05-23 20:13:24','2013-05-23 20:13:24','Yes, this is really about making ONE fix, that should not take more than a few minutes, and that will make difference in how many people see your blog. It involves your sharing capabilities.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must have sharing capabilities</strong>. That\'s not even up for discussion. If you don\'t, go add it right now. If you have a WordPress.org blog, then go do a search for \"sharing buttons\" in the plugins. There are several to choose from. My current favorite is <a href=\"http://sharethis.com/#sthash.9v3tzF97.dpbs\" target=\"_blank\">ShareThis</a> (and is what I am using, right there at the bottom of this post).  If you are on another platform, use your search engine to search for \"sharing tools\" or \"sharing buttons\" for your platform.\r\n\r\nMost sharing tools are free, and most give you the options to share on the main social networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Some let you share to dozens of other networks. Choose the one that best suits your needs (and where your audience is likely to share and read).\r\n\r\n<strong>If you already have sharing on your blog, I want you to go to your blog and choose a random post and hit your Tweet this/Twitter share button</strong> <strong>and see what comes up</strong>. Ideally, what should come up should be\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\"Title/ headline of your post\"  (link to the post) via (your Twitter handle).</p>\r\n<strong>If what comes up does not have the title of your post plus your Twitter handle, you need to either adjust your settings or change your sharing tools.</strong> Some sharing plugins allow for the title of the post, the name of the blog or website, and the Twitter handle. That would be even better.\r\n\r\nMany blogs I have seen in the past few days have sharing, but when I click to share I get these types of messages:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Reading [link]</li>\r\n	<li>[link]</li>\r\n	<li>Title[link] via [your sharing tool\'s Twitter handle]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWithout a title or headline, you are giving no reason for your readers to click on the link. Do you click on links with no subject? Probably not. Without a Twitter handle, you are not letting people know where the link is coming from.\r\n\r\nSo, go check it right now! This is truly a quick fix that will make it easier and better for your readers to share your posts, and therefore, increase your impact.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One quick fix that will increase your blog\'s impact','','publish','open','open','','one-quick-fix-that-will-increase-your-blogs-impact','','','2013-05-23 20:13:24','2013-05-23 20:13:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2198',0,'post','',0),(2199,4,'2013-05-23 20:10:27','2013-05-23 20:10:27','Yes, this is really about making ONE fix, that should not take more than a few minutes, and that will make difference in how many people see your blog. It involves your sharing capabilities.\n\n<strong>You must have sharing capabilities</strong>. That\'s not even up for discussion. If you don\'t, go add it right now. If you have a WordPress.org blog, then go do a search for \"sharing buttons\" in the plugins. There are several to choose from. My current favorite is <a href=\"http://sharethis.com/#sthash.9v3tzF97.dpbs\" target=\"_blank\">ShareThis</a> (and is what I am using, right there at the bottom of this post).  If you are on another platform, use your search engine to search for \"sharing tools\" or \"sharing buttons\" for your platform.\n\nMost sharing tools are free, and most give you the options to share on the main social networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Some let you share to dozens of other networks. Choose the one that best suits your needs (and where your audience is likely to share and read).\n\n<strong>If you already have sharing on your blog, I want you to go to your blog and choose a random post and hit your Tweet this/Twitter share button</strong> <strong>and see what comes up</strong>. Ideally, what should come up should be\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\"Title of your post\"  (link to the post) via (your Twitter handle).</p>\n<strong>If what comes up does not have the title of your post plus your Twitter handle, you need to either adjust your settings or change your sharing tools.</strong> Some sharing plugins allow for the title of the post, the name of the blog or website, and the Twitter handle. That would be even better.\n\nMany blogs I have seen in the past few days have sharing, but when I click to share I get these types of messages:\n<ul>\n	<li>Reading (link).</li>\n	<li>(link)</li>\n	<li>Title (link) via (your sharing tool\'s Twitter handle)</li>\n</ul>\nWithout a title, you are giving no reason for your readers to click on the link. Without a Twitter handle, you are not letting people know where the link is coming from.\n\nSo, go check it right now! This is truly a quick fix that will make it easier and better for your readers to share your posts, and therefore, increase your impact.\n\n&nbsp;','One quick fix that will increase your blog\'s impact','','inherit','open','open','','2198-revision','','','2013-05-23 20:10:27','2013-05-23 20:10:27','',2198,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2198-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2200,4,'2013-05-23 20:11:26','2013-05-23 20:11:26','Yes, this is really about making ONE fix, that should not take more than a few minutes, and that will make difference in how many people see your blog. It involves your sharing capabilities.\n\n<strong>You must have sharing capabilities</strong>. That\'s not even up for discussion. If you don\'t, go add it right now. If you have a WordPress.org blog, then go do a search for \"sharing buttons\" in the plugins. There are several to choose from. My current favorite is <a href=\"http://sharethis.com/#sthash.9v3tzF97.dpbs\" target=\"_blank\">ShareThis</a> (and is what I am using, right there at the bottom of this post).  If you are on another platform, use your search engine to search for \"sharing tools\" or \"sharing buttons\" for your platform.\n\nMost sharing tools are free, and most give you the options to share on the main social networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Some let you share to dozens of other networks. Choose the one that best suits your needs (and where your audience is likely to share and read).\n\n<strong>If you already have sharing on your blog, I want you to go to your blog and choose a random post and hit your Tweet this/Twitter share button</strong> <strong>and see what comes up</strong>. Ideally, what should come up should be\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\"Title of your post\"  (link to the post) via (your Twitter handle).</p>\n<strong>If what comes up does not have the title of your post plus your Twitter handle, you need to either adjust your settings or change your sharing tools.</strong> Some sharing plugins allow for the title of the post, the name of the blog or website, and the Twitter handle. That would be even better.\n\nMany blogs I have seen in the past few days have sharing, but when I click to share I get these types of messages:\n<ul>\n	<li>Reading (link).</li>\n	<li>[link</li>\n	<li>Title[link] via [your sharing tool\'s Twitter handle]</li>\n</ul>\nWithout a title, you are giving no reason for your readers to click on the link. Without a Twitter handle, you are not letting people know where the link is coming from.\n\nSo, go check it right now! This is truly a quick fix that will make it easier and better for your readers to share your posts, and therefore, increase your impact.\n\n&nbsp;','One quick fix that will increase your blog\'s impact','','inherit','open','open','','2198-revision-2','','','2013-05-23 20:11:26','2013-05-23 20:11:26','',2198,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2198-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2201,4,'2013-05-23 20:12:41','2013-05-23 20:12:41','Yes, this is really about making ONE fix, that should not take more than a few minutes, and that will make difference in how many people see your blog. It involves your sharing capabilities.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must have sharing capabilities</strong>. That\'s not even up for discussion. If you don\'t, go add it right now. If you have a WordPress.org blog, then go do a search for \"sharing buttons\" in the plugins. There are several to choose from. My current favorite is <a href=\"http://sharethis.com/#sthash.9v3tzF97.dpbs\" target=\"_blank\">ShareThis</a> (and is what I am using, right there at the bottom of this post).  If you are on another platform, use your search engine to search for \"sharing tools\" or \"sharing buttons\" for your platform.\r\n\r\nMost sharing tools are free, and most give you the options to share on the main social networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Some let you share to dozens of other networks. Choose the one that best suits your needs (and where your audience is likely to share and read).\r\n\r\n<strong>If you already have sharing on your blog, I want you to go to your blog and choose a random post and hit your Tweet this/Twitter share button</strong> <strong>and see what comes up</strong>. Ideally, what should come up should be\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\"Title/ headline of your post\"  (link to the post) via (your Twitter handle).</p>\r\n<strong>If what comes up does not have the title of your post plus your Twitter handle, you need to either adjust your settings or change your sharing tools.</strong> Some sharing plugins allow for the title of the post, the name of the blog or website, and the Twitter handle. That would be even better.\r\n\r\nMany blogs I have seen in the past few days have sharing, but when I click to share I get these types of messages:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Reading [link]</li>\r\n	<li>[link]</li>\r\n	<li>Title[link] via [your sharing tool\'s Twitter handle]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWithout a title or headline, you are giving no reason for your readers to click on the link. Do you click on links with no subject? Probably not. Without a Twitter handle, you are not letting people know where the link is coming from.\r\n\r\nSo, go check it right now! This is truly a quick fix that will make it easier and better for your readers to share your posts, and therefore, increase your impact.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One quick fix that will increase your blog\'s impact','','inherit','open','open','','2198-revision-3','','','2013-05-23 20:12:41','2013-05-23 20:12:41','',2198,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2198-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2207,4,'2013-05-29 12:11:43','2013-05-29 12:11:43','You\'ve heard the saying about how the cobbler\'s children go barefoot. It seems to me that this is especially true for PR agencies and practitioners. They don\'t seem to get that they need to think about their image and their relations with their public. They are in PR but don\'t practice PR for themselves.\n\nRecently, a large PR firm had layoffs. They were not publicized as most companies like to keep this information quiet.  I happen to have a connection to some of the people that were laid off, and I heard that the layoffs were not handled nicely (or a nicely as being told you are losing your job can be handled). The people who were laid off were given just a few minutes to collect their belongings and leave the office. They were only given two weeks severance.  One of them did not get a chance to take her personal stuff with her, and the agency \"lost\" it. In short, they were not treated very well.\n\nWhat\'s astounding to me is that a PR agency that is in the business of making clients look good can do things that make itself look bad. Why would you not handle a layoff in a more caring and thoughtful fashion? Don\'t you know that people have friends and friends have social media? Don\'t you know that reputations depend on cultivating good feelings and trust?\n\nAnd then there is all the questionable personal stuff that PR people do in business settings, like having incomplete or outdated LinkedIn profiles or using Twitter  to post automated horoscope listings. And there are PR executives that go on Twitter to rant and rave, and sometimes even post nasty comments about clients, as if nobody can see (and copy and disseminate) that?\n\nPR people (and agencies) must learn that what they do--both publicly and privately-- is open for scrutiny, and in a digital world, news travels fast and wide. Ultimately, public relations is about protecting reputation and helping build and protect an image. PR agencies and practitioners need to think about their own reputation and image, and act accordingly.','PR for PR people','','inherit','open','open','','2206-revision','','','2013-05-29 12:11:43','2013-05-29 12:11:43','',2206,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2206-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2209,4,'2013-05-30 19:59:48','2013-05-30 19:59:48','Several weeks ago, I started getting a weekly newspaper in the mail. It was a supposed to be a four-week free subscription to thank me for some volunteering I had done. The enclosed note said that they hoped I would consider subscribing.\n\nI would consider subscribing, but I haven\'t been given the chance. I keep getting this newspaper, even though it has been more than eight weeks (twice what was originally offered) and never once has a subscription card come along with it. I guess they are wishing I call them and say \"please charge me for the paper you are already sending me for free!\"\n\n<strong>Wishing is not a good marketing tactic.</strong>\n\n<a title=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake by Ben Sutherland, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensutherland/5800945753/\"><img alt=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3659/5800945753_ee040e1ff4.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"331\" /></a>\n\n<strong>Instead, ask for what you want</strong> or give potential customers a pathway to becoming paying customers. In this case, the newspaper could send me a card saying that they hope I have enjoyed my free trial subscription, and if I would like to continue getting this newspaper, then please send a check in the enclosed envelope or call some phone number with my credit card information.\n\nWe see this with many other situations. Another common example is failing to ask for referrals. Does your hair or beauty salon ever ask you specifically to refer people? They probably wish you did, but they don\'t make it easy or worth your while. Say they said to you when you were checking out: We hope you like your new hair do. Perhaps you know someone else who wants a new haircut. If you do, we have a referral program. Just tell your friend to call us the number on this card, and we will give you a discount on your next service.\n\nSometimes you have to ask very specifically for what you want. A few days ago, I read that the tweets that get the most traction are the ones that have an ask in them: please retweet,  please help, please donate, etc.  You can\'t wish for things to happen...you have to make them happen!\n\nThoughts?','Wishing is not a marketing tactic','','inherit','open','open','','2208-revision','','','2013-05-30 19:59:48','2013-05-30 19:59:48','',2208,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2208-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2210,4,'2013-05-30 20:00:48','2013-05-30 20:00:48','Several weeks ago, I started getting a weekly newspaper in the mail. It was a supposed to be a four-week free subscription to thank me for some volunteering I had done. The enclosed note said that they hoped I would consider subscribing.\n\nI would consider subscribing, but I haven\'t been given the chance. I keep getting this newspaper, even though it has been more than eight weeks (twice what was originally offered) and never once has a subscription card come along with it. I guess they are wishing I call them and say \"please charge me for the paper you are already sending me for free!\"\n\n<strong>Wishing is not a good marketing tactic.</strong>\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake by Ben Sutherland, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensutherland/5800945753/\"><img alt=\"Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3659/5800945753_ee040e1ff4.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"298\" /></a> Gran blows out her candles on her 80th birthday cake by Ben Sutherland on Flickr[/caption]\n\n<strong>Instead, ask for what you want</strong> or give potential customers a pathway to becoming paying customers. In this case, the newspaper could send me a card saying that they hope I have enjoyed my free trial subscription, and if I would like to continue getting this newspaper, then please send a check in the enclosed envelope or call some phone number with my credit card information.\n\nWe see this with many other situations. Another common example is failing to ask for referrals. Does your hair or beauty salon ever ask you specifically to refer people? They probably wish you did, but they don\'t make it easy or worth your while. Say they said to you when you were checking out: We hope you like your new hair do. Perhaps you know someone else who wants a new haircut. If you do, we have a referral program. Just tell your friend to call us the number on this card, and we will give you a discount on your next service.\n\nSometimes you have to ask very specifically for what you want. A few days ago, I read that the tweets that get the most traction are the ones that have an ask in them: please retweet,  please help, please donate, etc.  You can\'t wish for things to happen...you have to make them happen!\n\nThoughts?','Wishing is not a marketing tactic','','inherit','open','open','','2208-revision-2','','','2013-05-30 20:00:48','2013-05-30 20:00:48','',2208,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/2208-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2327,4,'2013-09-10 14:27:55','2013-09-10 14:27:55','Google\'s decision to kill Google Reader has impacted more than our ability to have all our blog feeds in one easy-to-access place, it has impacted many blogs and their ability to be read at all. You see, Google did not give anybody a real alternative to Reader. Some jumped in, like Feedly, making it easy to transfer your feeds to their readers. For some users of Google Reader, it was hard to decide which of the many alternatives out there to use, so they didn\'t transfer their feeds, and now, that ability is lost.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I started to notice that this blog\'s feed was taking several days to update on Feedly (which is the alternative I chose). Then, the last two or three posts NEVER updated at all. I wrote to Feedly this morning, and their customer service rep told me that it is a capacity issue on which they are working. In the meantime, people who are looking for this blog on Feedly think I haven\'t written anything in two weeks. And you may not even see this post.\r\n\r\nThe demise of Google Reader may turn out to be a disaster for many smaller blogs like this. Unless Feedly steps up, and all readers out there have the capacity that Google offered, blogs will be affected. Once you aren\'t present, you disappear from people\'s minds. With the plethora of blogs and other content available, the competition is intense. To have cut through the clutter and made it on to people\'s Google Reader only to be demolished by an nonexistent \"transition\" is not only a real shame but could be a destroyer of business.\r\n\r\nI am not sure what to do. I will continue posting my content to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook as appropriate, and people are free to subscribe via email (and that updates instantly as the post is published).\r\n\r\nIf you are reading this post, what do you suggest?','You may not see this post','','publish','open','open','','you-may-not-see-this-post','','','2013-09-10 14:27:55','2013-09-10 14:27:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2327',0,'post','',6),(2213,4,'2013-06-05 14:34:42','2013-06-05 14:34:42','If you have received any type of contact email, you know there is a way to do it and a way not to.  Just this week I received a contact email that made me realize lots of salespeople don\'t know how to do it.  The email I got was this:\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah:\n\nI’m working with the [company name] sales channel, and my client requires the assistance of a company specializing in “Communications Audits”.\n\nKindly drop me a line to discuss (my phone number is provided below).  Thanks,\n\n[Email signature]</blockquote>\nThis email followed a voice message that went like this:\n<blockquote>Hi Deborah, My name is X , a consultant working with the sales channel (...) and [my client] is inquiring about a communications audit. And I\'d like to talk to you about it, how does it work, relative to their sales channel, it would be very lucrative to your business. ...</blockquote>\nThe consultant seems to assume I understand what \"the sales channel\" is supposed to be. He is also looking for \"communications audits\" relative to the sales channel. And lastly, he is telling me it would be lucrative to my business.  There are two things going on in the contact, and they are at odds with each other: looking for a solution for a client and offering something to me. Which is it? Neither is clear.\n\nI asked for clarification as to what exactly he was looking for, and this consultant suggested having a 15-minute conversation. When I said I needed more information to see if there was a fit, he repeated what he had told me. I then wrote back saying I thought there wasn\'t a fit. To top it off, I got this email back from him:\n<blockquote>I’ll gladly give you appropriate details if we were to connect.\n\nSurely you’re not too busy to grow your business and frankly, if you are – delegate to as a sales rep.\n\nYou’re not too important to talk to me; I deal with Presidents of companies with revenues exceeding $100M.</blockquote>\nIn the end, this person is really trying to sell ME something, which is obvious since he can\'t tell me what problem his client is having that he thinks I can help with.  What he really wants is to have a connection with me. And he thinks that by insulting me and assuming things about me, I will want to talk to him (not to mention that he has grammatical challenges...)\n\nIf you want to have write a successful contact email, do not follow the example above. Here is what you should do instead:\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1. Start with being clear on the purpose of your contact. What you are looking for. Are you looking for a quote? A description of services? A location?</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">2. Tell the contact how you found him/her  and/or why you are contacting him/her.  For example: I am looking for a general contractor, and I came across your name in the XYX directory.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">3. Provide details that may be relevant. Don\'t assume that the person understands everything you are saying. Using the example of the general contractor: I am looking to add a powder room to the first level of my two-level house. Currently, I have two bathrooms upstairs. I think there is enough space on the first level to accommodate this change. I am not sure if the plumbing can be worked in.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">4. Ask specific questions. Are you able to do this service? What do you charge? What other information do you require?</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">5. Close nicely and provide contact information: Thanks for your attention and please contact me either by email or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx.</p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">6. Before sending, make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Emails that are full of typos and mistakes make you look unprofessional.</p>\nRealize that you may not always get a response. That\'s OK. And if you do get a request for clarification, clarify! You may have questions, and the contact may have questions. Don\'t assume that you both know everything.\n\nFinally, don\'t do what the guy in the contact email to me did: say you want one thing, while meaning something else. People see through that and it makes you look bad.\n\nThoughts?\n\n&nbsp;','How to write a contact email','','inherit','open','open','','2212-revision','','','2013-06-05 14:34:42','2013-06-05 14:34:42','',2212,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2212-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2215,4,'2013-06-07 13:34:34','2013-06-07 13:34:34','You can\'t call yesterday\'s news new. In fact, you probably can\'t call it news either. And yet, it has become a habit for some marketers, most notably those on Twitter, to use the word \"new\" or even worse, the word \"breaking\" to set apart their content. Now, if something is truly new or breaking, then that\'s fine, but keep in mind that calling something new or breaking is a one-time-only proposition.\n\n<a title=\"News Shop by Cyberslayer, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/338311046/\"><img alt=\"News Shop\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/156/338311046_d98886414a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a>\n\nOnce you have called something new or breaking, you can\'t do it again. Why? Here are three reasons:\n<ol>\n	<li>It is <strong>false advertising</strong>: it is no longer new.</li>\n	<li>It <strong>undermines your credibility</strong>: you are trying to get me to believe something that is not so.</li>\n	<li>It\'s a <strong>cheap tactic</strong>: is this the only way you can get attention for your product, service or idea?</li>\n</ol>\nIf I see a Twitter stream replete with the words new or breaking, it better be from a wire service, newspaper or news broadcast. A post that you wrote two weeks ago is not new. An idea that you tweeted out last week certainly is not breaking.\n\nRemember it\'s only new once, everything else can be classified as gently used or old or even outdated!\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s only new once','','inherit','open','open','','2214-revision','','','2013-06-07 13:34:34','2013-06-07 13:34:34','',2214,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2214-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2216,4,'2013-06-07 13:35:34','2013-06-07 13:35:34','You can\'t call yesterday\'s news new. In fact, you probably can\'t call it news either. And yet, it has become a habit for some marketers, most notably those on Twitter, to use the word \"new\" or even worse, the word \"breaking\" to set apart their content. Now, if something is truly new or breaking, then that\'s fine, but keep in mind that calling something new or breaking is a one-time-only proposition.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"News Shop by Cyberslayer, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/338311046/\"><img alt=\"News Shop\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/156/338311046_d98886414a.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> News shop by Cyberslayer via Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nOnce you have called something new or breaking, you can\'t do it again. Why? Here are three reasons:\n<ol>\n	<li>It is <strong>false advertising</strong>: it is no longer new.</li>\n	<li>It <strong>undermines your credibility</strong>: you are trying to get me to believe something that is not so.</li>\n	<li>It\'s a <strong>cheap tactic</strong>: is this the only way you can get attention for your product, service or idea?</li>\n</ol>\nIf I see a Twitter stream replete with the words new or breaking, it better be from a wire service, newspaper or news broadcast. A post that you wrote two weeks ago is not new. An idea that you tweeted out last week certainly is not breaking.\n\nRemember it\'s only new once, everything else can be classified as gently used or old or even outdated!\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s only new once','','inherit','open','open','','2214-revision-2','','','2013-06-07 13:35:34','2013-06-07 13:35:34','',2214,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2214-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2218,4,'2013-06-11 13:15:22','2013-06-11 13:15:22','Yesterday, I got two emails from two completely different organizations. Both had too little information but one was paragraphs long and the other not even a sentence.\r\n\r\nLet me discuss the longer one first. It was an email from an organization that is folding. They email was an invitation to a farewell dinner. It included all the necessary event information (date, place, time) but left out one crucial piece of information: why the event was necessary in the first place. Why are they closing shop? Mystery has its place, but not in this type of email. Just come out and say it! I am not sure if the group is finished because of poor attendance, lack of leadership or orders from above.\r\n\r\nThe second email was even more of a head-scratcher.  It came from an organization I was not familiar with, and had the following subject line: \"Focus on your business-not your database.\" In the body of the email there was nothing but the organization\'s email signature (not even a website address!). Nothing at all. Attached, is a brochure with what I presume is more information.  There are at least three things wrong with this:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>The<strong> subject line</strong> makes assumptions: it assumes that it is bad to focus on your database or that I am focusing on it instead of my business (huh?).</li>\r\n	<li>There is<strong> no contex</strong>t for the contact. Read my post <a title=\"How to write a contact email\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/how-to-write-a-contact-email/\">\"How to write a contact email.\"</a></li>\r\n	<li>In this day,<strong> smart people only open attachments from trusted sources</strong>. Since this source did not even bother to write a couple lines identifying itself and its business and its reason for contacting me, why should I bother opening the attachment?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nYou can provide too little information. In something like the first case I talk about, this may lead to a follow up from your contact. I know who the organization is but am lacking some information I am interested in knowing.  In the second case, the lack of information makes me distrust the sender and want to delete the email.\r\n\r\n<strong>The key is to provide ENOUGH INFORMATION for a person receiving your message to make a decision.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour thoughts?','Too much info or too little?','','publish','open','open','','too-much-info-or-too-little','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/how-to-write-a-contact-email/','2013-06-11 13:15:22','2013-06-11 13:15:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2218',0,'post','',0),(2219,4,'2013-06-11 13:15:00','2013-06-11 13:15:00','Yesterday, I got two emails from two completely different organizations. Both had too little information but one was paragraphs long and the other not even a sentence.\n\nLet me discuss the longer one first. It was an email from an organization that is folding. They email was an invitation to a farewell dinner. It included all the necessary event information (date, place, time) but left out one crucial piece of information: why the event was necessary in the first place. Why are they closing shop? Mystery has its place, but not in this type of email. Just come out and say it! I am not sure if the group is finished because of poor attendance, lack of leadership or orders from above.\n\nThe second email was even more of a head-scratcher.  It came from an organization I was not familiar with, and had the following subject line: \"Focus on your business-not your database.\" In the body of the email there was nothing but the organization\'s email signature (not even a website address!). Nothing at all. Attached, is a brochure with what I presume is more information.  There are at least three things wrong with this:\n<ol>\n	<li>The<strong> subject line</strong> makes assumptions: it assumes that it is bad to focus on your database or that I am focusing on it instead of my business (huh?).</li>\n	<li>There is<strong> no contex</strong>t for the contact. Read my post <a title=\"How to write a contact email\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/how-to-write-a-contact-email/\">\"How to write a contact email.\"</a></li>\n	<li>In this day,<strong> smart people only open attachments from trusted sources</strong>. Since this source did not even bother to write a couple lines identifying itself and its business and its reason for contacting me, why should I bother opening the attachment?</li>\n</ol>\nYou can provide too little information. In something like the first case I talk about, this may lead to a follow up from your contact. I know who the organization is but am lacking some information I am interested in knowing.  In the second case, the lack of information makes me distrust the sender and want to delete the email.\n\n<strong>The key is to provide ENOUGH INFORMATION for a person receiving your message to make a decision.</strong>\n\nYour thoughts?','Too much info or too little?','','inherit','open','open','','2218-revision','','','2013-06-11 13:15:00','2013-06-11 13:15:00','',2218,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2218-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2220,4,'2013-06-11 13:16:31','2013-06-11 13:16:31','Yesterday, I got two emails from two completely different organizations. Both had too little information but one was paragraphs long and the other not even a sentence.\n\nLet me discuss the longer one first. It was an email from an organization that is folding. They email was an invitation to a farewell dinner. It included all the necessary event information (date, place, time) but left out one crucial piece of information: why the event was necessary in the first place. Why are they closing shop? Mystery has its place, but not in this type of email. Just come out and say it! I am not sure if the group is finished because of poor attendance, lack of leadership or orders from above.\n\nThe second email was even more of a head-scratcher.  It came from an organization I was not familiar with, and had the following subject line: \"Focus on your business-not your database.\" In the body of the email there was nothing but the organization\'s email signature (not even a website address!). Nothing at all. Attached, is a brochure with what I presume is more information.  There are at least three things wrong with this:\n<ol>\n	<li>The<strong> subject line</strong> makes assumptions: it assumes that it is bad to focus on your database or that I am focusing on it instead of my business (huh?).</li>\n	<li>There is<strong> no contex</strong>t for the contact. Read my post <a title=\"How to write a contact email\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/how-to-write-a-contact-email/\">\"How to write a contact email.\"</a></li>\n	<li>In this day,<strong> smart people only open attachments from trusted sources</strong>. Since this source did not even bother to write a couple lines identifying itself and its business and its reason for contacting me, why should I bother opening the attachment?</li>\n</ol>\nYou can provide too little information. In something like the first case I talk about, this may lead to a follow up from your contact. I know who the organization is but am lacking some information I am interested in knowing.  In the second case, the lack of information makes me distrust the sender and want to delete the email.\n\n<strong>The key is to provide ENOUGH INFORMATION for a person receiving your message to make a decision.</strong>\n\nYour thoughts?','Too much info or too little?','','inherit','open','open','','2218-autosave','','','2013-06-11 13:16:31','2013-06-11 13:16:31','',2218,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2218-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2221,4,'2013-06-13 13:54:26','2013-06-13 13:54:26','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with?  Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did enjoy your stay, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location? Great amenities?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\r\n\r\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotel\'s cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\r\n\r\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\r\n\r\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','publish','open','open','','what-your-latest-hotel-stay-can-teach-you-about-marketing','','','2013-06-13 13:58:05','2013-06-13 13:58:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2221',0,'post','',0),(2222,4,'2013-06-13 13:51:30','2013-06-13 13:51:30','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with? Not enough lighting? Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\n\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\n\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotels cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\n\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\n\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\n\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2221-revision','','','2013-06-13 13:51:30','2013-06-13 13:51:30','',2221,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2221-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2224,4,'2013-06-13 13:53:43','2013-06-13 13:53:43','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with?  Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\n\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\n\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotels cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\n\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\n\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\n\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2221-revision-3','','','2013-06-13 13:53:43','2013-06-13 13:53:43','',2221,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2221-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2223,4,'2013-06-13 13:51:39','2013-06-13 13:51:39','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with? Not enough lighting? Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\r\n\r\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotels cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\r\n\r\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\r\n\r\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2221-revision-2','','','2013-06-13 13:51:39','2013-06-13 13:51:39','',2221,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2221-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2225,4,'2013-06-13 13:55:31','2013-06-13 13:55:31','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with?  Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did enjoy your stay, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location? Great amenities?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\n\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\n\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotels cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\n\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\n\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\n\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2221-autosave','','','2013-06-13 13:55:31','2013-06-13 13:55:31','',2221,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2221-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2226,4,'2013-06-13 13:54:26','2013-06-13 13:54:26','Have you stayed at a hotel recently? Did you enjoy your stay? If you didn\'t, what was it that you had issues with?  Towels not fluffy enough? Housekeeping didn\'t clean properly? Or my pet peeve, too much noise?  If you did enjoy your stay, what made it good? Helpful staff? Location? Great amenities?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a title=\"Motel by Beyond Neon, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfuji/334401828/\"><img alt=\"Motel\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/160/334401828_a2832dd918.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" /></a> Motel in Livingston , MT by Beyond Neon on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nYour experience with the hotel is what makes you like it or not. Not the advertising and probably not the rate you paid.\r\n\r\nLast year, I stayed at a chain hotel where the price was right, but nothing else was. I could hear the alarm of the guy next door to me (and his TV and everything else). The coffee in the \"free\" breakfast was terrible. When I complained and asked for a different room,  they did accommodate me. But the problem wasn\'t the room itself, it was the hotels cheap construction. I will never stay there again.  On the other hand, over New Year\'s I stayed at a boutique hotel. There were only a few rooms per floor. The building was old and solidly built. Plus, it was in a great location, quiet and comfortable. I would go back.\r\n\r\nMarketing can get you to book a stay, but you won\'t be coming back if you had a bad experience. And in this social media age, you most likely will share your experiences on a rating site like Trip Advisor or Yelp.  If you have questions or concerns, you  may go on Twitter or Facebook.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing is important, but so is the customer experience.</strong> You can\'t succeed in business if you don\'t work on both. Too many companies spend extraordinary amounts of money trying to get you to buy something, but then don\'t expend any effort once you\'ve made your purchase.\r\n\r\nWith service products, like hotel stays and air travel, experience matters even more because there is no tangible item that you have bought. All you will be taking home are the memories of the experience. The flight went smoothly and you got to your destination on time? That is either a good memory or something that you don\'t think about again. But if you got to your hotel and there were dirty linens on the bed and a non-functioning air conditioning unit, not only is that a bad experience, you will remember it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2221-revision-4','','','2013-06-13 13:54:26','2013-06-13 13:54:26','',2221,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2221-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2245,4,'2013-06-26 00:15:52','2013-06-26 00:15:52','Today, I presented \"Using your Blog as a Centerpiece in your Social Media Strategy\" at the PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake District Conference. It was a great session with lots of great questions.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the PowerPoint presentation on SlideShare\r\n<iframe style=\"border: 1px solid #CCC; border-width: 1px 1px 0; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/23485051\" height=\"356\" width=\"427\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"><strong> <a title=\"Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share\" href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody/blog-social-media-strategy-prsamd-brody-slide-share\" target=\"_blank\">Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody\" target=\"_blank\">DeborahBrody</a></strong></div>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">Let me know if you have any further questions.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">If you\'d like to learn more about blogging, sign up for my next How to Blog workshop, taking place on July 18 in Baltimore. Here are the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">details.</a></p>','Is your blog social?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-blog-social','','','2013-06-26 00:15:52','2013-06-26 00:15:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2245',0,'post','',0),(2228,4,'2013-06-17 12:52:22','2013-06-17 12:52:22','Regardless of all the stories about email being dead, it is still around and it is still used for marketing purposes. Think about the amount of email you get every day. How much of it is personal (and by that I mean addressed to you from a real live person, whether it be to discuss weekend plans or the latest changes to the document you are working on)? I bet only a small fraction falls in the latter category.\r\n\r\nWhat makes email marketing so effective is that it targets people directly and sends the messages into a place they are likely to be every day--their email inbox.  <strong>Successful email marketing is personalized and customized. </strong>Email marketing gives you the ability to address email  to individuals by name and send them the news, offers or other information that is relevant to them.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, today I got an email with the following subject line: David, connect with [name of marketer]. Yes, you are personalizing, but you screwed up my name. I could have deleted it had I not recognized the sender.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, on Friday, I got this email from Thrifty:<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2229\" alt=\"Thrifty 1\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Then, on Saturday I got this one:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2230\" alt=\"Thrifty 2\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\" /></a>I am not sure how many people got this email, but since I happen to rent a few times a year, I thought the first email was for real and an offer for me personally, even though I don\'t have a Blue Chip account. The second email--addressed to \"Dear Valued Customer\"--did not make me feel valued at all.  Thrifty is now telling me that it screwed up and that the offer it  sent is not valid,without doing anything to compensate for the mistake.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you screwing up the goodwill?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">How many times can you screw up and keep goodwill? The difference between screwing up in a mass advertising campaign is that it is impersonal. When you screw up on email you have addressed a client/customer/prospect directly and personally, you have to be more contrite. Since you have the ability to be personal, then be personal! And be more careful.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>It is about opting-in. Don\'t give them a reason to opt-out.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The reason that we use email marketing is because, generally, it is opt-in. That is, people have signed up to receive our messages and want to get them. There is goodwill. But if you fail to personalize, send out erroneous offers, or the wrong offers, you are jeopardizing  that goodwill and giving your list a reason to opt out.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Thoughts?</p>','Why you need to be extra careful with your email marketing','','publish','open','open','','why-you-need-to-be-extra-careful-with-your-email-marketing','','','2013-06-17 12:52:22','2013-06-17 12:52:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2228',0,'post','',0),(2229,4,'2013-06-17 12:29:33','2013-06-17 12:29:33','','Thrifty 1','','inherit','open','open','','thrifty-1','','','2013-06-17 12:29:33','2013-06-17 12:29:33','',2228,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(2230,4,'2013-06-17 12:35:02','2013-06-17 12:35:02','','Thrifty 2','','inherit','open','open','','thrifty-2','','','2013-06-17 12:35:02','2013-06-17 12:35:02','',2228,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(2231,4,'2013-06-17 12:47:04','2013-06-17 12:47:04','Regardless of all the stories about email being dead, it is still around and it is still used for marketing purposes. Think about the amount of email you get every day. How much of it is personal (and by that I mean addressed to you from a real live person, whether it be to discuss weekend plans or the latest changes to the document you are working on)? I bet only a small fraction falls in the latter category.\n\nWhat makes email marketing so effective is that it targets people directly and sends the messages into a place they are likely to be every day--their email inbox.  Successful email marketing is personalized and customized, that is, email can be addressed to individuals by name and sends them the news, offers or other information that is relevant to the\n\nAnd yet, today I got an email with the following subject line: David, connect with [name of marketer].\n\nAnd yet, on Friday, I got this email from Thrifty:<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2229\" alt=\"Thrifty 1\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" /></a>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Then, on Saturday I got this one:</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2230\" alt=\"Thrifty 2\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\" /></a>I am not sure how many people got this email, but since I happen to rent a few times a year, I thought the first email was for real, even though I don\'t have a Blue Chip account. The second email--addressed to \"Dear Valued Customer\"--did not make me feel valued at all.  Thrifty is now telling me that it screwed up and that the offer it  sent is not valid,without doing anything to compensate for the mistake.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Are you</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">How many times can you screw up and keep goodwill? The difference between screwing up in a mass advertising campaign is that it is impersonal. When you screw up on email you have addressed a client/customer/prospect directly and personally, you have to be more contrite. Since you have the ability to be personal, then be personal! And be more careful.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>It is about opting-in. Don\'t give them a reason to opt-out.</strong></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The reason that we use email marketing is because, generally, it is opt-in. That is, people have signed up to receive our messages--they want to get them. There is goodwill. But if you fail to personalize, send out erroneous offers, or the wrong offers, you are jeopardizing  that goodwill.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"></p>','Why you need to be extra careful with your email marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2228-revision','','','2013-06-17 12:47:04','2013-06-17 12:47:04','',2228,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2228-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2232,4,'2013-06-17 12:47:58','2013-06-17 12:47:58','Regardless of all the stories about email being dead, it is still around and it is still used for marketing purposes. Think about the amount of email you get every day. How much of it is personal (and by that I mean addressed to you from a real live person, whether it be to discuss weekend plans or the latest changes to the document you are working on)? I bet only a small fraction falls in the latter category.\r\n\r\nWhat makes email marketing so effective is that it targets people directly and sends the messages into a place they are likely to be every day--their email inbox.  Successful email marketing is personalized and customized, that is, email can be addressed to individuals by name and sends them the news, offers or other information that is relevant to the\r\n\r\nAnd yet, today I got an email with the following subject line: David, connect with [name of marketer].\r\n\r\nAnd yet, on Friday, I got this email from Thrifty:<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2229\" alt=\"Thrifty 1\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Then, on Saturday I got this one:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2230\" alt=\"Thrifty 2\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\" /></a>I am not sure how many people got this email, but since I happen to rent a few times a year, I thought the first email was for real and an offer for me personally, even though I don\'t have a Blue Chip account. The second email--addressed to \"Dear Valued Customer\"--did not make me feel valued at all.  Thrifty is now telling me that it screwed up and that the offer it  sent is not valid,without doing anything to compensate for the mistake.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you screwing up the goodwill?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">How many times can you screw up and keep goodwill? The difference between screwing up in a mass advertising campaign is that it is impersonal. When you screw up on email you have addressed a client/customer/prospect directly and personally, you have to be more contrite. Since you have the ability to be personal, then be personal! And be more careful.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>It is about opting-in. Don\'t give them a reason to opt-out.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The reason that we use email marketing is because, generally, it is opt-in. That is, people have signed up to receive our messages--they want to get them. There is goodwill. But if you fail to personalize, send out erroneous offers, or the wrong offers, you are jeopardizing  that goodwill.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"></p>','Why you need to be extra careful with your email marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2228-revision-2','','','2013-06-17 12:47:58','2013-06-17 12:47:58','',2228,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2228-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2233,4,'2013-06-17 12:48:10','2013-06-17 12:48:10','Regardless of all the stories about email being dead, it is still around and it is still used for marketing purposes. Think about the amount of email you get every day. How much of it is personal (and by that I mean addressed to you from a real live person, whether it be to discuss weekend plans or the latest changes to the document you are working on)? I bet only a small fraction falls in the latter category.\r\n\r\nWhat makes email marketing so effective is that it targets people directly and sends the messages into a place they are likely to be every day--their email inbox.  Successful email marketing is personalized and customized, that is, email can be addressed to individuals by name and sends them the news, offers or other information that is relevant to the\r\n\r\nAnd yet, today I got an email with the following subject line: David, connect with [name of marketer].\r\n\r\nAnd yet, on Friday, I got this email from Thrifty:<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2229\" alt=\"Thrifty 1\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-1.bmp\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Then, on Saturday I got this one:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2230\" alt=\"Thrifty 2\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thrifty-2.bmp\" /></a>I am not sure how many people got this email, but since I happen to rent a few times a year, I thought the first email was for real and an offer for me personally, even though I don\'t have a Blue Chip account. The second email--addressed to \"Dear Valued Customer\"--did not make me feel valued at all.  Thrifty is now telling me that it screwed up and that the offer it  sent is not valid,without doing anything to compensate for the mistake.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you screwing up the goodwill?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">How many times can you screw up and keep goodwill? The difference between screwing up in a mass advertising campaign is that it is impersonal. When you screw up on email you have addressed a client/customer/prospect directly and personally, you have to be more contrite. Since you have the ability to be personal, then be personal! And be more careful.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>It is about opting-in. Don\'t give them a reason to opt-out.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The reason that we use email marketing is because, generally, it is opt-in. That is, people have signed up to receive our messages--they want to get them. There is goodwill. But if you fail to personalize, send out erroneous offers, or the wrong offers, you are jeopardizing  that goodwill.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"></p>','Why you need to be extra careful with your email marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2228-revision-3','','','2013-06-17 12:48:10','2013-06-17 12:48:10','',2228,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2228-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2235,4,'2013-05-22 20:21:35','2013-05-22 20:21:35','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\nJune 25, 2013 Presenting a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-05-22 20:21:35','2013-05-22 20:21:35','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/1765-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(2236,4,'2013-06-18 16:23:07','2013-06-18 16:23:07','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\nJune 25, 2013 Presenting a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\nJuly 18, 2013 Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Baltimore. Registration and details <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore-eorg.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-06-18 16:23:07','2013-06-18 16:23:07','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/1765-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(2237,4,'2013-06-20 13:02:29','2013-06-20 13:02:29','Yesterday, the <a href=\"https://www.prsa-ncc.org/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA-National Capital Chapter</a> hosted a panel on content marketing and public relations. The panelists--Michael Laxineta (Custom Briefings), Bruce Namerow (Interactive Strategies) and Anne Holtz (Home Innovation Research Labs)-- did a great job of explaining what content marketing is, how it works and how to make it work better.\r\n\r\nMichael Laxineta said he believes that the \"PR profession is the original content marketer.\" He says that 91% of business-to-business marketers are using content marketing, and that the biggest challenge is providing engaging content. Bruce Namerow said that content drives anything, and that brands now are their own publishers.\r\n\r\nContent marketing has many benefits, including brand awareness, nurturing leads and building relationships. Anne Holtz said that prior to embarking on a content marketing strategy, Home Innovation Research Labs was doing great stuff, but people did not know about it.  Having a strategy in place has helped get traffic to its website.\r\n\r\nIn order to develop a successful content marketing program,  you should consider these five key steps:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Make sure that your content marketing is in line with both your business and communications goals.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Understand exactly who your audience is and what information they need.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Do keyword research so that you are using the terms and keywords people actually search.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Personalize the content to your audience needs. It is not about reaching everyone but about reaching your niche with the information they need.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Make sure your content is mobile-ready.</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps content marketing is just a fancy new term for what we used to call integrated marketing communications, as my friend Karen Addis from <a href=\"http://environicspr.com/us/\" target=\"_blank\">Environics Communications </a>said. Whatever we call it now, it is still smart to reach your audience with the information they require to build a relationship with your organization or to buy from your business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 keys to successful content marketing','','publish','open','open','','5-keys-to-successful-content-marketing','','','2013-06-20 13:02:29','2013-06-20 13:02:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2237',0,'post','',2),(2238,4,'2013-06-20 13:01:52','2013-06-20 13:01:52','Yesterday, the <a href=\"https://www.prsa-ncc.org/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA-National Capital Chapter</a> hosted a panel on content marketing and public relations. The panelists--Michael Laxineta (Custom Briefings), Bruce Namerow (Interactive Strategies) and Anne Holtz (Home Innovation Research Labs)-- did a great job of explaining what content marketing is, how it works and how to make it work better.\n\nMichael Laxineta said he believes that the \"PR profession is the original content marketer.\" He says that 91% of business-to-business marketers are using content marketing, and that the biggest challenge is providing engaging content. Bruce Namerow said that content drives anything, and that brands now are their own publishers.\n\nContent marketing has many benefits, including brand awareness, nurturing leads and building relationships. Anne Holtz said that prior to embarking on a content marketing strategy, Home Innovation Research Labs was doing great stuff, but people did not know about it.  Having a strategy in place has helped get traffic to its website.\n\nIn order to develop a successful content marketing program,  you should consider these five key steps:\n\n<strong>1. Make sure that your content marketing is in line with both your business and communications goals.</strong>\n\n<strong>2. Understand exactly who your audience is and what information they need.</strong>\n\n<strong>3. Do keyword research so that you are using the terms and keywords people actually search.</strong>\n\n<strong>4. Personalize the content to your audience needs. It is not about reaching everyone but about reaching your niche with the information they need.</strong>\n\n<strong>5. Make sure your content is mobile-ready.</strong>\n\nPerhaps content marketing is just a fancy new term for what we used to call integrated marketing communications, as my friend Karen Addis from <a href=\"http://environicspr.com/us/\" target=\"_blank\">Environics Communications </a>said. Whatever we call it now, it is still smart to reach your audience with the information they require to build a relationship with your organization or to buy from your business.\n\n&nbsp;','5 keys to successful content marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2237-revision','','','2013-06-20 13:01:52','2013-06-20 13:01:52','',2237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2237-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2260,4,'2013-07-11 13:07:06','2013-07-11 13:07:06','Many businesses use special offers to try to lure customers in or to retain existing customers. Whether it is a discount for new customers, a gift with purchase or buy-one-get-one free, special offers are all over. The question is are these offers working for the business AND are they working for the customer?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"SPECIAL by davecobb, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/davecobb/3080592338/\"><img alt=\"SPECIAL\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3209/3080592338_2f587803aa.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a> Special by Dave Cobb on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nI have been going to a massage clinic for a while, and through the years, its rates have climbed steadily, which makes it harder to get massages regularly. The clinic started offering a deal to holders of a local rewards card, which you buy for $25 and which provides a variety of discounts with local businesses. The deal was that you would get a 75-minute massage for the price of a 60-minute massage, or 15 minutes free. There is very little cost to the clinic for this deal, and the value is only about $15.\r\n\r\nSince I was booking a 60-minute massage anyway, why not get an extra 15 minutes, right? I  did so back in February, and then I booked it again for this week. Well, I got an email back from the massage therapist telling me the deal had expired and that she would be happy to give me a 75-minute massage for the regular price.  Needless to say, I was not happy. I wrote back that it was disappointing that they would have this offer on their website scheduler and then not honor it. Then, the clinic\'s owner wrote me to tell me that no, the offer hadn\'t expired, it simply was valid for a ONE-TIME USE, and since I had used it in February, I was no longer entitled to it. BUT, because I was a \"loyal\" customer, she would pay the massage therapist the difference (words designed to make me feel guilty...but that is a subject for another post).\r\n\r\nNowhere on the clinic\'s website does it say anything about the offer being a one-time deal. In fact, the only place referencing this is the website for the rewards card (in fairly small print). Nobody else on the rewards program has a one-time deal. It is all discounts for first time customers or ongoing discounts such as a 10% discount at a dry cleaner\'s and so forth.\r\n\r\nWhat we have here is a special offer that a) has no clear purpose and b) does not have clear (and common) rules for usage.  The result is little gain to the business and disappointment to the customer.\r\n\r\nWhen deciding on a special offer, businesses need to do a bit of strategic thinking and planning. Here are some guidelines before you issue any type of special offer.\r\n\r\n1) <strong>Have a clear marketing goal in mind.</strong> Are you training to attract new customers? Are you trying to build loyalty? What do you hope to accomplish with this offer?\r\n\r\n2)<strong> Have a real offer (with real value)</strong>.  A special offer should be special, that is, a customer should be getting something that he or she really wants and that incentivizes the customer with the goal in mind. That is, if you want a new customer, then make it worthwhile for a new customer to try your service or product (hint--10% off is usually not a great offer for first-time users).\r\n\r\n3) <strong>Have clear rules</strong> that are communicated to the customer BEFORE he/she attempts to use your special offer.\r\n\r\n4) <strong>Be prepared to honor your special offer</strong>. When you don\'t honor an offer you risk alienating the customer.\r\n\r\n5) <strong>Have a way of tracking the offer.</strong> If your goal was to get new customers, how many came because the offer? Have regular customers been taking advantage of the offer and is it translating to an overall increase in sales?\r\n\r\n<strong>Whatever your special offer is, make sure it really is special, both for your business and for your customer.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','About that special offer...just how special is it?','','publish','open','open','','about-that-special-offer-just-how-special-is-it','','','2013-07-11 13:07:06','2013-07-11 13:07:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2260',0,'post','',2),(2282,4,'2013-07-22 13:30:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','A couple of weeks ago, I told you all about the awful experience that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller things that was super annoying was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  There was a stand cluttering the minimal counter space holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap slid to the floor quite easily and often. Hard to wash your hand when you can\'t put the soap down when you are finished!\r\n\r\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\r\n\r\nIt\'s simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR effective communications/marketing (a good design, great copy)  DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your target audience). How does a person use your product? What does the person need to complete a sale?\r\n\r\nIf you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where shall I put the soap?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-07-22 13:30:42','2013-07-22 13:30:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2282',0,'post','',0),(2242,4,'2013-06-24 13:51:20','2013-06-24 13:51:20','Twitter is second only to Facebook in brand marketing (85% to Facebook\'s 91%, according to Social Media Examiner\'s <a href=\"http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2013 Social Media Marketing Report</a>). It\'s safe to say that Twitter is part of most organizational social media strategies. Yet, many companies do not seem to understand how to use Twitter or how to use it to connect with their customers.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"FAIL stamp by hans.gerwitz, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/\"><img alt=\"FAIL stamp\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2123/2308371224_60e0cda6e8.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" /></a> FAIL stamp by Hans Gewirtz on Flickr. Read more here: http://hans.gerwitz.com/2011/03/07/fail-stamp.html[/caption]\r\n\r\nHow do companies #fail at Twitter?\r\n\r\n<strong>1. They fail to update their profile</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you ever gone to a Twitter profile and found a link to a blog that has not been updated since 2009? Or how about a company that does not list its current website? It takes minutes to update a Twitter profile. There is no excuse. And don\'t even get me started on those companies (and individuals) who are using the default Twitter egg as their profile pic...\r\n\r\n<strong>2. They fail to seize opportunities</strong>\r\n\r\nAs on most Sundays, yesterday I watched CBS Sunday Morning (some of the best morning TV out there). There were lots of great stories, including one about a Brooklyn pickle manufacturer. It was a  nice story,  and gave the company great publicity. CBS tweeted out a link to the video and mentioned the company\'s Twitter handle. I went to check it. The company never promoted its appearance on CBS and the only mention of it was the re-tweet of CBS\'s video link after the fact. That is a missed opportunity.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. They fail to use Twitter beyond self-promotion</strong>\r\n\r\nToo many companies think that Twitter is a one-way megaphone where they can trumpet their awards and recognitions or think of it as an easy to way to push out news releases and personnel announcements. While there is room for this type of promotion, if a company\'s stream is devoted solely to itself, it is not \"engaging\"with it\'s audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. They fail to understand how people expect companies to use Twitter</strong>\r\n\r\nRelated to the above, companies who use Twitter as a self-promotional news stream, don\'t understand people expect to be able to interact with them. Twitter is a social media network, and the word social is there first for a reason. Social has up-ended the way that companies must communicate with their audiences. Instead of one-way communication, social media has given companies a way of having two-way communications with their customers.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. They fail to understand that Twitter is real-time</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps waiting 24 hours to return a phone call or an email is standard business practice, but it won\'t fly on Twitter. When somebody is asking something on Twitter (or other social media networks), they are expecting a real-time answer, much the same as if they were having an in-person conversation. Answering a Twitter @ query hours or days later is ineffective and completely inappropriate to the medium.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. They fail to understand \"social shame\"</strong>\r\n\r\nCompanies who disregard/ignore/fail to check @ messages on Twitter are unaware of the concept of social shame. Like it or not, individuals turn to Twitter when they have a problem, figuring companies want to preserve their reputations and will respond or try to fix the problem. Many companies don\'t seem to understand the amplification involved in social media. If I complain about a company, my followers may see it but people who use Twitter\'s search function will also see it.\r\n\r\nWhat other company failures on Twitter have you seen? Please add your thoughts in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE July 9, 2013</strong>\r\n\r\nFailure can include auto-tweeting replies. Seems that Bank of America has been doing that, quite inappropriately, according to <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2013/07/08/proof-that-bank-of-americas-twitter-account-is-moderated-by-robots-or-morons-or-moronic-robots/\" target=\"_blank\">this story</a> on Consumerist.','How companies #fail at using Twitter','','publish','open','open','','how-companies-fail-at-using-twitter','','','2013-07-09 14:18:36','2013-07-09 14:18:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2242',0,'post','',0),(2243,4,'2013-06-24 13:49:13','2013-06-24 13:49:13','Twitter is second only to Facebook in brand marketing (85% to Facebook\'s 91%, according to Social Media Examiner\'s <a href=\"http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2013 Social Media Marketing Report</a>). It\'s safe to say that Twitter is part of most organizational social media strategies. Yet, many companies do not seem to understand how to use Twitter or how to use it to connect with their customers.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"FAIL stamp by hans.gerwitz, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/\"><img alt=\"FAIL stamp\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2123/2308371224_60e0cda6e8.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" /></a> FAIL stamp by Hans Gewirtz on Flickr. Read more here: http://hans.gerwitz.com/2011/03/07/fail-stamp.html[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nHow do companies #fail at Twitter?\n\n<strong>1. They fail to update their profile</strong>\n\nHave you ever gone to a Twitter profile and found a link to a blog that has not been updated since 2009? Or how about a company that does not list its current website? It takes minutes to update a Twitter profile. There is no excuse. And don\'t even get me started on those companies (and individuals) who are using the default Twitter egg as their profile pic...\n\n<strong>2. They fail to seize opportunities</strong>\n\nAs on most Sundays, yesterday I watched CBS Sunday Morning (some of the best morning TV out there). There were lots of great stories, including one about a Brooklyn pickle manufacturer. It was a  nice story,  and gave the company great publicity. CBS tweeted out a link to the video and mentioned the company\'s Twitter handle. I went to check it. The company never promoted its appearance on CBS and the only mention of it was the re-tweet of CBS\'s video link after the fact. That is a missed opportunity.\n\n<strong>3. They fail to use Twitter beyond self-promotion</strong>\n\nToo many companies think that Twitter is a one-way megaphone where they can trumpet their awards and recognitions or think of it as an easy to way to push out news releases and personnel announcements. While there is room for this type of promotion, if a company\'s stream is devoted solely to itself, it is not \"engaging\"with it\'s audience.\n\n<strong>4. They fail to understand how people expect companies to use Twitter</strong>\n\nRelated to the above, companies who use Twitter as a self-promotional news stream, don\'t understand people expect to be able to interact with them. Twitter is a social media network, and the word social is there first for a reason. Social has up-ended the way that companies must communicate with their audiences. Instead of one-way communication, social media has given companies a way of having two-way communications with their customers.\n\n<strong>5. They fail to understand that Twitter is real-time</strong>\n\nPerhaps waiting 24 hours to return a phone call or an email is standard business practice, but it won\'t fly on Twitter. When somebody is asking something on Twitter (or other social media networks), they are expecting a real-time answer, much the same as if they were having an in-person conversation. Answering a Twitter @ query hours or days later is ineffective and completely inappropriate to the medium.\n\n<strong>6. They fail to understand \"social shame\"</strong>\n\nCompanies who disregard/ignore/fail to check @ messages on Twitter are unaware of the concept of social shame. Like it or not, individuals turn to Twitter when they have a problem, figuring companies want to preserve their reputations and will respond or try to fix the problem. Many companies don\'t seem to understand the amplification involved in social media. If I complain about a company, my followers may see it but people who use Twitter\'s search function will also see it.\n\nWhat other company failures on Twitter have you seen? Please add any\n\n&nbsp;','How companies #fail at using Twitter','','inherit','open','open','','2242-revision','','','2013-06-24 13:49:13','2013-06-24 13:49:13','',2242,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2242-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2244,4,'2013-06-24 13:50:13','2013-06-24 13:50:13','Twitter is second only to Facebook in brand marketing (85% to Facebook\'s 91%, according to Social Media Examiner\'s <a href=\"http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2013 Social Media Marketing Report</a>). It\'s safe to say that Twitter is part of most organizational social media strategies. Yet, many companies do not seem to understand how to use Twitter or how to use it to connect with their customers.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"FAIL stamp by hans.gerwitz, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/\"><img alt=\"FAIL stamp\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2123/2308371224_60e0cda6e8.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" /></a> FAIL stamp by Hans Gewirtz on Flickr. Read more here: http://hans.gerwitz.com/2011/03/07/fail-stamp.html[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nHow do companies #fail at Twitter?\n\n<strong>1. They fail to update their profile</strong>\n\nHave you ever gone to a Twitter profile and found a link to a blog that has not been updated since 2009? Or how about a company that does not list its current website? It takes minutes to update a Twitter profile. There is no excuse. And don\'t even get me started on those companies (and individuals) who are using the default Twitter egg as their profile pic...\n\n<strong>2. They fail to seize opportunities</strong>\n\nAs on most Sundays, yesterday I watched CBS Sunday Morning (some of the best morning TV out there). There were lots of great stories, including one about a Brooklyn pickle manufacturer. It was a  nice story,  and gave the company great publicity. CBS tweeted out a link to the video and mentioned the company\'s Twitter handle. I went to check it. The company never promoted its appearance on CBS and the only mention of it was the re-tweet of CBS\'s video link after the fact. That is a missed opportunity.\n\n<strong>3. They fail to use Twitter beyond self-promotion</strong>\n\nToo many companies think that Twitter is a one-way megaphone where they can trumpet their awards and recognitions or think of it as an easy to way to push out news releases and personnel announcements. While there is room for this type of promotion, if a company\'s stream is devoted solely to itself, it is not \"engaging\"with it\'s audience.\n\n<strong>4. They fail to understand how people expect companies to use Twitter</strong>\n\nRelated to the above, companies who use Twitter as a self-promotional news stream, don\'t understand people expect to be able to interact with them. Twitter is a social media network, and the word social is there first for a reason. Social has up-ended the way that companies must communicate with their audiences. Instead of one-way communication, social media has given companies a way of having two-way communications with their customers.\n\n<strong>5. They fail to understand that Twitter is real-time</strong>\n\nPerhaps waiting 24 hours to return a phone call or an email is standard business practice, but it won\'t fly on Twitter. When somebody is asking something on Twitter (or other social media networks), they are expecting a real-time answer, much the same as if they were having an in-person conversation. Answering a Twitter @ query hours or days later is ineffective and completely inappropriate to the medium.\n\n<strong>6. They fail to understand \"social shame\"</strong>\n\nCompanies who disregard/ignore/fail to check @ messages on Twitter are unaware of the concept of social shame. Like it or not, individuals turn to Twitter when they have a problem, figuring companies want to preserve their reputations and will respond or try to fix the problem. Many companies don\'t seem to understand the amplification involved in social media. If I complain about a company, my followers may see it but people who use Twitter\'s search function will also see it.\n\nWhat other company failures on Twitter have you seen? Please add your thoughts in the comments.\n\n&nbsp;','How companies #fail at using Twitter','','inherit','open','open','','2242-revision-2','','','2013-06-24 13:50:13','2013-06-24 13:50:13','',2242,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2242-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2246,4,'2013-06-26 00:14:35','2013-06-26 00:14:35','Today, I presented \"Using your Blog as a Centerpiece in your Social Media Strategy\" at the PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake District Conference. It was a great session with lots of great questions.\n\nHere\'s the PowerPoint presentation on SlideShare\n<iframe style=\"border: 1px solid #CCC; border-width: 1px 1px 0; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/23485051\" height=\"356\" width=\"427\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"><strong> <a title=\"Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share\" href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody/blog-social-media-strategy-prsamd-brody-slide-share\" target=\"_blank\">Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody\" target=\"_blank\">DeborahBrody</a></strong></div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">Let me know if you have any further questions.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">If you\'d like to learn more about blogging, sign up for my next How to Blog workshop, taking place on July 18 in Baltimore. Here are the details.</p>','Is your blog social?','','inherit','open','open','','2245-revision','','','2013-06-26 00:14:35','2013-06-26 00:14:35','',2245,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2245-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2247,4,'2013-06-26 00:15:36','2013-06-26 00:15:36','Today, I presented \"Using your Blog as a Centerpiece in your Social Media Strategy\" at the PRSA Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake District Conference. It was a great session with lots of great questions.\n\nHere\'s the PowerPoint presentation on SlideShare\n<iframe style=\"border: 1px solid #CCC; border-width: 1px 1px 0; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/23485051\" height=\"356\" width=\"427\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"><strong> <a title=\"Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share\" href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody/blog-social-media-strategy-prsamd-brody-slide-share\" target=\"_blank\">Blog social media strategy prsamd brody slide share</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody\" target=\"_blank\">DeborahBrody</a></strong></div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">Let me know if you have any further questions.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\">If you\'d like to learn more about blogging, sign up for my next How to Blog workshop, taking place on July 18 in Baltimore. Here are the <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">details.</a></p>','Is your blog social?','','inherit','open','open','','2245-revision-2','','','2013-06-26 00:15:36','2013-06-26 00:15:36','',2245,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2245-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2250,4,'2013-07-02 13:35:31','2013-07-02 13:35:31','Caffeinated views is taking a break this week, so there will be no posts. We\'ll be back next week with our usual marketing and communications insights.\r\n\r\nHappy Independence Day and Fourth of July holiday!','We\'re off for the week!','','publish','open','open','','were-off-for-the-week','','','2013-07-02 13:35:31','2013-07-02 13:35:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2250',0,'post','',0),(2251,4,'2013-07-02 13:35:17','2013-07-02 13:35:17','Caffeinated views is taking a break this week, so there will be no pWe promise to be back next week with our usual marketing and communications insights.\n\nHappy Independence Day and Fourth of July holiday!','We\'re off for the week!','','inherit','open','open','','2250-revision','','','2013-07-02 13:35:17','2013-07-02 13:35:17','',2250,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2250-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2253,4,'2013-07-08 17:22:22','2013-07-08 17:22:22','','Presenting at Chessie 1','Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image','inherit','open','open','','presenting-at-chessie-1','','','2013-07-08 17:22:22','2013-07-08 17:22:22','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2365,4,'2013-07-09 14:14:19','2013-07-09 14:14:19','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">CANCELLED</span>: July 18, 2013</strong> Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Baltimore. Registration and details <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore-eorg.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-07-09 14:14:19','2013-07-09 14:14:19','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2254,4,'2013-06-18 16:23:53','2013-06-18 16:23:53','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013</strong> Presenting a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>July 18, 2013</strong> Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Baltimore. Registration and details <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore-eorg.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-06-18 16:23:53','2013-06-18 16:23:53','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/1765-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(2255,4,'2013-07-09 13:41:22','2013-07-09 13:41:22','It\'s painfully obvious that in many companies, marketing is completely separate from customer service and on another planet from company operations. This is why we often see marketing communications that have nothing in common with the actual experience of using a product or service.\r\n\r\nI have written about this several times before, but <strong>as long as marketing is divorced from customer experience, companies will cultivate poor relationships with their customers</strong>.\r\n\r\nRecently, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. You know, where the marketing says that you will be smarter just by staying there. In reality, the walls were paper thin, making sleeping a challenge; the bathroom was cramped, making getting ready a challenge; and to top it off, I could smell breakfast cooking in my room, half-way down the hall on the second floor at 6:30 in the morning. Oh, and if this weren\'t enough,when I tried to work out in the fitness closet, I was greeted by an overheated room, with no temperature controls, and outdated, hard-to-use equipment. It didn\'t help that the front desk seem disinterested, and not once greeted me when I walked in the door.\r\n\r\nI did not feel smarter by staying at the Holiday Inn. In fact, I felt taken. Their pricing for this location is on par with a hotel, not the motel they truly are.\r\n\r\nWhile I was staying at this hotel I kept thinking that the hotel manager and the front desk people had never spent a night at their own motel. Or perhaps they had, which is why they were rarely to be seen and seemed so unenthusiastic about their jobs. What I know for certain is that whoever does the marketing for Holiday Inn Express wants you to believe that this place is tops. But, you will only believe it if you have a positive customer experience. <strong>If you, like me, have a negative customer experience, not only will you scoff at the marketing, but you will likely become a vampire instead of brand ambassador. That is, you will take away customers rather than bring business.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to have marketing communications that work LONG TERM, then you must learn about your customer\'s experiences with your product or service. You want to know the unvarnished truth. <strong>If the experience is consistently bad, you have to fix the experience, not the marketing. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Ultimately, the most amazing communications/marketing campaign can\'t sell a bad product or service.</strong>','Do you know what your customer\'s experience is really like?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-know-what-your-customers-experience-is-really-like','','','2013-07-09 13:41:22','2013-07-09 13:41:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2255',0,'post','',3),(2256,4,'2013-07-09 13:39:30','2013-07-09 13:39:30','It\'s painfully obvious that in many companies, marketing is completely separate from customer service and on another planet from company operations. This is why we often see marketing communications that have nothing in common with the actual experience of using a product or service.\n\nI have written about this several times before, but <strong>as long as marketing is divorced from customer experience, companies will cultivate poor relationships with their customers</strong>.\n\nRecently, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. You know, where the marketing says that you will be smarter just by staying there. In reality, the walls were paper thin, making sleeping a challenge; the bathroom was cramped, making getting ready a challenge; and to top it off, I could smell breakfast cooking in my room, half-way down the hall on the second floor at 6:30 in the morning. Oh, and if this weren\'t enough,when I tried to work out in the fitness closet, I was greeted by an overheated room, with no temperature controls, and outdated, hard-to-use equipment. It didn\'t help that the front desk seem disinterested, and not once greeted me when I walked in the door.\n\nI did not feel smarter by staying at the Holiday Inn. In fact, I felt taken. Their pricing for this location is on par with a hotel, not the motel they truly are.\n\nWhile I was staying at this hotel I kept thinking that the hotel manager and the front desk people had never spent a night at their own motel. Or perhaps they had, which is why they were rarely to be seen and seemed so unenthusiastic about their jobs. What I know for certain is that whoever does the marketing for Holiday Inn Express wants you to believe that this place is tops. But, you will only believe it if you have a positive customer experience. <strong>If you, like me, have a negative customer experience, not only will you scoff at the marketing, but you will likely become a vampire instead of brand ambassador. That is, you will take away customers rather than bring business.</strong>\n\nIf you want to have marketing communications that work LONG TERM, then you must learn about your customer\'s experiences with your product or service. You want to know the unvarnished truth. <strong>If the experience is consistently bad, you have to fix the experience, not the marketing. Ultimately, the most amazing communications/marketing campaign can\'t sell a bad product or service.</strong>','Do you know what your customer\'s experience is really like?','','inherit','open','open','','2255-revision','','','2013-07-09 13:39:30','2013-07-09 13:39:30','',2255,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2255-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2257,4,'2013-07-08 17:24:50','2013-07-08 17:24:50','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong>July 18, 2013</strong> Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Baltimore. Registration and details <a href=\"http://howtowriteyourblogbaltimore-eorg.eventbrite.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nI am available to create customized trainings for your organization on the subjects of: blogging, business writing and messaging.\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-07-08 17:24:50','2013-07-08 17:24:50','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/1765-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(2258,4,'2013-07-09 14:18:30','2013-07-09 14:18:30','Twitter is second only to Facebook in brand marketing (85% to Facebook\'s 91%, according to Social Media Examiner\'s <a href=\"http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2013 Social Media Marketing Report</a>). It\'s safe to say that Twitter is part of most organizational social media strategies. Yet, many companies do not seem to understand how to use Twitter or how to use it to connect with their customers.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"FAIL stamp by hans.gerwitz, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/\"><img alt=\"FAIL stamp\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2123/2308371224_60e0cda6e8.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" /></a> FAIL stamp by Hans Gewirtz on Flickr. Read more here: http://hans.gerwitz.com/2011/03/07/fail-stamp.html[/caption]\n\nHow do companies #fail at Twitter?\n\n<strong>1. They fail to update their profile</strong>\n\nHave you ever gone to a Twitter profile and found a link to a blog that has not been updated since 2009? Or how about a company that does not list its current website? It takes minutes to update a Twitter profile. There is no excuse. And don\'t even get me started on those companies (and individuals) who are using the default Twitter egg as their profile pic...\n\n<strong>2. They fail to seize opportunities</strong>\n\nAs on most Sundays, yesterday I watched CBS Sunday Morning (some of the best morning TV out there). There were lots of great stories, including one about a Brooklyn pickle manufacturer. It was a  nice story,  and gave the company great publicity. CBS tweeted out a link to the video and mentioned the company\'s Twitter handle. I went to check it. The company never promoted its appearance on CBS and the only mention of it was the re-tweet of CBS\'s video link after the fact. That is a missed opportunity.\n\n<strong>3. They fail to use Twitter beyond self-promotion</strong>\n\nToo many companies think that Twitter is a one-way megaphone where they can trumpet their awards and recognitions or think of it as an easy to way to push out news releases and personnel announcements. While there is room for this type of promotion, if a company\'s stream is devoted solely to itself, it is not \"engaging\"with it\'s audience.\n\n<strong>4. They fail to understand how people expect companies to use Twitter</strong>\n\nRelated to the above, companies who use Twitter as a self-promotional news stream, don\'t understand people expect to be able to interact with them. Twitter is a social media network, and the word social is there first for a reason. Social has up-ended the way that companies must communicate with their audiences. Instead of one-way communication, social media has given companies a way of having two-way communications with their customers.\n\n<strong>5. They fail to understand that Twitter is real-time</strong>\n\nPerhaps waiting 24 hours to return a phone call or an email is standard business practice, but it won\'t fly on Twitter. When somebody is asking something on Twitter (or other social media networks), they are expecting a real-time answer, much the same as if they were having an in-person conversation. Answering a Twitter @ query hours or days later is ineffective and completely inappropriate to the medium.\n\n<strong>6. They fail to understand \"social shame\"</strong>\n\nCompanies who disregard/ignore/fail to check @ messages on Twitter are unaware of the concept of social shame. Like it or not, individuals turn to Twitter when they have a problem, figuring companies want to preserve their reputations and will respond or try to fix the problem. Many companies don\'t seem to understand the amplification involved in social media. If I complain about a company, my followers may see it but people who use Twitter\'s search function will also see it.\n\nWhat other company failures on Twitter have you seen? Please add your thoughts in the comments.\n\n<strong>UPDATE July 9, 2013</strong>\n\nFailure can include autotweeting replies. Seems that Bank of America has been doing that, quite inappropriately, according to <a href=\"http://consumerist.com/2013/07/08/proof-that-bank-of-americas-twitter-account-is-moderated-by-robots-or-morons-or-moronic-robots/\" target=\"_blank\">this story</a> on Consumerist.','How companies #fail at using Twitter','','inherit','open','open','','2242-autosave','','','2013-07-09 14:18:30','2013-07-09 14:18:30','',2242,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2242-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2259,4,'2013-06-24 13:51:20','2013-06-24 13:51:20','Twitter is second only to Facebook in brand marketing (85% to Facebook\'s 91%, according to Social Media Examiner\'s <a href=\"http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2013 Social Media Marketing Report</a>). It\'s safe to say that Twitter is part of most organizational social media strategies. Yet, many companies do not seem to understand how to use Twitter or how to use it to connect with their customers.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"FAIL stamp by hans.gerwitz, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/phobia/2308371224/\"><img alt=\"FAIL stamp\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2123/2308371224_60e0cda6e8.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" /></a> FAIL stamp by Hans Gewirtz on Flickr. Read more here: http://hans.gerwitz.com/2011/03/07/fail-stamp.html[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nHow do companies #fail at Twitter?\r\n\r\n<strong>1. They fail to update their profile</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you ever gone to a Twitter profile and found a link to a blog that has not been updated since 2009? Or how about a company that does not list its current website? It takes minutes to update a Twitter profile. There is no excuse. And don\'t even get me started on those companies (and individuals) who are using the default Twitter egg as their profile pic...\r\n\r\n<strong>2. They fail to seize opportunities</strong>\r\n\r\nAs on most Sundays, yesterday I watched CBS Sunday Morning (some of the best morning TV out there). There were lots of great stories, including one about a Brooklyn pickle manufacturer. It was a  nice story,  and gave the company great publicity. CBS tweeted out a link to the video and mentioned the company\'s Twitter handle. I went to check it. The company never promoted its appearance on CBS and the only mention of it was the re-tweet of CBS\'s video link after the fact. That is a missed opportunity.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. They fail to use Twitter beyond self-promotion</strong>\r\n\r\nToo many companies think that Twitter is a one-way megaphone where they can trumpet their awards and recognitions or think of it as an easy to way to push out news releases and personnel announcements. While there is room for this type of promotion, if a company\'s stream is devoted solely to itself, it is not \"engaging\"with it\'s audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. They fail to understand how people expect companies to use Twitter</strong>\r\n\r\nRelated to the above, companies who use Twitter as a self-promotional news stream, don\'t understand people expect to be able to interact with them. Twitter is a social media network, and the word social is there first for a reason. Social has up-ended the way that companies must communicate with their audiences. Instead of one-way communication, social media has given companies a way of having two-way communications with their customers.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. They fail to understand that Twitter is real-time</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps waiting 24 hours to return a phone call or an email is standard business practice, but it won\'t fly on Twitter. When somebody is asking something on Twitter (or other social media networks), they are expecting a real-time answer, much the same as if they were having an in-person conversation. Answering a Twitter @ query hours or days later is ineffective and completely inappropriate to the medium.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. They fail to understand \"social shame\"</strong>\r\n\r\nCompanies who disregard/ignore/fail to check @ messages on Twitter are unaware of the concept of social shame. Like it or not, individuals turn to Twitter when they have a problem, figuring companies want to preserve their reputations and will respond or try to fix the problem. Many companies don\'t seem to understand the amplification involved in social media. If I complain about a company, my followers may see it but people who use Twitter\'s search function will also see it.\r\n\r\nWhat other company failures on Twitter have you seen? Please add your thoughts in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How companies #fail at using Twitter','','inherit','open','open','','2242-revision-3','','','2013-06-24 13:51:20','2013-06-24 13:51:20','',2242,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/2242-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2261,4,'2013-07-11 13:04:38','2013-07-11 13:04:38','Many businesses use special offers to try to lure customers in or to retain existing customers. Whether it is a discount for new customers, a gift with purchase or buy-one-get-one free, special offers are all over. The question is are these offers working for the business AND are they working for the customer?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"SPECIAL by davecobb, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/davecobb/3080592338/\"><img alt=\"SPECIAL\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3209/3080592338_2f587803aa.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a> Special by Dave Cobb on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nI have been going to a massage clinic for a while, and through the years, its rates have climbed steadily, which makes it harder to get massages regularly. The clinic started offering a deal to holders of a local rewards card, which you buy for $25 and which provides a variety of discounts with local businesses. The deal was that you would get a 75-minute massage for the price of a 60-minute massage, or 15 minutes free. There is very little cost to the clinic for this deal, and the value is only about $15.\n\nSince I was booking a 60-minute massage anyway, why not get an extra 15 minutes, right? I  did so back in February, and then I booked it again for this week. Well, I got an email back from the massage therapist telling me the deal had expired and that she would be happy to give me a 75-minute massage for the regular price.  Needless to say, I was not happy. I wrote back that it was disappointing that they would have this offer on their website scheduler and then not honor it. Then, the clinic\'s owner wrote me to tell me that no, the offer hadn\'t expired, it simply was valid for a ONE-TIME USE, and since I had used it in February, I was no longer entitled to it. BUT, because I was a \"loyal\" customer, she would pay the massage therapist the difference (words designed to make me feel guilty...but that is a subject for another post).\n\nNowhere on the clinic\'s website does it say anything about the offer being a one-time deal. In fact, the only place referencing this is the website for the rewards card (in fairly small print). Nobody else on the rewards program has a one-time deal. It is all discounts for first time customers or ongoing discounts such as a 10% discount at a dry cleaner\'s and so forth.\n\nWhat we have here is a special offer that a) has no clear purpose and b) does not have clear (and common) rules for usage.  The result is little gain to the business and disappointment to the customer.\n\nWhen deciding on a special offer, businesses need to do a bit of strategic thinking and planning. Here are some guidelines before you issue any type of special offer.\n\n1) <strong>Have a clear marketing goal in mind.</strong> Are you training to attract new customers? Are you trying to build loyalty? What do you hope to accomplish with this offer?\n\n2)<strong> Have a real offer (with real value)</strong>.  A special offer should be special, that is, a customer should be getting something that he or she really wants and that incentivizes the customer with the goal in mind. That is, if you want a new customer, then make it worthwhile for a new customer to try your service or product (hint--10% off is usually not a great offer for first-time users).\n\n3) <strong>Have clear rules</strong> that are communicated to the customer BEFORE he/she attempts to use your special offer.\n\n4) <strong>Be prepared to honor your special offer</strong>. When you don\'t honor an offer you risk alienating the customer.\n\n5) <strong>Have a way of tracking the offer.</strong> If your goal was to get new customers, how many came because the offer? Have regular customers been taking advantage of the offer and is it translating to an overall increase in sales?\n\n<strong>Whatever your special offer is, make sure it really is special, both for your business and for your customer.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;','About that special offer...just how special is it?','','inherit','open','open','','2260-revision','','','2013-07-11 13:04:38','2013-07-11 13:04:38','',2260,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2260-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2262,4,'2013-07-11 13:05:06','2013-07-11 13:05:06','Many businesses use special offers to try to lure customers in or to retain existing customers. Whether it is a discount for new customers, a gift with purchase or buy-one-get-one free, special offers are all over. The question is are these offers working for the business AND are they working for the customer?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"SPECIAL by davecobb, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/davecobb/3080592338/\"><img alt=\"SPECIAL\" src=\"http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3209/3080592338_2f587803aa.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a> Special by Dave Cobb on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nI have been going to a massage clinic for a while, and through the years, its rates have climbed steadily, which makes it harder to get massages regularly. The clinic started offering a deal to holders of a local rewards card, which you buy for $25 and which provides a variety of discounts with local businesses. The deal was that you would get a 75-minute massage for the price of a 60-minute massage, or 15 minutes free. There is very little cost to the clinic for this deal, and the value is only about $15.\r\n\r\nSince I was booking a 60-minute massage anyway, why not get an extra 15 minutes, right? I  did so back in February, and then I booked it again for this week. Well, I got an email back from the massage therapist telling me the deal had expired and that she would be happy to give me a 75-minute massage for the regular price.  Needless to say, I was not happy. I wrote back that it was disappointing that they would have this offer on their website scheduler and then not honor it. Then, the clinic\'s owner wrote me to tell me that no, the offer hadn\'t expired, it simply was valid for a ONE-TIME USE, and since I had used it in February, I was no longer entitled to it. BUT, because I was a \"loyal\" customer, she would pay the massage therapist the difference (words designed to make me feel guilty...but that is a subject for another post).\r\n\r\nNowhere on the clinic\'s website does it say anything about the offer being a one-time deal. In fact, the only place referencing this is the website for the rewards card (in fairly small print). Nobody else on the rewards program has a one-time deal. It is all discounts for first time customers or ongoing discounts such as a 10% discount at a dry cleaner\'s and so forth.\r\n\r\nWhat we have here is a special offer that a) has no clear purpose and b) does not have clear (and common) rules for usage.  The result is little gain to the business and disappointment to the customer.\r\n\r\nWhen deciding on a special offer, businesses need to do a bit of strategic thinking and planning. Here are some guidelines before you issue any type of special offer.\r\n\r\n1) <strong>Have a clear marketing goal in mind.</strong> Are you training to attract new customers? Are you trying to build loyalty? What do you hope to accomplish with this offer?\r\n\r\n2)<strong> Have a real offer (with real value)</strong>.  A special offer should be special, that is, a customer should be getting something that he or she really wants and that incentivizes the customer with the goal in mind. That is, if you want a new customer, then make it worthwhile for a new customer to try your service or product (hint--10% off is usually not a great offer for first-time users).\r\n\r\n3) <strong>Have clear rules</strong> that are communicated to the customer BEFORE he/she attempts to use your special offer.\r\n\r\n4) <strong>Be prepared to honor your special offer</strong>. When you don\'t honor an offer you risk alienating the customer.\r\n\r\n5) <strong>Have a way of tracking the offer.</strong> If your goal was to get new customers, how many came because the offer? Have regular customers been taking advantage of the offer and is it translating to an overall increase in sales?\r\n\r\n<strong>Whatever your special offer is, make sure it really is special, both for your business and for your customer.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','About that special offer...just how special is it?','','inherit','open','open','','2260-revision-2','','','2013-07-11 13:05:06','2013-07-11 13:05:06','',2260,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2260-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2263,4,'2013-07-12 11:31:55','2013-07-12 11:31:55','Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I nearly fell off the treadmill when I spotted the following ad from Sephora in InStyle magazine:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf\">Sephora ad</a>\r\n\r\nAt first, I thought perhaps Sephora was engaging in a not-so-clever play on words, since the wait could be over for a weight-less product. But I see no evidence in the copy that Sephora is highlighting any weightlessness in this product. In fact, the sub-headline says: \"Finally, smoother, softer, satiny style in half the time.\" Clearly, the concept is about time, so the appropriate word would have been wait, not weight.\r\n\r\nIt is hard to believe that Sephora\'s ad people would have let this one go to print. Back when I was a print buyer in the 90s, we sent actual film to our magazines. A mistake in the film would be a major problem, and fixing it would involve high cost. Today, ad agencies send over PDF\'s, which are way easier to fix and re-send.\r\n\r\nSo next time you think you proofread your document and used spell-check to do so, I suggest you wait, and read it again.\r\n\r\nDo you think the headline is right? Let me know why.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wait--why you can\'t rely on spell-check','','publish','open','open','','wait-why-you-cant-rely-on-spell-check','','','2013-07-12 11:35:06','2013-07-12 11:35:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2263',0,'post','',0),(2264,4,'2013-07-12 11:23:48','2013-07-12 11:23:48','','Sephora ad','','inherit','open','open','','sephora-ad','','','2013-07-12 11:23:48','2013-07-12 11:23:48','',2263,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(2265,4,'2013-07-12 11:28:49','2013-07-12 11:28:49','Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I nearly fell off the treadmill when I spotted the following ad from Sephora:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf\">Sephora ad</a>\n\nAt first, I thought perhaps Sephora is doing a play on words, since the wait may be over for a weight-less product. But I see no evidence in the copy that Sephora is highlighting any \"weightlessness\" in this product. In fact, the sub-headline says: \"Finally, smoother, softer, satiny style in half the time.\" Clearly, the concept is about time, so the appropriate word would have been wait, not weight.\n\nIt is hard to believe that Sephora\'s ad people would have let this one go to print. Back when I was a media buyer in the 90s, we sent actual film to our magazines. A mistake in the film would be a major problem. Today, ad agencies send over PDF\'s, which are way easier to fix and re-send.\n\nSo next time you think you proof-read your document and used spell-check, I suggest you wait, and read it again.\n\n&nbsp;','Why you can\'t rely on spell-check','','inherit','open','open','','2263-revision','','','2013-07-12 11:28:49','2013-07-12 11:28:49','',2263,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2263-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2266,4,'2013-07-12 11:29:49','2013-07-12 11:29:49','Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I nearly fell off the treadmill when I spotted the following ad from Sephora in InStyle magazine:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf\">Sephora ad</a>\n\nAt first, I thought perhaps Sephora was engaging in not-so-clever a play on words, since the wait may be over for a weight-less product. But I see no evidence in the copy that Sephora is highlighting any \"weightlessness\" in this product. In fact, the sub-headline says: \"Finally, smoother, softer, satiny style in half the time.\" Clearly, the concept is about time, so the appropriate word would have been wait, not weight.\n\nIt is hard to believe that Sephora\'s ad people would have let this one go to print. Back when I was a media buyer in the 90s, we sent actual film to our magazines. A mistake in the film would be a major problem. Today, ad agencies send over PDF\'s, which are way easier to fix and re-send.\n\nSo next time you think you proof-read your document and used spell-check, I suggest you wait, and read it again.\n\n&nbsp;','Why you can\'t rely on spell-check','','inherit','open','open','','2263-revision-2','','','2013-07-12 11:29:49','2013-07-12 11:29:49','',2263,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2263-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2267,4,'2013-07-12 11:31:55','2013-07-12 11:31:55','Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I nearly fell off the treadmill when I spotted the following ad from Sephora in InStyle magazine:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf\">Sephora ad</a>\r\n\r\nAt first, I thought perhaps Sephora was engaging in not-so-clever a play on words, since the wait could be over for a weight-less product. But I see no evidence in the copy that Sephora is highlighting any weightlessness in this product. In fact, the sub-headline says: \"Finally, smoother, softer, satiny style in half the time.\" Clearly, the concept is about time, so the appropriate word would have been wait, not weight.\r\n\r\nIt is hard to believe that Sephora\'s ad people would have let this one go to print. Back when I was a print buyer in the 90s, we sent actual film to our magazines. A mistake in the film would be a major problem, and fixing it would involve high cost. Today, ad agencies send over PDF\'s, which are way easier to fix and re-send.\r\n\r\nSo next time you think you proofread your document and used spell-check to do so, I suggest you wait, and read it again.\r\n\r\nDo you think the headline is right? Let me know why.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wait--why you can\'t rely on spell-check','','inherit','open','open','','2263-revision-3','','','2013-07-12 11:31:55','2013-07-12 11:31:55','',2263,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2263-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2268,4,'2013-07-12 11:36:11','2013-07-12 11:36:11','Yesterday, while working out at the gym, I nearly fell off the treadmill when I spotted the following ad from Sephora in InStyle magazine:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sephora-ad.pdf\">Sephora ad</a>\n\nAt first, I thought perhaps Sephora was engaging in a not-so-clever play on words, since the wait could be over for a weight-less product. But I see no evidence in the copy that Sephora is highlighting any weightlessness in this product. In fact, the sub-headline says: \"Finally, smoother, softer, satiny style in half the time.\" Clearly, the concept is about time, so the appropriate word would have been wait, not weight.\n\nIt is hard to believe that Sephora\'s ad people would have let this one go to print. Back when I was a print buyer in the 90s, we sent actual film to our magazines. A mistake in the film would be a major problem, and fixing it would involve high cost. Today, ad agencies send over PDF\'s, which are way easier to fix and re-send.\n\nSo next time you think you proofread your document and used spell-check to do so, I suggest you wait, and read it again.\n\nDo you think the headline is right? Let me know why.\n\n&nbsp;','Wait--why you can\'t rely on spell-check','','inherit','open','open','','2263-autosave','','','2013-07-12 11:36:11','2013-07-12 11:36:11','',2263,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2263-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2270,4,'2013-07-15 12:48:27','2013-07-15 12:48:27','I just got an email from LinkedIn telling me Tom and Sue (not their real names) have endorsed me. The thing is the endorsement from Sue is worth something. She\'s someone I respect and whom I have known for several years now. Her endorsement is real while Tom\'s is not. I have never known Tom in a professional capacity or worked with him. I know him from school and he is endorsing me for things that are not even on my profile. This leads me to my top three most annoying LinkedIn behaviors.\r\n\r\n<strong>#3: Fake endorsements</strong>\r\n\r\nI am really not sure why people do this. Do they want a fake endorsement in return? Is it fun to play with LinkedIn? What is it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"16/50 - grr!! :( by THEMACGIRL*, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/underneath/3834753545/\"><img alt=\"16/50 - grr!! :(\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2538/3834753545_2893b72fd2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"276\" /></a> 16/50 -grr!! by THEMACGIRL on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>#2: Posting too much and about non-business topics</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I guess this could be two behaviors, but in my experience they go hand-in-hand. People who post too much are also posting about extraneous stuff.   Remember that you want to showcase what you  do, and unless you are a veterinarian, that stuff about how kittens need extra blankets in the winter is great for Facebook but has no place on LinkedIn.\r\n\r\n<strong>#1: Sending generic LinkedIn invitations</strong> (perennial \"winner\")\r\n\r\nStop doing this. I don\'t understand why people you don\'t know in person, who feel they would like to connect with you , can\'t seem to scare up a couple of lines to provide some context, some reason, or some personality.\r\n\r\nWhat annoys you on LinkedIn? Yes, you can vent right here!','Top 3 most annoying LinkedIn behaviors','','publish','open','open','','top-5-most-annoying-linkedin-behaviors','','','2013-07-15 12:48:27','2013-07-15 12:48:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2270',0,'post','',8),(2271,4,'2013-07-15 12:47:14','2013-07-15 12:47:14','I just got an email from LinkedIn telling me Tom and Sue (not their real names) have endorsed me. The thing is the endorsement from Sue is worth something. She\'s someone I respect and whom I have known for several years now. Her endorsement is real while Tom\'s is not. I have never known Tom in a professional capacity or worked with him. I know him from school and he is endorsing me for things that are not even on my profile. This leads me to my top three most annoying LinkedIn behaviors.\n\n<strong>#3: Fake endorsements</strong>\n\nI am really not sure why people do this. Do they want a fake endorsement in return? Is it fun to play with LinkedIn? What is it?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"16/50 - grr!! :( by THEMACGIRL*, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/underneath/3834753545/\"><img alt=\"16/50 - grr!! :(\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2538/3834753545_2893b72fd2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"276\" /></a> 16/50 -grr!! by THEMACGIRL on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\n<strong>#2: Posting too much and about non-business topics</strong>\n\nYes, I guess this could be two behaviors, but in my experience they go hand-in-hand. People who post too much are also posting about extraneous stuff.   Remember that you want to showcase what you  do, and unless you are a veterinarian, that stuff about how kittens need extra blankets in the winter is great for Facebook but has no place on LinkedIn.\n\n<strong>#1: Sending generic LinkedIn invitations</strong> (perennial \"winner\")\n\nStop doing this. I don\'t understand why people you don\'t know in person, who feel they would like to connect with you , can\'t seem to scare up a couple of lines to provide some context, some reason, or some personality.\n\nWhat annoys you on LinkedIn? Yes, you can vent right here!','Top 3 most annoying LinkedIn behaviors','','inherit','open','open','','2270-revision','','','2013-07-15 12:47:14','2013-07-15 12:47:14','',2270,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2270-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2272,4,'2013-07-15 12:47:16','2013-07-15 12:47:16','I just got an email from LinkedIn telling me Tom and Sue (not their real names) have endorsed me. The thing is the endorsement from Sue is worth something. She\'s someone I respect and whom I have known for several years now. Her endorsement is real while Tom\'s is not. I have never known Tom in a professional capacity or worked with him. I know him from school and he is endorsing me for things that are not even on my profile. This leads me to my top three most annoying LinkedIn behaviors.\r\n\r\n<strong>#3: Fake endorsements</strong>\r\n\r\nI am really not sure why people do this. Do they want a fake endorsement in return? Is it fun to play with LinkedIn? What is it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"16/50 - grr!! :( by THEMACGIRL*, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/underneath/3834753545/\"><img alt=\"16/50 - grr!! :(\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2538/3834753545_2893b72fd2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"276\" /></a> 16/50 -grr!! by THEMACGIRL on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>#2: Posting too much and about non-business topics</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I guess this could be two behaviors, but in my experience they go hand-in-hand. People who post too much are also posting about extraneous stuff.   Remember that you want to showcase what you  do, and unless you are a veterinarian, that stuff about how kittens need extra blankets in the winter is great for Facebook but has no place on LinkedIn.\r\n\r\n<strong>#1: Sending generic LinkedIn invitations</strong> (perennial \"winner\")\r\n\r\nStop doing this. I don\'t understand why people you don\'t know in person, who feel they would like to connect with you , can\'t seem to scare up a couple of lines to provide some context, some reason, or some personality.\r\n\r\nWhat annoys you on LinkedIn? Yes, you can vent right here!','Top 3 most annoying LinkedIn behaviors','','inherit','open','open','','2270-revision-2','','','2013-07-15 12:47:16','2013-07-15 12:47:16','',2270,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2270-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2274,4,'2013-07-17 17:23:42','2013-07-17 17:23:42','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it\'s an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a>  had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','publish','open','open','','why-uber-is-successful','','','2013-07-17 19:14:58','2013-07-17 19:14:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2274',0,'post','',0),(2275,4,'2013-07-17 17:22:54','2013-07-17 17:22:54','Have you heard about Uber? Basically, it an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\n\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\n\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\n\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\n\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\n\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\n\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\n\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\n\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\n\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\n\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision','','','2013-07-17 17:22:54','2013-07-17 17:22:54','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2276,4,'2013-07-17 17:23:42','2013-07-17 17:23:42','Have you heard about Uber? Basically, it an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> (self-description, but one I endorse) had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision-2','','','2013-07-17 17:23:42','2013-07-17 17:23:42','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2277,4,'2013-07-17 17:25:05','2013-07-17 17:25:05','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> (self-description, but one I endorse) had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision-3','','','2013-07-17 17:25:05','2013-07-17 17:25:05','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2278,4,'2013-07-17 19:16:03','2013-07-17 19:16:03','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it\'s an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\n\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a>  had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\n\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\n\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\n\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\n\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\n\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\n\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\n\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\n\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\n\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-autosave','','','2013-07-17 19:16:03','2013-07-17 19:16:03','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2279,4,'2013-07-17 18:36:05','2013-07-17 18:36:05','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it\'s an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> (self-description, but one I endorse) had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision-4','','','2013-07-17 18:36:05','2013-07-17 18:36:05','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2280,4,'2013-07-17 19:02:51','2013-07-17 19:02:51','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it\'s an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> (self-description, but one I endorse) had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision-5','','','2013-07-17 19:02:51','2013-07-17 19:02:51','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(2281,4,'2013-07-17 19:03:00','2013-07-17 19:03:00','Have you heard about <a href=\"https://www.uber.com/#\" target=\"_blank\">Uber</a>? Basically, it\'s an on-demand a car service that you \"hail\" via app, web or text message.  The service is available in major cities in the US, including San Francisco, Boston, New York and Washington, DC, some European capitals and a few cities in Asia, including Singapore.\r\n\r\nI started hearing about Uber on Twitter, but had never experienced it personally until recently. My creative and witty friend <a href=\"http://barbjump.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Barb Jump</a> (self-description, but one I endorse) had invited me to join her at the Kennedy Center.  After the performance, <em>in the elevator</em>, Barb said she would get a car service to pick us up.\r\n\r\nBarb texted Uber, Uber sent back a confirmation, and nine minutes later, Kareem (the driver) was pulling up to pick up in a town car, complete with bottled water, tissues and mints.  Apparently nine minutes is a long wait time, because Barb says they are usually there in about four minutes, which if you live in Washington, means it is much quicker than waiting for the Metro.\r\n\r\nWhat turned Barb on to Uber were two basic issues: she doesn\'t carry cash and she doesn\'t feel safe hailing a cab at night as a woman alone in the city.  Uber solves these two issues. Since you must set up an account beforehand, the payment is charged to your credit card on file, thus there is no need for cash (or figuring out the tip, since there is no tipping). And, since you are directly ordering a car from Uber, you are not getting some random cabby. Uber also sends you the name of the driver and his/her picture so you know who to expect.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fill a need and differentiate from the competition</strong>\r\n\r\nUber is successful because it found some very specific needs that were not being met by traditional taxis or car services. As its website says quite succinctly, these three needs are: request from anywhere, ride with style and convenience, and hassle-free payment. These could also be called DIFFERENTIATORS. As a plus, for Barb (and for other women), these also translate to added safety.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that for a business to succeed it has to meet a need that is not being adequately met by others in the marketplace. And to be uber-successful (jeez, aren\'t I clever?) it has to meet those needs while differentiating itself from any competition.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fulfill your brand promise</strong>\r\n\r\nEverybody knows that saying something and doing it are two different things. If you do what you say you do, you are, in effect, fulfilling your brand promise. Uber\'s tagline is  Everyone\'s Private Driver.  I think Uber certainly lives up to that tagline\'s promise--anyone can set up account, \"hail\" an Uber from their smartphone (anywhere they may be) and get a driver whom they will recognize because Uber provides this information beforehand.\r\n\r\nHave you experienced Uber or other companies that are succeeding by differentiating well and living up to their promise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why Uber is successful ','','inherit','open','open','','2274-revision-6','','','2013-07-17 19:03:00','2013-07-17 19:03:00','',2274,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2274-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(2283,4,'2013-07-22 12:45:08','2013-07-22 12:45:08','A couple of weeks ago, I told you all about the awful experience that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller things that was super annoying was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  There was a stand cluttering the minimal counter space holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap slid to the floor quite easily and often. Hard to wash your hand when you can\'t put the soap down when you are finished!\n\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\n\nIt\'s simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR effective communications/marketing (a good design, great copy)  DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your target audience). How does a person use your product? What does the person need to complete a sale?\n\nIf you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Where shall I put the soap?','','inherit','open','open','','2282-revision','','','2013-07-22 12:45:08','2013-07-22 12:45:08','',2282,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2282-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2284,4,'2013-07-22 12:51:24','2013-07-22 12:51:24','A couple of weeks ago, I told you all about the awful experience that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller things that was super annoying was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  There was a stand cluttering the minimal counter space holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap slid to the floor quite easily and often. Hard to wash your hand when you can\'t put the soap down when you are finished!\n\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\n\nIt\'s simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR effective communications/marketing (a good design, great copy)  DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your target audience). How does a person use your product? What does the person need to complete a sale?\n\nIf you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Where shall I put the soap?','','inherit','open','open','','2282-revision-2','','','2013-07-22 12:51:24','2013-07-22 12:51:24','',2282,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2282-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2286,4,'2013-07-23 19:51:44','0000-00-00 00:00:00','If you have ever hired any type of contractor to do work in your home, you know there is a wide range of service providers out there. Perhaps some were highly recommended, or the pricing was right, or you had a very specific type of work to be done.\n\nRecently, I had to find an electrician to fix my broken attic fan. I called five different companies. I found three of them on the web (doing a search for electrician Rockville). I got one name from a friend and the other name from a store that sold lighting fixtures.\n\nThe first one quoted a rather high price, but was available pretty quickly and said it had gotten high marks on Angie\'s List. The second also quoted a high price, but specified what type of fan would be installed and asked questions about the height of the ceiling. The third quoted a lower price, and had good recommendations on Google. The fourth was pretty expensive, asked specific questions and was too busy to do anything for a couple of weeks. The last one was personally recommended, but seemed unable or uninterested in providing an estimate over the phone.\n\nI eliminated the last one because he clearly wasn\'t interested in the work. I eliminated the fourth one because he wasn\'t available for quite a while. I eliminated the first one because he did not ask questions and his quote was by far the highest. It was between the second and third quotes, and I ended up with the third because they had given me a range (meaning that they would base the final price on what actually needed to be done).\n\nWhen the electrician showed up, he didn\'t introduce himself. He did not give me a card. He did do the job requested at a reasonable price, and very quickly.  I thought that the company that sent him needs to learn a few things about marketing.\n\nHere are few lessons to be drawn.\n\n1.  Having a findable website with the right information is crucial.\n\n2. The person who answers the phone makes or breaks the sale. The more informed and pleasant that person is, the easier it will be to close the deal.\n\n3. Give your service providers some guidelines and information. Have them introduce themselves. Make sure they know about any service warranties and other procedures.\n\n4. Make sure the service provider gives a business card or brochure along with the invoice.\n\n5. Follow up! Very few, if any, contractors follow up to make sure the work is satisfactory to you. It\'s a missed opportunity to get testimonials and to build goodwill.\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons for and from contractors','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-07-23 19:51:44','2013-07-23 19:51:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2286',0,'post','',0),(2287,4,'2013-07-23 19:11:07','2013-07-23 19:11:07','If you have ever hired any type of contractor to do work in your home, you know there is a wide range of service providers out there. Perhaps some were highly recommended, or the pricing was right, or you had a very specific type of work to be done.\n\nRecently, I had to find an electrician to fix my broken attic fan. I called five different companies. I found three of them on the web (doing a search for electrician Rockville). I got one name from a friend and the other name from a store that sold lighting fixtures.\n\nThe first one quoted a rather high price, but was available pretty quickly and said it had gotten high marks on Angie\'s List. The second also quoted a high price, but specified what type of fan would be installed and asked questions about the height of the ceiling. The third quoted a lower price, and had good recommendations on Google. The fourth was pretty expensive, asked specific questions and was too busy to do anything for a couple of weeks. The last one was personally recommended, but seemed unable or uninterested in providing an estimate over the phone.\n\nI eliminated the last one because he clearly wasn\'t interested in the work. I eliminated the fourth one because he wasn\'t available for quite a while. I eliminated the first one because he did not ask questions and his quote was by far the highest. It was between the second and third quotes, and I ended up with the third because they had given me a range (meaning that they would base the final price on what actually needed to be done).\n\nWhen the electrician showed up, he didn\'t introduce himself. He did not give me a card. He did do the job requested at a reasonable price, and very quickly.  I thought that the company that sent him needs to learn a few things about marketing.\n\nHere are few lessons to be drawn.\n\n1.  Having a findable website with the right information is crucial.\n\n2. The person who answers the phone makes or breaks the sale. The more informed and pleasant that person is, the easier it will be to close the deal.\n\n3. Give your service providers some guidelines and information. Have them introduce themselves. Make sure they know about any service warranties and other procedures.\n\n4. Make sure the service provider gives a business card or brochure along with the invoice.\n\n5. Follow up! Very few, if any, contractors follow up to make sure the work is satisfactory to you. It\'s a missed opportunity to get testimonials and to build goodwill.\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons for and from contractors','','inherit','open','open','','2286-revision','','','2013-07-23 19:11:07','2013-07-23 19:11:07','',2286,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2286-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2288,4,'2013-07-23 19:16:02','2013-07-23 19:16:02','If you have ever hired any type of contractor to do work in your home, you know there is a wide range of service providers out there. Perhaps some were highly recommended, or the pricing was right, or you had a very specific type of work to be done.\n\nRecently, I had to find an electrician to fix my broken attic fan. I called five different companies. I found three of them on the web (doing a search for electrician Rockville). I got one name from a friend and the other name from a store that sold lighting fixtures.\n\nThe first one quoted a rather high price, but was available pretty quickly and said it had gotten high marks on Angie\'s List. The second also quoted a high price, but specified what type of fan would be installed and asked questions about the height of the ceiling. The third quoted a lower price, and had good recommendations on Google. The fourth was pretty expensive, asked specific questions and was too busy to do anything for a couple of weeks. The last one was personally recommended, but seemed unable or uninterested in providing an estimate over the phone.\n\nI eliminated the last one because he clearly wasn\'t interested in the work. I eliminated the fourth one because he wasn\'t available for quite a while. I eliminated the first one because he did not ask questions and his quote was by far the highest. It was between the second and third quotes, and I ended up with the third because they had given me a range (meaning that they would base the final price on what actually needed to be done).\n\nWhen the electrician showed up, he didn\'t introduce himself. He did not give me a card. He did do the job requested at a reasonable price, and very quickly.  I thought that the company that sent him needs to learn a few things about marketing.\n\nHere are few lessons to be drawn.\n\n1.  Having a findable website with the right information is crucial.\n\n2. The person who answers the phone makes or breaks the sale. The more informed and pleasant that person is, the easier it will be to close the deal.\n\n3. Give your service providers some guidelines and information. Have them introduce themselves. Make sure they know about any service warranties and other procedures.\n\n4. Make sure the service provider gives a business card or brochure along with the invoice.\n\n5. Follow up! Very few, if any, contractors follow up to make sure the work is satisfactory to you. It\'s a missed opportunity to get testimonials and to build goodwill.\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons for and from contractors','','inherit','open','open','','2286-revision-2','','','2013-07-23 19:16:02','2013-07-23 19:16:02','',2286,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2286-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2289,4,'2013-07-23 19:39:13','2013-07-23 19:39:13','If you have ever hired any type of contractor to do work in your home, you know there is a wide range of service providers out there. Perhaps some were highly recommended, or the pricing was right, or you had a very specific type of work to be done.\n\nRecently, I had to find an electrician to fix my broken attic fan. I called five different companies. I found three of them on the web (doing a search for electrician Rockville). I got one name from a friend and the other name from a store that sold lighting fixtures.\n\nThe first one quoted a rather high price, but was available pretty quickly and said it had gotten high marks on Angie\'s List. The second also quoted a high price, but specified what type of fan would be installed and asked questions about the height of the ceiling. The third quoted a lower price, and had good recommendations on Google. The fourth was pretty expensive, asked specific questions and was too busy to do anything for a couple of weeks. The last one was personally recommended, but seemed unable or uninterested in providing an estimate over the phone.\n\nI eliminated the last one because he clearly wasn\'t interested in the work. I eliminated the fourth one because he wasn\'t available for quite a while. I eliminated the first one because he did not ask questions and his quote was by far the highest. It was between the second and third quotes, and I ended up with the third because they had given me a range (meaning that they would base the final price on what actually needed to be done).\n\nWhen the electrician showed up, he didn\'t introduce himself. He did not give me a card. He did do the job requested at a reasonable price, and very quickly.  I thought that the company that sent him needs to learn a few things about marketing.\n\nHere are few lessons to be drawn.\n\n1.  Having a findable website with the right information is crucial.\n\n2. The person who answers the phone makes or breaks the sale. The more informed and pleasant that person is, the easier it will be to close the deal.\n\n3. Give your service providers some guidelines and information. Have them introduce themselves. Make sure they know about any service warranties and other procedures.\n\n4. Make sure the service provider gives a business card or brochure along with the invoice.\n\n5. Follow up! Very few, if any, contractors follow up to make sure the work is satisfactory to you. It\'s a missed opportunity to get testimonials and to build goodwill.\n\n&nbsp;','Marketing lessons for and from contractors','','inherit','open','open','','2286-revision-3','','','2013-07-23 19:39:13','2013-07-23 19:39:13','',2286,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2286-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2290,4,'2013-07-24 12:06:41','2013-07-24 12:06:41','For some reason, I have had a hard time getting a post done this week. I wrote two lengthy posts, but ended up saving them as drafts. They may appear later on.  Some of my ability to focus this week has to do with having too much on my mind. I thought I would share some of what has been bugging me (and sadly, this is but the tip of the iceberg).\r\n\r\n<strong>Courtesy is waning</strong>\r\n\r\nIt seems to me that we are seeing a huge drop in courteous behavior. In the last few weeks alone, I have seen it both personally and professionally. On the personal side, I have left messages for friends that have gone unreturned. I have been cut off in the middle of a sensitive conversation.  On the professional side, I have sent proposals that potential clients don\'t even acknowledge.\r\n\r\n<strong>Angie\'s List won\'t leave me alone (or, is trying too hard and being annoying)</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I moved into my house a couple of years ago, I joined Angie\'s List. It was helpful when I needed to find different contractors (plumber, fence installer, etc.). After getting most issues fixed in my house, I found I was using Angie\'s List quite infrequently. And then, one of the contractors I found on it (and who had decent recommendations) turned out to be one of the worst experiences I have ever had with any service provider.  So I let my membership lapse. This was in December of last year. Since then, without fail, I have received offers EVERY week (and sometimes every day) from Angie\'s List for discount membership...ranging from 20% to 40% off. I have stop reading the emails and just delete them. At some point, Angie and every other vendor, needs to realize it is not about the offer. You could give me Angie\'s List for free, and at this point, I am not signing up. Oh, and I see their constant advertising every night on the CBS Evening News, which leads me to believe that Angie is lying when she says that nobody pays to be on Angie\'s List. She cannot be making the type of money she is from yearly membership dues alone. And, vendors have told me that in order to show up higher in the rankings, they are asked to pay.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customer service is marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago I had problems with my web host, Host Gator. In three separate instances, my website and email went down for a total of a few hours. I asked them for a credit (after not getting any information from them on restoration of service). They ignored it. Even after I told them in their survey that they would not be getting any referrals from me, they didn\'t seem to care.\r\n\r\nAnother service provider who has been very slow in her service has had the nerve to blame me, in writing, for her delays. Apparently she doesn\'t realize that even if it is the client\'s fault (and in this case it isn\'t) you don\'t blame the client. By shifting the responsibility and accusing me (the client) all she is doing is making sure I will not use her services ever again, nor refer her any business. How you treat your customer is marketing, as Lisa Gerber points out in this <a href=\"http://bigleapcreative.com/are-you-creating-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">blog post</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>On the other hand...</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been impressed with the responsiveness and interest I receive for this blog  from some great folks that I have only met on Twitter. Thank you!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Things on my mind','','publish','open','open','','things-on-my-mind','','','2013-07-24 12:06:41','2013-07-24 12:06:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2290',0,'post','',2),(2291,4,'2013-07-24 12:06:36','2013-07-24 12:06:36','For some reason, I have had a hard time getting a post done this week. I wrote two lengthy posts, but ended up saving them as drafts. They may appear later on.  Some of my ability to focus this week has to do with having too much on my mind. I thought I would share some of what has been bugging me (and sadly, this is but the tip of the iceberg).\n\n<strong>Courtesy is waning</strong>\n\nIt seems to me that we are seeing a huge drop in courteous behavior. In the last few weeks alone, I have seen it both personally and professionally. On the personal side, I have left messages for friends that have gone unreturned. I have been cut off in the middle of a sensitive conversation.  On the professional side, I have sent proposals that potential clients don\'t even acknowledge.\n\n<strong>Angie\'s List won\'t leave me alone (or, is trying too hard and being annoying)</strong>\n\nWhen I moved into my house a couple of years ago, I joined Angie\'s List. It was helpful when I needed to find different contractors (plumber, fence installer, etc.). After getting most issues fixed in my house, I found I was using Angie\'s List quite infrequently. And then, one of the contractors I found on it (and who had decent recommendations) turned out to be one of the worst experiences I have ever had with any service provider.  So I let my membership lapse. This was in December of last year. Since then, without fail, I have received offers EVERY week (and sometimes every day) from Angie\'s List for discount membership...ranging from 20% to 40% off. I have stop reading the emails and just delete them. At some point, Angie and every other vendor, needs to realize it is not about the offer. You could give me Angie\'s List for free, and at this point, I am not signing up. Oh, and I see their constant advertising every night on the CBS Evening News, which leads me to believe that Angie is lying when she says that nobody pays to be on Angie\'s List. She cannot be making the type of money she is from yearly membership dues alone. And, vendors have told me that in order to show up higher in the rankings, they are asked to pay.\n\n<strong>Customer service is marketing</strong>\n\nA few weeks ago I had problems with my web host, Host Gator. In three separate instances, my website and email went down for a total of a few hours. I asked them for a credit (after not getting any information from them on restoration of service). They ignored it. Even after I told them in their survey that they would not be getting any referrals from me, they didn\'t seem to care.\n\nAnother service provider who has been very slow in her service has had the nerve to blame me, in writing, for her delays. Apparently she doesn\'t realize that even if it is the client\'s fault (and in this case it isn\'t) you don\'t blame the client. By shifting the responsibility and accusing me (the client) all she is doing is making sure I will not use her services ever again, nor refer her any business. How you treat your customer is marketing, as Lisa Gerber points out in this <a href=\"http://bigleapcreative.com/are-you-creating-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">blog post</a>.\n\n<strong>On the other hand...</strong>\n\nI have been impressed with the responsiveness and interest I receive for this blog  from some great folks that I have only met on Twitter. Thank you!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Things on my mind','','inherit','open','open','','2290-revision','','','2013-07-24 12:06:36','2013-07-24 12:06:36','',2290,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2290-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2292,4,'2013-07-24 12:07:48','2013-07-24 12:07:48','For some reason, I have had a hard time getting a post done this week. I wrote two lengthy posts, but ended up saving them as drafts. They may appear later on.  Some of my ability to focus this week has to do with having too much on my mind. I thought I would share some of what has been bugging me (and sadly, this is but the tip of the iceberg).\n\n<strong>Courtesy is waning</strong>\n\nIt seems to me that we are seeing a huge drop in courteous behavior. In the last few weeks alone, I have seen it both personally and professionally. On the personal side, I have left messages for friends that have gone unreturned. I have been cut off in the middle of a sensitive conversation.  On the professional side, I have sent proposals that potential clients don\'t even acknowledge.\n\n<strong>Angie\'s List won\'t leave me alone (or, is trying too hard and being annoying)</strong>\n\nWhen I moved into my house a couple of years ago, I joined Angie\'s List. It was helpful when I needed to find different contractors (plumber, fence installer, etc.). After getting most issues fixed in my house, I found I was using Angie\'s List quite infrequently. And then, one of the contractors I found on it (and who had decent recommendations) turned out to be one of the worst experiences I have ever had with any service provider.  So I let my membership lapse. This was in December of last year. Since then, without fail, I have received offers EVERY week (and sometimes every day) from Angie\'s List for discount membership...ranging from 20% to 40% off. I have stop reading the emails and just delete them. At some point, Angie and every other vendor, needs to realize it is not about the offer. You could give me Angie\'s List for free, and at this point, I am not signing up. Oh, and I see their constant advertising every night on the CBS Evening News, which leads me to believe that Angie is lying when she says that nobody pays to be on Angie\'s List. She cannot be making the type of money she is from yearly membership dues alone. And, vendors have told me that in order to show up higher in the rankings, they are asked to pay.\n\n<strong>Customer service is marketing</strong>\n\nA few weeks ago I had problems with my web host, Host Gator. In three separate instances, my website and email went down for a total of a few hours. I asked them for a credit (after not getting any information from them on restoration of service). They ignored it. Even after I told them in their survey that they would not be getting any referrals from me, they didn\'t seem to care.\n\nAnother service provider who has been very slow in her service has had the nerve to blame me, in writing, for her delays. Apparently she doesn\'t realize that even if it is the client\'s fault (and in this case it isn\'t) you don\'t blame the client. By shifting the responsibility and accusing me (the client) all she is doing is making sure I will not use her services ever again, nor refer her any business. How you treat your customer is marketing, as Lisa Gerber points out in this <a href=\"http://bigleapcreative.com/are-you-creating-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">blog post</a>.\n\n<strong>On the other hand...</strong>\n\nI have been impressed with the responsiveness and interest I receive for this blog  from some great folks that I have only met on Twitter. Thank you!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Things on my mind','','inherit','open','open','','2290-autosave','','','2013-07-24 12:07:48','2013-07-24 12:07:48','',2290,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2290-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2294,4,'2013-07-30 13:46:24','2013-07-30 13:46:24','Have you been to an event where the speaker did not meet your expectations? It may not have been the speaker\'s fault. He or she may have not been well prepared or well chosen for that particular event. Having been asked to speak at a few different events, I can tell you it is up to the host to prepare the speaker.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"Podium by karindalziel, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/6071515104/\"><img title=\"Empty Podium\" alt=\"Podium\" src=\"http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6195/6071515104_eca4654a63.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> Empty Podium by Karin Dalziel on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nIf you (or your organization) is hosting an event featuring speakers, here are a few things to do:\r\n\r\n1. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Determine exactly what your topic</span> is and whether you have a theme  you want to highlight.\r\n\r\n2. Make sure you <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">understand your audience</span>. Who will be coming to your event and why? If it is a professional development event, for example, what level of understanding does the audience have about the subject?\r\n\r\n3. When choosing your speakers, m<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ake sure their experience matches your topic <em>and</em> audience</span>.  Recently, a friend attended a talk where the speaker\'s understanding of the topic was BELOW the audience\'s. Generally, the audience wants to learn something.\r\n\r\n4.<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Prepare your speakers</span>. Give them all the information they will need for the event, including date, time and location. I know several speakers who have been late to an event (causing them to get frazzled) because they were confused about how to get there or the exact start time.  Tell your speakers how many people are expected, who they are and what you told the audience to expect.\r\n\r\n5. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Talk to the speaker a couple of days before the event</span>. What will he or she be talking about exactly? Does he or she need any special equipment?\r\n\r\n6. Have a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">plan B</span> (or be prepared for things to go off track: missing presentations, faulty AV equipment, missing speakers, etc.)\r\n\r\n7. Prepare you audience by <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">giving an introduction of both the speaker and the topic.</span> Make sure the program handout includes the speaker\'s bio and contact information. When introducing the speaker, stay topline. Nothing is more boring (and more time-wasting) than having the host read the entire biography to the audience.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that most speaking events don\'t go well because the host has not done a good job of choosing or preparing the speakers. This is particularly common in volunteer-run organizations. However, if you are charging for your event, and you are associating your organization\'s name to it, it is imperative that you take the time to make sure the speaker is given the best shot at success.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add to the list above? Does your organization have a list of speaker guidelines? If so, what does it include?','Hosting a speaker or a panel? Read this first.','','publish','open','open','','hosting-a-speaker-or-a-panel-read-this-first','','','2013-07-30 13:46:24','2013-07-30 13:46:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2294',0,'post','',0),(2295,4,'2013-07-30 13:46:15','2013-07-30 13:46:15','Have you been to an event where the speaker did not meet your expectations? It may not have been the speaker\'s fault. He or she may have not been well prepared or well chosen for that particular event. Having been asked to speak at a few different events, I can tell you it is up to the host to prepare the speaker.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"Podium by karindalziel, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/6071515104/\"><img title=\"Empty Podium\" alt=\"Podium\" src=\"http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6195/6071515104_eca4654a63.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" /></a> Empty Podium by Karin Dalziel on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nIf you (or your organization) is hosting an event featuring speakers, here are a few things to do:\n\n1. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Determine exactly what your topic</span> is and whether you have a theme  you want to highlight.\n\n2. Make sure you <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">understand your audience</span>. Who will be coming to your event and why? If it is a professional development event, for example, what level of understanding does the audience have about the subject?\n\n3. When choosing your speakers, m<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ake sure their experience matches your topic <em>and</em> audience</span>.  Recently, a friend attended a talk where the speaker\'s understanding of the topic was BELOW the audience\'s. Generally, the audience wants to learn something.\n\n4.<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Prepare your speakers</span>. Give them all the information they will need for the event, including date, time and location. I know several speakers who have been late to an event (causing them to get frazzled) because they were confused about how to get there or the exact start time.  Tell your speakers how many people are expected, who they are and what you told the audience to expect.\n\n5. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Talk to the speaker a couple of days before the event</span>. What will he or she be talking about exactly? Does he or she need any special equipment?\n\n6. Have a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">plan B</span> (or be prepared for things to go off track: missing presentations, faulty AV equipment, missing speakers, etc.)\n\n7. Prepare you audience by <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">giving an introduction of both the speaker and the topic.</span> Make sure the program handout includes the speaker\'s bio and contact information. When introducing the speaker, stay topline. Nothing is more boring (and more time-wasting) than having the host read the entire biography to the audience.\n\nThe bottom line is that most speaking events don\'t go well because the host has not done a good job of choosing or preparing the speakers. This is particularly common in volunteer-run organizations. However, if you are charging for your event, and you are associating your organization\'s name to it, it is imperative that you take the time to make sure the speaker is given the best shot at success.\n\nWhat would you add to the list above? Does your organization have a list of speaker guidelines? If so, what does it include?','Hosting a speaker or a panel? Read this first.','','inherit','open','open','','2294-revision','','','2013-07-30 13:46:15','2013-07-30 13:46:15','',2294,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/2294-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2298,4,'2013-08-06 12:44:20','2013-08-06 12:44:20','Yesterday, I took advantage of a  gorgeous low-humidity, warm (not hot) day and went for a run along the C&amp;O Canal in Potomac. There were several people along the trail, some walking, some biking and some running like me.  Some people smiled, nodded or said hi as I passed. Some people ignored me completely (like the bikers who passed me without a warning or even a look back or the runner who pointedly looked straight ahead when passing in the other direction).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"448\"]<a title=\"Smile! by rkleine, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rkleine/5370378373/\"><img alt=\"Smile!\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5001/5370378373_695f70b0de.jpg\" width=\"448\" height=\"450\" /></a> Smile! by Rob Kleine on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>Some people are social, and some are not.</strong>\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just when you are out running on a gorgeous day. It\'s when you get in an elevator, walk along the street, go in a store, and so forth. Some people will always greet others, and some will pretend they are in their own little fiefdom. Some people are naturally social and some are not. Some people feel connection to those around them, and some do not.\r\n\r\nSome of this has to do with factors other than sociability. Perhaps someone has just received bad news or is lost in thought about a pressing problem. Perhaps there is a language or culture barrier.\r\n\r\nThe same is true on social media. Some people are naturally good at social media and some are not. You can see it by how often they post, how often they like posts, how often they re-tweet, <strong>how often they interact.</strong> Of course, some people will defend their lack of engagement on social media by saying they are \"too busy\" and they \"don\'t have time.\"\r\n\r\nThen there are those like someone I know named Jon, who blocked off his Facebook wall to avoid unwanted communication and has even asked me to \"untag\" him from a conversation because he did not care to hear what other people had to say about something he had been involved in. Or the people like Jon, who avoid commenting on posts because they don\'t want to be dragged into a conversation. My question to Jon and others like him is: why are you on Facebook? Why are you on social media at all?\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: If you don\'t want two-way communication (or even multi-lateral communication), DO NOT get on social media.</strong> It is not all about you. It is about the other people too.\r\n\r\nPeople who like to control what others say or with whom they connect, are not naturally good at social media. We see the corporate CEOs who have been forced to open Twitter accounts by their communications advisers and who then do not tweet or respond to tweets.\r\n\r\nGetting on social media is about being social. It is about being responsive. It is about interacting. It\'s about (the hated, overused term) engagement. You can\'t automate your social media interactions. You need to be present, social and say hi.\r\n\r\nSmile! You are on social media.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does going for a run make you want to smile? ','','publish','open','open','','does-going-for-a-run-make-you-want-to-smile','','','2013-08-06 12:44:20','2013-08-06 12:44:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2298',0,'post','',0),(2299,4,'2013-08-06 12:44:02','2013-08-06 12:44:02','Yesterday, I took advantage of a  gorgeous low-humidity, warm (not hot) day and went for a run along the C&amp;O Canal in Potomac. There were several people along the trail, some walking, some biking and some running like me.  Some people smiled, nodded or said hi as I passed. Some people ignored me completely (like the bikers who passed me without a warning or even a look back or the runner who pointedly looked straight ahead when passing in the other direction).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"448\"]<a title=\"Smile! by rkleine, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/rkleine/5370378373/\"><img alt=\"Smile!\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5001/5370378373_695f70b0de.jpg\" width=\"448\" height=\"450\" /></a> Smile! by Rob Kleine on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\n<strong>Some people are social, and some are not.</strong>\n\nIt\'s not just when you are out running on a gorgeous day. It\'s when you get in an elevator, walk along the street, go in a store, and so forth. Some people will always greet others, and some will pretend they are in their own little fiefdom. Some people are naturally social and some are not. Some people feel connection to those around them, and some do not.\n\nSome of this has to do with factors other than sociability. Perhaps someone has just received bad news or is lost in thought about a pressing problem. Perhaps there is a language or culture barrier.\n\nThe same is true on social media. Some people are naturally good at social media and some are not. You can see it by how often they post, how often they like posts, how often they re-tweet, <strong>how often they interact.</strong> Of course, some people will defend their lack of engagement on social media by saying they are \"too busy\" and they \"don\'t have time.\"\n\nThen there are those like someone I know named Jon, who blocked off his Facebook wall to avoid unwanted communication and has even asked me to \"untag\" him from a conversation because he did not care to hear what other people had to say about something he had been involved in. Or the people like Jon, who avoid commenting on posts because they don\'t want to be dragged into a conversation. My question to Jon and others like him is: why are you on Facebook? Why are you on social media at all?\n\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: If you don\'t want two-way communication (or even multi-lateral communication), DO NOT get on social media.</strong> It is not all about you. It is about the other people too.\n\nPeople who like to control what others say or with whom they connect, are not naturally good at social media. We see the corporate CEOs who have been forced to open Twitter accounts by their communications advisers and who then do not tweet or respond to tweets.\n\nGetting on social media is about being social. It is about being responsive. It is about interacting. It\'s about (the hated, overused term) engagement. You can\'t automate your social media interactions. You need to be present, social and say hi.\n\nSmile! You are on social media.\n\n&nbsp;','Does going for a run make you want to smile? ','','inherit','open','open','','2298-revision','','','2013-08-06 12:44:02','2013-08-06 12:44:02','',2298,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2298-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2300,4,'2013-08-09 14:29:33','2013-08-09 14:29:33','I think having themes like <strong>5 tips for Friday</strong> is a great way to keep you blogging, and I suggest that in my blogging workshops. I saw somebody\'s 5 tips today, and I thought I would try my hand at it.\r\n\r\nAs a writer, I have to edit my own work. Truth is,  it is far easier to edit other people\'s work. You very rarely see your own mistakes right away--be it typos or more serious errors.\r\n\r\nHere are five tips to make sure you present the best piece of writing you can:\r\n\r\n1. Take a break between writing and editing. A few hours will do, but a whole day, if possible, is better.\r\n\r\n2. Read it out loud. Your ears may \"see\" mistakes that your eyes don\'t.\r\n\r\n3. Pay attention to homonyms (words that sound the same like than and then and their and there). Are you using the right word?\r\n\r\n4. Go back and cut out ten words per page. Excess words often clutter your meaning.\r\n\r\n5. Make sure most (if not all) sentences are in active voice. If they aren\'t, change them.\r\n\r\nWhat is your best tip for editing your own writing? Please share in the comments.','5 tips for Friday on editing your own writing','','publish','open','open','','5-tips-for-friday-on-editing-your-own-writing','','','2013-08-09 14:29:33','2013-08-09 14:29:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2300',0,'post','',6),(2301,4,'2013-08-09 14:28:43','2013-08-09 14:28:43','I think having themes like <strong>5 tips for Friday</strong> is a great way to keep you blogging, and I suggest that in my blogging workshops. I saw somebody\'s 5 tips today, and I thought I would try my hand at it.\n\nAs a writer, I have to edit my own work. Truth is,  it is far easier to edit other people\'s work. You very rarely see your own mistakes right away--be it typos or more serious errors.\n\nHere are five tips to make sure you present the best piece of writing you can.\n\n1. Take a break between writing and editing. A few hours will do, but a whole day, if possible, is better.\n\n2. Read it out loud. Your ears may \"see\" mistakes that your eyes don\'t.\n\n3. Pay attention to homonyms (words that sound the same like than and then and their and there). Are you using the right word?\n\n4. Go back and cut out ten words per page. Excess words often clutter your meaning.\n\n5. Make sure most (if not all) sentences are in active voice. If they aren\'t, change them.\n\nWhat is your best tip for editing your own work? Please share in the comments.','5 tips for Friday on editing your own writing','','inherit','open','open','','2300-revision','','','2013-08-09 14:28:43','2013-08-09 14:28:43','',2300,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2300-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2302,4,'2013-08-13 12:25:41','2013-08-13 12:25:41','Email addresses have become so valuable to marketers that they are now offering discounts and other incentives to get them. Case in point: Ann Taylor is offering <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">a 40% discount off</span> your entire purchase simply for furnishing them with (any) email address. Another retailer, White House/Black Market makes it practically impossible to buy anything without getting an email address (which, the salesperson says, will be used to send you special offers only available via email).\r\n\r\nWhy are email addresses so important? Simple. It\'s because there are so many channels out there that it has become increasingly harder (and thus, more valuable) to target people. For retailers, fewer people are reading printed anything, a traditional place for special offers and sale notices. In general, media has become increasingly segmented. With DVRs, most people are fast-forwarding the commercials.\r\n\r\nEmail reaches people somewhere where they are likely to be--on their computer or other Internet-connected device. And because people can easily opt-out of receiving emails, marketers have to work harder to make it worth their while. And then there is the added benefit of not having to pay postage or printing costs, making email marketing a lot cheaper to produce.\r\n\r\n<strong>What does this mean for marketing communications? It means that messaging has to be more targeted, more concise and centered around providing a very tangible benefit to the consumer. </strong> Email marketing maybe cheaper to  snail mail marketing, but it also easier to stop.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that marketers want email addresses and consumers want real value for the intrusion.\r\n\r\nHave you noticed more retailers asking for email addresses? What incentives have you seen?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Email addresses have become more valuable','','publish','open','open','','email-addresses-have-become-more-valuable','','','2013-08-13 12:25:41','2013-08-13 12:25:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2302',0,'post','',1),(2303,4,'2013-08-13 12:25:13','2013-08-13 12:25:13','Email addresses have become so valuable to marketers that they are now offering discounts and other incentives to get them. Case in point: Ann Taylor is offering <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">a 40% discount off</span> your entire purchase simply for furnishing them with (any) email address. Another retailer, White House/Black Market makes it practically impossible to buy anything without getting an email address (which, the salesperson says, will be used to send you special offers only available via email).\n\nWhy are email addresses so important? Simple. It\'s because there are so many channels out there that it has become increasingly harder (and thus, more valuable) to target people. For retailers, fewer people are reading printed anything, a traditional place for special offers and sale notices. In general, media has become increasingly segmented. With DVRs, most people are fast-forwarding the commercials.\n\nEmail reaches people somewhere where they are likely to be--on their computer or other Internet-connected device. And because people can easily opt-out of receiving emails, marketers have to work harder to make it worth their while. And then there is the added benefit of not having to pay postage or printing costs, making email marketing a lot cheaper to produce.\n\n<strong>What does this mean for marketing communications? It means that messaging has to be more targeted, more concise and centered around providing a very tangible benefit to the consumer. </strong> Email marketing maybe cheaper to  snail mail marketing, but it also easier to stop.\n\nThe bottom line is that marketers want email addresses and consumers want real value for the intrusion.\n\nHave you noticed more retailers asking for email addresses? What incentives have you seen?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Email addresses have become more valuable','','inherit','open','open','','2302-revision','','','2013-08-13 12:25:13','2013-08-13 12:25:13','',2302,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2302-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2304,4,'2013-08-13 12:26:45','2013-08-13 12:26:45','Email addresses have become so valuable to marketers that they are now offering discounts and other incentives to get them. Case in point: Ann Taylor is offering <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">a 40% discount off</span> your entire purchase simply for furnishing them with (any) email address. Another retailer, White House/Black Market makes it practically impossible to buy anything without getting an email address (which, the salesperson says, will be used to send you special offers only available via email).\n\nWhy are email addresses so important? Simple. It\'s because there are so many channels out there that it has become increasingly harder (and thus, more valuable) to target people. For retailers, fewer people are reading printed anything, a traditional place for special offers and sale notices. In general, media has become increasingly segmented. With DVRs, most people are fast-forwarding the commercials.\n\nEmail reaches people somewhere where they are likely to be--on their computer or other Internet-connected device. And because people can easily opt-out of receiving emails, marketers have to work harder to make it worth their while. And then there is the added benefit of not having to pay postage or printing costs, making email marketing a lot cheaper to produce.\n\n<strong>What does this mean for marketing communications? It means that messaging has to be more targeted, more concise and centered around providing a very tangible benefit to the consumer. </strong> Email marketing maybe cheaper to  snail mail marketing, but it also easier to stop.\n\nThe bottom line is that marketers want email addresses and consumers want real value for the intrusion.\n\nHave you noticed more retailers asking for email addresses? What incentives have you seen?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Email addresses have become more valuable','','inherit','open','open','','2302-autosave','','','2013-08-13 12:26:45','2013-08-13 12:26:45','',2302,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2302-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2306,4,'2013-08-14 13:28:29','2013-08-14 13:28:29','Yesterday, I wrote about h<a title=\"Email addresses have become more valuable\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/email-addresses-have-become-more-valuable/\">ow important email marketing has become to retailers</a>. Yesterday afternoon, I found out first-hand that email marketing has become far more important to retailers than customer service, and that is a problem.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"silos by dsearls, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/5500714140/\"><img alt=\"silos\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5096/5500714140_5ff438aa98.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"202\" /></a> Silos by Doc Searls on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nMany large organizations have no bridge among their many departments. I remember when I was working with a large financial company back in the 1990s, and the public relations department (where I was) and the sponsorship department didn\'t really connect, even though both were ostensibly working on promoting the brand. It  seems this way with customer service and marketing.\r\n\r\nMy experience was this: Yesterday, I went to White House Black Market to return a couple of items I had bought last week. I had the receipt, and the items were unused and had their tags on (nothing wrong with them, just didn\'t like them once I got home).  At first, this clerk was friendly, but pretty soon she was having issues. It turns out that because I did not provide my email address to the clerk who had originally sold me the items, the clerk had put in a made up email, which apparently was connected with another customer\'s account.\r\n\r\nThe clerk called over another associate (let\'s call her Ms. Crotchety since she was a very unfriendly woman),  who asked me my name, and of course, this did not match up with the customer name in the system. I explained that since I had no desire to be in their system, the original associate had put in that email address because she feared that she would be \"dinged\" by the company for not providing an email address with purchase. Ms. Crotchety proceeded to tell me that I needed to provide my address, and that if I were in the system, the system would just populate the fields with the right information (read: I am at at fault for not being in their system and making Ms. Crotchety\'s life so hard).\r\n\r\nIn the end, I was forced to give them my address  in order to get credited (in spite of having a receipt and the original credit card).  To make matters worse, at no point were these associates helpful, apologetic or accommodating.  I had originally thought I would browse the sales racks, instead, I walked out angry and with no desire to shop at this store.\r\n\r\nAs many people do when they have a grievance, I took to Twitter to air my dissatisfaction with the store. Let\'s just say that @WHBM were far more apologetic and understanding than the clerks at the store.  I bet that the folks behind @WHBM are customer service folks and not marketing folks. The marketing folks probably have nothing to do with customer service.  And there, in a nutshell, lies the problem. <strong>Marketing is operating independently of customer service, with goals that do not take customer service needs into account.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is an example of a marketing imperative trumping good customer service. The imperative at White House Black Market seems to be that clerks must obtain email addresses no matter what.  This means that the email address itself is more valuable than the customer. That\'s a flawed concept.  Although email can be a very powerful marketing tool, it only is effective if the customer wants to receive those emails.  There is a difference between asking for an email address and making it impossible to buy something unless you provide an email address.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Should marketing goals (grow email list in this case) be more important than customer service goals? Can the two co-exist?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When customer service and marketing conflict','','publish','open','open','','when-customer-service-and-marketing-conflict','','','2013-08-14 13:28:29','2013-08-14 13:28:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2306',0,'post','',2),(2307,4,'2013-08-14 13:27:05','2013-08-14 13:27:05','Yesterday, I wrote about h<a title=\"Email addresses have become more valuable\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/email-addresses-have-become-more-valuable/\">ow important email marketing has become to retailers</a>. Yesterday afternoon, I found out first-hand that email marketing has become far more important to retailers than customer service, and that is a problem.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"silos by dsearls, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/5500714140/\"><img alt=\"silos\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5096/5500714140_5ff438aa98.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"202\" /></a> Silos by Doc Searls on Flickr[/caption]\n\nMany large organizations have no bridge among their many departments. I remember when I was working with a large financial company back in the 1990s, and the public relations department (where I was) and the sponsorship department didn\'t really connect, even though both were ostensibly working on promoting the brand. It  seems this way with customer service and marketing.\n\nMy experience was this: Yesterday, I went to White House Black Market to return a couple of items I had bought last week. I had the receipt, and the items were unused and had their tags on (nothing wrong with them, just didn\'t like them once I got home).  At first, this clerk was friendly, but pretty soon she was having issues. It turns out that because I did not provide my email address to the clerk who had originally sold me the items, the clerk had put in a made up email, which apparently was connected with another customer\'s account.\n\nThe clerk called over another associate (let\'s call her Ms. Crotchety since she was a very unfriendly woman),  who asked me my name, and of course, this did not match up with the customer name in the system. I explained that since I had no desire to be in their system, the original associate had put in that email address because she feared that she would be \"dinged\" by the company for not providing an email address with purchase. Ms. Crotchety proceeded to tell me that I needed to provide my address, and that if I were in the system, the system would just populate the fields with the right information (read: I am at at fault for not being in their system and making Ms. Crotchety\'s life so hard).\n\nIn the end, I was forced to give them my address  in order to get credited (in spite of having a receipt and the original credit card).  To make matters worse, at no point were these associates helpful, apologetic or accommodating.  I had originally thought I would browse the sales racks, instead, I walked out angry and with no desire to shop at this store.\n\nAs many people do when they have a grievance, I took to Twitter to air my dissatisfaction with the store. Let\'s just say that @WHBM were far more apologetic and understanding than the clerks at the store.  I bet that the folks behind @WHBM are customer service folks and not marketing folks. The marketing folks probably have nothing to do with customer service.  And there, in a nutshell, lies the problem. <strong>Marketing is operating independently of customer service, with goals that do not take customer service needs into account.</strong>\n\nThis is an example of a marketing imperative trumping good customer service. The imperative at White House Black Market seems to be that clerks must obtain email addresses no matter what.  This means that the email address itself is more valuable than the customer. That\'s a flawed concept.  Although email can be a very powerful marketing tool, it only is effective if the customer wants to receive those emails.  There is a difference between asking for an email address and making it impossible to buy something unless you provide an email address.\n\nWhat do you think? Should marketing goals (grow email list in this case) be more important than customer service goals? Can the two co-exist?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','When customer service and marketing conflict','','inherit','open','open','','2306-revision','','','2013-08-14 13:27:05','2013-08-14 13:27:05','',2306,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2306-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2308,4,'2013-08-14 13:27:39','2013-08-14 13:27:39','Yesterday, I wrote about h<a title=\"Email addresses have become more valuable\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/email-addresses-have-become-more-valuable/\">ow important email marketing has become to retailers</a>. Yesterday afternoon, I found out first-hand that email marketing has become far more important to retailers than customer service, and that is a problem.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a title=\"silos by dsearls, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/5500714140/\"><img alt=\"silos\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5096/5500714140_5ff438aa98.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"202\" /></a> Silos by Doc Searls on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nMany large organizations have no bridge among their many departments. I remember when I was working with a large financial company back in the 1990s, and the public relations department (where I was) and the sponsorship department didn\'t really connect, even though both were ostensibly working on promoting the brand. It  seems this way with customer service and marketing.\r\n\r\nMy experience was this: Yesterday, I went to White House Black Market to return a couple of items I had bought last week. I had the receipt, and the items were unused and had their tags on (nothing wrong with them, just didn\'t like them once I got home).  At first, this clerk was friendly, but pretty soon she was having issues. It turns out that because I did not provide my email address to the clerk who had originally sold me the items, the clerk had put in a made up email, which apparently was connected with another customer\'s account.\r\n\r\nThe clerk called over another associate (let\'s call her Ms. Crotchety since she was a very unfriendly woman),  who asked me my name, and of course, this did not match up with the customer name in the system. I explained that since I had no desire to be in their system, the original associate had put in that email address because she feared that she would be \"dinged\" by the company for not providing an email address with purchase. Ms. Crotchety proceeded to tell me that I needed to provide my address, and that if I were in the system, the system would just populate the fields with the right information (read: I am at at fault for not being in their system and making Ms. Crotchety\'s life so hard).\r\n\r\nIn the end, I was forced to give them my address  in order to get credited (in spite of having a receipt and the original credit card).  To make matters worse, at no point were these associates helpful, apologetic or accommodating.  I had originally thought I would browse the sales racks, instead, I walked out angry and with no desire to shop at this store.\r\n\r\nAs many people do when they have a grievance, I took to Twitter to air my dissatisfaction with the store. Let\'s just say that @WHBM were far more apologetic and understanding than the clerks at the store.  I bet that the folks behind @WHBM are customer service folks and not marketing folks. The marketing folks probably have nothing to do with customer service.  And there, in a nutshell, lies the problem. <strong>Marketing is operating independently of customer service, with goals that do not take customer service needs into account.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is an example of a marketing imperative trumping good customer service. The imperative at White House Black Market seems to be that clerks must obtain email addresses no matter what.  This means that the email address itself is more valuable than the customer. That\'s a flawed concept.  Although email can be a very powerful marketing tool, it only is effective if the customer wants to receive those emails.  There is a difference between asking for an email address and making it impossible to buy something unless you provide an email address.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Should marketing goals (grow email list in this case) be more important than customer service goals? Can the two co-exist?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When customer service and marketing conflict','','inherit','open','open','','2306-revision-2','','','2013-08-14 13:27:39','2013-08-14 13:27:39','',2306,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2306-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2362,4,'2013-10-08 17:31:47','2013-10-08 17:31:47','Last night, I met a friend for dinner. He chose a Thai place that was half-way between his place and mine. Upon reading some reviews online, I found out that this is the only Thai place  in the area that\'s Halal, that is, observes Muslim dietary rules.\r\n\r\nWhen I got there last night, it was empty save for a couple of people. Few people came in until a outwardly observant Muslim family came in. When they were done eating and had left, the owner pretty much closed up shop and kicked my friend and me out. From the time we had arrived at 6:30 p.m. until we left, no more than ten other customers had been in the restaurant.\r\n\r\nThe food at this Thai place was not very good. In fact, it was mediocre. It wasn\'t spicy enough, or attractively presented enough or even interesting enough. They did not have Thai standards like green papaya salad or red curry. Based on the food alone, I would not go back.\r\n\r\nThe only relevant differentiator this Thai restaurant offers is that it\'s Halal. Is that enough? <strong>Can you have one strong point of differentiation and have that keep your business alive? Well, the answer is yes, but there is an \"if\" attached.</strong> In this case, you could have Halal as your point of differentiation ONLY IF your food is on par with other similar restaurants.\r\n\r\nIn a world where there are multiple offerings for everything (many organic grocery stores, tons of sushi restaurants, hundreds of nail salons),<strong> you have to meet the standard or exceed it AND then find your point of differentiation.</strong> For example, if you have a nail salon, not only do have to comply with sanitary guidelines required by law, but you should find something that your competition does not have (the most colors, the most comfortable chairs, etc.).\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is having a point of differentiation enough?','Is having a point of differentiation enough?','','publish','open','open','','is-having-a-point-of-differentiation-enough','','','2013-10-14 18:02:26','2013-10-14 18:02:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2362',0,'post','',2),(2311,4,'2013-08-26 12:29:50','2013-08-26 12:29:50','I had a conversation with a potential client the other day, and she was saying she wasn\'t sure she needed to continue advertising as most of her customers came from word of mouth/referral.\r\n\r\nWord-of-mouth and referrals are very powerful marketing forces, but they do not operate in a vacuum. Most people take their time making a decision, even when they have a referral (or referrals) in hand.  People often like to do some research themselves, even when they have glowing recommendations (just because a hair salon did wonders for straight-haired Jane does not mean they can do wonders for curly-haired Joan). This is why you need to reinforce your message.\r\n\r\n<strong>Often, you need to remind your potential clients/customers of why they should consider working for you.</strong> You also need to let them know the basics: how to contact you, where you are located, who you work with, how much you charge, what your services/products are.\r\n\r\nHow do you reinforce your message? You can do it several ways:\r\n\r\n1. Have an updated, attractive, easy-to-navigate website.\r\n\r\n2. Have marketing materials such as ads, brochures, etc. as necessary for your target. For example, if your target audience reads specialized journals, it makes sense to advertise there. If your target walks past your store, it may make sense to have brochures or information cards available.\r\n\r\n3. Have an updated, complete LinkedIn profile and on other social media channels as appropriate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRelying on word of mouth without reinforcing the positive referral will not always result in business for you and could actually work against you.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to reinforce your message?','Are you reinforcing your message?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-reinforcing-your-message','','','2013-08-26 12:29:50','2013-08-26 12:29:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2311',0,'post','',0),(2312,4,'2013-08-23 14:48:26','2013-08-23 14:48:26','I had a conversation with a potential client the other day, and she was saying she wasn\'t sure she needed to continue advertising as most of her customers came from word of mouth/referral.\n\nWord-of-mouth and referrals are very powerful marketing forces, but they do not operate in a vacuum. The thing is that most people take their time making a decision, even when they have a referral (or referrals) in hand.  People often like to do some research themselves, even when they have glowing recommendations (just because a hair salon did wonders for straight-haired Jane does not mean they can do wonders for curly-hair Joan). This is why you need to reinforce your message.\n\nHow do you reinforce your message? You can do it several ways:\n\n1. Have an updated, attractive, easy-to-navigate website.\n\n2. Have marketing materials such as ads, brochures, etc. as necessary for your target. For example, if your target audience reads specialized journals, it makes sense to advertise there. If your target walks past your store, it may make sense to have brochures or information cards available.\n\n3. Have an updated, complete LinkedIn profile and on other social media channels as appropriate.\n\nOften, you need to remind your potential clients/customers of why they should consider working for you. You also need to let them know the basics: how to contact you, where you are located, who you work with, how much you charge, what your services/products are.\n\nRelying on word of mouth without reinforcing the positive','Are you reinforcing your message?','','inherit','open','open','','2311-revision','','','2013-08-23 14:48:26','2013-08-23 14:48:26','',2311,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2311-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2313,4,'2013-08-23 14:51:10','2013-08-23 14:51:10','I had a conversation with a potential client the other day, and she was saying she wasn\'t sure she needed to continue advertising as most of her customers came from word of mouth/referral.\n\nWord-of-mouth and referrals are very powerful marketing forces, but they do not operate in a vacuum. Tmost people take their time making a decision, even when they have a referral (or referrals) in hand.  People often like to do some research themselves, even when they have glowing recommendations (just because a hair salon did wonders for straight-haired Jane does not mean they can do wonders for curly-hair Joan). This is why you need to reinforce your message.\n\nHow do you reinforce your message? You can do it several ways:\n\n1. Have an updated, attractive, easy-to-navigate website.\n\n2. Have marketing materials such as ads, brochures, etc. as necessary for your target. For example, if your target audience reads specialized journals, it makes sense to advertise there. If your target walks past your store, it may make sense to have brochures or information cards available.\n\n3. Have an updated, complete LinkedIn profile and on other social media channels as appropriate.\n\nOften, you need to remind your potential clients/customers of why they should consider working for you. You also need to let them know the basics: how to contact you, where you are located, who you work with, how much you charge, what your services/products are.\n\nRelying on word of mouth without reinforcing the positive referral will not always result in business for you and could actually work against you.','Are you reinforcing your message?','','inherit','open','open','','2311-revision-2','','','2013-08-23 14:51:10','2013-08-23 14:51:10','',2311,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2311-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2314,4,'2013-08-26 12:29:44','2013-08-26 12:29:44','I had a conversation with a potential client the other day, and she was saying she wasn\'t sure she needed to continue advertising as most of her customers came from word of mouth/referral.\n\nWord-of-mouth and referrals are very powerful marketing forces, but they do not operate in a vacuum. Most people take their time making a decision, even when they have a referral (or referrals) in hand.  People often like to do some research themselves, even when they have glowing recommendations (just because a hair salon did wonders for straight-haired Jane does not mean they can do wonders for curly-haired Joan). This is why you need to reinforce your message.\n\n<strong>Often, you need to remind your potential clients/customers of why they should consider working for you.</strong> You also need to let them know the basics: how to contact you, where you are located, who you work with, how much you charge, what your services/products are.\n\nHow do you reinforce your message? You can do it several ways:\n\n1. Have an updated, attractive, easy-to-navigate website.\n\n2. Have marketing materials such as ads, brochures, etc. as necessary for your target. For example, if your target audience reads specialized journals, it makes sense to advertise there. If your target walks past your store, it may make sense to have brochures or information cards available.\n\n3. Have an updated, complete LinkedIn profile and on other social media channels as appropriate.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRelying on word of mouth without reinforcing the positive referral will not always result in business for you and could actually work against you.\n\nWhat are you doing to reinforce your message? D','Are you reinforcing your message?','','inherit','open','open','','2311-revision-3','','','2013-08-26 12:29:44','2013-08-26 12:29:44','',2311,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2311-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2315,4,'2013-08-26 12:30:56','2013-08-26 12:30:56','I had a conversation with a potential client the other day, and she was saying she wasn\'t sure she needed to continue advertising as most of her customers came from word of mouth/referral.\n\nWord-of-mouth and referrals are very powerful marketing forces, but they do not operate in a vacuum. Most people take their time making a decision, even when they have a referral (or referrals) in hand.  People often like to do some research themselves, even when they have glowing recommendations (just because a hair salon did wonders for straight-haired Jane does not mean they can do wonders for curly-haired Joan). This is why you need to reinforce your message.\n\n<strong>Often, you need to remind your potential clients/customers of why they should consider working for you.</strong> You also need to let them know the basics: how to contact you, where you are located, who you work with, how much you charge, what your services/products are.\n\nHow do you reinforce your message? You can do it several ways:\n\n1. Have an updated, attractive, easy-to-navigate website.\n\n2. Have marketing materials such as ads, brochures, etc. as necessary for your target. For example, if your target audience reads specialized journals, it makes sense to advertise there. If your target walks past your store, it may make sense to have brochures or information cards available.\n\n3. Have an updated, complete LinkedIn profile and on other social media channels as appropriate.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRelying on word of mouth without reinforcing the positive referral will not always result in business for you and could actually work against you.\n\nWhat are you doing to reinforce your message?','Are you reinforcing your message?','','inherit','open','open','','2311-autosave','','','2013-08-26 12:30:56','2013-08-26 12:30:56','',2311,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2311-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2316,4,'2013-08-27 13:51:23','2013-08-27 13:51:23','Several weeks ago, I told you all about<a title=\"Do you know what your customer’s experience is really like?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/do-you-know-what-your-customers-experience-is-really-like/\"> the awful experience</a> that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things wrong there was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  A stand holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, was cluttering the minimal counter space, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap kept sliding  to the floor after I washed my hands.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Soap by Radio.Guy, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/radioguy/1554875771/\"><img alt=\"Soap\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2035/1554875771_327f03c278.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"310\" /></a> Soap by Radio.Guy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\r\n\r\nIt\'s really very simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR an effective website DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your audience). How does a person use your product? What does a person need to navigate your site?\r\n\r\nHave you ever been to a website where you can\'t find what you are looking for? I bet you have! Those websites are generally cluttered with tons of information that is not organized for the user but rather for the idiosyncrasies of the various organizational departments (Sales &amp; Promotion says we need to include this, Legal says we have to include that).\r\n\r\nThe other day I was looking for a blog on an organizational website and I didn\'t see it where you would normally. I figured it did not exist. I was wrong. It was under \"publications.\" Why? Because the Publications Department is in charge of the blog. Publications clearly doesn\'t understand website visitors. Those visitors aren\'t familiar with (nor do they care about) your organizational hierarchy!\r\n\r\nThis is where user experience or UX comes in. UX specialists are there to make your website friendly to visitors. If a visitor wants to find your calendar of events, he or she will find it easily instead of clicking through various places. There are ways to make website navigation easy and sensible.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are a small organization that can\'t afford to hire a usability expert to assess and fix your website. Just think about the soap dish. Do you have what your visitors need? Where would they easily find it?\r\n\r\n<strong>If you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.)','','publish','open','open','','where-is-the-soap-dish-or-why-ux-is-important','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/do-you-know-what-your-customers-experience-is-really-like/','2013-08-27 13:53:54','2013-08-27 13:53:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2316',0,'post','',0),(2317,4,'2013-08-27 13:49:22','2013-08-27 13:49:22','Several weeks ago, I told you all about<a title=\"What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/what-your-latest-hotel-stay-can-teach-you-about-marketing/\"> the awful experience</a> that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things wrong there was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  A stand holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, was cluttering the minimal counter space, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap kept sliding  to the floor after I washed my hands.\n\n<a title=\"Soap by Radio.Guy, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/radioguy/1554875771/\"><img alt=\"Soap\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2035/1554875771_327f03c278.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\" /></a>\n\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\n\nIt\'s really very simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR an effective website DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your audience). How does a person use your product? What does a person need to navigate your site?\n\nHave you ever been to a website where you can\'t find what you are looking for? I bet you have! Those websites are generally cluttered with tons of information that is not organized for the user but rather for the idiosyncrasies of the various organizational departments (Sales &amp; Promotion says we need to include this, Legal says we have to include that).\n\nThe other day I was looking for a blog on an organizational website and I didn\'t see it where you would normally. I figured it did not exist. I was wrong. It was under \"publications.\" Why? Because the Publications Department is in charge of the blog. Publications clearly doesn\'t understand website visitors. Those visitors aren\'t familiar with (nor do they care about) your organizational hierarchy!\n\nThis is where user experience or UX comes in. UX specialists are there to make your website friendly to visitors. If a visitor wants to find your calendar of events, he or she will find it easily instead of clicking through various places. There are ways to make website navigation easy and sensible.\n\nPerhaps you are a small organization that can\'t afford to hire a usability expert to assess and fix your website. Just think about the soap dish. Do you have what your visitors need? Where would they easily find it?\n\n<strong>If you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.)','','inherit','open','open','','2316-revision','','','2013-08-27 13:49:22','2013-08-27 13:49:22','',2316,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2316-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2318,4,'2013-08-27 13:50:22','2013-08-27 13:50:22','Several weeks ago, I told you all about<a title=\"What your latest hotel stay can teach you about marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/06/what-your-latest-hotel-stay-can-teach-you-about-marketing/\"> the awful experience</a> that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things wrong there was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  A stand holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, was cluttering the minimal counter space, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap kept sliding  to the floor after I washed my hands.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Soap by Radio.Guy, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/radioguy/1554875771/\"><img alt=\"Soap\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2035/1554875771_327f03c278.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"310\" /></a> Soap by Radio.Guy on Flickr[/caption]\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\n\nIt\'s really very simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR an effective website DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your audience). How does a person use your product? What does a person need to navigate your site?\n\nHave you ever been to a website where you can\'t find what you are looking for? I bet you have! Those websites are generally cluttered with tons of information that is not organized for the user but rather for the idiosyncrasies of the various organizational departments (Sales &amp; Promotion says we need to include this, Legal says we have to include that).\n\nThe other day I was looking for a blog on an organizational website and I didn\'t see it where you would normally. I figured it did not exist. I was wrong. It was under \"publications.\" Why? Because the Publications Department is in charge of the blog. Publications clearly doesn\'t understand website visitors. Those visitors aren\'t familiar with (nor do they care about) your organizational hierarchy!\n\nThis is where user experience or UX comes in. UX specialists are there to make your website friendly to visitors. If a visitor wants to find your calendar of events, he or she will find it easily instead of clicking through various places. There are ways to make website navigation easy and sensible.\n\nPerhaps you are a small organization that can\'t afford to hire a usability expert to assess and fix your website. Just think about the soap dish. Do you have what your visitors need? Where would they easily find it?\n\n<strong>If you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.)','','inherit','open','open','','2316-revision-2','','','2013-08-27 13:50:22','2013-08-27 13:50:22','',2316,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2316-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(2319,4,'2013-08-27 13:51:03','2013-08-27 13:51:03','Several weeks ago, I told you all about<a title=\"Do you know what your customer’s experience is really like?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/do-you-know-what-your-customers-experience-is-really-like/\"> the awful experience</a> that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things wrong there was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  A stand holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, was cluttering the minimal counter space, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap kept sliding  to the floor after I washed my hands.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Soap by Radio.Guy, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/radioguy/1554875771/\"><img alt=\"Soap\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2035/1554875771_327f03c278.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"310\" /></a> Soap by Radio.Guy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\r\n\r\nIt\'s really very simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR an effective website DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your audience). How does a person use your product? What does a person need to navigate your site?\r\n\r\nHave you ever been to a website where you can\'t find what you are looking for? I bet you have! Those websites are generally cluttered with tons of information that is not organized for the user but rather for the idiosyncrasies of the various organizational departments (Sales &amp; Promotion says we need to include this, Legal says we have to include that).\r\n\r\nThe other day I was looking for a blog on an organizational website and I didn\'t see it where you would normally. I figured it did not exist. I was wrong. It was under \"publications.\" Why? Because the Publications Department is in charge of the blog. Publications clearly doesn\'t understand website visitors. Those visitors aren\'t familiar with (nor do they care about) your organizational hierarchy!\r\n\r\nThis is where user experience or UX comes in. UX specialists are there to make your website friendly to visitors. If a visitor wants to find your calendar of events, he or she will find it easily instead of clicking through various places. There are ways to make website navigation easy and sensible.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are a small organization that can\'t afford to hire a usability expert to assess and fix your website. Just think about the soap dish. Do you have what your visitors need? Where would they easily find it?\r\n\r\n<strong>If you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.)','','inherit','open','open','','2316-revision-3','','','2013-08-27 13:51:03','2013-08-27 13:51:03','',2316,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2316-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(2321,4,'2013-08-29 14:40:30','2013-08-29 14:40:30','If you doubt the power of advertising, then do yourself a favor and watch <a href=\"http://sonyclassics.com/no/\" target=\"_blank\">No,</a> the movie by Pablo Larrain, featuring Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal. The movie (now available in DVD), in Spanish, is set in 1988 Chile, where the government of Augusto Pinochet has been forced by international pressure to call a referendum to see whether the public will support eight more years. Voters who support Pinochet will vote yes, and those who oppose him will vote no.\r\n\r\nThe No campaign hires Rene Saavedra (played by Garcia Bernal) to come up with a concept. Saavedra, who works for the ad agency hired by the government\'s Si campaign, has a track record of edgy, successful campaigns. Saavedra thinks the No campaign needs to feature happiness, thus equating a negative concept (no) with being happy. He commissions a song about happiness and develops a \"happy\" logo.\r\n\r\nAs a marketing communications writer and consultant, I was very interested in seeing how Saavedra\'s concepts were received by the No campaign. Since they were fighting an ideological campaign, they believed you had to make a case to the people (Pinochet has killed, tortured and disappeared thousands of people). Saavedra\'s reaction is that that would not be a pleasant, nice message. The campaign recoils, saying that of course it isn\'t a nice message. But Saavedra prevails, getting them to see that people don\'t want to scared and oppressed by negativity.\r\n\r\nYou will need to watch the movie to see how the opposing sides deal with each other, but suffice it to say that Saavedra was right. People respond better to a positive message, or at least pay more attention. He succeeded in putting the Si campaign on the defensive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Selling \"no\"','','publish','open','open','','selling-no','','','2013-08-29 14:40:30','2013-08-29 14:40:30','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2321',0,'post','',0),(2320,4,'2013-08-27 13:51:23','2013-08-27 13:51:23','Several weeks ago, I told you all about<a title=\"Do you know what your customer’s experience is really like?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/07/do-you-know-what-your-customers-experience-is-really-like/\"> the awful experience</a> that passes itself of as the Holiday Inn Express. One of the smaller, yet super annoying, things wrong there was the fact that in the (cramped) bathroom, there was no soap dish.  A stand holding the usual hotel toiletries, including soap bars, was cluttering the minimal counter space, but there was no place to put the soap once you opened the plastic wrapping.  The soap kept sliding  to the floor after I washed my hands.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"450\"]<a title=\"Soap by Radio.Guy, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/radioguy/1554875771/\"><img alt=\"Soap\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2035/1554875771_327f03c278.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"310\" /></a> Soap by Radio.Guy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nJust a few weeks before my stay at the HIE, I stayed at a boutique inn in the same city. Among the many amenities was a soap dish in the bathroom. It was a nice touch. It showed the inn had considered the guest\'s needs (and that someone somewhere had actually used soap to wash their hands at some point, which apparently the managers at the HIE never had done).\r\n\r\nIt\'s really very simple: You have to consider people\'s needs and how they do things. Providing a great hotel experience OR an effective website DEPENDS on whether you are considering your end user (your guest, your audience). How does a person use your product? What does a person need to navigate your site?\r\n\r\nHave you ever been to a website where you can\'t find what you are looking for? I bet you have! Those websites are generally cluttered with tons of information that is not organized for the user but rather for the idiosyncrasies of the various organizational departments (Sales &amp; Promotion says we need to include this, Legal says we have to include that).\r\n\r\nThe other day I was looking for a blog on an organizational website and I didn\'t see it where you would normally. I figured it did not exist. I was wrong. It was under \"publications.\" Why? Because the Publications Department is in charge of the blog. Publications clearly doesn\'t understand website visitors. Those visitors aren\'t familiar with (nor do they care about) your organizational hierarchy!\r\n\r\nThis is where user experience or UX comes in. UX specialists are there to make your website friendly to visitors. If a visitor wants to find your calendar of events, he or she will find it easily instead of clicking through various places. There are ways to make website navigation easy and sensible.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are a small organization that can\'t afford to hire a usability expert to assess and fix your website. Just think about the soap dish. Do you have what your visitors need? Where would they easily find it?\r\n\r\n<strong>If you fail to think about how people actually use your product or service, then you will fail to serve their needs.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Where is the soap dish? (Or why UX is important.)','','inherit','open','open','','2316-revision-4','','','2013-08-27 13:51:23','2013-08-27 13:51:23','',2316,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2316-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(2322,4,'2013-08-29 14:39:37','2013-08-29 14:39:37','If you doubt the power of advertising, then do yourself a favor and watch <a href=\"http://sonyclassics.com/no/\" target=\"_blank\">No,</a> the movie by Pablo Larrain, featuring Gael Garcia Bernal. The movie (now available in DVD), in Spanish, is set in 1988 Chile, where the government of Augusto Pinochet has been forced by international pressure to call a referendum to see whether the public will support eight more years. Voters who support Pinochet will vote yes, and those who oppose him will vote no.\n\nThe No campaign hires Rene Saavedra (played by Garcia Bernal) to come up with a concept. Saavedra, who works for the ad agency hired by the government\'s Si campaign, has a track record of edgy, successful campaigns. Saavedra thinks the No campaign needs to feature happiness, thus equating a negative concept (no) with being happy. He commissions a song about happiness and develops a \"happy\" logo.\n\nAs a marketing communications writer and consultant, I was very interested in seeing how Saavedra\'s concepts were received by the No campaign. Since they were fighting an ideological campaign, they believed you had to make a case to the people (Pinochet has killed, tortured and disappeared thousands of people). Saavedra\'s reaction is that that would not be a pleasant, nice message. The campaign recoils, saying that of course it isn\'t a nice message. But Saavedra prevails, getting them to see that people don\'t want to scared and oppressed by negativity.\n\nYou will need to watch the movie to see how the opposing sides deal with each other, but suffice it to say that Saavedra was right. People respond better to a positive message, or at least pay more attention. He succeeded in putting the Si campaign on the defensive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Selling \"no\"','','inherit','open','open','','2321-revision','','','2013-08-29 14:39:37','2013-08-29 14:39:37','',2321,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2321-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2323,4,'2013-08-29 21:09:09','2013-08-29 21:09:09','This is a test post. I apologize for any inconvenience.','Test post','','publish','open','open','','test-post','','','2013-08-29 21:09:09','2013-08-29 21:09:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2323',0,'post','',0),(2324,4,'2013-08-29 21:08:39','2013-08-29 21:08:39','','Testing','','inherit','open','open','','2323-revision','','','2013-08-29 21:08:39','2013-08-29 21:08:39','',2323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2323-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(2325,4,'2013-08-29 21:10:14','2013-08-29 21:10:14','This is a test post. I apologize for any inconvenience.','Test post','','inherit','open','open','','2323-autosave','','','2013-08-29 21:10:14','2013-08-29 21:10:14','',2323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/08/2323-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(2328,4,'2013-09-10 14:27:55','2013-09-10 14:27:55','Google\'s decision to kill Google Reader has impacted more than our ability to have all our blog feeds in one easy-to-access place, it has impacted many blogs and their ability to be read at all. You see, Google did not give anybody a real alternative to Reader. Some jumped in, like Feedly, making it easy to transfer your feeds to their readers. For some users of Google Reader, it was hard to decide which of the many alternatives out there to use, so they didn\'t transfer their feeds, and now, that ability is lost.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I started to notice that this blog\'s feed was taking several days to update on Feedly (which is the alternative I chose). Then, the last two or three posts NEVER updated at all. I wrote to Feedly this morning, and their customer service rep told me that it is a capacity issue on which they are working. In the meantime, people who are looking for this blog on Feedly think I haven\'t written anything in two weeks. And you may not even see this post.\r\n\r\nThe demise of Google Reader may turn out to be a disaster for many smaller blogs like this. Unless Feedly steps up, and all readers out there have the capacity that Google offered, blogs will be affected. Once you aren\'t present, you disappear from people\'s minds. With the plethora of blogs and other content available, the competition is intense. To have cut through the clutter and made it on to people\'s Google Reader only to be demolished by an nonexistent \"transition\" is not only a real shame but could be a destroyer of business.\r\n\r\nI am not sure what to do. I will continue posting my content to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook as appropriate, and people are free to subscribe via email (and that updates instantly as the post is published).\r\n\r\nIf you are reading this post, what do you suggest?','You may not see this post','','inherit','open','open','','2327-revision-v1','','','2013-09-10 14:27:55','2013-09-10 14:27:55','',2327,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2327-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2330,4,'2013-09-11 14:57:46','2013-09-11 14:57:46','In the past day alone, I have received four marketing/communications emails that are indicative of a huge amount of carelessness or ignorance or both. In each case, spending a bit more time checking the following would result in a more effective email.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check you spelling without depending on spell check</strong>\r\n\r\n\"Your invited to join us\" was in the subject line of one email and in the the body of another.  Depending on spell check without actually reading your email will let this type of ignorant email go through.  In case you\'re wondering what is wrong with that line, please read this sentence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check dates carefully</strong>\r\n\r\nI got an invitation for an event taking place on Monday, September 20th. Except that September 20th is a Friday. And it turns out the event is actually on Monday, September 16th.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be careful with automated replies</strong>\r\n\r\nAs you<a title=\"You may not see this post\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/\"> read yesterday</a>, this blog\'s feed was not appearing in Feedly. I wrote Feedly and I got an automated response (I didn\'t realize it was automated at the time) telling me that it was due to a capacity issue. Feedly\'s Twitter person told me this:\r\n<blockquote>it is not a capacity issue. That is an old automated email. I have asked our dev lead to look into this. Expect and answer today. -Ed</blockquote>\r\nI realize that sometimes it\'s necessary for customer service to send an automated response due to volume or because of the need to acknowledge communication. But, email communications should not be misleading or just plain wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>The bottom line is check and then check again!</strong>\r\n\r\nEmail marketing may be very effective, but if you send out the wrong information, with incorrect spelling or grammar, you will not only not achieve your communications goals, you will appear ignorant and/or careless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Before you send that email...','','publish','open','open','','before-you-send-that-email','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/','2013-09-11 14:57:46','2013-09-11 14:57:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2330',0,'post','',2),(2331,4,'2013-09-11 14:57:46','2013-09-11 14:57:46','In the past day alone, I have received four marketing/communications emails that are indicative of a huge amount of carelessness or ignorance or both. In each case, spending a bit more time checking the following would result in a more effective email.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check you spelling without depending on spell check</strong>\r\n\r\n\"Your invited to join us\" was in the subject line of one email and in the the body of another.  Depending on spell check without actually reading your email will let this type of ignorant email go through.  In case you\'re wondering what is wrong with that line, please read this sentence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check dates carefully</strong>\r\n\r\nI got an invitation for an event taking place on Monday, September 20th. Except that September 20th is a Friday. And it turns out the event is actually on Monday, September 16th.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be careful with automated replies</strong>\r\n\r\nAs you<a title=\"You may not see this post\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/\"> read yesterday</a>, this blog\'s feed was not appearing in Feedly. I wrote Feedly and I got an automated response (I didn\'t realize it was automated at the time) telling me that it was due to a capacity issue. Feedly\'s Twitter person told me this:\r\n<blockquote>it is not a capacity issue. That is an old automated email. I have asked our dev lead to look into this. Expect and answer today. -Ed</blockquote>\r\nI realize that sometimes it\'s necessary for customer service to send an automated response due to volume or because of the need to acknowledge communication. But, email communications should not be misleading or just plain wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>The bottom line is check and then check again!</strong>\r\n\r\nEmail marketing may be very effective, but if you send out the wrong information, with incorrect spelling or grammar, you will not only not achieve your communications goals, you will appear ignorant and/or careless.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Before you send that email...','','inherit','open','open','','2330-revision-v1','','','2013-09-11 14:57:46','2013-09-11 14:57:46','',2330,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2330-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2332,4,'2013-09-12 14:52:49','2013-09-12 14:52:49','Do you follow yourself? It\'s not easy to do, but it\'s essential. You should be monitoring your external communications efforts or else, you just won\'t know what is going on.\r\n\r\nI have followed my own blog (first on Google Reader, and now on Feedly, though that may change) for years. Why? Because I want to see how other people see my blog. I want to make sure it is showing up and how it appears when it does. This is how I knew there was a problem with Feedly and my blog feed (detailed in<a title=\"You may not see this post\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/\"> this post--read the comments please</a>). I subscribe to my blog via email too, to make sure Feedburner is operating as it should.\r\n\r\nWhen I send out email campaigns, I send it to two different emails of mine (one is Gmail and the other I monitor via Outlook). Again, I want to make sure everything looks OK. I try to check them on my smartphone too.\r\n\r\nAlthough you can\'t monitor for every iteration (for example, I don\'t own an iPad or Apple anything), you need to know how your communications are showing up in different environments, as best as possible. Perhaps you can recruit some volunteers to check for you (trusted friends or colleagues who don\'t mind giving you a had). Imagine that you are not optimizing your email for smartphones, and most of your audience reads it on that platform. If you don\'t know you aren\'t optimized,  you can\'t address it.\r\n\r\nToo many marketers (agencies included) don\'t bother to monitor their own communications. There\'s a rather prominent PR agency whose blog is a disaster, but apparently, no one has thought to check it as an outside reader, or follow it or even try to share it on social media. Then there are the countless email marketing messages that are not only not optimized for mobile or for social sharing, but that are RIFE with mistakes (grammar, spelling, content).\r\n\r\nYou must monitor yourself or direct others to monitor on your behalf. If not, you risk not knowing how people actually see you.\r\n\r\nAre you monitoring your communications? If so, how do you do it? If not, what are you waiting for?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Self-monitor or ....','','publish','open','open','','self-monitor-or','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/','2013-09-12 14:52:49','2013-09-12 14:52:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2332',0,'post','',0),(2333,4,'2013-09-12 14:52:49','2013-09-12 14:52:49','Do you follow yourself? It\'s not easy to do, but it\'s essential. You should be monitoring your external communications efforts or else, you just won\'t know what is going on.\r\n\r\nI have followed my own blog (first on Google Reader, and now on Feedly, though that may change) for years. Why? Because I want to see how other people see my blog. I want to make sure it is showing up and how it appears when it does. This is how I knew there was a problem with Feedly and my blog feed (detailed in<a title=\"You may not see this post\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/you-may-not-see-this-post/\"> this post--read the comments please</a>). I subscribe to my blog via email too, to make sure Feedburner is operating as it should.\r\n\r\nWhen I send out email campaigns, I send it to two different emails of mine (one is Gmail and the other I monitor via Outlook). Again, I want to make sure everything looks OK. I try to check them on my smartphone too.\r\n\r\nAlthough you can\'t monitor for every iteration (for example, I don\'t own an iPad or Apple anything), you need to know how your communications are showing up in different environments, as best as possible. Perhaps you can recruit some volunteers to check for you (trusted friends or colleagues who don\'t mind giving you a had). Imagine that you are not optimizing your email for smartphones, and most of your audience reads it on that platform. If you don\'t know you aren\'t optimized,  you can\'t address it.\r\n\r\nToo many marketers (agencies included) don\'t bother to monitor their own communications. There\'s a rather prominent PR agency whose blog is a disaster, but apparently, no one has thought to check it as an outside reader, or follow it or even try to share it on social media. Then there are the countless email marketing messages that are not only not optimized for mobile or for social sharing, but that are RIFE with mistakes (grammar, spelling, content).\r\n\r\nYou must monitor yourself or direct others to monitor on your behalf. If not, you risk not knowing how people actually see you.\r\n\r\nAre you monitoring your communications? If so, how do you do it? If not, what are you waiting for?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Self-monitor or ....','','inherit','open','open','','2332-revision-v1','','','2013-09-12 14:52:49','2013-09-12 14:52:49','',2332,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2332-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2335,4,'2013-09-19 14:11:31','0000-00-00 00:00:00','\"I saw it on Facebook\" must be one of the most frequently said lines today. We use Facebook (and other social networks) as a shorthand way to check in with our \"friends.\" You can easily find out that Jane if off on a Caribbean vacation and that Harry is traveling for business (yet again) to China. You can see that Mary has changed her status to single and that John has invited everyone to a barbecue at his place.\r\n\r\nBut here\'s the thing: Facebook is not real life. Exchanging likes or comments on Facebook does not substitute for personal connection. If you truly want to know what is going on with someone, you will need to talk to him or her directly.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, people post selected items on Facebook. Only extremely bored people with lots of time on their hands post minute-by-minute accounts of what they are doing (went to breakfast, went to the gym, went to work, had a burger for lunch, and on and on).  People also tend to post only  positive stuff (\"my daughter is on the honor roll\" and \"I just came back from my second climb of Mount Kilimanjaro\").\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If I saw it on Facebook, it must be true','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-09-19 14:11:31','2013-09-19 14:11:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2335',0,'post','',0),(2336,4,'2013-09-19 14:11:31','2013-09-19 14:11:31','\"I saw it on Facebook\" must be one of the most frequently said lines today. We use Facebook (and other social networks) as a shorthand way to check in with our \"friends.\" You can easily find out that Jane if off on a Caribbean vacation and that Harry is traveling for business (yet again) to China. You can see that Mary has changed her status to single and that John has invited everyone to a barbecue at his place.\r\n\r\nBut here\'s the thing: Facebook is not real life. Exchanging likes or comments on Facebook does not substitute for personal connection. If you truly want to know what is going on with someone, you will need to talk to him or her directly.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, people post selected items on Facebook. Only extremely bored people with lots of time on their hands post minute-by-minute accounts of what they are doing (went to breakfast, went to the gym, went to work, had a burger for lunch, and on and on).  People also tend to post only  positive stuff (\"my daughter is on the honor roll\" and \"I just came back from my second climb of Mount Kilimanjaro\").\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If I saw it on Facebook, it must be true','','inherit','open','open','','2335-revision-v1','','','2013-09-19 14:11:31','2013-09-19 14:11:31','',2335,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2335-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2338,4,'2013-09-23 15:08:03','2013-09-23 15:08:03','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2342\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2342\" alt=\"Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013[/caption]\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your actual blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Google + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description</li>\r\n	<li>You need both inbound and outbound social media plugins</li>\r\n	<li>Check out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4> SEO keeps changing but there are several things you can do to keep your site visible</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use the Wordpress SEO by Yoast plugin--highly recommended by tons of people</li>\r\n	<li>Name all your images</li>\r\n	<li>Do not ever write \"click here.\" Write a description.</li>\r\n	<li>Organize your content well--Google likes organized websites--using headings, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Optimize your site so users like it</li>\r\n	<li>Include rich content--pics, graphs, videos</li>\r\n	<li>Watch your page speed (you may need to cache you website using plugins like WP Super Cache)</li>\r\n	<li>Install and submit a site map using the Google XML Sitemap plugin</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Producing your own podcast is not that hard</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What you need to produce a podcast is: a blog, hosting that provides enough bandwidth, artwork/branding materials and a podcast feed. You will also need a microphone and a way to edit your audio.</li>\r\n	<li>Use editors like Audacity.</li>\r\n	<li>Look into podcasting plugins like PodPress and PowerPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogs and Wordpress sites make content marketing easier</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Content marketing\'s purpose is to drive profitable (however you define it) customer action.</li>\r\n	<li>Content marketing is about providing relevant, valuable (educational) and enjoyable material for your audience/user</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that customers care about themselves not you</li>\r\n	<li>Keyword research is key (you must know what keywords your customers would use to find your service/product)</li>\r\n	<li>When you provide valuable content, the reader/user is bound by the need to reciprocate since humans have  a deep seated need to return favors.</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that information that is exclusive is more persuasive (this is only available for a limited time)</li>\r\n	<li>Humans are more receptive to requests from people who appear to be authorities or experts.</li>\r\n	<li>Read <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</span> by Robert Cialdini</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThanks to the following presenters:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>AkilahThompkins-Robinson</li>\r\n	<li>Byron Warnken</li>\r\n	<li>Arsham and Josh from Webmechanix</li>\r\n	<li>Douglas Bell</li>\r\n	<li>Shane Powers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Top blogging lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','publish','open','open','','top-blogging-lessons-from-wordpress-camp-baltimore-2013','','','2013-09-23 15:08:03','2013-09-23 15:08:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2338',0,'post','',2),(2339,4,'2013-09-23 14:44:44','2013-09-23 14:44:44','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to the users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\nGoogle + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description\r\n\r\nYou need both inbound and outbound social media plugins\r\n\r\nCheck out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts\r\n\r\nBe careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Top lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2338-revision-v1','','','2013-09-23 14:44:44','2013-09-23 14:44:44','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2340,4,'2013-09-23 14:52:55','2013-09-23 14:52:55','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to the users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Google + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description</li>\r\n	<li>You need both inbound and outbound social media plugins</li>\r\n	<li>Check out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4> SEO keeps changing but there are several things you can do to keep your site visible</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use the Wordpress SEO by Yoast plugin--highly recommended by tons of people</li>\r\n	<li>Name all your images</li>\r\n	<li>Do not ever write \"click here.\" Write a description.</li>\r\n	<li>Organize your content well--Google likes organized websites--using headings, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Optimize your site so users like it</li>\r\n	<li>Include rich content--pics, graphs, videos</li>\r\n	<li>Watch your page speed (you may need to cache you website using plugins like WP Super Cache)</li>\r\n	<li>Install and submit a site map using the Google XML Sitemap plugin</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Producing your own podcast is not that hard</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What you need to produce a podcast is: a blog, hosting that provides enough bandwidth, artwork/branding materials and a podcast feed. You will also need a microphone and a way to edit your audio.</li>\r\n	<li>Use editors like Audacity.</li>\r\n	<li>Look into podcasting plugins like PodPress and PowerPress</li>\r\n</ul>','Top lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2338-revision-v1','','','2013-09-23 14:52:55','2013-09-23 14:52:55','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2341,4,'2013-09-23 15:00:13','2013-09-23 15:00:13','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to the users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your actual blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Google + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description</li>\r\n	<li>You need both inbound and outbound social media plugins</li>\r\n	<li>Check out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4> SEO keeps changing but there are several things you can do to keep your site visible</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use the Wordpress SEO by Yoast plugin--highly recommended by tons of people</li>\r\n	<li>Name all your images</li>\r\n	<li>Do not ever write \"click here.\" Write a description.</li>\r\n	<li>Organize your content well--Google likes organized websites--using headings, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Optimize your site so users like it</li>\r\n	<li>Include rich content--pics, graphs, videos</li>\r\n	<li>Watch your page speed (you may need to cache you website using plugins like WP Super Cache)</li>\r\n	<li>Install and submit a site map using the Google XML Sitemap plugin</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Producing your own podcast is not that hard</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What you need to produce a podcast is: a blog, hosting that provides enough bandwidth, artwork/branding materials and a podcast feed. You will also need a microphone and a way to edit your audio.</li>\r\n	<li>Use editors like Audacity.</li>\r\n	<li>Look into podcasting plugins like PodPress and PowerPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogs and Wordpress sites make content marketing easier</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Content marketing\'s purpose is to drive profitable (however you define it) customer action.</li>\r\n	<li>Content marketing is about providing relevant, valuable (educational) and enjoyable material for your audience/user</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that customers care about themselves not you</li>\r\n	<li>Keyword research is key (you must know what keywords your customers would use to find your service/product)</li>\r\n	<li>When you provide valuable content, the reader/user is bound by the need to reciprocate since humans have  a deep seated need to return favors.</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that information that is exclusive is more persuasive (this is only available for a limited time)</li>\r\n	<li>Humans are more receptive to requests from people who appear to be authorities or experts.</li>\r\n	<li>Read <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</span> by Robert Cialdini</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Top lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2338-revision-v1','','','2013-09-23 15:00:13','2013-09-23 15:00:13','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2342,4,'2013-09-23 15:04:52','2013-09-23 15:04:52','Deborah Brody lanyard from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','wordpress lanyard','Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','inherit','open','open','','wordpress-lanyard','','','2013-09-23 15:04:52','2013-09-23 15:04:52','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2343,4,'2013-09-23 15:05:56','2013-09-23 15:05:56','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2342\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2342\" alt=\"Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013[/caption]\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to the users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your actual blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Google + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description</li>\r\n	<li>You need both inbound and outbound social media plugins</li>\r\n	<li>Check out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4> SEO keeps changing but there are several things you can do to keep your site visible</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use the Wordpress SEO by Yoast plugin--highly recommended by tons of people</li>\r\n	<li>Name all your images</li>\r\n	<li>Do not ever write \"click here.\" Write a description.</li>\r\n	<li>Organize your content well--Google likes organized websites--using headings, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Optimize your site so users like it</li>\r\n	<li>Include rich content--pics, graphs, videos</li>\r\n	<li>Watch your page speed (you may need to cache you website using plugins like WP Super Cache)</li>\r\n	<li>Install and submit a site map using the Google XML Sitemap plugin</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Producing your own podcast is not that hard</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What you need to produce a podcast is: a blog, hosting that provides enough bandwidth, artwork/branding materials and a podcast feed. You will also need a microphone and a way to edit your audio.</li>\r\n	<li>Use editors like Audacity.</li>\r\n	<li>Look into podcasting plugins like PodPress and PowerPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogs and Wordpress sites make content marketing easier</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Content marketing\'s purpose is to drive profitable (however you define it) customer action.</li>\r\n	<li>Content marketing is about providing relevant, valuable (educational) and enjoyable material for your audience/user</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that customers care about themselves not you</li>\r\n	<li>Keyword research is key (you must know what keywords your customers would use to find your service/product)</li>\r\n	<li>When you provide valuable content, the reader/user is bound by the need to reciprocate since humans have  a deep seated need to return favors.</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that information that is exclusive is more persuasive (this is only available for a limited time)</li>\r\n	<li>Humans are more receptive to requests from people who appear to be authorities or experts.</li>\r\n	<li>Read <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</span> by Robert Cialdini</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThanks to the following presenters:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>AkilahThompkins-Robinson</li>\r\n	<li>Byron Warnken</li>\r\n	<li>Arsham and Josh from Webmechanix</li>\r\n	<li>Douglas Bell</li>\r\n	<li>Shane Powers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Top lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2338-revision-v1','','','2013-09-23 15:05:56','2013-09-23 15:05:56','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2344,4,'2013-09-23 15:08:03','2013-09-23 15:08:03','What did I do this past Saturday? I attended <a href=\"http://2013.baltimore.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress Camp Baltimore</a> for the second time.  I think that if you blog regularly and/or help people set up blogs, you should most definitely attend  this volunteer-run event, available worldwide probably at a city near you. It is well worth the low cost of admission. If you want to find one near you, check out the <a href=\"http://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress camp site.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2342\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2342\" alt=\"Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wordpress-lanyard-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013[/caption]\r\n\r\nI attended five sessions out of the total of 15. There were two tracks: one directed to the developers and one to users.  Obviously, what I learned would be more useful to a user than a developer.\r\n<h4>Social media must be integrated into both your actual blog and your blog\'s strategy</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Google + indexes faster, so consider setting up your Google + authorship description</li>\r\n	<li>You need both inbound and outbound social media plugins</li>\r\n	<li>Check out the Tweet Old Post plugin to be able to use your older blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Be careful with sending people to social networks--the last thing you want to do is lead someone away from your site.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4> SEO keeps changing but there are several things you can do to keep your site visible</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use the Wordpress SEO by Yoast plugin--highly recommended by tons of people</li>\r\n	<li>Name all your images</li>\r\n	<li>Do not ever write \"click here.\" Write a description.</li>\r\n	<li>Organize your content well--Google likes organized websites--using headings, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Optimize your site so users like it</li>\r\n	<li>Include rich content--pics, graphs, videos</li>\r\n	<li>Watch your page speed (you may need to cache you website using plugins like WP Super Cache)</li>\r\n	<li>Install and submit a site map using the Google XML Sitemap plugin</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Producing your own podcast is not that hard</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What you need to produce a podcast is: a blog, hosting that provides enough bandwidth, artwork/branding materials and a podcast feed. You will also need a microphone and a way to edit your audio.</li>\r\n	<li>Use editors like Audacity.</li>\r\n	<li>Look into podcasting plugins like PodPress and PowerPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogs and Wordpress sites make content marketing easier</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Content marketing\'s purpose is to drive profitable (however you define it) customer action.</li>\r\n	<li>Content marketing is about providing relevant, valuable (educational) and enjoyable material for your audience/user</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that customers care about themselves not you</li>\r\n	<li>Keyword research is key (you must know what keywords your customers would use to find your service/product)</li>\r\n	<li>When you provide valuable content, the reader/user is bound by the need to reciprocate since humans have  a deep seated need to return favors.</li>\r\n	<li>Remember that information that is exclusive is more persuasive (this is only available for a limited time)</li>\r\n	<li>Humans are more receptive to requests from people who appear to be authorities or experts.</li>\r\n	<li>Read <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</span> by Robert Cialdini</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThanks to the following presenters:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>AkilahThompkins-Robinson</li>\r\n	<li>Byron Warnken</li>\r\n	<li>Arsham and Josh from Webmechanix</li>\r\n	<li>Douglas Bell</li>\r\n	<li>Shane Powers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;','Top blogging lessons from Wordpress Camp Baltimore 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2338-revision-v1','','','2013-09-23 15:08:03','2013-09-23 15:08:03','',2338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2355,4,'2013-10-04 13:35:42','2013-10-04 13:35:42','In my blogging workshop, I tell participants that if they are not feeling up to blogging they can do what I call a \"round-up\" post. In it, you round up the best/most interesting/relevant articles or blog posts that you have come across from around the web. In this way, you provide value to your readers, without actually having to write much.\r\n\r\nThis week, I have seen lots of good stuff, but here are four very useful articles for all you bloggers out there.\r\n\r\n(As a side note,  I am still having difficulty with Feedly and my posts are not showing up, so this is a test in a way.)\r\n<h4>All about Google Analytics</h4>\r\nHave you wondered how to use Google Analytics? <a href=\"http://www.jeffalytics.com/google-analytics-for-bloggers-presentation/\" target=\"_blank\">Google Analytics 101 for Bloggers</a> may give you some actionable information.\r\n<h4>Do you have content mission?</h4>\r\nJoe Pulizzi argues, quite rightly, that you should have a <a href=\"http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2013/09/19/content-marketing-mission-statement/\" target=\"_blank\">content marketing mission statement</a> for your small business. Do you have one?\r\n<h4>What are the best practices for business bloggers?</h4>\r\nHubspot shared <a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blogging-best-practices-list\" target=\"_blank\">\"What the Best Business Bloggers Do (And You Should Too).\"</a> Do you already practice this?\r\n<h4>Using \"science\" to increase your social media impact</h4>\r\nIf you think there may be a better time to post to reach a certain audience, Fast Company has some proof in <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3018656/work-smart/a-scientific-guide-to-maximizing-your-impact-on-twitter-facebook-and-other-digita\" target=\"_blank\">\"A Scientific Guide to Maximizing Your Impact on Twitter, Facebook and Other Digital Media.\"</a> Read away and see if you can use these findings to help  you.\r\n\r\nDo you like round-ups? I may start running them more often because there are so many great and useful articles out there.\r\n\r\nHave a great weekend, and I hope your blog reader shows this!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to read analytics for your blog and other great articles','','publish','open','open','','how-to-read-analytics-for-your-blog-and-other-great-articles','','','2013-10-04 13:35:42','2013-10-04 13:35:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2355',0,'post','',0),(2346,4,'2013-09-25 13:22:56','2013-09-25 13:22:56','We spend lots of time thinking about what to include on our blog: what articles to write, what images to use, where to share our stuff. That\'s all important, but just as important is making sure our blogs are running well. Here are seven actions you can take to keep your blog running smoothly:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Install a spam detector and empty spam comments frequently:</strong> I use Akismet, and it stops 99% of all spam. Spam is placed in a spam comments folder that should be emptied regularly, preferably daily (depending on how much spam is there). The more spam you have in that folder, the slower your site will load.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Update your themes and plugins:</strong> Wordpress does a good job of telling that which plugins and themes need to be updated but it is up to you (or your site administrator) to do the actual updating. It only takes a few moments. But before you do anything, make sure you have a backup of your site (which leads to my third suggestion below).\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Backup your site by installing an automatic backup plugin:</strong> There are several out there. I have heard good reviews of Backup Buddy (not free) and I am using BackUp Wordpress on here.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954 by The Henry Ford, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/5412864933/\"><img class=\" \" alt=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5060/5412864933_91814cc9d8.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"393\" /></a> Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana, Mexico, May 1954 for The Henry Ford on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Check your Google Analytics frequently (and if you don\'t have Analytics, install right away!):</strong> By checking your Analytics, you can learn a lot about what is working and what is not working on your blog. You should check the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Bounce rate (are people staying on the blog or leaving immediately?)</li>\r\n	<li>Page load speed (if it is taking too long for your pages to load, you are going to lose readers)</li>\r\n	<li>Landing pages (where are readers going?)</li>\r\n	<li>Keywords (useful to know how people are finding your blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>5. Deal with comments:</strong> If a comment is legitimate and you use moderation (which I believe you should), approve it ASAP and respond if appropriate. People who comment on your blog are looking to engage with you. Don\'t leave them hanging!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Review your plugins, widgets and settings:</strong> Too many plugins make your site slower. Are you using them all? Do you need them? Are your widgets still relevant? Are you using them? Do you need to add anything? And finally, check your settings. Is everything up to date and still relevant?\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Optimize your SEO:</strong> There are several SEO plugins and they will help make your site more easily findable. I am not an expert, but making sure to include keywords and descriptions and filling out the fields will help make your site more visible.\r\n\r\nWhat actions do you take regularly on your blog\'s back end? Please add to this list!','7 actions to keep your blog running smoothly','','publish','open','open','','7-actions-to-keep-your-blog-running-smoothly','','','2013-09-25 16:31:42','2013-09-25 16:31:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2346',0,'post','',1),(2347,4,'2013-09-25 12:56:18','2013-09-25 12:56:18','','7 actions to keep your blog running smoothly','','inherit','open','open','','2346-revision-v1','','','2013-09-25 12:56:18','2013-09-25 12:56:18','',2346,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2348,4,'2013-09-25 13:04:18','2013-09-25 13:04:18','We spend lots of time thinking about what to include on our blog: what articles to write, what images to use, where to share our stuff. That\'s all important, but just as important is making sure our blogs are running well. Here are seven actions you can take to keep your blog running smoothly:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Install a spam detector and empty spam comments frequently:</strong> I use Akismet, and it stops 99% of all spam. Spam is placed in a spam comments folder that should be emptied regularly, preferably daily (depending on how much spam is there). The more spam you have in that folder, the slower your site will load.\r\n\r\n2. Update your themes and plugins: Wordpress does a good job of telling that which plugins and themes need to be updated but it is up to you (or your site administrator) to do the actual updating. It only takes a few moments. But before you do anything, make sure you have a backup of your site (which leads to my third suggestion below).\r\n\r\n3. Backup your site by install an automatic backup plugin. There are several out there. I have heard good reviews of Backup Buddy (not free).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','7 actions to keep your blog running smoothly','','inherit','open','open','','2346-revision-v1','','','2013-09-25 13:04:18','2013-09-25 13:04:18','',2346,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2349,4,'2013-09-25 13:22:18','2013-09-25 13:22:18','We spend lots of time thinking about what to include on our blog: what articles to write, what images to use, where to share our stuff. That\'s all important, but just as important is making sure our blogs are running well. Here are seven actions you can take to keep your blog running smoothly:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Install a spam detector and empty spam comments frequently:</strong> I use Akismet, and it stops 99% of all spam. Spam is placed in a spam comments folder that should be emptied regularly, preferably daily (depending on how much spam is there). The more spam you have in that folder, the slower your site will load.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Update your themes and plugins:</strong> Wordpress does a good job of telling that which plugins and themes need to be updated but it is up to you (or your site administrator) to do the actual updating. It only takes a few moments. But before you do anything, make sure you have a backup of your site (which leads to my third suggestion below).\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Backup your site by install an automatic backup plugin:</strong> There are several out there. I have heard good reviews of Backup Buddy (not free) and I am using BackUp Wordpress on here.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954 by The Henry Ford, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/5412864933/\"><img class=\" \" alt=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5060/5412864933_91814cc9d8.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"393\" /></a> Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana, Mexico, May 1954 for The Henry Ford on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\n<strong>4. Check your Google Analytics frequently (and if you don\'t have Analytics, install right away!):</strong> By checking your Analytics, you can learn a lot about what is working and what is not working on your blog. You should check the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Bounce rate (are people staying on the blog or leaving immediately?)</li>\r\n	<li>Page load speed (if it is taking too long for your pages to load, you are going to lose readers)</li>\r\n	<li>Landing pages (where are readers going?)</li>\r\n	<li>Keywords (useful to know how people are finding your blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>5. Deal with comments:</strong> If a comment is legitimate and you use moderation (which I believe you should), approve it ASAP and respond if appropriate. People who comment on your blog are looking to engage with you. Don\'t leave them hanging!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Review your plugins, widgets and settings:</strong> Too many plugins make your site slower. Are you using them all? Do you need them? Are your widgets still relevant? Are you using them? Do you need to add anything? And finally, check your settings. Is everything up to date and still relevant?\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Optimize your SEO:</strong> There are several SEO plugins and they will help make your site more easily findable. I am not an expert, but making sure to include keywords and descriptions and filling out the fields will help make your site more visible.\r\n\r\nWhat actions do you take regularly on your blog\'s back end? Please add to this list!','7 actions to keep your blog running smoothly','','inherit','open','open','','2346-revision-v1','','','2013-09-25 13:22:18','2013-09-25 13:22:18','',2346,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2350,4,'2013-09-25 16:31:42','2013-09-25 16:31:42','We spend lots of time thinking about what to include on our blog: what articles to write, what images to use, where to share our stuff. That\'s all important, but just as important is making sure our blogs are running well. Here are seven actions you can take to keep your blog running smoothly:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Install a spam detector and empty spam comments frequently:</strong> I use Akismet, and it stops 99% of all spam. Spam is placed in a spam comments folder that should be emptied regularly, preferably daily (depending on how much spam is there). The more spam you have in that folder, the slower your site will load.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Update your themes and plugins:</strong> Wordpress does a good job of telling that which plugins and themes need to be updated but it is up to you (or your site administrator) to do the actual updating. It only takes a few moments. But before you do anything, make sure you have a backup of your site (which leads to my third suggestion below).\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Backup your site by installing an automatic backup plugin:</strong> There are several out there. I have heard good reviews of Backup Buddy (not free) and I am using BackUp Wordpress on here.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954 by The Henry Ford, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/5412864933/\"><img class=\" \" alt=\"Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana road race, Mexico, May 1954\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5060/5412864933_91814cc9d8.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"393\" /></a> Mechanics working on race car at La Carrera Panamericana, Mexico, May 1954 for The Henry Ford on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Check your Google Analytics frequently (and if you don\'t have Analytics, install right away!):</strong> By checking your Analytics, you can learn a lot about what is working and what is not working on your blog. You should check the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Bounce rate (are people staying on the blog or leaving immediately?)</li>\r\n	<li>Page load speed (if it is taking too long for your pages to load, you are going to lose readers)</li>\r\n	<li>Landing pages (where are readers going?)</li>\r\n	<li>Keywords (useful to know how people are finding your blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>5. Deal with comments:</strong> If a comment is legitimate and you use moderation (which I believe you should), approve it ASAP and respond if appropriate. People who comment on your blog are looking to engage with you. Don\'t leave them hanging!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Review your plugins, widgets and settings:</strong> Too many plugins make your site slower. Are you using them all? Do you need them? Are your widgets still relevant? Are you using them? Do you need to add anything? And finally, check your settings. Is everything up to date and still relevant?\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Optimize your SEO:</strong> There are several SEO plugins and they will help make your site more easily findable. I am not an expert, but making sure to include keywords and descriptions and filling out the fields will help make your site more visible.\r\n\r\nWhat actions do you take regularly on your blog\'s back end? Please add to this list!','7 actions to keep your blog running smoothly','','inherit','open','open','','2346-revision-v1','','','2013-09-25 16:31:42','2013-09-25 16:31:42','',2346,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/2346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2352,4,'2013-10-01 13:57:22','2013-10-01 13:57:22','The really bad news today is that the US government is shut down (let\'s hope temporarily). Another piece of bad news (for content marketers) is what I learned last night at the Web Content Mavens Meet Up about findability and search, and how search engine personalization is playing into it.\r\n<h4>Findability is key</h4>\r\nThe first speaker last night was Jill MacNeice, who is an information architect for the Library of Congress (LOC). She explained how the LOC is working to make their millions of documents and images findable by using a \"findability framework\" that is built around the idea that people should be able to find what they are looking for both inside the site, and from external search engines. It makes search visible and easy to find. It depends on metadata, good descriptions and URL design that makes it human readable, shorter and more shareable.\r\n\r\nThe LOC is an example of why SEO and search in general is important. After all, if people can\'t find you, then why are you on the web?\r\n<h4>Personalization throws a wrench in search</h4>\r\nBut then Katherine Watier Ong, Ketchum\'s VP of Online Strategy and Market Insights, got up to speak about personalization and the semantic web. And if I were to boil down what she said to one phrase it is that personalization is making search engine optimization more challenging. It is no longer enough to have the right keywords, tags and content because Google and Bing and all your social media sites are personalizing the content they show you based on your profile and previous activity.\r\n\r\nIf you want to see how much information Google has about you, just check your Google Dashboard (search Google to find it). Bing uses your Facebook data to suggest things your friends like.\r\n\r\nDid you know that you don\'t see every tweet in your Twitter stream? Twitter shows you what it \"thinks\" is most relevant to you, even from people you follow, based on your previous interactions and interests.  Isn\'t that a tad scary? You sign up to follow someone and you may not see his/her tweets.\r\n\r\nKatherine says the really creepy personalization is visible on LinkedIn. I have noticed that too recently. Since I liked a couple people\'s new photos, LinkedIn always shows me new photos and for several days. And how does it know which people I may know?\r\n\r\nSearch engines and social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn are moving toward developing a sort of artificial intelligence that tries to figure out what you are looking for and then practically jump ahead of your request, which is why you are seeing all these suggestions (you may want to follow so-and-so, you may want to check these items for sale, etc.)\r\n\r\nAll this personalization is useful for you because if not you would be drowning in extraneous information but it is really bad news for small businesses/websites.  For example, search for your name on Google. For you, your name will appear at the top of your results. Now have John Doe do the same search on his computer wherever he may be living. Guess what, you will not appear near the top (unless you have a very unusual name or are someone like President Obama).\r\n<h4>How do marketers deal with personalized results?</h4>\r\nHow do we work to cut through the personalization? Katherine suggested several actions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create personas for your target audience so you can market appropriately</li>\r\n	<li>Personalize your website (just like when you go to Amazon and it recognizes you) using tools like Marketo.</li>\r\n	<li>Build social relationships.</li>\r\n	<li>Stay on top of changes in search</li>\r\n	<li>Use a content management system (CMS) that uses <a href=\"http://schema.org/\" target=\"_blank\">schema</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn short, <strong>personalization is a big challenge for search marketers.</strong> Now, you don\'t only need to cut through the clutter of millions of websites, you have to cut through results that are personalized for each searcher.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you work in marketing or communications, you need to be aware of how people find you.</strong> It is not enough to have a website and a blog. You have to understand SEO and the latest changes to search. You have to see the relationships between social media and search engines.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why SEO and content marketing are not enough','','publish','open','open','','why-seo-and-content-marketing-are-not-enough','','','2013-10-01 13:57:22','2013-10-01 13:57:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2352',0,'post','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2353,4,'2013-10-01 13:52:48','2013-10-01 13:52:48','The real bad news today is that the US government is shut down. Another piece of bad news (for content marketers) is what I learned last night at the Web Content Mavens Meet Up about findability and search, and how search engine personalization is playing into it.\r\n<h4>Findability is key</h4>\r\nThe first speaker last night was Jill MacNeice, who is an information architect for the Library of Congress (LOC). She explained how the LOC is working to make their millions of documents and images findable by using a \"findability framework\" that is built around the idea that people should be able to find what they are looking for both inside the site, and from external search engines. It makes search visible and easy to find. It depends on metadata, good descriptions and URL design that makes it human readable, shorter and more shareable.\r\n\r\nThe LOC is an example of why SEO and search in general is important. After all, if people can\'t find you, then why are you on the web?\r\n<h4>Personalization throws a wrench in search</h4>\r\nBut then Katherine Watier Ong, Ketchum\'s VP of Online Strategy and Market Insights, got up to speak about personalization and the semantic web. And if I were to boil down what she said to one phrase it is that personalization is making search engine optimization more challenging. It is no longer enough to have the right keywords, tags and content because Google and Bing and all your social media sites are personalizing the content they show you based on your profile and previous activity.\r\n\r\nIf you want to see how much information Google has about you, just check your Google Dashboard (search Google to find it). Bing uses your Facebook data to suggest things your friends like.\r\n\r\nDid you know that you don\'t see every tweet in your Twitter stream? Twitter shows you what it \"thinks\" is most relevant to you, even from people you follow, based on your previous interactions and interests.\r\n\r\nKatherine says the really creepy personalization is visible on LinkedIn. I have noticed that too recently. Since I liked a couple people\'s new photos, LinkedIn always shows me new photos and for several days. And how does it know which people I may know?\r\n\r\nSearch engines and social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn are moving toward developing a sort of artificial intelligence that tries to figure out what you are looking for and then practically jump ahead of your request, which is why you are seeing all these suggestions (you may want to follow so-and-so, you may want to check these items for sale, etc.)\r\n\r\nAll this personalization is useful for you because if not you would be drowning in extraneous information but it is really bad news for small businesses/websites.  For example, search for your name on Google. For you, your name will appear at the top of your results. Now have John Doe do the same search on his computer wherever he may be living. Guess what, you will not appear near the top (unless you have a very unusual name or are someone like President Obama).\r\n<h4>How do marketers deal with personalized results?</h4>\r\nHow do we work to cut through the personalization? Katherine suggest several things:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create  personas for your target audience so you can market appropriately</li>\r\n	<li>Personalize your website (just like when you go to Amazon and it recognizes you) using tools like Marketo.</li>\r\n	<li>Build social relationships.</li>\r\n	<li>Stay on top of changes in search</li>\r\n	<li>Use a content management system (CMS) that uses schema</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn short, personalization is a big challenge for search marketers. Now you don\'t only need to cut through the clutter of millions of websites, you have to cut through results that personalized for each searcher.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you work in marketing or communications, you need to be aware of how people find you.</strong> It is not enough to have a website and a blog. You have to understand SEO and the latest changes to search. You have to see the relationships between social media and search engines.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why SEO and content marketing are not enough','','inherit','open','open','','2352-revision-v1','','','2013-10-01 13:52:48','2013-10-01 13:52:48','',2352,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2352-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2354,4,'2013-10-01 13:57:22','2013-10-01 13:57:22','The really bad news today is that the US government is shut down (let\'s hope temporarily). Another piece of bad news (for content marketers) is what I learned last night at the Web Content Mavens Meet Up about findability and search, and how search engine personalization is playing into it.\r\n<h4>Findability is key</h4>\r\nThe first speaker last night was Jill MacNeice, who is an information architect for the Library of Congress (LOC). She explained how the LOC is working to make their millions of documents and images findable by using a \"findability framework\" that is built around the idea that people should be able to find what they are looking for both inside the site, and from external search engines. It makes search visible and easy to find. It depends on metadata, good descriptions and URL design that makes it human readable, shorter and more shareable.\r\n\r\nThe LOC is an example of why SEO and search in general is important. After all, if people can\'t find you, then why are you on the web?\r\n<h4>Personalization throws a wrench in search</h4>\r\nBut then Katherine Watier Ong, Ketchum\'s VP of Online Strategy and Market Insights, got up to speak about personalization and the semantic web. And if I were to boil down what she said to one phrase it is that personalization is making search engine optimization more challenging. It is no longer enough to have the right keywords, tags and content because Google and Bing and all your social media sites are personalizing the content they show you based on your profile and previous activity.\r\n\r\nIf you want to see how much information Google has about you, just check your Google Dashboard (search Google to find it). Bing uses your Facebook data to suggest things your friends like.\r\n\r\nDid you know that you don\'t see every tweet in your Twitter stream? Twitter shows you what it \"thinks\" is most relevant to you, even from people you follow, based on your previous interactions and interests.  Isn\'t that a tad scary? You sign up to follow someone and you may not see his/her tweets.\r\n\r\nKatherine says the really creepy personalization is visible on LinkedIn. I have noticed that too recently. Since I liked a couple people\'s new photos, LinkedIn always shows me new photos and for several days. And how does it know which people I may know?\r\n\r\nSearch engines and social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn are moving toward developing a sort of artificial intelligence that tries to figure out what you are looking for and then practically jump ahead of your request, which is why you are seeing all these suggestions (you may want to follow so-and-so, you may want to check these items for sale, etc.)\r\n\r\nAll this personalization is useful for you because if not you would be drowning in extraneous information but it is really bad news for small businesses/websites.  For example, search for your name on Google. For you, your name will appear at the top of your results. Now have John Doe do the same search on his computer wherever he may be living. Guess what, you will not appear near the top (unless you have a very unusual name or are someone like President Obama).\r\n<h4>How do marketers deal with personalized results?</h4>\r\nHow do we work to cut through the personalization? Katherine suggested several actions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create personas for your target audience so you can market appropriately</li>\r\n	<li>Personalize your website (just like when you go to Amazon and it recognizes you) using tools like Marketo.</li>\r\n	<li>Build social relationships.</li>\r\n	<li>Stay on top of changes in search</li>\r\n	<li>Use a content management system (CMS) that uses <a href=\"http://schema.org/\" target=\"_blank\">schema</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIn short, <strong>personalization is a big challenge for search marketers.</strong> Now, you don\'t only need to cut through the clutter of millions of websites, you have to cut through results that are personalized for each searcher.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you work in marketing or communications, you need to be aware of how people find you.</strong> It is not enough to have a website and a blog. You have to understand SEO and the latest changes to search. You have to see the relationships between social media and search engines.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why SEO and content marketing are not enough','','inherit','open','open','','2352-revision-v1','','','2013-10-01 13:57:22','2013-10-01 13:57:22','',2352,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2352-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2356,4,'2013-10-04 13:33:16','2013-10-04 13:33:16','In my blogging workshop, I tell participants that if they are not feeling up to blogging they can do what I call a \"round-up\" post. In it, you round up the best/most interesting/relevant articles or blog posts that you have come across from around the web. In this way, you provide value to your readers, without having to actually write much.\r\n\r\nThis week, I have seen lots of good stuff, but here are four very useful articles for all you bloggers out there. Also, I am still having difficulty with Feedly and my posts are not showing up.\r\n<h4>All about Google Analytics</h4>\r\nHave you wondered how to use Google Analytics? <a href=\"http://www.jeffalytics.com/google-analytics-for-bloggers-presentation/\" target=\"_blank\">Google Analytics 101 for Bloggers</a> may give you some actionable information.\r\n<h4>Do you have content mission?</h4>\r\nJoe Pulizzi argues, quite rightly, that you should have a <a href=\"http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2013/09/19/content-marketing-mission-statement/\" target=\"_blank\">content marketing mission statement</a> for your small business. Do you have one?\r\n<h4>What are the best practices for business bloggers?</h4>\r\nHubspot shared <a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blogging-best-practices-list\" target=\"_blank\">\"What the Best Business Bloggers Do (And You Should Too).\"</a> Do you already practice this?\r\n<h4>Using \"science\" to increase your social media impact</h4>\r\nIf you think there may be a better time to post to reach a certain audience, Fast Company has some proof in <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3018656/work-smart/a-scientific-guide-to-maximizing-your-impact-on-twitter-facebook-and-other-digita\" target=\"_blank\">\"A Scientific Guide to Maximizing Your Impact on Twitter, Facebook and Other Digital Media.\"</a> Read away and see if you can use these findings to help  you.\r\n\r\nDo you like round-ups? I may start running them more often because there are so many great and useful articles out there.\r\n\r\nHave a great weekend, and I hope your blog reader shows this!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to read analytics for your blog and other great articles','','inherit','open','open','','2355-revision-v1','','','2013-10-04 13:33:16','2013-10-04 13:33:16','',2355,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2355-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2357,4,'2013-10-04 13:35:42','2013-10-04 13:35:42','In my blogging workshop, I tell participants that if they are not feeling up to blogging they can do what I call a \"round-up\" post. In it, you round up the best/most interesting/relevant articles or blog posts that you have come across from around the web. In this way, you provide value to your readers, without actually having to write much.\r\n\r\nThis week, I have seen lots of good stuff, but here are four very useful articles for all you bloggers out there.\r\n\r\n(As a side note,  I am still having difficulty with Feedly and my posts are not showing up, so this is a test in a way.)\r\n<h4>All about Google Analytics</h4>\r\nHave you wondered how to use Google Analytics? <a href=\"http://www.jeffalytics.com/google-analytics-for-bloggers-presentation/\" target=\"_blank\">Google Analytics 101 for Bloggers</a> may give you some actionable information.\r\n<h4>Do you have content mission?</h4>\r\nJoe Pulizzi argues, quite rightly, that you should have a <a href=\"http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2013/09/19/content-marketing-mission-statement/\" target=\"_blank\">content marketing mission statement</a> for your small business. Do you have one?\r\n<h4>What are the best practices for business bloggers?</h4>\r\nHubspot shared <a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/blogging-best-practices-list\" target=\"_blank\">\"What the Best Business Bloggers Do (And You Should Too).\"</a> Do you already practice this?\r\n<h4>Using \"science\" to increase your social media impact</h4>\r\nIf you think there may be a better time to post to reach a certain audience, Fast Company has some proof in <a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3018656/work-smart/a-scientific-guide-to-maximizing-your-impact-on-twitter-facebook-and-other-digita\" target=\"_blank\">\"A Scientific Guide to Maximizing Your Impact on Twitter, Facebook and Other Digital Media.\"</a> Read away and see if you can use these findings to help  you.\r\n\r\nDo you like round-ups? I may start running them more often because there are so many great and useful articles out there.\r\n\r\nHave a great weekend, and I hope your blog reader shows this!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to read analytics for your blog and other great articles','','inherit','open','open','','2355-revision-v1','','','2013-10-04 13:35:42','2013-10-04 13:35:42','',2355,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2355-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2358,4,'2013-10-06 23:44:04','2013-10-06 23:44:04','So, Feedly is not uploading my latest posts. I am trying out alternatives. If you are seeing this on your reader, please comment and tell me what reader you use. Thanks!','Test post October 6-need feedback','','publish','open','open','','test-post-october-6-need-feedback','','','2013-10-06 23:44:04','2013-10-06 23:44:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2358',0,'post','',0),(2359,4,'2013-10-06 23:44:04','2013-10-06 23:44:04','So, Feedly is not uploading my latest posts. I am trying out alternatives. If you are seeing this on your reader, please comment and tell me what reader you use. Thanks!','Test post October 6-need feedback','','inherit','open','open','','2358-revision-v1','','','2013-10-06 23:44:04','2013-10-06 23:44:04','',2358,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2358-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2360,4,'2013-10-08 14:30:11','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I will admit: I can watch endless episodes of House Hunters on HGTV. In case you haven\'t had the opportunity to watch this show (and if you are looking to buy real estate, I highly recommend watching a few episodes), the premise is that  people looking to buy a home are shown three properties. The house hunters tour the three properties with a real estate agent and then decide which one to buy.  Some houses will be over budget, some will be under budget. Most of them will not fulfill the house hunters\' entire wish list.\r\n\r\nFor example, the house hunters will say they are looking for a home that has a short commute to work, four bedrooms, a fenced-in yard, near shopping and restaurants, a pool and a working fireplace, all for $350,000. The real estate sales person will show them thre\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The communications lessons you can learn from watching HGTV','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-10-08 14:30:11','2013-10-08 14:30:11','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2360',0,'post','',0),(2361,4,'2013-10-08 14:30:11','2013-10-08 14:30:11','I will admit: I can watch endless episodes of House Hunters on HGTV. In case you haven\'t had the opportunity to watch this show (and if you are looking to buy real estate, I highly recommend watching a few episodes), the premise is that  people looking to buy a home are shown three properties. The house hunters tour the three properties with a real estate agent and then decide which one to buy.  Some houses will be over budget, some will be under budget. Most of them will not fulfill the house hunters\' entire wish list.\r\n\r\nFor example, the house hunters will say they are looking for a home that has a short commute to work, four bedrooms, a fenced-in yard, near shopping and restaurants, a pool and a working fireplace, all for $350,000. The real estate sales person will show them thre\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The communications lessons you can learn from watching HGTV','','inherit','open','open','','2360-revision-v1','','','2013-10-08 14:30:11','2013-10-08 14:30:11','',2360,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2360-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2363,4,'2013-10-08 17:31:47','2013-10-08 17:31:47','Last night, I met a friend for dinner. He chose a Thai place that was half-way between his place and mine. Upon reading some reviews on line, I found out that this is the only Thai place  in the area that is Halal, that is, it keeps the Muslim dietary rules.\r\n\r\nWhen I got there last night, it was empty save for a couple of people. Few people came in until a outwardly observant Muslim family came in. When they were done eating and had left, the owner pretty much closed up shop and kicked my friend and me out. Since we had arrived at 6:30 until we left, no more than 10 other customers had been in the restaurant.\r\n\r\nThe food at this Thai place was not very good. It was mediocre. It wasn\'t spicy enough, or attractively presented enough or even interesting enough. They did not have Thai standards like green papaya salad or red curry. Based on the food alone, I would not go back.\r\n\r\nThe only relevant differentiator this Thai restaurant offers is that it is Halal. Is that enough? <strong>Can you have one strong point of differentiation and have that keep your business alive? Well, the answer is yes, but there is an \"if\" attached.</strong> In this case, you could have Halal as your point of differentiation ONLY IF your food is on par with other similar restaurants.\r\n\r\nIn a world where there are multiple offerings for everything (many organic grocery stores, tons of sushi restaurants, hundreds of nail salons),<strong> you have to meet the standard or exceed it AND then find your point of differentiation.</strong> For example, if you have a nail salon, not only do have to comply with sanitary guidelines required by law, but you should find something that your competition does not have (the most colors, the most comfortable chairs, etc.).\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is having a point of differentiation enough?','Is having a point of differentiation enough?','','inherit','open','open','','2362-revision-v1','','','2013-10-08 17:31:47','2013-10-08 17:31:47','',2362,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2362-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2366,4,'2018-02-12 10:43:04','2018-02-12 15:43:04','Here\'s where you can find me!\n\nIf you want to book a free 15-minute consultation, please visit the Booking page.\n\nIf you want to see what events I will be s','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-12 10:43:04','2018-02-12 15:43:04','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/1765-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2367,4,'2013-10-10 17:51:05','2013-10-10 17:51:05','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">November 12,</span> 2013</strong> Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.<a title=\"Self-monitor or ….\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/09/self-monitor-or/\" target=\"_blank\"> Register</a> before November 1 to get discounted registration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-10-10 17:51:05','2013-10-10 17:51:05','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2368,4,'2013-10-10 20:21:50','2013-10-10 20:21:50','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">November 12,</span> 2013</strong> Presenting <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.<a title=\".\" href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Register</a> before November 1 to get discounted registration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2013-10-10 20:21:50','2013-10-10 20:21:50','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2369,4,'2013-10-11 13:58:31','2013-10-11 13:58:31','It was not until I saw a full page ad in today\'s Washington Post that I realized Starbucks has waded directly into the government shutdown debate. The full page ad (right hand page, far forward, four-color, in media buying lingo) has the headline:\r\n<blockquote>Sign the Come Together Petition</blockquote>\r\nYou can see the text  on the <a href=\"http://http://www.starbucks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Starbucks home page </a> and apparently, at all Starbucks stores starting today.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"224\"]<a title=\"019/365 by irrezolut, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/irrezolut/5370900660/\"><img title=\"019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr\" alt=\"019/365\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5205/5370900660_ac7e50b4bb.jpg\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a> 019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nAlso today, in the Post\'s business section, Allen Adamson, a branding firm director, is quoted about this Starbucks\' move:\r\n<blockquote>It\'s always risky when brands mix politics and business.</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s quite clear that Starbucks is taking a strong political stand against the shutdown, but I am not sure it will be risky. In fact, it may be a huge win for Starbucks (and maybe for the government, if it helps end the shutdown). To my knowledge, Starbucks is the first and only national brand that is saying something publicly about the shutdown-- and it\'s always good to be the first and only in marketing. Plus, it is using the petition to have people sign up to get updates, either by email or text. You know what that means: database expansion!\r\n\r\nFinally, this is a political ad, but it is not overtly partisan, and that\'s the key. It assumes that most people are against the government shutdown, and the ad does not point fingers at specific parties or politicians. In this way, Starbucks does not alienate its conservative or liberal java addicts. It may not be your cup of tea, but perhaps it is your venti of coffee!\r\n\r\nDid you see this petition in Starbucks or the ad in the paper? What do you think? Wise move or not? Let me know in the comments.','I\'ll have a venti and some politics please','','publish','open','open','','ill-have-a-venti-and-some-politics-please','','','2013-10-11 13:58:31','2013-10-11 13:58:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2369',0,'post','',2),(2370,4,'2013-10-11 13:35:27','2013-10-11 13:35:27','','I will have a venti and some politics please','','inherit','open','open','','2369-revision-v1','','','2013-10-11 13:35:27','2013-10-11 13:35:27','',2369,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2369-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2371,4,'2013-10-11 13:52:19','2013-10-11 13:52:19','It was not until I saw a full page ad in today\'s Washington Post that I realized Starbucks has waded directly into the government shutdown debate. The full page ad (right hand page, far forward, four-color in media buying lingo) has the headline:\r\n<blockquote>Sign the Come Together Petition</blockquote>\r\nYou can see the text  on the <a href=\"http://http://www.starbucks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Starbucks home page </a> and apparently, at all Starbucks stores starting today.\r\n\r\nAlso today, in the Post\'s business section, Allen Adamson, a branding firm director, is quoted about this Starbucks\' move:\r\n<blockquote>It\'s always risky when brands mix politics and business.</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s quite clear that Starbucks is taking a strong political stand against the shutdown, but I am not sure it will be risky. In fact, it may be a huge win for Starbucks (and maybe for the government if it helps end the shutdown). To my knowledge, Starbucks is the first and only national brand that is saying something publicly about the shutdown-- and it\'s always good to be the first and only in marketing. Plus, it is using the petition to have people sign up to get updates, either by email or text. You know what that means--database expansion!\r\n\r\nFinally, this is a political ad, but it is not overtly partisan, and that is the key. It assumes that most people are against the government shutdown, and the ad does not point fingers at specific parties or politicians. In this way, Starbucks does not alienate its conservative or liberal java addicts. It may not be your cup of tea, but perhaps it is your venti of coffee!\r\n\r\nDid you see this petition in Starbucks or the ad in the paper? What do you think? Wise move or not? Let me know in the comments.','I\'ll have a venti and some politics please','','inherit','open','open','','2369-revision-v1','','','2013-10-11 13:52:19','2013-10-11 13:52:19','',2369,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2369-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2372,4,'2013-10-11 13:56:57','2013-10-11 13:56:57','It was not until I saw a full page ad in today\'s Washington Post that I realized Starbucks has waded directly into the government shutdown debate. The full page ad (right hand page, far forward, four-color in media buying lingo) has the headline:\r\n<blockquote>Sign the Come Together Petition</blockquote>\r\nYou can see the text  on the <a href=\"http://http://www.starbucks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Starbucks home page </a> and apparently, at all Starbucks stores starting today.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"224\"]<a title=\"019/365 by irrezolut, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/irrezolut/5370900660/\"><img title=\"019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr\" alt=\"019/365\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5205/5370900660_ac7e50b4bb.jpg\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a> 019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nAlso today, in the Post\'s business section, Allen Adamson, a branding firm director, is quoted about this Starbucks\' move:\r\n<blockquote>It\'s always risky when brands mix politics and business.</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s quite clear that Starbucks is taking a strong political stand against the shutdown, but I am not sure it will be risky. In fact, it may be a huge win for Starbucks (and maybe for the government if it helps end the shutdown). To my knowledge, Starbucks is the first and only national brand that is saying something publicly about the shutdown-- and it\'s always good to be the first and only in marketing. Plus, it is using the petition to have people sign up to get updates, either by email or text. You know what that means--database expansion!\r\n\r\nFinally, this is a political ad, but it is not overtly partisan, and that is the key. It assumes that most people are against the government shutdown, and the ad does not point fingers at specific parties or politicians. In this way, Starbucks does not alienate its conservative or liberal java addicts. It may not be your cup of tea, but perhaps it is your venti of coffee!\r\n\r\nDid you see this petition in Starbucks or the ad in the paper? What do you think? Wise move or not? Let me know in the comments.','I\'ll have a venti and some politics please','','inherit','open','open','','2369-revision-v1','','','2013-10-11 13:56:57','2013-10-11 13:56:57','',2369,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2369-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2373,4,'2013-10-11 13:58:31','2013-10-11 13:58:31','It was not until I saw a full page ad in today\'s Washington Post that I realized Starbucks has waded directly into the government shutdown debate. The full page ad (right hand page, far forward, four-color, in media buying lingo) has the headline:\r\n<blockquote>Sign the Come Together Petition</blockquote>\r\nYou can see the text  on the <a href=\"http://http://www.starbucks.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Starbucks home page </a> and apparently, at all Starbucks stores starting today.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"224\"]<a title=\"019/365 by irrezolut, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/irrezolut/5370900660/\"><img title=\"019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr\" alt=\"019/365\" src=\"http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5205/5370900660_ac7e50b4bb.jpg\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" /></a> 019/365 by Joseph Nicolia on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nAlso today, in the Post\'s business section, Allen Adamson, a branding firm director, is quoted about this Starbucks\' move:\r\n<blockquote>It\'s always risky when brands mix politics and business.</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s quite clear that Starbucks is taking a strong political stand against the shutdown, but I am not sure it will be risky. In fact, it may be a huge win for Starbucks (and maybe for the government, if it helps end the shutdown). To my knowledge, Starbucks is the first and only national brand that is saying something publicly about the shutdown-- and it\'s always good to be the first and only in marketing. Plus, it is using the petition to have people sign up to get updates, either by email or text. You know what that means: database expansion!\r\n\r\nFinally, this is a political ad, but it is not overtly partisan, and that\'s the key. It assumes that most people are against the government shutdown, and the ad does not point fingers at specific parties or politicians. In this way, Starbucks does not alienate its conservative or liberal java addicts. It may not be your cup of tea, but perhaps it is your venti of coffee!\r\n\r\nDid you see this petition in Starbucks or the ad in the paper? What do you think? Wise move or not? Let me know in the comments.','I\'ll have a venti and some politics please','','inherit','open','open','','2369-revision-v1','','','2013-10-11 13:58:31','2013-10-11 13:58:31','',2369,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2369-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2374,4,'2013-10-14 17:00:21','2013-10-14 17:00:21','At the gym today I saw a flyer for a private chef/prepared foods service. The concept is that you will get prepared meals delivered to your home on your schedule. What caught my eye was that at the bottom of the flyer it said: \"Website coming soon.\"\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking: Should you launch your business without having a website in place?  My gut tells me you should have your website up and running. However, nothing is so black and white, and probably, the answer depends on various factors, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Type of business</li>\r\n	<li>How you get business (referrals, word of mouth, advertising)</li>\r\n	<li>Soft launch</li>\r\n	<li>Size of business</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly, before launching, you need to understand how essential a website will be to your business. Will people need to consult your website to find out how to do business with you? In the case of the private chef,  a potential customer may want to check out types of food you offer, testimonials, pricing, timing.  Obviously, these questions can be answered by phone or in person too, but will you have time?\r\n\r\nI think there is more to be gained by having your website up and running BEFORE you launch. Does this mean you can\'t launch a business without a website? No. But it could cause problems for you as you try to build up your customer base.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Vote in the poll:\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"2\"]','Should you launch your business before your website?','','publish','open','open','','should-you-launch-your-business-before-your-website','','','2013-10-14 17:00:21','2013-10-14 17:00:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2374',0,'post','',0),(2375,4,'2013-10-14 16:49:43','2013-10-14 16:49:43','At the gym today I saw a flyer for a private chef/prepared foods service. The concept is that you will get prepared meals delivered to your home on your schedule. What caught my eye was that at the bottom of the flyer it said: \"Website coming soon.\"\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking: Should you launch your business without having a website in place?  My gut tells me you should have your website up and running. However, nothing is so black and white, and probably, the answer depends on various factors, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Type of business</li>\r\n	<li>How you get business (referrals, word of mouth, advertising)</li>\r\n	<li>Soft launch</li>\r\n	<li>Size of business</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly, before launching, you need to understand how essential a website will be to your business. Will people need to consult your website to find out how to do business with you? In the case of the private chef,  a potential customer may want to check out types of food you offer, testimonials, pricing, timing.  Obviously, these questions can be answered by phone or in person too, but will you have time?\r\n\r\nI think there is more to be gained by having your website up and running BEFORE you launch. Does this mean you can\'t launch a business without a website? No. But it could cause problems for you as you try to build up your customer base.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think?','Should you launch your business before your website?','','inherit','open','open','','2374-revision-v1','','','2013-10-14 16:49:43','2013-10-14 16:49:43','',2374,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2374-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2467,4,'2014-01-21 15:28:27','2014-01-21 15:28:27','It\'s easy to lose customers and very hard to get them back. Once they are gone, chances are they won\'t be back.\r\n\r\nThe reality is that there are many people and companies doing what you do. There\'s always an alternative for customers who are unhappy for any reason. Too many companies seem to lose sight of this reality, and they do little to ensure that they keep the customers they have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s how my heat/AC contractor failed to retain my business:</strong>\r\n\r\nBack in November, my schedule changed and I was not going to be working out of my home office.  In December, I generally get a home heating inspection with my heat/AC contractor. It helps to make sure all parts are working properly and that my heat will continue through the winter. This company is a family-run place where I have been a customer for three years.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike one</strong>: I got a reminder card from the company in late November. I called right away to schedule an appointment. They had no open slots until LATE December, one month away. Mind you, I had just gotten the card.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike two:</strong> I explained to the scheduler that I would not be home because of my situation and that I was hoping for a Saturday appointment. It turns out this company does not do inspections on Saturdays, only emergency work. Then I asked for an early weekday appointment. Again, the scheduler could not accommodate me. She told me that she could not find a technician in my area that would be available for their first appointment at 8:00 a.m.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike three:</strong> I informed the scheduler that I would be forced to switch companies if she didn\'t try to accommodate me because I did not want to have a heat inspection later than December (remember, they were already scheduling late late December). No response and no attempt to rectify the situation.\r\n\r\n<strong>And they are out:</strong> After some research, I called another highly rated heat/AC company that not only was scheduling earlier in December (meaning they have more technicians) but would also provide guaranteed 8:00 a.m. appointments. It cost $20 more per annual contract than my previous company, but the ease of scheduling was worth it to me.\r\n\r\nMy first heat/AC contractor lost my business not because it wasn\'t good at it what it does but because it made<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> no effort to accommodate me.</span> They seemed to forget that there are other contractors out there.\r\n\r\nMost heat/AC contractors do not market actively. Many have websites and most work on their ratings on places like Angie\'s List, but they mostly depend on word of mouth. This is why working to RETAIN customers should be a large part of their business model.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers that stay are a continuing source of income AND of referrals.</strong>\r\n\r\nAgain, the reality is that keeping customers should be job one:  Losing customers is easy and getting them back is difficult. No amount of marketing will bring back a customer that has found a better alternative.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to retain your customers or clients? I\'d like to find out what specific actions you are taking and I will be sharing those in a future blog post.','Why customer retention should be job one','','publish','open','open','','why-customer-retention-should-be-job-o','','','2014-01-21 18:02:10','2014-01-21 18:02:10','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2467',0,'post','',0),(2377,4,'2013-10-14 16:59:32','2013-10-14 16:59:32','At the gym today I saw a flyer for a private chef/prepared foods service. The concept is that you will get prepared meals delivered to your home on your schedule. What caught my eye was that at the bottom of the flyer it said: \"Website coming soon.\"\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking: Should you launch your business without having a website in place?  My gut tells me you should have your website up and running. However, nothing is so black and white, and probably, the answer depends on various factors, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Type of business</li>\r\n	<li>How you get business (referrals, word of mouth, advertising)</li>\r\n	<li>Soft launch</li>\r\n	<li>Size of business</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nLastly, before launching, you need to understand how essential a website will be to your business. Will people need to consult your website to find out how to do business with you? In the case of the private chef,  a potential customer may want to check out types of food you offer, testimonials, pricing, timing.  Obviously, these questions can be answered by phone or in person too, but will you have time?\r\n\r\nI think there is more to be gained by having your website up and running BEFORE you launch. Does this mean you can\'t launch a business without a website? No. But it could cause problems for you as you try to build up your customer base.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Vote in the poll:\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"2\"]','Should you launch your business before your website?','','inherit','open','open','','2374-revision-v1','','','2013-10-14 16:59:32','2013-10-14 16:59:32','',2374,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2374-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2378,4,'2013-10-14 18:01:49','2013-10-14 18:01:49','Last night, I met a friend for dinner. He chose a Thai place that was half-way between his place and mine. Upon reading some reviews online, I found out that this is the only Thai place  in the area that\'s Halal, that is, observes Muslim dietary rules.\n\nWhen I got there last night, it was empty save for a couple of people. Few people came in until a outwardly observant Muslim family came in. When they were done eating and had left, the owner pretty much closed up shop and kicked my friend and me out. From the time we had arrived at 6:30 p.m. until we left, no more than ten other customers had been in the restaurant.\n\nThe food at this Thai place was not very good. It was mediocre. It wasn\'t spicy enough, or attractively presented enough or even interesting enough. They did not have Thai standards like green papaya salad or red curry. Based on the food alone, I would not go back.\n\nThe only relevant differentiator this Thai restaurant offers is that it is Halal. Is that enough? <strong>Can you have one strong point of differentiation and have that keep your business alive? Well, the answer is yes, but there is an \"if\" attached.</strong> In this case, you could have Halal as your point of differentiation ONLY IF your food is on par with other similar restaurants.\n\nIn a world where there are multiple offerings for everything (many organic grocery stores, tons of sushi restaurants, hundreds of nail salons),<strong> you have to meet the standard or exceed it AND then find your point of differentiation.</strong> For example, if you have a nail salon, not only do have to comply with sanitary guidelines required by law, but you should find something that your competition does not have (the most colors, the most comfortable chairs, etc.).\n\nWhat do you think? Is having a point of differentiation enough?','Is having a point of differentiation enough?','','inherit','open','open','','2362-autosave-v1','','','2013-10-14 18:01:49','2013-10-14 18:01:49','',2362,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2362-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2379,4,'2013-10-14 18:02:26','2013-10-14 18:02:26','Last night, I met a friend for dinner. He chose a Thai place that was half-way between his place and mine. Upon reading some reviews online, I found out that this is the only Thai place  in the area that\'s Halal, that is, observes Muslim dietary rules.\r\n\r\nWhen I got there last night, it was empty save for a couple of people. Few people came in until a outwardly observant Muslim family came in. When they were done eating and had left, the owner pretty much closed up shop and kicked my friend and me out. From the time we had arrived at 6:30 p.m. until we left, no more than ten other customers had been in the restaurant.\r\n\r\nThe food at this Thai place was not very good. In fact, it was mediocre. It wasn\'t spicy enough, or attractively presented enough or even interesting enough. They did not have Thai standards like green papaya salad or red curry. Based on the food alone, I would not go back.\r\n\r\nThe only relevant differentiator this Thai restaurant offers is that it\'s Halal. Is that enough? <strong>Can you have one strong point of differentiation and have that keep your business alive? Well, the answer is yes, but there is an \"if\" attached.</strong> In this case, you could have Halal as your point of differentiation ONLY IF your food is on par with other similar restaurants.\r\n\r\nIn a world where there are multiple offerings for everything (many organic grocery stores, tons of sushi restaurants, hundreds of nail salons),<strong> you have to meet the standard or exceed it AND then find your point of differentiation.</strong> For example, if you have a nail salon, not only do have to comply with sanitary guidelines required by law, but you should find something that your competition does not have (the most colors, the most comfortable chairs, etc.).\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Is having a point of differentiation enough?','Is having a point of differentiation enough?','','inherit','open','open','','2362-revision-v1','','','2013-10-14 18:02:26','2013-10-14 18:02:26','',2362,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2362-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2381,4,'2013-10-17 14:12:05','2013-10-17 14:12:05','If you are putting in the effort toward having a blog, shouldn\'t visitors to your website be able to find it easily? For some organizations, the answer seems to be no. Some blogs are hiding and that is not a good place for them to be.\r\n\r\nWhy are these blogs hiding? Here are several \"reasons:\"\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The blog is \"housed\" separately than the website on free blog hosting such as Blogger or WordPress.com.</li>\r\n	<li>Different departments handle the website and the blog and there is territoriality.</li>\r\n	<li>Organizations believe they must have a blog but don\'t want anybody to actually read it.</li>\r\n	<li>The blog is an afterthought and there is no room on the home page to include it.</li>\r\n	<li>Some organizations think it is obvious that blogs belong in the \"newsroom\" section or the \"publications\" section (AKA not understanding the user experience).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSuccessful blogs are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Findable/accessible</li>\r\n	<li>Relevant</li>\r\n	<li>Shareable</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nA blog that is hiding is not easy to find, and therefore, not accessible (and certainly not shared or subscribed to).  It won\'t matter how relevant or great the blog\'s content is if the average visitor to your website has no idea it is there.\r\n\r\n<em>Want to learn how to have a more effective blog? Attend my next How to Write Your Blog workshop on November 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. Get the details and <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">register today! </a></em>','Is your blog hiding?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-blog-hiding','','','2013-10-17 14:12:05','2013-10-17 14:12:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2381',0,'post','',1),(2382,4,'2013-10-17 14:10:29','2013-10-17 14:10:29','If you are putting in the effort toward having a blog, shouldn\'t visitors to your website be able to find it easily? For some organizations, the answer seems to be no. Some blogs are hiding and that is not a good place for them to be.\r\n\r\nWhy are these blogs hiding? Here are several \"reasons:\"\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The blog is \"housed\" separately than the website on free blog hosting such as Blogger or WordPress.com.</li>\r\n	<li>Different departments handle the website and the blog and there is territoriality.</li>\r\n	<li>Organizations believe they must have a blog but don\'t want anybody to actually read it.</li>\r\n	<li>The blog is an afterthought and there is no room on the home page to include it.</li>\r\n	<li>Some organizations think it is obvious that blogs belong in the \"newsroom\" section or the \"publications\" section (AKA not understanding the user experience).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSuccessful blogs are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Findable/accessible</li>\r\n	<li>Relevant</li>\r\n	<li>Shareable</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nA blog that is hiding is not easy to find, and therefore, not accessible (and certainly not shared or subscribed to).  It won\'t matter how relevant or great the blog\'s content is if the average visitor to your website has no idea it is there.\r\n\r\n<em>Want to learn how to have a more effective blog? Attend my next How to Write Your Blog workshop on November 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. Get the details and <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">register today! </a></em>','Is your blog hiding?','','inherit','open','open','','2381-revision-v1','','','2013-10-17 14:10:29','2013-10-17 14:10:29','',2381,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2381-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2384,4,'2013-10-21 18:14:40','2013-10-21 18:14:40','Not every business needs to spend lots of money on marketing communications (ads, PR, etc.) but every business should spend time/effort/money on communicating with existing customers. Why? Because these businesses probably depend on referrals for their livelihood.\r\n\r\nEven if you don\'t have a marketing budget (although you should have some dollars set aside for your website and social media efforts), you must budget for customer communications. Keeping in touch with current customers is a serious no-brainer. There are several ways to do it, depending on the size of your customer base: newsletters (electronic or print), postcards, letters, blogging on your website and even phone calls.\r\n\r\nAt a bare minimum, your existing customers need to hear from you once a year. And yet, how many businesses do not communicate with customers at all?\r\n\r\nLet me give you a personal example. I bought my home insurance from an agency recommended by my real estate agent.  In the three years I have had this insurance this is the number of times I have heard from the insurance agency: zero. Not once. This past week, I got a policy renewal that listed a 20% increase in my premium. I called the insurer to find out what happened. It turns out that there has been a statewide, across-the-board increase, which, by the way, was announced in February. Except that I didn\'t know. Because my insurance agency did not bother to inform me.\r\n\r\nSince my agency does not communicate with me at all, I will be shopping for a new agency this week. I have no need to be loyal to the agency because they have shown absolutely no loyalty to me as a customer. They haven\'t kept me informed about insurance changes. They haven\'t inquired as to whether I need any type of other insurance. They have never even asked me if I am satisfied with my insurer.\r\n\r\nHaving a customer communication program is marketing. It can help maintain current customer relationships and it can lead to referrals.  It keeps your business top of mind.  The company that painted my house knows this, which is why it sent a card at Christmas. My heat/AC contractors send out postcard reminders in the spring and fall that it is time to have the system checked. The mechanics send discount coupons and reminders it is time for service on the car.\r\n<h4>Set up a customer communication program</h4>\r\nThe first step is to develop and/or refine your <strong>customer database</strong>.  You must collect basic customer information: address, phone number, email.\r\n\r\nAssign a <strong>budge</strong>t. Call it marketing or call it customer retention or call it a referral program. Just budget for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Decide how many times per year you will have contact with your customers, </strong>taking into account factors including your budget, how you will communicate with customers, and the nature of your business<strong>.</strong> If you are a seasonal business (you sell Christmas baskets or you do taxes for example), then you could send out your communications once a year. If you depend on having informed customers (you deal with investments), you may need to have a monthly or even weekly newsletter.\r\n\r\nDecide what <strong>type of information</strong> your customers need.\r\n\r\nLine up the right <strong>vendors</strong> (printers, direct mail companies, e-marketing, etc.)\r\n\r\nDo you have a customer communications plan? If so, what do you take into account?\r\n<p id=\"stcpDiv\"><em>Want to learn how to have a more effective blog? Attend my next How to Write Your Blog workshop on November 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. Get the <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">details and register today!</a></em></p>','Why customer communication is marketing','','publish','open','open','','why-customer-communication-is-marketing','','','2013-10-21 18:14:40','2013-10-21 18:14:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2384',0,'post','',0),(2385,4,'2013-10-21 18:12:18','2013-10-21 18:12:18','Not every business needs to spend lots of money on marketing communications (ads, PR, etc.) but every business should spend time/effort/money on communicating with existing customers. Why? Because these businesses probably depend on referrals for their livelihood.\r\n\r\nEven if you don\'t have a marketing budget (although you should have some dollars set aside for your website and social media efforts), you must budget for customer communications. Keeping in touch with current customers is a serious no-brainer. There are several ways to do it, depending on the size of your customer base: newsletters (electronic or print), postcards, letters, blogging on your website and even phone calls.\r\n\r\nAt a bare minimum, your existing customers need to hear from you once a year. And yet, how many businesses do not communicate with customers at all?\r\n\r\nLet me give you a personal example. I bought my home insurance from an agency recommended by my real estate agent.  In the three years I have had this insurance this is the number of times I have heard from the insurance agency: zero. Not once. This past week, I got a policy renewal that listed a 20% increase in my premium. I called the insurer to find out what happened. It turns out that there has been a statewide, across-the-board increase, which, by the way, was announced in February. Except that I didn\'t know. Because my insurance agency did not bother to inform me.\r\n\r\nSince my agency does not communicate with me at all, I will be shopping for a new agency this week. I have no need to be loyal to the agency because they have shown absolutely no loyalty to me as a customer. They haven\'t kept me informed about insurance changes. They haven\'t inquired as to whether I need any type of other insurance. They have never even asked me if I am satisfied with my insurer.\r\n\r\nHaving a customer communication program is marketing. It can help maintain current customer relationships and it can lead to referrals.  It keeps your business top of mind.  The company that painted my house knows this, which is why it sent a card at Christmas. My heat/AC contractors send out postcard reminders in the spring and fall that it is time to have the system checked. The mechanics send discount coupons and reminders it is time for service on the car.\r\n<h4>Set up a customer communication program</h4>\r\nThe first step is to develop and/or refine your <strong>customer database</strong>.  You must collect basic customer information: address, phone number, email.\r\n\r\nAssign a <strong>budge</strong>t. Call it marketing or call it customer retention or call it a referral program. Just budget for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Decide how many times per year you will have contact with your customers, </strong>taking into account factors including your budget, how you will communicate with customers, and the nature of your business<strong>.</strong> If you are a seasonal business (you sell Christmas baskets or you do taxes for example), then you could send out your communications once a year. If you depend on having informed customers (you deal with investments), you may need to have a monthly or even weekly newsletter.\r\n\r\nDecide what <strong>type of information</strong> your customers need.\r\n\r\nLine up the right <strong>vendors</strong> (printers, direct mail companies, e-marketing, etc.)\r\n\r\nDo you have a customer communications plan? If so, what do you take into account?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why customer communication is marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2384-revision-v1','','','2013-10-21 18:12:18','2013-10-21 18:12:18','',2384,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2384-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2386,4,'2013-10-21 18:14:13','2013-10-21 18:14:13','Not every business needs to spend lots of money on marketing communications (ads, PR, etc.) but every business should spend time/effort/money on communicating with existing customers. Why? Because these businesses probably depend on referrals for their livelihood.\r\n\r\nEven if you don\'t have a marketing budget (although you should have some dollars set aside for your website and social media efforts), you must budget for customer communications. Keeping in touch with current customers is a serious no-brainer. There are several ways to do it, depending on the size of your customer base: newsletters (electronic or print), postcards, letters, blogging on your website and even phone calls.\r\n\r\nAt a bare minimum, your existing customers need to hear from you once a year. And yet, how many businesses do not communicate with customers at all?\r\n\r\nLet me give you a personal example. I bought my home insurance from an agency recommended by my real estate agent.  In the three years I have had this insurance this is the number of times I have heard from the insurance agency: zero. Not once. This past week, I got a policy renewal that listed a 20% increase in my premium. I called the insurer to find out what happened. It turns out that there has been a statewide, across-the-board increase, which, by the way, was announced in February. Except that I didn\'t know. Because my insurance agency did not bother to inform me.\r\n\r\nSince my agency does not communicate with me at all, I will be shopping for a new agency this week. I have no need to be loyal to the agency because they have shown absolutely no loyalty to me as a customer. They haven\'t kept me informed about insurance changes. They haven\'t inquired as to whether I need any type of other insurance. They have never even asked me if I am satisfied with my insurer.\r\n\r\nHaving a customer communication program is marketing. It can help maintain current customer relationships and it can lead to referrals.  It keeps your business top of mind.  The company that painted my house knows this, which is why it sent a card at Christmas. My heat/AC contractors send out postcard reminders in the spring and fall that it is time to have the system checked. The mechanics send discount coupons and reminders it is time for service on the car.\r\n<h4>Set up a customer communication program</h4>\r\nThe first step is to develop and/or refine your <strong>customer database</strong>.  You must collect basic customer information: address, phone number, email.\r\n\r\nAssign a <strong>budge</strong>t. Call it marketing or call it customer retention or call it a referral program. Just budget for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Decide how many times per year you will have contact with your customers, </strong>taking into account factors including your budget, how you will communicate with customers, and the nature of your business<strong>.</strong> If you are a seasonal business (you sell Christmas baskets or you do taxes for example), then you could send out your communications once a year. If you depend on having informed customers (you deal with investments), you may need to have a monthly or even weekly newsletter.\r\n\r\nDecide what <strong>type of information</strong> your customers need.\r\n\r\nLine up the right <strong>vendors</strong> (printers, direct mail companies, e-marketing, etc.)\r\n\r\nDo you have a customer communications plan? If so, what do you take into account?\r\n<p id=\"stcpDiv\"><em>Want to learn how to have a more effective blog? Attend my next How to Write Your Blog workshop on November 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. Get the <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">details and register today!</a></em></p>','Why customer communication is marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2384-revision-v1','','','2013-10-21 18:14:13','2013-10-21 18:14:13','',2384,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2384-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2387,4,'2013-10-23 14:33:18','2013-10-23 14:33:18','Between content marketing and content strategy and content creation, content is everywhere. These days, it seems like the one thing that will solve your communications and marketing problems is content. And really, who hasn\'t heard the phrase \"content is king?\"\r\n\r\nThe truth is it\'s not enough to write some stuff, call it content, and post it on your website and social networks. You\'ve got to work a wee bit harder than that.\r\n\r\nHere are the six (hard) truths of content creation:\r\n\r\n1. It\'s not enough to create content--you have to have<strong> a reason behind it</strong> (also called \"content strategy\").\r\n\r\n2. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to have<strong> quality content</strong>, which means that it  should be useful and/or relevant and/or interesting. And don\'t forget, it MUST be well-written (yes, grammar matters).\r\n\r\n3. It\'s not enough to create content--you want<strong> content that attracts attention</strong> and gets shared. Boring, irrelevant stuff is not going viral any time soon.\r\n\r\n4. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to make sure that people can <strong>find it</strong> (thought about SEO lately?) and can <strong>share it</strong> (where is your \"tweet this\" button?).\r\n\r\n5. It\'s not enough to create content--your content should <strong>help</strong> (answer questions, give relevant information) your customers, supporters or advocates.\r\n\r\n6. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to <strong>measure</strong> it (don\'t you want to know what is working and what isn\'t?).\r\n\r\nWhat rings true to you? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have a more effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more and register today!</a></em>','The 6 Truths of Content Creation','','publish','open','open','','the-6-truths-of-content-creation','','','2013-10-23 14:33:18','2013-10-23 14:33:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2387',0,'post','',0),(2388,4,'2013-10-23 14:32:30','2013-10-23 14:32:30','Between content marketing and content strategy and content creation, content is everywhere. These days, it seems like the one thing that will solve your communications and marketing problems is content. And really, who hasn\'t heard the phrase \"content is king?\"\r\n\r\nThe truth is it\'s not enough to write some stuff, call it content, and post it on your website and social networks. You\'ve got to work a wee bit harder than that.\r\n\r\nHere are the six (hard) truths of content creation:\r\n\r\n1. It\'s not enough to create content--you have to have<strong> a reason behind it</strong> (also called \"content strategy\").\r\n\r\n2. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to have<strong> quality content</strong>, which means that it  should be useful and/or relevant and/or interesting. And don\'t forget, it MUST be well-written (yes, grammar matters).\r\n\r\n3. It\'s not enough to create content--you want<strong> content that attracts attention</strong> and gets shared. Boring, irrelevant stuff is not going viral any time soon.\r\n\r\n4. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to make sure that people can <strong>find it</strong> (thought about SEO lately?) and can <strong>share it</strong> (where is your \"tweet this\" button?).\r\n\r\n5. It\'s not enough to create content--your content should <strong>help</strong> (answer questions, give relevant information) your customers, supporters or advocates.\r\n\r\n6. It\'s not enough to create content--you need to <strong>measure</strong> it (don\'t you want to know what is working and what isn\'t?).\r\n\r\nWhat rings true to you? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have a more effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more and register today!</a></em>','The 6 Truths of Content Creation','','inherit','open','open','','2387-revision-v1','','','2013-10-23 14:32:30','2013-10-23 14:32:30','',2387,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2387-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2390,4,'2013-10-28 13:47:29','2013-10-28 13:47:29','If you ever watched the TLC show <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What Not to Wear</span>, you know some people choose to wear cringe-inducing outfits when left to their own devices. It generally takes an ambush by the show\'s hosts, disapprovalof the person\'s loved ones, and a look in the three-way mirror for the fashion-challenged individual to consider changing his/her look.  In other words, sometimes you need an outside perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"351\"]<a title=\"What? by judepics, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/159365806/\"><img alt=\"What?\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/49/159365806_da2bcb4684.jpg\" width=\"351\" height=\"500\" /></a> What? by Judith (judepics) on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nHere\'s my outside perspective on what you should not be doing on your blog:\r\n\r\n<strong>Pulling a bait and switch.</strong> You tell readers you have five tips for doing something but in reality you want them to buy your e-book or webinar. Not cool.\r\n\r\n<strong>Selling</strong>. You can funnel your readers to something you are selling, <em>after</em> you have given them value. In other words, your blog post is not advertising copy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Letting down your readers</strong>. If your headline promises the ten best ways to do something, then you should deliver those ten tips.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making readers cringe at your inability to use spell-check (or understand grammar)</strong>. We all make mistakes, and we all forgive one or two typos and grammatical slip-ups, but there\'s a limit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not understanding how people read on the web (or on mobile)</strong>. Your post consists of a single paragraph, no breaks, no bolding, no graphics, no bullet points, nothing. And it is really long.  The web makes people <em>scan</em> content (so make your content scannable!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Closing off comments</strong>. Why be social if you don\'t want people to interact with you? You can and should have a comment policy, and you don\'t have to approve every comment, but do have a way for people to interact with your blog post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being jargon and buzzword crazy</strong>. Few things make me want to scream as much as a blog post filled to the brim with buzzy phrases and cliched jargon (\"try to find your sweet spot by selling the c-suite on the low hanging fruit...\").\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? Tell me in the comments, which I moderate but always check and respond to!\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have an effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get more details and register today! </a>Early registration prices available until Friday.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What not to do on your blog','','publish','open','open','','what-not-to-do-on-your-blog','','','2013-10-28 13:49:24','2013-10-28 13:49:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2390',0,'post','',0),(2391,4,'2013-10-28 13:43:09','2013-10-28 13:43:09','If you ever watched the TLC show What Not to Wear, you know some people choose to wear cringe-inducing outfits when left to their own devices. It generally takes an ambush by the show\'s hosts, approval (or rather, disapproval) of the person\'s loved ones, and a look in the three-way mirror for the fashion-challenged individual to consider changing.  In other words, sometimes you need the outside perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"351\"]<a title=\"What? by judepics, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/159365806/\"><img alt=\"What?\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/49/159365806_da2bcb4684.jpg\" width=\"351\" height=\"500\" /></a> What? by Judith (judepics) on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nHere\'s my outside perspective on what you should not be doing on your blog:\r\n\r\n<strong>Pulling a bait and switch.</strong> You tell readers you have five tips for doing something but in reality you want them to buy your e-book or webinar. Not cool.\r\n\r\n<strong>Selling</strong>. You can funnel your readers to something you are selling, after you have given them value. In other words, your blog post is not advertising copy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Letting down your readers</strong>. If your headline promises the ten best ways to do something, then you should deliver those ten tips.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making readers cringe at your inability to use spell-check (or understand grammar)</strong>. We all make mistakes, and we all forgive one or two typos and grammatical slip-ups, but there\'s a limit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not understanding how people read on the web (or on mobile)</strong>. Your post consists of a single paragraph, no breaks, no bolding, no graphics, no bullet points, nothing. And it is really long.  The web makes people <em>scan</em> content (so make your content scannable!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Closing off comments</strong>. Why be social if you don\'t want people to interact with you? You can and should have a comment policy, and you don\'t have to approve every comment, but do have a way for people to interact with your blog post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being jargon and buzzword crazy</strong>. Few things make me want to scream as much as a blog post filled to the brim with buzzy phrases and cliched jargon (\"try to find your sweet spot by selling the c-suite on the low hanging fruit...\").\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? Tell me in the comments, which I moderate but always check and respond to!\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have an effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get more details and register today! </a>Early registration prices available until Friday.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What not to do on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2390-revision-v1','','','2013-10-28 13:43:09','2013-10-28 13:43:09','',2390,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2390-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2392,4,'2013-10-28 13:47:06','2013-10-28 13:47:06','If you ever watched the TLC show What Not to Wear, you know some people choose to wear cringe-inducing outfits when left to their own devices. It generally takes an ambush by the show\'s hosts, disapprovalof the person\'s loved ones, and a look in the three-way mirror for the fashion-challenged individual to consider changing his/her look.  In other words, sometimes you need an outside perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"351\"]<a title=\"What? by judepics, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/159365806/\"><img alt=\"What?\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/49/159365806_da2bcb4684.jpg\" width=\"351\" height=\"500\" /></a> What? by Judith (judepics) on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nHere\'s my outside perspective on what you should not be doing on your blog:\r\n\r\n<strong>Pulling a bait and switch.</strong> You tell readers you have five tips for doing something but in reality you want them to buy your e-book or webinar. Not cool.\r\n\r\n<strong>Selling</strong>. You can funnel your readers to something you are selling, after you have given them value. In other words, your blog post is not advertising copy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Letting down your readers</strong>. If your headline promises the ten best ways to do something, then you should deliver those ten tips.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making readers cringe at your inability to use spell-check (or understand grammar)</strong>. We all make mistakes, and we all forgive one or two typos and grammatical slip-ups, but there\'s a limit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not understanding how people read on the web (or on mobile)</strong>. Your post consists of a single paragraph, no breaks, no bolding, no graphics, no bullet points, nothing. And it is really long.  The web makes people <em>scan</em> content (so make your content scannable!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Closing off comments</strong>. Why be social if you don\'t want people to interact with you? You can and should have a comment policy, and you don\'t have to approve every comment, but do have a way for people to interact with your blog post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being jargon and buzzword crazy</strong>. Few things make me want to scream as much as a blog post filled to the brim with buzzy phrases and cliched jargon (\"try to find your sweet spot by selling the c-suite on the low hanging fruit...\").\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? Tell me in the comments, which I moderate but always check and respond to!\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have an effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get more details and register today! </a>Early registration prices available until Friday.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What not to do on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2390-revision-v1','','','2013-10-28 13:47:06','2013-10-28 13:47:06','',2390,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2390-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2393,4,'2013-10-28 13:47:29','2013-10-28 13:47:29','If you ever watched the TLC show What Not to Wear, you know some people choose to wear cringe-inducing outfits when left to their own devices. It generally takes an ambush by the show\'s hosts, disapprovalof the person\'s loved ones, and a look in the three-way mirror for the fashion-challenged individual to consider changing his/her look.  In other words, sometimes you need an outside perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"351\"]<a title=\"What? by judepics, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/159365806/\"><img alt=\"What?\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/49/159365806_da2bcb4684.jpg\" width=\"351\" height=\"500\" /></a> What? by Judith (judepics) on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nHere\'s my outside perspective on what you should not be doing on your blog:\r\n\r\n<strong>Pulling a bait and switch.</strong> You tell readers you have five tips for doing something but in reality you want them to buy your e-book or webinar. Not cool.\r\n\r\n<strong>Selling</strong>. You can funnel your readers to something you are selling, after you have given them value. In other words, your blog post is not advertising copy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Letting down your readers</strong>. If your headline promises the ten best ways to do something, then you should deliver those ten tips.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making readers cringe at your inability to use spell-check (or understand grammar)</strong>. We all make mistakes, and we all forgive one or two typos and grammatical slip-ups, but there\'s a limit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not understanding how people read on the web (or on mobile)</strong>. Your post consists of a single paragraph, no breaks, no bolding, no graphics, no bullet points, nothing. And it is really long.  The web makes people <em>scan</em> content (so make your content scannable!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Closing off comments</strong>. Why be social if you don\'t want people to interact with you? You can and should have a comment policy, and you don\'t have to approve every comment, but do have a way for people to interact with your blog post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being jargon and buzzword crazy</strong>. Few things make me want to scream as much as a blog post filled to the brim with buzzy phrases and cliched jargon (\"try to find your sweet spot by selling the c-suite on the low hanging fruit...\").\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? Tell me in the comments, which I moderate but always check and respond to!\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have an effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get more details and register today! </a>Early registration prices available until Friday.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What not to do on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2390-revision-v1','','','2013-10-28 13:47:29','2013-10-28 13:47:29','',2390,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2390-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2394,4,'2013-10-28 13:49:24','2013-10-28 13:49:24','If you ever watched the TLC show <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What Not to Wear</span>, you know some people choose to wear cringe-inducing outfits when left to their own devices. It generally takes an ambush by the show\'s hosts, disapprovalof the person\'s loved ones, and a look in the three-way mirror for the fashion-challenged individual to consider changing his/her look.  In other words, sometimes you need an outside perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"351\"]<a title=\"What? by judepics, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/judepics/159365806/\"><img alt=\"What?\" src=\"http://farm1.staticflickr.com/49/159365806_da2bcb4684.jpg\" width=\"351\" height=\"500\" /></a> What? by Judith (judepics) on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nHere\'s my outside perspective on what you should not be doing on your blog:\r\n\r\n<strong>Pulling a bait and switch.</strong> You tell readers you have five tips for doing something but in reality you want them to buy your e-book or webinar. Not cool.\r\n\r\n<strong>Selling</strong>. You can funnel your readers to something you are selling, <em>after</em> you have given them value. In other words, your blog post is not advertising copy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Letting down your readers</strong>. If your headline promises the ten best ways to do something, then you should deliver those ten tips.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making readers cringe at your inability to use spell-check (or understand grammar)</strong>. We all make mistakes, and we all forgive one or two typos and grammatical slip-ups, but there\'s a limit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not understanding how people read on the web (or on mobile)</strong>. Your post consists of a single paragraph, no breaks, no bolding, no graphics, no bullet points, nothing. And it is really long.  The web makes people <em>scan</em> content (so make your content scannable!).\r\n\r\n<strong>Closing off comments</strong>. Why be social if you don\'t want people to interact with you? You can and should have a comment policy, and you don\'t have to approve every comment, but do have a way for people to interact with your blog post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being jargon and buzzword crazy</strong>. Few things make me want to scream as much as a blog post filled to the brim with buzzy phrases and cliched jargon (\"try to find your sweet spot by selling the c-suite on the low hanging fruit...\").\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? Tell me in the comments, which I moderate but always check and respond to!\r\n\r\n<em>Want to have an effective blog? Attend the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on November 12 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get more details and register today! </a>Early registration prices available until Friday.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What not to do on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2390-revision-v1','','','2013-10-28 13:49:24','2013-10-28 13:49:24','',2390,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2390-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2403,4,'2013-11-07 16:18:38','2013-11-07 16:18:38','There\'s all sorts of analysis going on right now about Tuesday\'s election results. Chris Christie, a Republican, got re-elected as New Jersey governor with a 30% or so margin over his opponent. In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, won the governorship with a razor-thin margin of 2% over his opponent Ken Cuccinelli.\r\n\r\nIf you have been following the Virginia race, you know that Ken Cuccinelli is very conservative. He has publicly-known views against abortion, birth control access, equal rights for homosexuals and he denies climate change. He is also very vocal in his opposition to the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare.  Apparently, many people in Virginia share these views, but not enough people to catapult him into the governorship.\r\n\r\nPundits have been saying that Cuccinelli lost because he was outspent by McAuliffe. Some say it is because of how the nominating process took place (no primary, just a convention of the party faithful who tend to be more to the right of the general voting population).\r\n\r\nI think that one of the reasons Cuccinelli lost is because he is not likeable. You could never imagine hanging out with him. He rarely smiles and when he does, it is not a \"real\" smile. Contrast that with Christie.  Christie is a big bear of a man--hugging people left and right. He is a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and not afraid to let that be known. You could definitely see yourself having a beer (or two) with Chris Christie.\r\n\r\nCuccinelli is a sour, judgmental kind of a guy. He doesn\'t approve of many things and he has made it his mission to rid Virginia of these things. His rigidity is antithetical to likeability. Christie, on the other hand, is more pragmatic. In spite of his party\'s opposition to Obama, he embraced him (literally and figuratively) in the aftermath of Sandy. His pragmatism helps boost his likeability.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post reported that Cuccinelli did not call McAuliffe to concede or congratulate him after the election and he says he will<em> never</em> call him. That sounds like both sour grapes and lack of sportsmanship. Not likeable.\r\n\r\nPeople don\'t elect people they don\'t like. It\'s that simple. It goes beyond politics and policy and it comes down to likeability. I think George W. Bush won against John Kerry because Bush is the more likeable person. Kerry seemed very patrician and detached (not unlike Mitt Romney, if you think about it) while Bush had his Texas twang and swagger.\r\n\r\nHow does this translate into marketing and communications? Simple. Focus on the likeabilty of your product or service. Don\'t advertise a product by denigrating the user or a potential user. People like positivity, and they are turned off by negativity.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not random that Facebook asks you to \"like\" pages/companies/products. If you like something, you want to find out more about it, right?</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Do you want to improve your blogging? Attend the How to Write Your Blog workshop next Tuesday, November 12 in Washington, DC. Only five spots are left, so <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">register today!</a></em>','It may be all about likeability','','publish','open','open','','it-may-be-all-about-likeability','','','2013-11-07 16:18:38','2013-11-07 16:18:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2403',0,'post','',0),(2397,4,'2013-10-30 14:34:41','2013-10-30 14:34:41','How many blogs do you read or follow? I have about 100 on my blog reader, and I read dozens more (OK, it is an occupational hazard). Now think about the blogs you read regularly, what do you like about them? If I were to hazard a guess, the number one thing that makes that blog great (for you) is\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Relevant and/or interesting content</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You would not read it if it did not offer you the information you like to read about, whether your thing is food, politics, journalism, PR, beer or any number of other subjects.  But there are other reasons blogs are great.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Great blogs are:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Shareable</strong> (no sharing buttons, no new readers)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Interactive</strong> (allow for discussion in the comments)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Findable</strong> (not only on by search <a title=\"Is your blog hiding?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/is-your-blog-hiding/\">but also on your main website</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Pleasing to the eye</strong> (design does matter)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Scannable</strong> (headings, bullet points, lists all help)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Well written</strong> (or well spoken if a video or audio blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What would you add? Please tell me what makes you read a blog regularly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">I will be introducing a new feature where I rate blogs based on these attributes. Watch for it soon!</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Want to have a great blog? Sign up for the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on 11/12/13 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get all the details and register today</a> (early registration prices available until Friday, November 1 at midnight).</em></p>','What makes for a great blog?','','publish','open','open','','what-makes-for-a-great-blog','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/is-your-blog-hiding/','2013-10-31 17:34:57','2013-10-31 17:34:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2397',0,'post','',2),(2398,4,'2013-10-30 14:24:35','2013-10-30 14:24:35','How many blogs do you read or follow? I have about 100 on my blog reader, and I read dozens more (OK, it is an occupational hazard). Now think about the blogs you read regularly, what do you like about it? If I were to hazard a guess, the number one thing that makes that blog great (for you) is\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Relevance and/or interesting content</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You would not read it if it did not offer you the information you like to read about, whether your thing is food, politics, journalism, PR, beer or any number of other subjects.  But there are other reasons blogs are great.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Great blogs are:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Shareable</strong> (no sharing buttons, no new readers)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Interactive</strong> (allow for discussion in the comments)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Findable</strong> (not only on by search but on your main website)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Pleasing to the eye</strong> (design does matter)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Scannable</strong> (headings, bullet points, lists all help)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Well written</strong> (or well spoken if a video or audio blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What would you add? Please tell me what makes you read a blog regularly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">I will be introducing a new feature where I rate blogs based on these attributes. Watch for it soon!</p>','What makes for a great blog?','','inherit','open','open','','2397-revision-v1','','','2013-10-30 14:24:35','2013-10-30 14:24:35','',2397,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2397-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2399,4,'2013-10-30 14:29:33','2013-10-30 14:29:33','How many blogs do you read or follow? I have about 100 on my blog reader, and I read dozens more (OK, it is an occupational hazard). Now think about the blogs you read regularly, what do you like about it? If I were to hazard a guess, the number one thing that makes that blog great (for you) is\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Relevance and/or interesting content</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You would not read it if it did not offer you the information you like to read about, whether your thing is food, politics, journalism, PR, beer or any number of other subjects.  But there are other reasons blogs are great.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Great blogs are:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Shareable</strong> (<a title=\"The two actions that will make your communications more effective\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/05/the-two-actions-that-will-make-your-communications-more-effective/\">no sharing buttons</a>, no new readers)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Interactive</strong> (allow for discussion in the comments)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Findable</strong> (not only on by search <a title=\"Is your blog hiding?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/is-your-blog-hiding/\">but also on your main website</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Pleasing to the eye</strong> (design does matter)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Scannable</strong> (headings, bullet points, lists all help)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Well written</strong> (or well spoken if a video or audio blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What would you add? Please tell me what makes you read a blog regularly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">I will be introducing a new feature where I rate blogs based on these attributes. Watch for it soon!</p>','What makes for a great blog?','','inherit','open','open','','2397-revision-v1','','','2013-10-30 14:29:33','2013-10-30 14:29:33','',2397,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2397-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2400,4,'2013-10-30 14:34:07','2013-10-30 14:34:07','How many blogs do you read or follow? I have about 100 on my blog reader, and I read dozens more (OK, it is an occupational hazard). Now think about the blogs you read regularly, what do you like about them? If I were to hazard a guess, the number one thing that makes that blog great (for you) is\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Relevant and/or interesting content</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You would not read it if it did not offer you the information you like to read about, whether your thing is food, politics, journalism, PR, beer or any number of other subjects.  But there are other reasons blogs are great.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Great blogs are:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Shareable</strong> (no sharing buttons, no new readers)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Interactive</strong> (allow for discussion in the comments)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Findable</strong> (not only on by search <a title=\"Is your blog hiding?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/is-your-blog-hiding/\">but also on your main website</a>)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Pleasing to the eye</strong> (design does matter)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Scannable</strong> (headings, bullet points, lists all help)</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Well written</strong> (or well spoken if a video or audio blog)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What would you add? Please tell me what makes you read a blog regularly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">I will be introducing a new feature where I rate blogs based on these attributes. Watch for it soon!</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Want to have a great blog? Sign up for the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on 11/12/13 in Washington, DC.  <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Get all the details and register today</a> (early registration prices available until Friday, November 1 at midnight).</em></p>','What makes for a great blog?','','inherit','open','open','','2397-revision-v1','','','2013-10-30 14:34:07','2013-10-30 14:34:07','',2397,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/10/2397-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2401,4,'2013-11-05 14:36:27','2013-11-05 14:36:27','Whenever I have a workshop or a presentation on blogging, someone asks how you know if you have a \"successful\" blog. And my answer is always the same: <strong>you define your success.</strong>  You set the goals for your blog and if you reach those goals, then you have success.\r\n\r\nStart with having SMART (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">s</span>pecific, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">m</span>easurable, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">a</span>ttainable, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">r</span>ealistic, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">t</span>imely) goals, <strong>emphasis on measurable and specific</strong>.\r\n\r\nGoals could be:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Get a certain number of readers each day</li>\r\n	<li>Get readers to click on links or go to a certain page on your website</li>\r\n	<li>Get readers to subscribe to your newsletter or to your RSS feed</li>\r\n	<li>Stimulate discussion or get comments</li>\r\n	<li>Get shares on social networks</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOnce you have goals, you will track these using an analytics program such as Google Analytics. There are many resources out there, but I found this post by Jeff Sauer very helpful: <a href=\"http://www.jeffalytics.com/google-analytics-for-bloggers-presentation/\" target=\"_blank\">Google Analytics 101 for Bloggers</a>. Although I use Google Analytics, there are other programs out there (some free, some not). There may be a better choice for you, as Tom Ewer writes: <a href=\"http://www.leavingworkbehind.com/clicky-web-analytics/\" target=\"_blank\">Why I Use Clicky Analytics</a>.\r\n\r\nWhat are the goals for your blog? Are you actively tracking them?\r\n\r\n<em>Do you want to improve your blogging? Attend my <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop next week on November 12 in Washington, DC. <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more and register today!</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What are the goals for your blog?','','publish','open','open','','what-are-the-goals-for-your-blog','','\nhttp://www.leavingworkbehind.com/clicky-web-analytics/','2013-11-05 14:36:27','2013-11-05 14:36:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2401',0,'post','',0),(2402,4,'2013-11-05 14:36:27','2013-11-05 14:36:27','Whenever I have a workshop or a presentation on blogging, someone asks how you know if you have a \"successful\" blog. And my answer is always the same: <strong>you define your success.</strong>  You set the goals for your blog and if you reach those goals, then you have success.\r\n\r\nStart with having SMART (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">s</span>pecific, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">m</span>easurable, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">a</span>ttainable, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">r</span>ealistic, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">t</span>imely) goals, <strong>emphasis on measurable and specific</strong>.\r\n\r\nGoals could be:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Get a certain number of readers each day</li>\r\n	<li>Get readers to click on links or go to a certain page on your website</li>\r\n	<li>Get readers to subscribe to your newsletter or to your RSS feed</li>\r\n	<li>Stimulate discussion or get comments</li>\r\n	<li>Get shares on social networks</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOnce you have goals, you will track these using an analytics program such as Google Analytics. There are many resources out there, but I found this post by Jeff Sauer very helpful: <a href=\"http://www.jeffalytics.com/google-analytics-for-bloggers-presentation/\" target=\"_blank\">Google Analytics 101 for Bloggers</a>. Although I use Google Analytics, there are other programs out there (some free, some not). There may be a better choice for you, as Tom Ewer writes: <a href=\"http://www.leavingworkbehind.com/clicky-web-analytics/\" target=\"_blank\">Why I Use Clicky Analytics</a>.\r\n\r\nWhat are the goals for your blog? Are you actively tracking them?\r\n\r\n<em>Do you want to improve your blogging? Attend my <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop next week on November 12 in Washington, DC. <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more and register today!</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What are the goals for your blog?','','inherit','open','open','','2401-revision-v1','','','2013-11-05 14:36:27','2013-11-05 14:36:27','',2401,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2401-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2404,4,'2013-11-07 16:18:38','2013-11-07 16:18:38','There\'s all sorts of analysis going on right now about Tuesday\'s election results. Chris Christie, a Republican, got re-elected as New Jersey governor with a 30% or so margin over his opponent. In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, won the governorship with a razor-thin margin of 2% over his opponent Ken Cuccinelli.\r\n\r\nIf you have been following the Virginia race, you know that Ken Cuccinelli is very conservative. He has publicly-known views against abortion, birth control access, equal rights for homosexuals and he denies climate change. He is also very vocal in his opposition to the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare.  Apparently, many people in Virginia share these views, but not enough people to catapult him into the governorship.\r\n\r\nPundits have been saying that Cuccinelli lost because he was outspent by McAuliffe. Some say it is because of how the nominating process took place (no primary, just a convention of the party faithful who tend to be more to the right of the general voting population).\r\n\r\nI think that one of the reasons Cuccinelli lost is because he is not likeable. You could never imagine hanging out with him. He rarely smiles and when he does, it is not a \"real\" smile. Contrast that with Christie.  Christie is a big bear of a man--hugging people left and right. He is a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and not afraid to let that be known. You could definitely see yourself having a beer (or two) with Chris Christie.\r\n\r\nCuccinelli is a sour, judgmental kind of a guy. He doesn\'t approve of many things and he has made it his mission to rid Virginia of these things. His rigidity is antithetical to likeability. Christie, on the other hand, is more pragmatic. In spite of his party\'s opposition to Obama, he embraced him (literally and figuratively) in the aftermath of Sandy. His pragmatism helps boost his likeability.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post reported that Cuccinelli did not call McAuliffe to concede or congratulate him after the election and he says he will<em> never</em> call him. That sounds like both sour grapes and lack of sportsmanship. Not likeable.\r\n\r\nPeople don\'t elect people they don\'t like. It\'s that simple. It goes beyond politics and policy and it comes down to likeability. I think George W. Bush won against John Kerry because Bush is the more likeable person. Kerry seemed very patrician and detached (not unlike Mitt Romney, if you think about it) while Bush had his Texas twang and swagger.\r\n\r\nHow does this translate into marketing and communications? Simple. Focus on the likeabilty of your product or service. Don\'t advertise a product by denigrating the user or a potential user. People like positivity, and they are turned off by negativity.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not random that Facebook asks you to \"like\" pages/companies/products. If you like something, you want to find out more about it, right?</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Do you want to improve your blogging? Attend the How to Write Your Blog workshop next Tuesday, November 12 in Washington, DC. Only five spots are left, so <a href=\"http://dbmcbloggingworkshop.eventbrite.com/\" target=\"_blank\">register today!</a></em>','It may be all about likeability','','inherit','open','open','','2403-revision-v1','','','2013-11-07 16:18:38','2013-11-07 16:18:38','',2403,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2403-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2434,4,'2013-12-13 13:10:08','2013-12-13 13:10:08','We\'ve all met people who are desperately trying to make sure everybody knows how smart or how powerful or how well-connected they are. These people do things like sweep into a room and speak very loudly, making sure they become the center of attention. They may also love to name-drop. And sometimes they think that by using sentences packed with big words and jargon, you will be mesmerized into thinking they really know what they are talking about.\r\n\r\nBut the opposite always happens. The harder people try to impress you, the more you tend to see through them. Same thing happens with your written communications--blogs, websites, letters, whatever. If you try to impress, especially by filling your writing with jargon and big words, the less you are communicating.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"320\"]<a title=\"Merry Go Round by Mike Rawlins, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerawlins/2223889360/\"><img alt=\"Merry Go Round\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2406/2223889360_da65cf100b_n.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" /></a> Merry Go Round by Mike Rawlins on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Mack Collier wrote in his blog post, <a href=\"http://www.mackcollier.com/you-dont-look-smarter-by-making-other-people-feel-stupid/\">\"You Don\'t Look Smarter by Making Others Feel Stupid.\":</a>\r\n<blockquote>Make your ideas more accessible and empower your audience to learn at a pace that’s comfortable to them.  Remember that if your words make the reader feel dumb then the reader might decide that you’re not an ‘expert’ after all</blockquote>\r\nSo, if you think that throwing big words around will result in you looking smarter, you are dead wrong. (P.S.:  I LOVE that quote from Albert Einstein: \"If you can\'t explain it simply, you don\'t understand it well enough.\")\r\n\r\nIt reminds me of a time when I was visiting a friend in Florida. She had a little baby at the the time, and she had another friend visiting who also had a baby with her. Both women were in the pool and both babies were naked. They asked if I wanted to get in. I said I really did not want to be swimming in baby pee. The friend looked at me and said that baby pee was sterile, and that I needn\'t be concerned. She added she knew this because she was a physician. Yes, she called herself a physician.  To which I promptly replied: \"Oh you\'re a doctor. What is your specialty?\" (I think she was a dermatologist, but I don\'t remember.) I couldn\'t get over that she thought calling herself a physician somehow made her more authoritative.\r\n\r\nIn everyday conversation we visit our doctors and have our lawyers--not our attorneys--draw up contracts. When someone asks us where we live, we don\'t say we \"reside\" in a certain neighborhood. If someone asks why we are taking night classes, we usually say we are trying to learn more about the topic, not \"augmenting our knowledge base.\" If we get a new gadget, we tell people how much it has changed our lives, not \"it is a disruptive technology.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>So, next time you want to appear like you know what you are talking about, get off your high horse and use the words most people would actually use in conversation.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Get off your high horse (if you really want to communicate)','','publish','open','open','','get-off-your-high-horse-if-you-really-want-to-communicate','','','2013-12-13 13:10:08','2013-12-13 13:10:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2434',0,'post','',0),(2415,4,'2013-11-25 13:06:31','2013-11-25 13:06:31','I am an avid news follower. I have been reading a newspaper daily since I was eight years old (really). At times, I even read two and three dailies (when I was in grad school up at Boston University, I decided I should read the <em>Wall Street Journal,</em> in addition to the <em>New York Times</em> and the <em>Boston Globe</em>. The <em>Globe</em> was not owned by the <em>Times</em> then, but I digress).  Additionally, I read lots of stuff online plus I watch the CBS and/or NBC evening news broadcasts when I can.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"newspaper by zoetnet, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoetnet/4851547572/\"><img title=\"Reading the newspaper \" alt=\"newspaper\" src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4122/4851547572_379416cff3.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a> Reading the newspaper in park by Zoetnet on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nWhen I read the newspaper, what I am really doing is scanning. I scan all the headlines first. If the headline is about an interesting subject, then I read the first few paragraphs (same goes for op-eds). I usually discard the sports section, but only after reading the main headline on the front page (it is important to know the results of the game, but I have no patience for the analysis of why).\r\n\r\nI don\'t read long articles--never have and never will. I don\'t have the patience or the time.\r\n\r\nEven though most people don\'t read printed newspapers, they are acting the same online: <strong>They scan. They skip long form. They only read what interests them.</strong>\r\n\r\nLessons here are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Headlines matter A LOT.</li>\r\n	<li>Longer is not necessarily better.</li>\r\n	<li>People will always read<em> only</em> what interests them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>In other words, keep it short and keep it interesting.</strong>','How I read the news and why it matters ','','publish','open','open','','how-i-read-the-news-and-why-it-matters','','','2013-11-25 13:06:31','2013-11-25 13:06:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2415',0,'post','',0),(2408,4,'2013-11-13 14:28:21','2013-11-13 14:28:21','Social media allows for interactions across all sorts of barriers, whether they be time zones, geography or culture. With Facebook, you can keep up with what an old classmate is doing, even if she is living in the remotest corner of Siberia.\r\n\r\nAlthough social media has made it possible to keep in touch with all sorts of people and even to create new relationships, it has also made those relationships more difficult.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes trolls come out to play!</strong>\r\n\r\nIt seems some people figure because it isn\'t a face-to-face interaction, they can ignore you or be rude to you. That is why trolls abound on Twitter. They find things they disagree with, and then attack, often being very nasty and rude. As if they weren\'t interacting with a person on the other end of the Twitter account.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes people forget their manners</strong>\r\n\r\nSomebody sends you a congratulations on LinkedIn, comments on your nice new profile picture on Twitter or says happy birthday on Facebook and you forget to thank them. Maybe you \"don\'t have time.\" Maybe you are just rude.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes people think actions have no consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nRecently, Mark Schaefer from Schaefer Marketing Solutions <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2013/11/11/i-am-a-blogger-in-other-words-a-piece-of-meat/\" target=\"_blank\">wrote on his {grow} blog about how his blog posts</a> have been ripped off, copied wholesale without attribution.   I have heard of other bloggers like Schaefer, who\'ve found their content attributed to other writers or on other websites without attribution. People and organizations who plagiarize stuff they find through social media or on blogs seem to think it\'s there for the taking, as if they can do what they want with absolutely no consequences.\r\n\r\nThey thing is although social media interactions may be virtual, they involve real live human beings at both ends. Social media is not an excuse for engaging in behavior you could not get away with in person.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do we need to put the personal back in social media? Or is it societal?','It may not be face to face, but it is still personal','','publish','open','open','','it-may-not-be-face-to-face-but-it-is-still-personal','','\nhttp://www.businessesgrow.com/2013/11/11/i-am-a-blogger-in-other-words-a-piece-of-meat/','2013-11-13 14:28:21','2013-11-13 14:28:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2408',0,'post','',2),(2409,4,'2013-11-13 14:28:21','2013-11-13 14:28:21','Social media allows for interactions across all sorts of barriers, whether they be time zones, geography or culture. With Facebook, you can keep up with what an old classmate is doing, even if she is living in the remotest corner of Siberia.\r\n\r\nAlthough social media has made it possible to keep in touch with all sorts of people and even to create new relationships, it has also made those relationships more difficult.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes trolls come out to play!</strong>\r\n\r\nIt seems some people figure because it isn\'t a face-to-face interaction, they can ignore you or be rude to you. That is why trolls abound on Twitter. They find things they disagree with, and then attack, often being very nasty and rude. As if they weren\'t interacting with a person on the other end of the Twitter account.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes people forget their manners</strong>\r\n\r\nSomebody sends you a congratulations on LinkedIn, comments on your nice new profile picture on Twitter or says happy birthday on Facebook and you forget to thank them. Maybe you \"don\'t have time.\" Maybe you are just rude.\r\n\r\n<strong>It makes people think actions have no consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nRecently, Mark Schaefer from Schaefer Marketing Solutions <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2013/11/11/i-am-a-blogger-in-other-words-a-piece-of-meat/\" target=\"_blank\">wrote on his {grow} blog about how his blog posts</a> have been ripped off, copied wholesale without attribution.   I have heard of other bloggers like Schaefer, who\'ve found their content attributed to other writers or on other websites without attribution. People and organizations who plagiarize stuff they find through social media or on blogs seem to think it\'s there for the taking, as if they can do what they want with absolutely no consequences.\r\n\r\nThey thing is although social media interactions may be virtual, they involve real live human beings at both ends. Social media is not an excuse for engaging in behavior you could not get away with in person.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do we need to put the personal back in social media? Or is it societal?','It may not be face to face, but it is still personal','','inherit','open','open','','2408-revision-v1','','','2013-11-13 14:28:21','2013-11-13 14:28:21','',2408,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2408-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2453,4,'2014-01-07 14:29:34','2014-01-07 14:29:34','This is not a post about religion or morality. It\'s a post about how to get things done.  It\'s the \"secret\" to accomplishing your 2014 goals and resolutions.\r\n\r\nI am sure you know the expression \"the road to hell is paved with good intentions.\"  What that means, quite simply, is that having a good intentions is not enough to keep you from perdition. You have to act. You have to behave differently, not just think about it.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2456\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2419526768_eb970f02211.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2456\" alt=\"Bonfire by CP Sutcliffe via Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2419526768_eb970f02211-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bonfire by CP Sutcliffe via Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis is the time of the year we are busy setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead. I think this is a great exercise. Certainly, if we take a good look at what we did in 2013, we can see what worked and what didn\'t. We can decide to change course or stay the course, depending on how things worked out.\r\n\r\n<strong>But to accomplish our resolutions and goals, just having the intent to do so is not enough. What you need is an action plan.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have a friend who has the best of intentions to get together and do a \"girl\'s night out.\" I know she has the intent because she tells me we need to do this every single time we have a phone conversation. But she never actually sets aside the time and chooses a date for this mythical get-together. Without an actual plan to go out, it is all just talk. It is meaningless. Bottom line is it ain\'t gonna happen.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens with your communications goals. You want to blog but you \"don\'t have the time.\" You want to increase your enewsletter subscriptions, but you don\'t add a subscription button to your website or think about how to incentivize people to sign up. You want to get more publicity for your event, but you don\'t contact any media outlets. You want to re-do your website, but you don\'t conduct a survey of your current users/audience.\r\n\r\nIn other words, you have the best intentions in the world, but you are not acting. You are paving the way to get nothing accomplished.\r\n\r\nAs you survey the year ahead and you formulate your goals and resolutions, avoid having it all go to hell, and develop some action plans. Set deadlines, make dates, gather information, put things in motion.\r\n\r\nWhat are you resolving to do in 2014 and how do you plan to get there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to avoid going to hell','','publish','open','open','','how-to-avoid-going-to-hell','','','2014-01-07 14:29:34','2014-01-07 14:29:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2453',0,'post','',0),(2412,4,'2013-11-20 15:46:53','2013-11-20 15:46:53','I just got back from a few days of vacation in Florida. During my five days off, which included the weekend, I had limited Internet access. I was able to access email on my phone, and use WiFi on my laptop a couple of times.\r\n\r\n<strong>Emails galore.</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery single day I had around 70 emails--of which only two or three were addressed to me exclusively. The rest were marketing emails, listserv stuff, and subscription emails I get every day. I deleted most of these messages without reading.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff on my reader.</strong>\r\n\r\nThen, there was my Feedly to check. I had limited time to read through, so I marked a great amount of as read, and looked only at a very few items.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter keeps going and going and going...</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you only check Twitter once a day or so, it is impossible to keep up with what is going on. You check your @ replies and your direct messages, and what is there in the general stream at that moment.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook is congestion central.</strong>\r\n\r\nSome people post every once in a while and others post ALL the time (like my young cousin who posts every thought and feeling he has plus every image/story he finds interesting). Mobile Facebook reminds you of people\'s birthdays or I would have missed congratulating my friends Jordan and Dan.\r\n\r\n<strong>How did I deal with information overload? I prioritized the personal and business-related and skimmed the rest.</strong>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>What does information overload mean for your message? </em></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>It means, quite simply, that your message is very likely to get lost.</em></p>\r\nPeople are getting bombarded with information from many sources, and if they don\'t keep up with it immediately, they are forced to ignore it and/or delete it. There just isn\'t enough time in the day to get stuff done (or take a vacation) and read all your emails and other messages.\r\n\r\nHow do we, as communicators, deal with this problem?\r\n\r\n1.)  Realize that <strong>your message is competing very hard for attention.</strong>\r\n\r\n2.)  Realize that your message may need both <strong>reach and frequency</strong> with the caveat that frequency is part of the problem for the receiver. Sending the same message too many times can be annoying or part of overload...but it may break through the clutter.\r\n\r\n3.) Realize that <strong>timing is key</strong>. You will have to figure out when is the best time to reach most of your subjects, while understanding that you will never reach everyone at the same time.\r\n\r\n4.)  Realize that<strong> relevance is what is most important</strong>. If the message is not relevant to your subject, it will more easily be deleted or ignored.\r\n\r\nThoughts on this? How do you deal with information overload?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Information overload and what it means to your message','','publish','open','open','','information-overload-and-what-it-means-to-your-message','','','2013-11-20 15:46:53','2013-11-20 15:46:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2412',0,'post','',0),(2413,4,'2013-11-20 15:44:25','2013-11-20 15:44:25','I just got back from a few days of vacation in Florida. During my five days off, which included the weekend, I had limited Internet access. I was able to access email on my phone, and use WiFi on my laptop a couple of times.\r\n\r\n<strong>Emails galore</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery single day I had around 70 emails--of which only two or three were addressed to me exclusively. The rest were marketing emails, listserv stuff, and subscription emails I get every day. I deleted most of these messages without reading.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff on my reader</strong>\r\n\r\nThen, there was my Feedly to check. I had limited time to read through, so I marked a great amount of as read, and looked only at a very few items.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter keeps going and going and going...</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you only check Twitter once a day or so, it is impossible to keep up with what is going on. You check your @ replies and your direct messages, and what is there in the general stream at that moment.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook is congestion central</strong>\r\n\r\nSome people post every once in a while and others post ALL the time (like my young cousin who posts every thought and feeling he has plus every image/story he finds interesting). Mobile Facebook reminds you of people\'s birthdays or I would have missed congratulating my friends Jordan and Dan.\r\n\r\n<strong>How did I deal with information overload? I prioritized the personal and business-related and skimmed the rest.</strong>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>What does information overload mean for your message? </em></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>It means, quite simply, that your message is very likely to get lost.</em></p>\r\nPeople are getting bombarded with information from many sources, and if they don\'t keep up with it immediately, they are forced to ignore it and/or delete it. There just isn\'t enough time in the day to get stuff done (or take a vacation) and read all your emails and other messages.\r\n\r\nHow do we, as communicators, deal with this problem?\r\n\r\nFirst, realize that <strong>your message is competing very hard for attention.</strong>\r\n\r\nSecond, realize that your message may need both <strong>reach and frequency</strong> with the caveat that frequency is part of the problem for the receiver. Sending the same message too many times can be annoying or part of overload...but it may break through the clutter.\r\n\r\nThird, realize that <strong>timing is key</strong>. You will have to figure out when is the best time to reach most of your subjects, while understanding that you will never reach everyone at the same time.\r\n\r\nFourth, and finally, realize that<strong> relevance is what is most important</strong>. If the message is not relevant to your subject, it will more easily be deleted or ignored.\r\n\r\nThoughts on this? How do you deal with information overload?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Information overload and what it means to your message','','inherit','open','open','','2412-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 15:44:25','2013-11-20 15:44:25','',2412,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2412-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2414,4,'2013-11-20 15:46:53','2013-11-20 15:46:53','I just got back from a few days of vacation in Florida. During my five days off, which included the weekend, I had limited Internet access. I was able to access email on my phone, and use WiFi on my laptop a couple of times.\r\n\r\n<strong>Emails galore.</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery single day I had around 70 emails--of which only two or three were addressed to me exclusively. The rest were marketing emails, listserv stuff, and subscription emails I get every day. I deleted most of these messages without reading.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff on my reader.</strong>\r\n\r\nThen, there was my Feedly to check. I had limited time to read through, so I marked a great amount of as read, and looked only at a very few items.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter keeps going and going and going...</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you only check Twitter once a day or so, it is impossible to keep up with what is going on. You check your @ replies and your direct messages, and what is there in the general stream at that moment.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facebook is congestion central.</strong>\r\n\r\nSome people post every once in a while and others post ALL the time (like my young cousin who posts every thought and feeling he has plus every image/story he finds interesting). Mobile Facebook reminds you of people\'s birthdays or I would have missed congratulating my friends Jordan and Dan.\r\n\r\n<strong>How did I deal with information overload? I prioritized the personal and business-related and skimmed the rest.</strong>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>What does information overload mean for your message? </em></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>It means, quite simply, that your message is very likely to get lost.</em></p>\r\nPeople are getting bombarded with information from many sources, and if they don\'t keep up with it immediately, they are forced to ignore it and/or delete it. There just isn\'t enough time in the day to get stuff done (or take a vacation) and read all your emails and other messages.\r\n\r\nHow do we, as communicators, deal with this problem?\r\n\r\n1.)  Realize that <strong>your message is competing very hard for attention.</strong>\r\n\r\n2.)  Realize that your message may need both <strong>reach and frequency</strong> with the caveat that frequency is part of the problem for the receiver. Sending the same message too many times can be annoying or part of overload...but it may break through the clutter.\r\n\r\n3.) Realize that <strong>timing is key</strong>. You will have to figure out when is the best time to reach most of your subjects, while understanding that you will never reach everyone at the same time.\r\n\r\n4.)  Realize that<strong> relevance is what is most important</strong>. If the message is not relevant to your subject, it will more easily be deleted or ignored.\r\n\r\nThoughts on this? How do you deal with information overload?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Information overload and what it means to your message','','inherit','open','open','','2412-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 15:46:53','2013-11-20 15:46:53','',2412,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2412-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2416,4,'2013-11-25 13:06:31','2013-11-25 13:06:31','I am an avid news follower. I have been reading a newspaper daily since I was eight years old (really). At times, I even read two and three dailies (when I was in grad school up at Boston University, I decided I should read the <em>Wall Street Journal,</em> in addition to the <em>New York Times</em> and the <em>Boston Globe</em>. The <em>Globe</em> was not owned by the <em>Times</em> then, but I digress).  Additionally, I read lots of stuff online plus I watch the CBS and/or NBC evening news broadcasts when I can.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"newspaper by zoetnet, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoetnet/4851547572/\"><img title=\"Reading the newspaper \" alt=\"newspaper\" src=\"http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4122/4851547572_379416cff3.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /></a> Reading the newspaper in park by Zoetnet on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nWhen I read the newspaper, what I am really doing is scanning. I scan all the headlines first. If the headline is about an interesting subject, then I read the first few paragraphs (same goes for op-eds). I usually discard the sports section, but only after reading the main headline on the front page (it is important to know the results of the game, but I have no patience for the analysis of why).\r\n\r\nI don\'t read long articles--never have and never will. I don\'t have the patience or the time.\r\n\r\nEven though most people don\'t read printed newspapers, they are acting the same online: <strong>They scan. They skip long form. They only read what interests them.</strong>\r\n\r\nLessons here are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Headlines matter A LOT.</li>\r\n	<li>Longer is not necessarily better.</li>\r\n	<li>People will always read<em> only</em> what interests them.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>In other words, keep it short and keep it interesting.</strong>','How I read the news and why it matters ','','inherit','open','open','','2415-revision-v1','','','2013-11-25 13:06:31','2013-11-25 13:06:31','',2415,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2415-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2418,4,'2013-11-27 14:00:13','2013-11-27 14:00:13','It\'s Thanksgiving (and for some us, also Hanukkah, in a once in 70,000 year phenomenon!), and it\'s time to express our gratitude. It\'s amazing  that we have a holiday devoted to giving thanks, and it is too bad it has devolved into a holiday for shopping and watching football (but I digress). Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates redemption and miracles, and it is quite lovely that it coincides with Thanksgiving this year.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Turkeys by Boston Public Library, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6896074240/\"><img alt=\"Turkeys\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/6896074240_b5465d1471.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" /></a> Turkeys from Boston Public Library on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn honor of Thanksgiving, and of Hanukkah, I\'d like to thank you, my readers on the blog. I am truly grateful that you take a couple of minutes out of your day to read my musings. For those of you who have taken the time to comment and discuss, thank you too! Great comments are very rewarding.\r\n\r\nI would also like to thank my Twitter friends. Over the years, I\'ve been able to build relationships with several people on Twitter (too many people to mention, but you know who you are right?). These relationships have led to learning, discussion and camaraderie, and I am truly grateful for that.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, Happy Thanksgiving to all and Happy Hanukkah to those celebrate it!</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a video from the <em>a capella</em> group The Maccabeats, for your listening (and viewing) pleasure:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/oHwyTxxQHmQ\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonus video (and one of my favorites)\r\n\r\nThe Leevees: How Do You Spell Channukkahh\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/R7JiDBi_v4c\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','Time to give thanks','','publish','open','open','','time-to-give-thanks','','','2013-11-27 14:01:34','2013-11-27 14:01:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2418',0,'post','',0),(2419,4,'2013-11-27 13:55:37','2013-11-27 13:55:37','It\'s Thanksgiving (and for some us, also Hanukkah, in a once in 70,000 year phenomenon!), and it\'s time to express our gratitude. It\'s amazing  that we have a holiday devoted to giving thanks, and it is too bad it has devolved into a holiday for shopping and watching football (but I digress). Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates redemption and miracles, and it is quite lovely that it coincides with Thanksgiving this year.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Turkeys by Boston Public Library, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6896074240/\"><img alt=\"Turkeys\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/6896074240_b5465d1471.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" /></a> Turkeys from Boston Public Library on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn honor of Thanksgiving, and of Hanukkah, I\'d like to thank you, my readers on the blog. I am truly grateful that you take a couple of minutes out of your day to read my musings. For those of you who have taken the time to comment and discuss, thank you too! Great comments are very rewarding.\r\n\r\nI would also like to thank my Twitter friends. Over the years, I\'ve been able to build relationships with several people on Twitter (too many people to mention, but you know who you are right?). These relationships have led to learning, discussion and camaraderie, and I am truly grateful for that.\r\n\r\nSo, Happy Thanksgiving to all and Happy Hanukkah to those celebrate it!\r\n\r\nHere\'s a video from the a capella group The Maccabeats, for your listening pleasure:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/oHwyTxxQHmQ\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonus video (and one of my favorites)\r\n\r\nThe Leevee: How Do You Spell Channukkahh\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/R7JiDBi_v4c\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','Time to give thanks','','inherit','open','open','','2418-revision-v1','','','2013-11-27 13:55:37','2013-11-27 13:55:37','',2418,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2418-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2420,4,'2013-11-27 14:00:13','2013-11-27 14:00:13','It\'s Thanksgiving (and for some us, also Hanukkah, in a once in 70,000 year phenomenon!), and it\'s time to express our gratitude. It\'s amazing  that we have a holiday devoted to giving thanks, and it is too bad it has devolved into a holiday for shopping and watching football (but I digress). Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates redemption and miracles, and it is quite lovely that it coincides with Thanksgiving this year.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Turkeys by Boston Public Library, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6896074240/\"><img alt=\"Turkeys\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/6896074240_b5465d1471.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" /></a> Turkeys from Boston Public Library on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn honor of Thanksgiving, and of Hanukkah, I\'d like to thank you, my readers on the blog. I am truly grateful that you take a couple of minutes out of your day to read my musings. For those of you who have taken the time to comment and discuss, thank you too! Great comments are very rewarding.\r\n\r\nI would also like to thank my Twitter friends. Over the years, I\'ve been able to build relationships with several people on Twitter (too many people to mention, but you know who you are right?). These relationships have led to learning, discussion and camaraderie, and I am truly grateful for that.\r\n\r\nSo, Happy Thanksgiving to all and Happy Hanukkah to those celebrate it!\r\n\r\nHere\'s a video from the <em>a capella</em> group The Maccabeats, for your listening (and viewing) pleasure:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/oHwyTxxQHmQ\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonus video (and one of my favorites)\r\n\r\nThe Leevees: How Do You Spell Channukkahh\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/R7JiDBi_v4c\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','Time to give thanks','','inherit','open','open','','2418-revision-v1','','','2013-11-27 14:00:13','2013-11-27 14:00:13','',2418,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2418-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2421,4,'2013-11-27 14:01:34','2013-11-27 14:01:34','It\'s Thanksgiving (and for some us, also Hanukkah, in a once in 70,000 year phenomenon!), and it\'s time to express our gratitude. It\'s amazing  that we have a holiday devoted to giving thanks, and it is too bad it has devolved into a holiday for shopping and watching football (but I digress). Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates redemption and miracles, and it is quite lovely that it coincides with Thanksgiving this year.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]<a title=\"Turkeys by Boston Public Library, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6896074240/\"><img alt=\"Turkeys\" src=\"http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/6896074240_b5465d1471.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" /></a> Turkeys from Boston Public Library on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn honor of Thanksgiving, and of Hanukkah, I\'d like to thank you, my readers on the blog. I am truly grateful that you take a couple of minutes out of your day to read my musings. For those of you who have taken the time to comment and discuss, thank you too! Great comments are very rewarding.\r\n\r\nI would also like to thank my Twitter friends. Over the years, I\'ve been able to build relationships with several people on Twitter (too many people to mention, but you know who you are right?). These relationships have led to learning, discussion and camaraderie, and I am truly grateful for that.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, Happy Thanksgiving to all and Happy Hanukkah to those celebrate it!</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a video from the <em>a capella</em> group The Maccabeats, for your listening (and viewing) pleasure:\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/oHwyTxxQHmQ\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonus video (and one of my favorites)\r\n\r\nThe Leevees: How Do You Spell Channukkahh\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/R7JiDBi_v4c\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','Time to give thanks','','inherit','open','open','','2418-revision-v1','','','2013-11-27 14:01:34','2013-11-27 14:01:34','',2418,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/11/2418-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2424,4,'2013-12-04 12:23:42','2013-12-04 12:23:42','When writers talk about style they are rarely talking about fashion. They are talking about editorial style. They discuss whether to use the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press Style</a> or the<a href=\"http://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/the-latest-style/?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times Style</a> or <a href=\"http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Manual</a>. There are probably four or five major published style guides that people follow. In journalism and by extension, public relations, most people adhere to the AP Style. In government circles, people tend to follow the <a href=\"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Government Printing Office (GPO) Style.  </a>(Here\'s a<a href=\"http://www.rollcall.com/news/meet_the_captain_of_congressional_grammar_punctuation_and_style-229389-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"> great article on Roll Call</a> about the chairman of the GOP Style Board.)\r\n\r\n<strong>There is one reason to have an editorial style: consistency.</strong>\r\n\r\nConsistency helps unify your writing. Let\'s use a common example. It\'s Chicago Manual style to write Web site (two words, web is capitalized always).  It\'s AP Style to write website (one word, lowercase).  <strong>Either way is correct</strong>. But if you use AP in one press release and then Chicago on a white paper, you are being inconsistent. Worse would be to use both styles in one document.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choose one style and stick with it.</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should develop style guides editorial and branding/image purposes. These written documents (in this case, the oral tradition just won\'t do!) will help to make sure everyone in the organization is on the same page, bolstering organizational consistency.\r\n\r\nEditorial guides should cover issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Word usage (website versus Web site; do you say chairman, chairperson or chair?)</li>\r\n	<li>Punctuation (use em dashes or not?)</li>\r\n	<li>Preferred date and time usage (do you say April 24 or April 24th?, 6 PM or 6:00 p.m.?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBranding/image guides should clarify issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo size and positioning</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational colors</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptable fonts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are a great many resources  on the web, and even templates to follow. Large organizations like the World Bank have style guides that you can download.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t have an organizational style guide, this year-end may be a great time to develop one or make it a goal to develop one in 2014.\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"3\"]','Why you need to have a style','','publish','open','open','','why-you-need-to-have-a-style','','','2013-12-05 13:16:21','2013-12-05 13:16:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2424',0,'post','',0),(2425,4,'2013-12-04 12:19:39','2013-12-04 12:19:39','When writers talk about style they are rarely talking about fashion. They are talking about editorial style. They discuss whether to use the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press Style</a> or the<a href=\"http://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/the-latest-style/?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times Style</a> or <a href=\"http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Manual</a>. There are probably four or five major published style guides that people follow. In journalism and by extension, public relations, most people adhere to the AP Style. In government circles, people tend to follow the <a href=\"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Government Printing Office (GPO) Style.  </a>(Here\'s a<a href=\"http://www.rollcall.com/news/meet_the_captain_of_congressional_grammar_punctuation_and_style-229389-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"> great article on Roll Call</a> about the chairman of the GOP Style Board.)\r\n\r\n<strong>There is one reason to have an editorial style: consistency.</strong>\r\n\r\nConsistency helps unify your writing. Let\'s use a common example. It\'s Chicago Manual style to write Web site (two words, web is capitalized always).  It\'s AP Style to write website (one word, lowercase).  <strong>Either way is correct</strong>. But if you use AP in one press release and then Chicago on a white paper, you are being inconsistent. Worse would be to use both styles in one document.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choose one style and stick with it.</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should develop style guides editorial and branding/image purposes. These written documents (in this case, the oral tradition just won\'t do!) will help to make sure everyone in the organization is on the same page, bolstering organizational consistency.\r\n\r\nEditorial guides should cover issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Word usage (website versus Web site; do you say Chairman, Chairperson or Chair?)</li>\r\n	<li>Punctuation (use em dashes or not?)</li>\r\n	<li>Preferred date and time usage (do you say April 24 or April 24th?, 6 PM or 6:00 p.m.?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBranding/image guides should clarify issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo size and positioning</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational colors</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptable fonts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are a great many resources  on the web, and even templates to follow. Large organizations like the World Bank have style guides that you can download.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t have an organizational style guide, this year-end may be a great time to develop one or make it a goal to develop one in 2014.\r\n\r\nDo you use a style guide?','Why you need to have a style','','inherit','open','open','','2424-revision-v1','','','2013-12-04 12:19:39','2013-12-04 12:19:39','',2424,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2424-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2426,4,'2013-12-04 12:22:58','2013-12-04 12:22:58','When writers talk about style they are rarely talking about fashion. They are talking about editorial style. They discuss whether to use the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press Style</a> or the<a href=\"http://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/the-latest-style/?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times Style</a> or <a href=\"http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Manual</a>. There are probably four or five major published style guides that people follow. In journalism and by extension, public relations, most people adhere to the AP Style. In government circles, people tend to follow the <a href=\"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Government Printing Office (GPO) Style.  </a>(Here\'s a<a href=\"http://www.rollcall.com/news/meet_the_captain_of_congressional_grammar_punctuation_and_style-229389-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"> great article on Roll Call</a> about the chairman of the GOP Style Board.)\r\n\r\n<strong>There is one reason to have an editorial style: consistency.</strong>\r\n\r\nConsistency helps unify your writing. Let\'s use a common example. It\'s Chicago Manual style to write Web site (two words, web is capitalized always).  It\'s AP Style to write website (one word, lowercase).  <strong>Either way is correct</strong>. But if you use AP in one press release and then Chicago on a white paper, you are being inconsistent. Worse would be to use both styles in one document.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choose one style and stick with it.</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should develop style guides editorial and branding/image purposes. These written documents (in this case, the oral tradition just won\'t do!) will help to make sure everyone in the organization is on the same page, bolstering organizational consistency.\r\n\r\nEditorial guides should cover issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Word usage (website versus Web site; do you say Chairman, Chairperson or Chair?)</li>\r\n	<li>Punctuation (use em dashes or not?)</li>\r\n	<li>Preferred date and time usage (do you say April 24 or April 24th?, 6 PM or 6:00 p.m.?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBranding/image guides should clarify issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo size and positioning</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational colors</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptable fonts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are a great many resources  on the web, and even templates to follow. Large organizations like the World Bank have style guides that you can download.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t have an organizational style guide, this year-end may be a great time to develop one or make it a goal to develop one in 2014.\r\n\r\nDo you use a style guide?\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"3\"]','Why you need to have a style','','inherit','open','open','','2424-revision-v1','','','2013-12-04 12:22:58','2013-12-04 12:22:58','',2424,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2424-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2427,4,'2013-12-04 12:23:42','2013-12-04 12:23:42','When writers talk about style they are rarely talking about fashion. They are talking about editorial style. They discuss whether to use the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press Style</a> or the<a href=\"http://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/the-latest-style/?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times Style</a> or <a href=\"http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Manual</a>. There are probably four or five major published style guides that people follow. In journalism and by extension, public relations, most people adhere to the AP Style. In government circles, people tend to follow the <a href=\"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Government Printing Office (GPO) Style.  </a>(Here\'s a<a href=\"http://www.rollcall.com/news/meet_the_captain_of_congressional_grammar_punctuation_and_style-229389-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"> great article on Roll Call</a> about the chairman of the GOP Style Board.)\r\n\r\n<strong>There is one reason to have an editorial style: consistency.</strong>\r\n\r\nConsistency helps unify your writing. Let\'s use a common example. It\'s Chicago Manual style to write Web site (two words, web is capitalized always).  It\'s AP Style to write website (one word, lowercase).  <strong>Either way is correct</strong>. But if you use AP in one press release and then Chicago on a white paper, you are being inconsistent. Worse would be to use both styles in one document.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choose one style and stick with it.</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should develop style guides editorial and branding/image purposes. These written documents (in this case, the oral tradition just won\'t do!) will help to make sure everyone in the organization is on the same page, bolstering organizational consistency.\r\n\r\nEditorial guides should cover issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Word usage (website versus Web site; do you say Chairman, Chairperson or Chair?)</li>\r\n	<li>Punctuation (use em dashes or not?)</li>\r\n	<li>Preferred date and time usage (do you say April 24 or April 24th?, 6 PM or 6:00 p.m.?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBranding/image guides should clarify issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo size and positioning</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational colors</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptable fonts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are a great many resources  on the web, and even templates to follow. Large organizations like the World Bank have style guides that you can download.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t have an organizational style guide, this year-end may be a great time to develop one or make it a goal to develop one in 2014.\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"3\"]','Why you need to have a style','','inherit','open','open','','2424-revision-v1','','','2013-12-04 12:23:42','2013-12-04 12:23:42','',2424,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2424-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2428,4,'2013-12-05 13:16:21','2013-12-05 13:16:21','When writers talk about style they are rarely talking about fashion. They are talking about editorial style. They discuss whether to use the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press Style</a> or the<a href=\"http://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/the-latest-style/?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\"> New York Times Style</a> or <a href=\"http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Manual</a>. There are probably four or five major published style guides that people follow. In journalism and by extension, public relations, most people adhere to the AP Style. In government circles, people tend to follow the <a href=\"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008/pdf/GPO-STYLEMANUAL-2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Government Printing Office (GPO) Style.  </a>(Here\'s a<a href=\"http://www.rollcall.com/news/meet_the_captain_of_congressional_grammar_punctuation_and_style-229389-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"> great article on Roll Call</a> about the chairman of the GOP Style Board.)\r\n\r\n<strong>There is one reason to have an editorial style: consistency.</strong>\r\n\r\nConsistency helps unify your writing. Let\'s use a common example. It\'s Chicago Manual style to write Web site (two words, web is capitalized always).  It\'s AP Style to write website (one word, lowercase).  <strong>Either way is correct</strong>. But if you use AP in one press release and then Chicago on a white paper, you are being inconsistent. Worse would be to use both styles in one document.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choose one style and stick with it.</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should develop style guides editorial and branding/image purposes. These written documents (in this case, the oral tradition just won\'t do!) will help to make sure everyone in the organization is on the same page, bolstering organizational consistency.\r\n\r\nEditorial guides should cover issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Word usage (website versus Web site; do you say chairman, chairperson or chair?)</li>\r\n	<li>Punctuation (use em dashes or not?)</li>\r\n	<li>Preferred date and time usage (do you say April 24 or April 24th?, 6 PM or 6:00 p.m.?)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBranding/image guides should clarify issues like:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Logo size and positioning</li>\r\n	<li>Organizational colors</li>\r\n	<li>Acceptable fonts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThere are a great many resources  on the web, and even templates to follow. Large organizations like the World Bank have style guides that you can download.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t have an organizational style guide, this year-end may be a great time to develop one or make it a goal to develop one in 2014.\r\n\r\n[yop_poll id=\"3\"]','Why you need to have a style','','inherit','open','open','','2424-revision-v1','','','2013-12-05 13:16:21','2013-12-05 13:16:21','',2424,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2424-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2431,4,'2013-12-09 15:38:41','2013-12-09 15:38:41','A few days ago, I got an email from a \"friend\" asking me to attend one of those sales parties masquerading as a wine and cheese with friends. This person has had no interaction with me in a couple of years. Why would she think I would be interested in helping her out and attending her \"party?\"\r\n\r\nHave you experienced this? Someone reaches out to you when she or he needs something from you. Not before and not after. This person doesn\'t understand how networking works.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"256\"]<a title=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591 by kimberly.kalil, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykalil/8700733820/\"><img alt=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591\" src=\"http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/8700733820_a965cf4af2_n.jpg\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" /></a> Girl Scout Friendship Circly by Kimberly K on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nBasically, there are three kinds of networking:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Networking rarely or not at all.</strong> You have an incomplete LinkedIn profile (bonus points if it is missing a photograph), you have never posted anything on Twitter or even Facebook, and you rarely, if ever, attend networking events in person.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Networking only when you need something.</strong> You lost your job, and you had not been networking at all. Suddenly, you need connections. You start networking like crazy. Or, your kid is selling cookies for a fundraiser, so you hit up all your Facebook friends for support even though you never so much as like a post or wish anybody happy birthday. (Or, like my \"friend\" above, you need to make some extra money for the holidays.)\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Networking all the time.</strong> You are conscious about keeping up with people. You actively attend events and maybe even participate in planning them. You are active in social media, and post updates to LinkedIn frequently (but not with annoying frequency). You Tweet and you connect via Facebook. You share stuff your connections post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Guess which one works the best...yes, that would be number 3,  always networking.</strong>\r\n\r\nNetworks are about relationships and relationships take time and nurturing. The only way to build a strong network is to invest time and effort. Whether you do it in person or on social media, you have to devote energy to it.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t build relationships at all, well then you don\'t have any. If you haven\'t nurtured your relationships, why do you expect those people to help you?\r\n\r\n<strong>The lesson here is simple. Nurture your network before you need it. Don\'t abandon it, ever.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','3 kinds of networking and only 1 works','','publish','open','open','','3-kinds-of-networking-and-only-1-works','','','2013-12-09 15:38:41','2013-12-09 15:38:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2431',0,'post','',4),(2432,4,'2013-12-09 15:38:41','2013-12-09 15:38:41','A few days ago, I got an email from a \"friend\" asking me to attend one of those sales parties masquerading as a wine and cheese with friends. This person has had no interaction with me in a couple of years. Why would she think I would be interested in helping her out and attending her \"party?\"\r\n\r\nHave you experienced this? Someone reaches out to you when she or he needs something from you. Not before and not after. This person doesn\'t understand how networking works.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"256\"]<a title=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591 by kimberly.kalil, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykalil/8700733820/\"><img alt=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591\" src=\"http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/8700733820_a965cf4af2_n.jpg\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" /></a> Girl Scout Friendship Circly by Kimberly K on Flickr[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"></p>\r\nBasically, there are three kinds of networking:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Networking rarely or not at all.</strong> You have an incomplete LinkedIn profile (bonus points if it is missing a photograph), you have never posted anything on Twitter or even Facebook, and you rarely, if ever, attend networking events in person.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Networking only when you need something.</strong> You lost your job, and you had not been networking at all. Suddenly, you need connections. You start networking like crazy. Or, your kid is selling cookies for a fundraiser, so you hit up all your Facebook friends for support even though you never so much as like a post or wish anybody happy birthday. (Or, like my \"friend\" above, you need to make some extra money for the holidays.)\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Networking all the time.</strong> You are conscious about keeping up with people. You actively attend events and maybe even participate in planning them. You are active in social media, and post updates to LinkedIn frequently (but not with annoying frequency). You Tweet and you connect via Facebook. You share stuff your connections post.\r\n\r\n<strong>Guess which one works the best...yes, that would be number 3,  always networking.</strong>\r\n\r\nNetworks are about relationships and relationships take time and nurturing. The only way to build a strong network is to invest time and effort. Whether you do it in person or on social media, you have to devote energy to it.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t build relationships at all, well then you don\'t have any. If you haven\'t nurtured your relationships, why do you expect those people to help you?\r\n\r\n<strong>The lesson here is simple. Nurture your network before you need it. Don\'t abandon it, ever.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','3 kinds of networking and only 1 works','','inherit','open','open','','2431-revision-v1','','','2013-12-09 15:38:41','2013-12-09 15:38:41','',2431,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2431-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2433,4,'2013-12-09 15:39:46','2013-12-09 15:39:46','A few days ago, I got an email from a \"friend\" asking me to attend one of those sales parties masquerading as a wine and cheese with friends. This person has had no interaction with me in a couple of years. Why would she think I would be interested in helping her out and attending her \"party?\"\n\nHave you experienced this? Someone reaches out to you when she or he needs something from you. Not before and not after. This person doesn\'t understand how networking works.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"256\"]<a title=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591 by kimberly.kalil, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykalil/8700733820/\"><img alt=\"Girl Scout Friendship Circle, even brothers are invited. So awesome. #girlscouts #troop4591\" src=\"http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/8700733820_a965cf4af2_n.jpg\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" /></a> Girl Scout Friendship Circly by Kimberly K on Flickr[/caption]\n\nBasically, there are three kinds of networking:\n\n<strong>1. Networking rarely or not at all.</strong> You have an incomplete LinkedIn profile (bonus points if it is missing a photograph), you have never posted anything on Twitter or even Facebook, and you rarely, if ever, attend networking events in person.\n\n<strong>2. Networking only when you need something.</strong> You lost your job, and you had not been networking at all. Suddenly, you need connections. You start networking like crazy. Or, your kid is selling cookies for a fundraiser, so you hit up all your Facebook friends for support even though you never so much as like a post or wish anybody happy birthday. (Or, like my \"friend\" above, you need to make some extra money for the holidays.)\n\n<strong>3. Networking all the time.</strong> You are conscious about keeping up with people. You actively attend events and maybe even participate in planning them. You are active in social media, and post updates to LinkedIn frequently (but not with annoying frequency). You Tweet and you connect via Facebook. You share stuff your connections post.\n\n<strong>Guess which one works the best...yes, that would be number 3,  always networking.</strong>\n\nNetworks are about relationships and relationships take time and nurturing. The only way to build a strong network is to invest time and effort. Whether you do it in person or on social media, you have to devote energy to it.\n\nIf you don\'t build relationships at all, well then you don\'t have any. If you haven\'t nurtured your relationships, why do you expect those people to help you?\n\n<strong>The lesson here is simple. Nurture your network before you need it. Don\'t abandon it, ever.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;','3 kinds of networking and only 1 works','','inherit','open','open','','2431-autosave-v1','','','2013-12-09 15:39:46','2013-12-09 15:39:46','',2431,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2431-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2435,4,'2013-12-13 13:10:08','2013-12-13 13:10:08','We\'ve all met people who are desperately trying to make sure everybody knows how smart or how powerful or how well-connected they are. These people do things like sweep into a room and speak very loudly, making sure they become the center of attention. They may also love to name-drop. And sometimes they think that by using sentences packed with big words and jargon, you will be mesmerized into thinking they really know what they are talking about.\r\n\r\nBut the opposite always happens. The harder people try to impress you, the more you tend to see through them. Same thing happens with your written communications--blogs, websites, letters, whatever. If you try to impress, especially by filling your writing with jargon and big words, the less you are communicating.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"320\"]<a title=\"Merry Go Round by Mike Rawlins, on Flickr\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerawlins/2223889360/\"><img alt=\"Merry Go Round\" src=\"http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2406/2223889360_da65cf100b_n.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" /></a> Merry Go Round by Mike Rawlins on Flickr.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Mack Collier wrote in his blog post, <a href=\"http://www.mackcollier.com/you-dont-look-smarter-by-making-other-people-feel-stupid/\">\"You Don\'t Look Smarter by Making Others Feel Stupid.\":</a>\r\n<blockquote>Make your ideas more accessible and empower your audience to learn at a pace that’s comfortable to them.  Remember that if your words make the reader feel dumb then the reader might decide that you’re not an ‘expert’ after all</blockquote>\r\nSo, if you think that throwing big words around will result in you looking smarter, you are dead wrong. (P.S.:  I LOVE that quote from Albert Einstein: \"If you can\'t explain it simply, you don\'t understand it well enough.\")\r\n\r\nIt reminds me of a time when I was visiting a friend in Florida. She had a little baby at the the time, and she had another friend visiting who also had a baby with her. Both women were in the pool and both babies were naked. They asked if I wanted to get in. I said I really did not want to be swimming in baby pee. The friend looked at me and said that baby pee was sterile, and that I needn\'t be concerned. She added she knew this because she was a physician. Yes, she called herself a physician.  To which I promptly replied: \"Oh you\'re a doctor. What is your specialty?\" (I think she was a dermatologist, but I don\'t remember.) I couldn\'t get over that she thought calling herself a physician somehow made her more authoritative.\r\n\r\nIn everyday conversation we visit our doctors and have our lawyers--not our attorneys--draw up contracts. When someone asks us where we live, we don\'t say we \"reside\" in a certain neighborhood. If someone asks why we are taking night classes, we usually say we are trying to learn more about the topic, not \"augmenting our knowledge base.\" If we get a new gadget, we tell people how much it has changed our lives, not \"it is a disruptive technology.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>So, next time you want to appear like you know what you are talking about, get off your high horse and use the words most people would actually use in conversation.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Get off your high horse (if you really want to communicate)','','inherit','open','open','','2434-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 13:10:08','2013-12-13 13:10:08','',2434,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2434-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2436,4,'2013-12-16 23:58:14','2013-12-16 23:58:14','I have been a loyal <em>60 Minutes</em> viewer for years. Every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. you\'ll find me watching CBS (unless of course there is a football game...).\r\n\r\nThis season, I barely recognize the program that I used to love. First, there was a bizarre disjointed piece ostensibly about humpback whales but I was unclear on the point. Then there was an infomercial for Lamborghini, where Scott Pelley pretty much used <em>60 Minutes</em> in order to test drive the world\'s most expensive car.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, we learned how Amazon will be using drones to deliver packages (maybe), and in the process the Internet behemoth got lots and lots and lots of publicity.\r\n\r\nThen, there\'s the political stuff. Lara Logan based her reporting on an unvetted and unreliable source to excoriate the Obama administration\'s response in Benghazi. She has since been \"disciplined.\" And last night there was a fluff piece on the NSA. CBS promoted the NSA piece as the first time journalists have ever been let into the secretive agency. In fact, the \"journalist\" in question was John Miller, a former intelligence guy.\r\n\r\nGiven the controversy surrounding the NSA and its tactics in light of Edward Snowden\'s revelations, you\'d think <em>60 Minutes</em> would want to  try to find out what is actually going on. Instead, Miller barely questioned Keith Alexander (the head of the NSA). He actually fed him lines, to the effect of \"so, you don\'t actually listen to people\'s conversations.\" There was no counterpoint to Alexander\'s assertions. No push back. No interviews with people opposed to NSA tactics. Miller seemed to agree with everything Alexander said. Both men thought it was \"weird\" that Snowden would cover himself and his computer screen when working on it at night. He probably was aware that he was being spied on by the NSA! Esquire has a great piece on it, worth a read:<a href=\"http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/nsa-60-minutes-report?src=spr_TWITTER&amp;spr_id=1456_35507628\" target=\"_blank\"> 60 Minutes Weird NSA Propaganda Wasn\'t Even Good Propaganda.</a>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <em>60 Minutes</em> has failed its brand promise, that is, to provide tough investigative journalism or original reporting on interesting subjects (in fairness, Bob Simon\'s piece last night about Egypt\'s Copts was good).  Will <em>60 Minutes</em> be able to recover? If it continues on this editorial trajectory it will not. There was a lot of angry and dissatisfied chatter on Twitter about the NSA story. And there has been pushback on the Benghazi report and the Amazon piece too.\r\n\r\nNews organizations depend on trust. If you don\'t trust them, there is little point to what they are doing. You would never pick up a tabloid and believe everything you read there. You know its gossip and its meant to entertain. But when you watch <em>60 Minutes</em>, you expect well researched stories. Well, maybe not any more.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\r\n\r\nThe New York Times Media Equation column has an excellent look into this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/business/media/when-60-minutes-checks-its-journalistic-skepticism-at-the-door.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">\"When 60 Minutes Checks Its Journalistic Skepticism at the Door.\"</a>','Can the 60 Minutes brand recover?','','publish','open','open','','can-the-60-minutes-brand-recover','','','2013-12-23 12:21:50','2013-12-23 12:21:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2436',0,'post','',0),(2437,4,'2013-12-16 23:58:14','2013-12-16 23:58:14','I have been a loyal <em>60 Minutes</em> viewer for years. Every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. you\'ll find me watching CBS (unless of course there is a football game...).\r\n\r\nThis season, I barely recognize the program that I used to love. First, there was a bizarre disjointed piece ostensibly about humpback whales but I was unclear on the point. Then there was an infomercial for Lamborghini, where Scott Pelley pretty much used 60 Minutes in order to test drive the world\'s most expensive car.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, we learned how Amazon will be using drones to deliver packages (maybe), and in the process the Internet behemoth got lots and lots and lots of publicity.\r\n\r\nThen, there\'s the political stuff. Lara Logan used an unvetted source to excoriate the Obama administration\'s response in Benghazi. She has since been \"disciplined.\" And last night there was a fluff piece on the NSA. CBS promoted the NSA piece as the first time journalists have ever been let into the secretive agency. In fact, the \"journalist\" in question was John Miller, a former intelligence guy.\r\n\r\nGiven the controversy surrounding the NSA and its tactics in light of Edward Snowden\'s revelations, you\'d think 60 Minutes would want to  try to find out what is actually going on. Instead, Miller barely questioned Keith Alexander (the head of the NSA). He actually fed him lines, to the effect of \"so, you don\'t actually listen to people\'s conversations.\" There was no counterpoint to Alexander\'s assertions. No push back. No interviews with people opposed to NSA tactics. Miller seemed to agree with everything Alexander said. Both men thought it was \"weird\" that Snowden would cover himself and his computer screen when working on it at night. He probably was aware that he was being spied on by the NSA! Esquire has a great piece on it, worth a read:<a href=\"http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/nsa-60-minutes-report?src=spr_TWITTER&amp;spr_id=1456_35507628\" target=\"_blank\"> 60 Minutes Weird NSA Propaganda Wasn\'t Even Good Propaganda.</a>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <em>60 Minutes</em> has failed its brand promise, that is, to provide tough investigative journalism or original reporting on interesting subjects (in fairness, Bob Simon\'s piece last night about Egypt\'s Copts was good).  Will <em>60 Minutes</em> be able to recover? If it continues on this editorial trajectory it will not. There was a lot of angry and dissatisfied chatter on Twitter about the NSA story. And there has been pushback on the Benghazi report and the Amazon piece too.\r\n\r\nNews organizations depend on trust. If you don\'t trust them, there is little point to what they are doing. You would never pick up a tabloid and believe everything you read there. You know its gossip and its meant to entertain. But when you watch <em>60 Minutes</em>, you expect well researched stories. Well, maybe not any more.\r\n\r\nThoughts?','Can the 60 Minutes brand recover?','','inherit','open','open','','2436-revision-v1','','','2013-12-16 23:58:14','2013-12-16 23:58:14','',2436,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2436-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2438,4,'2013-12-23 12:17:27','2013-12-23 12:17:27','I have been a loyal <em>60 Minutes</em> viewer for years. Every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. you\'ll find me watching CBS (unless of course there is a football game...).\n\nThis season, I barely recognize the program that I used to love. First, there was a bizarre disjointed piece ostensibly about humpback whales but I was unclear on the point. Then there was an infomercial for Lamborghini, where Scott Pelley pretty much used <em>60 Minutes</em> in order to test drive the world\'s most expensive car.\n\nA couple of weeks ago, we learned how Amazon will be using drones to deliver packages (maybe), and in the process the Internet behemoth got lots and lots and lots of publicity.\n\nThen, there\'s the political stuff. Lara Logan based her reporting on an unvetted and unreliable source to excoriate the Obama administration\'s response in Benghazi. She has since been \"disciplined.\" And last night there was a fluff piece on the NSA. CBS promoted the NSA piece as the first time journalists have ever been let into the secretive agency. In fact, the \"journalist\" in question was John Miller, a former intelligence guy.\n\nGiven the controversy surrounding the NSA and its tactics in light of Edward Snowden\'s revelations, you\'d think <em>60 Minutes</em> would want to  try to find out what is actually going on. Instead, Miller barely questioned Keith Alexander (the head of the NSA). He actually fed him lines, to the effect of \"so, you don\'t actually listen to people\'s conversations.\" There was no counterpoint to Alexander\'s assertions. No push back. No interviews with people opposed to NSA tactics. Miller seemed to agree with everything Alexander said. Both men thought it was \"weird\" that Snowden would cover himself and his computer screen when working on it at night. He probably was aware that he was being spied on by the NSA! Esquire has a great piece on it, worth a read:<a href=\"http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/nsa-60-minutes-report?src=spr_TWITTER&amp;spr_id=1456_35507628\" target=\"_blank\"> 60 Minutes Weird NSA Propaganda Wasn\'t Even Good Propaganda.</a>\n\nIn my opinion, <em>60 Minutes</em> has failed its brand promise, that is, to provide tough investigative journalism or original reporting on interesting subjects (in fairness, Bob Simon\'s piece last night about Egypt\'s Copts was good).  Will <em>60 Minutes</em> be able to recover? If it continues on this editorial trajectory it will not. There was a lot of angry and dissatisfied chatter on Twitter about the NSA story. And there has been pushback on the Benghazi report and the Amazon piece too.\n\nNews organizations depend on trust. If you don\'t trust them, there is little point to what they are doing. You would never pick up a tabloid and believe everything you read there. You know its gossip and its meant to entertain. But when you watch <em>60 Minutes</em>, you expect well researched stories. Well, maybe not any more.\n\nThoughts?\n\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\n\nThe New York Times Media Equation column has an excellent look into this:\n\n<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/business/media/when-60-minutes-checks-its-journalistic-skepticism-at-the-door.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">\"When 60 Minutes Checks Its Journalistic Skepticism at the Door.\"</a>','Can the 60 Minutes brand recover?','','inherit','open','open','','2436-autosave-v1','','','2013-12-23 12:17:27','2013-12-23 12:17:27','',2436,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2436-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2439,4,'2013-12-17 00:27:12','2013-12-17 00:27:12','I have been a loyal <em>60 Minutes</em> viewer for years. Every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. you\'ll find me watching CBS (unless of course there is a football game...).\r\n\r\nThis season, I barely recognize the program that I used to love. First, there was a bizarre disjointed piece ostensibly about humpback whales but I was unclear on the point. Then there was an infomercial for Lamborghini, where Scott Pelley pretty much used <em>60 Minutes</em> in order to test drive the world\'s most expensive car.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, we learned how Amazon will be using drones to deliver packages (maybe), and in the process the Internet behemoth got lots and lots and lots of publicity.\r\n\r\nThen, there\'s the political stuff. Lara Logan based her reporting on an unvetted and unreliable source to excoriate the Obama administration\'s response in Benghazi. She has since been \"disciplined.\" And last night there was a fluff piece on the NSA. CBS promoted the NSA piece as the first time journalists have ever been let into the secretive agency. In fact, the \"journalist\" in question was John Miller, a former intelligence guy.\r\n\r\nGiven the controversy surrounding the NSA and its tactics in light of Edward Snowden\'s revelations, you\'d think <em>60 Minutes</em> would want to  try to find out what is actually going on. Instead, Miller barely questioned Keith Alexander (the head of the NSA). He actually fed him lines, to the effect of \"so, you don\'t actually listen to people\'s conversations.\" There was no counterpoint to Alexander\'s assertions. No push back. No interviews with people opposed to NSA tactics. Miller seemed to agree with everything Alexander said. Both men thought it was \"weird\" that Snowden would cover himself and his computer screen when working on it at night. He probably was aware that he was being spied on by the NSA! Esquire has a great piece on it, worth a read:<a href=\"http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/nsa-60-minutes-report?src=spr_TWITTER&amp;spr_id=1456_35507628\" target=\"_blank\"> 60 Minutes Weird NSA Propaganda Wasn\'t Even Good Propaganda.</a>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <em>60 Minutes</em> has failed its brand promise, that is, to provide tough investigative journalism or original reporting on interesting subjects (in fairness, Bob Simon\'s piece last night about Egypt\'s Copts was good).  Will <em>60 Minutes</em> be able to recover? If it continues on this editorial trajectory it will not. There was a lot of angry and dissatisfied chatter on Twitter about the NSA story. And there has been pushback on the Benghazi report and the Amazon piece too.\r\n\r\nNews organizations depend on trust. If you don\'t trust them, there is little point to what they are doing. You would never pick up a tabloid and believe everything you read there. You know its gossip and its meant to entertain. But when you watch <em>60 Minutes</em>, you expect well researched stories. Well, maybe not any more.\r\n\r\nThoughts?','Can the 60 Minutes brand recover?','','inherit','open','open','','2436-revision-v1','','','2013-12-17 00:27:12','2013-12-17 00:27:12','',2436,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2436-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2442,4,'2013-12-19 12:23:45','2013-12-19 12:23:45','Just a quick post this morning.\r\n\r\nMy schedule has been really tight lately and it\'s been hard to find time to go to the gym. So I decided to buy an exercise video to get a quick workout at home. This morning I popped what purported to be a dance plus cardio \"complete\" workout in 30 minutes. OK. The presenter, a \"celebrity trainer,\" says she can\'t teach us non-dancers to dance in a video, but that we should at least be burning calories. Fine. After her two minute\" intro,\" she gets right into it. No explanation, no instruction, nothing. After a few minutes of trying to follow what she is doing--again, with no cues--I gave up. So much for my idea of working out at home.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s the communication lesson to learn from this exercise video #fail? Well there\'s two:\r\n\r\n1. Don\'t assume that people understand you (especially if you are basing it on your presumed celebrity). Provide instructions.\r\n\r\n2. Don\'t fly in the face of convention, especially if it is really not necessary. Conventions are there for a reason. People expect certain things, and during exercise instruction, I expect....instruction. Just like in every exercise video and show I have ever watched, and certainly every exercise class I have taken, the instructor GIVES INSTRUCTIONS. The instructor cues the next move. The instructor counts the reps.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that when we are trying to teach anybody or present new information, we have to work at explaining it so people will get it.  We can\'t assume people will just get it. We can\'t assume people will just follow.\r\n\r\nNow, the question is, can I get my money back?','I can\'t follow you and that is a problem.','','publish','open','open','','i-cant-follow-you-and-that-is-a-problem','','','2013-12-19 13:06:39','2013-12-19 13:06:39','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2442',0,'post','',0),(2443,4,'2013-12-19 12:23:45','2013-12-19 12:23:45','Just a quick post this morning.\r\n\r\nMy schedule has been really tight lately and it\'s been hard to find time to go to the gym. So I decided to buy an exercise video to get a quick workout at home. This morning I popped what purported to be a dance plus cardio \"complete\" workout in 30 minutes. OK. The presenter, a \"celebrity trainer,\" says she can\'t teach us non-dancers to dance in a video, but that we should at least be burning calories. Fine. After her two minute\" intro,\" she gets right into it. No explanation, no instruction, nothing. After a few minutes of trying to follow what she is doing--again, with no cues--I gave up. So much for my idea of working out at home.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s the communication lesson to learn from this exercise video #fail? Well there\'s two:\r\n\r\n1. Don\'t assume that people understand you (especially if you are basing it on your presumed celebrity). Provide instructions.\r\n\r\n2. Don\'t fly in the face of convention, especially if it is really not necessary. Conventions are there for a reason. People expect certain things, and during exercise instruction, I expect....instruction. Just like in every exercise video and show I have ever watched, and certainly every exercise class I have taken, the instructor GIVES INSTRUCTIONS. The instructor cues the next move. The instructor counts the reps.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that when we are trying to teach anybody or present new information, we have to work at explaining it so people will get it.  We can\'t assume people will just get it. We can\'t assume people will just follow.\r\n\r\nNow, the question is, can I get my money back?','I can\'t follow you and that is a problem.','','inherit','open','open','','2442-revision-v1','','','2013-12-19 12:23:45','2013-12-19 12:23:45','',2442,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2442-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2471,4,'2014-01-28 13:22:06','2014-01-28 13:22:06','We are in our third straight week of sub-freezing weather here in Washington. The Potomac is frozen and so are some people\'s brains apparently. I am talking about the fashion victims. There are two major categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Stuck in the past</li>\r\n	<li>Too cool for school</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThose that are <strong>stuck in the past</strong> unpack their winter coats from the time machine closet. Take for example a lady I saw on the Metro the other day. She was sporting an oversize circa 1980 LL Bean barn jacket. I didn\'t see her shoes, but I would not have been surprised to see some Bean duck boots on them. That, in conjunction with her mullet hair cut (I am totally not making this up), made me stare in amazement. I kept thinking that this woman was desperately ready for some new clothes, and a makeover.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be that fashion victim! Know when to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">refresh your image.</span> Perhaps you need a new website. Perhaps your logo colors could change. Or that Times New Roman you have been using in your print materials could be upgraded for something a bit more modern.\r\n\r\nYou know some people are totally <strong>too cool</strong> when they go out in subfreezing weather with no socks on. Apparently (and since I am not so cool) wearing socks is never fashionable, even when there is a wind chill factor of -15 and snow on the ground. I most often see young women fashion victims. They are wrapped up in their not so warm coat, no hat (that apparently is also not cool) and walking around in ballet slipper shoes with no hosiery of any type. I did also see a skinny-jean wearing dude with boat shoes and no socks...in January in Washington DC.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be so fashionable that you can\'t dress appropriately for the weather. Or in communications, don\'t do things because everybody else is doing it or because it\'s so cool. Sure, all the home decor people are crazy about Pinterest, but perhaps your law office just doesn\'t have the visuals for it. Maybe orange is the new black, but your elderly audience needs heavy, large black type to read what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe only one that gets hurt by being a fashion victim is you...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Don\'t be a fashion victim...you will freeze!','','publish','open','open','','dont-be-a-fashion-victim','','','2014-01-30 15:39:46','2014-01-30 15:39:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2471',0,'post','',0),(2468,4,'2014-01-21 15:28:27','2014-01-21 15:28:27','It\'s easy to lose customers and very hard to get them back. Once they are gone, chances are they won\'t be back.\r\n\r\nThe reality is that there are many people and companies doing what you do. There\'s always an alternative for customers who are unhappy for any reason. Too many companies seem to lose sight of this reality, and they do little to ensure that they keep the customers they have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s how my heat/AC contractor failed to retain my business:</strong>\r\n\r\nBack in November, my schedule changed and I was not going to be working out of my home office.  In December, I generally get a home heating inspection with my heat/AC contractor. It helps to make sure all parts are working properly and that my heat will continue through the winter. This company is a family-run place where I have been a customer for three years.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike one</strong>: I got a reminder card from the company in late November. I called right away to schedule an appointment. They had no open slots until LATE December, one month away. Mind you, I had just gotten the card.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike two:</strong> I explained to the scheduler that I would not be home because of my situation and that I was hoping for a Saturday appointment. It turns out this company does not do inspections on Saturdays, only emergency work. Then I asked for an early weekday appointment. Again, the scheduler could not accommodate me. She told me that she could not find a technician in my area that would be available for their first appointment at 8:00 a.m.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike three:</strong> I informed the scheduler that I would be forced to switch companies if she didn\'t try to accommodate me because I did not want to have a heat inspection later than December (remember, they were already scheduling late late December). No response and no attempt to rectify the situation.\r\n\r\n<strong>And they are out:</strong> After some research, I called another highly rated heat/AC company that not only was scheduling earlier in December (meaning they have more technicians) but would also provide guaranteed 8:00 a.m. appointments. It cost $20 more per annual contract than my previous company, but the ease of scheduling was worth it to me. Oh, and guess what, the technician came before the scheduled time...\r\n\r\nMy first heat/AC contractor lost my business not because it wasn\'t good at it what id does but because it made no effort to accommodate me. They seemed to forget that there are other contractors out there.\r\n\r\nMost heat/AC contractors do not market actively. Many have websites and most work on their ratings on places like Angie\'s List, but they mostly depend on word of mouth. This is why working to RETAIN customers should be a large part of their business model.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers that stay are a continuing source of income AND of referrals.</strong>\r\n\r\nAgain, the reality is that keeping customers should be job one:  Losing customers is easy and getting them back is difficult. No amount of marketing will bring back a customer that has found a better alternative.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to retain your customers or clients? I\'d like to find out what specific actions you are taking and I will be sharing those in a future blog post.','Why customer retention should be job one','','inherit','open','open','','2467-revision-v1','','','2014-01-21 15:28:27','2014-01-21 15:28:27','',2467,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2467-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2447,4,'2013-12-23 12:21:50','2013-12-23 12:21:50','I have been a loyal <em>60 Minutes</em> viewer for years. Every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. you\'ll find me watching CBS (unless of course there is a football game...).\r\n\r\nThis season, I barely recognize the program that I used to love. First, there was a bizarre disjointed piece ostensibly about humpback whales but I was unclear on the point. Then there was an infomercial for Lamborghini, where Scott Pelley pretty much used <em>60 Minutes</em> in order to test drive the world\'s most expensive car.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, we learned how Amazon will be using drones to deliver packages (maybe), and in the process the Internet behemoth got lots and lots and lots of publicity.\r\n\r\nThen, there\'s the political stuff. Lara Logan based her reporting on an unvetted and unreliable source to excoriate the Obama administration\'s response in Benghazi. She has since been \"disciplined.\" And last night there was a fluff piece on the NSA. CBS promoted the NSA piece as the first time journalists have ever been let into the secretive agency. In fact, the \"journalist\" in question was John Miller, a former intelligence guy.\r\n\r\nGiven the controversy surrounding the NSA and its tactics in light of Edward Snowden\'s revelations, you\'d think <em>60 Minutes</em> would want to  try to find out what is actually going on. Instead, Miller barely questioned Keith Alexander (the head of the NSA). He actually fed him lines, to the effect of \"so, you don\'t actually listen to people\'s conversations.\" There was no counterpoint to Alexander\'s assertions. No push back. No interviews with people opposed to NSA tactics. Miller seemed to agree with everything Alexander said. Both men thought it was \"weird\" that Snowden would cover himself and his computer screen when working on it at night. He probably was aware that he was being spied on by the NSA! Esquire has a great piece on it, worth a read:<a href=\"http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/nsa-60-minutes-report?src=spr_TWITTER&amp;spr_id=1456_35507628\" target=\"_blank\"> 60 Minutes Weird NSA Propaganda Wasn\'t Even Good Propaganda.</a>\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <em>60 Minutes</em> has failed its brand promise, that is, to provide tough investigative journalism or original reporting on interesting subjects (in fairness, Bob Simon\'s piece last night about Egypt\'s Copts was good).  Will <em>60 Minutes</em> be able to recover? If it continues on this editorial trajectory it will not. There was a lot of angry and dissatisfied chatter on Twitter about the NSA story. And there has been pushback on the Benghazi report and the Amazon piece too.\r\n\r\nNews organizations depend on trust. If you don\'t trust them, there is little point to what they are doing. You would never pick up a tabloid and believe everything you read there. You know its gossip and its meant to entertain. But when you watch <em>60 Minutes</em>, you expect well researched stories. Well, maybe not any more.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\r\n\r\nThe New York Times Media Equation column has an excellent look into this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/business/media/when-60-minutes-checks-its-journalistic-skepticism-at-the-door.html?smid=pl-share\" target=\"_blank\">\"When 60 Minutes Checks Its Journalistic Skepticism at the Door.\"</a>','Can the 60 Minutes brand recover?','','inherit','open','open','','2436-revision-v1','','','2013-12-23 12:21:50','2013-12-23 12:21:50','',2436,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2436-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2448,4,'2013-12-23 19:10:06','2013-12-23 19:10:06','We are constantly learning, and ideally, making changes based on what we learn.  During 2013, I learned from clients, from professional development events, from Twitter and life in general. Following are my five big communications lessons.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/24029425@N06/6197666963/in/photolist-arEEsX-2Fh39f-8vzCpv-7jLuTp-Kc3f3-Dwe1E-8DmmpP-8dHF7A-67bnFE-ccdHPw-gvAjDL-bap7yn-79piY7-acsSBF-bapaZt-bap5Se-bap5cn-6xyaNV-bap8Fk-bapai4-5SMQhw-bap6M2-5bPuaw-6xCkpE-5StRW5-84Kkib-84GdWF-58jTJF-58jTJR-2gbzY-aESLWv-aEWAzq-7h9P7H-93z1Bw-aEWAVG-a3bZbt-fhk7KR-8GimDU-tLF2c-7vccQr-ehEemC-dNNoJi-gDqx6R-EseF7-Eseuc-3jwxm-3dvDXG-391iK5-ek2FAr-9QmFc5-391i7d/player/\" height=\"234\" width=\"324\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>1. Write down communications and marketing goals and prioritize them</strong>.</p>\r\nYou have to know what you want to accomplish in order to be able to do so. You also have to realize that you may not be able to reach every goal, which is why you need to prioritize those objectives. What is the most important thing that you want to accomplish in the new year? What would be nice to get done, but is not your top priority? If you don’t prioritize, you will run around like crazy trying to juggle conflicting actions.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: I have seen too many people/organizations that have no clear vision of what is most important and therefore, try to accomplish too much with too few resources. This is especially true at nonprofits.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Strategy should decide tactics, not the other way around.</strong>\r\n\r\nDon’t confuse tactics with strategy. You shouldn’t let the allure of a certain tactic drive your communications. This is the \"shiny object syndrome.\" Just because Pinterest is hot, doesn\'t mean it is the right place for your organization. You must think “big picture.” What are your trying to accomplish and what is the best way to get there?\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Many people and organizations get enamored with what others are doing, even if it doesn\'t fit in with their mission or goals. A tactic is just that--a way to achieve the larger picture goal or strategy. If you haven\'t defined the strategy, you can\'t define the best tactics.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider usability, SEO and content strategy before creating or re-launching a website.</strong>\r\n\r\nSearch engine changes such as Google’s new Hummingbird algorithm have made having an organized, updated and useful website non-negotiable. Spending time planning a website, and considering all the stakeholders, will pay off.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Every year there are some changes afoot in \"web world.\" This year was definitely one for search engines, which in turn has put more onus on usability (UX) and content strategy. A website has to reflect the larger organization and can\'t be controlled by just one small group of people. Just because IT has always handled it, doesn\'t mean that it is a good idea.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Communications presents the entire organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis year I consulted with an organization that thought the blog and website should be part of the publications department and other marketing communications should be handled by the corporate communications department. And those two departments didn\'t interact. That\'s a communications failure.\r\n\r\nWhy this is important: Too many organizations fail to think about how they are perceived by the public and where that public might be. You can\'t be doing all sorts of media relations work on one end, and have an intern doing social media and not discussing what you are trying to achieve for the organization. Anything the public has access to about your organization, be it social media, your blog, your latest brochure, a press release or an interview with your company president--it is all communications. It should be unified and it should have one overarching goal--present your organization\'s best face to the public.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Don\'t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.</strong>\r\n\r\nJust because something is not perfect does not mean it is not good. Blog posts are a perfect case in point. You can\'t spend hours perfecting a post--that\'s counterproductive. Better to post and then fix, than have the inevitable \"paralysis by analysis.\"\r\n\r\nWhere this plays in: Some organizations can\'t move forward because they are afraid of making a mistake. So they cling to the old and fail to embrace change. Sometimes you won\'t know that something is not working until you launch it (I\'d say Healthcare.gov is a perfect case in point). It\'s easier to fix something than to start from zero.\r\n\r\n<strong>What did you take away from 2013? I\'d love to hear from you about the lessons you learned from clients or from within your organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week with some marketing/communications resolutions. Until then, I wish you all a very happy holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 big communications lessons from 2013','','publish','open','open','','5-big-communications-lessons-from-2013','','','2013-12-23 19:10:06','2013-12-23 19:10:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2448',0,'post','',0),(2449,4,'2013-12-23 19:06:03','2013-12-23 19:06:03','We are constantly learning, and ideally, making changes based on what we learn.  During 2013, I learned from clients, from professional development events, from Twitter and life in general. Following are my five big communications lessons.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/24029425@N06/6197666963/in/photolist-arEEsX-2Fh39f-8vzCpv-7jLuTp-Kc3f3-Dwe1E-8DmmpP-8dHF7A-67bnFE-ccdHPw-gvAjDL-bap7yn-79piY7-acsSBF-bapaZt-bap5Se-bap5cn-6xyaNV-bap8Fk-bapai4-5SMQhw-bap6M2-5bPuaw-6xCkpE-5StRW5-84Kkib-84GdWF-58jTJF-58jTJR-2gbzY-aESLWv-aEWAzq-7h9P7H-93z1Bw-aEWAVG-a3bZbt-fhk7KR-8GimDU-tLF2c-7vccQr-ehEemC-dNNoJi-gDqx6R-EseF7-Eseuc-3jwxm-3dvDXG-391iK5-ek2FAr-9QmFc5-391i7d/player/\" height=\"230\" width=\"320\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n<strong>1. Write down communications and marketing goals and prioritize them</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou have to know what you want to accomplish in order to be able to do so. You also have to realize that you may not be able to reach every goal, which is why you need to prioritize those objectives. What is the most important thing that you want to accomplish in the new year? What would be nice to get done, but is not your top priority? If you don’t prioritize, you will run around like crazy trying to juggle conflicting actions.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: I have seen too many people/organizations that have no clear vision of what is most important and therefore, try to accomplish too much with too few resources. This is especially true at nonprofits.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Strategy should decide tactics, not the other way around.</strong>\r\n\r\nDon’t confuse tactics with strategy. You shouldn’t let the allure of a certain tactic drive your communications. This is the \"shiny object syndrome.\" Just because Pinterest is hot, doesn\'t mean it is the right place for your organization. You must think “big picture.” What are your trying to accomplish and what is the best way to get there?\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Many people and organizations get enamored with what others are doing, even if it doesn\'t fit in with their mission or goals. A tactic is just that--a way to achieve the larger picture goal or strategy. If you haven\'t defined the strategy, you can\'t define the best tactics.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider usability, SEO and content strategy before creating or re-launching a website.</strong>\r\n\r\nSearch engine changes such as Google’s new Hummingbird algorithm have made having an organized, updated and useful website non-negotiable. Spending time planning a website, and considering all the stakeholders, will pay off.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Every year there are some changes afoot in \"web world.\" This year was definitely one for search engines, which in turn has put more onus on usability (UX) and content strategy. A website has to reflect the larger organization and can\'t be controlled by just one small group of people. Just because IT has always handled it, doesn\'t mean that it is a good idea.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Communications presents the entire organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis year I consulted with an organization that thought the blog and website should be part of the publications department and other marketing communications should be handled by the corporate communications department. And those two departments didn\'t interact. That\'s a communications failure.\r\n\r\nWhy this is important: Too many organizations fail to think about how they are perceived by the public and where that public might be. You can\'t be doing all sorts of media relations work on one end, and have an intern doing social media and not discussing what you are trying to achieve for the organization. Anything the public has access to about your organization, be it social media, your blog, your latest brochure, a press release or an interview with your company president--it is all communications. It should be unified and it should have one overarching goal--present your organization\'s best face to the public.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Don\'t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.</strong>\r\n\r\nJust because something is not perfect does not mean it is not good. Blog posts are a perfect case in point. You can\'t spend hours perfecting a post--that\'s counterproductive. Better to post and then fix, than have the inevitable \"paralysis by analysis.\"\r\n\r\nWhere this plays in: Some organizations can\'t move forward because they are afraid of making a mistake. So they cling to the old and fail to embrace change. Sometimes you won\'t know that something is not working until you launch it (I\'d say Healthcare.gov is a perfect case in point). It\'s easier to fix something than to start from zero.\r\n\r\nWhat did you take away from 2013? I\'d love to hear from you about the lessons you learned from clients or from within your organization.\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week with some marketing/communications resolutions. Until then, I wish you all a very happy holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 big communications lessons from 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2448-revision-v1','','','2013-12-23 19:06:03','2013-12-23 19:06:03','',2448,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2448-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2450,4,'2013-12-23 19:09:05','2013-12-23 19:09:05','We are constantly learning, and ideally, making changes based on what we learn.  During 2013, I learned from clients, from professional development events, from Twitter and life in general. Following are my five big communications lessons.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/24029425@N06/6197666963/in/photolist-arEEsX-2Fh39f-8vzCpv-7jLuTp-Kc3f3-Dwe1E-8DmmpP-8dHF7A-67bnFE-ccdHPw-gvAjDL-bap7yn-79piY7-acsSBF-bapaZt-bap5Se-bap5cn-6xyaNV-bap8Fk-bapai4-5SMQhw-bap6M2-5bPuaw-6xCkpE-5StRW5-84Kkib-84GdWF-58jTJF-58jTJR-2gbzY-aESLWv-aEWAzq-7h9P7H-93z1Bw-aEWAVG-a3bZbt-fhk7KR-8GimDU-tLF2c-7vccQr-ehEemC-dNNoJi-gDqx6R-EseF7-Eseuc-3jwxm-3dvDXG-391iK5-ek2FAr-9QmFc5-391i7d/player/\" height=\"234\" width=\"324\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>1. Write down communications and marketing goals and prioritize them</strong>.</p>\r\nYou have to know what you want to accomplish in order to be able to do so. You also have to realize that you may not be able to reach every goal, which is why you need to prioritize those objectives. What is the most important thing that you want to accomplish in the new year? What would be nice to get done, but is not your top priority? If you don’t prioritize, you will run around like crazy trying to juggle conflicting actions.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: I have seen too many people/organizations that have no clear vision of what is most important and therefore, try to accomplish too much with too few resources. This is especially true at nonprofits.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Strategy should decide tactics, not the other way around.</strong>\r\n\r\nDon’t confuse tactics with strategy. You shouldn’t let the allure of a certain tactic drive your communications. This is the \"shiny object syndrome.\" Just because Pinterest is hot, doesn\'t mean it is the right place for your organization. You must think “big picture.” What are your trying to accomplish and what is the best way to get there?\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Many people and organizations get enamored with what others are doing, even if it doesn\'t fit in with their mission or goals. A tactic is just that--a way to achieve the larger picture goal or strategy. If you haven\'t defined the strategy, you can\'t define the best tactics.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider usability, SEO and content strategy before creating or re-launching a website.</strong>\r\n\r\nSearch engine changes such as Google’s new Hummingbird algorithm have made having an organized, updated and useful website non-negotiable. Spending time planning a website, and considering all the stakeholders, will pay off.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Every year there are some changes afoot in \"web world.\" This year was definitely one for search engines, which in turn has put more onus on usability (UX) and content strategy. A website has to reflect the larger organization and can\'t be controlled by just one small group of people. Just because IT has always handled it, doesn\'t mean that it is a good idea.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Communications presents the entire organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis year I consulted with an organization that thought the blog and website should be part of the publications department and other marketing communications should be handled by the corporate communications department. And those two departments didn\'t interact. That\'s a communications failure.\r\n\r\nWhy this is important: Too many organizations fail to think about how they are perceived by the public and where that public might be. You can\'t be doing all sorts of media relations work on one end, and have an intern doing social media and not discussing what you are trying to achieve for the organization. Anything the public has access to about your organization, be it social media, your blog, your latest brochure, a press release or an interview with your company president--it is all communications. It should be unified and it should have one overarching goal--present your organization\'s best face to the public.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Don\'t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.</strong>\r\n\r\nJust because something is not perfect does not mean it is not good. Blog posts are a perfect case in point. You can\'t spend hours perfecting a post--that\'s counterproductive. Better to post and then fix, than have the inevitable \"paralysis by analysis.\"\r\n\r\nWhere this plays in: Some organizations can\'t move forward because they are afraid of making a mistake. So they cling to the old and fail to embrace change. Sometimes you won\'t know that something is not working until you launch it (I\'d say Healthcare.gov is a perfect case in point). It\'s easier to fix something than to start from zero.\r\n\r\nWhat did you take away from 2013? I\'d love to hear from you about the lessons you learned from clients or from within your organization.\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week with some marketing/communications resolutions. Until then, I wish you all a very happy holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 big communications lessons from 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2448-revision-v1','','','2013-12-23 19:09:05','2013-12-23 19:09:05','',2448,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2448-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2451,4,'2013-12-23 19:10:06','2013-12-23 19:10:06','We are constantly learning, and ideally, making changes based on what we learn.  During 2013, I learned from clients, from professional development events, from Twitter and life in general. Following are my five big communications lessons.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/24029425@N06/6197666963/in/photolist-arEEsX-2Fh39f-8vzCpv-7jLuTp-Kc3f3-Dwe1E-8DmmpP-8dHF7A-67bnFE-ccdHPw-gvAjDL-bap7yn-79piY7-acsSBF-bapaZt-bap5Se-bap5cn-6xyaNV-bap8Fk-bapai4-5SMQhw-bap6M2-5bPuaw-6xCkpE-5StRW5-84Kkib-84GdWF-58jTJF-58jTJR-2gbzY-aESLWv-aEWAzq-7h9P7H-93z1Bw-aEWAVG-a3bZbt-fhk7KR-8GimDU-tLF2c-7vccQr-ehEemC-dNNoJi-gDqx6R-EseF7-Eseuc-3jwxm-3dvDXG-391iK5-ek2FAr-9QmFc5-391i7d/player/\" height=\"234\" width=\"324\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>1. Write down communications and marketing goals and prioritize them</strong>.</p>\r\nYou have to know what you want to accomplish in order to be able to do so. You also have to realize that you may not be able to reach every goal, which is why you need to prioritize those objectives. What is the most important thing that you want to accomplish in the new year? What would be nice to get done, but is not your top priority? If you don’t prioritize, you will run around like crazy trying to juggle conflicting actions.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: I have seen too many people/organizations that have no clear vision of what is most important and therefore, try to accomplish too much with too few resources. This is especially true at nonprofits.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Strategy should decide tactics, not the other way around.</strong>\r\n\r\nDon’t confuse tactics with strategy. You shouldn’t let the allure of a certain tactic drive your communications. This is the \"shiny object syndrome.\" Just because Pinterest is hot, doesn\'t mean it is the right place for your organization. You must think “big picture.” What are your trying to accomplish and what is the best way to get there?\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Many people and organizations get enamored with what others are doing, even if it doesn\'t fit in with their mission or goals. A tactic is just that--a way to achieve the larger picture goal or strategy. If you haven\'t defined the strategy, you can\'t define the best tactics.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider usability, SEO and content strategy before creating or re-launching a website.</strong>\r\n\r\nSearch engine changes such as Google’s new Hummingbird algorithm have made having an organized, updated and useful website non-negotiable. Spending time planning a website, and considering all the stakeholders, will pay off.\r\n\r\nWhere this came from: Every year there are some changes afoot in \"web world.\" This year was definitely one for search engines, which in turn has put more onus on usability (UX) and content strategy. A website has to reflect the larger organization and can\'t be controlled by just one small group of people. Just because IT has always handled it, doesn\'t mean that it is a good idea.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Communications presents the entire organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nThis year I consulted with an organization that thought the blog and website should be part of the publications department and other marketing communications should be handled by the corporate communications department. And those two departments didn\'t interact. That\'s a communications failure.\r\n\r\nWhy this is important: Too many organizations fail to think about how they are perceived by the public and where that public might be. You can\'t be doing all sorts of media relations work on one end, and have an intern doing social media and not discussing what you are trying to achieve for the organization. Anything the public has access to about your organization, be it social media, your blog, your latest brochure, a press release or an interview with your company president--it is all communications. It should be unified and it should have one overarching goal--present your organization\'s best face to the public.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Don\'t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.</strong>\r\n\r\nJust because something is not perfect does not mean it is not good. Blog posts are a perfect case in point. You can\'t spend hours perfecting a post--that\'s counterproductive. Better to post and then fix, than have the inevitable \"paralysis by analysis.\"\r\n\r\nWhere this plays in: Some organizations can\'t move forward because they are afraid of making a mistake. So they cling to the old and fail to embrace change. Sometimes you won\'t know that something is not working until you launch it (I\'d say Healthcare.gov is a perfect case in point). It\'s easier to fix something than to start from zero.\r\n\r\n<strong>What did you take away from 2013? I\'d love to hear from you about the lessons you learned from clients or from within your organization.</strong>\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week with some marketing/communications resolutions. Until then, I wish you all a very happy holiday!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 big communications lessons from 2013','','inherit','open','open','','2448-revision-v1','','','2013-12-23 19:10:06','2013-12-23 19:10:06','',2448,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/12/2448-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2454,4,'2014-01-05 21:38:19','2014-01-05 21:38:19','This is not a post about religion or morality. It\'s a post about how to get things done.\r\n\r\nI am sure you know the expression \"the road to hell is paved with good intentions.\"  What that means, quite simply, is that having a good intentions is not enough to keep you from perdition. You have to act. You have to behave differently, not just think about it.\r\n\r\nThis is the time of the year we are busy setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead. I think this is a great exercise. Certainly, if we take a good look at what we did in 2013, we can see what worked and what didn\'t. We can decide to change course or stay the course, depending on how things worked out.\r\n\r\nBut to accomplish our resolutions and goals, having the intent to do so is not enough. You need a plan of action.\r\n\r\nI have a friend who has the best of intentions to get together and do a \"girl\'s night out.\" I know she has the intent because she tells me we need to do this every single time we have a phone conversation. But she never actually sets aside the time and chooses a date for this mythical get-together. Without an actual plan to go out, it is all just talk. It is meaningless.It ain\'t gonna happen.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens with your communications goals. You want to blog but you \"don\'t have the time.\" You want to increase your enewsletter subscriptions, but you don\'t add a subscription button to your website or think about how to incentivize people to sign up. You want to get more publicity for your event, but you don\'t contact any media outlets. You want to re-do your website, but you don\'t conduct a survey of your current users/audience.\r\n\r\nIn other words, you have the best intentions in the world, but you are not acting. You are paving the way to get nothing accomplished.\r\n\r\nAs you survey the year ahead and you formulate your goals and resolutions, avoid having it all go to hell, and develop some action plans. Set deadlines, make dates, gather information, put things in motion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to avoid going to hell','','inherit','open','open','','2453-revision-v1','','','2014-01-05 21:38:19','2014-01-05 21:38:19','',2453,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2453-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2457,4,'2014-01-07 14:28:46','2014-01-07 14:28:46','This is not a post about religion or morality. It\'s a post about how to get things done.  It\'s the \"secret\" to accomplishing your 2014 goals and resolutions.\r\n\r\nI am sure you know the expression \"the road to hell is paved with good intentions.\"  What that means, quite simply, is that having a good intentions is not enough to keep you from perdition. You have to act. You have to behave differently, not just think about it.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2456\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2419526768_eb970f02211.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2456\" alt=\"Bonfire by CP Sutcliffe via Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2419526768_eb970f02211-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bonfire by CP Sutcliffe via Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis is the time of the year we are busy setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead. I think this is a great exercise. Certainly, if we take a good look at what we did in 2013, we can see what worked and what didn\'t. We can decide to change course or stay the course, depending on how things worked out.\r\n\r\n<strong>But to accomplish our resolutions and goals, just having the intent to do so is not enough. What you need is an action plan.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have a friend who has the best of intentions to get together and do a \"girl\'s night out.\" I know she has the intent because she tells me we need to do this every single time we have a phone conversation. But she never actually sets aside the time and chooses a date for this mythical get-together. Without an actual plan to go out, it is all just talk. It is meaningless. Bottom line is it ain\'t gonna happen.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens with your communications goals. You want to blog but you \"don\'t have the time.\" You want to increase your enewsletter subscriptions, but you don\'t add a subscription button to your website or think about how to incentivize people to sign up. You want to get more publicity for your event, but you don\'t contact any media outlets. You want to re-do your website, but you don\'t conduct a survey of your current users/audience.\r\n\r\nIn other words, you have the best intentions in the world, but you are not acting. You are paving the way to get nothing accomplished.\r\n\r\nAs you survey the year ahead and you formulate your goals and resolutions, avoid having it all go to hell, and develop some action plans. Set deadlines, make dates, gather information, put things in motion.\r\n\r\nWhat are you resolving to do in 2014 and how do you plan to get there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to avoid going to hell','','inherit','open','open','','2453-revision-v1','','','2014-01-07 14:28:46','2014-01-07 14:28:46','',2453,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2453-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2455,4,'2014-01-07 14:23:50','2014-01-07 14:23:50','This is not a post about religion or morality. It\'s a post about how to get things done.  It\'s the \"secret\" to accomplishing your 2014 goals and resolutions.\r\n\r\nI am sure you know the expression \"the road to hell is paved with good intentions.\"  What that means, quite simply, is that having a good intentions is not enough to keep you from perdition. You have to act. You have to behave differently, not just think about it.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/25756025@N06/2419526768/in/photolist-4FNH1L-5jR6Wx-8fgc-aCfA68-5tq75m-5tkHxB-dqZJH5-5pDGZ6-5pDHWH-5pJ9jd-5pJ4KE-3R6Dr-VZTHB-6km5b-5zMT5S-8xTrHY-8xQpJD-eZt1Wj-8RoeYa-aDEUf1-bAepc3-rBbq9-rBbqb-rBbqd-z4A9Z-z4zbg-z4zRC-z4B5M-z4z99-z4zDC-6jxNyu-6jxPcE-2v2HL8-ajXDwR-8Cha3b-6UPYe8-8JwA2t-f2SKk-f2SHK-VZTEp-J7SXa-5ZusEm-4gWG25-rC2Jn-8RAiGb-dqv8WN-hdtwk9-8KepfE-8KepjS-8Kbmmt-8Kep9J/player/\" height=\"500\" width=\"375\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThis is the time of the year we are busy setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead. I think this is a great exercise. Certainly, if we take a good look at what we did in 2013, we can see what worked and what didn\'t. We can decide to change course or stay the course, depending on how things worked out.\r\n\r\n<strong>But to accomplish our resolutions and goals, just having the intent to do so is not enough. What you need is an action plan.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have a friend who has the best of intentions to get together and do a \"girl\'s night out.\" I know she has the intent because she tells me we need to do this every single time we have a phone conversation. But she never actually sets aside the time and chooses a date for this mythical get-together. Without an actual plan to go out, it is all just talk. It is meaningless. Bottom line is it ain\'t gonna happen.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens with your communications goals. You want to blog but you \"don\'t have the time.\" You want to increase your enewsletter subscriptions, but you don\'t add a subscription button to your website or think about how to incentivize people to sign up. You want to get more publicity for your event, but you don\'t contact any media outlets. You want to re-do your website, but you don\'t conduct a survey of your current users/audience.\r\n\r\nIn other words, you have the best intentions in the world, but you are not acting. You are paving the way to get nothing accomplished.\r\n\r\nAs you survey the year ahead and you formulate your goals and resolutions, avoid having it all go to hell, and develop some action plans. Set deadlines, make dates, gather information, put things in motion.\r\n\r\nWhat are you resolving to do in 2014 and how do you plan to get there?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to avoid going to hell','','inherit','open','open','','2453-revision-v1','','','2014-01-07 14:23:50','2014-01-07 14:23:50','',2453,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2453-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2456,4,'2014-01-07 14:28:12','2014-01-07 14:28:12','','2419526768_eb970f0221(1)','Bonfire by CP Sutcliffe via Flickr','inherit','open','open','','2419526768_eb970f02211','','','2014-01-07 14:28:12','2014-01-07 14:28:12','',2453,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2419526768_eb970f02211.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2458,4,'2014-01-13 13:11:30','2014-01-13 13:11:30','Unless you are publishing something like the Huffington Post, chances are that you have a small audience for your blog. You will publish lots of blog posts that do not get comments or are not shared on social media. This isn\'t because you are a bad writer or you don\'t have something valuable to say, it is, quite simply, because <strong>people don\'t have time to read your blog.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been blogging for years, and I have been following more than a hundred blogs for years too. In the past few weeks, I have been blogging less and reading less. Why? Because I am working on a project that has me working outside my home office for five days a week for about twelve to fifteen weeks, plus I am commuting more than two hours each day. I am no longer able to be on Twitter all day, nor can I read my Feedly very often. Even though this is novel for me, it is the reality for a great many people. There are only so many hours in a day, and something has got to give. For me, and I suspect for many people, it\'s keeping up with blogs.\r\n\r\nAs a blogger, what can you do about it? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Here are six actions you can take to avoid being forgotten:</span>\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Keep blogging.</strong> An outdated blog is surely never going to be read, and it will not help your goals or your SEO.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Remember your blog goals, stick to your topic and keep giving readers good stuff.</strong> Too many blogs go off topic too often or don\'t share valuable information. That causes readers to lose interest and be less inclined to stick with it.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Ensure your readers can subscribe to your blog in many ways</strong>. It may be easier for people to read your blog if they can get an email when you publish a blog post. Some people like RSS readers. In any case, you must give them options.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Highlight your best posts in your newsletter</strong> (you do have a newsletter?).  Whether your newsletter is weekly, monthly or quarterly, you can use it to point people back to your blog by telling them about all the great content you have there. The idea is to get your audience to remember you have a blog, and to appreciate that you share relevant information there.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spend more time on your headlines</strong>.  A great headline almost guarantees people will read the post (or at least, scan it).\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Share, and share again</strong>. (And encourage sharing by having sharing capabilities and acknowledging people who share stuff). Make sure that you share your blog post with all your networks. People are at different places at different times--make it easy for them to see your post.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add to this list? What makes you read a blog post even if you don\'t have the time?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why your blog isn\'t being read and what to do about it','','publish','open','open','','why-your-blog-isnt-being-read-and-what-to-do-about-it','','','2014-01-13 13:13:56','2014-01-13 13:13:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2458',0,'post','',0),(2459,4,'2014-01-13 13:11:30','2014-01-13 13:11:30','Unless you are publishing something like the Huffington Post, chances are that you have a small audience for your blog. You will publish lots of blog posts that do not get comments or are not shared on social media. This isn\'t because you are a bad writer or you don\'t have something valuable to say, it is, quite simply, because <strong>people don\'t have time to read your blog.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been blogging for years, and I have been following more than a hundred blogs for years too. In the past few weeks, I have been blogging less and reading less. Why? Because I am working on a project that has me working outside my home office for five days a week for about twelve to fifteen weeks, plus I am commuting more than two hours each day. I am no longer able to be on Twitter all day, nor can I read my Feedly very often. Even though this is novel for me, it is the reality for a great many people. There are only so many hours in a day, and something has got to give. For me, and I suspect for many people, it\'s keeping up with blogs.\r\n\r\nAs a blogger, what can you do about it? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Here are six actions you can take to avoid being forgotten:</span>\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Keep blogging.</strong> An outdated blog is surely never going to be read, and it will not help your goals or your SEO.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Remember your blog goals, stick to your topic and keep giving readers good stuff.</strong> Too many blogs go off topic too often or don\'t share valuable information. That causes readers to lose interest and be less inclined to stick with it.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Ensure your readers can subscribe to your blog in many ways</strong>. It may be easier for people to read your blog if they can get an email when you publish a blog post. Some people like RSS readers. In any case, you must give them options.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Highlight your best posts in your newsletter</strong> (you do have an newsletter?).  Whether your newsletter is weekly, monthly or quarterly, you can use it to point people back to your blog by telling them about all the great content you have there. The idea is to get your audience to remember you have a blog, and to appreciate that you share relevant information there.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spend more time on your headlines</strong>.  A great headline almost guarantees people will read the post (or at least, scan it).\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Share, and share again</strong>. (And encourage sharing by having sharing capabilities and acknowledging people who share stuff). Make sure that you share your blog post with all your networks. People are at different places at different times--make it easy for them to see your post.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add to this list? What makes you read a blog post even if you don\'t have the time?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why your blog isn\'t being read and what to do about it','','inherit','open','open','','2458-revision-v1','','','2014-01-13 13:11:30','2014-01-13 13:11:30','',2458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2460,4,'2014-01-13 13:13:56','2014-01-13 13:13:56','Unless you are publishing something like the Huffington Post, chances are that you have a small audience for your blog. You will publish lots of blog posts that do not get comments or are not shared on social media. This isn\'t because you are a bad writer or you don\'t have something valuable to say, it is, quite simply, because <strong>people don\'t have time to read your blog.</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been blogging for years, and I have been following more than a hundred blogs for years too. In the past few weeks, I have been blogging less and reading less. Why? Because I am working on a project that has me working outside my home office for five days a week for about twelve to fifteen weeks, plus I am commuting more than two hours each day. I am no longer able to be on Twitter all day, nor can I read my Feedly very often. Even though this is novel for me, it is the reality for a great many people. There are only so many hours in a day, and something has got to give. For me, and I suspect for many people, it\'s keeping up with blogs.\r\n\r\nAs a blogger, what can you do about it? <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Here are six actions you can take to avoid being forgotten:</span>\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Keep blogging.</strong> An outdated blog is surely never going to be read, and it will not help your goals or your SEO.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Remember your blog goals, stick to your topic and keep giving readers good stuff.</strong> Too many blogs go off topic too often or don\'t share valuable information. That causes readers to lose interest and be less inclined to stick with it.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Ensure your readers can subscribe to your blog in many ways</strong>. It may be easier for people to read your blog if they can get an email when you publish a blog post. Some people like RSS readers. In any case, you must give them options.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Highlight your best posts in your newsletter</strong> (you do have a newsletter?).  Whether your newsletter is weekly, monthly or quarterly, you can use it to point people back to your blog by telling them about all the great content you have there. The idea is to get your audience to remember you have a blog, and to appreciate that you share relevant information there.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spend more time on your headlines</strong>.  A great headline almost guarantees people will read the post (or at least, scan it).\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Share, and share again</strong>. (And encourage sharing by having sharing capabilities and acknowledging people who share stuff). Make sure that you share your blog post with all your networks. People are at different places at different times--make it easy for them to see your post.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add to this list? What makes you read a blog post even if you don\'t have the time?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why your blog isn\'t being read and what to do about it','','inherit','open','open','','2458-revision-v1','','','2014-01-13 13:13:56','2014-01-13 13:13:56','',2458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2487,4,'2014-02-11 20:08:37','2014-02-11 20:08:37','If you\'ve been to London and ridden the Underground, you are familiar with the phrase \"please mind the gap.\" It\'s a repeated warning for people to watch their step getting on and off the trains as there is a space between the train and the platform. It is posted everywhere inside the stations because people need to be reminded and London\'s transportation authority certainly doesn\'t want accidents.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2488\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/109430979_01c781cbe2_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2488\" alt=\"Mind the Gap by nikoretro on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/109430979_01c781cbe2_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Mind the Gap by nikoretro on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nI wish we had a similar reminder for communications managers, especially those who deal with event publicity and marketing. Instead of \"mind the gap\" it would say \"mind the details.\" Because it\'s all about the details: the where, when, how, who, why and how much.\r\n\r\nCommon mistakes, which I have seen just these past few days:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Sending an email blast announcing an event and neglecting to include the date and time (or location).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Announcing an event and getting the dates mixed up (saying it is Tuesday, February 12 instead of Wednesday, February 12).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Website page about an event including a \"more information\" button for an event, but not providing any information about what the cost will be.</p>\r\nDetails matter and they matter more when you are doing any type of event planning. Please mind the details. Double check them. Have somebody else check them.  Don\'t assume that people will figure things out.\r\n\r\nFinally, realize that if you don\'t provide the proper details or you provide the wrong details you are making it very hard for people to attend your event.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Please mind the details','','publish','open','open','','please-mind-the-details','','','2014-02-11 20:08:37','2014-02-11 20:08:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2487',0,'post','',0),(2463,4,'2014-01-15 12:22:36','2014-01-15 12:22:36','It\'s January and chances are you are working hard to get the year off to a good start. You may be in charge of creating something--a newsletter, a flyer, an ad--that is intended to achieve a communications or marketing objective. It may be to publicize an upcoming event or perhaps to solicit support for a cause or maybe you are advocating for a policy change. We\'ll assume that this project is part of a larger strategy and will help further your overall communications goals.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2464\" alt=\"6673406227_2b9ea60f64\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBefore you start any marketing/communications  project you should be able to answer these five questions:\r\n\r\n1. What is the main <strong>objective</strong> for the piece? Or ask yourself this:  What do you want the audience to do with this piece?\r\n\r\n2. Who is the<strong> target audience</strong>? Really, who is it? Be specific.\r\n\r\n3. What are the top<strong> three messages</strong> you want to convey?\r\n\r\n4. Knowing who the target is, what is the<strong> best way to communicate</strong> your message? Will you use graphics? Which ones? What kind of language will you use?\r\n\r\n5. Has this piece been<strong> done before?</strong> If so, why are you doing it again? What was it that worked or didn\'t work before? If not, why are you doing it now?\r\n\r\nThis may seem obvious to some, simplistic to others, but surprisingly, many people trying to create communications aren\'t able to answer these questions.  Why else do you think we are inundated with useless letters, flyers and brochures? Even if you are a pro, doing this exercise will help you to create a better product, guaranteed!\r\n\r\nWhat is your process for getting communications projects done? Please share!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop! Don\'t start on that next project until you can answer this','','publish','open','open','','stop-dont-start-on-that-next-project-until-you-can-answer-this','','','2014-01-15 12:22:36','2014-01-15 12:22:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2463',0,'post','',1),(2464,4,'2014-01-15 12:18:10','2014-01-15 12:18:10','Stop by Steve A Johnson on Flickr','6673406227_2b9ea60f64','','inherit','open','open','','6673406227_2b9ea60f64','','','2014-01-15 12:18:10','2014-01-15 12:18:10','',2463,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2465,4,'2014-01-15 12:20:27','2014-01-15 12:20:27','It\'s January and chances are you are working hard to get the year off to a good start. You may be in charge of creating something--a newsletter, a flyer, an ad--that is intended to achieve a communications or marketing objective. It may be to publicize an upcoming event or perhaps to solicit support for a cause or maybe you are advocating for a policy change. We\'ll assume that this project is part of a larger strategy and will help further your overall communications goals.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2464\" alt=\"6673406227_2b9ea60f64\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBefore you start any marketing/communications  project you should be able to answer these questions:\r\n\r\n1. What is the main <strong>objective</strong> for the piece? Or ask yourself this:  What do you want the audience to do with this piece?\r\n\r\n2. Who is the<strong> target audience</strong>? Really, who is it? Be specific.\r\n\r\n3. What are the top<strong> three messages</strong> you want to convey?\r\n\r\n4. Knowing who the target is, what is the<strong> best way to communicate</strong> your message? Will you use graphics? Which ones? What kind of language will you use?\r\n\r\n5. Has this piece been<strong> done before?</strong> If so, why are you doing it again? What was it that worked or didn\'t work before? If not, why are you doing it now?\r\n\r\nThis may seem obvious to some, simplistic to others, but surprisingly, many people trying to create communications aren\'t able to answer these questions.  Why else do you think we are inundated with useless letters, flyers and brochures? Even if you are a pro, doing this exercise will help you to create a better product, guaranteed!\r\n\r\nWhat is your process for getting communications projects done? Please share!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop! Don\'t start on that next project until you can answer this','','inherit','open','open','','2463-revision-v1','','','2014-01-15 12:20:27','2014-01-15 12:20:27','',2463,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2463-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2466,4,'2014-01-15 12:22:36','2014-01-15 12:22:36','It\'s January and chances are you are working hard to get the year off to a good start. You may be in charge of creating something--a newsletter, a flyer, an ad--that is intended to achieve a communications or marketing objective. It may be to publicize an upcoming event or perhaps to solicit support for a cause or maybe you are advocating for a policy change. We\'ll assume that this project is part of a larger strategy and will help further your overall communications goals.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2464\" alt=\"6673406227_2b9ea60f64\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/6673406227_2b9ea60f64-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBefore you start any marketing/communications  project you should be able to answer these five questions:\r\n\r\n1. What is the main <strong>objective</strong> for the piece? Or ask yourself this:  What do you want the audience to do with this piece?\r\n\r\n2. Who is the<strong> target audience</strong>? Really, who is it? Be specific.\r\n\r\n3. What are the top<strong> three messages</strong> you want to convey?\r\n\r\n4. Knowing who the target is, what is the<strong> best way to communicate</strong> your message? Will you use graphics? Which ones? What kind of language will you use?\r\n\r\n5. Has this piece been<strong> done before?</strong> If so, why are you doing it again? What was it that worked or didn\'t work before? If not, why are you doing it now?\r\n\r\nThis may seem obvious to some, simplistic to others, but surprisingly, many people trying to create communications aren\'t able to answer these questions.  Why else do you think we are inundated with useless letters, flyers and brochures? Even if you are a pro, doing this exercise will help you to create a better product, guaranteed!\r\n\r\nWhat is your process for getting communications projects done? Please share!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop! Don\'t start on that next project until you can answer this','','inherit','open','open','','2463-revision-v1','','','2014-01-15 12:22:36','2014-01-15 12:22:36','',2463,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2463-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2469,4,'2014-01-21 18:02:10','2014-01-21 18:02:10','It\'s easy to lose customers and very hard to get them back. Once they are gone, chances are they won\'t be back.\r\n\r\nThe reality is that there are many people and companies doing what you do. There\'s always an alternative for customers who are unhappy for any reason. Too many companies seem to lose sight of this reality, and they do little to ensure that they keep the customers they have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s how my heat/AC contractor failed to retain my business:</strong>\r\n\r\nBack in November, my schedule changed and I was not going to be working out of my home office.  In December, I generally get a home heating inspection with my heat/AC contractor. It helps to make sure all parts are working properly and that my heat will continue through the winter. This company is a family-run place where I have been a customer for three years.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike one</strong>: I got a reminder card from the company in late November. I called right away to schedule an appointment. They had no open slots until LATE December, one month away. Mind you, I had just gotten the card.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike two:</strong> I explained to the scheduler that I would not be home because of my situation and that I was hoping for a Saturday appointment. It turns out this company does not do inspections on Saturdays, only emergency work. Then I asked for an early weekday appointment. Again, the scheduler could not accommodate me. She told me that she could not find a technician in my area that would be available for their first appointment at 8:00 a.m.\r\n\r\n<strong>Strike three:</strong> I informed the scheduler that I would be forced to switch companies if she didn\'t try to accommodate me because I did not want to have a heat inspection later than December (remember, they were already scheduling late late December). No response and no attempt to rectify the situation.\r\n\r\n<strong>And they are out:</strong> After some research, I called another highly rated heat/AC company that not only was scheduling earlier in December (meaning they have more technicians) but would also provide guaranteed 8:00 a.m. appointments. It cost $20 more per annual contract than my previous company, but the ease of scheduling was worth it to me.\r\n\r\nMy first heat/AC contractor lost my business not because it wasn\'t good at it what it does but because it made<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> no effort to accommodate me.</span> They seemed to forget that there are other contractors out there.\r\n\r\nMost heat/AC contractors do not market actively. Many have websites and most work on their ratings on places like Angie\'s List, but they mostly depend on word of mouth. This is why working to RETAIN customers should be a large part of their business model.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers that stay are a continuing source of income AND of referrals.</strong>\r\n\r\nAgain, the reality is that keeping customers should be job one:  Losing customers is easy and getting them back is difficult. No amount of marketing will bring back a customer that has found a better alternative.\r\n\r\nWhat are you doing to retain your customers or clients? I\'d like to find out what specific actions you are taking and I will be sharing those in a future blog post.','Why customer retention should be job one','','inherit','open','open','','2467-revision-v1','','','2014-01-21 18:02:10','2014-01-21 18:02:10','',2467,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2467-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2472,4,'2014-01-28 13:22:06','2014-01-28 13:22:06','We are in our third straight week of sub-freezing weather. The Potomac is frozen and so are some people\'s brains apparently. I am talking about the fashion victims. There are two major categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Stuck in the past</li>\r\n	<li>Too cool for school</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThose that are <strong>stuck in the past</strong> unpack their winter coats from the time machine closet. Take for example a lady I saw on the Metro the other day. She was sporting an oversize circa 1980 LL Bean barn jacket. I didn\'t see her shoes, but I would not have been surprised to see some Bean duck boots on them. That, in conjunction with her mullet hair cut (I am totally not making this up), made me stare in amazement. I kept thinking that this woman was desperately ready for some new clothes, and a makeover.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be that fashion victim! Know when to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">refresh your image.</span> Perhaps you need a new website. Perhaps your logo colors could change. Or that Times New Roman you have been using in your print materials could be upgraded for something a bit more modern.\r\n\r\nYou know some people are totally <strong>too cool</strong> when they go out in subfreezing weather with no socks on. Apparently (and since I am not so cool) wearing socks is never fashionable, even when there is a wind chill factor of -15 and snow on the ground. I most often see young women fashion victims. They are wrapped up in their not so warm coat, no hat (that apparently is also not cool) and walking around in ballet slipper shoes with no hosiery of any type. I did also see a skinny-jean wearing dude with boat shoes and no socks...in January in Washington DC.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be so fashionable that you can\'t dress appropriately for the weather. Or in communications, don\'t do things because everybody else is doing it or because it\'s so cool. Sure, all the home decor people are crazy about Pinterest, but perhaps your law office just don\'t have the visuals for it. Maybe orange is the new black, but your elderly audience needs heavy, large black type to read what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe only one that gets hurt by being a fashion victim is you...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Don\'t be a fashion victim...you will freeze!','','inherit','open','open','','2471-revision-v1','','','2014-01-28 13:22:06','2014-01-28 13:22:06','',2471,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2471-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2473,4,'2014-01-28 13:23:36','2014-01-28 13:23:36','We are in our third straight week of sub-freezing weather here in Washington. The Potomac is frozen and so are some people\'s brains apparently. I am talking about the fashion victims. There are two major categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Stuck in the past</li>\r\n	<li>Too cool for school</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThose that are <strong>stuck in the past</strong> unpack their winter coats from the time machine closet. Take for example a lady I saw on the Metro the other day. She was sporting an oversize circa 1980 LL Bean barn jacket. I didn\'t see her shoes, but I would not have been surprised to see some Bean duck boots on them. That, in conjunction with her mullet hair cut (I am totally not making this up), made me stare in amazement. I kept thinking that this woman was desperately ready for some new clothes, and a makeover.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be that fashion victim! Know when to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">refresh your image.</span> Perhaps you need a new website. Perhaps your logo colors could change. Or that Times New Roman you have been using in your print materials could be upgraded for something a bit more modern.\r\n\r\nYou know some people are totally <strong>too cool</strong> when they go out in subfreezing weather with no socks on. Apparently (and since I am not so cool) wearing socks is never fashionable, even when there is a wind chill factor of -15 and snow on the ground. I most often see young women fashion victims. They are wrapped up in their not so warm coat, no hat (that apparently is also not cool) and walking around in ballet slipper shoes with no hosiery of any type. I did also see a skinny-jean wearing dude with boat shoes and no socks...in January in Washington DC.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be so fashionable that you can\'t dress appropriately for the weather. Or in communications, don\'t do things because everybody else is doing it or because it\'s so cool. Sure, all the home decor people are crazy about Pinterest, but perhaps your law office just don\'t have the visuals for it. Maybe orange is the new black, but your elderly audience needs heavy, large black type to read what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe only one that gets hurt by being a fashion victim is you...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Don\'t be a fashion victim...you will freeze!','','inherit','open','open','','2471-revision-v1','','','2014-01-28 13:23:36','2014-01-28 13:23:36','',2471,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2471-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2474,4,'2014-01-30 15:39:46','2014-01-30 15:39:46','We are in our third straight week of sub-freezing weather here in Washington. The Potomac is frozen and so are some people\'s brains apparently. I am talking about the fashion victims. There are two major categories:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Stuck in the past</li>\r\n	<li>Too cool for school</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThose that are <strong>stuck in the past</strong> unpack their winter coats from the time machine closet. Take for example a lady I saw on the Metro the other day. She was sporting an oversize circa 1980 LL Bean barn jacket. I didn\'t see her shoes, but I would not have been surprised to see some Bean duck boots on them. That, in conjunction with her mullet hair cut (I am totally not making this up), made me stare in amazement. I kept thinking that this woman was desperately ready for some new clothes, and a makeover.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be that fashion victim! Know when to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">refresh your image.</span> Perhaps you need a new website. Perhaps your logo colors could change. Or that Times New Roman you have been using in your print materials could be upgraded for something a bit more modern.\r\n\r\nYou know some people are totally <strong>too cool</strong> when they go out in subfreezing weather with no socks on. Apparently (and since I am not so cool) wearing socks is never fashionable, even when there is a wind chill factor of -15 and snow on the ground. I most often see young women fashion victims. They are wrapped up in their not so warm coat, no hat (that apparently is also not cool) and walking around in ballet slipper shoes with no hosiery of any type. I did also see a skinny-jean wearing dude with boat shoes and no socks...in January in Washington DC.\r\n\r\nDon\'t be so fashionable that you can\'t dress appropriately for the weather. Or in communications, don\'t do things because everybody else is doing it or because it\'s so cool. Sure, all the home decor people are crazy about Pinterest, but perhaps your law office just doesn\'t have the visuals for it. Maybe orange is the new black, but your elderly audience needs heavy, large black type to read what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe only one that gets hurt by being a fashion victim is you...\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Don\'t be a fashion victim...you will freeze!','','inherit','open','open','','2471-revision-v1','','','2014-01-30 15:39:46','2014-01-30 15:39:46','',2471,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2471-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2475,4,'2014-01-30 18:32:23','2014-01-30 18:32:23','I am assuming your business/organization/service/product has a website. If not, well, that is another story. For the purposes of this post, you do have a website and it is functional. It may even be pretty (I mean \"well designed\").\r\n\r\nBut, and this is a big but, <strong>does it have all the information that your AUDIENCE needs?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been working on a project that involved getting information about documentaries from various sources, including the filmmakers\' websites. The information I needed was fairly basic: synopsis of the film, year made, how long it is (running time), name of director and other people involved in production and country of origin. And guess what, even though virtually every film had a website, precious few websites had anything resembling basic information. Some listed awards or screenings. Some listed reviews. Some had blogs (not always updated) that talked about the filmmaking process. But basics--which are needed for anybody that is planning to screen a film--LACKING.\r\n\r\nAnd that is not just limited to film websites. Have you ever gone to a restaurant website looking for a menu or for hours of operation and not found either? Have you tried to find a phone number from a service provider\'s website and be forced to email or look for another provider?\r\n\r\nIt is truly astonishing how many websites lack basic, useful and needed information. Many sites get so caught up in bells and whistles (don\'t get me started on websites with flash or self-playing video) that they forget their basic mission is to provide information. Information that their target audience (read: potential customers) wants and needs.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your website is not working for you if your target cannot find the information it needs.</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course, this leads to another conversation that has to do with planning and strategy. Websites are not simply pretty things to make sure you have an internet presence. They play a big part in your communications and marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nBefore you build a website (and before you do anything communications-related)<strong>, you must be able to answer these four questions</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Who is your target audience?</li>\r\n	<li>Why would they visit your website?</li>\r\n	<li>What are they going to do when they are on your site?</li>\r\n	<li>What information does your target audience absolutely, positively need? (Hint: it is always the stuff that is most basic--address, hours, location (map), telephone number, contact person/people, pricing, etc.)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat do you think? And more importantly, have you checked to see if your website is working for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your website really working for you?','','publish','open','open','','is-your-website-really-working-for-you','','','2014-01-30 18:35:35','2014-01-30 18:35:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2475',0,'post','',0),(2476,4,'2014-01-30 18:32:23','2014-01-30 18:32:23','I am assuming your business/organization/service/product has a website. If not, well, that is another story. For the purposes of this post, you do have a website and it is functional. It may even be pretty (I mean \"well designed\").\r\n\r\nBut, and this is a big but, d<strong>oes it have all the information that your AUDIENCE needs?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been working on a project that involved getting information about documentaries from various sources, including the filmmakers\' websites. The information I needed was fairly basic: synopsis of the film, year made, how long it is (running time), name of director and other people involved in production and country of origin. And guess what, even though virtually every film had a website, precious few websites had anything resembling basic information. Some listed awards or screenings. Some listed reviews. Some had blogs (not always updated) that talked about the filmmaking process. But basics--which are needed for anybody that is planning to screen a film--LACKING.\r\n\r\nAnd that is not just limited to film websites. Have you ever gone to a restaurant website looking for a menu or for hours of operation and not found either? Have you tried to find a phone number from a service provider\'s website and be forced to email or look for another provider?\r\n\r\nIt is truly astonishing how many websites lack basic, useful and needed information. Many sites get so caught up in bells and whistles (don\'t get me started on websites with flash or self-playing video) that they forget their basic mission is to provide information. Information that their target audience (read: potential customers) wants and needs.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your website is not working for you if your target cannot find the information it needs.</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course, this leads to another conversation that has to do with planning and strategy. Websites are not simply pretty things to make sure you have an internet presence. They play a big part in your communications and marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nBefore you build a website (and before you do anything communications-related)<strong>, you must be able to answer these four questions</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Who is your target audience?</li>\r\n	<li>Why would they visit your website?</li>\r\n	<li>What are they going to do when the are on your site?</li>\r\n	<li>What information does your target audience absolutely, positively need? (Hint: it is always the stuff that is most basic--address, hours, location (map), telephone number, contact person/people, pricing, etc.)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat do you think? And more importantly, have you checked to see if your website is working for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your website really working for you?','','inherit','open','open','','2475-revision-v1','','','2014-01-30 18:32:23','2014-01-30 18:32:23','',2475,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2475-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2477,4,'2014-01-30 18:35:30','2014-01-30 18:35:30','I am assuming your business/organization/service/product has a website. If not, well, that is another story. For the purposes of this post, you do have a website and it is functional. It may even be pretty (I mean \"well designed\").\n\nBut, and this is a big but, d<strong>oes it have all the information that your AUDIENCE needs?</strong>\n\nI have been working on a project that involved getting information about documentaries from various sources, including the filmmakers\' websites. The information I needed was fairly basic: synopsis of the film, year made, how long it is (running time), name of director and other people involved in production and country of origin. And guess what, even though virtually every film had a website, precious few websites had anything resembling basic information. Some listed awards or screenings. Some listed reviews. Some had blogs (not always updated) that talked about the filmmaking process. But basics--which are needed for anybody that is planning to screen a film--LACKING.\n\nAnd that is not just limited to film websites. Have you ever gone to a restaurant website looking for a menu or for hours of operation and not found either? Have you tried to find a phone number from a service provider\'s website and be forced to email or look for another provider?\n\nIt is truly astonishing how many websites lack basic, useful and needed information. Many sites get so caught up in bells and whistles (don\'t get me started on websites with flash or self-playing video) that they forget their basic mission is to provide information. Information that their target audience (read: potential customers) wants and needs.\n\n<strong>Your website is not working for you if your target cannot find the information it needs.</strong>\n\nOf course, this leads to another conversation that has to do with planning and strategy. Websites are not simply pretty things to make sure you have an internet presence. They play a big part in your communications and marketing efforts.\n\nBefore you build a website (and before you do anything communications-related)<strong>, you must be able to answer these four questions</strong>\n<ol>\n	<li>Who is your target audience?</li>\n	<li>Why would they visit your website?</li>\n	<li>What are they going to do when they are on your site?</li>\n	<li>What information does your target audience absolutely, positively need? (Hint: it is always the stuff that is most basic--address, hours, location (map), telephone number, contact person/people, pricing, etc.)</li>\n</ol>\nWhat do you think? And more importantly, have you checked to see if your website is working for you?\n\n&nbsp;','Is your website really working for you?','','inherit','open','open','','2475-autosave-v1','','','2014-01-30 18:35:30','2014-01-30 18:35:30','',2475,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2475-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2478,4,'2014-01-30 18:35:35','2014-01-30 18:35:35','I am assuming your business/organization/service/product has a website. If not, well, that is another story. For the purposes of this post, you do have a website and it is functional. It may even be pretty (I mean \"well designed\").\r\n\r\nBut, and this is a big but, <strong>does it have all the information that your AUDIENCE needs?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been working on a project that involved getting information about documentaries from various sources, including the filmmakers\' websites. The information I needed was fairly basic: synopsis of the film, year made, how long it is (running time), name of director and other people involved in production and country of origin. And guess what, even though virtually every film had a website, precious few websites had anything resembling basic information. Some listed awards or screenings. Some listed reviews. Some had blogs (not always updated) that talked about the filmmaking process. But basics--which are needed for anybody that is planning to screen a film--LACKING.\r\n\r\nAnd that is not just limited to film websites. Have you ever gone to a restaurant website looking for a menu or for hours of operation and not found either? Have you tried to find a phone number from a service provider\'s website and be forced to email or look for another provider?\r\n\r\nIt is truly astonishing how many websites lack basic, useful and needed information. Many sites get so caught up in bells and whistles (don\'t get me started on websites with flash or self-playing video) that they forget their basic mission is to provide information. Information that their target audience (read: potential customers) wants and needs.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your website is not working for you if your target cannot find the information it needs.</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course, this leads to another conversation that has to do with planning and strategy. Websites are not simply pretty things to make sure you have an internet presence. They play a big part in your communications and marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nBefore you build a website (and before you do anything communications-related)<strong>, you must be able to answer these four questions</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Who is your target audience?</li>\r\n	<li>Why would they visit your website?</li>\r\n	<li>What are they going to do when they are on your site?</li>\r\n	<li>What information does your target audience absolutely, positively need? (Hint: it is always the stuff that is most basic--address, hours, location (map), telephone number, contact person/people, pricing, etc.)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat do you think? And more importantly, have you checked to see if your website is working for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is your website really working for you?','','inherit','open','open','','2475-revision-v1','','','2014-01-30 18:35:35','2014-01-30 18:35:35','',2475,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/01/2475-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2480,4,'2014-02-04 15:11:28','2014-02-04 15:11:28','Have you ever been in a situation where a client (internal or external) keeps wanting to add \"news\" to a press release or material to a brochure or more stuff to the website? \"It\'s important\" they\'ll say. \"We NEED to include this. It MUST be in there.\"\r\n\r\nYou then end up with a press release that is three pages or longer; a blog post that could double as a PhD dissertation; and a website that will give readers a headache. I will bet good money that everybody out there has come across this type of thing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8699798577_912e0213ba_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2481 \" alt=\"Rubber Stamp by Enokson on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8699798577_912e0213ba_b-300x51.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"51\" /></a> Rubber Stamp by Enokson on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut, the thing is it doesn\'t have to be that way. Most things are really not that important. The client only thinks they are, usually because someone else (a donor, a higher up, a PIA person) has some stake in that particular bit of information (or \"content\" as we are now referring to it).\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the bottom line: if you include all the so-called important stuff, nothing, and I mean nothing, will stand out. And then all your efforts will be wasted.</strong>\r\n\r\nInstead of including everything and anything, as a communications person you will need to step in and do the following:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Prioritize.</strong> Among those important things are the ones that are extremely important, right?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Assign different information to different areas.</strong> Perhaps one important bit is appropriate to a press release and the other should go on the blog.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Edit</strong>. And then edit again. Be ruthless. Remove excess information if you want your message to be heard.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThoughts? How do you handle lots of \"important\" information?','If everything is important, nothing stands out','','publish','open','open','','if-everything-is-important-nothing-stands-out','','','2014-02-04 15:11:28','2014-02-04 15:11:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2480',0,'post','',0),(2481,4,'2014-02-04 15:08:09','2014-02-04 15:08:09','','8699798577_912e0213ba_b','Rubber Stamp by Enokson on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','8699798577_912e0213ba_b','','','2014-02-04 15:08:09','2014-02-04 15:08:09','',2480,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8699798577_912e0213ba_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2482,4,'2014-02-04 15:09:38','2014-02-04 15:09:38','Have you ever been in a situation where a client (internal or external) keeps wanting to add \"news\" to a press release or material to a brochure or more stuff to the website? \"It\'s important\" they\'ll say. \"We NEED to include this. It MUST be in there.\"\r\n\r\nYou then end up with a press release that is three pages or longer; a blog post that could double as a PhD dissertation; and a website that will give readers a headache. I will bet good money that everybody out there has come across this type of thing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2481\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8699798577_912e0213ba_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2481 \" alt=\"Rubber Stamp by Enokson on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8699798577_912e0213ba_b-300x51.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"51\" /></a> Rubber Stamp by Enokson on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut, the thing is it doesn\'t have to be that way. Most things are really not that important. The client only thinks they are, usually because someone else (a donor, a higher up, a PIA person) has some stake in that particular bit of information (or \"content\" as we are now referring to it).\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the bottom line: if you include all the so-called important stuff, nothing, and I mean nothing, will stand out. And then all your efforts will be wasted.</strong>\r\n\r\nInstead of including everything and anything, as a communications person you will need to step in and do the following:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Prioritize.</strong> Among those important things are the ones that are extremely important, right?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Assign different information to different areas.</strong> Perhaps one important bit is appropriate to a press release and the other should go on the blog.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Edit</strong>. And then edit again. Be ruthless. Remove excess information if you want your message to be heard.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThoughts? How do you handle lots of \"important\" information?','If everything is important, nothing stands out','','inherit','open','open','','2480-revision-v1','','','2014-02-04 15:09:38','2014-02-04 15:09:38','',2480,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2480-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2518,4,'2016-08-17 09:21:17','2016-08-17 13:21:17','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\n\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\n\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\n\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\n\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\n\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\n\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\n\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\n\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\n\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\n\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\n\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\n\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\n\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\n\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-autosave-v1','','','2016-08-17 09:21:17','2016-08-17 13:21:17','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2509-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2484,4,'2014-02-06 15:44:32','2014-02-06 15:44:32','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">April 1, 2014. </span></strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Details to come!</span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-02-06 15:44:32','2014-02-06 15:44:32','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2485,4,'2014-02-10 21:26:50','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I have been thinking a lot about interpersonal communications, and about how poorly we communicate person-to-person. Whether we are on the giving or receiving end of any message, we need to do better. As with any change, the first step is realizing that you need to change. And I believe we ALL need to change, but very few of us are even aware of how badly we need to fix stuff.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you had to re-do an assignment because you did not understand what was required? How many times have you done something only to have your client/boss/co-worker say that it is not what was expected? How many blog posts have you written that have not been shared or commented on?\r\n\r\nAll these point to a communications failure. We are not providing the right information and we are not asking the right questions.','To improve communications, start with you','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-02-10 21:26:50','2014-02-10 21:26:50','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2485',0,'post','',0),(2486,4,'2014-02-10 21:26:50','2014-02-10 21:26:50','I have been thinking a lot about interpersonal communications, and about how poorly we communicate person-to-person. Whether we are on the giving or receiving end of any message, we need to do better. As with any change, the first step is realizing that you need to change. And I believe we ALL need to change, but very few of us are even aware of how badly we need to fix stuff.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you had to re-do an assignment because you did not understand what was required? How many times have you done something only to have your client/boss/co-worker say that it is not what was expected? How many blog posts have you written that have not been shared or commented on?\r\n\r\nAll these point to a communications failure. We are not providing the right information and we are not asking the right questions.','To improve communications, start with you','','inherit','open','open','','2485-revision-v1','','','2014-02-10 21:26:50','2014-02-10 21:26:50','',2485,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2485-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2488,4,'2014-02-11 19:58:06','2014-02-11 19:58:06','','109430979_01c781cbe2_b','Mind the Gap by nikoretro on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','109430979_01c781cbe2_b','','','2014-02-11 19:58:06','2014-02-11 19:58:06','',2487,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/109430979_01c781cbe2_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2489,4,'2014-02-11 20:08:37','2014-02-11 20:08:37','If you\'ve been to London and ridden the Underground, you are familiar with the phrase \"please mind the gap.\" It\'s a repeated warning for people to watch their step getting on and off the trains as there is a space between the train and the platform. It is posted everywhere inside the stations because people need to be reminded and London\'s transportation authority certainly doesn\'t want accidents.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2488\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/109430979_01c781cbe2_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2488\" alt=\"Mind the Gap by nikoretro on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/109430979_01c781cbe2_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Mind the Gap by nikoretro on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nI wish we had a similar reminder for communications managers, especially those who deal with event publicity and marketing. Instead of \"mind the gap\" it would say \"mind the details.\" Because it\'s all about the details: the where, when, how, who, why and how much.\r\n\r\nCommon mistakes, which I have seen just these past few days:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Sending an email blast announcing an event and neglecting to include the date and time (or location).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Announcing an event and getting the dates mixed up (saying it is Tuesday, February 12 instead of Wednesday, February 12).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Website page about an event including a \"more information\" button for an event, but not providing any information about what the cost will be.</p>\r\nDetails matter and they matter more when you are doing any type of event planning. Please mind the details. Double check them. Have somebody else check them.  Don\'t assume that people will figure things out.\r\n\r\nFinally, realize that if you don\'t provide the proper details or you provide the wrong details you are making it very hard for people to attend your event.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Please mind the details','','inherit','open','open','','2487-revision-v1','','','2014-02-11 20:08:37','2014-02-11 20:08:37','',2487,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2487-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2491,4,'2014-02-11 20:28:27','2014-02-11 20:28:27','<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sunbloom.jpg\"><img src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sunbloom.jpg\" alt=\"sunbloom\" width=\"172\" height=\"170\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2498\" /></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SB_brochure_FINAL2.pdf\">Download Brochure</a>','Brochure ','','publish','closed','closed','','brochure','','','2014-02-13 16:50:59','2014-02-13 16:50:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=portfolio&#038;p=2491',0,'portfolio','',0),(2492,4,'2014-02-11 20:27:54','2014-02-11 20:27:54','','SB_brochure_FINAL2','','inherit','open','open','','sb_brochure_final2','','','2014-02-11 20:27:54','2014-02-11 20:27:54','',2491,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SB_brochure_FINAL2.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(2493,4,'2011-07-22 04:49:33','2011-07-22 04:49:33','[ts-display cat=\"Portfolio\" postperpage=\"9\" showtitle=\"yes\" showdesc=\"yes\" showmore=\"yes\"]','Portfolio','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2011-07-22 04:49:33','2011-07-22 04:49:33','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2011/07/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2500,4,'2014-02-15 15:31:34','2014-02-15 15:31:34','<a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/DeborahBrody/blog-social-media-strategy-prsamd-brody-slide-share\">Using Your Blog as a Centerpiece in Your Social Media Strategy.</a>\r\n\r\nPresentation Delivered to the PRSA Mid Atlantic Chesapeake Conference, June 26, 2013.','Presentation on Blogging','','publish','closed','closed','','presentation-on-blogging','','','2014-02-15 15:34:07','2014-02-15 15:34:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?post_type=portfolio&#038;p=2500',0,'portfolio','',0),(2501,4,'2014-02-18 16:35:38','2014-02-18 16:35:38','Last week, the Washington, DC area was hit by one of the largest snowstorms we\'ve had in four years. Some areas got as much as 18 inches of snow. Me, well I only had about 14 inches. When it stopped snowing, I opened my garage door (I couldn\'t open the front door because there was too much snow) and this is what I saw:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe snow was up to my knees and it was heavy. I didn\'t know where to start.\r\n\r\nAfter three hours of shoveling, some melting and the fact the neighbor cleared his driveway, this is what my driveway looked like:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2503\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2503\" alt=\"Snow Feb 13 after\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Shoveled out driveway, Feb. 13[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So, what can you learn about blogging from shoveling out your snowy driveway?</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You</span> have to start.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can\'t get very far if you don\'t start shoveling (or blogging). That driveway will not magically clear itself. And yes, you can wait for the snow to melt...but you aren\'t going to be able to get anywhere until it does.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You will see results.</strong></p>\r\nBlogging, like shoveling snow, can be a hard, long process. But the results are there if you just start working at it.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It takes as long as it takes.</strong></p>\r\nIt may take you three hours or it may take you 20 minutes. My neighbor, who is younger and taller than me, was able to dig out his driveway in about 45 minutes. He also helped my other neighbor do his. There are different levels of skill and ability, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t do it. If it takes longer, it does.\r\n\r\nWhat is stopping you from blogging? Is it that it daunts you? Is it that it is hard? Let me know. And keep an eye out for details about my next blogging workshop, to take place in Washington, DC on April 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What shoveling snow can teach you about blogging','','publish','open','open','','what-shoveling-snow-can-teach-you-about-blogging','','','2014-02-19 17:29:19','2014-02-19 17:29:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2501',0,'post','',2),(2502,4,'2014-02-18 16:19:46','2014-02-18 16:19:46','','Snow Feb 13 before','Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014','inherit','open','open','','snow-feb-13-before','','','2014-02-18 16:19:46','2014-02-18 16:19:46','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2503,4,'2014-02-18 16:24:13','2014-02-18 16:24:13','','Snow Feb 13 after','','inherit','open','open','','snow-feb-13-after','','','2014-02-18 16:24:13','2014-02-18 16:24:13','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2505,4,'2014-02-18 16:34:39','2014-02-18 16:34:39','Last week, the Washington, DC area was hit by one of the largest snowstorms we\'ve had in four years. Some areas got as much as 18 inches of snow. Me, well I only had about 14 inches. When it stopped snowing, I opened my garage door (I couldn\'t open the front door because there was too much snow) and this is what I saw:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe snow was up to my knees and it was heavy. I didn\'t know where to start.\r\n\r\nAfter three hours of shoveling, some melting and the fact the neighbor cleared his driveway, this is what my driveway looked like:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2503\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2503\" alt=\"Snow Feb 13 after\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Shoveled out driveway, Feb. 13[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So, what can you learn about blogging from shoveling out your snowy driveway?</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You</span> have to start.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can\'t get very far if you don\'t start shoveling (or blogging). That driveway will not magically clear itself. And yes, you can wait for the snow to melt...but you are going to be able to get anywhere until it does.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You will see results.</strong></p>\r\nBlogging, like shoveling snow, can be a hard, long process. But the results are there if you just start working at it.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It takes as long as it takes.</strong></p>\r\nIt may take you three hours or it may take you 20 minutes. My neighbor, who is younger and taller than me, was able to dig out his driveway in about 45 minutes. He also helped my other neighbor do his. There are different levels of skill and ability, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t do it. If it takes longer, it does.\r\n\r\nWhat is stopping you from blogging? Is it that it daunts you? Is it that it is hard? Let me know. And keep an eye out for detail about my next blogging workshop, in Washington DC on April 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What shoveling snow can teach you about blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2501-revision-v1','','','2014-02-18 16:34:39','2014-02-18 16:34:39','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2501-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2504,4,'2014-02-18 16:33:41','2014-02-18 16:33:41','Last week, the Washington, DC area was hit by one of the largest snowstorms we\'ve had in four years. Some areas got as much as 18 inches of snow. Me, well I only had about 14 inches. When it stopped snowing, I opened my garage door (I couldn\'t open the front door because there was too much snow) and this is what I saw:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe snow was up to my knees and it was heavy. I didn\'t know where to start.\r\n\r\nAfter three hours of shoveling, some melting and the fact the neighbor cleared his driveway, this is what my driveway looked like:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2503\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2503\" alt=\"Snow Feb 13 after\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Shoveled out driveway, Feb. 13[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So, what can you learn about blogging from shoveling out your snowy driveway?</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You</span> have to start.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can\'t get very far if you don\'t start shoveling (or blogging). That driveway will not magically clear itself. And yes, you can wait for the snow to melt...but you are going to be able to get anywhere until it does.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You will see results.</strong></p>\r\nBlogging, like shoveling snow, can be a hard, long process. But the results are there if you just start working at it.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It takes as long as it takes.</strong></p>\r\nIt may take you three hours or it may take you 20 minutes. My neighbor, who is younger and taller than me, was able to dig out his driveway in about 45 minutes. He also helped my other neighbor do his. There are different levels of skill and ability, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t do it. If it takes longer, it does.\r\n\r\nWhat is stopping you from blogging? Is it that it daunts you? Is it that it is hard? Let me know. And keep an eye out for detail about my next blogging workshop, in Washington DC on April 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What shoveling snow can teach you about blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2501-revision-v1','','','2014-02-18 16:33:41','2014-02-18 16:33:41','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2501-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2506,4,'2014-02-18 16:46:04','2014-02-18 16:46:04','Last week, the Washington, DC area was hit by one of the largest snowstorms we\'ve had in four years. Some areas got as much as 18 inches of snow. Me, well I only had about 14 inches. When it stopped snowing, I opened my garage door (I couldn\'t open the front door because there was too much snow) and this is what I saw:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe snow was up to my knees and it was heavy. I didn\'t know where to start.\r\n\r\nAfter three hours of shoveling, some melting and the fact the neighbor cleared his driveway, this is what my driveway looked like:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2503\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2503\" alt=\"Snow Feb 13 after\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Shoveled out driveway, Feb. 13[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So, what can you learn about blogging from shoveling out your snowy driveway?</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You</span> have to start.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can\'t get very far if you don\'t start shoveling (or blogging). That driveway will not magically clear itself. And yes, you can wait for the snow to melt...but you are going to be able to get anywhere until it does.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You will see results.</strong></p>\r\nBlogging, like shoveling snow, can be a hard, long process. But the results are there if you just start working at it.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It takes as long as it takes.</strong></p>\r\nIt may take you three hours or it may take you 20 minutes. My neighbor, who is younger and taller than me, was able to dig out his driveway in about 45 minutes. He also helped my other neighbor do his. There are different levels of skill and ability, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t do it. If it takes longer, it does.\r\n\r\nWhat is stopping you from blogging? Is it that it daunts you? Is it that it is hard? Let me know. And keep an eye out for details about my next blogging workshop, to take place in Washington, DC on April 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What shoveling snow can teach you about blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2501-revision-v1','','','2014-02-18 16:46:04','2014-02-18 16:46:04','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2501-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2508,4,'2014-02-19 17:29:19','2014-02-19 17:29:19','Last week, the Washington, DC area was hit by one of the largest snowstorms we\'ve had in four years. Some areas got as much as 18 inches of snow. Me, well I only had about 14 inches. When it stopped snowing, I opened my garage door (I couldn\'t open the front door because there was too much snow) and this is what I saw:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2502\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2502\" alt=\"Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-before-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Snowy driveway, February 13, 2014[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe snow was up to my knees and it was heavy. I didn\'t know where to start.\r\n\r\nAfter three hours of shoveling, some melting and the fact the neighbor cleared his driveway, this is what my driveway looked like:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2503\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2503\" alt=\"Snow Feb 13 after\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snow-Feb-13-after-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Shoveled out driveway, Feb. 13[/caption]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">So, what can you learn about blogging from shoveling out your snowy driveway?</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You</span> have to start.</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can\'t get very far if you don\'t start shoveling (or blogging). That driveway will not magically clear itself. And yes, you can wait for the snow to melt...but you aren\'t going to be able to get anywhere until it does.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You will see results.</strong></p>\r\nBlogging, like shoveling snow, can be a hard, long process. But the results are there if you just start working at it.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It takes as long as it takes.</strong></p>\r\nIt may take you three hours or it may take you 20 minutes. My neighbor, who is younger and taller than me, was able to dig out his driveway in about 45 minutes. He also helped my other neighbor do his. There are different levels of skill and ability, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t do it. If it takes longer, it does.\r\n\r\nWhat is stopping you from blogging? Is it that it daunts you? Is it that it is hard? Let me know. And keep an eye out for details about my next blogging workshop, to take place in Washington, DC on April 1.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What shoveling snow can teach you about blogging','','inherit','open','open','','2501-revision-v1','','','2014-02-19 17:29:19','2014-02-19 17:29:19','',2501,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2501-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2509,4,'2014-02-21 14:11:43','2014-02-21 14:11:43','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/51a8bb\" target=\"_blank\">February 2018</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/4dd82b\">November 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2017\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/391dca\" target=\"_blank\">September 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','publish','open','open','','newsletters','','','2018-02-15 09:53:11','2018-02-15 14:53:11','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=2509',0,'page','',0),(2510,4,'2014-02-21 14:07:53','2014-02-21 14:07:53','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:07:53','2014-02-21 14:07:53','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2511,4,'2014-02-21 14:09:14','2014-02-21 14:09:14','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:09:14','2014-02-21 14:09:14','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2512,4,'2014-02-21 14:10:03','2014-02-21 14:10:03','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:10:03','2014-02-21 14:10:03','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2513,4,'2014-02-21 14:25:10','2014-02-21 14:25:10','<strong>About this blog:</strong>\n\nCuppamarcomm...well it is a play on cuppa tea (cuppa coffee), which is what the British like to drink.  Marketing communications is the term to cover all communications avenues (PR, advertising, social media, etc.) that go in to marketing and promotion. This blog is a collection of observations, ideas and information about marcomm, and its views are the sole property of its author. Comments are welcome (as long as they are not crude or rude).\n\n<strong>About the author:</strong>\n\nHi, I am Deborah Brody. I have worked in marketing communications for more than 15 years.  Currently, I am a freelance writer and strategist but before that, I worked in advertising and public relations agencies, and even taught public relations writing at the college level. I\'ve had the opportunity to work on various different projects for all sorts of clients.\n\n<strong>If you like what you see here and would like to start a blog for your company, want to learn more about social media or need help with your marketing materials, please get in touch.  Write me at info@deborahbrody.com. </strong>\n\nPlease visit my website at <a href=\"http://www.deborahbrody.com/\">www.deborahbrody.com</a> to get more info.\n\n<strong>Work Samples\n</strong>\n\nPrint Ad for Legacy Jewelers:\n\n<a title=\"leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf\">leje_108_half18k_bg.pdf</a>\n\nAnd a <a title=\"Portfolio\" href=\"http://www.deborahbrody.com/brochurewriting.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> link to the portfolio on my website.</a>\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_103\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8180834.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-103\" alt=\"Writing from the nation\'s capital\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/p8180834.jpg?w=300\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a> Writing from the nation\'s capital[/caption]','About','','inherit','open','open','','1237-autosave-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:25:10','2014-02-21 14:25:10','',1237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/1237-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2514,4,'2012-06-20 16:36:08','2012-06-20 16:36:08','<div id=\"aboutleft\"><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.\r\n\r\nCurrently based in the Washington, D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work</a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2012-06-20 16:36:08','2012-06-20 16:36:08','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/06/18-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2515,4,'2014-02-21 14:30:19','2014-02-21 14:30:19','<div id=\"aboutleft\"><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with nearly 20 years public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates, The Jeffrey Group, and  Peter Nasca Associates. With these firms, she specialized in public relations in Latin America and corporate communications.  During this time, Deborah also taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.Currently based in the Washington, D.C. area, Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work |</a><a title=\"Newsletters\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/newsletters/\">Newsletters</a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:30:19','2014-02-21 14:30:19','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/18-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2516,4,'2014-02-21 14:31:41','2014-02-21 14:31:41',' ','','','publish','open','open','','2516','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2516',13,'nav_menu_item','',0),(2565,4,'2014-04-02 19:37:38','2014-04-02 19:37:38','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">None currently scheduled. Please check back soon!</span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-04-02 19:37:38','2014-04-02 19:37:38','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2517,4,'2014-02-21 14:35:38','2014-02-21 14:35:38','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">April 1, 2014. </span></strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong>More details and registration on the workshop <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/o/deborah-brody-marketing-communications-2451102448\" target=\"_blank\">here</a><strong>. </strong></span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 14:35:38','2014-02-21 14:35:38','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2519,4,'2014-02-21 15:14:40','2014-02-21 15:14:40','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-02-21 15:14:40','2014-02-21 15:14:40','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2520,4,'2014-02-24 15:41:13','2014-02-24 15:41:13','There are two main types of human communication: interpersonal and mass communication. Interpersonal communication refers to communication between one person and another (or a few others) and mass communication is the relaying of information between individuals or entities to large groups of people using mass media (TV, internet, etc.).\r\n\r\nInterpersonal communication can further be broken down into written, oral and non-verbal communication.\r\n\r\nCan you be a good mass communicator if you aren\'t a good interpersonal communicator? That\'s the question I have been thinking about lately as I see people who work in communications jobs (PR, advertising, design, etc.) who seem to have issues communicating one-to-one. I believe the better your interpersonal communication skills are, the better you are able to do mass communication.\r\n\r\nHere are some red flags that I have been noticing:\r\n\r\n<strong>Passive-aggressive/indirect communication</strong>. Not saying what you mean or being underhanded is not effective communication.\r\n\r\n<strong>Jargon-laden communication</strong>. Often people think that they will impress others by using jargon. Or worse, they assume that everyone understands what they are saying. In either case, by using jargon, people are failing to communicate simply and therefore are being ineffective.\r\n\r\n<strong>One-way communication</strong>. This is a big one. It may be evidenced by constantly interrupting the other person or not listening to what he/sh is saying or displaying a lack of curiosity by not asking questions.  Some people carry on monologues and don\'t seem to be aware of or a care about what others think. By not caring about or adjusting to your audience, you are not being an effective communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not being \"human.\"</strong> People who don\'t acknowledge others or are incapable of social niceties (greeting people, asking about their weekend, etc.) are also communicating that they are not interested. Lack of interest in the person you are communicating with is a recipe for failed interactions.\r\n\r\nIf you come across this behavior in a communications professional(e.g. PR practitioner, a writer or an advertising executive) you should be wary. If someone is incapable of effective interpersonal communication, why should you trust that he or she can communicate on a larger scale?\r\n\r\nIn big media news, C<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/23/news/piers-morgan-cnn/\" target=\"_blank\">NN announced it will cancel Piers Morgan Live</a> after only three years. I\'m not surprised. Last week, I watched an entire episode for the first time,  and what struck me was that Piers tended to interrupt his guests many times. He continually interjected his thoughts and didn\'t allow the guests to  finish talking. It was highly annoying to watch, and I am sure, highly annoying for the guests too. Piers seems to be a master at one-way communication. Unfortunately, that doesn\'t make for effective (or interesting) TV. What a contrast from his predecessor Larry King, who was known for showing an interest in his guests.\r\n\r\nWhat red flags do you notice in interpersonal communication? Do you think there is a correlation between being good at interpersonal communication and succeeding at mass communication?','The red flags of interpersonal communication to watch out for','','publish','open','open','','the-red-flags-of-interpersonal-communication-to-watch-out-for','','','2014-02-24 15:41:13','2014-02-24 15:41:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2520',0,'post','',0),(2521,4,'2014-02-24 15:41:13','2014-02-24 15:41:13','There are two main types of human communication: interpersonal and mass communication. Interpersonal communication refers to communication between one person and another (or a few others) and mass communication is the relaying of information between individuals or entities to large groups of people using mass media (TV, internet, etc.).\r\n\r\nInterpersonal communication can further be broken down into written, oral and non-verbal communication.\r\n\r\nCan you be a good mass communicator if you aren\'t a good interpersonal communicator? That\'s the question I have been thinking about lately as I see people who work in communications jobs (PR, advertising, design, etc.) who seem to have issues communicating one-to-one. I believe the better your interpersonal communication skills are, the better you are able to do mass communication.\r\n\r\nHere are some red flags that I have been noticing:\r\n\r\n<strong>Passive-aggressive/indirect communication</strong>. Not saying what you mean or being underhanded is not effective communication.\r\n\r\n<strong>Jargon-laden communication</strong>. Often people think that they will impress others by using jargon. Or worse, they assume that everyone understands what they are saying. In either case, by using jargon, people are failing to communicate simply and therefore are being ineffective.\r\n\r\n<strong>One-way communication</strong>. This is a big one. It may be evidenced by constantly interrupting the other person or not listening to what he/sh is saying or displaying a lack of curiosity by not asking questions.  Some people carry on monologues and don\'t seem to be aware of or a care about what others think. By not caring about or adjusting to your audience, you are not being an effective communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not being \"human.\"</strong> People who don\'t acknowledge others or are incapable of social niceties (greeting people, asking about their weekend, etc.) are also communicating that they are not interested. Lack of interest in the person you are communicating with is a recipe for failed interactions.\r\n\r\nIf you come across this behavior in a communications professional(e.g. PR practitioner, a writer or an advertising executive) you should be wary. If someone is incapable of effective interpersonal communication, why should you trust that he or she can communicate on a larger scale?\r\n\r\nIn big media news, C<a href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/23/news/piers-morgan-cnn/\" target=\"_blank\">NN announced it will cancel Piers Morgan Live</a> after only three years. I\'m not surprised. Last week, I watched an entire episode for the first time,  and what struck me was that Piers tended to interrupt his guests many times. He continually interjected his thoughts and didn\'t allow the guests to  finish talking. It was highly annoying to watch, and I am sure, highly annoying for the guests too. Piers seems to be a master at one-way communication. Unfortunately, that doesn\'t make for effective (or interesting) TV. What a contrast from his predecessor Larry King, who was known for showing an interest in his guests.\r\n\r\nWhat red flags do you notice in interpersonal communication? Do you think there is a correlation between being good at interpersonal communication and succeeding at mass communication?','The red flags of interpersonal communication to watch out for','','inherit','open','open','','2520-revision-v1','','','2014-02-24 15:41:13','2014-02-24 15:41:13','',2520,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2520-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2522,4,'2014-02-26 15:31:42','2014-02-26 15:31:42','Yesterday, an acquaintance posted a picture of an elaborate, girly birthday cake she had made for her daughter\'s birthday. She had written \"Happy 4th Birthday to my baby\" as a caption.  I commented saying \"Beautiful cake! How old is she?\" Someone, let\'s call her Jane, wrote back \"ummmm Deborah. She\'s 4.\" I then looked at the post and realized that it indeed said the little girl had turned four. I was focused one the picture and my eyes just skipped the \"4th\" and read happy birthday to my baby.\" So I responded: \"Sorry Jane. I was looking at the picture. Excuse my stupidity.\" To which Jane (someone I don\'t know and who doesn\'t know me): \"I know. I just couldn\'t resist. It just struck me as so funny!\"\r\n\r\nNow I don\'t know Jane, but it was pretty obvious that she was trying to make fun of me, a stranger, in front of our mutual acquaintance and all of her friends. If she had stopped for just a couple of seconds and asked herself if the comment was necessary, she may have opted to skip it. People reading it would have realized I didn\'t read the caption correctly or they would have ignored it.\r\n\r\nThis is pretty mild stuff, I know. But people routinely post stuff quickly and with little thought to the consequence. For a \"heavier\" example, there\'s the Virginia politician who  posted on his Facebook page that pregnant women are simply \"hosts\" for the baby. He did this to defend his viewpoint that abortion should be illegal. When people criticized him, he redacted the comment, but not before it made news as far away as England, as <a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567033/Virginia-Republican-claims-pregnant-women-just-hosts-angry-Facebook-rant.html\" target=\"_blank\">this article in the Daily Mail</a> shows.\r\n\r\n<strong>Social media allows people to engage in real-time conversation, but unlike in-person spoken conversation, social media posts are public, searchable and in many cases, permanent.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn person, we can say something dumb or insensitive, and then move on. Perhaps we apologize or explain ourselves. The comments we make are not visible to anybody else outside our conversation (unless perhaps they are recorded, and you don\'t know it, in which case you may have bigger problems than just saying something stupid).\r\n\r\nIn social media, we have the illusion that we are having an intimate conversation with one person or a group, but in reality, we are making our thoughts completely public.\r\n\r\nBefore we post ANYTHING to social media, <strong>we should stop</strong> and ask ourselves: Is this really necessary? Does this comment have the capacity to offend? How will people perceive this comment?\r\n\r\nNow, I am not advocating that you spend all day deciding whether to say something on social media nor am I saying you need to edit and approve every uttering. That would be counterproductive. You should simply take a moment and think about what you are saying.\r\n\r\nOn Monday, Brad Phillips wrote a post called <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2014/02/23/no-word-was-ever-as-effective-as-a-rightly-timed-pause/\" target=\"_blank\">\"No Word Was Ever as Effective As A Rightly Timed Pause,\"</a> on his Mr. Media Training blog. His argument is that a pause in conversation has two main effects. One is to give the person who is pausing a moment to pull his/her thoughts together instead of blurting out whatever comes to mind. The second is to give the listener the impression that the person is confident enough to pause, and thoughtful enough to give a well-reasoned response.\r\n\r\n<strong>So next time to you are going to write a comment on Facebook, respond to someone on Twitter or even compose a blog post, PAUSE and think about what you are doing.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>In the DC area and interested in improving your blogging skills? Attend the next How to Write Your Blog  workshop on April 1. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">Details and registration are available on Eventbrite.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One action that guarantees social media success','','publish','open','open','','one-action-that-guarantees-social-media-success','','\nhttp://www.mrmediatraining.com/2014/02/23/no-word-was-ever-as-effective-as-a-rightly-timed-pause/','2014-02-26 15:31:42','2014-02-26 15:31:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2522',0,'post','',0),(2523,4,'2014-02-26 15:27:58','2014-02-26 15:27:58','Yesterday, an acquaintance posted a picture of an elaborate, girly birthday cake she had made for her daughter\'s birthday. She had written \"Happy 4th Birthday to my baby\" as a caption.  I commented saying \"Beautiful cake! How old is she?\" Someone, let\'s call her Jane, wrote back \"ummmm Deborah. She\'s 4.\" I then looked at the post and realized that it indeed said the little girl had turned four. I was focused one the picture and my eyes just skipped the \"4th\" and read happy birthday to my baby.\" So I responded: \"Sorry Jane. I was looking at the picture. Excuse my stupidity.\" To which Jane (someone I don\'t know and who doesn\'t know me): \"I know. I just couldn\'t resist. It just struck me as so funny!\"\r\n\r\nNow I don\'t know Jane, but it was pretty obvious that she was trying to make fun of me, a stranger, in front of our mutual acquaintance and all of her friends. If she had stopped for just a couple of seconds and asked herself if the comment was necessary, she may have opted to skip it. People reading it would have realized I didn\'t read the caption correctly or they would have ignored it.\r\n\r\nThis is pretty mild stuff, I know. But people routinely post stuff quickly and with little thought to the consequence. For a \"heavier\" example, there\'s the Virginia politician who  posted on his Facebook page that pregnant women are simply \"hosts\" for the baby. He did this to defend his viewpoint that abortion should be illegal. When people criticized him, he redacted the comment, but not before it made news as far away as England, as <a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567033/Virginia-Republican-claims-pregnant-women-just-hosts-angry-Facebook-rant.html\" target=\"_blank\">this article in the Daily Mail</a> shows.\r\n\r\n<strong>Social media allows people to engage in real-time conversation, but unlike in-person spoken conversation, social media posts are public, searchable and in many cases, permanent.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn person, we can say something dumb or insensitive, and then move on. Perhaps we apologize or explain ourselves. The comments we make are not visible to anybody else outside our conversation (unless perhaps they are recorded, and you don\'t know it, in which case you may have bigger problems than just saying something stupid).\r\n\r\nIn social media, we have the illusion that we are having an intimate conversation with one person or a group, but in reality, we are making our thoughts completely public.\r\n\r\nBefore we post ANYTHING to social media, <strong>we should stop</strong> and ask ourselves: Is this really necessary? Does this comment have the capacity to offend? How will people perceive this comment?\r\n\r\nNow, I am not advocating that you spend all day deciding whether to say something on social media nor am I saying you need to edit and approve every uttering. That would be counterproductive. You should simply take a moment and think about what you are saying.\r\n\r\nBrad Phillips wrote a post called <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2014/02/23/no-word-was-ever-as-effective-as-a-rightly-timed-pause/\" target=\"_blank\">\"No Word Was Ever as Effective As A Rightly Timed Pause,\"</a> on his Mr. Media Training blog. His argument is that a pause in conversation has two main effects. One is to give the person who is pausing a moment to pull his/her thoughts together instead of blurting out whatever comes to mind. The second is to give the listener the impression that the person is confident enough to pause, and thoughtful enough to give a well-reasoned response.\r\n\r\n<strong>So next time to you are going to write a comment on Facebook, respond to someone on Twitter or even compose a blog post, PAUSE and think about what you are doing.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>In the DC area and interested in improving your blogging skills? Attend the next How to Write Your Blog  workshop on April 1. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">Details and registration are available on Eventbrite.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One action that guarantees social media success','','inherit','open','open','','2522-revision-v1','','','2014-02-26 15:27:58','2014-02-26 15:27:58','',2522,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2522-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2524,4,'2014-02-26 15:31:42','2014-02-26 15:31:42','Yesterday, an acquaintance posted a picture of an elaborate, girly birthday cake she had made for her daughter\'s birthday. She had written \"Happy 4th Birthday to my baby\" as a caption.  I commented saying \"Beautiful cake! How old is she?\" Someone, let\'s call her Jane, wrote back \"ummmm Deborah. She\'s 4.\" I then looked at the post and realized that it indeed said the little girl had turned four. I was focused one the picture and my eyes just skipped the \"4th\" and read happy birthday to my baby.\" So I responded: \"Sorry Jane. I was looking at the picture. Excuse my stupidity.\" To which Jane (someone I don\'t know and who doesn\'t know me): \"I know. I just couldn\'t resist. It just struck me as so funny!\"\r\n\r\nNow I don\'t know Jane, but it was pretty obvious that she was trying to make fun of me, a stranger, in front of our mutual acquaintance and all of her friends. If she had stopped for just a couple of seconds and asked herself if the comment was necessary, she may have opted to skip it. People reading it would have realized I didn\'t read the caption correctly or they would have ignored it.\r\n\r\nThis is pretty mild stuff, I know. But people routinely post stuff quickly and with little thought to the consequence. For a \"heavier\" example, there\'s the Virginia politician who  posted on his Facebook page that pregnant women are simply \"hosts\" for the baby. He did this to defend his viewpoint that abortion should be illegal. When people criticized him, he redacted the comment, but not before it made news as far away as England, as <a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567033/Virginia-Republican-claims-pregnant-women-just-hosts-angry-Facebook-rant.html\" target=\"_blank\">this article in the Daily Mail</a> shows.\r\n\r\n<strong>Social media allows people to engage in real-time conversation, but unlike in-person spoken conversation, social media posts are public, searchable and in many cases, permanent.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn person, we can say something dumb or insensitive, and then move on. Perhaps we apologize or explain ourselves. The comments we make are not visible to anybody else outside our conversation (unless perhaps they are recorded, and you don\'t know it, in which case you may have bigger problems than just saying something stupid).\r\n\r\nIn social media, we have the illusion that we are having an intimate conversation with one person or a group, but in reality, we are making our thoughts completely public.\r\n\r\nBefore we post ANYTHING to social media, <strong>we should stop</strong> and ask ourselves: Is this really necessary? Does this comment have the capacity to offend? How will people perceive this comment?\r\n\r\nNow, I am not advocating that you spend all day deciding whether to say something on social media nor am I saying you need to edit and approve every uttering. That would be counterproductive. You should simply take a moment and think about what you are saying.\r\n\r\nOn Monday, Brad Phillips wrote a post called <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2014/02/23/no-word-was-ever-as-effective-as-a-rightly-timed-pause/\" target=\"_blank\">\"No Word Was Ever as Effective As A Rightly Timed Pause,\"</a> on his Mr. Media Training blog. His argument is that a pause in conversation has two main effects. One is to give the person who is pausing a moment to pull his/her thoughts together instead of blurting out whatever comes to mind. The second is to give the listener the impression that the person is confident enough to pause, and thoughtful enough to give a well-reasoned response.\r\n\r\n<strong>So next time to you are going to write a comment on Facebook, respond to someone on Twitter or even compose a blog post, PAUSE and think about what you are doing.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>In the DC area and interested in improving your blogging skills? Attend the next How to Write Your Blog  workshop on April 1. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">Details and registration are available on Eventbrite.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One action that guarantees social media success','','inherit','open','open','','2522-revision-v1','','','2014-02-26 15:31:42','2014-02-26 15:31:42','',2522,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/02/2522-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2539,4,'2014-03-14 13:38:06','2014-03-14 13:38:06','On<a title=\"Is it real or is it…a robot?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-it-real-or-is-it-a-robot/\"> Wednesday</a>, I wrote about how some Twitter accounts seem to be run by Rosie, the robot maid on The Jetsons. But robotic social media happens on other social networks and even on blogs. Since so many people seem to be doing it, what is the value of robotic social media?\r\n\r\n<strong>Robotic social media? That\'s a thing?</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, what do I mean by robotic social media? I mean social media that is cursory, unengaged, formulaic, uninspired, and there because someone thought it was a good idea to be present (but not active) on social networks. It\'s the one tweet a day that announces a new blog post. Or the automated \"thank you for following me\" tweet. It\'s the blog post that has no salient point and seems written just to have some new content on your site. It\'s the LinkedIn profile that has not seen an update in three years, since it was set up.\r\n\r\nRobotic social media nearly always depends on some sort of \"social media management tool\" that usually cross posts for you, and basically handles social media by algorithm.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why would you do that?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about why people would use social media in such a non-social way. There are probably several reasons, for example:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>For SEO purposes</li>\r\n	<li>Too busy to manage social media on your own</li>\r\n	<li>To check off social media on the communications plan tactics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOnly one of these could has some sort of value: SEO. Certainly, due to changes in search engine algorithms, social media has impact on search results. The theory is that being present on social media <em>helps</em> your search results. However, I believe that search engines reward influence, and being robotic (unengaged) does not lead to influence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps, it is even counteractive</strong>\r\n\r\nI wrote about the woman who admitted she uses a Twitter management tool and that she really hadn\'t known she \"knew\" me from Twitter. Now, I know that there\'s no there there. So no more interaction. Davina Brewer in the <a title=\"Is it real or is it…a robot?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-it-real-or-is-it-a-robot/\">comments</a> on that post mentions something that happens every day, with big brands and regular people: no response to direct tweets/messages.  In fact, just this morning, I tweeted LinkedIn to ask a question, and still no response.\r\n\r\nWhen I don\'t get a response, I assume that person/brand/organization doesn\'t care or doesn\'t even monitor their messages. I then stop interacting.  I bet many people stop interacting or even following brands/organizations when their comments are not even acknowledged.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">robotic social media is not worth it</span>. To do something just because you think you have to, and then do it by proxy, is not going to accomplish any goals other than checking something off your to-do list.\r\n\r\nAs many have said before, social media is a platform not a strategy. If you don\'t use the platform, it doesn\'t mean you don\'t have a communications strategy. Use the platform well, on the other hand, and you will further your communications strategy rather than stymie it.\r\n<p id=\"stcpDiv\"><em>Don\'t be robotic! Come learn how to blog with me in the<strong> How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 in Washington, D.C. You will learn what makes for an effective blog, how to come up with blog post ideas and how to connect with your audience. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</em></p>','Is robotic social media worth it?','','publish','open','open','','is-robotic-social-media-worth-it','','','2014-03-14 13:38:06','2014-03-14 13:38:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2539',0,'post','',1),(2527,4,'2014-03-04 16:13:23','2014-03-04 16:13:23','Twitter just reminded me that today is<a href=\"http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a> so I shelved what I was going to write (something about nonprofit communications, which I will post later on in the month) so that I could mark this momentous occasion and pay tribute to the power of grammar.\r\n\r\nProper grammar (and punctuation, usage and spelling) makes both written and spoken communication better and easier to understand. Without it, we are left wondering what was meant exactly. After all, if you\'re trying to make your point, you wouldn\'t want to mess it up by using the wrong possessive or contraction. And it would affect your writing if you didn\'t know the effect of your word choice.\r\n\r\nNow, I am no grammar queen. That would be<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Gir</a>l. I recommend buying (and reading too) her very useful reference book: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grammar Girl\'s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. </span>\r\n\r\nAnother favorite reference is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Eats Shoots &amp; Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation</span> by Lynne Truss.\r\n\r\nYou really need to have at least one grammar book on your shelves or in your electronic library.\r\n\r\nWho needs grammar? We all do! Oh, and by the way, March is National Reading Month. If you want to improve your grammar, reading (the more, the better) is the key.\r\n\r\n<em>Come learn to blog with me! My next How to Write Your Blog workshop takes place on April 1 in Washington, DC. Get more details and secure your place <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Who needs grammar?','','publish','open','open','','who-needs-grammar','','\nhttp://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/','2014-03-04 21:20:42','2014-03-04 21:20:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2527',0,'post','',0),(2528,4,'2014-03-04 16:12:39','2014-03-04 16:12:39','Twitter just reminded me that today is<a href=\"http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a> so I shelved what I was going to write (something about nonprofit communications, which I will post later on in the month) so that I could mark this momentous occasion and pay tribute to the power of grammar.\r\n\r\nProper grammar (and punctuation, usage and spelling) makes both written and spoken communication better and easier to understand. Without it, we are left wondering what was meant exactly. After all, if you\'re trying to make your point, you wouldn\'t want to mess it up by using the wrong possessive or contraction. And it would affect your writing if you didn\'t know the effect of your word choice.\r\n\r\nNow, I am no grammar queen. That would be<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Gir</a>l. I recommend buying (and reading too) her very useful reference book: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grammar Girl\'s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. </span>\r\n\r\nAnother favorite reference is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Eats Shoots &amp; Leave: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation</span> by Lynne Truss.\r\n\r\nYou really need to have at least one grammar book on your shelves or in your electronic library.\r\n\r\nWho needs grammar? We all do! Oh, and by the way, March is National Reading Month. If you want to improve your grammar, reading (the more, the better) is the key.\r\n\r\n<em>Come learn to blog with me! My next How to Write Your Blog workshop takes place on April 1 in Washington, DC. Get more details and secure your place <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Who needs grammar?','','inherit','open','open','','2527-revision-v1','','','2014-03-04 16:12:39','2014-03-04 16:12:39','',2527,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2527-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2529,4,'2014-03-04 21:20:42','2014-03-04 21:20:42','Twitter just reminded me that today is<a href=\"http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grammar-day/\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a> so I shelved what I was going to write (something about nonprofit communications, which I will post later on in the month) so that I could mark this momentous occasion and pay tribute to the power of grammar.\r\n\r\nProper grammar (and punctuation, usage and spelling) makes both written and spoken communication better and easier to understand. Without it, we are left wondering what was meant exactly. After all, if you\'re trying to make your point, you wouldn\'t want to mess it up by using the wrong possessive or contraction. And it would affect your writing if you didn\'t know the effect of your word choice.\r\n\r\nNow, I am no grammar queen. That would be<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Gir</a>l. I recommend buying (and reading too) her very useful reference book: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Grammar Girl\'s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. </span>\r\n\r\nAnother favorite reference is <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Eats Shoots &amp; Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation</span> by Lynne Truss.\r\n\r\nYou really need to have at least one grammar book on your shelves or in your electronic library.\r\n\r\nWho needs grammar? We all do! Oh, and by the way, March is National Reading Month. If you want to improve your grammar, reading (the more, the better) is the key.\r\n\r\n<em>Come learn to blog with me! My next How to Write Your Blog workshop takes place on April 1 in Washington, DC. Get more details and secure your place <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Who needs grammar?','','inherit','open','open','','2527-revision-v1','','','2014-03-04 21:20:42','2014-03-04 21:20:42','',2527,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2527-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2530,4,'2014-03-06 15:22:17','2014-03-06 15:22:17','When you read as many blogs as I do, you see a lot of really great blogs. Great blogs have interesting and relevant content and they are easy to read. But just as there are great blogs, there are many more mediocre blogs.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2531\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2531\" alt=\"Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat separates a great blog from a mediocre one? Avoiding these five mistakes:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Being hard to understand.</strong> Perhaps it\'s the excessive use of jargon, or the spelling and grammatical mistakes, but mediocre blogs make it hard for a reader to get the point.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Not being scannable.</strong> Web reading is different than print reading. We tend to favor shorter sentences and the ability to move down the page quickly. In short, web writing should be scannable, that is providing readers with with lots of headings, lists, bullets and short sentences.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>No dateline.</strong> I have heard the argument than by not having a dateline on your blog posts the content seems evergreen. Perhaps. But evergreen content is always evergreen--the date shouldn\'t matter. In my opinion, blogs are a way of establishing timeliness and currency. If you don\'t have datelines, readers can\'t tell when you last updated your blog (which of course is your intention). If they can\'t tell whether your last post is from last week or last year, you are basically making it very hard to judge if you are still blogging or not.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>No author information or about page.</strong> Have you ever gone to a blog and tried to figure out who the author is? Well, you shouldn\'t have to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes in order to find out. There should be an about page or an author biography somewhere that is easy to find. People want to know who is writing the stuff they are reading. Even on corporate blogs you could have an author biography for blog contributors (you can use great plugins like the one I use, Biographia) plus a corporate/organizational \"about us\" page.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>No sharing capability (or with limited sharing capability).</strong> It seems unbelievable that in 2014, when it seems all brands are begging you to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, there are blogs that lack sharing capabilities. It\'s a plugin and it\'s free! What\'s the problem? I also can\'t stand blogs that only allow you to share to only one social network, especially when that network is Pinterest.\r\n\r\nWhat mistakes do you see on blogs? Please share in the comments. I am sure there are more out there!\r\n\r\n<em>Avoid these mistakes! Come learn how to blog with me on April 1 in Washington, D.C. You will learn what makes for an effective blog, how to come up with blog post ideas and how to connect with your audience. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 mistakes to avoid on your blog','','publish','open','open','','5-mistakes-to-avoid-on-your-blog','','','2014-03-06 18:28:33','2014-03-06 18:28:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2530',0,'post','',1),(2531,4,'2014-03-06 15:20:38','2014-03-06 15:20:38','I believe Annie Liebowitz outlines the forehead slap as one of the fifteen essential portrait shots.','Forehead Slap','Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','forehead-slap','','','2014-03-06 15:20:38','2014-03-06 15:20:38','',2530,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2532,4,'2014-03-06 15:21:22','2014-03-06 15:21:22','When you read as many blogs as I do, you see a lot of really great blogs. Great blogs have interesting and relevant content and they are easy to read. But just as there are great blogs, there are many more mediocre blogs.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2531\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2531\" alt=\"Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat separates a great blog from a mediocre one? Avoiding these five mistakes:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Being are hard to understand.</strong> Perhaps it\'s the excessive use of jargon, or the spelling and grammatical mistakes, but mediocre blogs make it hard for a reader to get the point.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Not being scannable.</strong> Web reading is different than print reading. We tend to favor shorter sentences and the ability to move down the page quickly. In short, web writing should be scannable, that is providing readers with with lots of headings, lists, bullets and short sentences.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>No dateline.</strong> I have heard the argument than by not having a dateline on your blog posts the content seems evergreen. Perhaps. But evergreen content is always evergreen--the date shouldn\'t matter. In my opinion, blogs are a way of establishing timeliness and currency. If you don\'t have datelines, readers can\'t tell when you last updated your blog (which of course is your intention). If they can\'t tell whether your last post is from last week or last year, you are basically making it very hard to judge if you are still blogging or not.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>No author information or about page.</strong> Have you ever gone to a blog and tried to figure out who the author is? Well, you shouldn\'t have to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes in order to find out. There should be an about page or an author biography somewhere that is easy to find. People want to know who is writing the stuff they are reading. Even on corporate blogs you could have an author biography for blog contributors (you can use great plugins like the one I use, Biographia) plus a corporate/organizational \"about us\" page.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>No sharing capability (or with limited sharing capability).</strong> It seems unbelievable that in 2014, when it seems all brands are begging you to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, there are blogs that lack sharing capabilities. It\'s a plugin and it\'s free! What\'s the problem? I also can\'t stand blogs that only allow you to share to only one social network, especially when that network is Pinterest.\r\n\r\nWhat mistakes do you see on blogs? Please share in the comments. I am sure there are more out there!\r\n\r\n<em>Avoid these mistakes! Come learn how to blog with me on April 1 in Washington, D.C. You will learn what makes for an effective blog, how to come up with blog post ideas and how to connect with your audience. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 mistakes to avoid on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2530-revision-v1','','','2014-03-06 15:21:22','2014-03-06 15:21:22','',2530,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2530-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2533,4,'2014-03-06 18:28:33','2014-03-06 18:28:33','When you read as many blogs as I do, you see a lot of really great blogs. Great blogs have interesting and relevant content and they are easy to read. But just as there are great blogs, there are many more mediocre blogs.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2531\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2531\" alt=\"Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/6093708745_ccdb347857_b-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Forehead Slap by Terry Robinson on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat separates a great blog from a mediocre one? Avoiding these five mistakes:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Being hard to understand.</strong> Perhaps it\'s the excessive use of jargon, or the spelling and grammatical mistakes, but mediocre blogs make it hard for a reader to get the point.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Not being scannable.</strong> Web reading is different than print reading. We tend to favor shorter sentences and the ability to move down the page quickly. In short, web writing should be scannable, that is providing readers with with lots of headings, lists, bullets and short sentences.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>No dateline.</strong> I have heard the argument than by not having a dateline on your blog posts the content seems evergreen. Perhaps. But evergreen content is always evergreen--the date shouldn\'t matter. In my opinion, blogs are a way of establishing timeliness and currency. If you don\'t have datelines, readers can\'t tell when you last updated your blog (which of course is your intention). If they can\'t tell whether your last post is from last week or last year, you are basically making it very hard to judge if you are still blogging or not.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>No author information or about page.</strong> Have you ever gone to a blog and tried to figure out who the author is? Well, you shouldn\'t have to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes in order to find out. There should be an about page or an author biography somewhere that is easy to find. People want to know who is writing the stuff they are reading. Even on corporate blogs you could have an author biography for blog contributors (you can use great plugins like the one I use, Biographia) plus a corporate/organizational \"about us\" page.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>No sharing capability (or with limited sharing capability).</strong> It seems unbelievable that in 2014, when it seems all brands are begging you to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, there are blogs that lack sharing capabilities. It\'s a plugin and it\'s free! What\'s the problem? I also can\'t stand blogs that only allow you to share to only one social network, especially when that network is Pinterest.\r\n\r\nWhat mistakes do you see on blogs? Please share in the comments. I am sure there are more out there!\r\n\r\n<em>Avoid these mistakes! Come learn how to blog with me on April 1 in Washington, D.C. You will learn what makes for an effective blog, how to come up with blog post ideas and how to connect with your audience. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorgf\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 mistakes to avoid on your blog','','inherit','open','open','','2530-revision-v1','','','2014-03-06 18:28:33','2014-03-06 18:28:33','',2530,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2530-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2535,4,'2014-03-12 14:10:30','2014-03-12 14:10:30','Imagine you\'re having a party. You invite some friends and acquaintances. You crank up some music, put out some snacks and drinks, and your guests are milling around, having a good time. There\'s a knock on the door and Rosie, the robotic maid from the Jetsons is there. She\'s been sent in place of your friend Jane Jones.  Jane is sorry she can\'t attend but she is too busy. Rosie comes in and tells you that she has been instructed to follow people she might find interesting. She then starts walking behind a couple of your friends.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2536\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2536\" alt=\"Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt some point, a group of you are sitting and discussing your upcoming vacation plans when suddenly Rosie chimes in and says: My latest blog post is about how to maximize user engagement. One of your friends asks Rosie to share her top tip on maximizing user engagement. Rosie is silent. Everybody goes back to discussing vacation planning.\r\n\r\nThis scenario happens every single day on Twitter, as busy people try to participate in the Twitter conversation via robot (also known as Twitter management).\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you using a Twitter Management tool?</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night, I was at an event (in real life) and saw someone I follow (and who follows me) on Twitter. I went over and said hi. She looked at me blankly. I explained we follow each other on Twitter. She kind of laughed and explained that she uses <a href=\"http://commun.it/\" target=\"_blank\">Commun.it,</a> something that automatically follows people for her, and even tweets for her. So in essence, I have been interacting with a robot.\r\n\r\nIf your goal for Twitter is engagement, then having a robotic presence is a killer. I am not saying you shouldn\'t schedule some tweets or use something to let you find people to follow. But if you are not participating in it personally, and you are basically \"tweeting by proxy,\" you are nothing more than Rosie Jetson--a robot bringing nothing to the conversation.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps you are too busy for Twitter</strong>\r\n\r\nMy thought is that if you are too busy for Twitter, perhaps it is not the best platform for you. Twitter is time intensive, no doubt. And if you use it well, you can develop real relationships with people all over the world. If you use it robotically, on the other hand, you get very little if anything from it. You may have a long list of followers and people you are following, but if there is no meaningful interaction, what is the point?\r\n\r\nDo you use a Twitter management tool? Why or why not? If you do, what do you get from it? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me for the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop, taking place on April 1 in Washington, D.C. For more details and to register, check out the <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page.</a></em>','Is it real or is it...a robot?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-real-or-is-it-a-robot','','','2014-03-12 14:10:30','2014-03-12 14:10:30','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2535',0,'post','',3),(2536,4,'2014-03-12 14:00:43','2014-03-12 14:00:43','','8545425914_99cf44571f_b','Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','8545425914_99cf44571f_b','','','2014-03-12 14:00:43','2014-03-12 14:00:43','',2535,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2537,4,'2014-03-12 14:06:46','2014-03-12 14:06:46','Imagine you\'re having a party. You invite some friends and acquaintances. You crank up some music, put out some snacks and drinks, and your guests are milling around, having a good time. There\'s a knock on the door and Rosie, the robotic maid from the Jetsons is there. She\'s been sent in place of your friend Jane Jones.  Jane is sorry she can\'t attend but she is too busy. Rosie comes in and tells you that she has been instructed to follow people she might find interesting. She then starts walking behind a couple of your friends.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2536\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2536\" alt=\"Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt some point, a group of you are sitting and discussing your upcoming vacation plans when suddenly Rosie chimes in and says: My latest blog post is about how to maximize user engagement. One of your friends asks Rosie to share her top tip on maximizing user engagement. Rosie is silent. Everybody goes back to discussing vacation planning.\r\n\r\nThis scenario happens every single day on Twitter, as busy people try to participate in the Twitter conversation via robot (also known as Twitter management).\r\n\r\nLast night, I was at an event (in real life) and saw someone I follow (and who follows me) on Twitter. I went over and said hi. She looked at me blankly. I explained we follow each other on Twitter. She kind of laughed and explained that she uses <a href=\"http://commun.it/\" target=\"_blank\">Commun.it,</a> something that automatically follows people for her, and even tweets for her. So in essence, I have been interacting with a robot.\r\n\r\nIf your goal for Twitter is engagement, then having a robotic presence is a killer. I am not saying you shouldn\'t schedule some tweets or use something to let you find people to follow. But if you are not participating in it personally, and you are basically \"tweeting by proxy,\" you are nothing more than Rosie Jetson--a robot bringing nothing to the conversation.\r\n\r\nMy thought is that if you are too busy for Twitter, perhaps it is not the best platform for you. Twitter is time intensive, no doubt. And if you use it well, you can develop real relationships with people all over the world. If you use it robotically, on the other hand, you get very little if anything from it. You may have a long list of followers and people you are following, but if there is no meaningful interaction, what is the point?\r\n\r\nDo you use a Twitter management tool? Why or why not? If you do, what do you get from it?\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me for the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop, taking place on April 1 in Washington, D.C. For more details and to register, check out the <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page.</a></em>','Is it real or is it...a robot?','','inherit','open','open','','2535-revision-v1','','','2014-03-12 14:06:46','2014-03-12 14:06:46','',2535,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2535-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2538,4,'2014-03-12 14:09:29','2014-03-12 14:09:29','Imagine you\'re having a party. You invite some friends and acquaintances. You crank up some music, put out some snacks and drinks, and your guests are milling around, having a good time. There\'s a knock on the door and Rosie, the robotic maid from the Jetsons is there. She\'s been sent in place of your friend Jane Jones.  Jane is sorry she can\'t attend but she is too busy. Rosie comes in and tells you that she has been instructed to follow people she might find interesting. She then starts walking behind a couple of your friends.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2536\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2536\" alt=\"Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/8545425914_99cf44571f_b-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Rosie Love by Doran on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt some point, a group of you are sitting and discussing your upcoming vacation plans when suddenly Rosie chimes in and says: My latest blog post is about how to maximize user engagement. One of your friends asks Rosie to share her top tip on maximizing user engagement. Rosie is silent. Everybody goes back to discussing vacation planning.\r\n\r\nThis scenario happens every single day on Twitter, as busy people try to participate in the Twitter conversation via robot (also known as Twitter management).\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you using a Twitter Management tool?</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night, I was at an event (in real life) and saw someone I follow (and who follows me) on Twitter. I went over and said hi. She looked at me blankly. I explained we follow each other on Twitter. She kind of laughed and explained that she uses <a href=\"http://commun.it/\" target=\"_blank\">Commun.it,</a> something that automatically follows people for her, and even tweets for her. So in essence, I have been interacting with a robot.\r\n\r\nIf your goal for Twitter is engagement, then having a robotic presence is a killer. I am not saying you shouldn\'t schedule some tweets or use something to let you find people to follow. But if you are not participating in it personally, and you are basically \"tweeting by proxy,\" you are nothing more than Rosie Jetson--a robot bringing nothing to the conversation.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps you are too busy for Twitter</strong>\r\n\r\nMy thought is that if you are too busy for Twitter, perhaps it is not the best platform for you. Twitter is time intensive, no doubt. And if you use it well, you can develop real relationships with people all over the world. If you use it robotically, on the other hand, you get very little if anything from it. You may have a long list of followers and people you are following, but if there is no meaningful interaction, what is the point?\r\n\r\nDo you use a Twitter management tool? Why or why not? If you do, what do you get from it? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me for the next <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop, taking place on April 1 in Washington, D.C. For more details and to register, check out the <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page.</a></em>','Is it real or is it...a robot?','','inherit','open','open','','2535-revision-v1','','','2014-03-12 14:09:29','2014-03-12 14:09:29','',2535,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2535-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2540,4,'2014-03-14 13:38:06','2014-03-14 13:38:06','On<a title=\"Is it real or is it…a robot?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-it-real-or-is-it-a-robot/\"> Wednesday</a>, I wrote about how some Twitter accounts seem to be run by Rosie, the robot maid on The Jetsons. But robotic social media happens on other social networks and even on blogs. Since so many people seem to be doing it, what is the value of robotic social media?\r\n\r\n<strong>Robotic social media? That\'s a thing?</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, what do I mean by robotic social media? I mean social media that is cursory, unengaged, formulaic, uninspired, and there because someone thought it was a good idea to be present (but not active) on social networks. It\'s the one tweet a day that announces a new blog post. Or the automated \"thank you for following me\" tweet. It\'s the blog post that has no salient point and seems written just to have some new content on your site. It\'s the LinkedIn profile that has not seen an update in three years, since it was set up.\r\n\r\nRobotic social media nearly always depends on some sort of \"social media management tool\" that usually cross posts for you, and basically handles social media by algorithm.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why would you do that?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about why people would use social media in such a non-social way. There are probably several reasons, for example:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>For SEO purposes</li>\r\n	<li>Too busy to manage social media on your own</li>\r\n	<li>To check off social media on the communications plan tactics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOnly one of these could has some sort of value: SEO. Certainly, due to changes in search engine algorithms, social media has impact on search results. The theory is that being present on social media <em>helps</em> your search results. However, I believe that search engines reward influence, and being robotic (unengaged) does not lead to influence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps, it is even counteractive</strong>\r\n\r\nI wrote about the woman who admitted she uses a Twitter management tool and that she really hadn\'t known she \"knew\" me from Twitter. Now, I know that there\'s no there there. So no more interaction. Davina Brewer in the <a title=\"Is it real or is it…a robot?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-it-real-or-is-it-a-robot/\">comments</a> on that post mentions something that happens every day, with big brands and regular people: no response to direct tweets/messages.  In fact, just this morning, I tweeted LinkedIn to ask a question, and still no response.\r\n\r\nWhen I don\'t get a response, I assume that person/brand/organization doesn\'t care or doesn\'t even monitor their messages. I then stop interacting.  I bet many people stop interacting or even following brands/organizations when their comments are not even acknowledged.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">robotic social media is not worth it</span>. To do something just because you think you have to, and then do it by proxy, is not going to accomplish any goals other than checking something off your to-do list.\r\n\r\nAs many have said before, social media is a platform not a strategy. If you don\'t use the platform, it doesn\'t mean you don\'t have a communications strategy. Use the platform well, on the other hand, and you will further your communications strategy rather than stymie it.\r\n<p id=\"stcpDiv\"><em>Don\'t be robotic! Come learn how to blog with me in the<strong> How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 in Washington, D.C. You will learn what makes for an effective blog, how to come up with blog post ideas and how to connect with your audience. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</em></p>','Is robotic social media worth it?','','inherit','open','open','','2539-revision-v1','','','2014-03-14 13:38:06','2014-03-14 13:38:06','',2539,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2539-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2571,4,'2014-04-10 15:01:41','2014-04-10 15:01:41','Being effective in social media marketing requires choosing the right social networks on which to spend time and effort (and money). And you do have to choose because a) there are too many networks and b) some will work better than others.\r\n\r\nTo choose the \"right\" social networks you should consider:\r\n\r\n<strong>Your offering.</strong> Are you a retailer or a service provider? How much explanation does your offering require?\r\n\r\n<strong>Your target audience</strong>. Who is buying your product or service? Where does the target prefer to receive information? Where is the target likely to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong>Your strengths</strong>. Are you visual or do you like words? Are you more likely to take and post pictures or write a 1000-word blog post?\r\n\r\n<strong>Where have you had the most traction?</strong> If you haven\'t yet been measuring response, then start right away. Google Analytics will tell you where people are coming from, and this is very valuable information. If most of your customers are coming from a particular social network, it makes sense to focus your energy and effort there.\r\n\r\nI met a blogger who writes about event planning, and she gets the most visits to her blog from Pinterest.  So she focuses exclusively on building her Pinterest presence. Then there\'s the women\'s clothing and accessories retailer who gets most of her online orders through Facebook.  She has decided to budget for Facebook ads and sponsored posts and it is really paying off.\r\n\r\nIn both cases, these people understand their product/service and where to best market it. And they have decided to really focus on the social network that provides the most bang for the buck.\r\n\r\nHow many social networks do you focus on? Are you finding some work better than others?','How to choose the best social networks for marketing','','publish','open','open','','how-to-choose-the-best-social-networks-for-marketing','','','2014-04-10 15:01:41','2014-04-10 15:01:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2571',0,'post','',2),(2542,4,'2014-03-18 14:08:07','2014-03-18 14:08:07','Now, I should say upfront that I do NOT watch Mad Men, the AMC series about the advertising business in New York City in the 1960s. However, I do know that it shows the very real sexism of the time that ran rampant in advertising agencies.  Women were generally in support staff positions rather than as creatives or agency principals (come to think of it, even in the 1990s, when I worked in advertising, the agency principals were all men...).\r\n\r\nOn the radio a couple of days ago, I heard a commercial for a home security company. In the spot, a woman is narrating and telling the audience that since her husband started traveling a lot for business, she is afraid to be alone in her house. And because she wishes to retaliate against her husband for taking the job that makes him go out on the road so much, and leaving her all alone , she has decided to get a home security system so that she can feel safe. Now, if she hears a noise, she doesn\'t need to reach for the Xanax, but rather look at her computer screen and monitor all the rooms in the house. (I am not making this up, except for the Xanax part.)\r\n\r\nThe commercial makes several assumptions:\r\n\r\n1.) Women are afraid to be alone (being the weaker sex and all).\r\n\r\n2.) Only men have (big, important) jobs that require travel.\r\n\r\n3.) Women can make the decision to buy something, but the husband (who is the breadwinner after all) is the one controlling the household finances.\r\n\r\n4.) Only married people own homes that would require home security (single people always live in apartments apparently).\r\n\r\n(I could add  5.) Marriage is only between a man and a woman , but this is so ubiquitous in advertising that it\'s a topic for another day).\r\n\r\nWhen I heard it on the radio, I couldn\'t believe that a company wanted to advertise its services in this way in 2014. Women have been in the workforce for a long time and they travel for business. In fact, I found the commercial to be quite offensive. But clearly, in the mind of this sexist home security company, as a single woman who is not afraid of being in my own home by myself, I am not the target market.\r\n\r\nWhat is particularly a bad marketing decision is to be so narrowly focused when home security is something that could be sold to every home owner.  This commercial not only is <strong>too narrowly targeted</strong> <strong>but it could serve to turn off potential customers</strong> due to the various outdated assumptions it makes.\r\n\r\nOther companies are being more reflective of the reality of gender roles.  For example, a national detergent brand has a TV commercial where the dad is doing the laundry of his very rambunctious (and dirty) little girls. Or the insurance company that shows a single mother shopping for life insurance.\r\n\r\nWe are not living in the 1960s. Companies that use dated (and sexist) notions are alienating potential customers...and that is not good for the bottom line.\r\n\r\n<em>In the Washington area and looking to jump start your blog? Attend the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1. Sign up before March 21 to get early registration pricing. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Registration here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Did Mad Men write this commercial?','','publish','open','open','','did-mad-men-write-this-commercial','','','2014-03-19 20:50:42','2014-03-19 20:50:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2542',0,'post','',2),(2543,4,'2014-03-18 14:08:07','2014-03-18 14:08:07','Now, I should say upfront that I do NOT watch Mad Men, the AMC series about the advertising business in New York City in the 1960s. However, I do know that, as was rampant at the time, there was a fair amount of sexism going around then. Women were more support staff than creatives or agency principals (come to think of it, even in the 1990s, when I worked in advertising, the agency principals were all men...).\r\n\r\nOn the radio a couple of days ago, I heard a commercial for a home security company. In the spot, a woman is narrating and telling the audience that since her husband started traveling a lot for business, she is afraid to be alone in her house. And because she wishes to retaliate against her husband for taking the job that makes him go out on the road so much, and leaving her all alone , she has decided to get a home security system so that she can feel safe. Now, if she hears a noise, she doesn\'t need to reach for the Xanax, but rather look at her computer screen and monitor all the rooms in the house. (I am not making this up, except for the Xanax part.)\r\n\r\nThe commercial makes several assumptions:\r\n\r\n1.) Women are afraid to be alone (being the weaker sex and all).\r\n\r\n2.) Only men have (big, important) jobs that require travel.\r\n\r\n3.) Women can make the decision to buy something, but the husband (who is the breadwinner after all) is the one controlling the household finances.\r\n\r\n4.) Only married people own homes that would require home security (single people always live in apartments apparently).\r\n\r\n(I could add  5.) Marriage is only between a man and a woman , but this is so ubiquitous in advertising that it\'s a topic for another day).\r\n\r\nWhen I heard it on the radio, I couldn\'t believe that a company wanted to advertise its services in this way in 2014. Women have been in the workforce for a long time and they travel for business. In fact, I found the commercial to be quite offensive. But clearly, in the mind of this sexist home security company, as a single woman who is not afraid of being in my own home by myself, I am not the target market.\r\n\r\nWhat is particularly a bad marketing decision is to be so narrowly focused when home security is something that could be sold to every home owner.  This commercial not only is <strong>too narrowly targeted</strong> <strong>but it could serve to turn off potential customers</strong> due to the various outdated assumptions it makes.\r\n\r\nOther companies are being more reflective of the reality of gender roles.  For example, a national detergent brand has a TV commercial where the dad is doing the laundry of his very rambunctious (and dirty) little girls. Or the insurance company that shows a single mother shopping for life insurance.\r\n\r\nWe are not living in the 1960s. Companies that use dated (and sexist) notions are alienating potential customers...and that is not good for the bottom line.\r\n\r\n<em>In the Washington area and looking to jump start your blog? Attend the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1. Sign up before March 21 to get early registration pricing. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Registration here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Did Mad Men write this commercial?','','inherit','open','open','','2542-revision-v1','','','2014-03-18 14:08:07','2014-03-18 14:08:07','',2542,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2542-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2545,4,'2014-03-19 20:50:36','2014-03-19 20:50:36','Now, I should say upfront that I do NOT watch Mad Men, the AMC series about the advertising business in New York City in the 1960s. However, I do know that it shows the very real sexism of the time that ran rampant in advertising agencies.  Women were generally in support staff position rather than as creatives or agency principals (come to think of it, even in the 1990s, when I worked in advertising, the agency principals were all men...).\n\nOn the radio a couple of days ago, I heard a commercial for a home security company. In the spot, a woman is narrating and telling the audience that since her husband started traveling a lot for business, she is afraid to be alone in her house. And because she wishes to retaliate against her husband for taking the job that makes him go out on the road so much, and leaving her all alone , she has decided to get a home security system so that she can feel safe. Now, if she hears a noise, she doesn\'t need to reach for the Xanax, but rather look at her computer screen and monitor all the rooms in the house. (I am not making this up, except for the Xanax part.)\n\nThe commercial makes several assumptions:\n\n1.) Women are afraid to be alone (being the weaker sex and all).\n\n2.) Only men have (big, important) jobs that require travel.\n\n3.) Women can make the decision to buy something, but the husband (who is the breadwinner after all) is the one controlling the household finances.\n\n4.) Only married people own homes that would require home security (single people always live in apartments apparently).\n\n(I could add  5.) Marriage is only between a man and a woman , but this is so ubiquitous in advertising that it\'s a topic for another day).\n\nWhen I heard it on the radio, I couldn\'t believe that a company wanted to advertise its services in this way in 2014. Women have been in the workforce for a long time and they travel for business. In fact, I found the commercial to be quite offensive. But clearly, in the mind of this sexist home security company, as a single woman who is not afraid of being in my own home by myself, I am not the target market.\n\nWhat is particularly a bad marketing decision is to be so narrowly focused when home security is something that could be sold to every home owner.  This commercial not only is <strong>too narrowly targeted</strong> <strong>but it could serve to turn off potential customers</strong> due to the various outdated assumptions it makes.\n\nOther companies are being more reflective of the reality of gender roles.  For example, a national detergent brand has a TV commercial where the dad is doing the laundry of his very rambunctious (and dirty) little girls. Or the insurance company that shows a single mother shopping for life insurance.\n\nWe are not living in the 1960s. Companies that use dated (and sexist) notions are alienating potential customers...and that is not good for the bottom line.\n\n<em>In the Washington area and looking to jump start your blog? Attend the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1. Sign up before March 21 to get early registration pricing. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Registration here.</a></em>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Did Mad Men write this commercial?','','inherit','open','open','','2542-autosave-v1','','','2014-03-19 20:50:36','2014-03-19 20:50:36','',2542,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2542-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2546,4,'2014-03-19 20:50:42','2014-03-19 20:50:42','Now, I should say upfront that I do NOT watch Mad Men, the AMC series about the advertising business in New York City in the 1960s. However, I do know that it shows the very real sexism of the time that ran rampant in advertising agencies.  Women were generally in support staff positions rather than as creatives or agency principals (come to think of it, even in the 1990s, when I worked in advertising, the agency principals were all men...).\r\n\r\nOn the radio a couple of days ago, I heard a commercial for a home security company. In the spot, a woman is narrating and telling the audience that since her husband started traveling a lot for business, she is afraid to be alone in her house. And because she wishes to retaliate against her husband for taking the job that makes him go out on the road so much, and leaving her all alone , she has decided to get a home security system so that she can feel safe. Now, if she hears a noise, she doesn\'t need to reach for the Xanax, but rather look at her computer screen and monitor all the rooms in the house. (I am not making this up, except for the Xanax part.)\r\n\r\nThe commercial makes several assumptions:\r\n\r\n1.) Women are afraid to be alone (being the weaker sex and all).\r\n\r\n2.) Only men have (big, important) jobs that require travel.\r\n\r\n3.) Women can make the decision to buy something, but the husband (who is the breadwinner after all) is the one controlling the household finances.\r\n\r\n4.) Only married people own homes that would require home security (single people always live in apartments apparently).\r\n\r\n(I could add  5.) Marriage is only between a man and a woman , but this is so ubiquitous in advertising that it\'s a topic for another day).\r\n\r\nWhen I heard it on the radio, I couldn\'t believe that a company wanted to advertise its services in this way in 2014. Women have been in the workforce for a long time and they travel for business. In fact, I found the commercial to be quite offensive. But clearly, in the mind of this sexist home security company, as a single woman who is not afraid of being in my own home by myself, I am not the target market.\r\n\r\nWhat is particularly a bad marketing decision is to be so narrowly focused when home security is something that could be sold to every home owner.  This commercial not only is <strong>too narrowly targeted</strong> <strong>but it could serve to turn off potential customers</strong> due to the various outdated assumptions it makes.\r\n\r\nOther companies are being more reflective of the reality of gender roles.  For example, a national detergent brand has a TV commercial where the dad is doing the laundry of his very rambunctious (and dirty) little girls. Or the insurance company that shows a single mother shopping for life insurance.\r\n\r\nWe are not living in the 1960s. Companies that use dated (and sexist) notions are alienating potential customers...and that is not good for the bottom line.\r\n\r\n<em>In the Washington area and looking to jump start your blog? Attend the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1. Sign up before March 21 to get early registration pricing. <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Registration here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Did Mad Men write this commercial?','','inherit','open','open','','2542-revision-v1','','','2014-03-19 20:50:42','2014-03-19 20:50:42','',2542,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2542-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2547,4,'2014-03-20 13:19:45','2014-03-20 13:19:45','Have you ever seen a blog headline that says something like this:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How to lose 10 lbs. fast!</strong></p>\r\nYou quickly go check it out to find that the blog post doesn\'t really exist. You will not be losing 10 pounds fast, but you may be asked to pay ten pounds (if you were in England, perhaps 10 dollars here in the U.S.).  In some cases, the blog post will consist of one line providing a bit of the information you are looking for, and then you will be hit with this: <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em>click here for more</em>.</span> The \"more\" is that  you are likely being asked to buy a book, seminar, program, etc. to learn the many secrets of fast weight loss (or increasing sales, or whatever).\r\n\r\nA variation on this is the pop-up that appears before you can even read the blog post asking you to sign up for a \"free\" newsletter or sign in as a \"member\" to read more. In this case, the blog owner wants your information to add to a database as an exchange for providing information.\r\n\r\nI may not know how to lose weight fast, but I do know what makes blogs lose readers in a second:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Tease them or try to sell them.</strong></p>\r\nReaders come to your blog to pick up some knowledge, insight, advice, tips or motivation. They do not come to your blog solely to buy something. They do not want to give you their name and email and credit card information. They don\'t want to be added to your email list.  They simply want to learn.\r\n\r\nIf you aren\'t willing to give information to your blog readers for free, with no strings attached, I suggest you forget blogging and look to other methods of content delivery.\r\n\r\nAm I suggesting you have to give away all your secrets for free in your blog? Of course not! But you must think of your blog as a way to help your readers learn something while showing them that you know your stuff.\r\n\r\nYou <em>can</em> promote your events and e-books and seminars, but not by teasing your audience or bullying them into giving you money now.  Do it like I will below, and your readers won\'t be turned off.\r\n\r\n<em>Avoid blog errors like this one. Attend my <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 in Washington, D.C. Early registration discount ends tomorrow at midnight, so register today to save $10. More information and registration on the <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page. </a></em>','How to lose blog readers fast','','publish','open','open','','how-to-lose-blog-readers-fast','','','2014-03-20 13:19:45','2014-03-20 13:19:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2547',0,'post','',1),(2548,4,'2014-03-20 13:19:45','2014-03-20 13:19:45','Have you ever seen a blog headline that says something like this:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How to lose 10 lbs. fast!</strong></p>\r\nYou quickly go check it out to find that the blog post doesn\'t really exist. You will not be losing 10 pounds fast, but you may be asked to pay ten pounds (if you were in England, perhaps 10 dollars here in the U.S.).  In some cases, the blog post will consist of one line providing a bit of the information you are looking for, and then you will be hit with this: <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em>click here for more</em>.</span> The \"more\" is that  you are likely being asked to buy a book, seminar, program, etc. to learn the many secrets of fast weight loss (or increasing sales, or whatever).\r\n\r\nA variation on this is the pop-up that appears before you can even read the blog post asking you to sign up for a \"free\" newsletter or sign in as a \"member\" to read more. In this case, the blog owner wants your information to add to a database as an exchange for providing information.\r\n\r\nI may not know how to lose weight fast, but I do know what makes blogs lose readers in a second:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Tease them or try to sell them.</strong></p>\r\nReaders come to your blog to pick up some knowledge, insight, advice, tips or motivation. They do not come to your blog solely to buy something. They do not want to give you their name and email and credit card information. They don\'t want to be added to your email list.  They simply want to learn.\r\n\r\nIf you aren\'t willing to give information to your blog readers for free, with no strings attached, I suggest you forget blogging and look to other methods of content delivery.\r\n\r\nAm I suggesting you have to give away all your secrets for free in your blog? Of course not! But you must think of your blog as a way to help your readers learn something while showing them that you know your stuff.\r\n\r\nYou <em>can</em> promote your events and e-books and seminars, but not by teasing your audience or bullying them into giving you money now.  Do it like I will below, and your readers won\'t be turned off.\r\n\r\n<em>Avoid blog errors like this one. Attend my <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 in Washington, D.C. Early registration discount ends tomorrow at midnight, so register today to save $10. More information and registration on the <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page. </a></em>','How to lose blog readers fast','','inherit','open','open','','2547-revision-v1','','','2014-03-20 13:19:45','2014-03-20 13:19:45','',2547,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2547-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2549,4,'2014-03-24 13:29:59','2014-03-24 13:29:59','As has happened multiple times already, Feedly has stopped picking up the feed to this blog. My last post, which<a title=\"How to lose blog readers fast\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/how-to-lose-blog-readers-fast/\"> I wrote on Thursday, March 20,</a> has yet to appear. I am testing to see if this post will be picked up. It is a disaster when you depend on the RSS to work for your readers to be able to see your stuff. Feedly is failing me.\r\n\r\nI apologize for any inconvenience if you are getting this through email.','Is Feedly picking up the feed? Test post.','','publish','open','open','','is-feedly-picking-up-the-feed-test-post','','','2014-03-24 13:32:00','2014-03-24 13:32:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2549',0,'post','',2),(2550,4,'2014-03-24 13:29:59','2014-03-24 13:29:59','As has happened multiple times already, Feedly has stopped picking up the feed to this blog. My last post, which I wrote on Thursday, March 20, has yet to appear. I am testing to see if this post will be picked up. It is a disaster when you depend on the RSS to work for your readers to be able to see your stuff. Feedly is failing me.\r\n\r\nI apologize for any inconvenience if you are getting this through email.','Is Feedly picking up the feed? Test post.','','inherit','open','open','','2549-revision-v1','','','2014-03-24 13:29:59','2014-03-24 13:29:59','',2549,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2549-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2551,4,'2014-03-24 13:32:00','2014-03-24 13:32:00','As has happened multiple times already, Feedly has stopped picking up the feed to this blog. My last post, which<a title=\"How to lose blog readers fast\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/how-to-lose-blog-readers-fast/\"> I wrote on Thursday, March 20,</a> has yet to appear. I am testing to see if this post will be picked up. It is a disaster when you depend on the RSS to work for your readers to be able to see your stuff. Feedly is failing me.\r\n\r\nI apologize for any inconvenience if you are getting this through email.','Is Feedly picking up the feed? Test post.','','inherit','open','open','','2549-revision-v1','','','2014-03-24 13:32:00','2014-03-24 13:32:00','',2549,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2549-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2552,4,'2014-03-25 12:58:30','2014-03-25 12:58:30','If there is one \"secret\" to get more blog readers (other than having a relevant, interesting, well written blog), it is this: be likeable.  That\'s it.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2554\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"294\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2554\" alt=\"Heart doodle by findingthenow on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b-294x300.jpg\" width=\"294\" height=\"300\" /></a> Heart doodle by findingthenow on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nPeople tend to do business with companies they like. People hire people they like. And people read blogs they like.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve ever read Dale Carnegie, you know that one of the main tenets in his teachings is to be likeable. For example, Carnegie says it is better to not to try to win an argument--let the other person be right. He also suggests disarming critics by being nice to them.\r\n\r\nSocial network behemoth Facebook knows likeability is key. After all, you are asked to \"like\" pages and status updates.\r\n\r\nHow can your blog be more likeable? Here are a few suggestions:\r\n\r\n<strong>Be easy to understand</strong>--Instead of throwing around fancy words and jargon, make sure people know what you are saying.\r\n\r\n<strong>Show your expertise without showing off</strong>--If you have to tell people you are superman, then your super powers are failing you (and perhaps you left your superhero costume at the dry cleaners).\r\n\r\n<strong><strong>Have an approachable tone</strong>--</strong> People respond positively to cheerful, casual and caring tones, among others, while sarcastic, acid and pedantic tones generally turn people off.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Leave combativeness to soldiers at war--</strong>You can disagree with something without attacking it wholesale.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you like reading a blog? What makes you never come back? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Become a better blogger! Join me for the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 (one week from today!) in Washington, D.C. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to get more blog readers (and customers) fast','','publish','open','open','','how-to-get-more-blog-readers-and-customers-fast','','','2014-03-25 12:58:30','2014-03-25 12:58:30','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2552',0,'post','',0),(2553,4,'2014-03-24 21:42:35','2014-03-24 21:42:35','If there is one \"secret\" to get more blog readers (other than having a relevant, interesting, well written blog), it is this: be likeable.  That\'s it.\r\n\r\nImagine this: you are new in town, and you force yourself to go to a neighborhood barbecue. You go up to someone and introduce yourself. The person is nasty to you.','How to get more blog readers (and customers) fast','','inherit','open','open','','2552-revision-v1','','','2014-03-24 21:42:35','2014-03-24 21:42:35','',2552,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2552-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2554,4,'2014-03-25 12:56:26','2014-03-25 12:56:26','','4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b','Heart doodle by findingthenow on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b','','','2014-03-25 12:56:26','2014-03-25 12:56:26','',2552,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2555,4,'2014-03-25 12:57:48','2014-03-25 12:57:48','If there is one \"secret\" to get more blog readers (other than having a relevant, interesting, well written blog), it is this: be likeable.  That\'s it.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2554\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"294\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2554\" alt=\"Heart doodle by findingthenow on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4395977015_8c3e9d70e7_b-294x300.jpg\" width=\"294\" height=\"300\" /></a> Heart doodle by findingthenow on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nPeople tend to do business with companies they like. People hire people they like. And people read blogs they like.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve ever read Dale Carnegie, you know that one of the main tenets in his teachings is to be likeable. For example, Carnegie says it is better to not to try to win an argument--let the other person be right. He also suggests disarming critics by being nice to them.\r\n\r\nSocial network behemoth Facebook knows likeability is key. After all, you are asked to \"like\" pages and status updates.\r\n\r\nHow can your blog be more likeable? Here are a few suggestions:\r\n\r\n<strong>Be easy to understand</strong>--Instead of throwing around fancy words and jargon, make sure people know what you are saying.\r\n\r\n<strong>Show your expertise without showing off</strong>--If you have to tell people you are superman, then your super powers are failing you (and perhaps you left your superhero costume at the dry cleaners).\r\n\r\n<strong><strong>Have an approachable tone</strong>--</strong> People respond positively to cheerful, casual and caring tones, among others, while sarcastic, acid and pedantic tones generally turn people off.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Leave combativeness to soldiers at war--</strong>You can disagree with something without attacking it wholesale.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you like reading a blog? What makes you never come back? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n<em>Become a better blogger! Join me for the <strong>How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop on April 1 (one week from today!) in Washington, D.C. Details and registration <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to get more blog readers (and customers) fast','','inherit','open','open','','2552-revision-v1','','','2014-03-25 12:57:48','2014-03-25 12:57:48','',2552,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2552-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2557,4,'2014-03-27 12:42:41','2014-03-27 12:42:41','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nAlso, describing yourself as the \"senior\" manager or vice president does not help explain what you do.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>\r\n\r\nMedia trainer Brad Phillips has a great suggestion for improving your elevator pitch: start with the why. Here\'s a link to the post on the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2010/10/18/dont-tell-the-media-about-your-company/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog.</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','publish','open','open','','its-so-basic-it-makes-sense','','','2014-04-02 19:40:07','2014-04-02 19:40:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2557',0,'post','',0),(2558,4,'2014-03-27 12:39:49','2014-03-27 12:39:49','','825976939_13974ce756_b','Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','825976939_13974ce756_b','','','2014-03-27 12:39:49','2014-03-27 12:39:49','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2559,4,'2014-03-27 12:40:55','2014-03-27 12:40:55','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when someone starts a sentence with basically,they are about to distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\nIf it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me next Tuesday, April 1 for t<strong>he How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop in Washington, D.C. You will learn what to do to get your blog going and get motivated to start writing. Details and registration<a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-revision-v1','','','2014-03-27 12:40:55','2014-03-27 12:40:55','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2560,4,'2014-03-27 12:42:41','2014-03-27 12:42:41','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me next Tuesday, April 1 for t<strong>he How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop in Washington, D.C. You will learn what to do to get your blog going and get motivated to start writing. Details and registration<a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-revision-v1','','','2014-03-27 12:42:41','2014-03-27 12:42:41','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2561,4,'2014-03-27 12:43:14','2014-03-27 12:43:14','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me next Tuesday, April 1 for the<strong> How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop in Washington, D.C. You will learn what to do to get your blog going and get motivated to start writing. Details and registration<a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-revision-v1','','','2014-03-27 12:43:14','2014-03-27 12:43:14','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2562,4,'2014-04-02 19:39:12','2014-04-02 19:39:12','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\n\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\n\nAlso, describing yourself as the \"senior\" manager or vice president does not help explain what you do.\n\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\n\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\n\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\n\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\n\n<em>UPDATE</em>\n\nBrad Phillips has a great suggestion for improving your elevator pitch: start with the why. Here\'s a link to the Mr. Media Training post.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-autosave-v1','','','2014-04-02 19:39:12','2014-04-02 19:39:12','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2557-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2566,4,'2014-04-02 19:40:07','2014-04-02 19:40:07','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nAlso, describing yourself as the \"senior\" manager or vice president does not help explain what you do.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>\r\n\r\nMedia trainer Brad Phillips has a great suggestion for improving your elevator pitch: start with the why. Here\'s a link to the post on the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/2010/10/18/dont-tell-the-media-about-your-company/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog.</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-revision-v1','','','2014-04-02 19:40:07','2014-04-02 19:40:07','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2563,4,'2014-03-27 12:47:21','2014-03-27 12:47:21','Have you ever been to a networking event where you meet people, ask what they do and they give you a long rambling explanation or a very obscure description. You are then confused and ask them to clarify, and then they say this: Basically, I do [something you can understand].\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2558\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2558\" alt=\"Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/825976939_13974ce756_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Aha by Himmelskratzer on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSome people can just give you their job\'s title, such as chief counsel at xyz industries, and you can understand what they do. And some people have easy to understand professions such as doctor, accountant, insurance sales or real estate development.\r\n\r\nAlso, describing yourself as the \"senior\" manager or vice president does not help explain what you do.\r\n\r\nBut take for instance someone I met recently. He started off by telling me where he works (a company with advocacy in the name, but that doesn\'t actually advocate). Then, he told me they work with individuals who are looking to ensure their access to financing (or something like that). Then he said: \"Basically, I sell insurance.\"\r\n\r\nGenerally, when you start a sentence with basically, you are about<strong> distill the essence of something to its most UNDERSTANDABLE part</strong>.  Like a structural engineer who tells you that basically, she works to make bridges safer.  Or the content strategist who tells you that, basically, he works with companies to find the most relevant information for their customers.\r\n\r\nSo before you go to your next networking event, or write your about page on your website, ask yourself: what is it that you do (or your company does), basically?\r\n\r\n<strong>If it\'s basic, it generally makes sense!</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Looking to jump start your blogging? Join me next Tuesday, April 1 for the<strong> How to Write Your Blog</strong> workshop in Washington, D.C. You will learn what to do to get your blog going and get motivated to start writing. Details and registration<a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-10592044089?aff=eorg\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a></em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s so basic, it makes sense!','','inherit','open','open','','2557-revision-v1','','','2014-03-27 12:47:21','2014-03-27 12:47:21','',2557,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/2557-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2573,4,'2014-04-14 15:12:25','2014-04-14 15:12:25','This morning, I got an email from a networking group apologizing for scheduling a lunch during Passover (which starts tonight and runs for eight days). It offered free admission to those observing Passover since they would not be able to eat the lunch offering (people who observe Passover refrain from eating bread and other grains, among other dietary restrictions).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2574\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2574\" alt=\"&quot;Fat-ass wall calendar II&quot; by Geir Arne Brevik on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> \"Fat-ass wall calendar II\" by Geir Arne Brevik on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere are many religious observances from various religions throughout the year. Some are more observed than others. While organizers can\'t always avoid having a conflict, they should try. For observant Muslims, attending a lunch during Ramadan is impossible. For observant Jews, attending a networking event on Yom Kippur is unthinkable. Some Christians would not attend a BBQ on Friday during Lent.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the importance of holidays to their practitioners should be on  communicators\' and event planners\' agendas. From a practical point of view, why would you schedule and promote an event that potential participants won\'t be able to attend? From an inclusive point of view, why would you not be sensitive to different religious beliefs?\r\n\r\nBut it is not only about religious observance. It\'s about understanding what is going on when you are planning your event. Will something else affect your turnout? A competing event? A conflict? A major city-wide happening? If there is going to be a race that shuts down various city streets, for example, that might make it difficult for your attendees to get to your event or find parking.\r\n\r\nAll it takes is to check the calendar<em> before</em> you plan your event. Of course, some things will pop up after you have settled on your dates and venues, which may force you to reschedule or adapt somehow.\r\n\r\nIf you are constantly planning events, then you may wish to invest in <a href=\"http://www.mhprofessional.com/templates/chases/\" target=\"_blank\">Chase\'s calendar</a>, which lists just about everything, everywhere. Otherwise, if you use Google, you can subscribe to various calendars (religious holidays, US holidays, etc.). Or there is this <a href=\"http://www.holidayinsights.com/everyday.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Holidays Calendar</a>, which lists all major religious and US holidays for the year.  For those who prefer paper, most wall/desk calendars list major holidays. And don\'t forget to check your local resources such as newspapers, local websites, chambers of commerce and others to understand what is going on closer to home.\r\n\r\nBut having a calendar is useless unless you check it. Make it part of your event planning and promotion checklist.\r\n\r\nWishing a Happy Passover to those who celebrate. It\'s on my calendar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Check your calendar before you do anything else','','publish','open','open','','check-your-calendar-before-you-do-anything-else','','','2014-04-14 15:12:25','2014-04-14 15:12:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2573',0,'post','',0),(2568,4,'2014-04-03 13:05:48','2014-04-03 13:05:48','Those of use who work in a communications-related field have been quick to embrace and promote social media. We use social networks actively, we counsel clients to get on social media, and here\'s the kicker, some of us frown on those who don\'t do social media.\r\n\r\n<strong>But how important is it to business to be on social media?</strong>\r\n\r\nJust this morning, I read how Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks is now a Hertz customer because her former favorite car rental company, Avis, failed her on social media. It would seem that businesses are at peril if they ignore customer complaints expressed on social media.\r\n\r\nThe book <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Groundswell</span> by Charlene Li also counsels that businesses must adapt to the reality that customers are on social media, and will talk about you whether you participate or not in the conversation.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there are many many successful businesses that don\'t have a Facebook page, that are not on Twitter, have never heard of Pinterest---<strong>and don\'t care</strong>. For example, there\'s an accounting firm in McLean, VA that created a website seven years ago and has barely updated it since and that has absolutely no social media presence. Or the marketing firm that has a blog last updated more than a year ago. Or the many solo practitioners I have met that don\'t even have a website.\r\n\r\nThe truth is you can be in business, and even be successful, without doing social media. Social media is just a platform, like television or radio. If you don\'t use it, you may not reach a certain segment of the population, but that does not mean that you aren\'t reaching your target audience.\r\n\r\nThe big issue is that consumers take to social media to voice their complaints (not so much their compliments) about businesses. Those consumers figure that the amplification power of social media will shame businesses into fixing their problem. And in many cases, this is exactly what happens. Unlike the mass media of yore, social media allows for far more connection and interaction between businesses and consumers.\r\n\r\nBut what if your business is not a huge national brand? Does it matter? I don\'t think it does.\r\n\r\nThat said, I believe that being on social media is an asset to any business. Social media networks can help grow connections and create new relationships. Social media helps to market and grow a business, and expose it to new audiences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Businesses do not need social media to thrive, but they should consider using social media to grow</strong>.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you judge businesses if they aren\'t on social media?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You aren\'t on social media??? ','','publish','open','open','','you-arent-on-social-media','','','2014-04-03 13:05:48','2014-04-03 13:05:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2568',0,'post','',0),(2569,4,'2014-04-03 13:05:48','2014-04-03 13:05:48','Those of use who work in a communications-related field have been quick to embrace and promote social media. We use social networks actively, we counsel clients to get on social media, and here\'s the kicker, some of us frown on those who don\'t do social media.\r\n\r\n<strong>But how important is it to business to be on social media?</strong>\r\n\r\nJust this morning, I read how Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks is now a Hertz customer because her former favorite car rental company, Avis, failed her on social media. It would seem that businesses are at peril if they ignore customer complaints expressed on social media.\r\n\r\nThe book <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Groundswell</span> by Charlene Li also counsels that businesses must adapt to the reality that customers are on social media, and will talk about you whether you participate or not in the conversation.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there are many many successful businesses that don\'t have a Facebook page, that are not on Twitter, have never heard of Pinterest---<strong>and don\'t care</strong>. For example, there\'s an accounting firm in McLean, VA that created a website seven years ago and has barely updated it since and that has absolutely no social media presence. Or the marketing firm that has a blog last updated more than a year ago. Or the many solo practitioners I have met that don\'t even have a website.\r\n\r\nThe truth is you can be in business, and even be successful, without doing social media. Social media is just a platform, like television or radio. If you don\'t use it, you may not reach a certain segment of the population, but that does not mean that you aren\'t reaching your target audience.\r\n\r\nThe big issue is that consumers take to social media to voice their complaints (not so much their compliments) about businesses. Those consumers figure that the amplification power of social media will shame businesses into fixing their problem. And in many cases, this is exactly what happens. Unlike the mass media of yore, social media allows for far more connection and interaction between businesses and consumers.\r\n\r\nBut what if your business is not a huge national brand? Does it matter? I don\'t think it does.\r\n\r\nThat said, I believe that being on social media is an asset to any business. Social media networks can help grow connections and create new relationships. Social media helps to market and grow a business, and expose it to new audiences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Businesses do not need social media to thrive, but they should consider using social media to grow</strong>.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you judge businesses if they aren\'t on social media?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You aren\'t on social media??? ','','inherit','open','open','','2568-revision-v1','','','2014-04-03 13:05:48','2014-04-03 13:05:48','',2568,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2568-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2572,4,'2014-04-10 15:01:41','2014-04-10 15:01:41','Being effective in social media marketing requires choosing the right social networks on which to spend time and effort (and money). And you do have to choose because a) there are too many networks and b) some will work better than others.\r\n\r\nTo choose the \"right\" social networks you should consider:\r\n\r\n<strong>Your offering.</strong> Are you a retailer or a service provider? How much explanation does your offering require?\r\n\r\n<strong>Your target audience</strong>. Who is buying your product or service? Where does the target prefer to receive information? Where is the target likely to make a decision?\r\n\r\n<strong>Your strengths</strong>. Are you visual or do you like words? Are you more likely to take and post pictures or write a 1000-word blog post?\r\n\r\n<strong>Where have you had the most traction?</strong> If you haven\'t yet been measuring response, then start right away. Google Analytics will tell you where people are coming from, and this is very valuable information. If most of your customers are coming from a particular social network, it makes sense to focus your energy and effort there.\r\n\r\nI met a blogger who writes about event planning, and she gets the most visits to her blog from Pinterest.  So she focuses exclusively on building her Pinterest presence. Then there\'s the women\'s clothing and accessories retailer who gets most of her online orders through Facebook.  She has decided to budget for Facebook ads and sponsored posts and it is really paying off.\r\n\r\nIn both cases, these people understand their product/service and where to best market it. And they have decided to really focus on the social network that provides the most bang for the buck.\r\n\r\nHow many social networks do you focus on? Are you finding some work better than others?','How to choose the best social networks for marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2571-revision-v1','','','2014-04-10 15:01:41','2014-04-10 15:01:41','',2571,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2571-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2574,4,'2014-04-14 15:10:27','2014-04-14 15:10:27','','1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b','\"Fat-ass wall calendar II\" by Geir Arne Brevik on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b','','','2014-04-14 15:10:27','2014-04-14 15:10:27','',2573,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2575,4,'2014-04-14 15:12:25','2014-04-14 15:12:25','This morning, I got an email from a networking group apologizing for scheduling a lunch during Passover (which starts tonight and runs for eight days). It offered free admission to those observing Passover since they would not be able to eat the lunch offering (people who observe Passover refrain from eating bread and other grains, among other dietary restrictions).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2574\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2574\" alt=\"&quot;Fat-ass wall calendar II&quot; by Geir Arne Brevik on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1686120391_e6e634f5e4_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> \"Fat-ass wall calendar II\" by Geir Arne Brevik on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere are many religious observances from various religions throughout the year. Some are more observed than others. While organizers can\'t always avoid having a conflict, they should try. For observant Muslims, attending a lunch during Ramadan is impossible. For observant Jews, attending a networking event on Yom Kippur is unthinkable. Some Christians would not attend a BBQ on Friday during Lent.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding the importance of holidays to their practitioners should be on  communicators\' and event planners\' agendas. From a practical point of view, why would you schedule and promote an event that potential participants won\'t be able to attend? From an inclusive point of view, why would you not be sensitive to different religious beliefs?\r\n\r\nBut it is not only about religious observance. It\'s about understanding what is going on when you are planning your event. Will something else affect your turnout? A competing event? A conflict? A major city-wide happening? If there is going to be a race that shuts down various city streets, for example, that might make it difficult for your attendees to get to your event or find parking.\r\n\r\nAll it takes is to check the calendar<em> before</em> you plan your event. Of course, some things will pop up after you have settled on your dates and venues, which may force you to reschedule or adapt somehow.\r\n\r\nIf you are constantly planning events, then you may wish to invest in <a href=\"http://www.mhprofessional.com/templates/chases/\" target=\"_blank\">Chase\'s calendar</a>, which lists just about everything, everywhere. Otherwise, if you use Google, you can subscribe to various calendars (religious holidays, US holidays, etc.). Or there is this <a href=\"http://www.holidayinsights.com/everyday.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Holidays Calendar</a>, which lists all major religious and US holidays for the year.  For those who prefer paper, most wall/desk calendars list major holidays. And don\'t forget to check your local resources such as newspapers, local websites, chambers of commerce and others to understand what is going on closer to home.\r\n\r\nBut having a calendar is useless unless you check it. Make it part of your event planning and promotion checklist.\r\n\r\nWishing a Happy Passover to those who celebrate. It\'s on my calendar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Check your calendar before you do anything else','','inherit','open','open','','2573-revision-v1','','','2014-04-14 15:12:25','2014-04-14 15:12:25','',2573,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2573-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2584,4,'2014-04-29 17:52:19','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Cany','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-04-29 17:52:19','2014-04-29 17:52:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2584',0,'post','',0),(2578,4,'2014-04-21 15:09:24','2014-04-21 15:09:24','It happens to all of us. Sometimes we just can\'t/won\'t blog. We are out of ideas. Or, if we do have ideas, they don\'t gel enough to form a good blog post. Perhaps we are being perfectionists. Or perhaps we are burned out.\r\n\r\nDoes having blogger\'s block mean you should give up your blog? I don\'t think so!\r\n\r\nHere are seven solutions to deal with blogger\'s block:\r\n\r\n<em>If the problem is lack of ideas</em>:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Revisit and update an old post.</strong> Check your archives. What post had good traction? Review it and re-use it. Update as necessary.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Shake up your routine to inspire creativity.</strong> Creativity experts suggest shaking up your normal way of doing things -- such as taking a different route to work, brushing your teeth with the opposite hand--in order to help your brain form new ideas. Once you have, sit down and brainstorm ten different ideas for blog posts. Write them down. Revisit them as necessary.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Create a \"compilation\" post.</strong>  Instead of writing a brand new post, compile or curate resources, articles or lists. You could do a \"round-up\" of blog posts or articles (e.g. 5 best articles on SEO) or research a list of resources (e.g. 15 upcoming tech conferences).\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Interview someone</strong>. Come up with five questions and pose them to your company president, a colleague, an industry leader or to whomever it makes sense. Alternatively, try interviewing someone via Skype, and post the video of the interview (and if possible, a written transcript).\r\n\r\n<em>If the problem is burnout</em>:\r\n\r\n5.<strong> Solicit guest bloggers.</strong> Reach out to people you know--other bloggers, professionals in your industry, friends--and ask them to write a post. Make sure to provide a topic and guidance (and a deadline).\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Try a different format.</strong> If you always write your posts, what about doing a video blog or a podcast? Or how about having a graphic post (heavy on images, light on words).\r\n\r\n7. <strong>Take a break</strong>. Sometimes you need time off to recharge. You should write a post explaining the blog is on a short hiatus or that you are on vacation. You should probably say when the blog will be back.  If you are uncomfortable not having content during your break you may want to re-post popular older posts or seek evergreen content. If you have a white paper or book, you could run excerpts.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do when you are struck with blogger\'s block? Please share your suggestions and solutions  in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','7 Solutions to Blogger\'s Block','','publish','open','open','','7-solutions-to-bloggers-block','','','2014-04-21 15:09:24','2014-04-21 15:09:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2578',0,'post','',0),(2579,4,'2014-04-21 15:09:24','2014-04-21 15:09:24','It happens to all of us. Sometimes we just can\'t/won\'t blog. We are out of ideas. Or, if we do have ideas, they don\'t gel enough to form a good blog post. Perhaps we are being perfectionists. Or perhaps we are burned out.\r\n\r\nDoes having blogger\'s block mean you should give up your blog? I don\'t think so!\r\n\r\nHere are seven solutions to deal with blogger\'s block:\r\n\r\n<em>If the problem is lack of ideas</em>:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Revisit and update an old post.</strong> Check your archives. What post had good traction? Review it and re-use it. Update as necessary.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Shake up your routine to inspire creativity.</strong> Creativity experts suggest shaking up your normal way of doing things -- such as taking a different route to work, brushing your teeth with the opposite hand--in order to help your brain form new ideas. Once you have, sit down and brainstorm ten different ideas for blog posts. Write them down. Revisit them as necessary.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Create a \"compilation\" post.</strong>  Instead of writing a brand new post, compile or curate resources, articles or lists. You could do a \"round-up\" of blog posts or articles (e.g. 5 best articles on SEO) or research a list of resources (e.g. 15 upcoming tech conferences).\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Interview someone</strong>. Come up with five questions and pose them to your company president, a colleague, an industry leader or to whomever it makes sense. Alternatively, try interviewing someone via Skype, and post the video of the interview (and if possible, a written transcript).\r\n\r\n<em>If the problem is burnout</em>:\r\n\r\n5.<strong> Solicit guest bloggers.</strong> Reach out to people you know--other bloggers, professionals in your industry, friends--and ask them to write a post. Make sure to provide a topic and guidance (and a deadline).\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Try a different format.</strong> If you always write your posts, what about doing a video blog or a podcast? Or how about having a graphic post (heavy on images, light on words).\r\n\r\n7. <strong>Take a break</strong>. Sometimes you need time off to recharge. You should write a post explaining the blog is on a short hiatus or that you are on vacation. You should probably say when the blog will be back.  If you are uncomfortable not having content during your break you may want to re-post popular older posts or seek evergreen content. If you have a white paper or book, you could run excerpts.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do when you are struck with blogger\'s block? Please share your suggestions and solutions  in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','7 Solutions to Blogger\'s Block','','inherit','open','open','','2578-revision-v1','','','2014-04-21 15:09:24','2014-04-21 15:09:24','',2578,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2578-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2610,4,'2014-05-16 17:19:49','2014-05-16 17:19:49','I was watching the midday news today. We had a lot of rain overnight and there was flooding in some areas. Apparently, there was even flooding in Rockville, where I live. A reporter was out somewhere in Rockville telling about how a car got stuck in a flooded road. Except she never said where in Rockville this road was located. And that\'s what I really wanted (needed) to know: <strong>where</strong> <strong>exactly</strong> is it flooded so I can avoid the area.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this reporter has forgotten her Journalism 101 class, which teaches that every story should answer these questions:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Who?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Where?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Why?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How?</strong></p>\r\nIn fact, the answers to these basic questions are the basis for any story, whether told by a reporter on TV or a public relations practitioner in a press release or a website copywriter. To answer those questions means to tell the most important part of any story. Everything else is additional detail and description that can make a story more compelling or interesting.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many press releases are missing answers to these questions? How many websites don\'t answer the why or the how of whatever product or service they are promoting?\r\n\r\nIf you want to succeed at storytelling and content marketing, you must answer each and every one of these questions. If you can\'t, you need more information. If you won\'t, you are probably trying to hide something or you didn\'t do your homework.\r\n<h2>Need to tell the complete story in your marketing materials? <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">Contact me</a> to see how we can work together to get beyond the basics.</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Answer these basic questions','','publish','open','open','','answer-these-basic-questions','','','2014-05-16 17:19:49','2014-05-16 17:19:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2610',0,'post','',0),(2581,4,'2014-04-24 13:42:55','2014-04-24 13:42:55','We all know how important headlines are.  When we are constantly scanning our devices, we need to be able to select what we want to read quickly, and headlines help us do that. So, no argument here about great headlines.\r\n\r\n<strong>However, what happens when the article associated with the great headline is not so great?</strong>\r\n\r\nCase in point: My mother happened to see a headline promising seven secrets to getting the best seats on a plane. She was intrigued as she flies quite frequently.  And as anybody who has flown in the past year knows,  comfortable seating is now a thing of the past as airlines try to cram more seats in a plane while charging fees for sitting in areas like the bulkhead and emergency row.\r\n\r\nWell, guess what the main \"secret\" to getting a better seat is? Pay for it. Seriously. This article, promising seven \"secrets\" to get better seats, had<strong> two</strong> main suggestions (a more accurate term for what the article offered): check the aircraft seating map and pay if you have to.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, this useless article did not live up to its headline. Since the article was so poor, I don\'t even remember who wrote it. However, I do know what website this garbage was on. It makes me question whether other articles on that website are as bad.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that writing a great headline is not enough. If your content fails to live up to headline what you are doing is tricking your readers, and readers do not like to be tricked.\r\n\r\n<strong>Getting readers to your content is important, but if your content disappoints, you will end up with disappointed readers. That is not a strategy for growth.</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you come across articles that don\'t live up to their headlines? Did that change your behavior toward the source?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You need a great headline...and great content','','publish','open','open','','you-need-a-great-headline-and-great-content','','','2014-04-24 13:42:55','2014-04-24 13:42:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2581',0,'post','',2),(2582,4,'2014-04-24 13:42:55','2014-04-24 13:42:55','We all know how important headlines are.  When we are constantly scanning our devices, we need to be able to select what we want to read quickly, and headlines help us do that. So, no argument here about great headlines.\r\n\r\n<strong>However, what happens when the article associated with the great headline is not so great?</strong>\r\n\r\nCase in point: My mother happened to see a headline promising seven secrets to getting the best seats on a plane. She was intrigued as she flies quite frequently.  And as anybody who has flown in the past year knows,  comfortable seating is now a thing of the past as airlines try to cram more seats in a plane while charging fees for sitting in areas like the bulkhead and emergency row.\r\n\r\nWell, guess what the main \"secret\" to getting a better seat is? Pay for it. Seriously. This article, promising seven \"secrets\" to get better seats, had<strong> two</strong> main suggestions (a more accurate term for what the article offered): check the aircraft seating map and pay if you have to.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, this useless article did not live up to its headline. Since the article was so poor, I don\'t even remember who wrote it. However, I do know what website this garbage was on. It makes me question whether other articles on that website are as bad.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that writing a great headline is not enough. If your content fails to live up to headline what you are doing is tricking your readers, and readers do not like to be tricked.\r\n\r\n<strong>Getting readers to your content is important, but if your content disappoints, you will end up with disappointed readers. That is not a strategy for growth.</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you come across articles that don\'t live up to their headlines? Did that change your behavior toward the source?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You need a great headline...and great content','','inherit','open','open','','2581-revision-v1','','','2014-04-24 13:42:55','2014-04-24 13:42:55','',2581,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2581-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2630,4,'2014-05-30 13:43:06','2014-05-30 13:43:06','Several months ago I attended a presentation on content marketing. The presenter has become a mini-celebrity in the field, and has even published a book on the subject. However, this person had the unfortunate tendency to let her voice lower so much you had to strain to hear her. It was completely distracting and seriously took away from the content of the presentation. I don\'t think I could sit through another presentation <em>in spite of her expertise in the field.</em>\r\n\r\nJust this morning, I came across an article from Inc. Magazine entitled  <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/jenna-goudreau/5-ways-you-might-be-hurting-your-credibility-at-work.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"5 Ways People Hurt Their Credibility.\"</a> It points out that you can seem less credible by not controlling your voice (the situation I pointed out above) or by having poor posture. <strong>Obviously, as a communicator, it\'s important to establish your credibility.</strong>  Credibility is key to convincing your  clients that your communications plan will help boost their recognition or establish their brand. You won\'t get far in pitching the media if you lack credibility.\r\n\r\nThere\'s no doubt that you must establish and protect your credibility and the trait that will allow you do so is <strong>self-awareness.</strong> If you aren\'t self-aware, you won\'t even be able to recognize any of the behaviors pointed out in the Inc. article.\r\n\r\nSo many people are blind to their shortcomings precisely because their biggest shortcoming is a lack of self-awareness. If you aren\'t able to examine your behaviors and beliefs to find areas for improvement, you aren\'t able to change. And you will continue to do stuff that may be detrimental to your career.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you become more self-aware?</strong> You start with the knowledge that you will need to start paying close attention to what you are doing and how people are reacting to you. You can also ask for feedback to see if how people perceive you is the same as the way you perceive yourself.\r\n\r\nDo you agree that self-awareness is the most important trait any communicator should have? If not, what do you think? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The most important trait for any communicator','','publish','open','open','','the-most-important-trait-for-any-communicator','','','2014-05-30 13:43:06','2014-05-30 13:43:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2630',0,'post','',0),(2587,4,'2014-04-29 18:15:28','2014-04-29 18:15:28','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nAlso today, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn\" invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations, but rather to take the time to personalize the invitation and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use caps lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','publish','open','open','','is-social-media-savvy-a-learned-skill','','','2014-04-29 22:16:35','2014-04-29 22:16:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2587',0,'post','',2),(2588,4,'2014-04-29 18:15:28','2014-04-29 18:15:28','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nToday, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations, to take the time to personalize and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use cap lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','inherit','open','open','','2587-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 18:15:28','2014-04-29 18:15:28','',2587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2589,4,'2014-04-29 18:17:47','2014-04-29 18:17:47','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nToday, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn\" invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations, to take the time to personalize and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use caps lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','inherit','open','open','','2587-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 18:17:47','2014-04-29 18:17:47','',2587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2590,4,'2014-04-29 19:29:03','2014-04-29 19:29:03','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 19:29:03','2014-04-29 19:29:03','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2591,4,'2014-04-29 19:46:46','2014-04-29 19:46:46','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nToday, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn\" invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations,but rather to take the time to personalize the invitation and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use caps lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','inherit','open','open','','2587-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 19:46:46','2014-04-29 19:46:46','',2587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2592,4,'2014-04-29 22:16:07','2014-04-29 22:16:07','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nAlso today, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn\" invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations,but rather to take the time to personalize the invitation and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use caps lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','inherit','open','open','','2587-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 22:16:07','2014-04-29 22:16:07','',2587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2593,4,'2014-04-29 22:16:35','2014-04-29 22:16:35','Today, on one the many social media blogs I follow, I saw yet another post on how to use LinkedIn effectively (\"5 tips to improve your LinkedIn experience\" or some such).\r\n\r\nAlso today, coincidentally, I received a generic \"let\'s connect on LinkedIn\" invitation (the third in the past week and a half) from someone I have never met, and with whom  I have no connections in common.\r\n\r\nOne of the five tips to use LinkedIn effectively was not to send generic invitations, but rather to take the time to personalize the invitation and explain why you want to connect.\r\n\r\nBy the way, the invitation today was from another writer. I know she could\'ve come up with a sentence or two on her own. But she didn\'t. Was she being lazy? Does she understand how to use LinkedIn effectively? Has she never read an article about how to use LinkedIn effectively or is that I am the only one that has seen the same five tips regurgitated in article after article after article?\r\n\r\nThis got me to thinking: can you learn how to be savvy on social media or do you have to be born that way? Or put another way, are the people who could benefit the most from the \"5 tips\" articles precisely the ones that don\'t read those articles BECAUSE they don\'t follow social media (read blogs, interact on Twitter, etc.)?\r\n\r\nIt\'s not just LinkedIn (as an aside, how many of your network still don\'t have pictures on their profiles?). It\'s Twitter. It\'s Facebook.  We see people doing stupid things all the time, the same things which get endlessly pointed out in how-to and tips articles everywhere...on social media.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an older communicator whom I know tangentially. She didn\'t understand how to use Twitter, in spite of being on it, in spite of the many resources out there. When I pointed something out to her, something so obvious, she actually thanked me. She needed to learn. She needed to be taught. But the thing is that she didn\'t know she needed to learn because she was (is) not social media savvy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s like people who use caps lock in their email. They don\'t know they are \"shouting.\"\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Can people become more social media savvy? How will they learn if they never seem to see the many resources out there? Do you share my frustration?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is social media savvy a learned skill?','','inherit','open','open','','2587-revision-v1','','','2014-04-29 22:16:35','2014-04-29 22:16:35','',2587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/04/2587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2650,4,'2014-06-16 15:15:45','2014-06-16 15:15:45','Last week, for three days in a row, Feedly was targeted by hackers looking for ransom in a huge DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack. It meant that nobody was able to access Feedly.\r\n\r\nIf you use Feedly as your RSS reader, it meant that there was no way of accessing all your feeds short of going to each source. We set up RSS readers precisely to avoid having to visit dozens of separate websites and blogs. Feedly being down was definitely an inconvenience (not on the magnitude of Twitter being down, but still).\r\n\r\nIf you are a blog publisher, and you use RSS as your primary distribution channel, you were really screwed last week. Nobody saw your feed. Few people if any took the time to visit your site to read your latest posts. If they did, it\'s too bad you can\'t identify them, because they are your most loyal supporters.\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s a big lesson here for bloggers: you must use various different channels to push out your content.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>On social</strong>: You have to share on all of your social networks.  If you don\'t regularly post your latest stuff to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc., you must start.\r\n\r\n<strong>On email:</strong> Perhaps this is a good time to check out newsletter providers that have the RSS-to-email feature. This feature takes your latest posts and sends them out as a newsletter to your contacts on whatever schedule you choose. You definitely want to make sure people can subscribe to your feed directly too.\r\n\r\n<strong>In person</strong>: Do your friends and colleagues know about your blog? Let them know and encourage them to visit. If you give out business cards, is your blog listed?\r\n\r\nI can almost promise you that this won\'t be the last time Feedly will be down. Chances are also good that one of the social networks will be attacked too. There\'s little you can do to avoid internet failures, but there\'s a lot you can do to avoid depending on just one channel of communication.\r\n\r\nWhere were you (and what did you do) when Feedly went down last week?','Where were you when Feedly went down?','','inherit','open','open','','2649-revision-v1','','','2014-06-16 15:15:45','2014-06-16 15:15:45','',2649,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2649-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2595,4,'2014-05-06 18:41:56','2014-05-06 18:41:56','It seems that many vendors and service providers are resorting to scare tactics to get prospects to do something: renew, register, etc. They use pressure terms and frequent reminders to communicate that if you don\'t do something right at this moment you will forever be suspended, terminated, interrupted or be victim to some other dire scenario. You won\'t pass go and you won\'t collect $200 for sure.\r\n\r\nFor example, just this morning I received a renewal email from a county program I am enrolled in.  This is the first paragraph, which I have redacted to hide the sender\'s identity:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deborah Brody,</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your certification as a registered vendor in the XXX Program will expire within the next 90 days. If you wish to remain in this program, you must renew your registration before 08/04/2014. If you have not renewed your registration by 08/04/2014, your participation in the XXXX will be suspended until you have done so.</p>\r\nGranted, this is not the scariest email, but it is not very friendly. To say my participation will be suspended sounds a bit threatening. What if, instead, it said something like:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Dear Deborah Brody,</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You  are currently certified as a vendor in the XXXX Program, and your certification  is due to expire August 4. We value your participation and ask that you renew your registration by August 4 so that you can remain in the program without interruption.</p>\r\nBetter no?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the endless emails I get from Network Solutions with subject lines like: <em>Your Services Will Be Interrupted. </em>Mind you, I have more than a month until I have to renew, but yet NetSol sends me variations on this email two and three times a day! I feel harassed, and now I am searching for another registrar.\r\n\r\nPressuring your prospects can become a  turn-off. Sending too many emails is a form of pressure, and often, adds to the prospect\'s stress level. You don\'t want to stress your prospect, do you? What you want is to encourage him/her to make a decision.\r\n\r\nThink about motivations, and how people respond. Do people respond positively to a negative pitch? Perhaps some do. However, as the refrain goes, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Compliments are better than criticisms.  Feeling like a hero is better than feeling like a deadbeat loser.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? How do you respond to negative emails? Do you ever feel harassed or threatened by vendors and service providers?','Are you scaring off your prospects?','','publish','open','open','','scaring-your-prospects','','','2014-05-06 18:43:31','2014-05-06 18:43:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2595',0,'post','',0),(2596,4,'2014-05-06 18:41:56','2014-05-06 18:41:56','It seems that many vendors and service providers are resorting to scare tactics to get prospects to do something: renew, register, etc. They use pressure terms and frequent reminders to communicate that if you don\'t do something right at this moment you will forever be suspended, terminated, interrupted or be victim to some other dire scenario. You won\'t pass go and you won\'t collect $200 for sure.\r\n\r\nFor example, just this morning I received a renewal email from a county program I am enrolled in.  This is the first paragraph, which I have redacted to hide the sender\'s identity:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deborah Brody,\r\n\r\nYour certification as a registered vendor in the XXX Program will expire within the next 90 days. If you wish to remain in this program, you must renew your registration before 08/04/2014. If you have not renewed your registration by 08/04/2014, your participation in the XXXX will be suspended until you have done so.</p>\r\nGranted, this is not the scariest email, but it is not very friendly. To say my participation will be suspended sounds a bit threatening. What if, instead, it said something like:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Dear Deborah Brody,</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You  are currently certified as a vendor in the XXXX Program, and your certification  is due to expire August 4. We value your participation and ask that you renew your registration by August 4 so that you can remain in the program without interruption.</p>\r\nBetter no?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the endless emails I get from Network Solutions with subject lines like: <em>Your Services Will Be Interrupted. </em>Mind you, I have more than a month until I have to renew, but yet NetSol sends me variations on this email two and three times a day! I feel harassed, and now I am searching for another registrar.\r\n\r\nPressuring your prospects can become a  turn-off. Sending too many emails is a form of pressure, and often, adds to the prospect\'s stress level. You don\'t want to stress your prospect, do you? What you want is to encourage him/her to make a decision.\r\n\r\nThink about motivations, and how people respond. Do people respond positively to a negative pitch? Perhaps some do. However, as the refrain goes, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Compliments are better than criticisms.  Feeling like a hero is better than feeling like a deadbeat loser.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? How do you respond to negative emails? Do you ever feel harassed or threatened by vendors and service providers?','Are you scaring off your prospects?','','inherit','open','open','','2595-revision-v1','','','2014-05-06 18:41:56','2014-05-06 18:41:56','',2595,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2595-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2597,4,'2014-05-06 18:43:31','2014-05-06 18:43:31','It seems that many vendors and service providers are resorting to scare tactics to get prospects to do something: renew, register, etc. They use pressure terms and frequent reminders to communicate that if you don\'t do something right at this moment you will forever be suspended, terminated, interrupted or be victim to some other dire scenario. You won\'t pass go and you won\'t collect $200 for sure.\r\n\r\nFor example, just this morning I received a renewal email from a county program I am enrolled in.  This is the first paragraph, which I have redacted to hide the sender\'s identity:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Deborah Brody,</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your certification as a registered vendor in the XXX Program will expire within the next 90 days. If you wish to remain in this program, you must renew your registration before 08/04/2014. If you have not renewed your registration by 08/04/2014, your participation in the XXXX will be suspended until you have done so.</p>\r\nGranted, this is not the scariest email, but it is not very friendly. To say my participation will be suspended sounds a bit threatening. What if, instead, it said something like:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Dear Deborah Brody,</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">You  are currently certified as a vendor in the XXXX Program, and your certification  is due to expire August 4. We value your participation and ask that you renew your registration by August 4 so that you can remain in the program without interruption.</p>\r\nBetter no?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the endless emails I get from Network Solutions with subject lines like: <em>Your Services Will Be Interrupted. </em>Mind you, I have more than a month until I have to renew, but yet NetSol sends me variations on this email two and three times a day! I feel harassed, and now I am searching for another registrar.\r\n\r\nPressuring your prospects can become a  turn-off. Sending too many emails is a form of pressure, and often, adds to the prospect\'s stress level. You don\'t want to stress your prospect, do you? What you want is to encourage him/her to make a decision.\r\n\r\nThink about motivations, and how people respond. Do people respond positively to a negative pitch? Perhaps some do. However, as the refrain goes, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Compliments are better than criticisms.  Feeling like a hero is better than feeling like a deadbeat loser.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? How do you respond to negative emails? Do you ever feel harassed or threatened by vendors and service providers?','Are you scaring off your prospects?','','inherit','open','open','','2595-revision-v1','','','2014-05-06 18:43:31','2014-05-06 18:43:31','',2595,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2595-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2598,4,'2012-10-08 18:00:12','2012-10-08 18:00:12','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How We Can Help</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nTogether, we will create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish). Whether you want to develop a brochure, need public relations assistance, or need to create a user-friendly website, we\'ll find the most effective solution.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner.\r\n\r\n<strong>You\'ll find that our services</strong> are a more focused alternative to the traditional advertising or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nWe will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2012-10-08 18:00:12','2012-10-08 18:00:12','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2600,4,'2014-05-12 16:03:54','2014-05-12 16:03:54','At the gym this morning, we experienced a paper towel fail. There are two automated paper towel dispensers on the main floor, and both were out of paper.  Since you are supposed to wipe your machine down after exercising (and some of us, knowing most people don\'t do that, wipe it down before), and people need the paper to do this, we could potentially be looking at many sweat and germ drenched machines.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2602\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2602\" alt=\"Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn any case, I got the last bit of paper out of one, and was able to wipe my machine and start exercising. After me, at least ten people walked up to the machines, waved at them fruitlessly and walked away. Most just left their machines without wiping them off. A couple of people walked over to the other room and got paper there. And then someone finally reported the missing paper to the front desk.\r\n\r\nWhat is the marketing lesson here? There are three:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Most people will not speak up.</strong> It seems to be something about human psychology that most people will not rock the boat, even if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers should never assume that because no one has said anything, everything is OK. That\'s why it\'s so important to measure and check!</strong></em>\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Most people will not go out of their way</strong>, even if they know they should do something. It may be laziness or hurry or something else, but most people will not take extra steps or go out of their way.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers (especially of causes) have to make things as easy as possible. Too many steps will just make people give up.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n3.  <strong>People are completely self-involved</strong>. Most people don\'t notice what is going around them. If so, all those people would have seen there was no paper instead of standing there doing what another person did five seconds before them.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers have to break through both the clutter and the self-involvement.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nComments are always appreciated!\r\n<h2><em>Need help with your marketing materials? If so,<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\"> contact</a> me to discuss how we can cut through the clutter and make change happen.</em></h2>\r\n&nbsp;','What my gym\'s #fail can teach you about marketing','','publish','open','open','','what-my-gyms-fail-can-teach-you-about-marketing','','','2014-05-13 13:49:23','2014-05-13 13:49:23','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2600',0,'post','',2),(2601,4,'2014-05-12 15:38:10','2014-05-12 15:38:10','At the gym this morning, we experienced a paper towel fail. There are two automated paper towel dispensers on the main floor, and both were out of paper.  Since you are supposed to wipe your machine down after exercising (and some of us, knowing most people don\'t do that, wipe it down before), and people need the paper to do this, we could potentially be looking at many sweat and germ drenched machines.\r\n\r\nIn any case, I got the last bit of paper out of one, and was able to wipe my machine and start exercising. After me, at least ten people walked up to the machines, waved at them fruitlessly and walked away. Most just left their machines without wiping them off. A couple of people walked over to the other room and got paper there. And then someone finally reported the missing paper to the front desk.\r\n\r\nWhat is the marketing lesson here? There are three:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>People are completely self-involved</strong>. Most people don\'t notice what is going around them. If so, all those people would have seen there was no paper instead of standing there doing what another person did five seconds before them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketers have to break through the clutter and the self-involvement.</strong>\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Most people will not go out of their way</strong>, even if they know they should do something. It may be laziness or hurry or something else, but most people will not take extra steps or go out of their way.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketers (especially of causes) have to make things as easy as possible. Too many steps will just make people give up.</strong>\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Most people will not speak up.</strong> It seems to be human psychology that most people will not rock the boat, even if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketers should never assume that because no one has said anything, everything is OK. Measure and check!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What my gym\'s #fail can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2600-revision-v1','','','2014-05-12 15:38:10','2014-05-12 15:38:10','',2600,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2600-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2602,4,'2014-05-12 16:02:10','2014-05-12 16:02:10','','6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b','Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b','','','2014-05-12 16:02:10','2014-05-12 16:02:10','',2600,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2603,4,'2014-05-12 16:02:59','2014-05-12 16:02:59','At the gym this morning, we experienced a paper towel fail. There are two automated paper towel dispensers on the main floor, and both were out of paper.  Since you are supposed to wipe your machine down after exercising (and some of us, knowing most people don\'t do that, wipe it down before), and people need the paper to do this, we could potentially be looking at many sweat and germ drenched machines.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2602\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2602\" alt=\"Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn any case, I got the last bit of paper out of one, and was able to wipe my machine and start exercising. After me, at least ten people walked up to the machines, waved at them fruitlessly and walked away. Most just left their machines without wiping them off. A couple of people walked over to the other room and got paper there. And then someone finally reported the missing paper to the front desk.\r\n\r\nWhat is the marketing lesson here? There are three:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Most people will not speak up.</strong> It seems to be something about human psychology that most people will not rock the boat, even if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers should never assume that because no one has said anything, everything is OK. That\'s why it\'s so important to measure and check!</strong></em>\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Most people will not go out of their way</strong>, even if they know they should do something. It may be laziness or hurry or something else, but most people will not take extra steps or go out of their way.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers (especially of causes) have to make things as easy as possible. Too many steps will just make people give up.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n3.  <strong>People are completely self-involved</strong>. Most people don\'t notice what is going around them. If so, all those people would have seen there was no paper instead of standing there doing what another person did five seconds before them.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers have to break through both the clutter and the self-involvement.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nComments are always appreciated!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What my gym\'s #fail can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2600-revision-v1','','','2014-05-12 16:02:59','2014-05-12 16:02:59','',2600,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2600-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2605,4,'2014-05-13 13:49:20','2014-05-13 13:49:20','At the gym this morning, we experienced a paper towel fail. There are two automated paper towel dispensers on the main floor, and both were out of paper.  Since you are supposed to wipe your machine down after exercising (and some of us, knowing most people don\'t do that, wipe it down before), and people need the paper to do this, we could potentially be looking at many sweat and germ drenched machines.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_2602\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2602\" alt=\"Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr[/caption]\n\nIn any case, I got the last bit of paper out of one, and was able to wipe my machine and start exercising. After me, at least ten people walked up to the machines, waved at them fruitlessly and walked away. Most just left their machines without wiping them off. A couple of people walked over to the other room and got paper there. And then someone finally reported the missing paper to the front desk.\n\nWhat is the marketing lesson here? There are three:\n\n1. <strong>Most people will not speak up.</strong> It seems to be something about human psychology that most people will not rock the boat, even if something is wrong.\n\n<em><strong>Marketers should never assume that because no one has said anything, everything is OK. That\'s why it\'s so important to measure and check!</strong></em>\n\n2. <strong>Most people will not go out of their way</strong>, even if they know they should do something. It may be laziness or hurry or something else, but most people will not take extra steps or go out of their way.\n\n<em><strong>Marketers (especially of causes) have to make things as easy as possible. Too many steps will just make people give up.</strong></em>\n\n3.  <strong>People are completely self-involved</strong>. Most people don\'t notice what is going around them. If so, all those people would have seen there was no paper instead of standing there doing what another person did five seconds before them.\n\n<em><strong>Marketers have to break through both the clutter and the self-involvement.</strong></em>\n\nComments are always appreciated!\n<h2><em>Need help with your marketing materials? If so,<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\"> contact</a> me to discuss how we can cut through the clutter and make change happen.</em></h2>\n&nbsp;','What my gym\'s #fail can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2600-autosave-v1','','','2014-05-13 13:49:20','2014-05-13 13:49:20','',2600,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2600-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2606,4,'2014-05-13 13:49:23','2014-05-13 13:49:23','At the gym this morning, we experienced a paper towel fail. There are two automated paper towel dispensers on the main floor, and both were out of paper.  Since you are supposed to wipe your machine down after exercising (and some of us, knowing most people don\'t do that, wipe it down before), and people need the paper to do this, we could potentially be looking at many sweat and germ drenched machines.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2602\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2602\" alt=\"Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/6860290289_a8f2ea9d27_b-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Treadmills by Montage HOA on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn any case, I got the last bit of paper out of one, and was able to wipe my machine and start exercising. After me, at least ten people walked up to the machines, waved at them fruitlessly and walked away. Most just left their machines without wiping them off. A couple of people walked over to the other room and got paper there. And then someone finally reported the missing paper to the front desk.\r\n\r\nWhat is the marketing lesson here? There are three:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Most people will not speak up.</strong> It seems to be something about human psychology that most people will not rock the boat, even if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers should never assume that because no one has said anything, everything is OK. That\'s why it\'s so important to measure and check!</strong></em>\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Most people will not go out of their way</strong>, even if they know they should do something. It may be laziness or hurry or something else, but most people will not take extra steps or go out of their way.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers (especially of causes) have to make things as easy as possible. Too many steps will just make people give up.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n3.  <strong>People are completely self-involved</strong>. Most people don\'t notice what is going around them. If so, all those people would have seen there was no paper instead of standing there doing what another person did five seconds before them.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Marketers have to break through both the clutter and the self-involvement.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nComments are always appreciated!\r\n<h2><em>Need help with your marketing materials? If so,<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\"> contact</a> me to discuss how we can cut through the clutter and make change happen.</em></h2>\r\n&nbsp;','What my gym\'s #fail can teach you about marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2600-revision-v1','','','2014-05-13 13:49:23','2014-05-13 13:49:23','',2600,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2600-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2607,4,'2014-05-15 20:40:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Have you ever remembered someone because he or she was nasty to you? Do you recall a business that you had a bad experience with? I bet you do. Those people and organizations are getting noticed for the wrong reasons, and with a decidedly negative outcome. Chances are good that you will avoid the nasty person and organization--and avoid doing business with them.\r\n\r\nBut you can also get noticed for the wrong reasons in other ways:\r\n\r\n-Your website could look bad (poor design, poor navigation, slow loading times)\r\n\r\n-Your content could be full of typos and/or spelling and grammatical mistakes\r\n\r\n-\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you getting noticed for the wrong reasons?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-05-15 20:40:07','2014-05-15 20:40:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2607',0,'post','',0),(2608,4,'2014-05-15 20:34:16','2014-05-15 20:34:16','Have you ever remembered someone because he or she was nasty to you? Do you recall a business that you had a bad experience with? I bet you do. Those people and organizations are getting noticed for the wrong reasons, and with a decidedly negative outcome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you getting noticed for the wrong reasons?','','inherit','open','open','','2607-revision-v1','','','2014-05-15 20:34:16','2014-05-15 20:34:16','',2607,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2607-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2609,4,'2014-05-15 20:40:07','2014-05-15 20:40:07','Have you ever remembered someone because he or she was nasty to you? Do you recall a business that you had a bad experience with? I bet you do. Those people and organizations are getting noticed for the wrong reasons, and with a decidedly negative outcome. Chances are good that you will avoid the nasty person and organization--and avoid doing business with them.\r\n\r\nBut you can also get noticed for the wrong reasons in other ways:\r\n\r\n-Your website could look bad (poor design, poor navigation, slow loading times)\r\n\r\n-Your content could be full of typos and/or spelling and grammatical mistakes\r\n\r\n-\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you getting noticed for the wrong reasons?','','inherit','open','open','','2607-revision-v1','','','2014-05-15 20:40:07','2014-05-15 20:40:07','',2607,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2607-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2611,4,'2014-05-16 17:18:59','2014-05-16 17:18:59','I was watching the midday news today. We had a lot of rain overnight and there was flooding in some areas. Apparently, there was even flooding in Rockville, where I live. A reporter was out somewhere in Rockville telling about how a car got stuck in a flooded road. Except she never said where in Rockville this road was located. And that\'s what I really wanted (needed) to know: <strong>where</strong> <strong>exactly</strong> is it flooded so I can avoid the area.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this reporter has forgotten her Journalism 101 class, which teaches that every story should answer these questions:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Who?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Where?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Why?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How?</strong></p>\r\nIn fact, answers to those basic questions are the basis for any story, whether told by a reporter on TV or a public relations practitioner in a press release or a website copywriter. To answer those questions means to tell the most important part of any story. Everything else is additional detail and description that can make a story more compelling or interesting.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many press releases are missing answers to these questions? How many websites don\'t answer the why or the how of whatever product or service they are promoting?\r\n\r\nIf you want to succeed at storytelling and content marketing, you must answer each and every one of these questions. If you can\'t, you need more information. If you won\'t, you are probably trying to hide something or you didn\'t do your homework.\r\n<h2>Need to tell the complete story in your marketing materials? <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">Contact me</a> to see how we can work together to get beyond the basics.</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Answer these basic questions','','inherit','open','open','','2610-revision-v1','','','2014-05-16 17:18:59','2014-05-16 17:18:59','',2610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2610-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2612,4,'2014-05-16 17:19:49','2014-05-16 17:19:49','I was watching the midday news today. We had a lot of rain overnight and there was flooding in some areas. Apparently, there was even flooding in Rockville, where I live. A reporter was out somewhere in Rockville telling about how a car got stuck in a flooded road. Except she never said where in Rockville this road was located. And that\'s what I really wanted (needed) to know: <strong>where</strong> <strong>exactly</strong> is it flooded so I can avoid the area.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this reporter has forgotten her Journalism 101 class, which teaches that every story should answer these questions:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Who?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Where?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Why?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When?</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How?</strong></p>\r\nIn fact, the answers to these basic questions are the basis for any story, whether told by a reporter on TV or a public relations practitioner in a press release or a website copywriter. To answer those questions means to tell the most important part of any story. Everything else is additional detail and description that can make a story more compelling or interesting.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many press releases are missing answers to these questions? How many websites don\'t answer the why or the how of whatever product or service they are promoting?\r\n\r\nIf you want to succeed at storytelling and content marketing, you must answer each and every one of these questions. If you can\'t, you need more information. If you won\'t, you are probably trying to hide something or you didn\'t do your homework.\r\n<h2>Need to tell the complete story in your marketing materials? <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">Contact me</a> to see how we can work together to get beyond the basics.</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Answer these basic questions','','inherit','open','open','','2610-revision-v1','','','2014-05-16 17:19:49','2014-05-16 17:19:49','',2610,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2610-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2613,4,'2014-05-16 17:25:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We hear a lot about content marketing, engagement, optimization and a whole bunch of other buzz words. Some people seem to specialize in buzz-speak. Here\'s an excerpt from an actual description of an event:\r\n\r\nTo get the most out of your email marketing, you’ll need to <strong>optimize</strong> this <strong>channel</strong> for success. That starts with using your data effectively. This session will reveal how to <strong>leverag</strong>e your email marketing to <strong>engage</strong> your customers more effectively.\r\n\r\nI\'ve bolded the buzziest words, and note too that the word effectively is used twice in these three sentences.\r\n\r\nOf course every marketer wants to be effective. But before we can be effective, and optimize and leverage channels, we need to answer these basic questions:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThese questions are the basis for journalistic reporting. They are important because that is what we need to know.','Are you buzzing too much?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-05-16 17:25:18','2014-05-16 17:25:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2613',0,'post','',0),(2614,4,'2014-05-16 17:25:18','2014-05-16 17:25:18','We hear a lot about content marketing, engagement, optimization and a whole bunch of other buzz words. Some people seem to specialize in buzz-speak. Here\'s an excerpt from an actual description of an event:\r\n\r\nTo get the most out of your email marketing, you’ll need to <strong>optimize</strong> this <strong>channel</strong> for success. That starts with using your data effectively. This session will reveal how to <strong>leverag</strong>e your email marketing to <strong>engage</strong> your customers more effectively.\r\n\r\nI\'ve bolded the buzziest words, and note too that the word effectively is used twice in these three sentences.\r\n\r\nOf course every marketer wants to be effective. But before we can be effective, and optimize and leverage channels, we need to answer these basic questions:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThese questions are the basis for journalistic reporting. They are important because that is what we need to know.','Are you buzzing too much?','','inherit','open','open','','2613-revision-v1','','','2014-05-16 17:25:18','2014-05-16 17:25:18','',2613,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2613-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2634,4,'2014-06-05 20:51:25','2014-06-05 20:51:25','Friends, I got a spam email today that just has to be read to be believed. Here it is in its entirety, my comments below:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Dear business owner of Deborahbrody.com\r\n</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deborahbrody.com</span></span> business is losing THOUSANDS of DOLLARS every year, maybe more!</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Why? How?</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your credit card processor HIDES THEIR FEES. Don’t believe it? Check your statement, I’m sure you will be just as confused as the next business owner.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">DO NOT WORRY – I have the solution as I just saved a similar to your business in your street about $5700 in yearly credit card processing fees. The guy is so happy – I have the same offer for you!</span></span>\r\n\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I’m a business consultant specialist and this offer isn’t available for everyone. Only for <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deborahbrody.com</span></span> – FOR FREE. Cost to you is NOTHING but 5 minutes of your time.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are interested, just let me know and I’ll provide more information for you. I apologize if this email is an inconvenience, I just know what I have done for others in your business, and didn’t want you to miss too good of an opportunity in.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">There are only so many your type of business we can sign up though – so if you are going to do it, I’ll need to hear from you now.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Oh yeah, I know the area where you are located, know it pretty well actually.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Thanks for your time!</span></span>\r\n\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Cheers!</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">J<span style=\"font-size: small;\">essica</span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Business Consultant</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">This could be a textbook example of how not to send an query/pitch letter. Here\'s what\'s wrong:</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">1. <strong>No personalization.</strong>  If \"Jessica\" can find my website, she can also find my name.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">2. <strong>Making (wrong) assumptions.</strong> I am losing thousands in credit card fees? Do I even do any credit card processing? And would I be confused by fees?</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">3. <strong>Poor grammar.</strong> There aren\'t any spelling mistakes, but \"Jessica\" certainly did not get an A in her high school English class with this sentence \"didn’t want you to miss too good of an opportunity in.\"</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">4. <strong>Being too informal.</strong> \"Oh yeah, I know the area where you are located, know it pretty well actually.\"(Also, what is that supposed to mean and why is it relevant?)</p>\r\n5. <strong>Being shady</strong>. Notice \"Jessica\" does not say what she actually does. She also doesn\'t provide any contact information, business name or anything else.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Insulting my intelligence. </strong> Five minutes of my time is all I need to save thousands. I am sure she also has bridges in Brooklyn for sale for cheap.\r\n\r\nThe only reason I did not immediate delete this email is because I thought it would make a great blog post.\r\n\r\nHave you received these types of emails? What makes you cringe? Please share!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The best way not to get business','','publish','open','open','','the-best-way-not-to-get-business','','','2014-06-05 20:51:25','2014-06-05 20:51:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2634',0,'post','',0),(2616,4,'2014-05-20 17:07:53','2014-05-20 17:07:53','Last Friday, as I was checking my @mentions on Twitter, I found the following tweet:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2618\" alt=\"Tweet\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet-300x178.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"178\" /></a> This tweet came from a mobile app developer and it seems to be trying to shame me into a follow. (BTW, according to its website: <em>\"Tweepdash helps you to distinguish mutual followers and people who are not sharing the love. It’s very tedious and mind-numbingly boring to sort out your Twitter list. Tweepdash gives a quick overview of your total Twitter community.\")</em>\r\n\r\nWhy haven\'t I followed this particular Twitter user, or as Tweepdash claims, why am I not \"sharing the love?\"\r\n\r\nWell, for one, I have zero interest in or love for the user\'s product and even less in the user\'s Twitter stream.  Also, this user has never, ever interacted with me on Twitter other than to follow me (meaning that he/she/it? has not ever re-tweeted anything, or asked me a question, or anything). So, in Tweepdash language, this user has not shown any love for me.  Lastly, I don\'t automatically follow anybody back.\r\n\r\nMy \"following rules\" are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Follow people and organizations with whom/which I have a personal connection.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those with good content in areas that I am interested in (read my profile on Twitter if you want to see what some of those are).</li>\r\n	<li>Follow journalists who cover subjects I am interested in.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those who have interacted with me on Twitter (other than simply following me) and with whom I have built a \"relationship.\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Why do people follow specific Twitter users? Because they are getting something out of it; whether it be information, furthering a connection or sharing an interest.</strong>\r\n\r\nFollowing people just to get them to follow you is not a good Twitter strategy. It shows that you don\'t understand why people use Twitter.  It shows that you think all you have to do is show up to the party. But hey, if you\'ve ever been to a large party, you know just showing up and not talking to other people or being uninterested and/or uninteresting will lead to you being all alone.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is if you are trying to build a Twitter following, start by understanding why people would follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you automatically follow back? Would you block users you don\'t care for? And finally, what would you do with the tweet I got?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you understand why people follow you on Twitter?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-understand-why-people-follow-you-on-twitter','','','2014-05-21 17:58:21','2014-05-21 17:58:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2616',0,'post','',0),(2617,4,'2014-05-20 16:38:08','2014-05-20 16:38:08','','DBfinal (1)','','inherit','open','open','','dbfinal-1','','','2014-05-20 16:38:08','2014-05-20 16:38:08','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DBfinal-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2618,4,'2014-05-20 16:38:30','2014-05-20 16:38:30','','Tweet','','inherit','open','open','','tweet','','','2014-05-20 16:38:30','2014-05-20 16:38:30','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2619,4,'2014-05-20 17:07:53','2014-05-20 17:07:53','Last Friday, as I was checking my @mentions on Twitter, I found the following tweet:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2618\" alt=\"Tweet\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet-300x178.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"178\" /></a> This tweet came from a mobile app developer and it seems to be trying to shame me into a follow. (BTW, according to its website: <em>\"Tweepdash helps you to distinguish mutual followers and people who are not sharing the love. It’s very tedious and mind-numbingly boring to sort out your Twitter list. Tweepdash gives a quick overview of your total Twitter community.\")</em>\r\n\r\nWhy haven\'t I followed this particular Twitter user, or as Tweepdash claims, not \"sharing the love?\"\r\n\r\nWell, for one, I have zero interest in or love for the user\'s product and even less in the user\'s Twitter stream.  Also, this user has never, ever interacted with me on Twitter other than to follow me (meaning that he/she/it? has not ever re-tweeted anything, or asked me a question, or anything). So, in Tweepdash language, this user has not shown any love for me.  Lastly, I don\'t automatically follow anybody back.\r\n\r\nMy \"following rules\" are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Follow people and organizations with whom/which I have a personal connection.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those with good content in areas that I am interested in (read my profile on Twitter if you want to see what some of those are).</li>\r\n	<li>Follow journalists who cover subjects I am interested in.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those who have interacted with me on Twitter (other than simply following me) and with whom I have built a \"relationship.\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Why do people follow specific Twitter users? Because they are getting something out of it; whether it be information, furthering a connection or sharing an interest.</strong>\r\n\r\nFollowing people just to get them to follow you is not a good Twitter strategy. It shows that you don\'t understand why people use Twitter.  It shows that you think all you have to do is show up to the party. But hey, if you\'ve ever been to a large party, you know just showing up and not talking to other people or being uninterested and/or uninteresting will lead to you being all alone.\r\n\r\nIf you are trying to build a Twitter following, start by understanding why people would follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you automatically follow back? Would you block users you don\'t care for? And finally, what would you do with the tweet I got?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you understand why people follow you on Twitter?','','inherit','open','open','','2616-revision-v1','','','2014-05-20 17:07:53','2014-05-20 17:07:53','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2616-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2620,4,'2014-05-21 17:57:12','2014-05-21 17:57:12','Last Friday, as I was checking my @mentions on Twitter, I found the following tweet:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2618\" alt=\"Tweet\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet-300x178.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"178\" /></a> This tweet came from a mobile app developer and it seems to be trying to shame me into a follow. (BTW, according to its website: <em>\"Tweepdash helps you to distinguish mutual followers and people who are not sharing the love. It’s very tedious and mind-numbingly boring to sort out your Twitter list. Tweepdash gives a quick overview of your total Twitter community.\")</em>\r\n\r\nWhy haven\'t I followed this particular Twitter user, or as Tweepdash claims, why am I not \"sharing the love?\"\r\n\r\nWell, for one, I have zero interest in or love for the user\'s product and even less in the user\'s Twitter stream.  Also, this user has never, ever interacted with me on Twitter other than to follow me (meaning that he/she/it? has not ever re-tweeted anything, or asked me a question, or anything). So, in Tweepdash language, this user has not shown any love for me.  Lastly, I don\'t automatically follow anybody back.\r\n\r\nMy \"following rules\" are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Follow people and organizations with whom/which I have a personal connection.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those with good content in areas that I am interested in (read my profile on Twitter if you want to see what some of those are).</li>\r\n	<li>Follow journalists who cover subjects I am interested in.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those who have interacted with me on Twitter (other than simply following me) and with whom I have built a \"relationship.\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Why do people follow specific Twitter users? Because they are getting something out of it; whether it be information, furthering a connection or sharing an interest.</strong>\r\n\r\nFollowing people just to get them to follow you is not a good Twitter strategy. It shows that you don\'t understand why people use Twitter.  It shows that you think all you have to do is show up to the party. But hey, if you\'ve ever been to a large party, you know just showing up and not talking to other people or being uninterested and/or uninteresting will lead to you being all alone.\r\n\r\nIf you are trying to build a Twitter following, start by understanding why people would follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you automatically follow back? Would you block users you don\'t care for? And finally, what would you do with the tweet I got?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you understand why people follow you on Twitter?','','inherit','open','open','','2616-revision-v1','','','2014-05-21 17:57:12','2014-05-21 17:57:12','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2616-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2621,4,'2014-05-21 17:58:17','2014-05-21 17:58:17','Last Friday, as I was checking my @mentions on Twitter, I found the following tweet:\n\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2618\" alt=\"Tweet\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet-300x178.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"178\" /></a> This tweet came from a mobile app developer and it seems to be trying to shame me into a follow. (BTW, according to its website: <em>\"Tweepdash helps you to distinguish mutual followers and people who are not sharing the love. It’s very tedious and mind-numbingly boring to sort out your Twitter list. Tweepdash gives a quick overview of your total Twitter community.\")</em>\n\nWhy haven\'t I followed this particular Twitter user, or as Tweepdash claims, why am I not \"sharing the love?\"\n\nWell, for one, I have zero interest in or love for the user\'s product and even less in the user\'s Twitter stream.  Also, this user has never, ever interacted with me on Twitter other than to follow me (meaning that he/she/it? has not ever re-tweeted anything, or asked me a question, or anything). So, in Tweepdash language, this user has not shown any love for me.  Lastly, I don\'t automatically follow anybody back.\n\nMy \"following rules\" are these:\n<ul>\n	<li>Follow people and organizations with whom/which I have a personal connection.</li>\n	<li>Follow those with good content in areas that I am interested in (read my profile on Twitter if you want to see what some of those are).</li>\n	<li>Follow journalists who cover subjects I am interested in.</li>\n	<li>Follow those who have interacted with me on Twitter (other than simply following me) and with whom I have built a \"relationship.\"</li>\n</ul>\n<strong>Why do people follow specific Twitter users? Because they are getting something out of it; whether it be information, furthering a connection or sharing an interest.</strong>\n\nFollowing people just to get them to follow you is not a good Twitter strategy. It shows that you don\'t understand why people use Twitter.  It shows that you think all you have to do is show up to the party. But hey, if you\'ve ever been to a large party, you know just showing up and not talking to other people or being uninterested and/or uninteresting will lead to you being all alone.\n\nThe bottom line is If you are trying to build a Twitter following, start by understanding why people would follow you on Twitter.\n\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you automatically follow back? Would you block users you don\'t care for? And finally, what would you do with the tweet I got?\n\n&nbsp;','Do you understand why people follow you on Twitter?','','inherit','open','open','','2616-autosave-v1','','','2014-05-21 17:58:17','2014-05-21 17:58:17','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2616-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2622,4,'2014-05-21 17:58:21','2014-05-21 17:58:21','Last Friday, as I was checking my @mentions on Twitter, I found the following tweet:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2618\" alt=\"Tweet\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tweet-300x178.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"178\" /></a> This tweet came from a mobile app developer and it seems to be trying to shame me into a follow. (BTW, according to its website: <em>\"Tweepdash helps you to distinguish mutual followers and people who are not sharing the love. It’s very tedious and mind-numbingly boring to sort out your Twitter list. Tweepdash gives a quick overview of your total Twitter community.\")</em>\r\n\r\nWhy haven\'t I followed this particular Twitter user, or as Tweepdash claims, why am I not \"sharing the love?\"\r\n\r\nWell, for one, I have zero interest in or love for the user\'s product and even less in the user\'s Twitter stream.  Also, this user has never, ever interacted with me on Twitter other than to follow me (meaning that he/she/it? has not ever re-tweeted anything, or asked me a question, or anything). So, in Tweepdash language, this user has not shown any love for me.  Lastly, I don\'t automatically follow anybody back.\r\n\r\nMy \"following rules\" are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Follow people and organizations with whom/which I have a personal connection.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those with good content in areas that I am interested in (read my profile on Twitter if you want to see what some of those are).</li>\r\n	<li>Follow journalists who cover subjects I am interested in.</li>\r\n	<li>Follow those who have interacted with me on Twitter (other than simply following me) and with whom I have built a \"relationship.\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Why do people follow specific Twitter users? Because they are getting something out of it; whether it be information, furthering a connection or sharing an interest.</strong>\r\n\r\nFollowing people just to get them to follow you is not a good Twitter strategy. It shows that you don\'t understand why people use Twitter.  It shows that you think all you have to do is show up to the party. But hey, if you\'ve ever been to a large party, you know just showing up and not talking to other people or being uninterested and/or uninteresting will lead to you being all alone.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is if you are trying to build a Twitter following, start by understanding why people would follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you automatically follow back? Would you block users you don\'t care for? And finally, what would you do with the tweet I got?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you understand why people follow you on Twitter?','','inherit','open','open','','2616-revision-v1','','','2014-05-21 17:58:21','2014-05-21 17:58:21','',2616,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2616-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2623,4,'2014-05-22 15:26:18','2014-05-22 15:26:18','In communications-related professions (PR, advertising, marketing, etc.), we aren\'t really required or obligated to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to stay up to date or licensed in our fields. That\'s too bad because things change all the time and you must keep up if you want to stay relevant and informed.\r\n\r\nSo yes, I think professional development is a must. Since we don\'t have a defined, structured program like CPAs or social workers trying to maintain licenses and accreditation, how and where do we get our professional development? And how much do we need to pay for it?\r\n\r\nThere is no one communications industry conference we must attend, but yet there are dozens of communications-related conferences around the country, such as Content Marketing World and PRSA International Conference and others.  Some of them are really expensive, as in nearly $2,000, not including airfare and hotel. Is professional development worth that?\r\n\r\nOf course, there are dozens of local lower-cost options, such as lunch and learns, offered to members and nonmembers by the various comms/marketing organizations (IABC, PRSA, AMA, etc.). Webinars are also becoming very popular. And then there are some free options, including various Meetups. But is low cost or even free professional development worthwhile?\r\n\r\nMy answer is that it depends. An expensive conference may be worth the cost if you learn a lot and make good networking connections. A free meetup may not be worth it if you don\'t even pick up a useful bit of information. <strong>It\'s not about cost, it is about value.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong></strong>The trouble is that it can be pretty hard to determine the value.\r\n\r\nI have attended several lower cost professional development events that have been extremely worthwhile, and then I have gone to some that have been a complete waste of money, time and effort. It\' all depends on the quality and background of the presenters and the moderators, and also of the organization. Is the room suited for the presentation? Will you be able to hear and see OK?\r\n\r\nLast night I attended a free nonprofit/tech happy hour at a bar (in a private area) with a speaker, who spoke for about ten minutes.  I didn\'t learn anything new. But then again, he didn\'t have a formal presentation (no PowerPoint) and he was at a very informal setting. Contrast that with a free MeetUp that I attended a couple of weeks ago, in a more formal setting, where the speaker  spoke for 45 minutes or longer and had a presentation deck to refer to. I came away from that one with lots of food for thought. Both opportunities were free, both about related subjects, but one had much more value than the other.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite, and very inexpensive, professional development opportunities is WordCamp (a volunteer-run, volunteer-led presentation on all things WordPress). I have been to three already, and am planning to attend WordCamp Philly in a couple of weeks. For the $20-$30 price of attendance, I have picked up quite a lot of useful information.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that as a communicator, you must budget time and money for professional development. You\'ll have to research and attend several types of events to find the ones that offer the most value. Staying current is crucial in communications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is professional development worth it?','','publish','open','open','','is-professional-development-worth-it','','','2014-05-22 15:26:18','2014-05-22 15:26:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2623',0,'post','',1),(2624,4,'2014-05-22 15:26:18','2014-05-22 15:26:18','In communications-related professions (PR, advertising, marketing, etc.), we aren\'t really required or obligated to complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to stay up to date or licensed in our fields. That\'s too bad because things change all the time and you must keep up if you want to stay relevant and informed.\r\n\r\nSo yes, I think professional development is a must. Since we don\'t have a defined, structured program like CPAs or social workers trying to maintain licenses and accreditation, how and where do we get our professional development? And how much do we need to pay for it?\r\n\r\nThere is no one communications industry conference we must attend, but yet there are dozens of communications-related conferences around the country, such as Content Marketing World and PRSA International Conference and others.  Some of them are really expensive, as in nearly $2,000, not including airfare and hotel. Is professional development worth that?\r\n\r\nOf course, there are dozens of local lower-cost options, such as lunch and learns, offered to members and nonmembers by the various comms/marketing organizations (IABC, PRSA, AMA, etc.). Webinars are also becoming very popular. And then there are some free options, including various Meetups. But is low cost or even free professional development worthwhile?\r\n\r\nMy answer is that it depends. An expensive conference may be worth the cost if you learn a lot and make good networking connections. A free meetup may not be worth it if you don\'t even pick up a useful bit of information. <strong>It\'s not about cost, it is about value.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong></strong>The trouble is that it can be pretty hard to determine the value.\r\n\r\nI have attended several lower cost professional development events that have been extremely worthwhile, and then I have gone to some that have been a complete waste of money, time and effort. It\' all depends on the quality and background of the presenters and the moderators, and also of the organization. Is the room suited for the presentation? Will you be able to hear and see OK?\r\n\r\nLast night I attended a free nonprofit/tech happy hour at a bar (in a private area) with a speaker, who spoke for about ten minutes.  I didn\'t learn anything new. But then again, he didn\'t have a formal presentation (no PowerPoint) and he was at a very informal setting. Contrast that with a free MeetUp that I attended a couple of weeks ago, in a more formal setting, where the speaker  spoke for 45 minutes or longer and had a presentation deck to refer to. I came away from that one with lots of food for thought. Both opportunities were free, both about related subjects, but one had much more value than the other.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite, and very inexpensive, professional development opportunities is WordCamp (a volunteer-run, volunteer-led presentation on all things WordPress). I have been to three already, and am planning to attend WordCamp Philly in a couple of weeks. For the $20-$30 price of attendance, I have picked up quite a lot of useful information.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that as a communicator, you must budget time and money for professional development. You\'ll have to research and attend several types of events to find the ones that offer the most value. Staying current is crucial in communications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is professional development worth it?','','inherit','open','open','','2623-revision-v1','','','2014-05-22 15:26:18','2014-05-22 15:26:18','',2623,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2623-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2626,4,'2012-10-01 15:04:44','2012-10-01 15:04:44','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, cash and money orders. We do not provide credit card processing at this time. Our policy is 14 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as invoiced. All jobs require an initial 50% deposit.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to write something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2012-10-01 15:04:44','2012-10-01 15:04:44','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2012/10/42-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2627,4,'2014-05-28 12:21:32','2014-05-28 12:21:32','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 30% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders.  Our policy is 14 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced. All jobs require an initial 30% deposit.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to producec something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2014-05-28 12:21:32','2014-05-28 12:21:32','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/42-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2628,4,'2014-05-29 13:34:39','0000-00-00 00:00:00','People always want to know how often they should post to their blogs. What they really want to know is what is the minimum they can get away with. Lots of people see the big blogs like Mashable and Huffington Post publish multiple blog posts a day, and they feel overwhelmed when thinking they\'ll need to do that too.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, you do not have to post multiple times a day. Let\'s get that out of the way.\r\n\r\nNow, let\'s deal with frequency. You have a choice of daily, a few times a week, weekly, biweekly, monthly. Yearly is not an option because if you can only post to your blog once a year, then you really shouldn\'t be blogging. Perhaps just send an annual letter to your customers or supporters. In fact, if you haven\'t blogged in years, get rid of the blog. A dusty, old blog makes you look like you are out of business.\r\n\r\nSo, should you post every day? Every week?I advise that you post only when you have something to say. If you feel you must hit a certain goal (a blog post every Wednesday, for example), and you don\'t really feel\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recommend I advise not to post less than once a month.\r\n\r\nFirst: Only blog when you have something to say.\r\n\r\nSecond: Be consistent.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','FAQ: How often should I post on my blog?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-05-29 13:34:39','2014-05-29 13:34:39','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2628',0,'post','',0),(2629,4,'2014-05-29 13:34:39','2014-05-29 13:34:39','People always want to know how often they should post to their blogs. What they really want to know is what is the minimum they can get away with. Lots of people see the big blogs like Mashable and Huffington Post publish multiple blog posts a day, and they feel overwhelmed when thinking they\'ll need to do that too.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, you do not have to post multiple times a day. Let\'s get that out of the way.\r\n\r\nNow, let\'s deal with frequency. You have a choice of daily, a few times a week, weekly, biweekly, monthly. Yearly is not an option because if you can only post to your blog once a year, then you really shouldn\'t be blogging. Perhaps just send an annual letter to your customers or supporters. In fact, if you haven\'t blogged in years, get rid of the blog. A dusty, old blog makes you look like you are out of business.\r\n\r\nSo, should you post every day? Every week?I advise that you post only when you have something to say. If you feel you must hit a certain goal (a blog post every Wednesday, for example), and you don\'t really feel\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI recommend I advise not to post less than once a month.\r\n\r\nFirst: Only blog when you have something to say.\r\n\r\nSecond: Be consistent.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','FAQ: How often should I post on my blog?','','inherit','open','open','','2628-revision-v1','','','2014-05-29 13:34:39','2014-05-29 13:34:39','',2628,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2628-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2631,4,'2014-05-30 13:43:06','2014-05-30 13:43:06','Several months ago I attended a presentation on content marketing. The presenter has become a mini-celebrity in the field, and has even published a book on the subject. However, this person had the unfortunate tendency to let her voice lower so much you had to strain to hear her. It was completely distracting and seriously took away from the content of the presentation. I don\'t think I could sit through another presentation <em>in spite of her expertise in the field.</em>\r\n\r\nJust this morning, I came across an article from Inc. Magazine entitled  <a href=\"http://www.inc.com/jenna-goudreau/5-ways-you-might-be-hurting-your-credibility-at-work.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"5 Ways People Hurt Their Credibility.\"</a> It points out that you can seem less credible by not controlling your voice (the situation I pointed out above) or by having poor posture. <strong>Obviously, as a communicator, it\'s important to establish your credibility.</strong>  Credibility is key to convincing your  clients that your communications plan will help boost their recognition or establish their brand. You won\'t get far in pitching the media if you lack credibility.\r\n\r\nThere\'s no doubt that you must establish and protect your credibility and the trait that will allow you do so is <strong>self-awareness.</strong> If you aren\'t self-aware, you won\'t even be able to recognize any of the behaviors pointed out in the Inc. article.\r\n\r\nSo many people are blind to their shortcomings precisely because their biggest shortcoming is a lack of self-awareness. If you aren\'t able to examine your behaviors and beliefs to find areas for improvement, you aren\'t able to change. And you will continue to do stuff that may be detrimental to your career.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you become more self-aware?</strong> You start with the knowledge that you will need to start paying close attention to what you are doing and how people are reacting to you. You can also ask for feedback to see if how people perceive you is the same as the way you perceive yourself.\r\n\r\nDo you agree that self-awareness is the most important trait any communicator should have? If not, what do you think? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The most important trait for any communicator','','inherit','open','open','','2630-revision-v1','','','2014-05-30 13:43:06','2014-05-30 13:43:06','',2630,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/05/2630-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2632,4,'2014-06-02 20:47:06','2014-06-02 20:47:06','Biz Stone is one of the co-founders of Twitter. He\'s now CEO of a new company called Jelly. The <em>Washington Post</em> ran an interview with him in yesterday\'s edition, for its On Leadership series.  You should read the <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2014/05/27/biz-stone-on-leadership-and-star-trek/\" target=\"_blank\">entire interview</a> but here is Biz\'s best Twitter tip:\r\n<blockquote>Just be authentic. That\'s the only way to go. Over and over and over it comes back to that. People try all kinds of different things, and when they just present themselves as human, that\'s when people connect with them.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. This is why <a title=\"Is robotic social media worth it?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-robotic-social-media-worth-it/\" target=\"_blank\">robo-tweeting</a>, as I discussed a few weeks back, doesn\'t work. This is why humble-bragging and endless self-promotion turn potential followers off. It\'s rude and it\'s not how you would interact in person.\r\n\r\nWhen you act as you do \"in real life\" you develop real relationships and therefore get the \"engagement\" that you should be aiming for. You talk with people not at people. You help others out. You act graciously. It\'s called being human, and if you are a likeable human, you may actually get people wanting to follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Take some Twitter advice from Biz Stone','','publish','open','open','','take-some-twitter-advice-from-biz-stone','','','2014-06-02 20:47:06','2014-06-02 20:47:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2632',0,'post','',2),(2633,4,'2014-06-02 20:47:06','2014-06-02 20:47:06','Biz Stone is one of the co-founders of Twitter. He\'s now CEO of a new company called Jelly. The <em>Washington Post</em> ran an interview with him in yesterday\'s edition, for its On Leadership series.  You should read the <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2014/05/27/biz-stone-on-leadership-and-star-trek/\" target=\"_blank\">entire interview</a> but here is Biz\'s best Twitter tip:\r\n<blockquote>Just be authentic. That\'s the only way to go. Over and over and over it comes back to that. People try all kinds of different things, and when they just present themselves as human, that\'s when people connect with them.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. This is why <a title=\"Is robotic social media worth it?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/03/is-robotic-social-media-worth-it/\" target=\"_blank\">robo-tweeting</a>, as I discussed a few weeks back, doesn\'t work. This is why humble-bragging and endless self-promotion turn potential followers off. It\'s rude and it\'s not how you would interact in person.\r\n\r\nWhen you act as you do \"in real life\" you develop real relationships and therefore get the \"engagement\" that you should be aiming for. You talk with people not at people. You help others out. You act graciously. It\'s called being human, and if you are a likeable human, you may actually get people wanting to follow you on Twitter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Take some Twitter advice from Biz Stone','','inherit','open','open','','2632-revision-v1','','','2014-06-02 20:47:06','2014-06-02 20:47:06','',2632,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2632-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2635,4,'2014-06-05 20:51:25','2014-06-05 20:51:25','Friends, I got a spam email today that just has to be read to be believed. Here it is in its entirety, my comments below:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Dear business owner of Deborahbrody.com\r\n</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deborahbrody.com</span></span> business is losing THOUSANDS of DOLLARS every year, maybe more!</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Why? How?</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Your credit card processor HIDES THEIR FEES. Don’t believe it? Check your statement, I’m sure you will be just as confused as the next business owner.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">DO NOT WORRY – I have the solution as I just saved a similar to your business in your street about $5700 in yearly credit card processing fees. The guy is so happy – I have the same offer for you!</span></span>\r\n\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">I’m a business consultant specialist and this offer isn’t available for everyone. Only for <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Deborahbrody.com</span></span> – FOR FREE. Cost to you is NOTHING but 5 minutes of your time.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are interested, just let me know and I’ll provide more information for you. I apologize if this email is an inconvenience, I just know what I have done for others in your business, and didn’t want you to miss too good of an opportunity in.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">There are only so many your type of business we can sign up though – so if you are going to do it, I’ll need to hear from you now.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Oh yeah, I know the area where you are located, know it pretty well actually.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"> <span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Thanks for your time!</span></span>\r\n\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Cheers!</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">J<span style=\"font-size: small;\">essica</span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\" style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Ver;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Business Consultant</span></span></p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">This could be a textbook example of how not to send an query/pitch letter. Here\'s what\'s wrong:</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">1. <strong>No personalization.</strong>  If \"Jessica\" can find my website, she can also find my name.</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">2. <strong>Making (wrong) assumptions.</strong> I am losing thousands in credit card fees? Do I even do any credit card processing? And would I be confused by fees?</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">3. <strong>Poor grammar.</strong> There aren\'t any spelling mistakes, but \"Jessica\" certainly did not get an A in her high school English class with this sentence \"didn’t want you to miss too good of an opportunity in.\"</p>\r\n<p lang=\"zxx\">4. <strong>Being too informal.</strong> \"Oh yeah, I know the area where you are located, know it pretty well actually.\"(Also, what is that supposed to mean and why is it relevant?)</p>\r\n5. <strong>Being shady</strong>. Notice \"Jessica\" does not say what she actually does. She also doesn\'t provide any contact information, business name or anything else.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>Insulting my intelligence. </strong> Five minutes of my time is all I need to save thousands. I am sure she also has bridges in Brooklyn for sale for cheap.\r\n\r\nThe only reason I did not immediate delete this email is because I thought it would make a great blog post.\r\n\r\nHave you received these types of emails? What makes you cringe? Please share!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The best way not to get business','','inherit','open','open','','2634-revision-v1','','','2014-06-05 20:51:25','2014-06-05 20:51:25','',2634,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2634-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2649,4,'2014-06-16 15:15:45','2014-06-16 15:15:45','Last week, for three days in a row, Feedly was targeted by hackers looking for ransom in a huge DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack. It meant that nobody was able to access Feedly.\r\n\r\nIf you use Feedly as your RSS reader, it meant that there was no way of accessing all your feeds short of going to each source. We set up RSS readers precisely to avoid having to visit dozens of separate websites and blogs. Feedly being down was definitely an inconvenience (not on the magnitude of Twitter being down, but still).\r\n\r\nIf you are a blog publisher, and you use RSS as your primary distribution channel, you were really screwed last week. Nobody saw your feed. Few people if any took the time to visit your site to read your latest posts. If they did, it\'s too bad you can\'t identify them, because they are your most loyal supporters.\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s a big lesson here for bloggers: you must use various different channels to push out your content.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>On social</strong>: You have to share on all of your social networks.  If you don\'t regularly post your latest stuff to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc., you must start.\r\n\r\n<strong>On email:</strong> Perhaps this is a good time to check out newsletter providers that have the RSS-to-email feature. This feature takes your latest posts and sends them out as a newsletter to your contacts on whatever schedule you choose. You definitely want to make sure people can subscribe to your feed directly too.\r\n\r\n<strong>In person</strong>: Do your friends and colleagues know about your blog? Let them know and encourage them to visit. If you give out business cards, is your blog listed?\r\n\r\nI can almost promise you that this won\'t be the last time Feedly will be down. Chances are also good that one of the social networks will be attacked too. There\'s little you can do to avoid internet failures, but there\'s a lot you can do to avoid depending on just one channel of communication.\r\n\r\nWhere were you (and what did you do) when Feedly went down last week?','Where were you when Feedly went down?','','publish','open','open','','where-were-you-when-feedly-went-down','','','2014-06-16 15:15:45','2014-06-16 15:15:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2649',0,'post','',0),(2685,4,'2014-07-10 17:59:07','2014-07-10 17:59:07','Starting <strong>every</strong> sentence with words or phrases such as honestly, frankly, truly or in reality.\n\nDescribing things using the <strong>same adjective or adverb</strong> every single time. You know, that show was terrific, it was fantastic, it was tremendous.\n\n(Over) relying on <strong>certain expressions</strong> (generally cliches) such as \"at the end of the day\" or \"right back atcha\" or \"takes two to tango.\"\n\nI think of these as verbal tics. We are not even aware that we are using these verbal crutches. And they can creep into our writing, especially in social media posts. They may distract readers and listeners or even make them tune out what you are saying.\n\nThe summer\'s first challenge is to rid yourself of verbal tics (or at least reduce them).\n\nHere are the three steps to take:\n\n1. <strong>Identify</strong> these verbal tics in your writing or speaking. Start paying attention to yourself and your writing. Do you find yourself saying certain things over and over?\n\n2. <strong>Figure</strong> out why you are saying this. Why do you have to preface your statement with \"honestly?\" Are you generally not honest? Is it just habit? Is there any other way to say this?\n\n3. Now, this is the hard part: <strong>eliminate</strong> the word or phrase completely. Try doing this for a day or two. If you catch yourself about to use one of your verbal tics, find another word or phrase to use instead.\n\nThis won’t be easy. We get into patterns and it’s hard to stop. And that\'s the point of this challenge: becoming aware of your patterns.\n\nWhat do you think? What is your verbal tic? Are there verbal tics that your colleagues have that drive you nuts? Tell me!\n\nUPDATE:\n\nSeems that even the New York Times has verbal tics, as the article The New York Times Lists its Crutch Words points out. Verbal tics are cructhc','Challenge #1: Tick off verbal tics','','inherit','open','open','','2683-autosave-v1','','','2014-07-10 17:59:07','2014-07-10 17:59:07','',2683,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2683-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2639,4,'2014-06-10 14:06:24','2014-06-10 14:06:24','This past Saturday, I attended <a href=\"http://2014.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordCamp Philly</a>. There were four tracks: User, Power User, Designer and Developer. With sessions in the User/Power User tracks such as \"BuddyPress: An Enterprise Solution\" and \"How I Spent the Last 5 years playing with WordPress and building PewResearch.org\" you can tell something is up. It\'s not really new, but more and more organizations, from nonprofits to multinationals like Coca-Cola, are using WordPress not as a blogging platform, but as a Content Management System (CMS).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2640\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"W shaped pretzels at WordCamp Philly\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> W for WordPress Philly Pretzels[/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, a well known social media marketing guy posted on Twitter that the effort involved in blogging was too large in relation to the return on investment (ROI).\r\n\r\nMany organizations have BINOs: blogs in name only. They don\'t update them frequently or haven\'t even posted in the last couple of years.\r\n\r\nSo is blogging dead? Should you give up your blog and just use WordPress to be your website platform?\r\n\r\n<strong>No!!!!</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Blogging is not dead.</strong> Blogging still provides many many benefits, not the least of which is making it easier for people to find your organization when they don\'t even know it exists.\r\n\r\nHow many people don\'t know Coca-Cola? Coke doesn\'t have to do much to be known. But a small organization that works on historical restoration or a business that helps people in a specific area get organized has to work a lot harder.  Small businesses or nonprofits have to provide information that their potential customers or supporters need and want. One of the best ways to provide a constant stream of information is blogging.\r\n\r\nCall it content marketing if you must, but blogs are an easy and flexible way to provide opinions, analysis, information, graphics or even podcasts to your audience.\r\n\r\nBlogs are social. Blogs let your audience share content easily. And blogs are a way to interact with your audience through the comments. And you can extend your blog\'s reach by enlisting guest bloggers.\r\n\r\nEven though WordPress is a powerful CMS and even though <strong>consistent, quality</strong> blogging does take a lot of effort, blogging is still worthwhile.\r\n\r\nAre you still blogging? If you have given up, please tell me why in the comments. If you have seen value, give me an example.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is blogging dead?','','publish','open','open','','is-blogging-dead','','','2014-06-10 14:06:24','2014-06-10 14:06:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2639',0,'post','',1),(2640,4,'2014-06-10 13:42:21','2014-06-10 13:42:21','','20140607_083904','W for WordPress Philly Pretzels','inherit','open','open','','20140607_083904','','','2014-06-10 13:42:21','2014-06-10 13:42:21','',2639,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2641,4,'2014-06-10 14:04:56','2014-06-10 14:04:56','This past Saturday, I attended WordCamp Philly. There were four tracks: User, Power User, Designer and Developer. With sessions in the User/Power User tracks such as \"BuddyPress: An Enterprise Solution\" and \"How I Spent the Last 5 years playing with WordPress and building PewResearch.org\" you can tell something is up. It\'s not really new, but more and more organizations, from nonprofits to multinationals like Coca-Cola, are using WordPress not as a blogging platform, but as a Content Management System (CMS).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2640\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"W shaped pretzels at WordCamp Philly\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> W for WordPress Philly Pretzels[/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, a well known social media marketing guy posted on Twitter that the effort involved in blogging was too large in relation to the return on investment (ROI).\r\n\r\nMany organizations have BINOs: blogs in name only. They don\'t update them frequently or haven\'t even posted in the last couple of years.\r\n\r\nSo is blogging dead? Should you give up your blog and just use WordPress to be your website platform?\r\n\r\n<strong>No!!!!</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Blogging is not dead.</strong> Blogging still provides many many benefits, not the least of which is making it easier for people to find your organization when they don\'t even know it exists.\r\n\r\nHow many people don\'t know Coca-Cola? Coke doesn\'t have to do much to be known. But a small organization that works on historical restoration or a business that helps people in a specific area get organized has to work a lot harder.  Small businesses or nonprofits have to provide information that their potential customers or supporters need and want. One of the best ways to provide a constant stream of information is blogging.\r\n\r\nCall it content marketing if you must, but blogs are an easy and flexible way to provide opinions, analysis, information, graphics or even podcasts to your audience.\r\n\r\nBlogs are social. Blogs let your audience share content easily. And blogs are a way to interact with your audience through the comments. And you can extend your blog\'s reach by enlisting guest bloggers.\r\n\r\nEven though WordPress is a powerful CMS and even though <strong>consistent, quality</strong> blogging does take a lot of effort, blogging is still worthwhile.\r\n\r\nAre you still blogging? If you have given up, please tell me why in the comments. If you have seen value, give me an example.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is blogging dead?','','inherit','open','open','','2639-revision-v1','','','2014-06-10 14:04:56','2014-06-10 14:04:56','',2639,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2639-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2642,4,'2014-06-10 14:06:24','2014-06-10 14:06:24','This past Saturday, I attended <a href=\"http://2014.philly.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordCamp Philly</a>. There were four tracks: User, Power User, Designer and Developer. With sessions in the User/Power User tracks such as \"BuddyPress: An Enterprise Solution\" and \"How I Spent the Last 5 years playing with WordPress and building PewResearch.org\" you can tell something is up. It\'s not really new, but more and more organizations, from nonprofits to multinationals like Coca-Cola, are using WordPress not as a blogging platform, but as a Content Management System (CMS).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2640\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20140607_083904-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"W shaped pretzels at WordCamp Philly\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> W for WordPress Philly Pretzels[/caption]\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, a well known social media marketing guy posted on Twitter that the effort involved in blogging was too large in relation to the return on investment (ROI).\r\n\r\nMany organizations have BINOs: blogs in name only. They don\'t update them frequently or haven\'t even posted in the last couple of years.\r\n\r\nSo is blogging dead? Should you give up your blog and just use WordPress to be your website platform?\r\n\r\n<strong>No!!!!</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Blogging is not dead.</strong> Blogging still provides many many benefits, not the least of which is making it easier for people to find your organization when they don\'t even know it exists.\r\n\r\nHow many people don\'t know Coca-Cola? Coke doesn\'t have to do much to be known. But a small organization that works on historical restoration or a business that helps people in a specific area get organized has to work a lot harder.  Small businesses or nonprofits have to provide information that their potential customers or supporters need and want. One of the best ways to provide a constant stream of information is blogging.\r\n\r\nCall it content marketing if you must, but blogs are an easy and flexible way to provide opinions, analysis, information, graphics or even podcasts to your audience.\r\n\r\nBlogs are social. Blogs let your audience share content easily. And blogs are a way to interact with your audience through the comments. And you can extend your blog\'s reach by enlisting guest bloggers.\r\n\r\nEven though WordPress is a powerful CMS and even though <strong>consistent, quality</strong> blogging does take a lot of effort, blogging is still worthwhile.\r\n\r\nAre you still blogging? If you have given up, please tell me why in the comments. If you have seen value, give me an example.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is blogging dead?','','inherit','open','open','','2639-revision-v1','','','2014-06-10 14:06:24','2014-06-10 14:06:24','',2639,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2639-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2643,4,'2014-06-12 19:43:24','2014-06-12 19:43:24','<strong>UPDATE: This post is three years old and some people are still finding it. If you read the post you will see that DBMC is not affiliated in any way with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program. I am not able to help you get your discontinued makeup. Please co</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou may recall that a couple of years ago I was trying <a title=\"Lack of communication may cost you a sale\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/lack-of-communication-may-cost-you-a-sale/\" target=\"_blank\">to buy a foundation from Prescriptives</a>. It turns out Prescriptives had gone out of business, but I was able to order the makeup through their website. The failure was in communication--no real advertising of the closure and misinformation at the counter.\n\nWell, it has happened again. Clinique has discontinued my favorite mascara, without any notice. I went up to the counter, asked for the mascara by name, and was told they no longer carry it. That was it.  My friend and fellow WWPR board member <a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/dfriez\" target=\"_blank\">Debbie Frie</a>z recommended calling the 1-800 number that the Estee Lauder cosmetics company has for discontinued items (you have to search really hard on the Clinique website for the \"Gone but  Not Forgotten program\").\n\nI called the Gone but not Forgotten program, and they said it could take up to two weeks to locate the product, and if they did, they would ship it out to me. After nearly two weeks, not a word. I called the program (and was on hold for 20 minutes) only to find out \"that I contacted them before they could contact me\" to tell me that the product is no longer available.\n\nWhat a massive failure from Clinique. First, they discontinued a product just so they could introduce a substitute that is not as good. Second, they failed to inform their customers.  And third, their program for discontinued items is a joke--why would it take two weeks to locate inventory? Why would you not email as soon as you knew you couldn\'t fulfill a customer\'s request? Perhaps you could give the customer a voucher to try another product for free, etc.\n\nWhy should I buy from Clinique ever again? Why would I buy a cosmetic that I like only to have it discontinued? Why would I want to deal with a company that disregards its customers? Clinique has effectively forced me into the marketplace to find another mascara that I like.\n\nA note to male readers: mascara is a product that should be replaced every three months. This made me visit the Clinique counter at least four times a year. And hey, if you are there four times a year, chances are good you will see something else you like.\n\nIn any case. the lessons here are as always: advertising alone will  not sell a product. Service will seal the deal. Personal experiences will also influence buying behavior, and in the social media world, may influence the behavior of other people too.\n\nSo, if you know of any good hypoallergenic, waterproof, non-flaking mascara, let me know. But please, make sure it is not a Clinique brand.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Another cosmetics failure','','inherit','open','open','','1183-autosave-v1','','','2014-06-12 19:43:24','2014-06-12 19:43:24','',1183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/1183-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2644,4,'2014-06-12 19:43:34','2014-06-12 19:43:34','<strong>UPDATE: This post is three years old and some people are still finding it. If you read the post you will see that DBMC is not affiliated in any way with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program. I am not able to help you get your discontinued makeup. Please contact Clinique directly.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may recall that a couple of years ago I was trying <a title=\"Lack of communication may cost you a sale\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/lack-of-communication-may-cost-you-a-sale/\" target=\"_blank\">to buy a foundation from Prescriptives</a>. It turns out Prescriptives had gone out of business, but I was able to order the makeup through their website. The failure was in communication--no real advertising of the closure and misinformation at the counter.\r\n\r\nWell, it has happened again. Clinique has discontinued my favorite mascara, without any notice. I went up to the counter, asked for the mascara by name, and was told they no longer carry it. That was it.  My friend and fellow WWPR board member <a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/dfriez\" target=\"_blank\">Debbie Frie</a>z recommended calling the 1-800 number that the Estee Lauder cosmetics company has for discontinued items (you have to search really hard on the Clinique website for the \"Gone but  Not Forgotten program\").\r\n\r\nI called the Gone but not Forgotten program, and they said it could take up to two weeks to locate the product, and if they did, they would ship it out to me. After nearly two weeks, not a word. I called the program (and was on hold for 20 minutes) only to find out \"that I contacted them before they could contact me\" to tell me that the product is no longer available.\r\n\r\nWhat a massive failure from Clinique. First, they discontinued a product just so they could introduce a substitute that is not as good. Second, they failed to inform their customers.  And third, their program for discontinued items is a joke--why would it take two weeks to locate inventory? Why would you not email as soon as you knew you couldn\'t fulfill a customer\'s request? Perhaps you could give the customer a voucher to try another product for free, etc.\r\n\r\nWhy should I buy from Clinique ever again? Why would I buy a cosmetic that I like only to have it discontinued? Why would I want to deal with a company that disregards its customers? Clinique has effectively forced me into the marketplace to find another mascara that I like.\r\n\r\nA note to male readers: mascara is a product that should be replaced every three months. This made me visit the Clinique counter at least four times a year. And hey, if you are there four times a year, chances are good you will see something else you like.\r\n\r\nIn any case. the lessons here are as always: advertising alone will  not sell a product. Service will seal the deal. Personal experiences will also influence buying behavior, and in the social media world, may influence the behavior of other people too.\r\n\r\nSo, if you know of any good hypoallergenic, waterproof, non-flaking mascara, let me know. But please, make sure it is not a Clinique brand.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Another cosmetics failure','','inherit','open','open','','1183-revision-v1','','','2014-06-12 19:43:34','2014-06-12 19:43:34','',1183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/1183-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2645,4,'2014-06-12 19:44:52','2014-06-12 19:44:52','<strong>UPDATE June 12, 2014: This post is three years old and some people are still finding it. If you read the post you will see that DBMC is not affiliated in any way with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program. I am not able to help you get your discontinued makeup. Please contact Clinique directly.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou may recall that a couple of years ago I was trying <a title=\"Lack of communication may cost you a sale\" href=\"http://cuppamarcomm.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/lack-of-communication-may-cost-you-a-sale/\" target=\"_blank\">to buy a foundation from Prescriptives</a>. It turns out Prescriptives had gone out of business, but I was able to order the makeup through their website. The failure was in communication--no real advertising of the closure and misinformation at the counter.\r\n\r\nWell, it has happened again. Clinique has discontinued my favorite mascara, without any notice. I went up to the counter, asked for the mascara by name, and was told they no longer carry it. That was it.  My friend and fellow WWPR board member <a href=\"http://twitter.com/#!/dfriez\" target=\"_blank\">Debbie Frie</a>z recommended calling the 1-800 number that the Estee Lauder cosmetics company has for discontinued items (you have to search really hard on the Clinique website for the \"Gone but  Not Forgotten program\").\r\n\r\nI called the Gone but not Forgotten program, and they said it could take up to two weeks to locate the product, and if they did, they would ship it out to me. After nearly two weeks, not a word. I called the program (and was on hold for 20 minutes) only to find out \"that I contacted them before they could contact me\" to tell me that the product is no longer available.\r\n\r\nWhat a massive failure from Clinique. First, they discontinued a product just so they could introduce a substitute that is not as good. Second, they failed to inform their customers.  And third, their program for discontinued items is a joke--why would it take two weeks to locate inventory? Why would you not email as soon as you knew you couldn\'t fulfill a customer\'s request? Perhaps you could give the customer a voucher to try another product for free, etc.\r\n\r\nWhy should I buy from Clinique ever again? Why would I buy a cosmetic that I like only to have it discontinued? Why would I want to deal with a company that disregards its customers? Clinique has effectively forced me into the marketplace to find another mascara that I like.\r\n\r\nA note to male readers: mascara is a product that should be replaced every three months. This made me visit the Clinique counter at least four times a year. And hey, if you are there four times a year, chances are good you will see something else you like.\r\n\r\nIn any case. the lessons here are as always: advertising alone will  not sell a product. Service will seal the deal. Personal experiences will also influence buying behavior, and in the social media world, may influence the behavior of other people too.\r\n\r\nSo, if you know of any good hypoallergenic, waterproof, non-flaking mascara, let me know. But please, make sure it is not a Clinique brand.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Another cosmetics failure','','inherit','open','open','','1183-revision-v1','','','2014-06-12 19:44:52','2014-06-12 19:44:52','',1183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/1183-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2646,4,'2014-06-12 20:02:47','2014-06-12 20:02:47','A couple of days ago I wrote a post called <a title=\"Is blogging dead?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/is-blogging-dead/\" target=\"_blank\">Is Blogging Dead?</a> My answer is no, emphatically, blogging is not dead. My chief reason for believing this is that blogging helps you get found.\r\n\r\nHowever, sometimes you get found for the wrong reason.\r\n\r\nIn the past week alone, two women have contacted me looking for help locating discontinued Clinique eye shadows. Why? Because three (!) years ago I wrote a post about my <a title=\"Another cosmetics failure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/another-cosmetics-failure/\" target=\"_blank\">poor experience with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program</a>. If you read the post, you may be able to tell it is a critique. If you read my About page or any other part of this website, I think it is fairly obvious that I am not associated with Clinique in any way. Yet these women somehow think I can help them, not just to find information about Clinique\'s program, but to actually find the eye shadows for them.\r\n\r\nThat post is one of the most visited on this blog and it has nothing to do with what I do. Perhaps I should delete it because it is clearly bringing the wrong kind of people to this blog. At the same time it illustrates the power of blogging and specifically, of tagging and keywords. I know people find the post by keying in \"gone but not forgotten.\"\r\n\r\nThe main lessons here are two:\r\n\r\n1. Blogging, and using descriptive keywords and tags, will certainly help you get found.\r\n\r\n2. What you blog about (and the keywords, tags, etc. you use) should help you be found for what you want to be found.\r\n\r\nSadly, a third lesson is that many people out there do not bother to read things closely or have poor reading comprehension.\r\n\r\nHave you had a similar experience? And, should I take that post down?','Yes, blogging helps you get found','','publish','open','open','','yes-blogging-helps-you-get-found','','','2014-06-12 20:02:47','2014-06-12 20:02:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2646',0,'post','',1),(2647,4,'2014-06-12 20:02:47','2014-06-12 20:02:47','A couple of days ago I wrote a post called <a title=\"Is blogging dead?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/is-blogging-dead/\" target=\"_blank\">Is Blogging Dead?</a> My answer is no, emphatically, blogging is not dead. My chief reason for believing this is that blogging helps you get found.\r\n\r\nHowever, sometimes you get found for the wrong reason.\r\n\r\nIn the past week alone, two women have contacted me looking for help locating discontinued Clinique eye shadows. Why? Because three (!) years ago I wrote a post about my <a title=\"Another cosmetics failure\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2011/06/another-cosmetics-failure/\" target=\"_blank\">poor experience with Clinique\'s Gone but Not Forgotten program</a>. If you read the post, you may be able to tell it is a critique. If you read my About page or any other part of this website, I think it is fairly obvious that I am not associated with Clinique in any way. Yet these women somehow think I can help them, not just to find information about Clinique\'s program, but to actually find the eye shadows for them.\r\n\r\nThat post is one of the most visited on this blog and it has nothing to do with what I do. Perhaps I should delete it because it is clearly bringing the wrong kind of people to this blog. At the same time it illustrates the power of blogging and specifically, of tagging and keywords. I know people find the post by keying in \"gone but not forgotten.\"\r\n\r\nThe main lessons here are two:\r\n\r\n1. Blogging, and using descriptive keywords and tags, will certainly help you get found.\r\n\r\n2. What you blog about (and the keywords, tags, etc. you use) should help you be found for what you want to be found.\r\n\r\nSadly, a third lesson is that many people out there do not bother to read things closely or have poor reading comprehension.\r\n\r\nHave you had a similar experience? And, should I take that post down?','Yes, blogging helps you get found','','inherit','open','open','','2646-revision-v1','','','2014-06-12 20:02:47','2014-06-12 20:02:47','',2646,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2646-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2651,4,'2014-06-17 13:24:58','2014-06-17 13:24:58','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 30% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders. Paying by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge.  Our policy is 14 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced. All jobs require an initial 30% deposit.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to producec something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2014-06-17 13:24:58','2014-06-17 13:24:58','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/42-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2652,4,'2014-06-18 13:43:01','2014-06-18 13:43:01','In the past few weeks, I have been flat-out amazed at how some people act in business/networking situations. They\'ve not made a good impression.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how you too can make a bad impression:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Have a limp handshake (bonus points if clammy and sweaty too)</strong>. The other day I met the director of a local chamber of commerce. She introduced herself and gave me the limpest handshake I can remember. I wanted to say to her that she needed to work on a firm handshake, instead, I shuddered inwardly. Limp handshakes communicate lack of conviction and being tentative. And also, yuck.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Don\'t introduce yourself</strong>. I was at a small lunch gathering and a guy joined us late. He sat down and didn\'t bother to say his name or what his business was. I didn\'t find out until the end when he gave me his business card. Very few people require no introduction and generally, they don\'t go to small business gatherings. To me, not introducing yourself shows you are not aware of other people.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Be late</strong>. At the same lunch gathering mentioned above, where I was a first-timer, the organizer showed up more than 15 minutes late. Being late for a meeting you organized is inexcusable. Being late in general just shows a disregard for others.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Don\'t respond</strong>. Say we met at an event, and we exchange business cards, and we talk about having coffee soon, and then I send you an email (and then another) and I don\'t hear back from you. Yeah. I get it. You don\'t want to have coffee. That\'s OK, but if in the future you change your mind, you\'ve left me with a really bad impression. (This one also applies to social media. Check your @ replies on Twitter. Is someone asking you a question? Perhaps you should answer it).\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Attack the other person</strong>. The other day I met a business owner who is a big fan of the chamber of commerce. I am not since I don\'t usually find my target audience there. When she asked me if I was a member of her chamber, I explained why I am not. She got defensive and immediately began attacking me. She wasn\'t polite or constructive. She was just mean and putting me down.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a few more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be disinterested in other people or the topic being discussed.</li>\r\n	<li>Dress inappropriately.</li>\r\n	<li>Be dismissive.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t pay attention and then ask a question that has already been answered.</li>\r\n	<li>Be negative.</li>\r\n	<li>Interrupt. Repeatedly.</li>\r\n	<li>Tell inappropriate (racist, sexist, etc.) jokes or stories. (Oh, it happens. All the time.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSome people will only try to make a good impression with people they are trying to impress and ignore everyone else. That\'s a guaranteed way to make a really bad impression (most everyone despises a brown-noser).\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t care about how you come across, then you should also not be surprised if you are not doing well in your business. Impressions matter. You only have one chance to make a good first impression, but you have multiple chances to make a bad impression.\r\n\r\nHave you dealt with these behaviors? What would you add?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to make a bad impression','','publish','open','open','','how-to-make-a-bad-impression','','','2014-06-18 13:43:01','2014-06-18 13:43:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2652',0,'post','',2),(2653,4,'2014-06-18 13:43:01','2014-06-18 13:43:01','In the past few weeks, I have been flat-out amazed at how some people act in business/networking situations. They\'ve not made a good impression.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how you too can make a bad impression:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Have a limp handshake (bonus points if clammy and sweaty too)</strong>. The other day I met the director of a local chamber of commerce. She introduced herself and gave me the limpest handshake I can remember. I wanted to say to her that she needed to work on a firm handshake, instead, I shuddered inwardly. Limp handshakes communicate lack of conviction and being tentative. And also, yuck.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Don\'t introduce yourself</strong>. I was at a small lunch gathering and a guy joined us late. He sat down and didn\'t bother to say his name or what his business was. I didn\'t find out until the end when he gave me his business card. Very few people require no introduction and generally, they don\'t go to small business gatherings. To me, not introducing yourself shows you are not aware of other people.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Be late</strong>. At the same lunch gathering mentioned above, where I was a first-timer, the organizer showed up more than 15 minutes late. Being late for a meeting you organized is inexcusable. Being late in general just shows a disregard for others.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Don\'t respond</strong>. Say we met at an event, and we exchange business cards, and we talk about having coffee soon, and then I send you an email (and then another) and I don\'t hear back from you. Yeah. I get it. You don\'t want to have coffee. That\'s OK, but if in the future you change your mind, you\'ve left me with a really bad impression. (This one also applies to social media. Check your @ replies on Twitter. Is someone asking you a question? Perhaps you should answer it).\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Attack the other person</strong>. The other day I met a business owner who is a big fan of the chamber of commerce. I am not since I don\'t usually find my target audience there. When she asked me if I was a member of her chamber, I explained why I am not. She got defensive and immediately began attacking me. She wasn\'t polite or constructive. She was just mean and putting me down.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a few more:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be disinterested in other people or the topic being discussed.</li>\r\n	<li>Dress inappropriately.</li>\r\n	<li>Be dismissive.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t pay attention and then ask a question that has already been answered.</li>\r\n	<li>Be negative.</li>\r\n	<li>Interrupt. Repeatedly.</li>\r\n	<li>Tell inappropriate (racist, sexist, etc.) jokes or stories. (Oh, it happens. All the time.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSome people will only try to make a good impression with people they are trying to impress and ignore everyone else. That\'s a guaranteed way to make a really bad impression (most everyone despises a brown-noser).\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t care about how you come across, then you should also not be surprised if you are not doing well in your business. Impressions matter. You only have one chance to make a good first impression, but you have multiple chances to make a bad impression.\r\n\r\nHave you dealt with these behaviors? What would you add?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to make a bad impression','','inherit','open','open','','2652-revision-v1','','','2014-06-18 13:43:01','2014-06-18 13:43:01','',2652,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2652-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2688,4,'2014-07-15 13:26:52','2014-07-15 13:26:52','If you are a service provider, you are probably really good at what you do. You are probably not so good at promoting yourself.  If,on the other hand, you are good at what you do and you know how to market yourself properly, you will have business coming out of your ears.\r\n\r\nI know because I deal with service providers---and I am one myself. Our first order of business should be to provide the best service possible. But our second order of business, and in order to keep business, is to market ourselves properly.\r\n\r\nHere are five easy and effective marketing tips:\r\n\r\n1.<strong> Be ultra-professional</strong>. It should go without saying, but the most important thing a service provider can do is to provide good service and a good impression.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Be on time.</strong> Punctuality shows respect for your customer\'s time.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Honor your commitments</strong>. If you say you will do something, you must do it!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Be straightforward.</strong> Is there an issue? Speak up.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Communicate</strong> what, how, why of what you are doing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n2. <strong>Introduce yourself properly.</strong> When meeting with a customer, do not assume they know who you are. You don\'t have to provide your complete bio, but you should give your name and what you do. For example: \"Hi, I am Joe Smith. I am an AC tech with XYZ company and I will be checking your system today.\" Or: \"Hi, I am Gina, I will be teaching this beginner-level yoga class. \"\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Provide a leave-behind or take-with</strong>. It could be a brochure or a business card. It would be best if your materials have your website address and your website is good and up-to-date. You want to give the customer a way to contact you and to find out more about you.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Send a welcome/thank you letter, card or email.</strong> After you meet or provide service to your customer, send something! If you are an art studio, for example, and you just signed up a new art student, send the student a welcome note and any information the student might need. If you are a painter, and just finished painting your customer\'s house, send a thank you for your business card or email.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Ask for referrals.</strong> You should have a way to ask for referrals. You could simply have a line in your thank you letter saying that you appreciate referrals. You could provide a discount or a freebie for any referrals. For example, A teacher at the yoga studio I just started going to announced that if you bring a friend to the studio, you get a free class (mind you, the owner of the studio has done none of the steps above including not providing the bring-a-friend information).\r\n\r\nThese tips are meant to be the basic, everyday things you do for every customer, every time.  If you skip these steps, or only do one of them, you will miss out on simple opportunities that are already available to you.\r\n\r\nWould you add anything? If you are a service provider, what is your must-do marketing tip? Please share!\r\n<h4>Coming up on Thursday, week 2 of the summer challenge.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','5 easy and effective marketing tips for service providers','','publish','open','open','','5-basic-marketing-tips-for-service-providers','','','2014-07-15 16:47:29','2014-07-15 16:47:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2688',0,'post','',0),(2656,4,'2014-06-25 17:27:46','2014-06-25 17:27:46','As I mentioned in the last post, I am not a member of my local chamber of commerce, and never have been.  I am not alone. According to reporting in the Washington Business Journal (which I can\'t link to here because it is behind a paywall), membership is dwindling at the chambers of commerce in the Washington metro region.\r\n\r\nAlmost all of the DC metro local chambers have experienced a drop in members over the past ten years. The D.C. Chamber lost 15.7%, Montgomery County lost 17.8% and Fairfax lost a jaw-dropping 54.9%.  However, the chambers haven\'t experienced a drop in revenue, since they have increased dues and other income-generating programs.\r\n\r\nOne of the reasons I haven\'t joined a chamber is because it is expensive and I feel there is little benefit. After all, there are plenty lower-cost to no-cost alternatives for networking purposes, not the least of is on social media. The other reason is that I find most chambers attract small businesses that may not have the budget for the marketing services I provide.\r\n\r\nI would guess that the ease of using Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with folks, and then maintain the relationship is behind the remarkable drop in membership for the chambers. Why pay dues when you can easily network with people who share your interests or whom fit other parameters like work in a certain industry, live in a geographic area and others.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the chamber model is no longer suited to our Internet-driven world. We no longer need the chamber membership guides to find people or services. We can look up services on any number of sites, like Yelp, which may even have ratings. We certainly don\'t need chamber networking events to meet people in person. One remarkable and low cost alternative is Meet Up. Meet Up hosts many groups of local people who share an interest, which can be as narrowly or as broadly focused as you like.\r\n\r\nDo you think chambers of commerce will survive another ten years? I\'d like to know if you are a member of chamber of commerce. Why or why not? Please tell me in the comments.','Is the chamber of commerce model still viable?','','publish','open','open','','is-the-chamber-of-commerce-model-still-viable','','','2014-06-25 17:27:46','2014-06-25 17:27:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2656',0,'post','',1),(2657,4,'2014-06-25 12:35:42','2014-06-25 12:35:42','As I mentioned in the last post, I am not a member of the chamber of commerce, and never have been. According to reporting in the Washington Business Journal (which I can\'t link to here because it is behind a paywall), there are fewer and fewer members of chambers in the Washington metro region.\r\n\r\nAlmost all of the DC metro local chambers have experienced a 15 to 50 percent drop in members over the past ten years. That\'s a lot. They haven\'t lost revenue, however, since they have increased dues and other income-generating programs.\r\n\r\nOne of the reasons I haven\'t joined a chamber is because it is expensive and I feel there is little benefit. After all, there are plenty lower-cost to no-cost alternatives for networking purposes, not the least of is on social media.\r\n\r\nIs the chamber model even viable as networking tool?','Is the chamber of commerce model still viable?','','inherit','open','open','','2656-revision-v1','','','2014-06-25 12:35:42','2014-06-25 12:35:42','',2656,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2656-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2658,4,'2014-06-25 17:27:46','2014-06-25 17:27:46','As I mentioned in the last post, I am not a member of my local chamber of commerce, and never have been.  I am not alone. According to reporting in the Washington Business Journal (which I can\'t link to here because it is behind a paywall), membership is dwindling at the chambers of commerce in the Washington metro region.\r\n\r\nAlmost all of the DC metro local chambers have experienced a drop in members over the past ten years. The D.C. Chamber lost 15.7%, Montgomery County lost 17.8% and Fairfax lost a jaw-dropping 54.9%.  However, the chambers haven\'t experienced a drop in revenue, since they have increased dues and other income-generating programs.\r\n\r\nOne of the reasons I haven\'t joined a chamber is because it is expensive and I feel there is little benefit. After all, there are plenty lower-cost to no-cost alternatives for networking purposes, not the least of is on social media. The other reason is that I find most chambers attract small businesses that may not have the budget for the marketing services I provide.\r\n\r\nI would guess that the ease of using Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with folks, and then maintain the relationship is behind the remarkable drop in membership for the chambers. Why pay dues when you can easily network with people who share your interests or whom fit other parameters like work in a certain industry, live in a geographic area and others.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the chamber model is no longer suited to our Internet-driven world. We no longer need the chamber membership guides to find people or services. We can look up services on any number of sites, like Yelp, which may even have ratings. We certainly don\'t need chamber networking events to meet people in person. One remarkable and low cost alternative is Meet Up. Meet Up hosts many groups of local people who share an interest, which can be as narrowly or as broadly focused as you like.\r\n\r\nDo you think chambers of commerce will survive another ten years? I\'d like to know if you are a member of chamber of commerce. Why or why not? Please tell me in the comments.','Is the chamber of commerce model still viable?','','inherit','open','open','','2656-revision-v1','','','2014-06-25 17:27:46','2014-06-25 17:27:46','',2656,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2656-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2692,4,'2014-07-17 21:04:43','2014-07-17 21:04:43','I am fortunate to live right outside Washington, DC. Every summer, the area is invaded by hordes of tourists from across the US and from other countries. As a local, I often find it annoying to have to walk behind a slow group of tourists who are taking up the entire sidewalk or to have to battle with out-of-towners for elbow room at a new exhibit at the National Gallery.  But I need to remind myself that tourists are excited to be here, to see things they\'ve only read about and to get to know our nation\'s capital. They are a huge source of revenue for the area. And, they are getting to see things I may never get around to seeing.\r\n\r\nTo be a tourist requires curiosity. It requires advance planning and research but also the ability to grab an opportunity when you see it (free concert today at noon!). It requires learning how to get around. It requires a willingness to try new things.\r\n\r\nSo you see how being a tourist really requires some important skills to any communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your challenge for this week is to be a tourist in your own town.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that not everybody\'s hometown is Washington, DC, but every town has something to offer a visitor. If you are in a small town, it will be your challenge to figure out what that is. Why would anyone visit your town? And if they do visit, what do they do?\r\n\r\nHere\'s a few ways to be a tourist in your own town:\r\n\r\nGo online or call your local visitor\'s center or CVB (convention and visitor\'s bureau). Ask what the <strong>must-see attractions</strong> are. Check out at least one.  Or, pick up a tourist guide for your town.\r\n\r\nS<strong>pend a day walkin</strong>g around your town\'s downtown or main street. Walking...not driving.  Maybe take a side street you\'ve never been on.\r\n\r\nEat a <strong>meal at a new restauran</strong>t, somewhere you\'ve always wanted to try. (You could also go online to see what the top restaurants in your area are and choose one.)\r\n\r\nGo to a<strong> local park</strong>. Bring a picnic. Take a hike if appropriate. Perhaps you live near a river. What about renting a kayak or canoe?\r\n\r\n<strong>Take a tour led by a tour guide</strong>. Perhaps there\'s a specialized walking tour or an eating tour that you could check out. Don\'t know if they exist? Look it up!\r\n\r\nVisit a<strong> local brewery or winery</strong>. Take the tour, do the tasting.\r\n\r\nTake <strong>public transportation</strong>. If you already take public transportation, take a different method (if you always commute by train, take the bus or take a different route).\r\n\r\nWhen we live somewhere, we overlook what is there because we take it for granted. Sometimes, we don\'t even know what is there! By looking at our surroundings in a new way, we are seeing things differently. It may help boost your creativity or it may spark some new ideas.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you do! Tell me what town you played tourist in. Have fun exploring!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #2: Be a tourist in your own town','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-be-a-tourist-in-your-own-town','','','2014-07-17 21:05:34','2014-07-17 21:05:34','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2692',0,'post','',0),(2660,4,'2014-06-26 17:37:35','2014-06-26 17:37:35','<h4>Namaste.</h4>\r\n\"The light in me honors the light in you.\" That\'s what <em>namaste</em> means in Sanskrit. It\'s a beautiful greeting that is often used at the end of a yoga class (or sometimes at the beginning).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers honor their students. They respect their limitations and seek to teach them to work with their bodies. What does this have to do with marketing? It\'s simple. Like yoga teachers, good marketers honor their customers  by getting to know them and understanding their needs and then customizing messages (and media) for the customers.\r\n\r\nYou should know that I have practiced yoga for more than ten years, and have been to many studios and had many teachers. I\'ve been taking a break for the past couple years, but yesterday, I attended my first class in a long time at a new-to-me studio.\r\n<h4>Not-so-good yoga teacher (no knowledge of students)</h4>\r\nThe teacher walked in to the studio and although she smiled and said hello to me, she did not introduce herself or ask me my name or more importantly, any questions regarding my knowledge of yoga. She also did not ask the class as a whole if there were any injuries or issues she should be aware of. She started the class (late but that is another story) and pretty much assumed everybody understood everything, to the point she was using the Sanskrit terms for many of the poses. As I mentioned, it\'s been a while, and I did not recall the difference between <em>utasana </em>(standing forward bend) and <em>utkatasana</em> (chair pose). Everybody seemed to be following, but I could not help but think a real beginner would be completely lost. And forget somebody with injuries although she did offer a few modifications (if your knee hurts, don\'t do this).\r\n<h4>Much better yoga teacher (customizes teachings to students\' needs)</h4>\r\nContrast her disinterest  with another teacher I had at another studio. He wanted to know how much yoga I had practiced and if I had any physical limitations. I told him that my knee had been bothering me and he made a point of explaining what I could do differently and how to protect myself from injury or further pain. <strong>He tailored his teaching to my needs</strong>. Instead of telling me not to do something because it hurt, he offered alternative poses or different ways of doing the pose.  He took into account the levels of knowledge in the class. It was very clear he wanted to teach yoga to people while honoring their bodies and their limitations (there is actually a Sanskrit term for this - <em>ahimsa</em>- to not injure).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers work to understand students\' limitations and then offer modifications. Good yoga teachers do not push students to do something that is not within their level of practice.  Good yoga teachers practice namaste --honoring others--by understanding those others.\r\n<h4>Knowledge + customization = smart marketing</h4>\r\nSmart marketers work hard to understand their customers. They know who and where their customers are and what they want and need. Then, with this knowledge, they tailor their marketing messages to the customer\'s needs.\r\n\r\nThink about the last spam email you got. Perhaps you got an email about a \"miracle\" diet pill or getting listed in a mythical directory. You probably deleted those emails right away because those messages were not tailored to you. Spam marketers are not smart marketers. They are mass marketers. They send the same message to everyone and hope something sticks.\r\n\r\nHonor your customers. Provide messages and offers that make sense for them.\r\n\r\nNamaste.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The namaste guide to smart marketing','','publish','open','open','','the-namaste-guide-to-smart-marketing','','','2014-06-26 17:37:35','2014-06-26 17:37:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2660',0,'post','',2),(2661,4,'2014-06-26 17:20:31','2014-06-26 17:20:31','<h4>Namaste.</h4>\r\n\"The light in me honors the light in you.\" That\'s what <em>namaste</em> means in Sanskrit. It\'s a beautiful greeting that is often used at the end of a yoga class (or sometimes at the beginning).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers honor their students. They respect their limitations and seek to teach them to work with their bodies. What does this have to do with marketing? It\'s simple. Good marketers  honor their customers  by getting to know them and understanding their needs.\r\n\r\nYou should know that I have practiced yoga for more than ten years, and have been to many studios and had many teachers. I\'ve been taking a break for the past couple years, but yesterday, I attended my first class in a long time at a new-to-me studio.\r\n<h4>Not-so-good yoga teacher (no knowledge of students)</h4>\r\nThe teacher walked in and although she smiled and said hello to me, she did not introduce herself or ask me my name or more importantly, any questions regarding my knowledge of yoga. She also did not ask the class as a whole if there were any injuries or issues she should be aware of. She started the class and pretty much assumed everybody understood everything, to the point she was using the Sanskrit terms for many of the poses. As I mentioned, it\'s been a while, and I did not recall the difference between <em>utasana </em>(standing forward bend) and <em>utkatasana</em> (chair pose). Everybody seemed to be following, but I could not help but think a real beginner would be completely lost. And forget somebody with injuries although she did offer a few modifications (if your knee hurts, don\'t do this).\r\n<h4>Much better yoga teacher (customizes teachings to students\' needs)</h4>\r\nContrast her disinterest  with another teacher I had at another studio. He wanted to know how much yoga I had practiced and if I had any physical limitations. My knee had been bothering me and he made a point of telling me what I could do differently and how to protect myself from injury or further pain. <strong>He tailored his teaching to my needs</strong>. He took into account the levels of knowledge in the class. It was very clear he wanted to teach yoga to people while honoring their bodies and their limitations (there is actually a Sanskrit term for this - <em>ahimsa</em>- to not injure).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers work to understand students\' limitations and then offer modifications. Good yoga teachers do not push students to do something that is not within their level of practice.  Good yoga teachers practice namaste --honoring others--by understanding those others.\r\n<h4>Knowledge + customization = smart marketing</h4>\r\nSmart marketers are those that understand their customers. They know who their customers are and what they want. They also know why they have become customers. They tailor their marketing to the customer\'s needs.\r\n\r\nThink about the last spam message you got. Perhaps you got an email about a \"miracle\" diet pill or getting listed in a mythical directory. You probably deleted those emails right away because those messages were not tailored to you. Spam marketers are not smart marketers. They are mass marketers. They send the same message to everyone and hope something sticks.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The namaste guide to smart marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2660-revision-v1','','','2014-06-26 17:20:31','2014-06-26 17:20:31','',2660,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2660-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2662,4,'2014-06-26 17:34:59','2014-06-26 17:34:59','<h4>Namaste.</h4>\r\n\"The light in me honors the light in you.\" That\'s what <em>namaste</em> means in Sanskrit. It\'s a beautiful greeting that is often used at the end of a yoga class (or sometimes at the beginning).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers honor their students. They respect their limitations and seek to teach them to work with their bodies. What does this have to do with marketing? It\'s simple. Like yoga teachers, good marketers honor their customers  by getting to know them and understanding their needs and then customizing messages (and media) for the customers.\r\n\r\nYou should know that I have practiced yoga for more than ten years, and have been to many studios and had many teachers. I\'ve been taking a break for the past couple years, but yesterday, I attended my first class in a long time at a new-to-me studio.\r\n<h4>Not-so-good yoga teacher (no knowledge of students)</h4>\r\nThe teacher walked in to the studio and although she smiled and said hello to me, she did not introduce herself or ask me my name or more importantly, any questions regarding my knowledge of yoga. She also did not ask the class as a whole if there were any injuries or issues she should be aware of. She started the class (late but that is another story) and pretty much assumed everybody understood everything, to the point she was using the Sanskrit terms for many of the poses. As I mentioned, it\'s been a while, and I did not recall the difference between <em>utasana </em>(standing forward bend) and <em>utkatasana</em> (chair pose). Everybody seemed to be following, but I could not help but think a real beginner would be completely lost. And forget somebody with injuries although she did offer a few modifications (if your knee hurts, don\'t do this).\r\n<h4>Much better yoga teacher (customizes teachings to students\' needs)</h4>\r\nContrast her disinterest  with another teacher I had at another studio. He wanted to know how much yoga I had practiced and if I had any physical limitations. I told him that my knee had been bothering me and he made a point of explaining what I could do differently and how to protect myself from injury or further pain. <strong>He tailored his teaching to my needs</strong>. Instead of telling me not to do something because it hurt, he offered alternative poses or different ways of doing the pose.  He took into account the levels of knowledge in the class. It was very clear he wanted to teach yoga to people while honoring their bodies and their limitations (there is actually a Sanskrit term for this - <em>ahimsa</em>- to not injure).\r\n\r\nGood yoga teachers work to understand students\' limitations and then offer modifications. Good yoga teachers do not push students to do something that is not within their level of practice.  Good yoga teachers practice namaste --honoring others--by understanding those others.\r\n<h4>Knowledge + customization = smart marketing</h4>\r\nSmart marketers work hard to understand their customers. They know who and where their customers are and what they want and need. Then, with this knowledge, they tailor their marketing messages to the customer\'s needs.\r\n\r\nThink about the last spam email you got. Perhaps you got an email about a \"miracle\" diet pill or getting listed in a mythical directory. You probably deleted those emails right away because those messages were not tailored to you. Spam marketers are not smart marketers. They are mass marketers. They send the same message to everyone and hope something sticks.\r\n\r\nHonor your customers. Provide messages and offers that make sense for them.\r\n\r\nNamaste.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The namaste guide to smart marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2660-revision-v1','','','2014-06-26 17:34:59','2014-06-26 17:34:59','',2660,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/06/2660-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2665,4,'2014-07-01 13:17:35','2014-07-01 13:17:35','Here are five guaranteed ways to increase the bounce rate on your website:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Use a small font</strong>. Or use a weird small font. Basically, make it hard for those of us forty-plus to read your content.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Clutter, clutter everywhere</strong>. Cram it full of stuff to make it seem like a contender for an episode of TV\'s Hoarders. Make it so busy I don\'t know where to look first. Or whether to look at all.\r\n\r\n3.<strong> Make the video (or audio) play automatically.</strong> Bonus points if it is really loud.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Make it hard to figure what you do, who you are or where you are located</strong>. If you want to be even more obtuse, make sure to use excessive and meaningless jargon.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spelling and grammar mistakes galore mixed in with typos</strong>.Certainly, don\'t bother proofreading.\r\n\r\nYes, the five ways to increase your bounce rate are the five ways to turn off potential website visitors. It\'s not good, and I have experienced all of them on websites recently.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2666\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2666\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Bouncing Ball photo\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Bouncing Ball by Dave Murphy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nDo you know what the bounce rate on your website is? I don\'t mean the term (just in case, Google Analytics defines it as the percentage of single-page sessions, where the user enters your site but does not interact or stay on your site), but the actual number.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know it, I suggest checking your Analytics right now. Basically, the higher the number, the worse your bounce rate. A high bounce rate indicates that people are just not interested in your website, which in turn indicates that you have a problem.\r\n\r\nIn reality, you want to lower your bounce rate. You want to have the visitors to your website stay and not bounce off. Notice that the bounce rate does not have to do with the number of visitors that land on your site, but rather the number that stays. So, if you have thousands of visitors, with a 95 percent bounce rate you are doing much worse than a site with a few dozen visitors and 65 percent bounce rate.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you want to stay on the websites you visit? What makes you run away as fast as you can click that x on the browser tab?\r\n<h3>Get this blog\'s content delivered to you as soon as it is posted! Sign up on the right to get the blog posts emailed to you.</h3>','5 guaranteed ways to increase your website\'s bounce rate','','publish','open','open','','5-guaranteed-ways-to-increase-your-websites-bounce-rate','','','2014-07-01 16:11:57','2014-07-01 16:11:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2665',0,'post','',2),(2666,4,'2014-07-01 13:11:52','2014-07-01 13:11:52','','160754346_dab3a98893_z','Bouncing Ball by Dave Murphy on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','160754346_dab3a98893_z','','','2014-07-01 13:11:52','2014-07-01 13:11:52','',2665,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2667,4,'2014-07-01 13:14:31','2014-07-01 13:14:31','Here are five guaranteed ways to increase the bounce rate on your website:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Use a small font</strong>. Or use a weird small font. Basically, make it hard for those of us forty-plus to read your content.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Clutter, clutter everywhere</strong>. Make it so busy I don\'t know where to look first. Or whether to look at all.\r\n\r\n3.<strong> Make the video (or audio) play automatically.</strong> Bonus points if it is really loud.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Make it hard to figure what you do, who you are or where you are located</strong>. If you want to be even more obtuse, make sure to use excessive and meaningless jargon.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spelling and grammar mistakes galore mixed in with typos</strong>.Certainly, don\'t bother proofreading.\r\n\r\nYes, the five ways to increase your bounce rate are the five ways to turn off potential website visitors. It\'s not good, and I have experienced all of them on websites recently.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2666\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2666\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Bouncing Ball photo\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Bouncing Ball by Dave Murphy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nDo you know what the bounce rate on your website is? I don\'t mean the term (just in case, Google Analytics defines it as the percentage of single-page sessions, where the user enters your site but does not interact or stay on your site), but the actual number.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know it, I suggest checking your Analytics right now. Basically, the higher the number, the worse your bounce rate. A high bounce rate indicates that people are just not interested in your website, which in turn indicates that you have a problem.\r\n\r\nIn reality, you want to lower your bounce rate. You want to have the visitors to your website stay and not bounce off. Notice that the bounce rate does not have to do with the number of visitors that land on your site, but rather the number that stays. So, if you have thousands of visitors, with a 95 percent bounce rate you are doing much worse than a site with a few dozen visitors and 65 percent bounce rate.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you want to stay on the websites you visit? What makes you run away as fast as you can click that x on the browser tab?\r\n<h5>Get this blog\'s content delivered to you as soon as it is posted! Sign up on the right to get the blog posts emailed to you.</h5>','5 guaranteed ways to increase your website\'s bounce rate','','inherit','open','open','','2665-revision-v1','','','2014-07-01 13:14:31','2014-07-01 13:14:31','',2665,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2665-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2668,4,'2014-07-01 13:16:13','2014-07-01 13:16:13','Here are five guaranteed ways to increase the bounce rate on your website:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Use a small font</strong>. Or use a weird small font. Basically, make it hard for those of us forty-plus to read your content.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Clutter, clutter everywhere</strong>. Make it so busy I don\'t know where to look first. Or whether to look at all.\r\n\r\n3.<strong> Make the video (or audio) play automatically.</strong> Bonus points if it is really loud.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Make it hard to figure what you do, who you are or where you are located</strong>. If you want to be even more obtuse, make sure to use excessive and meaningless jargon.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spelling and grammar mistakes galore mixed in with typos</strong>.Certainly, don\'t bother proofreading.\r\n\r\nYes, the five ways to increase your bounce rate are the five ways to turn off potential website visitors. It\'s not good, and I have experienced all of them on websites recently.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2666\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2666\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Bouncing Ball photo\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Bouncing Ball by Dave Murphy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nDo you know what the bounce rate on your website is? I don\'t mean the term (just in case, Google Analytics defines it as the percentage of single-page sessions, where the user enters your site but does not interact or stay on your site), but the actual number.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know it, I suggest checking your Analytics right now. Basically, the higher the number, the worse your bounce rate. A high bounce rate indicates that people are just not interested in your website, which in turn indicates that you have a problem.\r\n\r\nIn reality, you want to lower your bounce rate. You want to have the visitors to your website stay and not bounce off. Notice that the bounce rate does not have to do with the number of visitors that land on your site, but rather the number that stays. So, if you have thousands of visitors, with a 95 percent bounce rate you are doing much worse than a site with a few dozen visitors and 65 percent bounce rate.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you want to stay on the websites you visit? What makes you run away as fast as you can click that x on the browser tab?\r\n<h3>Get this blog\'s content delivered to you as soon as it is posted! Sign up on the right to get the blog posts emailed to you.</h3>','5 guaranteed ways to increase your website\'s bounce rate','','inherit','open','open','','2665-revision-v1','','','2014-07-01 13:16:13','2014-07-01 13:16:13','',2665,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2665-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2669,4,'2014-07-01 16:11:57','2014-07-01 16:11:57','Here are five guaranteed ways to increase the bounce rate on your website:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Use a small font</strong>. Or use a weird small font. Basically, make it hard for those of us forty-plus to read your content.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Clutter, clutter everywhere</strong>. Cram it full of stuff to make it seem like a contender for an episode of TV\'s Hoarders. Make it so busy I don\'t know where to look first. Or whether to look at all.\r\n\r\n3.<strong> Make the video (or audio) play automatically.</strong> Bonus points if it is really loud.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Make it hard to figure what you do, who you are or where you are located</strong>. If you want to be even more obtuse, make sure to use excessive and meaningless jargon.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Spelling and grammar mistakes galore mixed in with typos</strong>.Certainly, don\'t bother proofreading.\r\n\r\nYes, the five ways to increase your bounce rate are the five ways to turn off potential website visitors. It\'s not good, and I have experienced all of them on websites recently.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2666\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2666\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/160754346_dab3a98893_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Bouncing Ball photo\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Bouncing Ball by Dave Murphy on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nDo you know what the bounce rate on your website is? I don\'t mean the term (just in case, Google Analytics defines it as the percentage of single-page sessions, where the user enters your site but does not interact or stay on your site), but the actual number.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know it, I suggest checking your Analytics right now. Basically, the higher the number, the worse your bounce rate. A high bounce rate indicates that people are just not interested in your website, which in turn indicates that you have a problem.\r\n\r\nIn reality, you want to lower your bounce rate. You want to have the visitors to your website stay and not bounce off. Notice that the bounce rate does not have to do with the number of visitors that land on your site, but rather the number that stays. So, if you have thousands of visitors, with a 95 percent bounce rate you are doing much worse than a site with a few dozen visitors and 65 percent bounce rate.\r\n\r\nWhat makes you want to stay on the websites you visit? What makes you run away as fast as you can click that x on the browser tab?\r\n<h3>Get this blog\'s content delivered to you as soon as it is posted! Sign up on the right to get the blog posts emailed to you.</h3>','5 guaranteed ways to increase your website\'s bounce rate','','inherit','open','open','','2665-revision-v1','','','2014-07-01 16:11:57','2014-07-01 16:11:57','',2665,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2665-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2671,4,'2014-07-02 20:18:00','2014-07-02 20:18:00','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-07-02 20:18:00','2014-07-02 20:18:00','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2672,4,'2014-07-03 16:29:19','2014-07-03 16:29:19','To readers in the United States, I wish you a very happy  Fourth of July! However you celebrate, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday.\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week to share some caffeinated views and to issue a challenge. Stay tuned!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Independence Day!','','publish','open','open','','happy-independence-day','','','2014-07-03 16:29:19','2014-07-03 16:29:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2672',0,'post','',0),(2673,4,'2014-07-03 12:37:15','2014-07-03 12:37:15','To readers in the United States, I wish you a very happy July 4th!\r\n\r\nMaybe it\'s a good time to declare independence from these:\r\n\r\nReliance on jargon and cliches\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Independence Day!','','inherit','open','open','','2672-revision-v1','','','2014-07-03 12:37:15','2014-07-03 12:37:15','',2672,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2672-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2675,4,'2014-07-03 16:29:19','2014-07-03 16:29:19','To readers in the United States, I wish you a very happy  Fourth of July! However you celebrate, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday.\r\n\r\nI\'ll be back next week to share some caffeinated views and to issue a challenge. Stay tuned!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Independence Day!','','inherit','open','open','','2672-revision-v1','','','2014-07-03 16:29:19','2014-07-03 16:29:19','',2672,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2672-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2679,4,'2014-07-08 16:55:21','2014-07-08 16:55:21','In the marketing communications world, it seems like summer is a quiet time of the year. People are on vacation. Summer Fridays are in force. This makes it a great time of the year to take on a few challenges.\r\n\r\nI think summer is a good time to shake things up. On a personal level, you may have certain goals for the next couple of months. Maybe, like me, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Maybe you just want to have fun.\r\n\r\nHow about making it a challenging summer?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2680\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2680\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Obstacle Course at West Point\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Obstacle 14 from the West Point, The US Military Academy Flickr stream Photo by Tommy Gilligan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor the next <strong>eight weeks</strong>, I\'ll be issuing a<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> weekly challenge</span> to do with your writing, social media and blogging. Although there will be no scoring and no prizes (sorry), it\'s a way to shake things up and to make things better while you watch the thermometer hit 90 degrees and higher.\r\n\r\nThe first challenge will be posted tomorrow. To participate, simply read the post. Your comments are welcome here on the blog or you can post on Twitter using the hashtag #summerchallenge.','Make it a challenging summer!','','publish','open','open','','make-it-a-challenging-summer','','','2014-07-08 21:09:12','2014-07-08 21:09:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2679',0,'post','',0),(2680,4,'2014-07-08 16:50:27','2014-07-08 16:50:27','','7516553840_b65f327847_z','Obstacle 14 from the West Point, The US Military Academy Flickr stream Photo by Tommy Gilligan','inherit','open','open','','7516553840_b65f327847_z','','','2014-07-08 16:50:27','2014-07-08 16:50:27','',2679,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2681,4,'2014-07-08 16:54:43','2014-07-08 16:54:43','In the marketing communications world, it seems like summer is a quiet time of the year. People are on vacation. Summer Fridays are in force. This makes it a great time of the year to take on a few challenges.\r\n\r\nI think summer is a good time to shake things up. On a personal level, you may have certain goals for the next couple of month. Maybe, like me, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Maybe you just want to have fun.\r\n\r\nHow about making it a challenging summer?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2680\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2680\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Obstacle Course at West Point\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Obstacle 14 from the West Point, The US Military Academy Flickr stream Photo by Tommy Gilligan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor the next <strong>eight weeks</strong>, I\'ll be issuing a<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> weekly challenge</span> to do with your writing, social media and blogging. Although there will be no scoring and no prizes (sorry), it\'s a way to shake things up and to make things better while you watch the thermometer hit 90 degrees and higher.\r\n\r\nThe first challenge will be posted tomorrow. To participate, simply read the post. Your comments are welcome here on the blog or you can post on Twitter using the hashtag #summerchallenge.','Make it a challenging summer!','','inherit','open','open','','2679-revision-v1','','','2014-07-08 16:54:43','2014-07-08 16:54:43','',2679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2682,4,'2014-07-08 21:09:12','2014-07-08 21:09:12','In the marketing communications world, it seems like summer is a quiet time of the year. People are on vacation. Summer Fridays are in force. This makes it a great time of the year to take on a few challenges.\r\n\r\nI think summer is a good time to shake things up. On a personal level, you may have certain goals for the next couple of months. Maybe, like me, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Maybe you just want to have fun.\r\n\r\nHow about making it a challenging summer?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2680\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2680\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7516553840_b65f327847_z-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Obstacle Course at West Point\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Obstacle 14 from the West Point, The US Military Academy Flickr stream Photo by Tommy Gilligan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor the next <strong>eight weeks</strong>, I\'ll be issuing a<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> weekly challenge</span> to do with your writing, social media and blogging. Although there will be no scoring and no prizes (sorry), it\'s a way to shake things up and to make things better while you watch the thermometer hit 90 degrees and higher.\r\n\r\nThe first challenge will be posted tomorrow. To participate, simply read the post. Your comments are welcome here on the blog or you can post on Twitter using the hashtag #summerchallenge.','Make it a challenging summer!','','inherit','open','open','','2679-revision-v1','','','2014-07-08 21:09:12','2014-07-08 21:09:12','',2679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2683,4,'2014-07-09 16:13:32','2014-07-09 16:13:32','Starting <strong>every</strong> sentence with words or phrases such as honestly, frankly, truly or in reality.\r\n\r\nDescribing things using the <strong>same adjective or adverb</strong> every single time. You know, that show was terrific, it was fantastic, it was tremendous.\r\n\r\n(Over) relying on <strong>certain expressions</strong> (generally cliches) such as \"at the end of the day\" or \"right back atcha\" or \"takes two to tango.\"\r\n\r\nI think of these as verbal tics. We are not even aware that we are using these verbal crutches. And they can creep into our writing, especially in social media posts. They may distract readers and listeners or even make them tune out what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe summer\'s first challenge is to rid yourself of verbal tics (or at least reduce them).\r\n\r\nHere are the three steps to take:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Identify</strong> these verbal tics in your writing or speaking. Start paying attention to yourself and your writing. Do you find yourself saying certain things over and over?\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Figure</strong> out why you are saying this. Why do you have to preface your statement with \"honestly?\" Are you generally not honest? Is it just habit? Is there any other way to say this?\r\n\r\n3. Now, this is the hard part: <strong>eliminate</strong> the word or phrase completely. Try doing this for a day or two. If you catch yourself about to use one of your verbal tics, find another word or phrase to use instead.\r\n\r\nThis won’t be easy. We get into patterns and it’s hard to stop. And that\'s the point of this challenge: becoming aware of your patterns.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What is your verbal tic? Are there verbal tics that your colleagues have that drive you nuts? Tell me!\r\n\r\nUPDATE:\r\n\r\nSeems that even the New York Times has verbal tics, as the article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/16944.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">The New York Times lists its crutch words</a> points out. Verbal tics are crutches for sure!','Challenge #1: Tick off verbal tics','','publish','open','open','','challenge-1-tick-off-verbal-tics','','','2014-07-10 17:59:51','2014-07-10 17:59:51','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2683',0,'post','',0),(2684,4,'2014-07-09 16:13:32','2014-07-09 16:13:32','Starting <strong>every</strong> sentence with words or phrases such as honestly, frankly, truly or in reality.\r\n\r\nDescribing things using the <strong>same adjective or adverb</strong> every single time. You know, that show was terrific, it was fantastic, it was tremendous.\r\n\r\n(Over) relying on <strong>certain expressions</strong> (generally cliches) such as \"at the end of the day\" or \"right back atcha\" or \"takes two to tango.\"\r\n\r\nI think of these as verbal tics. We are not even aware that we are using these verbal crutches. And they can creep into our writing, especially in social media posts. They may distract readers and listeners or even make them tune out what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe summer\'s first challenge is to rid yourself of verbal tics (or at least reduce them).\r\n\r\nHere are the three steps to take:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Identify</strong> these verbal tics in your writing or speaking. Start paying attention to yourself and your writing. Do you find yourself saying certain things over and over?\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Figure</strong> out why you are saying this. Why do you have to preface your statement with \"honestly?\" Are you generally not honest? Is it just habit? Is there any other way to say this?\r\n\r\n3. Now, this is the hard part: <strong>eliminate</strong> the word or phrase completely. Try doing this for a day or two. If you catch yourself about to use one of your verbal tics, find another word or phrase to use instead.\r\n\r\nThis won’t be easy. We get into patterns and it’s hard to stop. And that\'s the point of this challenge: becoming aware of your patterns.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What is your verbal tic? Are there verbal tics that your colleagues have that drive you nuts? Tell me!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Challenge #1: Tick off verbal tics','','inherit','open','open','','2683-revision-v1','','','2014-07-09 16:13:32','2014-07-09 16:13:32','',2683,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2683-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2686,4,'2014-07-10 17:59:51','2014-07-10 17:59:51','Starting <strong>every</strong> sentence with words or phrases such as honestly, frankly, truly or in reality.\r\n\r\nDescribing things using the <strong>same adjective or adverb</strong> every single time. You know, that show was terrific, it was fantastic, it was tremendous.\r\n\r\n(Over) relying on <strong>certain expressions</strong> (generally cliches) such as \"at the end of the day\" or \"right back atcha\" or \"takes two to tango.\"\r\n\r\nI think of these as verbal tics. We are not even aware that we are using these verbal crutches. And they can creep into our writing, especially in social media posts. They may distract readers and listeners or even make them tune out what you are saying.\r\n\r\nThe summer\'s first challenge is to rid yourself of verbal tics (or at least reduce them).\r\n\r\nHere are the three steps to take:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Identify</strong> these verbal tics in your writing or speaking. Start paying attention to yourself and your writing. Do you find yourself saying certain things over and over?\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Figure</strong> out why you are saying this. Why do you have to preface your statement with \"honestly?\" Are you generally not honest? Is it just habit? Is there any other way to say this?\r\n\r\n3. Now, this is the hard part: <strong>eliminate</strong> the word or phrase completely. Try doing this for a day or two. If you catch yourself about to use one of your verbal tics, find another word or phrase to use instead.\r\n\r\nThis won’t be easy. We get into patterns and it’s hard to stop. And that\'s the point of this challenge: becoming aware of your patterns.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? What is your verbal tic? Are there verbal tics that your colleagues have that drive you nuts? Tell me!\r\n\r\nUPDATE:\r\n\r\nSeems that even the New York Times has verbal tics, as the article <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/16944.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">The New York Times lists its crutch words</a> points out. Verbal tics are crutches for sure!','Challenge #1: Tick off verbal tics','','inherit','open','open','','2683-revision-v1','','','2014-07-10 17:59:51','2014-07-10 17:59:51','',2683,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2683-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2689,4,'2014-07-15 13:25:19','2014-07-15 13:25:19','If you are a service provider, you are probably really good at what you do. You are probably not so good at promoting yourself.  If,on the other hand, you are good at what you do and you know how to market yourself properly, you will have business coming out of your ears.\r\n\r\nI know because I deal with service providers---and I am one myself. Our first order of business should be to provide the best service possible. But our second order of business, and in order to keep business, is to market ourselves properly.\r\n\r\nHere are five basic (and simple) marketing tips:\r\n\r\n1.<strong> Be ultra-professional</strong>. It should go without saying, but the most important thing a service provider can do is to provide good service and a good impression.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Be on time.</strong> Punctuality shows respect for your customer\'s time.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Honor your commitments</strong>. If you say you will do something, you must do it!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Be straightforward.</strong> Is there an issue? Speak up.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Communicate</strong> what, how, why of what you are doing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n2. <strong>Introduce yourself properly.</strong> When meeting with a customer, do not assume they know who you are. You don\'t have to provide your complete bio, but you should give your name and what you do. For example: \"Hi, I am Joe Smith. I am an AC tech with XYZ company and I will be checking your system today.\" Or: \"Hi, I am Gina, I will be teaching this beginner-level yoga class. \"\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Provide a leave-behind or take-with</strong>. It could be a brochure or a business card. It would be best if your materials have your website address and your website is good and up-to-date. You want to give the customer a way to contact you and to find out more about you.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Send a welcome/thank you letter, card or email.</strong> After you meet or provide service to your customer, send something! If you are an art studio, for example, and you just signed up a new art student, send the student a welcome note and any information the student might need. If you are a painter, and just finished painting your customers house, send a thank you for your business card or email.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Ask for referrals.</strong> You should have a way to ask for referrals. You could simply have a line in your thank you letter saying that you appreciate referrals. You could provide a discount or a freebie for any referrals. For example, A teacher at the yoga studio I just started going to announced that if you bring a friend to the studio, you get a free class (mind you, the owner of the studio has done none of the steps above including not providing the bring-a-friend information).\r\n\r\nThese tips are meant to be the basic, everyday things you do for every customer, every time.  If you skip these steps, or only do one of them, you will miss out on simple opportunities that are already available to you.\r\n\r\nWould you add anything? If you are a service provider, what is your must-do marketing tip? Please share!\r\n<h4>Coming up on Thursday, week 2 of the summer challenge.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','5 basic marketing tips for service providers','','inherit','open','open','','2688-revision-v1','','','2014-07-15 13:25:19','2014-07-15 13:25:19','',2688,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2688-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2690,4,'2014-07-15 13:26:52','2014-07-15 13:26:52','If you are a service provider, you are probably really good at what you do. You are probably not so good at promoting yourself.  If,on the other hand, you are good at what you do and you know how to market yourself properly, you will have business coming out of your ears.\r\n\r\nI know because I deal with service providers---and I am one myself. Our first order of business should be to provide the best service possible. But our second order of business, and in order to keep business, is to market ourselves properly.\r\n\r\nHere are five basic (and simple) marketing tips:\r\n\r\n1.<strong> Be ultra-professional</strong>. It should go without saying, but the most important thing a service provider can do is to provide good service and a good impression.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Be on time.</strong> Punctuality shows respect for your customer\'s time.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Honor your commitments</strong>. If you say you will do something, you must do it!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Be straightforward.</strong> Is there an issue? Speak up.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Communicate</strong> what, how, why of what you are doing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n2. <strong>Introduce yourself properly.</strong> When meeting with a customer, do not assume they know who you are. You don\'t have to provide your complete bio, but you should give your name and what you do. For example: \"Hi, I am Joe Smith. I am an AC tech with XYZ company and I will be checking your system today.\" Or: \"Hi, I am Gina, I will be teaching this beginner-level yoga class. \"\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Provide a leave-behind or take-with</strong>. It could be a brochure or a business card. It would be best if your materials have your website address and your website is good and up-to-date. You want to give the customer a way to contact you and to find out more about you.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Send a welcome/thank you letter, card or email.</strong> After you meet or provide service to your customer, send something! If you are an art studio, for example, and you just signed up a new art student, send the student a welcome note and any information the student might need. If you are a painter, and just finished painting your customer\'s house, send a thank you for your business card or email.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Ask for referrals.</strong> You should have a way to ask for referrals. You could simply have a line in your thank you letter saying that you appreciate referrals. You could provide a discount or a freebie for any referrals. For example, A teacher at the yoga studio I just started going to announced that if you bring a friend to the studio, you get a free class (mind you, the owner of the studio has done none of the steps above including not providing the bring-a-friend information).\r\n\r\nThese tips are meant to be the basic, everyday things you do for every customer, every time.  If you skip these steps, or only do one of them, you will miss out on simple opportunities that are already available to you.\r\n\r\nWould you add anything? If you are a service provider, what is your must-do marketing tip? Please share!\r\n<h4>Coming up on Thursday, week 2 of the summer challenge.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','5 basic marketing tips for service providers','','inherit','open','open','','2688-revision-v1','','','2014-07-15 13:26:52','2014-07-15 13:26:52','',2688,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2688-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2691,4,'2014-07-15 16:47:29','2014-07-15 16:47:29','If you are a service provider, you are probably really good at what you do. You are probably not so good at promoting yourself.  If,on the other hand, you are good at what you do and you know how to market yourself properly, you will have business coming out of your ears.\r\n\r\nI know because I deal with service providers---and I am one myself. Our first order of business should be to provide the best service possible. But our second order of business, and in order to keep business, is to market ourselves properly.\r\n\r\nHere are five easy and effective marketing tips:\r\n\r\n1.<strong> Be ultra-professional</strong>. It should go without saying, but the most important thing a service provider can do is to provide good service and a good impression.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Be on time.</strong> Punctuality shows respect for your customer\'s time.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Honor your commitments</strong>. If you say you will do something, you must do it!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Be straightforward.</strong> Is there an issue? Speak up.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Communicate</strong> what, how, why of what you are doing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n2. <strong>Introduce yourself properly.</strong> When meeting with a customer, do not assume they know who you are. You don\'t have to provide your complete bio, but you should give your name and what you do. For example: \"Hi, I am Joe Smith. I am an AC tech with XYZ company and I will be checking your system today.\" Or: \"Hi, I am Gina, I will be teaching this beginner-level yoga class. \"\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Provide a leave-behind or take-with</strong>. It could be a brochure or a business card. It would be best if your materials have your website address and your website is good and up-to-date. You want to give the customer a way to contact you and to find out more about you.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>Send a welcome/thank you letter, card or email.</strong> After you meet or provide service to your customer, send something! If you are an art studio, for example, and you just signed up a new art student, send the student a welcome note and any information the student might need. If you are a painter, and just finished painting your customer\'s house, send a thank you for your business card or email.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>Ask for referrals.</strong> You should have a way to ask for referrals. You could simply have a line in your thank you letter saying that you appreciate referrals. You could provide a discount or a freebie for any referrals. For example, A teacher at the yoga studio I just started going to announced that if you bring a friend to the studio, you get a free class (mind you, the owner of the studio has done none of the steps above including not providing the bring-a-friend information).\r\n\r\nThese tips are meant to be the basic, everyday things you do for every customer, every time.  If you skip these steps, or only do one of them, you will miss out on simple opportunities that are already available to you.\r\n\r\nWould you add anything? If you are a service provider, what is your must-do marketing tip? Please share!\r\n<h4>Coming up on Thursday, week 2 of the summer challenge.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','5 easy and effective marketing tips for service providers','','inherit','open','open','','2688-revision-v1','','','2014-07-15 16:47:29','2014-07-15 16:47:29','',2688,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2688-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2693,4,'2014-07-17 21:04:43','2014-07-17 21:04:43','I am fortunate to live right outside Washington, DC. Every summer, the area is invaded by hordes of tourists from across the US and from other countries. As a local, I often find it annoying to have to walk behind a slow group of tourists who are taking up the entire sidewalk or to have to battle with out-of-towners for elbow room at a new exhibit at the National Gallery.  But I need to remind myself that tourists are excited to be here, to see things they\'ve only read about and to get to know our nation\'s capital. They are a huge source of revenue for the area. And, they are getting to see things I may never get around to seeing.\r\n\r\nTo be a tourist requires curiosity. It requires advance planning and research but also the ability to grab an opportunity when you see it (free concert today at noon!). It requires learning how to get around. It requires a willingness to try new things.\r\n\r\nSo you see how being a tourist really requires some important skills to any communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your challenge for this week is to be a tourist in your own town.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that not everybody\'s hometown is Washington, DC, but every town has something to offer a visitor. If you are in a small town, it will be your challenge to figure out what that is. Why would anyone visit your town? And if they do visit, what do they do?\r\n\r\nHere\'s a few ways to be a tourist in your own town:\r\n\r\nGo online or call your local visitor\'s center or CVB (convention and visitor\'s bureau). Ask what the <strong>must-see attractions</strong> are. Check out at least one.  Or, pick up a tourist guide for your town.\r\n\r\nS<strong>pend a day walkin</strong>g around your town\'s downtown or main street. Walking...not driving.  Maybe take a side street you\'ve never been on.\r\n\r\nEat a <strong>meal at a new restauran</strong>t, somewhere you\'ve always wanted to try. (You could also go online to see what the top restaurants in your area are and choose one.)\r\n\r\nGo to a<strong> local park</strong>. Bring a picnic. Take a hike if appropriate. Perhaps you live near a river. What about renting a kayak or canoe?\r\n\r\n<strong>Take a tour led by a tour guide</strong>. Perhaps there\'s a specialized walking tour or an eating tour that you could check out. Don\'t know if they exist? Look it up!\r\n\r\nVisit a<strong> local brewery or winery</strong>. Take the tour, do the tasting.\r\n\r\nTake <strong>public transportation</strong>. If you already take public transportation, take a different method (if you always commute by train, take the bus or take a different route).\r\n\r\nWhen we live somewhere, we overlook what is there because we take it for granted. Sometimes, we don\'t even know what is there! By looking at our surroundings in a new way, we are seeing things differently. It may help boost your creativity or it may spark some new ideas.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you do! Tell me what town you played tourist in. Have fun exploring!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge: Be a tourist in your own town','','inherit','open','open','','2692-revision-v1','','','2014-07-17 21:04:43','2014-07-17 21:04:43','',2692,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2692-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2694,4,'2014-07-17 21:05:34','2014-07-17 21:05:34','I am fortunate to live right outside Washington, DC. Every summer, the area is invaded by hordes of tourists from across the US and from other countries. As a local, I often find it annoying to have to walk behind a slow group of tourists who are taking up the entire sidewalk or to have to battle with out-of-towners for elbow room at a new exhibit at the National Gallery.  But I need to remind myself that tourists are excited to be here, to see things they\'ve only read about and to get to know our nation\'s capital. They are a huge source of revenue for the area. And, they are getting to see things I may never get around to seeing.\r\n\r\nTo be a tourist requires curiosity. It requires advance planning and research but also the ability to grab an opportunity when you see it (free concert today at noon!). It requires learning how to get around. It requires a willingness to try new things.\r\n\r\nSo you see how being a tourist really requires some important skills to any communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your challenge for this week is to be a tourist in your own town.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that not everybody\'s hometown is Washington, DC, but every town has something to offer a visitor. If you are in a small town, it will be your challenge to figure out what that is. Why would anyone visit your town? And if they do visit, what do they do?\r\n\r\nHere\'s a few ways to be a tourist in your own town:\r\n\r\nGo online or call your local visitor\'s center or CVB (convention and visitor\'s bureau). Ask what the <strong>must-see attractions</strong> are. Check out at least one.  Or, pick up a tourist guide for your town.\r\n\r\nS<strong>pend a day walkin</strong>g around your town\'s downtown or main street. Walking...not driving.  Maybe take a side street you\'ve never been on.\r\n\r\nEat a <strong>meal at a new restauran</strong>t, somewhere you\'ve always wanted to try. (You could also go online to see what the top restaurants in your area are and choose one.)\r\n\r\nGo to a<strong> local park</strong>. Bring a picnic. Take a hike if appropriate. Perhaps you live near a river. What about renting a kayak or canoe?\r\n\r\n<strong>Take a tour led by a tour guide</strong>. Perhaps there\'s a specialized walking tour or an eating tour that you could check out. Don\'t know if they exist? Look it up!\r\n\r\nVisit a<strong> local brewery or winery</strong>. Take the tour, do the tasting.\r\n\r\nTake <strong>public transportation</strong>. If you already take public transportation, take a different method (if you always commute by train, take the bus or take a different route).\r\n\r\nWhen we live somewhere, we overlook what is there because we take it for granted. Sometimes, we don\'t even know what is there! By looking at our surroundings in a new way, we are seeing things differently. It may help boost your creativity or it may spark some new ideas.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you do! Tell me what town you played tourist in. Have fun exploring!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #2: Be a tourist in your own town','','inherit','open','open','','2692-revision-v1','','','2014-07-17 21:05:34','2014-07-17 21:05:34','',2692,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2692-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2708,4,'2014-08-05 12:42:49','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We can talk all we want about communications strategies and tactics, but if we don\'t master interpersonal communications, we aren\'t going to achieve any positive results. And in a sense, all of it, macro and micro communications, boils down to saying the right thing at the right time and in the right amount. Of course, \"right\" is subjective. What is right for one person may not be right for someone else.\r\n\r\nLet me give you some concrete examples of what I mean.\r\n\r\nGeneric LinkedIn invitations--saying too little\r\n\r\nI get two or three generic LinkedIn invitations every week, 99% of them are from people I don\'t know and/or have never met. Sometimes they know someone I know. Sometimes.  These people, whom I don\'t know, are incapable of giving me a reason for connecting. The say too little. If they threw in a line saying why they are interested in connecting, perhaps I would go ahead and accept their invitation.\r\n\r\nSaying too much\r\n\r\nLast week, I had an exchange on Twitter with someone I know who works at a nonprofit organization I have supported in the past. He was making some political statements that I didn\'t agree with, and asked him about it. He didn\'t answer my question, but rather launched into a barrage of tweets, which he publicized to his entire stream (put my handle at the end of the tweet). In a private message, I called him on his behavior. He then sent me six or seven direct messages defending himself. And then he re-tweeted one of my tweets to his stream, and hashtagged it. Predictably, one of his followers called me a \"hater\" based on this. I was irate. I wrote this person a two-line email pointing out that I was now being attacked online thanks to his use of Twitter. He wrote back a nine paragraph (long paragraphs too) email. Two lines from me elicited nine paragraphs of defensive and extraneous commentary from him.  He said too much. And he didn\'t say what I would have wanted him to say, that is, that he was sorry. Instead, he told me all about his rights to express himself, and how he only cares about what his partner thinks, and about his health issues, etc. etc. Way too much information. Way out of line. He made the whole thing worse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Saying too much; saying too little','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-08-05 12:42:49','2014-08-05 12:42:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2708',0,'post','',0),(2697,4,'2014-07-24 13:36:51','2014-07-24 13:36:51','Are you happy with your social media presence? If so, then please feel free to ignore this post. If you want to improve your social media presence, this post is for you.\r\n\r\nNow, let\'s take a look at your social media presence and then decide if you need to clean up your act. It\'s my summer challenge to you!\r\n\r\nFirst, you may want to conduct a<strong> social media audit</strong> on yourself. A simple one would be to create a chart listing where you have social media presence, how many followers you have and how many posts you have in each channel. For more advanced audits, you may want to check out these articles:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-audit\" target=\"_blank\">The 15-Minute Social Media Audit Everyone Can Do</a>\r\n<p class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2014/04/auditing-social-media-content/\" target=\"_blank\">Auditing Your Social Media Content: 5 Issues to Tackle</a></p>\r\nGood. Now we know where you are.\r\n\r\nNow, here are some suggestions for where to  start \"cleaning up\" you social media:\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean up your bio.</strong> Do you describe yourself consistently across social media?Is it time to update your bio? Has anything changed, perhaps you have a new website/business/focus?\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean up your image</strong> (I mean your profile pic). Do you use the same image across social media channels? Is it a current picture? Is it flattering?\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your Twitter lists.</strong> Are you following the people you want to follow? Are there people that just clutter your stream with information you are not interested in? Perhaps it\'s time to unfollow.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your RSS reader.</strong> Do you enjoy reading all the feeds in your RSS reader? No? Well then get rid of those that you don\'t enjoy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your LinkedIn connections.</strong> Are the people in your network people you know? Could you reach out and ask for an opinion, referral or coffee date? No? Maybe you need to cull down your contacts. Your network should be more about depth than about breadth.\r\n\r\nAgain, these are a few suggestions. You may find that you want to concentrate on just one social network, or think about your overall strategy. What would you clean up? Please tell me in the comments.\r\n\r\nHappy cleaning!','Summer challenge #3: Clean up your social media act','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-3-clean-up-your-social-media-act','','','2014-07-24 13:37:03','2014-07-24 13:37:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2697',0,'post','',1),(2698,4,'2014-07-24 13:36:51','2014-07-24 13:36:51','Are you happy with your social media presence? If so, then please feel free to ignore this post. If you want to improve your social media presence, this post is for you.\r\n\r\nNow, let\'s take a look at your social media presence and then decide if you need to clean up your act. It\'s my summer challenge to you!\r\n\r\nFirst, you may want to conduct a<strong> social media audit</strong> on yourself. A simple one would be to create a chart listing where you have social media presence, how many followers you have and how many posts you have in each channel. For more advanced audits, you may want to check out these articles:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-audit\" target=\"_blank\">The 15-Minute Social Media Audit Everyone Can Do</a>\r\n<p class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2014/04/auditing-social-media-content/\" target=\"_blank\">Auditing Your Social Media Content: 5 Issues to Tackle</a></p>\r\nGood. Now we know where you are.\r\n\r\nNow, here are some suggestions for where to  start \"cleaning up\" you social media:\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean up your bio.</strong> Do you describe yourself consistently across social media?Is it time to update your bio? Has anything changed, perhaps you have a new website/business/focus?\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean up your image</strong> (I mean your profile pic). Do you use the same image across social media channels? Is it a current picture? Is it flattering?\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your Twitter lists.</strong> Are you following the people you want to follow? Are there people that just clutter your stream with information you are not interested in? Perhaps it\'s time to unfollow.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your RSS reader.</strong> Do you enjoy reading all the feeds in your RSS reader? No? Well then get rid of those that you don\'t enjoy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean out your LinkedIn connections.</strong> Are the people in your network people you know? Could you reach out and ask for an opinion, referral or coffee date? No? Maybe you need to cull down your contacts. Your network should be more about depth than about breadth.\r\n\r\nAgain, these are a few suggestions. You may find that you want to concentrate on just one social network, or think about your overall strategy. What would you clean up? Please tell me in the comments.\r\n\r\nHappy cleaning!','Summer challenge #3: Clean up your social media act','','inherit','open','open','','2697-revision-v1','','','2014-07-24 13:36:51','2014-07-24 13:36:51','',2697,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2697-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2701,4,'2014-07-29 13:43:14','2014-07-29 13:43:14','Last week,  for my eight-week summer challenge post, I<a title=\"Summer challenge #3: Clean up your social media act\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/summer-challenge-3-clean-up-your-social-media-act/\"> challenged you to clean out your social media channels</a>, such as your RSS feeds. I did some cleaning myself, and I finally removed Mashable from my feeds. It\'s been there for a long time but I haven\'t been reading it for ages, and just marking everything as read without so much as scanning it.\r\n\r\nWhen I first started on Twitter several years ago, <a href=\"http://mashable.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mashable</a> was <em>the</em> source for how-to information and stats about Twitter. If you wanted to understand social media, you had to read Mashable. But in the past year or so, Mashable has become a source for all sorts of news. As I write this on Tuesday morning, some of the headlines on the site include these:\r\n\r\n\"At Least 22 Civilians Were Killed in Ukraine Today\"\r\n\r\n\"12 Simple Tweaks That Make Your Resume Easier to Review\"\r\n\r\n\"10 Heroic Women of World War I\"\r\n\r\nDo you see anything about about social media? Well, perhaps I scroll through the home page I could find a couple of articles about social media, but they are lost in the morass of lifestyle, career and general news articles. Some of these wide-ranging articles are potentially very interesting (and shareable), but not what I subscribed to Mashable for. And, to make matters worse, Mashable\'s feed was overwhelming. There were around 60 new articles each day.\r\n\r\nSo here are the two issues with Mashable\'s feed:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Too much content</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. The \"wrong\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, we see one or both issues crop up in what I consider ineffective content.\r\n\r\nWith the first issue, too much content, you are overwhelming your readers. You are giving them so much that they end up not reading any of it.  For example, I see this happening with Inc. Magazine\'s RSS feed.  Every day, there are dozens of new articles. Too much.\r\n\r\nWith the second issue, the \"wrong\" content, you are not providing readers with the content they want or need. I see this happening a lot, especially for websites/blogs that usually put out business/marketing advice and that are now peppering this information with self-help and self-improvement tales. Now, I have absolutely nothing against self-improvement, but I don\'t go to Marketing King John Doe to find out how to be happier or fitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s only one solution to these content issues and that is to respect your readers.</strong>\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to overwhelm your readers, and you want to make sure to respect their time. Too much content makes it hard for them to figure out what is important, what they should read. You should further respect your readers by providing them with the information they want and need.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Are you swimming in a sea of content and looking for the nearest island?  Or are you finding just enough content and all of it relevant to you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Two content issues (or why I no longer read Mashable)','','publish','open','open','','two-content-issues-or-why-i-no-longer-read-mashable','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/summer-challenge-3-clean-up-your-social-media-act/','2014-07-29 13:46:09','2014-07-29 13:46:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2701',0,'post','',0),(2702,4,'2014-07-29 13:43:14','2014-07-29 13:43:14','Last week,  for my eight-week summer challenge post, I<a title=\"Summer challenge #3: Clean up your social media act\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/summer-challenge-3-clean-up-your-social-media-act/\"> challenged you to clean out your social media channels</a>, such as your RSS feeds. I did some cleaning myself, and I finally removed Mashable from my feeds. It\'s been there for a long time but I haven\'t been reading it for ages, and just marking everything as read without so much as scanning it.\r\n\r\nWhen I first started on Twitter several years ago, Mashable was <em>the</em> source for how-to information and stats about Twitter. If you wanted to understand social media, you had to read Mashable. But in the past year or so, Mashable has become a source for all sorts of news. As I write this on Tuesday morning, some of the headlines on the site include these:\r\n\r\n\"At Least 22 Civilians Were Killed in Ukraine Today\"\r\n\r\n\"12 Simple Tweaks That Make Your Resume Easier to Review\"\r\n\r\n\"10 Heroic Women of World War I\"\r\n\r\nDo you see anything about about social media? Well, perhaps I scroll through the home page I could find a couple of articles about social media, but they are lost in the morass of lifestyle, career and general news articles. Some of these wide-ranging articles are potentially very interesting (and shareable), but not what I subscribed to Mashable for. And, to make matters worse, Mashable\'s feed was overwhelming. There were around 60 new articles each day.\r\n\r\nSo here are the two issues with Mashable\'s feed:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Too much content</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. The \"wrong\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, we see one or both issues crop up in what I consider ineffective content.\r\n\r\nWith the first issue, too much content, you are overwhelming your readers. You are giving them so much that they end up not reading any of it.  For example, I see this happening with Inc. Magazine\'s RSS feed.  Every day, there are dozens of new articles. Too much.\r\n\r\nWith the second issue, the \"wrong\" content, you are not providing readers with the content they want or need. I see this happening a lot, especially for websites/blogs that usually put out business/marketing advice and that are now peppering this information with self-help and self-improvement tales. Now, I have absolutely nothing against self-improvement, but I don\'t go to Marketing King John Doe to find out how to be happier or fitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s only one solution to these content issues and that is to respect your readers.</strong>\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to overwhelm your readers, and you want to make sure to respect their time. Too much content makes it hard for them to figure out what is important, what they should read. You should further respect your readers by providing them with the information they want and need.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Are you swimming in a sea of content and looking for the nearest island?  Or are you finding just enough content and all of it relevant to you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Two content issues (or why I no longer read Mashable)','','inherit','open','open','','2701-revision-v1','','','2014-07-29 13:43:14','2014-07-29 13:43:14','',2701,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2701-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2703,4,'2014-07-29 13:46:09','2014-07-29 13:46:09','Last week,  for my eight-week summer challenge post, I<a title=\"Summer challenge #3: Clean up your social media act\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/summer-challenge-3-clean-up-your-social-media-act/\"> challenged you to clean out your social media channels</a>, such as your RSS feeds. I did some cleaning myself, and I finally removed Mashable from my feeds. It\'s been there for a long time but I haven\'t been reading it for ages, and just marking everything as read without so much as scanning it.\r\n\r\nWhen I first started on Twitter several years ago, <a href=\"http://mashable.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mashable</a> was <em>the</em> source for how-to information and stats about Twitter. If you wanted to understand social media, you had to read Mashable. But in the past year or so, Mashable has become a source for all sorts of news. As I write this on Tuesday morning, some of the headlines on the site include these:\r\n\r\n\"At Least 22 Civilians Were Killed in Ukraine Today\"\r\n\r\n\"12 Simple Tweaks That Make Your Resume Easier to Review\"\r\n\r\n\"10 Heroic Women of World War I\"\r\n\r\nDo you see anything about about social media? Well, perhaps I scroll through the home page I could find a couple of articles about social media, but they are lost in the morass of lifestyle, career and general news articles. Some of these wide-ranging articles are potentially very interesting (and shareable), but not what I subscribed to Mashable for. And, to make matters worse, Mashable\'s feed was overwhelming. There were around 60 new articles each day.\r\n\r\nSo here are the two issues with Mashable\'s feed:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Too much content</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. The \"wrong\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, we see one or both issues crop up in what I consider ineffective content.\r\n\r\nWith the first issue, too much content, you are overwhelming your readers. You are giving them so much that they end up not reading any of it.  For example, I see this happening with Inc. Magazine\'s RSS feed.  Every day, there are dozens of new articles. Too much.\r\n\r\nWith the second issue, the \"wrong\" content, you are not providing readers with the content they want or need. I see this happening a lot, especially for websites/blogs that usually put out business/marketing advice and that are now peppering this information with self-help and self-improvement tales. Now, I have absolutely nothing against self-improvement, but I don\'t go to Marketing King John Doe to find out how to be happier or fitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s only one solution to these content issues and that is to respect your readers.</strong>\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to overwhelm your readers, and you want to make sure to respect their time. Too much content makes it hard for them to figure out what is important, what they should read. You should further respect your readers by providing them with the information they want and need.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Are you swimming in a sea of content and looking for the nearest island?  Or are you finding just enough content and all of it relevant to you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Two content issues (or why I no longer read Mashable)','','inherit','open','open','','2701-revision-v1','','','2014-07-29 13:46:09','2014-07-29 13:46:09','',2701,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2701-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2714,4,'2014-08-10 10:10:58','0000-00-00 00:00:00','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it.\r\n\r\nWhen people are not practicing the art of the coffee meeting, what they are doing is not being respectful and appreciative of the relationship they have with the person they are asking to the coffee date. But by being artful about it, you are actually making it more likely that not only may you get something you want from the meeting, but you will also maintain and even strengthen your relationship.\r\n\r\nWhen there is no art,  what often happens is that people just ask for something (let\'s meet for coffee so that I can \"pick your brain\") and then, having achieved what THEY want, they leave the other person used.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a few rules to asking for a meeting (coffee or otherwise) and there\'s a way to make it even better.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Make it an art: Learn how to ask and be friendly at the same time.</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn from someone I had met once. She wondered if I had time to speak. She was very business-like and set up a half-hour. We spoke on the phone for exactly 30 minutes. To the point she cut me off telling me she had to go.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Be respectful of people\'s time. If you say you want to talk for an hour, it better just be an hour. Make it an art: Determine the situation. If you have time, and the conversation is going well, perhaps you can run over and avoid cutting off a person).\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-08-10 10:10:58','2014-08-10 14:10:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2714',0,'post','',0),(2705,4,'2014-07-31 14:43:20','2014-07-31 14:43:20','Before you think I am going to challenge you to move more, let me clarify that this is a writing challenge, not a fitness challenge. I am talking about <strong>active voice</strong>. Originally, I wanted to name the post \"Be less passive,\" but that sounded a bit too negative.\r\n\r\nMost every writing teacher, and probably even your own English teacher in school, makes a point of telling students to avoid the passive voice. And yet, especially in business writing, we see people using passive voice without any measure. \"The company was founded by John Doe,\" they write. \"The management team will achieve its objectives by implementing long-standing traditions,\" they add. And on and on.\r\n\r\nPassive voice is dull. It\'s boring. You know why? Because it isn\'t active! Passive voice is the equivalent of the couch potato, who just sits around, staring mindlessly at the television. The couch potato often feels bored (and boring). The couch potato hasn\'t done much lately so he doesn\'t have much to say.\r\n\r\nActive voice is more like an athlete than a couch potato, and therefore, has far more energy and zest for life. Active voice is the runner while passive voice is the straggler. Active voice gets to the point much faster, while passive voice is busy drawing out its words.\r\n\r\nYou see why active voice gives your writing more punch. It makes it lively. It makes it more interesting.\r\n\r\nSo, challenge yourself to use the active voice as often as possible. Because really, do you want your writing to resemble a couch potato?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #4: Be more active','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-4-be-more-active','','','2014-07-31 14:43:48','2014-07-31 14:43:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2705',0,'post','',0),(2706,4,'2014-07-31 14:43:20','2014-07-31 14:43:20','Before you think I am going to challenge you to move more, let me clarify that this is a writing challenge, not a fitness challenge. I am talking about <strong>active voice</strong>. Originally, I wanted to name the post \"Be less passive,\" but that sounded a bit too negative.\r\n\r\nMost every writing teacher, and probably even your own English teacher in school, makes a point of telling students to avoid the passive voice. And yet, especially in business writing, we see people using passive voice without any measure. \"The company was founded by John Doe,\" they write. \"The management team will achieve its objectives by implementing long-standing traditions,\" they add. And on and on.\r\n\r\nPassive voice is dull. It\'s boring. You know why? Because it isn\'t active! Passive voice is the equivalent of the couch potato, who just sits around, staring mindlessly at the television. The couch potato often feels bored (and boring). The couch potato hasn\'t done much lately so he doesn\'t have much to say.\r\n\r\nActive voice is more like an athlete than a couch potato, and therefore, has far more energy and zest for life. Active voice is the runner while passive voice is the straggler. Active voice gets to the point much faster, while passive voice is busy drawing out its words.\r\n\r\nYou see why active voice gives your writing more punch. It makes it lively. It makes it more interesting.\r\n\r\nSo, challenge yourself to use the active voice as often as possible. Because really, do you want your writing to resemble a couch potato?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #4: Be more active','','inherit','open','open','','2705-revision-v1','','','2014-07-31 14:43:20','2014-07-31 14:43:20','',2705,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/07/2705-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2709,4,'2014-08-05 12:42:49','2014-08-05 12:42:49','We can talk all we want about communications strategies and tactics, but if we don\'t master interpersonal communications, we aren\'t going to achieve any positive results. And in a sense, all of it, macro and micro communications, boils down to saying the right thing at the right time and in the right amount. Of course, \"right\" is subjective. What is right for one person may not be right for someone else.\r\n\r\nLet me give you some concrete examples of what I mean.\r\n\r\nGeneric LinkedIn invitations--saying too little\r\n\r\nI get two or three generic LinkedIn invitations every week, 99% of them are from people I don\'t know and/or have never met. Sometimes they know someone I know. Sometimes.  These people, whom I don\'t know, are incapable of giving me a reason for connecting. The say too little. If they threw in a line saying why they are interested in connecting, perhaps I would go ahead and accept their invitation.\r\n\r\nSaying too much\r\n\r\nLast week, I had an exchange on Twitter with someone I know who works at a nonprofit organization I have supported in the past. He was making some political statements that I didn\'t agree with, and asked him about it. He didn\'t answer my question, but rather launched into a barrage of tweets, which he publicized to his entire stream (put my handle at the end of the tweet). In a private message, I called him on his behavior. He then sent me six or seven direct messages defending himself. And then he re-tweeted one of my tweets to his stream, and hashtagged it. Predictably, one of his followers called me a \"hater\" based on this. I was irate. I wrote this person a two-line email pointing out that I was now being attacked online thanks to his use of Twitter. He wrote back a nine paragraph (long paragraphs too) email. Two lines from me elicited nine paragraphs of defensive and extraneous commentary from him.  He said too much. And he didn\'t say what I would have wanted him to say, that is, that he was sorry. Instead, he told me all about his rights to express himself, and how he only cares about what his partner thinks, and about his health issues, etc. etc. Way too much information. Way out of line. He made the whole thing worse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Saying too much; saying too little','','inherit','open','open','','2708-revision-v1','','','2014-08-05 12:42:49','2014-08-05 12:42:49','',2708,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2708-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2711,4,'2014-08-07 11:39:37','2014-08-07 11:39:37','Do you do much reading? I do, but rarely do I read classic novels, instead I spend a lot of time reading Scandinavian detective novels (I\'ve read almost everything by Hakan Nesser, Camilla Lackberg, Stieg Larsson, Arnaldur Indridasson, and on and on.)\r\n\r\nBut this summer, my book group has given me a chance to read something classic I have always wanted to read:  <em>Their Eyes Were Watching God</em> by Zora Neale Hurston.  It was published in 1937, and centers around a strong, black female character (Janie Crawford).  It was not well received when Hurston published it, but it has become a must-read in American literature. The dialogue is challenging to read, but Hurston\'s descriptions and how she captures a very specific time and place are a delight.\r\n\r\nSome book characters become iconic and often-quoted. Some lines, such as the first line of Charles Dickens\' <em>Great Expectations</em> (\"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....\") or <em>Hamlet</em>\'s \"to be or not to be\" become instantly recognizable.\r\n\r\nFor many of us, we last read classic novels in college or high school. We were all forced to wade through tough books such as <em>Moby Dick</em> (and in my case, I had to read it at least twice, once in high school and then in college). But now I am grateful to have read all about Ahab and his search for the great white whale, if only because I know that Starbucks coffee is named after the Pequod\'s first officer Starbuck.\r\n\r\nWithout reading the great works, we miss a lot of references. We miss a lot of cultural knowledge. Reading classics exposes us to truly great writing, which stands up to time, in some cases, centuries (we are still reading Shakespeare after nearly 500 years).\r\n\r\nWhy not take the dog days of summer to read a classic that you have always wanted to read? That\'s my summer challenge to you!\r\n\r\nIf you need some ideas, here are a couple lists to help you choose:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/\" target=\"_blank\">The Modern Library\'s list of 100 Best Novels</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/6677.html\" target=\"_blank\">The top classic books everybody should read from Indiana University</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://classiclit.about.com/od/englishmajor/tp/aatp_mustread.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Must Reads in Literature</a>\r\n\r\nMany thanks to Jay Morris, of <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC,</a> who gave me the idea to offer a reading challenge.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you read and what you thought. Happy reading!','Summer challenge #5: Get classic','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-5-get-classic','','\nhttp://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/','2014-08-07 11:40:15','2014-08-07 11:40:15','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2711',0,'post','',0),(2712,4,'2014-08-07 11:39:37','2014-08-07 11:39:37','Do you do much reading? I do, but rarely do I read classic novels, instead I spend a lot of time reading Scandinavian detective novels (I\'ve read almost everything by Hakan Nesser, Camilla Lackberg, Stieg Larsson, Arnadlur Indridasson, and on and on.)\r\n\r\nBut this summer, my book group has given me a chance to read something classic I have always wanted to read:  <em>Their Eyes Were Watching God</em> by Zora Neale Hurston.  It was published in 1937, and centers around a strong, black female character (Janie Crawford).  It was not well received when Hurston published it, but it has become a must-read in American literature. The dialogue is challenging to read, but Hurston\'s descriptions and how she captures a very specific time and place are a delight.\r\n\r\nSome book characters become iconic and often-quoted. Some lines, such as the first line of Charles Dickens\' <em>Great Expectations</em> (\"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....\") or <em>Hamlet</em>\'s \"to be or not to be\" become instantly recognizable.\r\n\r\nFor many of us, we last read classic novels in college or high school. We were all forced to wade through tough books such as <em>Moby Dick</em> (and in my case, I had to read it at least twice, once in high school and then in college). But now I am grateful to have read all about Ahab and his search for the great white whale, if only because I know that Starbucks coffee is named after the Pequod\'s first officer Starbuck.\r\n\r\nWithout reading the great works, we miss a lot of references. We miss a lot of cultural knowledge. Reading classics exposes us to truly great writing, which stands up to time, in some cases, centuries (we are still reading Shakespeare after nearly 500 years).\r\n\r\nWhy not take the dog days of summer to read a classic that you have always wanted to read? That\'s my summer challenge to you!\r\n\r\nIf you need some ideas, here are a couple lists to help you choose:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/\" target=\"_blank\">The Modern Library\'s list of 100 Best Novels</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/6677.html\" target=\"_blank\">The top classic books everybody should read from Indiana University</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://classiclit.about.com/od/englishmajor/tp/aatp_mustread.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Must Reads in Literature</a>\r\n\r\nMany thanks to Jay Morris, of <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC,</a> who gave me the idea to offer a reading challenge.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you read and what you thought. Happy reading!','Summer challenge #5: Get classic','','inherit','open','open','','2711-revision-v1','','','2014-08-07 11:39:37','2014-08-07 11:39:37','',2711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2711-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2713,4,'2014-08-07 11:40:15','2014-08-07 11:40:15','Do you do much reading? I do, but rarely do I read classic novels, instead I spend a lot of time reading Scandinavian detective novels (I\'ve read almost everything by Hakan Nesser, Camilla Lackberg, Stieg Larsson, Arnaldur Indridasson, and on and on.)\r\n\r\nBut this summer, my book group has given me a chance to read something classic I have always wanted to read:  <em>Their Eyes Were Watching God</em> by Zora Neale Hurston.  It was published in 1937, and centers around a strong, black female character (Janie Crawford).  It was not well received when Hurston published it, but it has become a must-read in American literature. The dialogue is challenging to read, but Hurston\'s descriptions and how she captures a very specific time and place are a delight.\r\n\r\nSome book characters become iconic and often-quoted. Some lines, such as the first line of Charles Dickens\' <em>Great Expectations</em> (\"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....\") or <em>Hamlet</em>\'s \"to be or not to be\" become instantly recognizable.\r\n\r\nFor many of us, we last read classic novels in college or high school. We were all forced to wade through tough books such as <em>Moby Dick</em> (and in my case, I had to read it at least twice, once in high school and then in college). But now I am grateful to have read all about Ahab and his search for the great white whale, if only because I know that Starbucks coffee is named after the Pequod\'s first officer Starbuck.\r\n\r\nWithout reading the great works, we miss a lot of references. We miss a lot of cultural knowledge. Reading classics exposes us to truly great writing, which stands up to time, in some cases, centuries (we are still reading Shakespeare after nearly 500 years).\r\n\r\nWhy not take the dog days of summer to read a classic that you have always wanted to read? That\'s my summer challenge to you!\r\n\r\nIf you need some ideas, here are a couple lists to help you choose:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/\" target=\"_blank\">The Modern Library\'s list of 100 Best Novels</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/6677.html\" target=\"_blank\">The top classic books everybody should read from Indiana University</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://classiclit.about.com/od/englishmajor/tp/aatp_mustread.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Must Reads in Literature</a>\r\n\r\nMany thanks to Jay Morris, of <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC,</a> who gave me the idea to offer a reading challenge.\r\n\r\nLet me know what you read and what you thought. Happy reading!','Summer challenge #5: Get classic','','inherit','open','open','','2711-revision-v1','','','2014-08-07 11:40:15','2014-08-07 11:40:15','',2711,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2711-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2715,4,'2014-08-10 12:07:02','2014-08-10 12:07:02','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it. I am not sure if it\'s rudeness, cluelessness,  or perhaps just lack of knowledge.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked.','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 12:07:02','2014-08-10 12:07:02','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2716,4,'2014-08-10 12:13:56','2014-08-10 12:13:56','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it. I am not sure if it\'s rudeness, cluelessness,  or perhaps just lack of knowledge.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\nRule #1 in the art of the coffee meeting: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Instead of saying \"hey lets have coffee\" say \"I\'d like to see fi\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn (I guess this should be a clue)','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 12:13:56','2014-08-10 12:13:56','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2718,4,'2014-08-10 09:33:31','2014-08-10 13:33:31','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a few rules to asking for a meeting (coffee or otherwise) and there\'s a way to make it even better.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Make it an art: Learn how to ask and be friendly at the same time.</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn from someone I had met once. She wondered if I had time to speak. She was very business-like and set up a half-hour. We spoke on the phone for exactly 30 minutes. To the point she cut me off telling me she had to go.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Be respectful of people\'s time. If you say you want to talk for an hour, it better just be an hour. Make it an art: Determine the situation. If you have time, and the conversation is going well, perhaps you can run over.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 09:33:31','2014-08-10 13:33:31','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2717,4,'2014-08-10 20:20:00','2014-08-10 12:20:00','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it. I am not sure if it\'s rudeness, cluelessness,  or perhaps just lack of knowledge.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\nRule #1 in the art of the coffee meeting: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Instead of saying \"hey lets have coffee\" say \"I\'d like to see fi\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn from someone I had met once. She wondered if I had time to speak. She was very business-like and set up a half-hour. We talked for exactly 30 minutes.\r\n\r\nRule #2: Be respectful of people\'s time. If you say you want to talk for an hour, it better just be an hour.\r\n\r\n(As an aside, in this second situation, although this woman was very time-bound, she did not follow rule#1. She never was clear as to her intentions, which, it turns out, was to see whether I, or anybody I knew, had use for her market research services.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHowever, she did not follow rule #1. She didn\'t tell me what she wanted (which, as it turns out seems to be a pattern, was referrals for new business). She respected my time and hers','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 20:20:00','2014-08-10 12:20:00','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2719,4,'2014-08-10 09:58:25','2014-08-10 13:58:25','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it.\r\n\r\nWhen people are not practicing the art of the coffee meeting, what they are doing is not being respectful and appreciative of the relationship they have with the person they are asking to the coffee date. But by being artful about it, you are actually making it more likely that not only may you get something you want from the meeting, but you will also maintain and even strengthen your relationship.\r\n\r\nWhen there is no art,  what often happens is that people just ask for something (let\'s meet for coffee so that I can \"pick your brain\") and then, having achieved what THEY want, they leave the other person used.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a few rules to asking for a meeting (coffee or otherwise) and there\'s a way to make it even better.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Make it an art: Learn how to ask and be friendly at the same time.</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn from someone I had met once. She wondered if I had time to speak. She was very business-like and set up a half-hour. We spoke on the phone for exactly 30 minutes. To the point she cut me off telling me she had to go.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Be respectful of people\'s time. If you say you want to talk for an hour, it better just be an hour. Make it an art: Determine the situation. If you have time, and the conversation is going well, perhaps you can run over and avoid cutting off a person).\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 09:58:25','2014-08-10 13:58:25','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2720,4,'2014-08-10 10:10:58','2014-08-10 14:10:58','(Or how to get what you want while maintaining good relationships with people.)\r\n\r\nLately, I have seen bunch of articles about how people are now refusing to take coffee meetings. Mostly, they seem to argue that they are a waste of time. And yes, oftentimes they are...but mostly because people don\'t practice the art of the coffee meeting. Yes, I think there\'s an art to it and most people are not aware of it.\r\n\r\nWhen people are not practicing the art of the coffee meeting, what they are doing is not being respectful and appreciative of the relationship they have with the person they are asking to the coffee date. But by being artful about it, you are actually making it more likely that not only may you get something you want from the meeting, but you will also maintain and even strengthen your relationship.\r\n\r\nWhen there is no art,  what often happens is that people just ask for something (let\'s meet for coffee so that I can \"pick your brain\") and then, having achieved what THEY want, they leave the other person used.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a few rules to asking for a meeting (coffee or otherwise) and there\'s a way to make it even better.\r\n\r\nSo, this past Friday, I had a coffee meeting. But it achieved nothing for either party. This is what happened: \"Jane\" contacted me through LinkedIn. She is someone I have met a couple of times before and who recently started a new job, in a different industry. She had been in PR, and I was not sure if she had been laid off from her PR job, and now wanted to get back in. I figured she was contacting me to discuss career stuff. Also, she made it seem as though she was looking to catch up, on a friendly basis. Well, after an hour and a half of chatting, it turns out Jane really wanted to sell me on her new financial planning business. Except she never asked. When we were saying goodbye, and I mentioned that it would be nice to have another chat, she hemmed and hawed. It became clear to me (finally) that she was not being friendly, but rather, very indirect in her search for new business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #1: Be clear as to you intentions. Ask for what you want. Don\'t be opaque. Make it an art: Learn how to ask and be friendly at the same time.</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple years ago I got another note through LinkedIn from someone I had met once. She wondered if I had time to speak. She was very business-like and set up a half-hour. We spoke on the phone for exactly 30 minutes. To the point she cut me off telling me she had to go.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rule #2: Be respectful of people\'s time. If you say you want to talk for an hour, it better just be an hour. Make it an art: Determine the situation. If you have time, and the conversation is going well, perhaps you can run over and avoid cutting off a person).\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The Art of the Coffee Meeting','','inherit','open','open','','2714-revision-v1','','','2014-08-10 10:10:58','2014-08-10 14:10:58','',2714,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2714-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2722,4,'2014-08-14 09:20:10','2014-08-14 13:20:10','(Or, stop writing in \"jargonese\".)\r\n\r\nLook up<a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jargon\" target=\"_blank\"> jargon in Merriam-Webster</a> and you find three definitions:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1) Confused, unintelligible language</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">2) Technical terminology of a special activity or group</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">3) Obscure, often pretentious language, marked by circumlocutions and long words.</p>\r\nThen l<a href=\"http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/jargon\" target=\"_blank\">ook it up in the Oxford Dictionary</a> and you find this:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"definition\">Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand</span></blockquote>\r\nUsing  jargon, especially in professional or academic writing, seems inevitable. Anybody who has glanced at a medical journal or a legal brief knows that doctors, scientists and lawyers love to use jargon (thinking about the<em> ex parte injunction brought forth by the complainant</em>). But then again, those people are talking to their peers, where there is an expectation and more importantly, <em>an understanding</em> of jargon.\r\n\r\nHowever, in business or marketing writing, where you are trying to communicate with a wide audience, jargon should have no place. You don\'t want people to have difficulty understanding you and you certainly don\'t want to come across as pretentious, do you?\r\n\r\nWell, I am here to challenge you to go jargon-free in you business/communication writing, or at least to become more aware of how much jargon you are using and to ask yourself if there is a better and plainer way of expressing yourself.\r\n\r\nDon\'t think you use much jargon? Check this out and tell me whether you haven\'t been guilty of incentivizing your readers to drill down to find the low hanging fruit to achieve buy-in from the C-suite:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/business-jargon-words-we-never-ever-want-to-hear-again/story-e6frfm9r-1226651466738\" target=\"_blank\">16 business jargon words we never, ever want to hear again</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.theofficelife.com/business-jargon-dictionary-A.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2012/01/26/the-most-annoying-pretentious-and-useless-business-jargon/\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Annoying, Pretentious and Useless Business Jargon</a>\r\n\r\nSo please, drop the pretense and write in English, at least for a summer challenge.  Your readers will thank you and your detractors will stop thinking you are a pompous ass.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #6: Make your writing understandable','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-6-make-your-writing-understandable','','','2014-08-14 09:20:10','2014-08-14 13:20:10','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2722',0,'post','',1),(2723,4,'2014-08-14 09:20:10','2014-08-14 13:20:10','(Or, stop writing in \"jargonese\".)\r\n\r\nLook up<a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jargon\" target=\"_blank\"> jargon in Merriam-Webster</a> and you find three definitions:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1) Confused, unintelligible language</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">2) Technical terminology of a special activity or group</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">3) Obscure, often pretentious language, marked by circumlocutions and long words.</p>\r\nThen l<a href=\"http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/jargon\" target=\"_blank\">ook it up in the Oxford Dictionary</a> and you find this:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"definition\">Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand</span></blockquote>\r\nUsing  jargon, especially in professional or academic writing, seems inevitable. Anybody who has glanced at a medical journal or a legal brief knows that doctors, scientists and lawyers love to use jargon (thinking about the<em> ex parte injunction brought forth by the complainant</em>). But then again, those people are talking to their peers, where there is an expectation and more importantly, <em>an understanding</em> of jargon.\r\n\r\nHowever, in business or marketing writing, where you are trying to communicate with a wide audience, jargon should have no place. You don\'t want people to have difficulty understanding you and you certainly don\'t want to come across as pretentious, do you?\r\n\r\nWell, I am here to challenge you to go jargon-free in you business/communication writing, or at least to become more aware of how much jargon you are using and to ask yourself if there is a better and plainer way of expressing yourself.\r\n\r\nDon\'t think you use much jargon? Check this out and tell me whether you haven\'t been guilty of incentivizing your readers to drill down to find the low hanging fruit to achieve buy-in from the C-suite:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/business-jargon-words-we-never-ever-want-to-hear-again/story-e6frfm9r-1226651466738\" target=\"_blank\">16 business jargon words we never, ever want to hear again</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.theofficelife.com/business-jargon-dictionary-A.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2012/01/26/the-most-annoying-pretentious-and-useless-business-jargon/\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Annoying, Pretentious and Useless Business Jargon</a>\r\n\r\nSo please, drop the pretense and write in English, at least for a summer challenge.  Your readers will thank you and your detractors will stop thinking you are a pompous ass.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #6: Make your writing understandable','','inherit','open','open','','2722-revision-v1','','','2014-08-14 09:20:10','2014-08-14 13:20:10','',2722,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2722-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2724,4,'2014-08-19 13:29:42','2014-08-19 17:29:42','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>September 18, 2014: How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop. </strong>Registration is open. Go to our Eventbrite page for more details.</span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-08-19 13:29:42','2014-08-19 17:29:42','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2750,4,'2014-09-18 15:16:42','2014-09-18 19:16:42','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">None currently scheduled.\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>September 18, 2014 </strong>Presented<strong> How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop. </strong></span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-09-18 15:16:42','2014-09-18 19:16:42','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2725,4,'2014-08-19 13:33:06','2014-08-19 17:33:06','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>September 18, 2014: How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop. </strong>Registration is open. Go to our <a href=\"http://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-12689967033?utm_campaign=new_eventv2&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=eb_email&amp;utm_term=eventurl_text\" target=\"_blank\">Eventbrite page</a> for more details.</span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','1765-revision-v1','','','2014-08-19 13:33:06','2014-08-19 17:33:06','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/1765-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2726,4,'2014-08-20 09:53:56','2014-08-20 13:53:56','A few years ago, I had a client who thought I had a special skill: mind reading. Unfortunately for both of us, I am not actually able to read minds. I can sense moods (anger, disapproval) but I can\'t actually know what a person is thinking unless that person decides to tell me. In the case of this client, I did not do what she was thinking I should do, and therefore, the relationship went south.\r\n\r\nYears later, reflecting on this client relations episode, I concluded that that particular client was passive-aggressive. She had high expectations, which she did not clearly articulate, and then was extremely disappointed when her staff and contracted personnel failed to meet those standards.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, passive-aggressive behavior has become standard for many. Instead of confronting a problem, they hope the other party will sense their disapproval. If you\'ve dealt with passive-aggressive people you know they will often pretend everything is OK but do things like procrastinate or give the wrong information in an effort to subvert your efforts. Or they will give you the silent treatment. (You may want to read: <a href=\"http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201401/how-spot-and-deal-passive-aggressive-people\" target=\"_blank\">How to Spot and Deal with Passive-Aggressive People</a> .)\r\n\r\nIn social media, we see a lot of passive-aggressive behavior. On Twitter, we see it in \"sub-tweeting,\" in which a tweet refers to a specific individual without identifying him/her. We see it in random complaints, designed solely to shame the company but not actually get the problem fixed. You know the type: \"My phone service sucks thanks to @companyIhate ... I should switch.\" Or there is the re-tweeting and hashtagging of someone\'s tweet, in order to embarrass or mock that person (I recently had this done to me and it resulted in getting a couple very ugly tweets from random strangers).\r\n\r\nRecently, I saw some truly remarkable passive-aggressive behavior on Twitter from someone busy live-tweeting her condo board\'s meeting. She tweeted her displeasure at everything discussed. Never mind the condo board is not on Twitter and that nobody would even know to look for the hashtag this Twitter user made up. I read her litany of tweets with complete astonishment. She was present in the room--why not speak up and address these issues with the people she was so angry with instead of showing (and recording for posterity) her mocking displeasure?\r\n\r\n<strong>My summer challenge to you is to drop the passive-aggressive behavior and be direct. If there is an actual issue, get it fixed.</strong> Yes, it may mean confronting someone directly. In some cases, it may mean going offline and using the telephone to call the dreaded customer service to deal with a problem. In the end, the problem will be aired out if not resolved completely.\r\n\r\nBefore you go to Twitter to air your problems, why not follow excellent advice from Paula Kiger on Spin Sucks: <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/social-media/complain-on-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">Four Questions to Ask Before You Complain on Twitter .</a>\r\n\r\nIf you are upset or angry at someone\'s actions, why not discuss it directly? Here are <a href=\"http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/06/04/5-tips-for-communicating-assertively-without-being-passive-aggressive/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Tips for Communicating Assertively Without Being Passive-Aggressive. </a>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you been victimized by passive-aggressive behavior? Or do you engage in passive-aggressive behavior yourself? The truth is we have all been on the giving <em>and</em> the receiving end of passive-aggressive behavior. Let\'s try to stop the cycle.','Summer challenge # 7: Be direct and get it fixed','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-7-be-direct-and-get-it-fixed','','\nhttp://spinsucks.com/social-media/complain-on-twitter/','2014-08-20 16:55:03','2014-08-20 20:55:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2726',0,'post','',0),(2727,4,'2014-08-20 09:53:56','2014-08-20 13:53:56','A few years ago, I had a client who thought I had a special skill: mind reading. Unfortunately for both of us, I am not actually able to read minds. I can sense moods (anger, disapproval) but I can\'t actually know what a person is thinking unless that person decides to tell me. In the case of this client, I did not do what she was thinking I should do, and therefore, the relationship went south.\r\n\r\nYears later, reflecting on this client relations episode, I concluded that that particular client was passive-aggressive. She had high expectations, which she did not clearly articulate, and then was extremely disappointed when her staff and contracted personnel failed to meet those standards.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, passive-aggressive behavior has become standard for many. Instead of confronting a problem, they hope the other party will sense their disapproval. If you\'ve dealt with passive-aggressive people you know they will often pretend everything is OK but do things like procrastinate or give the wrong information in an effort to subvert your efforts. Or they will give you the silent treatment. (You may want to read: <a href=\"http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201401/how-spot-and-deal-passive-aggressive-people\" target=\"_blank\">How to Spot and Deal with Passive-Aggressive People</a> .)\r\n\r\nIn social media, we see a lot of passive-aggressive behavior. On Twitter, we see it in \"sub-tweeting,\" in which a tweet refers to a specific individual without identifying him/her. We see it in random complaints, designed solely to shame the company but not actually get the problem fixed. You know the type: \"My phone service sucks thanks to @companyIhate ... I should switch.\" Or there is the re-tweeting and hashtagging of someone\'s tweet, in order to embarrass or mock that person (I recently had this done to me and it resulted in getting a couple very ugly tweets from random strangers).\r\n\r\nRecently, I saw some truly remarkable passive-aggressive behavior on Twitter from someone busy live-tweeting her condo board\'s meeting. She tweeted her displeasure at everything discussed. Never mind the condo board is not on Twitter and that nobody would even know to look for the hashtag this Twitter user made up. I read her litany of tweets with complete astonishment. She was present in the room--why not speak up and address these issues with the people she was so angry with instead of showing (and recording for posterity) her mocking displeasure?\r\n\r\n<strong>My summer challenge to you is to drop the passive-aggressive behavior and be direct. If there is an actual issue, get it fixed.</strong> Yes, it may mean confronting someone directly. In some cases, it may mean going offline and using the telephone to call the dreaded customer service to deal with a problem. In the end, the problem will be aired out if not resolved completely.\r\n\r\nBefore you go to Twitter to air your problems, why not follow excellent advice from Paula Kiger on Spin Sucks: <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/social-media/complain-on-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">Four Questions to Ask Before You Complain on Twitter .</a>\r\n\r\nIf you are upset or angry at someone\'s actions, why not discuss it directly? Here are <a href=\"http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/06/04/5-tips-for-communicating-assertively-without-being-passive-aggressive/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Tips for Communicating Assertively Without Being Passive-Aggressive. </a>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you been victimized by passive-aggressive behavior? Or do you engage in passive-aggressive behavior yourself? The truth is we have all been on the giving <em>and</em> the receiving end of passive-aggressive behavior. Let\'s try to stop the cycle.','Summer Challenge # 7: Be direct and get it fixed','','inherit','open','open','','2726-revision-v1','','','2014-08-20 09:53:56','2014-08-20 13:53:56','',2726,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2726-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2728,4,'2014-08-20 16:55:03','2014-08-20 20:55:03','A few years ago, I had a client who thought I had a special skill: mind reading. Unfortunately for both of us, I am not actually able to read minds. I can sense moods (anger, disapproval) but I can\'t actually know what a person is thinking unless that person decides to tell me. In the case of this client, I did not do what she was thinking I should do, and therefore, the relationship went south.\r\n\r\nYears later, reflecting on this client relations episode, I concluded that that particular client was passive-aggressive. She had high expectations, which she did not clearly articulate, and then was extremely disappointed when her staff and contracted personnel failed to meet those standards.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, passive-aggressive behavior has become standard for many. Instead of confronting a problem, they hope the other party will sense their disapproval. If you\'ve dealt with passive-aggressive people you know they will often pretend everything is OK but do things like procrastinate or give the wrong information in an effort to subvert your efforts. Or they will give you the silent treatment. (You may want to read: <a href=\"http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201401/how-spot-and-deal-passive-aggressive-people\" target=\"_blank\">How to Spot and Deal with Passive-Aggressive People</a> .)\r\n\r\nIn social media, we see a lot of passive-aggressive behavior. On Twitter, we see it in \"sub-tweeting,\" in which a tweet refers to a specific individual without identifying him/her. We see it in random complaints, designed solely to shame the company but not actually get the problem fixed. You know the type: \"My phone service sucks thanks to @companyIhate ... I should switch.\" Or there is the re-tweeting and hashtagging of someone\'s tweet, in order to embarrass or mock that person (I recently had this done to me and it resulted in getting a couple very ugly tweets from random strangers).\r\n\r\nRecently, I saw some truly remarkable passive-aggressive behavior on Twitter from someone busy live-tweeting her condo board\'s meeting. She tweeted her displeasure at everything discussed. Never mind the condo board is not on Twitter and that nobody would even know to look for the hashtag this Twitter user made up. I read her litany of tweets with complete astonishment. She was present in the room--why not speak up and address these issues with the people she was so angry with instead of showing (and recording for posterity) her mocking displeasure?\r\n\r\n<strong>My summer challenge to you is to drop the passive-aggressive behavior and be direct. If there is an actual issue, get it fixed.</strong> Yes, it may mean confronting someone directly. In some cases, it may mean going offline and using the telephone to call the dreaded customer service to deal with a problem. In the end, the problem will be aired out if not resolved completely.\r\n\r\nBefore you go to Twitter to air your problems, why not follow excellent advice from Paula Kiger on Spin Sucks: <a href=\"http://spinsucks.com/social-media/complain-on-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">Four Questions to Ask Before You Complain on Twitter .</a>\r\n\r\nIf you are upset or angry at someone\'s actions, why not discuss it directly? Here are <a href=\"http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/06/04/5-tips-for-communicating-assertively-without-being-passive-aggressive/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Tips for Communicating Assertively Without Being Passive-Aggressive. </a>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you been victimized by passive-aggressive behavior? Or do you engage in passive-aggressive behavior yourself? The truth is we have all been on the giving <em>and</em> the receiving end of passive-aggressive behavior. Let\'s try to stop the cycle.','Summer challenge # 7: Be direct and get it fixed','','inherit','open','open','','2726-revision-v1','','','2014-08-20 16:55:03','2014-08-20 20:55:03','',2726,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2726-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2730,4,'2014-08-25 09:43:27','2014-08-25 13:43:27','It\'s back and entering its third year! The <strong>How to Write Your Blog: A Hands-on Workshop</strong> will take place in Washington, DC on September 18, 2014, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve been struggling to get your blog going or your current blog is gathering dust, this workshop is for you.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nYou will learn:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Elements to include in every blog post</li>\r\n	<li>How to find blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Types of blog posts you can write</li>\r\n	<li>How to make your blog work for your organization</li>\r\n	<li>What to include and what to avoid on your blog</li>\r\n	<li>How to write attention-grabbing headlines</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThrough exercises and discussion, we will come up with a direction for your blog and help you to write great blog posts.\r\n\r\nRegister by September 11 to get the early bird price of $85.\r\n\r\nGet more details and register at: <a href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-12689967033\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a>','It\'s back! How to write your blog workshop on September 18','','publish','open','open','','its-back-how-to-write-your-blog-workshop-on-september-18','','','2014-09-18 15:17:20','2014-09-18 19:17:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2730',0,'post','',0),(2731,4,'2014-08-25 09:43:27','2014-08-25 13:43:27','It\'s back and entering its third year! The <strong>How to Write Your Blog: A Hands-on Workshop</strong> will take place in Washington, DC on September 18, 2014, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve been struggling to get your blog going or your current blog is gathering dust, this workshop is for you.\r\n\r\nYou will learn:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Elements to include in every blog post</li>\r\n	<li>How to find blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Types of blog posts you can write</li>\r\n	<li>How to make your blog work for your organization</li>\r\n	<li>What to include and what to avoid on your blog</li>\r\n	<li>How to write attention-grabbing headlines</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThrough exercises and discussion, we will come up with a direction for your blog and help you to write great blog posts.\r\n\r\nRegister by September 11 to get the early bird price of $85.\r\n\r\nGet more details and register at: <a href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-12689967033\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a>','It\'s back! How to write your blog workshop on September 18','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-v1','','','2014-08-25 09:43:27','2014-08-25 13:43:27','',2730,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2730-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2738,4,'2014-09-04 09:16:41','2014-09-04 13:16:41','One of the houses in my neighborhood has recently gone up for sale. I presume it did anyway because this is the sign that went up in front of the house:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140903_140136.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2739\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140903_140136-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20140903_140136\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe\'ve all seen for sale signs in front of homes. They generally look like this:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2740\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2740\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z-300x224.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Boost the Market Value of Your Home&quot; by Dan Moyle on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a> \"Boost the Market Value of Your Home\" by Dan Moyle on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nNotice anything different between these signs?\r\n\r\nIt seems that this is a case where a company is so anxious to have their format look different than the competition that it forgets about the function.\r\n\r\nYou can barely make out the telephone number and website of the realtor in the sign at the top. In fact, you\'d probably have to drive right up to the sign (and perhaps that is the intent). Also, the sign at the top does not have the words \"for sale\" anywhere on it. Someone passing by does not know if the house has already been sold or if it is for rent.\r\n\r\nSo the next time you are itching to change your graphic identity, remember that you need both form and function. <strong>If you don\'t consider what the piece is for, and how people will interact with it, you won\'t be doing a good job of communicating.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Does having a real estate sign that looks markedly different than others make your home stand out?','You need both form and function','','publish','open','open','','you-need-both-form-and-function','','','2014-09-04 09:16:41','2014-09-04 13:16:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2738',0,'post','',0),(2734,4,'2014-08-27 09:31:51','2014-08-27 13:31:51','Here we are, in the last week of August, and Labor Day is upon us. This means that summer is \"officially\" over, and so is the summer challenge series.\r\n\r\nThere\'s been a lot of chatter over the past couple of months about social media being addictive. Huffington Post UK has an <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/20/social-media-addict-digital-detox_n_5693987.html\" target=\"_blank\">article that states that quitting Facebook and Twitter is harder to do than quitting smoking! </a>\r\n\r\nCBS News, in the article <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-real-a-risk-is-social-media-addiction/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How real a risk is social media addiction,\"</a> shares that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has defined a \"Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).\" The article states:\r\n<blockquote>Symptoms for Internet addiction can be similar to addiction to anything else, and fall into two types of behaviors: an ever increasing need to engage with the object of the addiction, and a bad feeling when not getting enough of it.</blockquote>\r\nI feel that I check Facebook and Twitter way too often. Is it bad? Here are 1<a href=\"http://www.business2community.com/social-media/10-signs-time-take-break-social-media-self-0940327#!bK3S6u\" target=\"_blank\">0 Signs It\'s Time to Take a Break from your Social Media Self.</a> Do any of those ring true to you? In my case, I think Twitter definitely impacts my productivity.\r\n\r\n<strong>My final summer challenge to you is to take a break from social media.</strong> I don\'t mean quit it completely, but just take a few days off and see how you fare. With a three-day weekend ahead, now is the perfect time to do it. Why take time to be on social media when you can be social in real life?\r\n\r\nForbes has a helpful article (<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/08/06/need-a-break-from-social-media-heres-why-you-should-take-one/\" target=\"_blank\">Need a Break from Social Media?</a> ) that concludes that taking a break from social media can help your productivity and impact in the long run, and even provides three steps for how to do it.\r\n\r\nI am pledging right now to be off Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for all of the Labor Day Weekend. If you see me post, get on my case! Will you join me?\r\n\r\nHave a fantastic Labor Day Weekend, and make the most of the last few days of \"official\" summer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #8 (final!): Take a (social media) break','','publish','open','open','','summer-challenge-8-final-take-a-social-media-break','','','2014-08-27 09:31:51','2014-08-27 13:31:51','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2734',0,'post','',0),(2735,4,'2014-08-27 09:31:51','2014-08-27 13:31:51','Here we are, in the last week of August, and Labor Day is upon us. This means that summer is \"officially\" over, and so is the summer challenge series.\r\n\r\nThere\'s been a lot of chatter over the past couple of months about social media being addictive. Huffington Post UK has an <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/20/social-media-addict-digital-detox_n_5693987.html\" target=\"_blank\">article that states that quitting Facebook and Twitter is harder to do than quitting smoking! </a>\r\n\r\nCBS News, in the article <a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-real-a-risk-is-social-media-addiction/\" target=\"_blank\">\"How real a risk is social media addiction,\"</a> shares that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has defined a \"Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD).\" The article states:\r\n<blockquote>Symptoms for Internet addiction can be similar to addiction to anything else, and fall into two types of behaviors: an ever increasing need to engage with the object of the addiction, and a bad feeling when not getting enough of it.</blockquote>\r\nI feel that I check Facebook and Twitter way too often. Is it bad? Here are 1<a href=\"http://www.business2community.com/social-media/10-signs-time-take-break-social-media-self-0940327#!bK3S6u\" target=\"_blank\">0 Signs It\'s Time to Take a Break from your Social Media Self.</a> Do any of those ring true to you? In my case, I think Twitter definitely impacts my productivity.\r\n\r\n<strong>My final summer challenge to you is to take a break from social media.</strong> I don\'t mean quit it completely, but just take a few days off and see how you fare. With a three-day weekend ahead, now is the perfect time to do it. Why take time to be on social media when you can be social in real life?\r\n\r\nForbes has a helpful article (<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/08/06/need-a-break-from-social-media-heres-why-you-should-take-one/\" target=\"_blank\">Need a Break from Social Media?</a> ) that concludes that taking a break from social media can help your productivity and impact in the long run, and even provides three steps for how to do it.\r\n\r\nI am pledging right now to be off Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for all of the Labor Day Weekend. If you see me post, get on my case! Will you join me?\r\n\r\nHave a fantastic Labor Day Weekend, and make the most of the last few days of \"official\" summer!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Summer challenge #8 (final!): Take a (social media) break','','inherit','open','open','','2734-revision-v1','','','2014-08-27 09:31:51','2014-08-27 13:31:51','',2734,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2734-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2736,4,'2014-08-27 14:20:34','2014-08-27 18:20:34','It\'s back and entering its third year! The <strong>How to Write Your Blog: A Hands-on Workshop</strong> will take place in Washington, DC on September 18, 2014, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve been struggling to get your blog going or your current blog is gathering dust, this workshop is for you.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nYou will learn:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Elements to include in every blog post</li>\r\n	<li>How to find blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Types of blog posts you can write</li>\r\n	<li>How to make your blog work for your organization</li>\r\n	<li>What to include and what to avoid on your blog</li>\r\n	<li>How to write attention-grabbing headlines</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThrough exercises and discussion, we will come up with a direction for your blog and help you to write great blog posts.\r\n\r\nRegister by September 11 to get the early bird price of $85.\r\n\r\nGet more details and register at: <a href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-write-your-blog-a-hands-on-workshop-tickets-12689967033\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a>','It\'s back! How to write your blog workshop on September 18','','inherit','open','open','','2730-revision-v1','','','2014-08-27 14:20:34','2014-08-27 18:20:34','',2730,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/08/2730-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2739,4,'2014-09-04 09:05:07','2014-09-04 13:05:07','','20140903_140136','','inherit','open','open','','20140903_140136','','','2014-09-04 09:05:07','2014-09-04 13:05:07','',2738,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140903_140136.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2740,4,'2014-09-04 09:05:52','2014-09-04 13:05:52','','9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z','\"Boost the Market Value of Your Home\" by Dan Moyle on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z','','','2014-09-04 09:05:52','2014-09-04 13:05:52','',2738,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2741,4,'2014-09-04 09:16:41','2014-09-04 13:16:41','One of the houses in my neighborhood has recently gone up for sale. I presume it did anyway because this is the sign that went up in front of the house:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140903_140136.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2739\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140903_140136-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20140903_140136\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe\'ve all seen for sale signs in front of homes. They generally look like this:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2740\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2740\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/9421165069_43ba87b0f5_z-300x224.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Boost the Market Value of Your Home&quot; by Dan Moyle on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" /></a> \"Boost the Market Value of Your Home\" by Dan Moyle on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nNotice anything different between these signs?\r\n\r\nIt seems that this is a case where a company is so anxious to have their format look different than the competition that it forgets about the function.\r\n\r\nYou can barely make out the telephone number and website of the realtor in the sign at the top. In fact, you\'d probably have to drive right up to the sign (and perhaps that is the intent). Also, the sign at the top does not have the words \"for sale\" anywhere on it. Someone passing by does not know if the house has already been sold or if it is for rent.\r\n\r\nSo the next time you are itching to change your graphic identity, remember that you need both form and function. <strong>If you don\'t consider what the piece is for, and how people will interact with it, you won\'t be doing a good job of communicating.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Does having a real estate sign that looks markedly different than others make your home stand out?','You need both form and function','','inherit','open','open','','2738-revision-v1','','','2014-09-04 09:16:41','2014-09-04 13:16:41','',2738,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2738-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2742,4,'2014-09-10 09:32:42','2014-09-10 13:32:42','It seems that there is a new breed of call-to-action/pop-up ad that is seeking to shame you into an action and insult you if you choose not to take that action. I am not sure if it\'s a trend, or there\'s one provider that everyone is using for these, but lately I have seen them on several different organizational blogs.\r\n\r\nWhat is happening is that you will attempt to go to a blog post and before you can read the post, a large pop-up appears. The pop-up will usually be asking you subscribe to a newsletter and will be forcing you to choose between two options (one to favor the action and the other to <em>oppose</em> it), since there is no way to close the pop-up otherwise.\r\n\r\nThe yes option will be intensely positive. It will say something like this: Yes, sign me up for your newsletter since I care about the Earth and will do my utmost to help keep it clean. *\r\n\r\nThe no option will be oppositional. It will say something like this: No, I don\'t care about the Earth at all. I won\'t lift a finger to help keep it clean.*\r\n\r\n<address>*These are made-up examples but they mirror what I have been seeing on blogs and websites for various organizations.</address>&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore traditional calls to action will provide two options that are more subdued and straightforward, something like  \"Yes, I\'d like to (subscribe, vote, etc.)\" and \"No thanks.\"\r\n\r\nObviously, just because you don\'t want to sign-up for a newsletter does not mean you do not care about the subject. Perhaps you don\'t want another newsletter. Perhaps you want to read the blog post before you make a decision. But yet you are being asked, by clicking on that negative option, to affirm that you believe or support that very negative sentence.\r\n\r\nThis a trend that should disappear and quick.<strong> Insulting and shaming people to support your cause, even if it is a great cause, is a form of bullying</strong>. Bullying your readers is never a good idea.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these? What are your thoughts?\r\n<h3>Improve your blogging! Come to the How to Write Your Blog workshop next week, on September 18, in Washington, DC. More details and registration here: <a href=\"https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a></h3>\r\n&nbsp;','Adding insult','','publish','open','open','','adding-insult','','','2014-09-10 09:32:42','2014-09-10 13:32:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2742',0,'post','',1),(2743,4,'2014-09-10 09:31:47','2014-09-10 13:31:47','It seems that there is a new breed of call-to-action/pop-up ad that is seeking to shame you into an action and insult you if you choose not to take that action. I am not sure if it\'s a trend, or there\'s one provider that everyone is using for these, but lately I have seen them on several different organizational blogs.\r\n\r\nWhat is happening is that you will attempt to go to a blog post and before you can read the post, a large pop-up appears. The pop-up will usually be asking you subscribe to a newsletter and will be forcing you to choose between two options (one to favor the action and the other to <em>oppose</em> it), since there is no way to close the pop-up otherwise.\r\n\r\nThe yes option will be intensely positive. It will say something like this: Yes, sign me up for your newsletter since I care about the Earth and will do my utmost to help keep it clean. *\r\n\r\nThe no option will be oppositional. It will say something like this: No, I don\'t care about the Earth at all. I won\'t lift a finger to help keep it clean.*\r\n\r\n<address>*These are made-up examples but they mirror what I have been seeing on blogs and websites for various organizations.</address>More traditional calls to action will provide two options that are more subdued and straightforward, something like  \"Yes, I\'d like to (subscribe, vote, etc.)\" and \"No thanks.\"\r\n\r\nObviously, just because you don\'t want to sign-up for a newsletter does not mean you do not care about the subject. Perhaps you don\'t want another newsletter. Perhaps you want to read the blog post before you make a decision. But yet you are being asked, by clicking on that negative option, to affirm that you believe or support that very negative sentence.\r\n\r\nThis a trend that should disappear and quick.<strong> Insulting and shaming people to support your cause, even if it is a great cause,  is a form of bullying</strong>. Bullying your readers is never a good idea.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these? What are your thoughts?\r\n<h3>Improve your blogging! Come to the How to Write Your Blog workshop next week, on September 18, in Washington, DC. More details and registration here: <a href=\"https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a></h3>\r\n&nbsp;','Adding insult','','inherit','open','open','','2742-revision-v1','','','2014-09-10 09:31:47','2014-09-10 13:31:47','',2742,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2742-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2744,4,'2014-09-10 09:32:42','2014-09-10 13:32:42','It seems that there is a new breed of call-to-action/pop-up ad that is seeking to shame you into an action and insult you if you choose not to take that action. I am not sure if it\'s a trend, or there\'s one provider that everyone is using for these, but lately I have seen them on several different organizational blogs.\r\n\r\nWhat is happening is that you will attempt to go to a blog post and before you can read the post, a large pop-up appears. The pop-up will usually be asking you subscribe to a newsletter and will be forcing you to choose between two options (one to favor the action and the other to <em>oppose</em> it), since there is no way to close the pop-up otherwise.\r\n\r\nThe yes option will be intensely positive. It will say something like this: Yes, sign me up for your newsletter since I care about the Earth and will do my utmost to help keep it clean. *\r\n\r\nThe no option will be oppositional. It will say something like this: No, I don\'t care about the Earth at all. I won\'t lift a finger to help keep it clean.*\r\n\r\n<address>*These are made-up examples but they mirror what I have been seeing on blogs and websites for various organizations.</address>&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMore traditional calls to action will provide two options that are more subdued and straightforward, something like  \"Yes, I\'d like to (subscribe, vote, etc.)\" and \"No thanks.\"\r\n\r\nObviously, just because you don\'t want to sign-up for a newsletter does not mean you do not care about the subject. Perhaps you don\'t want another newsletter. Perhaps you want to read the blog post before you make a decision. But yet you are being asked, by clicking on that negative option, to affirm that you believe or support that very negative sentence.\r\n\r\nThis a trend that should disappear and quick.<strong> Insulting and shaming people to support your cause, even if it is a great cause, is a form of bullying</strong>. Bullying your readers is never a good idea.\r\n\r\nHave you seen these? What are your thoughts?\r\n<h3>Improve your blogging! Come to the How to Write Your Blog workshop next week, on September 18, in Washington, DC. More details and registration here: <a href=\"https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com\" target=\"_blank\">https://howtowriteyourblog918.eventbrite.com</a></h3>\r\n&nbsp;','Adding insult','','inherit','open','open','','2742-revision-v1','','','2014-09-10 09:32:42','2014-09-10 13:32:42','',2742,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2742-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2745,4,'2014-09-10 16:28:22','2014-09-10 20:28:22','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-09-10 16:28:22','2014-09-10 20:28:22','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2747,4,'2014-09-16 09:29:20','2014-09-16 13:29:20','Have you ever regretted saying something on social media? Or has something you posted on social media come back to haunt you \"in real life?\" Do you wish you could say what you really think but fear the consequences?\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to occupy a unique position of being virtual yet connecting real people in real relationships. We can broadcast our thoughts instantly, to thousands (or millions) of people around the world, while still having to be careful about the relationships we have in real life (IRL) with some of our connections.\r\n\r\nIs everybody in your Facebook world your friend or family member? Chances are you have a fair number of other relationships on Facebook--co-workers, professional acquaintances, people you knew in high school/college, people you met on Twitter, and so on.  Do you want to share everything with everybody or do you wish you could pick and choose? If you don\'t want to share something with a certain person in your Facebook, why are you \"friends\" with him or her?\r\n\r\nSometimes, you see people in real life (at professional events, etc.)  and feel forced to maintain a \"Facebook friendship.\" Unfriending on Facebook is a strange phenomenon, especially since most people use it to communicate that they no longer consider you to be in their social circle (although some people think of unfriending as simply reducing the number of people that they need to read feeds from).\r\n\r\n<strong>Not a friend, just an acquaintance</strong>\r\n\r\nBut wait, Facebook has an answer! You can designate people as \"acquaintances\" and then when you post you can choose to share with \"friends, except acquaintances.\" I just learned about this feature (and I am not sure how long it\'s been around). Clearly, many people are trying to separate close friends from acquaintances while becoming \"Facebook friends\" with anybody that asks.\r\n\r\n<strong>But what about friends/acquaintances who say annoying things?</strong>\r\n\r\nFacebook has had a \"hide\" feature for years. Twitter recently created a way to maintain ties with people you don\'t want to hear from. It\'s the mute button. Now, you can simply mute people you don\'t really care for while still following them.\r\n\r\n<strong>So can I say what I think?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there is what we say or don\'t say. Should we say what we really think or should we be more politic? There was a recent poll that found people are not expressing their opinions freely on social media any more. I can see why. We don\'t want to offend and more importantly, we don\'t want to be attacked. There are many \"trolls,\" that is  people in social media who make it their business to be on the attack. They actively seek confrontation and are often very nasty. Or there are those people who are always arguing with you on Facebook or Twitter. If you say white, they will say black. Does every opinion need a counter-opinion?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is self-censorship the answer to all these social media conundrums?</strong>\r\n\r\nI think that at times you should follow the adage that if you have nothing good to say, don\'t say it. For example, if someone posts a picture of his/her baby, and you don\'t think the child is terribly cute, do you share your thoughts? Probably very wise to keep that opinion to yourself.\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to have made it difficult for people to understand that their words have real consequences. That you can insult and offend virtually. People routinely express their negative opinions. They don\'t like the restaurant you recently went to (and raved about), so they share their thoughts saying that it was disgusting, the food was gross, they got sick (you get the picture). They disagree with an article you shared, they tell you how stupid the author is, how ridiculous anybody is for having that opinion. And on and on.\r\n\r\nThere is no one correct way to do social media. Some people will always be offended and some people won\'t care. To some, social media is a place to cultivate relationships and to some, it is just a place to promote their product or business.\r\n\r\nI think it is always best to think about what you are going to say before you say it: Is it necessary? Does it add value to the conversation? Is it something you care about deeply? Will it make a difference? Will it hurt the other person? Does it really matter?\r\n\r\nPerhaps it is not self-censorship we need as much as a <strong>pause and think moment.</strong> Too bad there isn\'t a built-in feature for that on Twitter and Facebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is self-censorship the answer?','','publish','open','open','','is-self-censorship-the-answer','','','2014-09-16 09:29:20','2014-09-16 13:29:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2747',0,'post','',1),(2749,4,'2014-09-16 09:29:20','2014-09-16 13:29:20','Have you ever regretted saying something on social media? Or has something you posted on social media come back to haunt you \"in real life?\" Do you wish you could say what you really think but fear the consequences?\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to occupy a unique position of being virtual yet connecting real people in real relationships. We can broadcast our thoughts instantly, to thousands (or millions) of people around the world, while still having to be careful about the relationships we have in real life (IRL) with some of our connections.\r\n\r\nIs everybody in your Facebook world your friend or family member? Chances are you have a fair number of other relationships on Facebook--co-workers, professional acquaintances, people you knew in high school/college, people you met on Twitter, and so on.  Do you want to share everything with everybody or do you wish you could pick and choose? If you don\'t want to share something with a certain person in your Facebook, why are you \"friends\" with him or her?\r\n\r\nSometimes, you see people in real life (at professional events, etc.)  and feel forced to maintain a \"Facebook friendship.\" Unfriending on Facebook is a strange phenomenon, especially since most people use it to communicate that they no longer consider you to be in their social circle (although some people think of unfriending as simply reducing the number of people that they need to read feeds from).\r\n\r\n<strong>Not a friend, just an acquaintance</strong>\r\n\r\nBut wait, Facebook has an answer! You can designate people as \"acquaintances\" and then when you post you can choose to share with \"friends, except acquaintances.\" I just learned about this feature (and I am not sure how long it\'s been around). Clearly, many people are trying to separate close friends from acquaintances while becoming \"Facebook friends\" with anybody that asks.\r\n\r\n<strong>But what about friends/acquaintances who say annoying things?</strong>\r\n\r\nFacebook has had a \"hide\" feature for years. Twitter recently created a way to maintain ties with people you don\'t want to hear from. It\'s the mute button. Now, you can simply mute people you don\'t really care for while still following them.\r\n\r\n<strong>So can I say what I think?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there is what we say or don\'t say. Should we say what we really think or should we be more politic? There was a recent poll that found people are not expressing their opinions freely on social media any more. I can see why. We don\'t want to offend and more importantly, we don\'t want to be attacked. There are many \"trolls,\" that is  people in social media who make it their business to be on the attack. They actively seek confrontation and are often very nasty. Or there are those people who are always arguing with you on Facebook or Twitter. If you say white, they will say black. Does every opinion need a counter-opinion?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is self-censorship the answer to all these social media conundrums?</strong>\r\n\r\nI think that at times you should follow the adage that if you have nothing good to say, don\'t say it. For example, if someone posts a picture of his/her baby, and you don\'t think the child is terribly cute, do you share your thoughts? Probably very wise to keep that opinion to yourself.\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to have made it difficult for people to understand that their words have real consequences. That you can insult and offend virtually. People routinely express their negative opinions. They don\'t like the restaurant you recently went to (and raved about), so they share their thoughts saying that it was disgusting, the food was gross, they got sick (you get the picture). They disagree with an article you shared, they tell you how stupid the author is, how ridiculous anybody is for having that opinion. And on and on.\r\n\r\nThere is no one correct way to do social media. Some people will always be offended and some people won\'t care. To some, social media is a place to cultivate relationships and to some, it is just a place to promote their product or business.\r\n\r\nI think it is always best to think about what you are going to say before you say it: Is it necessary? Does it add value to the conversation? Is it something you care about deeply? Will it make a difference? Will it hurt the other person? Does it really matter?\r\n\r\nPerhaps it is not self-censorship we need as much as a <strong>pause and think moment.</strong> Too bad there isn\'t a built-in feature for that on Twitter and Facebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is self-censorship the answer?','','inherit','open','open','','2747-revision-v1','','','2014-09-16 09:29:20','2014-09-16 13:29:20','',2747,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2747-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2748,4,'2014-09-12 09:48:53','2014-09-12 13:48:53','Have you ever regretted saying something on social media? Or has something you posted on social media come back to haunt you \"in real life?\" Do you wish you could say what you really think but fear the consequences?\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to occupy a unique position of being virtual yet connecting real people in real relationships. We can broadcast our thoughts instantly, to thousands (or millions) of people around the world, while still having to be careful about the relationships we have with some of our connections.\r\n\r\nIs everybody in your Facebook world your friend or family member? Chances are you have a fair number of other relationships on Facebook--co-workers, professional acquaintances, people you knew in high school/college, people you met on Twitter, and so on.  Do you want to share everything with everybody or do you wish you could pick and choose? If you don\'t want to share something with a certain person in your Facebook, why are you \"friends\" with him or her?\r\n\r\nSometimes, you see people in real life and feel forced to maintain a \"Facebook friendship.\" Unfriending on Facebook is a strange phenomenon, especially since most people use it to communicate that they no longer consider you to be in their social circle (although some people think of unfriending as simply reducing the number of people that they need to read feeds from). For example, I had a pretty ugly disagreement with someone, and her husband (I guess he was playing the knight in shining armor, thinking he would come to her aid), unfriended me on Facebook and de-LinkedIn too. Meanwhile, she is still there. That makes it very awkward should I ever run into them in person. I know he doesn\'t want anything to do with me while she\'s on the fence or sees Facebook differently.\r\n\r\nRecently, I had a bad week because of the actions of someone in my Facebook world. Because I knew she would see it, I couldn\'t post anything about it. I wanted to share what was going on, but couldn\'t. It made Facebook so frustrating.\r\n\r\nBut wait, Facebook has an answer! You can designate people as \"acquaintances\" and then when you post you can choose to share with \"friends, except acquaintances.\" I just learned about this feature (and I am not sure how long it\'s been around). Clearly, many people are trying to separate close friends from acquaintances while becoming \"Facebook friends\" with anybody that asks.\r\n\r\nAnd then there is what we say or don\'t say. Should we say what we really think or should we be more politic? There was a recent poll that found people are not expressing their opinions freely any more. I can see why. We don\'t want to offend and more importantly, we don\'t want to be attacked. There are many \"trolls,\" that is  people in social media who make it their business to be on the attack. They actively seek confrontation and are often very nasty.\r\n\r\nBut then there are disagreements. If I post something and you find it objectionable, you may decide to point out your objection. If done respectfully, there generally should not be an issue. But then, you could be like a \"friend\" I had, who posted something I didn\'t like on Twitter, and I pointed it out to her. She then claimed it wasn\'t her opinion, she was merely re-tweeting. But she wasn\'t. She had added her editorial approval to it. I pointed that out to her and guess what, she hasn\'t spoken to me in real life since.\r\n\r\nOr then, there are people who are always arguing with you on Facebook or Twitter. If you say white, they will say black. Does every opinion need a counter-opinion? Do you always have to say what you think?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is self-censorship the answer to all these social media conundrums?</strong>\r\n\r\nI think that at times you should follow the adage that if you have nothing good to say, don\'t say it. For example, if someone posts a picture of his/her baby, and you don\'t think the child is terribly cute, do you share your thoughts? Probably very wise to keep that opinion to yourself.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, people routinely express their negative opinions. They don\'t like the restaurant you recently went to (and raved about), so they share their thoughts saying that it was disgusting, the food was gross, they got sick (you get the picture). They disagree with an article you shared, they tell you how stupid the author is, how ridiculous anybody is for having that opinion. And on and on.\r\n\r\nSocial media seems to have made it difficult for people to understand that their words have real consequences. That you can insult and offend virtually. And that is one extreme. On the other, is this constant fretting about what to share and what not to. If we disagree with something, why can\'t we express our opinion?\r\n\r\nThere is no one correct way to do social media. Some people will always be offended and some people don\'t care. To some, social media is a place to cultivate relationships and to some, it is just a place to promote their product or business.\r\n\r\nIt is always best to think about what you are going to say. Is it necessary? Does it add value to the conversation? Is it something you care about deeply? Will it make a difference? Will it hurt the other person? Does it matter?\r\n\r\nSo yes, perhaps practicing some self-censorship is the way to go.','Is self-censorship the answer?','','inherit','open','open','','2747-revision-v1','','','2014-09-12 09:48:53','2014-09-12 13:48:53','',2747,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2747-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2798,4,'2014-11-19 16:06:07','2014-11-19 21:06:07','It\'s like I am hearing the Pointer Sisters\' <em>Jump (For My Love)</em> song on repeat. It\'s that refrain \"more, more, more.\" I get emails urging me to get more website visitors. I see accounts on Twitter that claim they can get me more followers. I see announcements for webinars on how to get more blog readers.\r\n\r\nEnough!\r\n\r\nMore is not a smart communications goal. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">More is meaningless without qualifiers</span>. Yes, I want more Twitter followers. But I want followers that are genuine (as opposed to spam) accounts and who have an interest in what I am saying. I want more blog readers who will find what I write useful and may then share a post or sign up for my newsletter or hire me to do work.\r\n\r\nBut more in and of itself does not mean much. If a Facebook page has 4,000 likes but none of those \"likers\" shares information or buys products, then what is the point? If you have thousands of Twitter followers but are never re-tweeted, are you having an impact? If you get hundreds of website visitors but there is no \"conversion\" then what did you accomplish?\r\n\r\nWe see ploys for more all the time. You see TV stations running sweepstakes and exhorting people to \"like our Facebook page.\" You see link bait. You see forced sign-ups for newsletters before you can read an article or blog post. All these are trying to get more without caring exactly who those people are.\r\n\r\nYour communications goals should not be simply to get more. Your goals need to be specific. For example, you may want to reach more people in a certain geographic area or in an age group.\r\n\r\nAre you being bombarded by vendors trying to get you to get more? If so, what are your thoughts about it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','More is not a smart communications goal','','publish','open','open','','more-is-not-a-smart-communications-goal','','','2014-11-19 16:06:07','2014-11-19 21:06:07','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2798',0,'post','',0),(2762,4,'2014-10-15 09:39:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Recently, I was forced to connect through Miami International Airport (MIA). For most people who fly to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, MIA is the departure point and the first port of entry into the United States. If you are traveling on American Airlines, you will most likely be in Terminal D, a newish terminal with 60 gates covering close to a mile in length and serving American flights exclusively. On both the outbound and inbound legs of my journey I had about three hours to spend in Terminal D.\r\n\r\nI went looking for food. A veggie burger at a \"sit-down\" restaurant was $15. A slice of pizza was $5.  A bagel sandwich at a large national chain is $8. The fish and chips I had an \"Irish pub\" was overpriced and had an 18% service charge tacked on automatically. All this would cost half as much out on Main Street.\r\n\r\nSo you are done eating. Now what? You could shop at MIA. You could spend big bucks on a Burberry coat or buy a Britto sculpture. Or maybe browse some electronics, jewelry or the duty free store.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you want to check your email. Well, at MIA this is going to cost you. No free Wi-Fi here. Not even at Starbucks, which offers free Wi-Fi at its non-MIA locations.\r\n\r\nMy point is that MIA wants you to spend a lot of money while you wait for your flight. It seems the airport authority is not interested in making travel anything more than expensive.\r\n\r\nJust 30 miles north of MIA is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. The airport does not offer much in the way of dining, shopping or entertainment but it does offer free Wi-Fi airport-wide. Then again, Fort Lauderdale serves a lot of domestic flights.','How do you view your customers?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2014-10-15 09:39:12','2014-10-15 13:39:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2762',0,'post','',0),(2753,4,'2014-09-22 16:01:58','2014-09-22 20:01:58','In his Sunday <em>Washington Post</em> article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/after-30000-posts-big-picture-blogger-has-figured-a-few-things-out/2014/09/19/ef7002cc-3de9-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"What writing 30,000 posts taught this financial planner,\"</a> Barry Ritholtz, author of the On Investing column, says that not only are many readers choosing to believe what they want to believe, but that their reading comprehension is abysmal. He writes:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Reading comprehension is terrible</strong>. I am astonished how many people lack the basic reading comprehension skills to understand a 500-word essay. I give every piece a second edit to figure out how lazy and biased readers are going misinterpret, misunderstand and just plain old miss the point of the post.</blockquote>\r\n(Note: This is part of the last paragraph of his article that appeared in the printed edition of the <em>Washington Post</em>, but which is mysteriously missing from the online version of the article.)\r\n\r\nThis is sad and disturbing. Those of us who make our living from writing, depend on readers to understand what we say. If readers can\'t understand our ideas, then how are we going to make sure to get our point across? What is the point of writing? It doesn\'t matter how talented we are, if the readers don\'t get it, then it is not worth anything.\r\n\r\nWhat is behind this lack of reading comprehension? Is it that people are not being taught how to read well in school? Is it that people are stupid? Is it that writing has to be \"dumbed down\"? There\'s probably some element of all of these, but one bigger problem is that people are in a hurry. They are not taking the time to read closely.\r\n\r\nWe hear over and over how people are so busy. People are multi-tasking. People are frazzled. One consequence of this continual rush is that people are not paying attention to what they are reading.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you posted something or written an email including details about an upcoming event and the recipient will ask you for the exact information you have already provided. It happens to me all the time.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I wrote a short email to a friend telling her that I had missed seeing her at our book group and that I really didn\'t like the book.  She wrote back telling me that she has had some family issues and hadn\'t finished reading the book, and she also wanted to know what I thought of the book. Now, my email was five sentences long. One of those sentences was about my opinion the book. She clearly did not absorb what I wrote. Either she was preoccupied or in a hurry or both.\r\n\r\nIt seems people are no longer able to read closely. They skim through the information. In fact, when I teach my blogging workshop, I tell my participants that content should be scannable, since this is what people do when they read on the web.\r\n\r\nThis loss of reading comprehension concerns me. It makes me wonder how anybody is going to learn anything new, let alone anything complex. If we are promoting new products or ideas, this is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you noticed that you have to over-simplify ideas? Have you noticed that people just don\'t seem to pay attention?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is hurry killing reading comprehension?','','publish','open','open','','is-hurry-killing-reading-comprehension','','','2014-09-22 16:06:20','2014-09-22 20:06:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2753',0,'post','',1),(2754,4,'2014-09-22 16:01:58','2014-09-22 20:01:58','In his Sunday <em>Washington Post</em> article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/after-30000-posts-big-picture-blogger-has-figured-a-few-things-out/2014/09/19/ef7002cc-3de9-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"What writing 30,000 posts taught this financial planner,\"</a> Barry Ritholtz, author of the On Investing column, says that not only are many readers choosing to believe what they want to believe, but that their reading comprehension is abysmal. He writes:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Reading comprehension is terrible</strong>. I am astonished how many people lack the basic reading comprehension skills to understand a 500-word essay.</blockquote>\r\n(Note: This is part the last paragraph of his article appeared in the printed edition of the <em>Washington Post</em>, but is mysteriously missing from the online version of the article.)\r\n\r\nThis is sad and disturbing. Those of us who make our living from writing, depend on readers to understand what we say. If readers can\'t understand our ideas, then how are we going to make sure to get our point across? What is the point of writing? It doesn\'t matter how talented we are, if the readers don\'t get it, then it is not worth anything.\r\n\r\nWhat is behind this lack of reading comprehension? Is it that people are not being taught how to read well in school? Is it that people are stupid? Is it that writing has to be \"dumbed down\"? There\'s probably some element of all of these, but one bigger problem is that people are in a hurry. They are not taking the time to read closely.\r\n\r\nWe hear over and over how people are so busy. People are multi-tasking. People are frazzled. One consequence of this continual rush is that people are not paying attention to what they are reading.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you posted something or written an email including details about an upcoming event and the recipient will ask you for the exact information you have already provided. It happens to me all the time.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I wrote a short email to a friend telling her that I had missed seeing her at our book group and that I really didn\'t like the book.  She wrote back telling me that she has had some family issues, and what did I think of the book. Now, my email was five sentences long. One of those sentences was about the book. She clearly did not absorb what I wrote. Either she was preoccupied or in a hurry or both.\r\n\r\nIt seems people are no longer able to read closely. They skim through the information. In fact, when I teach my blogging workshop, I tell my participants that content should be scannable, since this is what people do when they read on the web.\r\n\r\nThis loss of reading comprehension concerns me. It makes me wonder how anybody is going to learn anything new, let alone anything complex. If we are promoting new products or ideas, this is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you noticed that you have to over-simplify ideas? Have you noticed that people just don\'t seem to pay attention?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is hurry killing reading comprehension?','','inherit','open','open','','2753-revision-v1','','','2014-09-22 16:01:58','2014-09-22 20:01:58','',2753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2753-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2755,4,'2014-09-22 16:06:00','2014-09-22 20:06:00','In his Sunday <em>Washington Post</em> article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/after-30000-posts-big-picture-blogger-has-figured-a-few-things-out/2014/09/19/ef7002cc-3de9-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"What writing 30,000 posts taught this financial planner,\"</a> Barry Ritholtz, author of the On Investing column, says that not only are many readers choosing to believe what they want to believe, but that their reading comprehension is abysmal. He writes:\n<blockquote><strong>Reading comprehension is terrible</strong>. I am astonished how many people lack the basic reading comprehension skills to understand a 500-word essay. I give every piece a second edit to figure out how lazy and biased readers are going misinterpret, misunderstand and just plain old miss the point of the post.</blockquote>\n(Note: This is part of the last paragraph of his article appeared in the printed edition of the <em>Washington Post</em>, but is mysteriously missing from the online version of the article.)\n\nThis is sad and disturbing. Those of us who make our living from writing, depend on readers to understand what we say. If readers can\'t understand our ideas, then how are we going to make sure to get our point across? What is the point of writing? It doesn\'t matter how talented we are, if the readers don\'t get it, then it is not worth anything.\n\nWhat is behind this lack of reading comprehension? Is it that people are not being taught how to read well in school? Is it that people are stupid? Is it that writing has to be \"dumbed down\"? There\'s probably some element of all of these, but one bigger problem is that people are in a hurry. They are not taking the time to read closely.\n\nWe hear over and over how people are so busy. People are multi-tasking. People are frazzled. One consequence of this continual rush is that people are not paying attention to what they are reading.\n\nHow many times have you posted something or written an email including details about an upcoming event and the recipient will ask you for the exact information you have already provided. It happens to me all the time.\n\nCase in point: I wrote a short email to a friend telling her that I had missed seeing her at our book group and that I really didn\'t like the book.  She wrote back telling me that she has had some family issues and hadn\'t finished reading the book, and she also wanted to know what I thought of the book. Now, my email was five sentences long. One of those sentences was about my opinion the book. She clearly did not absorb what I wrote. Either she was preoccupied or in a hurry or both.\n\nIt seems people are no longer able to read closely. They skim through the information. In fact, when I teach my blogging workshop, I tell my participants that content should be scannable, since this is what people do when they read on the web.\n\nThis loss of reading comprehension concerns me. It makes me wonder how anybody is going to learn anything new, let alone anything complex. If we are promoting new products or ideas, this is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.\n\nWhat do you think? Have you noticed that you have to over-simplify ideas? Have you noticed that people just don\'t seem to pay attention?\n\n&nbsp;','Is hurry killing reading comprehension?','','inherit','open','open','','2753-autosave-v1','','','2014-09-22 16:06:00','2014-09-22 20:06:00','',2753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2753-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2756,4,'2014-09-22 16:04:54','2014-09-22 20:04:54','In his Sunday <em>Washington Post</em> article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/after-30000-posts-big-picture-blogger-has-figured-a-few-things-out/2014/09/19/ef7002cc-3de9-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"What writing 30,000 posts taught this financial planner,\"</a> Barry Ritholtz, author of the On Investing column, says that not only are many readers choosing to believe what they want to believe, but that their reading comprehension is abysmal. He writes:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Reading comprehension is terrible</strong>. I am astonished how many people lack the basic reading comprehension skills to understand a 500-word essay. I give every piece a second edit to figure out how lazy and biased readers are going misinterpret, misunderstand and just plain old miss the point of the post.</blockquote>\r\n(Note: This is part the last paragraph of his article appeared in the printed edition of the <em>Washington Post</em>, but is mysteriously missing from the online version of the article.)\r\n\r\nThis is sad and disturbing. Those of us who make our living from writing, depend on readers to understand what we say. If readers can\'t understand our ideas, then how are we going to make sure to get our point across? What is the point of writing? It doesn\'t matter how talented we are, if the readers don\'t get it, then it is not worth anything.\r\n\r\nWhat is behind this lack of reading comprehension? Is it that people are not being taught how to read well in school? Is it that people are stupid? Is it that writing has to be \"dumbed down\"? There\'s probably some element of all of these, but one bigger problem is that people are in a hurry. They are not taking the time to read closely.\r\n\r\nWe hear over and over how people are so busy. People are multi-tasking. People are frazzled. One consequence of this continual rush is that people are not paying attention to what they are reading.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you posted something or written an email including details about an upcoming event and the recipient will ask you for the exact information you have already provided. It happens to me all the time.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I wrote a short email to a friend telling her that I had missed seeing her at our book group and that I really didn\'t like the book.  She wrote back telling me that she has had some family issues and hadn\'t finished reading the book, and she also wanted to know what I thought of the book. Now, my email was five sentences long. One of those sentences was about my opinion the book. She clearly did not absorb what I wrote. Either she was preoccupied or in a hurry or both.\r\n\r\nIt seems people are no longer able to read closely. They skim through the information. In fact, when I teach my blogging workshop, I tell my participants that content should be scannable, since this is what people do when they read on the web.\r\n\r\nThis loss of reading comprehension concerns me. It makes me wonder how anybody is going to learn anything new, let alone anything complex. If we are promoting new products or ideas, this is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you noticed that you have to over-simplify ideas? Have you noticed that people just don\'t seem to pay attention?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is hurry killing reading comprehension?','','inherit','open','open','','2753-revision-v1','','','2014-09-22 16:04:54','2014-09-22 20:04:54','',2753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2753-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2757,4,'2014-09-22 16:06:20','2014-09-22 20:06:20','In his Sunday <em>Washington Post</em> article <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/after-30000-posts-big-picture-blogger-has-figured-a-few-things-out/2014/09/19/ef7002cc-3de9-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"What writing 30,000 posts taught this financial planner,\"</a> Barry Ritholtz, author of the On Investing column, says that not only are many readers choosing to believe what they want to believe, but that their reading comprehension is abysmal. He writes:\r\n<blockquote><strong>Reading comprehension is terrible</strong>. I am astonished how many people lack the basic reading comprehension skills to understand a 500-word essay. I give every piece a second edit to figure out how lazy and biased readers are going misinterpret, misunderstand and just plain old miss the point of the post.</blockquote>\r\n(Note: This is part of the last paragraph of his article that appeared in the printed edition of the <em>Washington Post</em>, but which is mysteriously missing from the online version of the article.)\r\n\r\nThis is sad and disturbing. Those of us who make our living from writing, depend on readers to understand what we say. If readers can\'t understand our ideas, then how are we going to make sure to get our point across? What is the point of writing? It doesn\'t matter how talented we are, if the readers don\'t get it, then it is not worth anything.\r\n\r\nWhat is behind this lack of reading comprehension? Is it that people are not being taught how to read well in school? Is it that people are stupid? Is it that writing has to be \"dumbed down\"? There\'s probably some element of all of these, but one bigger problem is that people are in a hurry. They are not taking the time to read closely.\r\n\r\nWe hear over and over how people are so busy. People are multi-tasking. People are frazzled. One consequence of this continual rush is that people are not paying attention to what they are reading.\r\n\r\nHow many times have you posted something or written an email including details about an upcoming event and the recipient will ask you for the exact information you have already provided. It happens to me all the time.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I wrote a short email to a friend telling her that I had missed seeing her at our book group and that I really didn\'t like the book.  She wrote back telling me that she has had some family issues and hadn\'t finished reading the book, and she also wanted to know what I thought of the book. Now, my email was five sentences long. One of those sentences was about my opinion the book. She clearly did not absorb what I wrote. Either she was preoccupied or in a hurry or both.\r\n\r\nIt seems people are no longer able to read closely. They skim through the information. In fact, when I teach my blogging workshop, I tell my participants that content should be scannable, since this is what people do when they read on the web.\r\n\r\nThis loss of reading comprehension concerns me. It makes me wonder how anybody is going to learn anything new, let alone anything complex. If we are promoting new products or ideas, this is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Have you noticed that you have to over-simplify ideas? Have you noticed that people just don\'t seem to pay attention?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is hurry killing reading comprehension?','','inherit','open','open','','2753-revision-v1','','','2014-09-22 16:06:20','2014-09-22 20:06:20','',2753,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2753-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2759,4,'2014-09-29 11:43:13','2014-09-29 15:43:13','My nieces are a bit fussy when it comes to food. They don\'t really want to try foods they haven\'t had before. I once made a pasta dish, and my  four-year old niece looked at it with absolute horror. I told her she had to try it, and if she didn\'t like it, she didn\'t have to finish eating it. She tried it and she didn\'t like it (it had spinach in it, and she is not a fan since as she put it \"I don\'t like the green stuff\").\r\n\r\nSometimes you just don\'t know until you try, yet we seem to work hard to avoid finding out for ourselves. If we are researching hotels, we read reviews on travel advice sites. If we are looking for a service professional, we check out ratings. We ask around. We want information before we make a decision.\r\n\r\nJust today, I noticed what someone posted in a networking group in which I belong. She wanted to know about people\'s experiences with the group because she was considering joining. In my opinion, networking is personal. You will have your own experiences and it is always worth it to attend a meeting or two to get a sense of the people and if it is a right fit for you. What others feel is almost completely irrelevant.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>You just have to try it for yourself. Word of mouth and reviews can provide insight, but ultimately, what matters is how your experience goes.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The experience counts more</strong></span>\r\n\r\nSeveral weeks ago, I asked my Facebook friends if they had any handymen recommendations. My long-time handyman had retired due to injury and I needed someone to do a few things around the house. A friend passed on the name of someone who had done some work in his house. I contacted the handyman. He asked me to send him an email detailing what I needed done. He didn\'t respond. I called again. He assured me he would respond. He didn\'t. I called again. He was on vacation. Normally, I would have never contacted him again, but because he was recommended I did.\r\n\r\nFinally, about three months after my initial contact, the handyman came to  give me an estimate for the work. It seemed quite high but I scheduled the work since by this time I was desperate to get it done. The handyman sent two of his guys to do the work. They were nice enough but not highly skilled. They did not even have a tool kit with them (I had to give them a screwdriver!). They finished doing the work. The main handyman stuck with his original estimate. I questioned it and I ended up paying almost $200 less than he estimated (the work took one and a half hours and he had estimated five).  I tried working with this handyman based on a trusted friend\'s recommendation but the actual experience of working with him was not to my liking. I will not hire him again.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The marketing dilemma</strong></span>\r\n\r\nMany marketers spend time on getting positive reviews and referrals, and those can stimulate people to try a product or service. But ultimately, the customer/client experience is what counts. People will stick with something and recommend it only if the experience itself is good.\r\n\r\nThe dilemma for many marketers is that many times we are hired to stimulate interest, but have no control over the user experience. If a company has hired many marketers to try and drum up interest for a product or service, chances are it is not the marketing that is lacking. It may well be that the product or service is not living up to the marketing.\r\n\r\nWhat are your experiences with this? How does can marketing be better tied to user experience?','You won\'t know until you try','','publish','open','open','','you-wont-know-until-you-try','','','2014-09-29 11:43:13','2014-09-29 15:43:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2759',0,'post','',0),(2760,4,'2014-09-29 11:43:13','2014-09-29 15:43:13','My nieces are a bit fussy when it comes to food. They don\'t really want to try foods they haven\'t had before. I once made a pasta dish, and my  four-year old niece looked at it with absolute horror. I told her she had to try it, and if she didn\'t like it, she didn\'t have to finish eating it. She tried it and she didn\'t like it (it had spinach in it, and she is not a fan since as she put it \"I don\'t like the green stuff\").\r\n\r\nSometimes you just don\'t know until you try, yet we seem to work hard to avoid finding out for ourselves. If we are researching hotels, we read reviews on travel advice sites. If we are looking for a service professional, we check out ratings. We ask around. We want information before we make a decision.\r\n\r\nJust today, I noticed what someone posted in a networking group in which I belong. She wanted to know about people\'s experiences with the group because she was considering joining. In my opinion, networking is personal. You will have your own experiences and it is always worth it to attend a meeting or two to get a sense of the people and if it is a right fit for you. What others feel is almost completely irrelevant.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>You just have to try it for yourself. Word of mouth and reviews can provide insight, but ultimately, what matters is how your experience goes.</strong></em>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The experience counts more</strong></span>\r\n\r\nSeveral weeks ago, I asked my Facebook friends if they had any handymen recommendations. My long-time handyman had retired due to injury and I needed someone to do a few things around the house. A friend passed on the name of someone who had done some work in his house. I contacted the handyman. He asked me to send him an email detailing what I needed done. He didn\'t respond. I called again. He assured me he would respond. He didn\'t. I called again. He was on vacation. Normally, I would have never contacted him again, but because he was recommended I did.\r\n\r\nFinally, about three months after my initial contact, the handyman came to  give me an estimate for the work. It seemed quite high but I scheduled the work since by this time I was desperate to get it done. The handyman sent two of his guys to do the work. They were nice enough but not highly skilled. They did not even have a tool kit with them (I had to give them a screwdriver!). They finished doing the work. The main handyman stuck with his original estimate. I questioned it and I ended up paying almost $200 less than he estimated (the work took one and a half hours and he had estimated five).  I tried working with this handyman based on a trusted friend\'s recommendation but the actual experience of working with him was not to my liking. I will not hire him again.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The marketing dilemma</strong></span>\r\n\r\nMany marketers spend time on getting positive reviews and referrals, and those can stimulate people to try a product or service. But ultimately, the customer/client experience is what counts. People will stick with something and recommend it only if the experience itself is good.\r\n\r\nThe dilemma for many marketers is that many times we are hired to stimulate interest, but have no control over the user experience. If a company has hired many marketers to try and drum up interest for a product or service, chances are it is not the marketing that is lacking. It may well be that the product or service is not living up to the marketing.\r\n\r\nWhat are your experiences with this? How does can marketing be better tied to user experience?','You won\'t know until you try','','inherit','open','open','','2759-revision-v1','','','2014-09-29 11:43:13','2014-09-29 15:43:13','',2759,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/09/2759-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2763,4,'2014-10-09 10:20:16','2014-10-09 14:20:16','Recently, I was forced to connect through Miami International Airport (MIA). For most people who fly to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, MIA is the departure point and the first port of entry into the United States. If you are traveling on American Airlines, you will most likely be in Terminal D, a newish terminal with 60 gates than probably covers nearly a mile and serves American flights exclusively. On both the outbound and inbound legs of my journey I had about three hours to spend in Terminal D. My experience shows me that MIA views customers (passengers) as a source of revenue--a cash cow. All the food is overpriced. A slice of pizza is $5. A bagel sandwich is $8. Things that would cost half as much out on Main Street. Water is $3.  There\'s shopping at MIA, Thomas Pink and Burberry and of course Duty Free. Duty Free is one of the biggest scams at the airport--all it means is that you won\'t pay taxes on the item, but the store is free to charge what it likes on it.','How do you view your customers?','','inherit','open','open','','2762-revision-v1','','','2014-10-09 10:20:16','2014-10-09 14:20:16','',2762,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2762-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2765,4,'2014-10-09 15:23:48','2014-10-09 19:23:48','Deborah Brody Marketing Communications works with businesses and non-profit organizations. We have experience with various industries, including hospitality/tourism, financial, real estate, marketing, legal and software development.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clients have included:</strong>\r\n\r\nACTON Marketing\r\nAlexandria Education\r\n\r\nBNA\r\nB’nai B’rith International\r\nCaribbean Basin Enterprise\r\n\r\nDKD New Media\r\nHotel Presidente (Costa Rica)\r\n\r\nFrontPoint Security\r\n\r\nKARRASS\r\nLaw Offices of Jason Warshofsky\r\nMemorable Costa Rica\r\n\r\nMiCORE Solutions, Inc.\r\n\r\nPebbles of Hope\r\nSimply Savvy Events\r\n\r\nSperry Van Ness\r\nStarWave Associates\r\nStateTrust Group\r\nStreamline Communications\r\nStudio Twenty-Two\r\n\r\nSW Creatives\r\nTabacon Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)\r\nThe Gary Rosenthal Collection','Clients','','inherit','open','open','','38-revision-v1','','','2014-10-09 15:23:48','2014-10-09 19:23:48','',38,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/38-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2766,4,'2014-10-09 15:26:10','2014-10-09 19:26:10','<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong>\r\n\r\n--case study coming soon!','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2014-10-09 15:26:10','2014-10-09 19:26:10','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2767,4,'2014-10-10 10:53:38','2014-10-10 14:53:38','A couple of weeks ago I was at Ronald Reagan National Airport waiting for a flight to Miami. I was checking my email, Twitter, etc. on my phone, when the woman next to me asked me in Spanish if the flight was about to leave. Luckily (for her) I speak Spanish, and I told her that no, not yet. I pointed at the podium, which was empty, and explained that the plane was not yet in and that when we got ready to board, there would be someone there making announcements.\r\n\r\nShe told me she was headed to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).  She showed me her boarding pass, and I pointed out her seat number and her group number, explaining she needed to wait for her group number to be called. Unfortunately, she spoke no English. None. I asked her if she had ever traveled before. She hadn\'t.\r\n\r\nHere she was, about to embark on an international flight, and she had not the faintest idea of what was going on or how to navigate the boarding process, which most of us take for granted. In Miami, she would be OK, since the announcements are made in both English and Spanish, but in Washington, the announcements are all in English. If I hadn\'t been sitting there (and been a Spanish speaker), I am not sure how she would have figured it out.\r\n\r\nWhich brings me to a marketing question: who do you communicate to?\r\n\r\n<strong>Everybody?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t communicate with everybody, obviously. There are too many variables. There\'s language obviously, and then there\'s level of knowledge. Do you assume that your audience knows certain things or do you explain everything thoroughly?\r\n\r\n<strong>Some?</strong>\r\n\r\nChances are, most communicators are aiming to reach only some of the total audience. This is called the target audience. Communications are tailored for the representative member of the target audience. So, in the DCA example of above, the gate agent speaks in English only because most of his audience speaks English.\r\n\r\n<strong>Nobody?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf nobody understands your message, then your communications are in serious trouble. You are making strategic and tactical mistakes. It has happened at the Miami airport, on flights to Spanish-speaking countries, the gate agents don\'t speak a bit of Spanish (and if they do, heavy accents and bad translating make it virtually impossible to understand).  Very few people understand and everybody is confused.\r\n\r\n<strong>When making communication decisions, you must consider your target audience (and then some). You will choose language, complexity of message, and what will resonate based on how you can reach the majority of your target. You will not communicate with everybody. But if you are communicating with nobody, then you have a problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you communicating with everybody, somebody, or nobody?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-communicating-with-everybody-somebody-or-nobody','','','2014-10-10 10:53:38','2014-10-10 14:53:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2767',0,'post','',0),(2768,4,'2014-10-09 16:49:28','2014-10-09 20:49:28','A couple of weeks ago I was at Ronald Reagan National Airport waiting for a flight to Miami. I was checking my email, Twitter, etc. on my phone, when the woman next to me asked me in Spanish if the flight was about to leave. Luckily (for her) I speak Spanish, and I told her that no, not yet. I pointed at the podium, which was empty, and explained that the plane was not yet in and that when we got ready to board, there would be someone there making announcements.\r\n\r\nShe told me she was headed to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).  She showed me her boarding pass, and I pointed out her seat number and her group number, explaining she needed to wait for her group number to be called. Unfortunately, she spoke no English. None. I asked her if she had ever traveled before. She hadn\'t.\r\n\r\nHere she was, about to embark on an international flight, and she had not the faintest idea of what was going on or how to navigate the boarding process, which most of us take for granted. In Miami, she would be OK, since the announcements are made in both English and Spanish, but in Washington, the announcements are all in English. If I hadn\'t been sitting there (and been a Spanish speaker), I am not sure how she would have figured it out.\r\n\r\nWhich brings me to a marketing question: who do you communicate to? You can\'t communicate with everybody, obviously. There are too many variables. Can you imagine if you made all announcements in several languages (although in Canada they are required to make all announcements in French and English).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you communicating with everybody, somebody, or nobody?','','inherit','open','open','','2767-revision-v1','','','2014-10-09 16:49:28','2014-10-09 20:49:28','',2767,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2767-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2769,4,'2014-10-10 10:53:38','2014-10-10 14:53:38','A couple of weeks ago I was at Ronald Reagan National Airport waiting for a flight to Miami. I was checking my email, Twitter, etc. on my phone, when the woman next to me asked me in Spanish if the flight was about to leave. Luckily (for her) I speak Spanish, and I told her that no, not yet. I pointed at the podium, which was empty, and explained that the plane was not yet in and that when we got ready to board, there would be someone there making announcements.\r\n\r\nShe told me she was headed to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).  She showed me her boarding pass, and I pointed out her seat number and her group number, explaining she needed to wait for her group number to be called. Unfortunately, she spoke no English. None. I asked her if she had ever traveled before. She hadn\'t.\r\n\r\nHere she was, about to embark on an international flight, and she had not the faintest idea of what was going on or how to navigate the boarding process, which most of us take for granted. In Miami, she would be OK, since the announcements are made in both English and Spanish, but in Washington, the announcements are all in English. If I hadn\'t been sitting there (and been a Spanish speaker), I am not sure how she would have figured it out.\r\n\r\nWhich brings me to a marketing question: who do you communicate to?\r\n\r\n<strong>Everybody?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t communicate with everybody, obviously. There are too many variables. There\'s language obviously, and then there\'s level of knowledge. Do you assume that your audience knows certain things or do you explain everything thoroughly?\r\n\r\n<strong>Some?</strong>\r\n\r\nChances are, most communicators are aiming to reach only some of the total audience. This is called the target audience. Communications are tailored for the representative member of the target audience. So, in the DCA example of above, the gate agent speaks in English only because most of his audience speaks English.\r\n\r\n<strong>Nobody?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf nobody understands your message, then your communications are in serious trouble. You are making strategic and tactical mistakes. It has happened at the Miami airport, on flights to Spanish-speaking countries, the gate agents don\'t speak a bit of Spanish (and if they do, heavy accents and bad translating make it virtually impossible to understand).  Very few people understand and everybody is confused.\r\n\r\n<strong>When making communication decisions, you must consider your target audience (and then some). You will choose language, complexity of message, and what will resonate based on how you can reach the majority of your target. You will not communicate with everybody. But if you are communicating with nobody, then you have a problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you communicating with everybody, somebody, or nobody?','','inherit','open','open','','2767-revision-v1','','','2014-10-10 10:53:38','2014-10-10 14:53:38','',2767,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2767-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2770,4,'2014-10-15 09:39:12','2014-10-15 13:39:12','Recently, I was forced to connect through Miami International Airport (MIA). For most people who fly to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, MIA is the departure point and the first port of entry into the United States. If you are traveling on American Airlines, you will most likely be in Terminal D, a newish terminal with 60 gates covering close to a mile in length and serving American flights exclusively. On both the outbound and inbound legs of my journey I had about three hours to spend in Terminal D.\r\n\r\nI went looking for food. A veggie burger at a \"sit-down\" restaurant was $15. A slice of pizza was $5.  A bagel sandwich at a large national chain is $8. The fish and chips I had an \"Irish pub\" was overpriced and had an 18% service charge tacked on automatically. All this would cost half as much out on Main Street.\r\n\r\nSo you are done eating. Now what? You could shop at MIA. You could spend big bucks on a Burberry coat or buy a Britto sculpture. Or maybe browse some electronics, jewelry or the duty free store.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you want to check your email. Well, at MIA this is going to cost you. No free Wi-Fi here. Not even at Starbucks, which offers free Wi-Fi at its non-MIA locations.\r\n\r\nMy point is that MIA wants you to spend a lot of money while you wait for your flight. It seems the airport authority is not interested in making travel anything more than expensive.\r\n\r\nJust 30 miles north of MIA is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport. The airport does not offer much in the way of dining, shopping or entertainment but it does offer free Wi-Fi airport-wide. Then again, Fort Lauderdale serves a lot of domestic flights.','How do you view your customers?','','inherit','open','open','','2762-revision-v1','','','2014-10-15 09:39:12','2014-10-15 13:39:12','',2762,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2762-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2772,4,'2014-10-15 14:13:58','2014-10-15 18:13:58','In this age of social media, we always have an outlet for our thoughts, whether they be insightful and informative, or whether to express our frustrations and complaints.\r\n\r\nIf we want to share golden nugget from a conference, there\'s Twitter and a hashtag. If we want to lash out at our boss, there\'s Facebook (where we aren\'t friends with our boss). If we want to rant (or rave) about anything, we can post about it at length on our blog.\r\n\r\nMost of the time, there\'s no harm done. Except if you post when you are angry.\r\n\r\nWhen you are angry, you are caught up in the (negative) emotion of the moment. You are looking either to vent your frustration or to exact some sort of revenge. When you vent in anger in person (and not on social media), there are often (immediate) consequences. You may insult or offend someone and ruin your relationship with that person. You may escalate a situation (and in some cases, this can even lead to violence).  Or you may blow off steam, and calm down.\r\n\r\nBut when you are angry and you post on social media, the consequences can be greater and more long-lasting. Social media is the great amplifier. Your angry thoughts can go viral. And even more so, they became permanent. They can\'t be easily retracted. They are searchable and they can definitely be attributed to you.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve seen case upon case of people tweeting in anger (whether justified or not), and then facing consequences. There have been a few cases of passengers getting booted off a flight. Or people being fired for tweeting something.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Anger does not allow you to think clearly. You may not see the consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Angry and about to post? Take a pause. Put your thought into a draft. Wait.</strong>\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I had an unfortunate meeting with someone and I felt very angry and upset afterward. I came home and wrote a blog post, which would have upset that person had I published it. Instead, I wrote it and let it sit in the draft file. I still haven\'t published it. My anger is gone, and now I realize I don\'t necessarily want to have those thoughts, about a specific person and meeting to be \"on the record.\" Perhaps what happened was not as bad as I perceived it. Perhaps this person meant no harm.\r\n\r\nIf you must vent, write it but don\'t tweet it.  As a speaker at an event a couple of years ago said (I wish I could remember her name):\r\n<blockquote><strong>Never Twitter when you\'re bitter.</strong></blockquote>\r\n<strong>So, write it. But don\'t post it...yet. Come back to it when you are not as angry and frustrated.</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you are calm, and revisiting your post ask yourself these questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Do you really want to put it on the record?</li>\r\n	<li>Is this important enough to ruffle feathers?</li>\r\n	<li>What do you expect to gain from this?</li>\r\n	<li>And, is it worth it?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave you regretted posting something you wrote while you were angry? What were the consequences?','Angry and posting? What you should do instead.','','publish','open','open','','angry-and-posting-what-you-should-do-instead','','','2014-10-15 14:13:58','2014-10-15 18:13:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2772',0,'post','',2),(2773,4,'2014-10-15 14:13:58','2014-10-15 18:13:58','In this age of social media, we always have an outlet for our thoughts, whether they be insightful and informative, or whether to express our frustrations and complaints.\r\n\r\nIf we want to share golden nugget from a conference, there\'s Twitter and a hashtag. If we want to lash out at our boss, there\'s Facebook (where we aren\'t friends with our boss). If we want to rant (or rave) about anything, we can post about it at length on our blog.\r\n\r\nMost of the time, there\'s no harm done. Except if you post when you are angry.\r\n\r\nWhen you are angry, you are caught up in the (negative) emotion of the moment. You are looking either to vent your frustration or to exact some sort of revenge. When you vent in anger in person (and not on social media), there are often (immediate) consequences. You may insult or offend someone and ruin your relationship with that person. You may escalate a situation (and in some cases, this can even lead to violence).  Or you may blow off steam, and calm down.\r\n\r\nBut when you are angry and you post on social media, the consequences can be greater and more long-lasting. Social media is the great amplifier. Your angry thoughts can go viral. And even more so, they became permanent. They can\'t be easily retracted. They are searchable and they can definitely be attributed to you.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve seen case upon case of people tweeting in anger (whether justified or not), and then facing consequences. There have been a few cases of passengers getting booted off a flight. Or people being fired for tweeting something.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Anger does not allow you to think clearly. You may not see the consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Angry and about to post? Take a pause. Put your thought into a draft. Wait.</strong>\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I had an unfortunate meeting with someone and I felt very angry and upset afterward. I came home and wrote a blog post, which would have upset that person had I published it. Instead, I wrote it and let it sit in the draft file. I still haven\'t published it. My anger is gone, and now I realize I don\'t necessarily want to have those thoughts, about a specific person and meeting to be \"on the record.\" Perhaps what happened was not as bad as I perceived it. Perhaps this person meant no harm.\r\n\r\nIf you must vent, write it but don\'t tweet it.  As a speaker at an event a couple of years ago said (I wish I could remember her name):\r\n<blockquote><strong>Never Twitter when you\'re bitter.</strong></blockquote>\r\n<strong>So, write it. But don\'t post it...yet. Come back to it when you are not as angry and frustrated.</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you are calm, and revisiting your post ask yourself these questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Do you really want to put it on the record?</li>\r\n	<li>Is this important enough to ruffle feathers?</li>\r\n	<li>What do you expect to gain from this?</li>\r\n	<li>And, is it worth it?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHave you regretted posting something you wrote while you were angry? What were the consequences?','Angry and posting? What you should do instead.','','inherit','open','open','','2772-revision-v1','','','2014-10-15 14:13:58','2014-10-15 18:13:58','',2772,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2772-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2774,4,'2014-10-21 09:35:09','2014-10-21 13:35:09','Note:<a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> AMADC </a>is the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) , which is a membership organization with chapters around the country. I am not a member of the AMA or AMADC, although I have attended its events in the past.\r\n\r\nLast Friday, the AMADC tweeted about its upcoming happy hour (or AMA Networking Events as they call them) at a DC restaurant. I clicked on the link and found out that to attend the happy hour, non-members must pay $45 while members can attend free. According to what I saw, the happy hour/networking event is a chance to mingle with other people. This is a description from the AMADC website:\r\n<blockquote>AMADC Networking Events are the place to get dialed into the DC marketing community. Make alliances for your business, find your next great employee, get active in the AMA, get career advice or maybe get your next job. Be sure to bring a ton of business cards, you are going to need them</blockquote>\r\nThere is no program, no speaker and at least from what I can see, no food or drink included in the price of admission. Just a chance to meet people (maybe).\r\n\r\nHere\'s my conversation with AMADC on Twitter:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\" alt=\"amadc\" width=\"598\" height=\"807\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAccording to the @AMADC response above, the free happy hour for members is a \"main benefit of membership.\" This however, is not even mentioned in the <a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/membership/local-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">AMADC\'s website membership benefits page</a>.\r\n\r\n(Annual membership in AMADC is $285, of which $220 is for national dues and $65 for chapter dues.)\r\n\r\n<strong>So, what is the marketing/strategic goal for the AMADC happy hours? Is the goal to reach non-members and show them value?\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAre these happy hours simply membership perks? If so, fine. If I am understanding this correctly, members get to feel as though they are \"saving\" $45 for each \"networking event.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a question though: members don\'t have to pay extra to attend. And while this may be a benefit of membership, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">just how valuable is it?</span> <em>Remember cost is not equivalent to value. </em>\r\n\r\nBut, if these happy hours/networking events are also a chance to reach out to non-members and perhaps even to recruit new members, then charging $45 is not accomplishing that goal. I can tell you that from experience, specifically with the AMADC.\r\n\r\nWhen I first moved to DC nearly ten years ago, I attended one of the AMADC happy hours at a bar downtown. The cost then was $25 (why the nearly 100% increase is another question).  I got to the bar, where I knew nobody.  There was a section reserved for the AMA ( right off the main bar, and not even clearly marked off). They offered no snacks, or drinks (or even discount drinks other than the regular happy hour stuff ). There were no name tags. Nobody offered to act as an AMA ambassador and welcome people. I tried talking to a couple of people but having a conversation over the bar\'s loud background noise was near impossible. In short, it was a waste of time and money. I could\'ve just gone to the bar on my own, ordered a beer, sat right next to the AMA DC section, and gotten as much out of it while saving $25.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to be in line with other organizations in town?</strong>\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the other membership organizations in town also host monthly happy hours, however, this charge of $45 for a happy hour is the highest I have seen. For example, <a href=\"http://www.iabcdcmetro.org/\" target=\"_blank\">IABCDC</a> does not charge for its happy hours. Everyone pays for what they consume. Various communications meetups such as DC PR Flacks don\'t charge either. The <a href=\"https://www.prsa-ncc.org/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA-NCC </a> charges everyone for its PRO Net happy hours ($10 for members and $15 for non-members) but the fee includes a free drink and appetizers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to encourage networking among members?</strong>\r\n\r\nOther organizations charge between $35 and $65 for non-members to attend chapter meetings, professional development events or luncheons/dinners. In fact, AMADC charges $50 to non-members and $30 for members for its professional development events. Bear in mind that at a professional development event or at a meal, people are getting a tangible benefit.\r\n\r\nWhy would networking be considered a more important benefit than professional development? Why not make professional development the perk of membership?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to make money off networking events?</strong>\r\n\r\nObviously, when there is a cost involved for the organization (the meal, the room rental, etc.), there is a reason to charge both members and non-members. Many organizations use sponsorships to defray the overhead costs, and so that they can offer discounts to their members. For the upcoming AMADC happy hour, a local organization is sponsoring the event.  Since people have to pay for their drinks and food, there is no cost to the AMADC other than a room rental or guarantee fee, which I assume is being covered by the sponsorship. The non-member fee would seem to be a money-maker.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to show non-members what they would save?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the AMADC is imagining a scenario where a non-member signs up for this event, has a wonderful time and makes a lot of new contacts, and figures that if he or she signs up for membership, he/she could go to this events \"for free\" thus \"saving\" $45.\r\n\r\n<strong>So what are the AMADC\'s goals?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t know and I can\'t tell what the AMADC\'s goals are. It\'s not clear to me what it is aiming to accomplish by charging so much for a happy hour. In my opinion, there is little value to a happy hour and very little reason to spend $45 to attend one. Yes, I understand there is a networking opportunity. But as mentioned above, there are many other free and lower cost opportunities in town. Plus, going to a happy hour at a loud bar is not necessarily the best way to network.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Would you pay this fee? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s the goal behind the AMADC\'s $45 happy hour?','','publish','open','open','','whats-the-goal-for-the-45-happy-hour','','','2014-10-21 09:35:09','2014-10-21 13:35:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2774',0,'post','',2),(2775,4,'2014-10-17 13:24:36','2014-10-17 17:24:36','','amadc','','inherit','open','open','','amadc','','','2014-10-17 13:24:36','2014-10-17 17:24:36','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.bmp',0,'attachment','image/bmp',0),(2776,4,'2014-10-17 13:29:25','2014-10-17 17:29:25','','amadc','','inherit','open','open','','amadc-2','','','2014-10-17 13:29:25','2014-10-17 17:29:25','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2777,4,'2014-10-17 14:13:56','2014-10-17 18:13:56','Note: AMADC is the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) , which is a membership organization with chapters around the country. I am not a member of AMADC.\r\n\r\nEarlier today, the AMADC tweeted out about their upcoming happy hour (or AMA Networking Events as they call them) at a DC restaurant. I clicked on the link and found out that to attend the happy hour, non-members must pay $45 while members can attend free. According to what I saw, the happy hour/networking event is a chance to mingle with other people. This is a description from the AMADC website:\r\n<blockquote>AMADC Networking Events are the place to get dialed into the DC marketing community. Make alliances for your business, find your next great employee, get active in the AMA, get career advice or maybe get your next job. Be sure to bring a ton of business cards, you are going to need them</blockquote>\r\nThere is no program, no speaker and at least from what I saw, no food or drink included in the price of admission. Just a chance to meet people (maybe).\r\n\r\nHere\'s my response:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776 size-full\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\" alt=\"amadc\" width=\"1296\" height=\"864\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAccording to the @AMADC response above, the free happy hour for members is a \"main benefit of membership.\" This however, is not even mentioned in the <a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/membership/local-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">AMADC\'s website membership benefits page</a>.\r\n\r\n(Annual membership in AMADC is $285, of which $220 is for national dues and $65 for chapter dues.)\r\n\r\nIf I am understanding this correctly, members get to feel as though they are \"saving\" $45 for each \"networking event. \"They don\'t have to pay extra to attend. And while this may be a benefit of membership, just how valuable is it? <strong>Remember cost is not equivalent to value. </strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps a better question is what is the reason or goal for the AMADC happy hours? Are they simply membership perks? If so, fine. But, if these happy hours/networking events are also a chance to reach out to non-members and perhaps even to recruit new members, then charging $45 is not accomplishing that goal. I can tell you that from experience, specifically with the AMADC.\r\n\r\nWhen I first moved to DC nearly ten years ago, I attended one of the AMADC happy hours at a bar downtown. The cost then was $25 (why the nearly 100% increase is another question, considering that AMADC is not providing anything).  I got to the bar, where I knew nobody.  There was a section reserved for the AMA (not in a private room, but right off the main bar, and not even clearly marked off). They offered no snacks, or drinks (or even discount drinks other than the regular happy hour stuff ). There were no name tags or e. Nobody offered to act as an AMA ambassador. I talked to a couple of folks, but trying to have a conversation over the game blaring on the TV sets was near impossible. In short, it was a colossal waste of time and money. I could\'ve just gone to the bar, ordered a beer, sat right next to the AMA DC section, and saved myself $25.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the other membership organizations in town also host monthly happy hours. For the record, this charge of $45 for a happy hour is the highest I have seen for this type of event. For example, IABCDC does not charge for its happy hours. Various communications meetups such as DC Flacks don\'t charge either. Some do charge admission (like the PRSA), but include a drink and/or appetizers.\r\n\r\nOther organizations charge between $35 and $65 for nonmembers to attend chapter meetings, professional development events or luncheons/dinners. In fact, AMADC charges $50 to nonmembers and $30 for members for its professional development events. At a professional development event or meal, people are getting a tangible benefit. People pay for the chance to learn something or to eat something all the time.\r\n\r\nWhy would networking be considered a more important benefit than professional development? Why not make professional development the perk of membership?\r\n\r\nObviously, when there is a cost involved for the organization (the meal, the room rental, etc.), there is a reason to charge both members and non-members. Many organizations use sponsorships to defray the overhead charges, and so that they can offer discounts to their members. For the upcoming AMADC happy hour, there is a organization sponsoring the event. In fact, I would venture that the organization is not paying anything for the happy hour, and will in fact be making money from any non-members who attend. Perhaps then, the cost is to make money for the organization.\r\n\r\nStill, I would like to know what a non-member is getting for his/her $45 investment. Yes, I understand there is a networking opportunity. But as mentioned above, there are many other free and lower cost opportunities in town. Plus going to a happy hour at a loud bar is not necessarily the best way to network.\r\n\r\nAMADC should decide whether it is trying to attract new members or not and how to best do it. In my opinion, charging $45 for\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why $45 is too much for a happy hour and what AMADC should do instead','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-v1','','','2014-10-17 14:13:56','2014-10-17 18:13:56','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2774-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2778,4,'2014-10-17 14:18:34','2014-10-17 18:18:34','Note: AMADC is the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) , which is a membership organization with chapters around the country. I am not a member of AMADC.\r\n\r\nEarlier today, the AMADC tweeted out about their upcoming happy hour (or AMA Networking Events as they call them) at a DC restaurant. I clicked on the link and found out that to attend the happy hour, non-members must pay $45 while members can attend free. According to what I saw, the happy hour/networking event is a chance to mingle with other people. This is a description from the AMADC website:\r\n<blockquote>AMADC Networking Events are the place to get dialed into the DC marketing community. Make alliances for your business, find your next great employee, get active in the AMA, get career advice or maybe get your next job. Be sure to bring a ton of business cards, you are going to need them</blockquote>\r\nThere is no program, no speaker and at least from what I can see, no food or drink included in the price of admission. Just a chance to meet people (maybe).\r\n\r\nHere\'s my response:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776 size-full\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\" alt=\"amadc\" width=\"1296\" height=\"864\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAccording to the @AMADC response above, the free happy hour for members is a \"main benefit of membership.\" This however, is not even mentioned in the <a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/membership/local-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">AMADC\'s website membership benefits page</a>.\r\n\r\n(Annual membership in AMADC is $285, of which $220 is for national dues and $65 for chapter dues.)\r\n\r\nIf I am understanding this correctly, members get to feel as though they are \"saving\" $45 for each \"networking event. \"They don\'t have to pay extra to attend. And while this may be a benefit of membership, just how valuable is it? <strong>Remember cost is not equivalent to value. </strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps a better question is what is the reason or goal for the AMADC happy hours? Are they simply membership perks? If so, fine. But, if these happy hours/networking events are also a chance to reach out to non-members and perhaps even to recruit new members, then charging $45 is not accomplishing that goal. I can tell you that from experience, specifically with the AMADC.\r\n\r\nWhen I first moved to DC nearly ten years ago, I attended one of the AMADC happy hours at a bar downtown. The cost then was $25 (why the nearly 100% increase is another question, considering that AMADC is not providing anything).  I got to the bar, where I knew nobody.  There was a section reserved for the AMA (not in a private room, but right off the main bar, and not even clearly marked off). They offered no snacks, or drinks (or even discount drinks other than the regular happy hour stuff ). There were no name tags or e. Nobody offered to act as an AMA ambassador. I talked to a couple of folks, but trying to have a conversation over the game blaring on the TV sets was near impossible. In short, it was a colossal waste of time and money. I could\'ve just gone to the bar, ordered a beer, sat right next to the AMA DC section, and saved myself $25.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the other membership organizations in town also host monthly happy hours. For the record, this charge of $45 for a happy hour is the highest I have seen for this type of event. For example, IABCDC does not charge for its happy hours. Various communications meetups such as DC Flacks don\'t charge either. Some do charge admission (like the PRSA), but include a drink and/or appetizers.\r\n\r\nOther organizations charge between $35 and $65 for nonmembers to attend chapter meetings, professional development events or luncheons/dinners. In fact, AMADC charges $50 to nonmembers and $30 for members for its professional development events. At a professional development event or meal, people are getting a tangible benefit. People pay for the chance to learn something or to eat something all the time.\r\n\r\nWhy would networking be considered a more important benefit than professional development? Why not make professional development the perk of membership?\r\n\r\nObviously, when there is a cost involved for the organization (the meal, the room rental, etc.), there is a reason to charge both members and non-members. Many organizations use sponsorships to defray the overhead charges, and so that they can offer discounts to their members. For the upcoming AMADC happy hour, there is a organization sponsoring the event. In fact, I would venture that the organization is not paying anything for the happy hour, and will in fact be making money from any non-members who attend. Perhaps then, the cost is to make money for the organization.\r\n\r\nStill, I would like to know what a non-member is getting for his/her $45 investment. Yes, I understand there is a networking opportunity. But as mentioned above, there are many other free and lower cost opportunities in town. Plus going to a happy hour at a loud bar is not necessarily the best way to network.\r\n\r\nAMADC should decide whether it is trying to attract new members or not and how to best do it. In my opinion, charging $45 for\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why $45 is too much for a happy hour and what AMADC should do instead','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-v1','','','2014-10-17 14:18:34','2014-10-17 18:18:34','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2774-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2779,4,'2014-10-21 09:29:14','2014-10-21 13:29:14','Note:<a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> AMADC </a>is the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) , which is a membership organization with chapters around the country. I am not a member of the AMA or AMADC, although I have attended their events in the past.\r\n\r\nLast Friday, the AMADC tweeted about their upcoming happy hour (or AMA Networking Events as they call them) at a DC restaurant. I clicked on the link and found out that to attend the happy hour, non-members must pay $45 while members can attend free. According to what I saw, the happy hour/networking event is a chance to mingle with other people. This is a description from the AMADC website:\r\n<blockquote>AMADC Networking Events are the place to get dialed into the DC marketing community. Make alliances for your business, find your next great employee, get active in the AMA, get career advice or maybe get your next job. Be sure to bring a ton of business cards, you are going to need them</blockquote>\r\nThere is no program, no speaker and at least from what I can see, no food or drink included in the price of admission. Just a chance to meet people (maybe).\r\n\r\nHere\'s my conversation with AMADC on Twitter:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\" alt=\"amadc\" width=\"598\" height=\"807\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAccording to the @AMADC response above, the free happy hour for members is a \"main benefit of membership.\" This however, is not even mentioned in the <a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/membership/local-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">AMADC\'s website membership benefits page</a>.\r\n\r\n(Annual membership in AMADC is $285, of which $220 is for national dues and $65 for chapter dues.)\r\n\r\n<strong>So, what is the marketing/strategic goal for the AMADC happy hours? Is the goal to reach non-members and show them value?</strong>\r\n\r\nAre these happy hours simply membership perks? If so, fine. If I am understanding this correctly, members get to feel as though they are \"saving\" $45 for each \"networking event.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a question though: members don\'t have to pay extra to attend. And while this may be a benefit of membership, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">just how valuable is it?</span> <em>Remember cost is not equivalent to value. </em>\r\n\r\nBut, if these happy hours/networking events are also a chance to reach out to non-members and perhaps even to recruit new members, then charging $45 is not accomplishing that goal. I can tell you that from experience, specifically with the AMADC.\r\n\r\nWhen I first moved to DC nearly ten years ago, I attended one of the AMADC happy hours at a bar downtown. The cost then was $25 (why the nearly 100% increase is another question).  I got to the bar, where I knew nobody.  There was a section reserved for the AMA ( right off the main bar, and not even clearly marked off). They offered no snacks, or drinks (or even discount drinks other than the regular happy hour stuff ). There were no name tags. Nobody offered to act as an AMA ambassador and welcome people. I tried talking to a couple of people but having a conversation over the bar\'s loud background noise was near impossible. In short, it was a waste of time and money. I could\'ve just gone to the bar on my own, ordered a beer, sat right next to the AMA DC section, and gotten as much out of it while saving $25.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to be in line with other organizations in town?</strong>\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the other membership organizations in town also host monthly happy hours, however, this charge of $45 for a happy hour is the highest I have seen. For example, <a href=\"http://www.iabcdcmetro.org/\" target=\"_blank\">IABCDC</a> does not charge for its happy hours. Everyone pays for what they consume. Various communications meetups such as DC PR Flacks don\'t charge either. The <a href=\"https://www.prsa-ncc.org/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA-NCC </a> charges everyone for its PRO Net happy hours ($10 for members and $15 for non-members) but the fee includes a free drink and appetizers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to encourage networking among members?</strong>\r\n\r\nOther organizations charge between $35 and $65 for non-members to attend chapter meetings, professional development events or luncheons/dinners. In fact, AMADC charges $50 to non-members and $30 for members for its professional development events. Bear in mind that at a professional development event or at a meal, people are getting a tangible benefit.\r\n\r\nWhy would networking be considered a more important benefit than professional development? Why not make professional development the perk of membership?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to make money off networking events?</strong>\r\n\r\nObviously, when there is a cost involved for the organization (the meal, the room rental, etc.), there is a reason to charge both members and non-members. Many organizations use sponsorships to defray the overhead costs, and so that they can offer discounts to their members. For the upcoming AMADC happy hour, a local organization is sponsoring the event.  Since people have to pay for their drinks and food, there is no cost to the AMADC other than a room rental or guarantee fee, which I assume is being covered by the sponsorship. The non-member fee would seem to be a money-maker.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to show non-members what they would save?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the AMADC is imagining a scenario where a non-member signs up for this event, has a wonderful time and makes a lot of new contacts, and figures that if he or she signs up for membership, he/she could go to this events \"for free\" thus \"saving\" $45.\r\n\r\n<strong>So what are the AMADC\'s goals?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t know what the AMADC\'s goals are. It\'s not clear to me what it is aiming to accomplish by charging so much for a happy hour. In my opinion, there is little value to a happy hour and very little reason to spend $45 to attend one. Yes, I understand there is a networking opportunity. But as mentioned above, there are many other free and lower cost opportunities in town. Plus, going to a happy hour at a loud bar is not necessarily the best way to network.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Would you pay this fee? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s the goal behind the AMADC\'s $45 happy hour?','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-v1','','','2014-10-21 09:29:14','2014-10-21 13:29:14','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2774-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2780,4,'2014-10-21 09:34:52','2014-10-21 13:34:52','Note:<a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/\" target=\"_blank\"> AMADC </a>is the Washington, DC chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) , which is a membership organization with chapters around the country. I am not a member of the AMA or AMADC, although I have attended its events in the past.\r\n\r\nLast Friday, the AMADC tweeted about its upcoming happy hour (or AMA Networking Events as they call them) at a DC restaurant. I clicked on the link and found out that to attend the happy hour, non-members must pay $45 while members can attend free. According to what I saw, the happy hour/networking event is a chance to mingle with other people. This is a description from the AMADC website:\r\n<blockquote>AMADC Networking Events are the place to get dialed into the DC marketing community. Make alliances for your business, find your next great employee, get active in the AMA, get career advice or maybe get your next job. Be sure to bring a ton of business cards, you are going to need them</blockquote>\r\nThere is no program, no speaker and at least from what I can see, no food or drink included in the price of admission. Just a chance to meet people (maybe).\r\n\r\nHere\'s my conversation with AMADC on Twitter:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2776 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/amadc.jpg\" alt=\"amadc\" width=\"598\" height=\"807\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAccording to the @AMADC response above, the free happy hour for members is a \"main benefit of membership.\" This however, is not even mentioned in the <a href=\"http://www.amadc.org/membership/local-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">AMADC\'s website membership benefits page</a>.\r\n\r\n(Annual membership in AMADC is $285, of which $220 is for national dues and $65 for chapter dues.)\r\n\r\n<strong>So, what is the marketing/strategic goal for the AMADC happy hours? Is the goal to reach non-members and show them value?\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAre these happy hours simply membership perks? If so, fine. If I am understanding this correctly, members get to feel as though they are \"saving\" $45 for each \"networking event.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a question though: members don\'t have to pay extra to attend. And while this may be a benefit of membership, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">just how valuable is it?</span> <em>Remember cost is not equivalent to value. </em>\r\n\r\nBut, if these happy hours/networking events are also a chance to reach out to non-members and perhaps even to recruit new members, then charging $45 is not accomplishing that goal. I can tell you that from experience, specifically with the AMADC.\r\n\r\nWhen I first moved to DC nearly ten years ago, I attended one of the AMADC happy hours at a bar downtown. The cost then was $25 (why the nearly 100% increase is another question).  I got to the bar, where I knew nobody.  There was a section reserved for the AMA ( right off the main bar, and not even clearly marked off). They offered no snacks, or drinks (or even discount drinks other than the regular happy hour stuff ). There were no name tags. Nobody offered to act as an AMA ambassador and welcome people. I tried talking to a couple of people but having a conversation over the bar\'s loud background noise was near impossible. In short, it was a waste of time and money. I could\'ve just gone to the bar on my own, ordered a beer, sat right next to the AMA DC section, and gotten as much out of it while saving $25.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to be in line with other organizations in town?</strong>\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the other membership organizations in town also host monthly happy hours, however, this charge of $45 for a happy hour is the highest I have seen. For example, <a href=\"http://www.iabcdcmetro.org/\" target=\"_blank\">IABCDC</a> does not charge for its happy hours. Everyone pays for what they consume. Various communications meetups such as DC PR Flacks don\'t charge either. The <a href=\"https://www.prsa-ncc.org/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA-NCC </a> charges everyone for its PRO Net happy hours ($10 for members and $15 for non-members) but the fee includes a free drink and appetizers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to encourage networking among members?</strong>\r\n\r\nOther organizations charge between $35 and $65 for non-members to attend chapter meetings, professional development events or luncheons/dinners. In fact, AMADC charges $50 to non-members and $30 for members for its professional development events. Bear in mind that at a professional development event or at a meal, people are getting a tangible benefit.\r\n\r\nWhy would networking be considered a more important benefit than professional development? Why not make professional development the perk of membership?\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the AMADC\'s goal to make money off networking events?</strong>\r\n\r\nObviously, when there is a cost involved for the organization (the meal, the room rental, etc.), there is a reason to charge both members and non-members. Many organizations use sponsorships to defray the overhead costs, and so that they can offer discounts to their members. For the upcoming AMADC happy hour, a local organization is sponsoring the event.  Since people have to pay for their drinks and food, there is no cost to the AMADC other than a room rental or guarantee fee, which I assume is being covered by the sponsorship. The non-member fee would seem to be a money-maker.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the goal to show non-members what they would save?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps the AMADC is imagining a scenario where a non-member signs up for this event, has a wonderful time and makes a lot of new contacts, and figures that if he or she signs up for membership, he/she could go to this events \"for free\" thus \"saving\" $45.\r\n\r\n<strong>So what are the AMADC\'s goals?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t know and I can\'t tell what the AMADC\'s goals are. It\'s not clear to me what it is aiming to accomplish by charging so much for a happy hour. In my opinion, there is little value to a happy hour and very little reason to spend $45 to attend one. Yes, I understand there is a networking opportunity. But as mentioned above, there are many other free and lower cost opportunities in town. Plus, going to a happy hour at a loud bar is not necessarily the best way to network.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Would you pay this fee? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s the goal behind the AMADC\'s $45 happy hour?','','inherit','open','open','','2774-revision-v1','','','2014-10-21 09:34:52','2014-10-21 13:34:52','',2774,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2774-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2861,4,'2015-02-10 10:27:57','2015-02-10 15:27:57','Yesterday, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Everest, impossible. Generally these barriers are subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements.\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate money from online readers, newspapers have added online subscription fees. That\'s a high barrier to entry. Some websites require registration, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter sign-up before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical. Your barriers to entry may be psychological. By that I mean that you may have barriers that have nothing to do with sign-ups and subscriptions, but more with to do with thought. For example, your website navigation may not be intuitive and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nA more subtle barrier is the language that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is nearly unintelligible to an outsider. Some websites make it hard for visitors by having too much information (or too many words) to sort through.\r\n\r\nIf you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How high is your barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-10 10:27:57','2015-02-10 15:27:57','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2783,4,'2014-10-27 09:00:36','2014-10-27 13:00:36','<strong>Web design keeps changing</strong>\r\n\r\nThe wonderful <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/about-us/2011/04/staff-bios/\" target=\"_blank\">Leslie O\'Flahavan</a> gave a great presentation/workshop last week about new web design trends and how they affect web writing. You can <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/uncategorized/2014/10/how-web-design-trends-are-changing-the-way-we-write-content/\" target=\"_blank\">download it here</a>. Some of these trends include infinite scrolling (like on the Time Magazine website, where you can just keep scrolling down through endless articles) and the large-type front page (like this, on this page with <a href=\"https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/a-to-x-writing-advice-courtesy-of-copy-chief-benjamin-dreyer-c00bd746b99e\" target=\"_blank\">A to X Writing Advice)</a>.  There\'s also a trend to include pre-made shareable content (usually pre-written tweets).\r\n\r\n<strong><em>How</em> people access a website has to be considered</strong>\r\n\r\nThen there is the need (this is <em>not</em> a trend) to have everything visible and rendering appropriately on any device people happen to be using to access your website--desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.  Type has to be readable. Although these issues are solvable by good design and web architecture, web writers have to consider these when deciding how to present which information.\r\n\r\n<strong>Web writing is not quite the same as writing for print</strong>\r\n\r\nSince most every business, nonprofit and news organization is on the web, web/content writing is probably the largest type of writing being done today. Yet, it is not as if you can just take your print materials, digitize them and call it a day. Clearly, there is a lot to consider when you are writing for the web.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes for a good web writer?</strong>\r\n\r\nCan just anybody write for the web? Not really. I think people can be taught how to write for the web, but not everybody has the ability to be like Leslie and be able to see what is going on in web design, spot trends and realize how these new changes affect web content.\r\n\r\n<strong>The five essential skills of a great web writer:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. The ability to spot the trends.</strong> This also means keeping on top of UX (user experience) and other issues that affect how websites are designed.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Understanding how the new design trends affect what you write.</strong> It\'s not enough to spot the trends. You need to be able to see how those trends impact what content should be included and how it should be written.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ability to write in short and long formats.</strong> As Leslie describes in her presentation, there\'s the snack and then there\'s the meal. You have to be able to write short, snappy headlines but also be able to write longer, more \"meaty\" content.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Ability to synthesize information.</strong>  You are called on to write short descriptions, whether it be for pre-made tweets or web page headings. In order to do this, you must be able to take a lot of information and condense it. It\'s helpful if you can explain things simply too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Visual and design sensibilit</strong>y. Being able to understand the role that visual and design play in how a website is read and viewed is key, as the ability to work with graphic/web designers to make your content look appealing.\r\n\r\nHave you noticed website writing has changed? Have you seen websites that look great but read poorly? What is your experience with web writing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The 5 essential skills for great web writing','','publish','open','open','','the-5-essential-skills-for-great-web-writing','','','2014-10-27 09:00:36','2014-10-27 13:00:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2783',0,'post','',0),(2784,4,'2014-10-24 09:23:28','2014-10-24 13:23:28','The wonderful Leslie O\'Flavahan gave a great presentation the other day about web trends and how they affect web writing. You can see it here.\r\n\r\nIt got me thinking about whether anybody can be a web writer. I don\'t think so. I think people can be taught how to write for the web, but not everybody has the ability to be like Leslie and spot the trends and how they affect web content.\r\n\r\n1. Ability to spot the trends\r\n\r\n2. Ability to write in short and long formats\r\n\r\n3. Ability to synthesize information\r\n\r\n4. Visual and design sensibility\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','2783-revision-v1','','','2014-10-24 09:23:28','2014-10-24 13:23:28','',2783,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2783-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2785,4,'2014-10-24 13:51:22','2014-10-24 17:51:22','The wonderful Leslie O\'Flahavan gave a great presentation/workshop the other day about web trends and how they affect web writing. You can <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/uncategorized/2014/10/how-web-design-trends-are-changing-the-way-we-write-content/\" target=\"_blank\">download it here</a>. Some of these trends include infinite scrolling (like on the Time Magazine website, where you can just keep scrolling) and the large-type front page (like this, on this page with <a href=\"https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/a-to-x-writing-advice-courtesy-of-copy-chief-benjamin-dreyer-c00bd746b99e\" target=\"_blank\">A to X Writing Advice)</a>.  There\'s also a trend to include pre-made shareable content (or pre-written tweets).\r\n\r\nThen there is the need (this is <em>not</em> a trend) to have everything visible and rendering appropriately on any device you happen to be using--desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. How people access a website has to be considered. Type has to be readable. Although these issues are solvable by good design and web architecture, web writers have to consider these when deciding how to present which information.\r\n\r\nClearly, there is a lot to keep track of when you are writing for the web, where most of us turn to daily. Since most every business, nonprofit and news organization is on the web, web/content writing is probably the largest type of writing being done today.\r\n\r\nCan just anybody write for the web? Not really. I think people can be taught how to write for the web, but not everybody has the ability to be like Leslie and be able to see what is going on in web design, spot trends and realize how these new changes affect web content.\r\n\r\n1. Ability to spot the trends\r\n\r\n2. Ability to write in short and long formats\r\n\r\n3. Ability to synthesize information\r\n\r\n4. Visual and design sensibility\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','2783-revision-v1','','','2014-10-24 13:51:22','2014-10-24 17:51:22','',2783,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2783-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2786,4,'2014-10-27 08:58:52','2014-10-27 12:58:52','<strong>Web design keeps changing</strong>\r\n\r\nThe wonderful <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/about-us/2011/04/staff-bios/\" target=\"_blank\">Leslie O\'Flahavan</a> gave a great presentation/workshop last week about new web design trends and how they affect web writing. You can <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/uncategorized/2014/10/how-web-design-trends-are-changing-the-way-we-write-content/\" target=\"_blank\">download it here</a>. Some of these trends include infinite scrolling (like on the Time Magazine website, where you can just keep scrolling down through endless articles) and the large-type front page (like this, on this page with <a href=\"https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/a-to-x-writing-advice-courtesy-of-copy-chief-benjamin-dreyer-c00bd746b99e\" target=\"_blank\">A to X Writing Advice)</a>.  There\'s also a trend to include pre-made shareable content (usually pre-written tweets).\r\n\r\n<strong><em>How</em> people access a website has to be considered.</strong>\r\n\r\nThen there is the need (this is <em>not</em> a trend) to have everything visible and rendering appropriately on any device people happen to be using to access your website--desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.  Type has to be readable. Although these issues are solvable by good design and web architecture, web writers have to consider these when deciding how to present which information.\r\n\r\n<strong>Web writing is not quite the same as writing for print</strong>\r\n\r\nSince most every business, nonprofit and news organization is on the web, web/content writing is probably the largest type of writing being done today. Yet, it is not as if you can just take your print materials, digitize them and call it a day. Clearly, there is a lot to consider when you are writing for the web.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes for a good web writer?</strong>\r\n\r\nCan just anybody write for the web? Not really. I think people can be taught how to write for the web, but not everybody has the ability to be like Leslie and be able to see what is going on in web design, spot trends and realize how these new changes affect web content.\r\n\r\n<strong>The five essential skills of a great web writer:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. The ability to spot the trends.</strong> This also means keeping on top of UX (user experience) and other issues that affect how websites are designed.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Understanding how the new design trends affect what you write.</strong> It\'s not enough to spot the trends. You need to be able to see how those trends impact what content should be included and how it should be written.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ability to write in short and long formats.</strong> As Leslie describes in her presentation, there\'s the snack and then there\'s the meal. You have to be able to write short, snappy headlines but also be able to write longer, more \"meaty\" content.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Ability to synthesize information.</strong>  You are called on to write short descriptions, whether it be for pre-made tweets or web page headings. In order to do this, you must be able to take a lot of information and condense it. It\'s helpful if you can explain things simply too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Visual and design sensibilit</strong>y. Being able to understand the role that visual and design play in how a website is read and viewed is key, as the ability to work with graphic/web designers to make your content look appealing.\r\n\r\nHave you noticed website writing has changed? Have you seen websites that look great but read poorly? What is your experience with web writing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The 5 essential skills for great web writing','','inherit','open','open','','2783-revision-v1','','','2014-10-27 08:58:52','2014-10-27 12:58:52','',2783,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2783-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2787,4,'2014-10-27 09:00:36','2014-10-27 13:00:36','<strong>Web design keeps changing</strong>\r\n\r\nThe wonderful <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/about-us/2011/04/staff-bios/\" target=\"_blank\">Leslie O\'Flahavan</a> gave a great presentation/workshop last week about new web design trends and how they affect web writing. You can <a href=\"http://ewriteonline.com/uncategorized/2014/10/how-web-design-trends-are-changing-the-way-we-write-content/\" target=\"_blank\">download it here</a>. Some of these trends include infinite scrolling (like on the Time Magazine website, where you can just keep scrolling down through endless articles) and the large-type front page (like this, on this page with <a href=\"https://medium.com/@penguinrandomus/a-to-x-writing-advice-courtesy-of-copy-chief-benjamin-dreyer-c00bd746b99e\" target=\"_blank\">A to X Writing Advice)</a>.  There\'s also a trend to include pre-made shareable content (usually pre-written tweets).\r\n\r\n<strong><em>How</em> people access a website has to be considered</strong>\r\n\r\nThen there is the need (this is <em>not</em> a trend) to have everything visible and rendering appropriately on any device people happen to be using to access your website--desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.  Type has to be readable. Although these issues are solvable by good design and web architecture, web writers have to consider these when deciding how to present which information.\r\n\r\n<strong>Web writing is not quite the same as writing for print</strong>\r\n\r\nSince most every business, nonprofit and news organization is on the web, web/content writing is probably the largest type of writing being done today. Yet, it is not as if you can just take your print materials, digitize them and call it a day. Clearly, there is a lot to consider when you are writing for the web.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes for a good web writer?</strong>\r\n\r\nCan just anybody write for the web? Not really. I think people can be taught how to write for the web, but not everybody has the ability to be like Leslie and be able to see what is going on in web design, spot trends and realize how these new changes affect web content.\r\n\r\n<strong>The five essential skills of a great web writer:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. The ability to spot the trends.</strong> This also means keeping on top of UX (user experience) and other issues that affect how websites are designed.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Understanding how the new design trends affect what you write.</strong> It\'s not enough to spot the trends. You need to be able to see how those trends impact what content should be included and how it should be written.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Ability to write in short and long formats.</strong> As Leslie describes in her presentation, there\'s the snack and then there\'s the meal. You have to be able to write short, snappy headlines but also be able to write longer, more \"meaty\" content.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Ability to synthesize information.</strong>  You are called on to write short descriptions, whether it be for pre-made tweets or web page headings. In order to do this, you must be able to take a lot of information and condense it. It\'s helpful if you can explain things simply too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Visual and design sensibilit</strong>y. Being able to understand the role that visual and design play in how a website is read and viewed is key, as the ability to work with graphic/web designers to make your content look appealing.\r\n\r\nHave you noticed website writing has changed? Have you seen websites that look great but read poorly? What is your experience with web writing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The 5 essential skills for great web writing','','inherit','open','open','','2783-revision-v1','','','2014-10-27 09:00:36','2014-10-27 13:00:36','',2783,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/10/2783-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2790,4,'2014-11-06 10:27:02','2014-11-06 15:27:02','Having attended a couple of professional development events in the last few weeks, I noticed that the organizers did little to guarantee people would a) enjoy the event and b) talk about the event (and by extension, the organizing group).\r\n\r\nEvent planning is a skill, and it is not easy. Too many volunteers and committee members think all they need to do is choose a date, book the space, order food and drink, and publicize the event. But those are the basics. To get more mileage from an event both for the attendees and for the presenting organization, you need to do more.\r\n\r\nHere are seven actions that will help you get more mileage from your next event.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Designate volunteers to be organizational ambassadors/greeters.</strong> You will need more than the person greeting attendees at the door. These volunteers, who should be good representatives of your organization, will welcome people to the event and make sure they know where everything is located (food, restrooms, seats, etc.). But more so, ambassadors should introduce attendees to each other.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your attendees will feel welcomed. They will meet at least one person (the ambassador). This makes your organization look welcoming and more enticing to non-members.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Prep your speaker(s) and/or presenter(s).</strong> Make sure everybody knows what to say so there is no pointless repetition. Divide up introductions appropriately. Make sure announcements and other information will be shared.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Messaging is important and gives attendees useful information. By prepping your speakers, you are ensuring your organization looks professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use social media.</strong> Invite your attendees to tweet about the event (and give them a hashtag) or post summaries to their blogs and other social media.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage</em>: Social media amplifies. Enough said.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Have someone monitor social media during and after the event.</strong> Make sure to respond to any questions or comments (especially if there is a problem--maybe the AC is not working or the Wi-Fi is spotty). Retweet and publicize your attendees posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Again, it amplifies, but it also shows your organization is responsive and embraces social media.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Be sure to incorporate time for Q&amp;A, and make it organized.</strong> Q&amp;A shouldn\'t be an afterthought, and it shouldn\'t be a free for all. Organizers should make sure to designate a time for questions. Whether you decide to have a microphone for the audience or take questions via social media, you should make it easy for people to interact with your presenters.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your audience will get more clarity on issues and, again, it makes your organization look responsive.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Create a recap of the event and post it to your blog/website and your social media networks.</strong> The recap of the event could include a summary of the presentation, contact information for the presenters, and photos of the event (and if you post photos on Facebook, people could tag themselves).\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your recap is now shareable content for your website, blog and/or newsletter. Attendees will have something to reference if they want to talk about the event.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Email all attendees a thank you and evaluation survey shortly after the event.</strong> You may also include a link to your recap (see above).\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives your more mileage</em>: You will have yet another opportunity to interact with your attendees while getting useful feedback. You could even have an offer for new members or discounts to future events.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? What has been your experience when attending professional development events?','7 actions that will give your event more mileage','','publish','open','open','','7-actions-that-will-give-your-event-more-mileage','','','2014-11-06 10:27:02','2014-11-06 15:27:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2790',0,'post','',0),(2791,4,'2014-11-06 10:25:29','2014-11-06 15:25:29','Having attended a couple of professional development events in the last few weeks, I noticed that the organizers did little to guarantee people would a) enjoy the event and b) talk about the event (and by extension, the organizing group).\r\n\r\nEvent planning is a skill, and it is not easy. Too many volunteers and committee members think all they need to do is choose a date, book the space, order food and drink, and publicize the event. But those are the basics. To get more mileage from an event both for the attendees and for the presenting organization, you need to do more.\r\n\r\nHere are seven actions that will help you get more mileage from your next event.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Designate volunteers to be organizational ambassadors/greeters.</strong> You will need more than the person greeting attendees at the door. These volunteers, who should be good representatives of your organization, will welcome people to the event and make sure they know where everything is located (food, restrooms, seats, etc.). But more so, ambassadors should introduce attendees to each other.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your attendees will feel welcomed. They will meet at least one person (the ambassador). This makes your organization look welcoming and more enticing to non-members.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Prep your speaker(s) and/or presenter(s).</strong> Make sure everybody knows what to say so there is no pointless repetition. Divide up introductions appropriately. Make sure announcements and other information will be shared.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Messaging is important and gives attendees useful information. By prepping your speakers, you are ensuring your organization looks professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use social media.</strong> Invite your attendees to tweet about the event (and give them a hashtag) or post summaries to their blogs and other social media.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage</em>: Social media amplifies. Enough said.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Have someone monitor social media during and after the event.</strong> Make sure to respond to any questions or comments (especially if there is a problem--maybe the AC is not working or the Wi-Fi is spotty). Retweet and publicize your attendees posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Again, it amplifies, but it also shows your organization is responsive and embraces social media.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Be sure to incorporate time for Q&amp;A, and make it organized.</strong> Q&amp;A shouldn\'t be an afterthought, and it shouldn\'t be a free for all. Organizers should make sure to designate a time for questions. Whether you decide to have a microphone for the audience or take questions via social media, you should make it easy for people to interact with your presenters.\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your audience will get more clarity on issues and, again, it makes your organization look responsive.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Create a recap of the event and post it to your blog/website and your social media networks.</strong> The recap of the event could include a summary of the presentation, contact information for the presenters, and photos of the event (and if you post photos on Facebook, people could tag themselves).\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives you more mileage:</em> Your recap is now shareable content for your website, blog and/or newsletter. Attendees will have something to reference if they want to talk about the event.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. Email all attendees a thank you and evaluation survey shortly after the event.</strong> You may also include a link to your recap (see above).\r\n\r\n<em>Why this gives your more mileage</em>: You will have yet another opportunity to interact with your attendees while getting useful feedback. You could even have an offer for new members or discounts to future events.\r\n\r\nWhat would you add? What has been your experience when attending professional development events?','7 actions that will give your event more mileage','','inherit','open','open','','2790-revision-v1','','','2014-11-06 10:25:29','2014-11-06 15:25:29','',2790,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2790-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2793,4,'2014-11-13 11:11:33','2014-11-13 16:11:33','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a networking event and met a public relations \"professional.\" We exchanged business cards. I sent him a follow up email (nice to meet you, etc.) to which he didn\'t respond. Instead, he added me to his enewsletter list. I was peeved. This guy, who didn\'t have the basic courtesy to respond to a personal email, just threw my email into his marketing list without asking me. I quickly opted-out.\r\n\r\nOther than being rude, was this guy doing something illegal? Was he being compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act (the very good acronym for <em><strong>C</strong>ontrolling the <strong>A</strong>ssault of <strong>N</strong>on-Solicited <strong>P</strong>ornography <strong>a</strong>nd <strong>M</strong>arketing</em>)?\r\n\r\nThe CAN-SPAM Act aims to reduce unsolicited direct marketing email. There are several parts to making your business compliant (you can read the <a href=\"http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\" target=\"_blank\">seven main requirements on the FTC website and you can download a PDF with all the pertinent information</a>).\r\n\r\nIf you distribute an electronic newsletter, you need to be CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get booted off most of the email marketing platforms if you are not, and most of them make it easy to comply.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Act, the main requirements for compliance are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use false or misleading header information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use deceptive subject lines</li>\r\n	<li>Identify the message as an ad</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a physical location address</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a way to opt out of further mailings</li>\r\n	<li>Honor opt-out requests within 10 days</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt turns out that CAN-SPAM does not spell out who can be added to your email list (opt-in). In fact, the requirement is directed only at opting out. You must include a way to unsubscribe, and you must honor that request quickly. However,  if you do business with Canada or the European Union, things are a bit stricter. Both Canada and the EU require people to OPT-IN by giving consent. If you have a newsletter, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the<a href=\"http://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp#2\" target=\"_blank\"> opt-in laws for North America and Europe.</a>\r\n\r\nSo, it seems rude PR guy was, in fact, compliant with CAN-SPAM requirements since his newsletter did have an opt-out. Had I been Canadian though, he would have been in trouble.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, just because something is legal, does not mean it\'s right. Although the US does not have the same stringent opt-in requirements as Canada or the EU, marketers should be aware of why those requirements may be a good idea. People don\'t want unsolicited email. It clogs up inboxes, which are already being inundated with real spam (somehow, these laws do not seem to inhibit the scammers and spammers).\r\n\r\nWhy not make sure you are asking people to opt-in to your enewsletter instead of only asking them to opt-out? All you have to do is have a sign-up form on your website. You can also ask people if they want to be added. Seriously, don\'t you want to communicate with people who are interested in your message instead of annoying people and then forcing them to opt-out?\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle subscribing people to your newsletter?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\r\n\r\nUpon further research, I came across a section in the FCC website that seems to imply marketers should get consent to send emails. It says:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<h4>Giving Your Consent</h4>\r\nUnder the FCC’s rules, texts and commercial email messages may be sent to your mobile phone if you previously agreed to receive them. For texts that are commercial, your consent must be in writing (for example, in an email or letter); for non-commercial, informational texts (such as such as those by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations, those for political purposes, and other noncommercial purposes, such as school closings) your consent may be oral.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For commercial email, your consent may be oral or written.</span> Senders must tell you the name of the entity that will be sending the messages and, if different, the name of the entity advertising products or services. All commercial email messages sent to you after you’ve given your authorization must allow you to revoke your authorization, or “opt out” of receiving future messages. You must be allowed to opt out the same way you “opted in,” including by dialing a short code. Senders have 10 days to honor requests to opt out.</blockquote>\r\nNotice it says your consent MAY be oral or written. It does not say it MUST be. So, it is unclear to me if as a marketer, you HAVE to ask for consent.','Are you CAN-SPAM compliant?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-can-spam-compliant','','','2014-11-13 11:25:38','2014-11-13 16:25:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2793',0,'post','',0),(2794,4,'2014-11-13 11:09:52','2014-11-13 16:09:52','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a networking event and met a public relations \"professional.\" We exchanged business cards. I sent him a follow up email (nice to meet you, etc.) to which he didn\'t respond. Instead, he added me to his enewsletter list. I was peeved. This guy, who didn\'t have the basic courtesy to respond to a personal email, just threw my email into his marketing list without asking me. I quickly opted-out.\r\n\r\nOther than being rude, was this guy doing something illegal? Was he being compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act?\r\n\r\nThe CAN-SPAM Act aims to reduce unsolicited direct marketing email. There are several parts to making your business compliant (you can read the <a href=\"http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\" target=\"_blank\">seven main requirements on the FTC website and you can download a PDF with all the pertinent information</a>).\r\n\r\nIf you distribute an electronic newsletter, you need to be CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get booted off most of the email marketing platforms if you are not, and most of them make it easy to comply.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Act, the main requirements for compliance are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use false or misleading header information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use deceptive subject lines</li>\r\n	<li>Identify the message as an ad</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a physical location address</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a way to opt out of further mailings</li>\r\n	<li>Honor opt-out requests within 10 days</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt turns out that CAN-SPAM does not spell out who can be added to your email list (opt-in). In fact, the requirement is directed only at opting out. You must include a way to unsubscribe, and you must honor that request quickly. However,  if you do business with Canada or the European Union, things are a bit stricter. Both Canada and the EU require people to OPT-IN by giving consent. If you have a newsletter, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the<a href=\"http://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp#2\" target=\"_blank\"> opt-in laws for North America and Europe.</a>\r\n\r\nSo, it seems rude PR guy was, in fact, compliant with CAN-SPAM requirements since his newsletter did have an opt-out. Had I been Canadian, he would have been in trouble.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, just because something is legal, does not mean it\'s right. Although the US does not have the same stringent opt-in requirements as Canada or the EU, marketers should be aware of why those requirements may be a good idea. People don\'t want unsolicited email. It clogs up inboxes, which are already being inundated with real spam (somehow, these laws do not seem to inhibit the scammers and spammers).\r\n\r\nWhy not make sure you are asking people to opt-in to your enewsletter instead of only asking them to opt-out? All you have to do is have a sign-up form on your website. You can also ask people if they want to be added. Seriously, don\'t you want to communicate with people who are interested in your message instead of annoying people and then forcing them to opt-out?\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle subscribing people to your newsletter?','Are you CAN-SPAM compliant?','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision-v1','','','2014-11-13 11:09:52','2014-11-13 16:09:52','',2793,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2793-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2795,4,'2014-11-13 11:11:33','2014-11-13 16:11:33','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a networking event and met a public relations \"professional.\" We exchanged business cards. I sent him a follow up email (nice to meet you, etc.) to which he didn\'t respond. Instead, he added me to his enewsletter list. I was peeved. This guy, who didn\'t have the basic courtesy to respond to a personal email, just threw my email into his marketing list without asking me. I quickly opted-out.\r\n\r\nOther than being rude, was this guy doing something illegal? Was he being compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act?\r\n\r\nThe CAN-SPAM Act aims to reduce unsolicited direct marketing email. There are several parts to making your business compliant (you can read the <a href=\"http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\" target=\"_blank\">seven main requirements on the FTC website and you can download a PDF with all the pertinent information</a>).\r\n\r\nIf you distribute an electronic newsletter, you need to be CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get booted off most of the email marketing platforms if you are not, and most of them make it easy to comply.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Act, the main requirements for compliance are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use false or misleading header information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use deceptive subject lines</li>\r\n	<li>Identify the message as an ad</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a physical location address</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a way to opt out of further mailings</li>\r\n	<li>Honor opt-out requests within 10 days</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt turns out that CAN-SPAM does not spell out who can be added to your email list (opt-in). In fact, the requirement is directed only at opting out. You must include a way to unsubscribe, and you must honor that request quickly. However,  if you do business with Canada or the European Union, things are a bit stricter. Both Canada and the EU require people to OPT-IN by giving consent. If you have a newsletter, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the<a href=\"http://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp#2\" target=\"_blank\"> opt-in laws for North America and Europe.</a>\r\n\r\nSo, it seems rude PR guy was, in fact, compliant with CAN-SPAM requirements since his newsletter did have an opt-out. Had I been Canadian though, he would have been in trouble.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, just because something is legal, does not mean it\'s right. Although the US does not have the same stringent opt-in requirements as Canada or the EU, marketers should be aware of why those requirements may be a good idea. People don\'t want unsolicited email. It clogs up inboxes, which are already being inundated with real spam (somehow, these laws do not seem to inhibit the scammers and spammers).\r\n\r\nWhy not make sure you are asking people to opt-in to your enewsletter instead of only asking them to opt-out? All you have to do is have a sign-up form on your website. You can also ask people if they want to be added. Seriously, don\'t you want to communicate with people who are interested in your message instead of annoying people and then forcing them to opt-out?\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle subscribing people to your newsletter?','Are you CAN-SPAM compliant?','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision-v1','','','2014-11-13 11:11:33','2014-11-13 16:11:33','',2793,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2793-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2796,4,'2014-11-13 11:25:07','2014-11-13 16:25:07','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a networking event and met a public relations \"professional.\" We exchanged business cards. I sent him a follow up email (nice to meet you, etc.) to which he didn\'t respond. Instead, he added me to his enewsletter list. I was peeved. This guy, who didn\'t have the basic courtesy to respond to a personal email, just threw my email into his marketing list without asking me. I quickly opted-out.\n\nOther than being rude, was this guy doing something illegal? Was he being compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act (the very good acronym for <em><strong>C</strong>ontrolling the <strong>A</strong>ssault of <strong>N</strong>on-Solicited <strong>P</strong>ornography <strong>a</strong>nd <strong>M</strong>arketing</em>)?\n\nThe CAN-SPAM Act aims to reduce unsolicited direct marketing email. There are several parts to making your business compliant (you can read the <a href=\"http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\" target=\"_blank\">seven main requirements on the FTC website and you can download a PDF with all the pertinent information</a>).\n\nIf you distribute an electronic newsletter, you need to be CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get booted off most of the email marketing platforms if you are not, and most of them make it easy to comply.\n\nAccording to the Act, the main requirements for compliance are these:\n<ul>\n	<li>Don\'t use false or misleading header information</li>\n	<li>Don\'t use deceptive subject lines</li>\n	<li>Identify the message as an ad</li>\n	<li>Provide a physical location address</li>\n	<li>Provide a way to opt out of further mailings</li>\n	<li>Honor opt-out requests within 10 days</li>\n</ul>\nIt turns out that CAN-SPAM does not spell out who can be added to your email list (opt-in). In fact, the requirement is directed only at opting out. You must include a way to unsubscribe, and you must honor that request quickly. However,  if you do business with Canada or the European Union, things are a bit stricter. Both Canada and the EU require people to OPT-IN by giving consent. If you have a newsletter, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the<a href=\"http://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp#2\" target=\"_blank\"> opt-in laws for North America and Europe.</a>\n\nSo, it seems rude PR guy was, in fact, compliant with CAN-SPAM requirements since his newsletter did have an opt-out. Had I been Canadian though, he would have been in trouble.\n\nHere\'s the thing, just because something is legal, does not mean it\'s right. Although the US does not have the same stringent opt-in requirements as Canada or the EU, marketers should be aware of why those requirements may be a good idea. People don\'t want unsolicited email. It clogs up inboxes, which are already being inundated with real spam (somehow, these laws do not seem to inhibit the scammers and spammers).\n\nWhy not make sure you are asking people to opt-in to your enewsletter instead of only asking them to opt-out? All you have to do is have a sign-up form on your website. You can also ask people if they want to be added. Seriously, don\'t you want to communicate with people who are interested in your message instead of annoying people and then forcing them to opt-out?\n\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle subscribing people to your newsletter?\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\n\nUpon further research, I came across a section in the FCC website that seems to imply marketers should get consent to send emails. It says:\n<blockquote>\n<h4>Giving Your Consent</h4>\nUnder the FCC’s rules, texts and commercial email messages may be sent to your mobile phone if you previously agreed to receive them. For texts that are commercial, your consent must be in writing (for example, in an email or letter); for non-commercial, informational texts (such as such as those by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations, those for political purposes, and other noncommercial purposes, such as school closings) your consent may be oral.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For commercial email, your consent may be oral or written.</span> Senders must tell you the name of the entity that will be sending the messages and, if different, the name of the entity advertising products or services. All commercial email messages sent to you after you’ve given your authorization must allow you to revoke your authorization, or “opt out” of receiving future messages. You must be allowed to opt out the same way you “opted in,” including by dialing a short code. Senders have 10 days to honor requests to opt out.</blockquote>\nNotice it says your consent MAY be oral or written. It does not say it MUST be. So, it is unclear to me if as a marketer, you HAVE to ask for consent.','Are you CAN-SPAM compliant?','','inherit','open','open','','2793-autosave-v1','','','2014-11-13 11:25:07','2014-11-13 16:25:07','',2793,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2793-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2797,4,'2014-11-13 11:25:38','2014-11-13 16:25:38','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a networking event and met a public relations \"professional.\" We exchanged business cards. I sent him a follow up email (nice to meet you, etc.) to which he didn\'t respond. Instead, he added me to his enewsletter list. I was peeved. This guy, who didn\'t have the basic courtesy to respond to a personal email, just threw my email into his marketing list without asking me. I quickly opted-out.\r\n\r\nOther than being rude, was this guy doing something illegal? Was he being compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act (the very good acronym for <em><strong>C</strong>ontrolling the <strong>A</strong>ssault of <strong>N</strong>on-Solicited <strong>P</strong>ornography <strong>a</strong>nd <strong>M</strong>arketing</em>)?\r\n\r\nThe CAN-SPAM Act aims to reduce unsolicited direct marketing email. There are several parts to making your business compliant (you can read the <a href=\"http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business\" target=\"_blank\">seven main requirements on the FTC website and you can download a PDF with all the pertinent information</a>).\r\n\r\nIf you distribute an electronic newsletter, you need to be CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get booted off most of the email marketing platforms if you are not, and most of them make it easy to comply.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Act, the main requirements for compliance are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use false or misleading header information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use deceptive subject lines</li>\r\n	<li>Identify the message as an ad</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a physical location address</li>\r\n	<li>Provide a way to opt out of further mailings</li>\r\n	<li>Honor opt-out requests within 10 days</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt turns out that CAN-SPAM does not spell out who can be added to your email list (opt-in). In fact, the requirement is directed only at opting out. You must include a way to unsubscribe, and you must honor that request quickly. However,  if you do business with Canada or the European Union, things are a bit stricter. Both Canada and the EU require people to OPT-IN by giving consent. If you have a newsletter, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the<a href=\"http://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp#2\" target=\"_blank\"> opt-in laws for North America and Europe.</a>\r\n\r\nSo, it seems rude PR guy was, in fact, compliant with CAN-SPAM requirements since his newsletter did have an opt-out. Had I been Canadian though, he would have been in trouble.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, just because something is legal, does not mean it\'s right. Although the US does not have the same stringent opt-in requirements as Canada or the EU, marketers should be aware of why those requirements may be a good idea. People don\'t want unsolicited email. It clogs up inboxes, which are already being inundated with real spam (somehow, these laws do not seem to inhibit the scammers and spammers).\r\n\r\nWhy not make sure you are asking people to opt-in to your enewsletter instead of only asking them to opt-out? All you have to do is have a sign-up form on your website. You can also ask people if they want to be added. Seriously, don\'t you want to communicate with people who are interested in your message instead of annoying people and then forcing them to opt-out?\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle subscribing people to your newsletter?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>UPDATE</strong></span>\r\n\r\nUpon further research, I came across a section in the FCC website that seems to imply marketers should get consent to send emails. It says:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<h4>Giving Your Consent</h4>\r\nUnder the FCC’s rules, texts and commercial email messages may be sent to your mobile phone if you previously agreed to receive them. For texts that are commercial, your consent must be in writing (for example, in an email or letter); for non-commercial, informational texts (such as such as those by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations, those for political purposes, and other noncommercial purposes, such as school closings) your consent may be oral.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For commercial email, your consent may be oral or written.</span> Senders must tell you the name of the entity that will be sending the messages and, if different, the name of the entity advertising products or services. All commercial email messages sent to you after you’ve given your authorization must allow you to revoke your authorization, or “opt out” of receiving future messages. You must be allowed to opt out the same way you “opted in,” including by dialing a short code. Senders have 10 days to honor requests to opt out.</blockquote>\r\nNotice it says your consent MAY be oral or written. It does not say it MUST be. So, it is unclear to me if as a marketer, you HAVE to ask for consent.','Are you CAN-SPAM compliant?','','inherit','open','open','','2793-revision-v1','','','2014-11-13 11:25:38','2014-11-13 16:25:38','',2793,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2793-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2799,4,'2014-11-19 16:06:07','2014-11-19 21:06:07','It\'s like I am hearing the Pointer Sisters\' <em>Jump (For My Love)</em> song on repeat. It\'s that refrain \"more, more, more.\" I get emails urging me to get more website visitors. I see accounts on Twitter that claim they can get me more followers. I see announcements for webinars on how to get more blog readers.\r\n\r\nEnough!\r\n\r\nMore is not a smart communications goal. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">More is meaningless without qualifiers</span>. Yes, I want more Twitter followers. But I want followers that are genuine (as opposed to spam) accounts and who have an interest in what I am saying. I want more blog readers who will find what I write useful and may then share a post or sign up for my newsletter or hire me to do work.\r\n\r\nBut more in and of itself does not mean much. If a Facebook page has 4,000 likes but none of those \"likers\" shares information or buys products, then what is the point? If you have thousands of Twitter followers but are never re-tweeted, are you having an impact? If you get hundreds of website visitors but there is no \"conversion\" then what did you accomplish?\r\n\r\nWe see ploys for more all the time. You see TV stations running sweepstakes and exhorting people to \"like our Facebook page.\" You see link bait. You see forced sign-ups for newsletters before you can read an article or blog post. All these are trying to get more without caring exactly who those people are.\r\n\r\nYour communications goals should not be simply to get more. Your goals need to be specific. For example, you may want to reach more people in a certain geographic area or in an age group.\r\n\r\nAre you being bombarded by vendors trying to get you to get more? If so, what are your thoughts about it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','More is not a smart communications goal','','inherit','open','open','','2798-revision-v1','','','2014-11-19 16:06:07','2014-11-19 21:06:07','',2798,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2798-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2801,4,'2014-11-21 09:07:10','2014-11-21 14:07:11','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2014-11-21 09:07:10','2014-11-21 14:07:11','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2802,4,'2015-02-06 09:45:44','2015-02-06 14:45:44','I wrote this post back in November, and never published it. But today, I was reading the <em>Washington Post</em> and came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nbc-stays-silent-but-privately-stands-behind-news-anchor-brian-williams/2015/02/05/e3d18cba-ad5b-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Farhi\'s column</a> regarding the Brian Williams \"scandal.\" In case you haven\'t heard about it, it involves Brian \"misremembering\" being shot at in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003.  Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>NBC News went into damage-control mode a day after the public symbol of the network, anchor Brian Williams, faced a <strong>torrent</strong> of derision and criticism for telling a story about his wartime reporting that has proved to be untrue.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs <strong>public disapproval roared on social media,</strong> NBC sought to protect and defend Williams, its lead anchor since 2004 and the most popular anchor in the nation.</blockquote>\r\nBolding is mine. Notice that Farhi writes about the \"torrent\" of criticism and disapproval...on social media. I stopped reading the article after these two paragraphs because I don\'t think there\'s a torrent, or a deluge or even a rainstorm of derision outside of social media. I think this is a <em>social media crisis</em>, where people in social media all seem to  outraged by the \"crisis\" and where the rest of the country (those people sitting around their living rooms watching TV in the evening) couldn\'t care less. Notice too that Brian Williams was on TV last night as if nothing had happened. And maybe it only happened in our little social media bubble.\r\n\r\nSo this is where I started this post back in November:\r\n\r\nWhen it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series <em>Homeland</em>. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial <em>Homeland</em> that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the <em>Homeland</em> bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like-minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Are these controversies manufactured? Is the scandal for real? Are we living in a social media culture of outrage? Are we living in a bubble?</h4>','Are we living in a bubble? ','','publish','open','open','','are-we-living-in-a-bubble','','','2015-02-06 12:42:36','2015-02-06 17:42:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2802',0,'post','',0),(2803,4,'2014-11-24 10:58:56','2014-11-24 15:58:56','When it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series Homeland. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes. I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore--she had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial Homeland that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the Homeland bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are we living in a bubble?','','inherit','open','open','','2802-revision-v1','','','2014-11-24 10:58:56','2014-11-24 15:58:56','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2802-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2804,4,'2014-11-24 10:59:48','2014-11-24 15:59:48','When it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series Homeland. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial Homeland that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the Homeland bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are we living in a bubble?','','inherit','open','open','','2802-revision-v1','','','2014-11-24 10:59:48','2014-11-24 15:59:48','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2802-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2805,4,'2014-11-25 09:19:02','2014-11-25 14:19:02','Thanksgiving is two days away. If you are like me, you\'ve gotten lots of email and regular mail from companies and organizations you\'ve done business with or have donated money to. Some are simply expressing thanks, and others are reminding you that some people won\'t be able to eat on Thanksgiving (so give more money). Others are using Thanksgiving as a differentiator--sending holiday cards now instead of Christmas/New Year\'s.\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing wrong with this, and I appreciate getting thanked or remembered at least once a year. But perhaps businesses and organizations should consider how to thank customers and supporters year-round.\r\n\r\nSo many times, we conduct a business transaction and afterwards there\'s nothing. What\'s particularly galling is when you donate or volunteer, and you hear nothing from the organization. A couple of years ago, I volunteered at a huge Christmas event. Not only was it very disorganized (which showed a lack of appreciation for volunteers\' time) but there was no thank you, formal (follow up email) or otherwise. I haven\'t been back since.\r\n\r\nA thank you--a show of appreciation--is an important marketing tool. I wrote <a title=\"Why a thank you is good marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2009/08/why-a-thank-you-is-good-marketing/\">\"Why a thank you is good marketing\"</a> here five years ago. I still think it\'s true.\r\n\r\n<strong>So thank you! I appreciate that you took the time to read my thoughts. I am especially thankful for those who have shared my posts and/or taken the time to comment.</strong>\r\n\r\nHappy Thanksgiving to those celebrating! I wish you and your families a happy and relaxing holiday.','Thanks are not only for Thanksgiving','','publish','open','open','','thanks-are-not-only-for-thanksgiving','','','2014-11-25 09:19:02','2014-11-25 14:19:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2805',0,'post','',0),(2806,4,'2014-11-25 09:19:02','2014-11-25 14:19:02','Thanksgiving is two days away. If you are like me, you\'ve gotten lots of email and regular mail from companies and organizations you\'ve done business with or have donated money to. Some are simply expressing thanks, and others are reminding you that some people won\'t be able to eat on Thanksgiving (so give more money). Others are using Thanksgiving as a differentiator--sending holiday cards now instead of Christmas/New Year\'s.\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing wrong with this, and I appreciate getting thanked or remembered at least once a year. But perhaps businesses and organizations should consider how to thank customers and supporters year-round.\r\n\r\nSo many times, we conduct a business transaction and afterwards there\'s nothing. What\'s particularly galling is when you donate or volunteer, and you hear nothing from the organization. A couple of years ago, I volunteered at a huge Christmas event. Not only was it very disorganized (which showed a lack of appreciation for volunteers\' time) but there was no thank you, formal (follow up email) or otherwise. I haven\'t been back since.\r\n\r\nA thank you--a show of appreciation--is an important marketing tool. I wrote <a title=\"Why a thank you is good marketing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2009/08/why-a-thank-you-is-good-marketing/\">\"Why a thank you is good marketing\"</a> here five years ago. I still think it\'s true.\r\n\r\n<strong>So thank you! I appreciate that you took the time to read my thoughts. I am especially thankful for those who have shared my posts and/or taken the time to comment.</strong>\r\n\r\nHappy Thanksgiving to those celebrating! I wish you and your families a happy and relaxing holiday.','Thanks are not only for Thanksgiving','','inherit','open','open','','2805-revision-v1','','','2014-11-25 09:19:02','2014-11-25 14:19:02','',2805,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2805-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2808,4,'2014-12-01 08:01:18','2014-12-01 13:01:18','In Sunday\'s <em>Washington Post</em> there is an interesting interview (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2014/11/20/how-to-craft-a-successful-career-an-interview-with-etsy-ceo-chad-dickerson/\" target=\"_blank\">How to craft a successful career</a>) with Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy. In case you\'ve never had the urge to shop for handmade jewelery or other crafts, Etsy is <em>the</em> place to do that online. On Etsy, thousands of artists and crafters can sell their goods to a national/international market. It\'s a model that is working to the tune of $1.35 billion in sales.\r\n\r\nThe part of the interview that caught my eye as a marketing communications professional was this:\r\n<blockquote>Q. <em>What do the best sellers on Etsy have in common?</em>\r\n\r\nA. The best sellers on Etsy have really great photography. They also tell stories about themselves, how they’re inspired, how they make the things they sell. Those are the keys to being successful on Etsy.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, to market yourself successfully you have to have a standout image and a great story. Your graphics and your storytelling ability is what makes you stand out from a really crowded marketplace.\r\n\r\nThis is true everywhere, not just on Etsy. If you are shopping for a product online, you need to be able to see what you are buying (<strong>the power of image</strong>) and know why this product is better than the rest (<strong>the power of storytelling</strong>).\r\n\r\nPerhaps if you are struggling to get \"eyeballs\" to your blog or website or buyers to your bricks-and-mortar business, you need to take Chad Dickerson\'s insight to heart. Perhaps you need to assess the power of your graphics and your story. Are they strong? Are they setting you apart from our competition (in a positive way, of course)?\r\n\r\nOh, and the other thing(it<em> should</em> go without saying) is that to be a good Etsy seller you have to<strong> have a good product that people want to buy.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat makes you buy on Etsy or anywhere else? Do you assess the strength of the graphics? Do you read the description and/or story?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Would you make a good Etsy seller?','','publish','open','open','','would-you-make-a-good-etsy-seller','','','2014-12-01 08:01:18','2014-12-01 13:01:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2808',0,'post','',1),(2809,4,'2014-11-30 10:44:19','2014-11-30 15:44:19','Have you shopped on Etsy.com? I have and bought myself several handcrafted gifts. There are thousands of sellers on Etsy.','Would you make a good Etsy seller?','','inherit','open','open','','2808-revision-v1','','','2014-11-30 10:44:19','2014-11-30 15:44:19','',2808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2808-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2810,4,'2014-11-30 10:58:48','2014-11-30 15:58:48','In Sunday\'s Washington Post there is an interesting interview (How to craft a successful career) with Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy. In case you\'ve never had the urge to shop for handmade jewelery, Etsy is the place to do that online. On Etsy, thousands of artists and crafters can sell their goods to a national/international market. It\'s a model that is working to the tune of $1.35 billion in sales.\r\n\r\nThe part of the interview that caught my eye as a marketing communications professional was this:\r\n<blockquote>Q. <em>What do the best sellers on Etsy have in common?</em>\r\n\r\nA. The best sellers on Etsy have really great photography. They also tell stories about themselves, how they’re inspired, how they make the things they sell. Those are the keys to being successful on Etsy.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, to market yourself successfully you have to have a standout image and a great story. Your graphics and your storytelling ability is what makes you stand out from a really crowded marketplace.\r\n\r\nThis is true everywhere, not just on Etsy. If you are shopping for a product online, you need to be able to see what you are buying (the power of image) and know why this product is better than the rest.','Would you make a good Etsy seller?','','inherit','open','open','','2808-revision-v1','','','2014-11-30 10:58:48','2014-11-30 15:58:48','',2808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2808-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2811,4,'2014-11-30 11:05:29','2014-11-30 16:05:29','In Sunday\'s <em>Washington Post</em> there is an interesting interview (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2014/11/20/how-to-craft-a-successful-career-an-interview-with-etsy-ceo-chad-dickerson/\" target=\"_blank\">How to craft a successful career</a>) with Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy. In case you\'ve never had the urge to shop for handmade jewelery, Etsy is the place to do that online. On Etsy, thousands of artists and crafters can sell their goods to a national/international market. It\'s a model that is working to the tune of $1.35 billion in sales.\r\n\r\nThe part of the interview that caught my eye as a marketing communications professional was this:\r\n<blockquote>Q. <em>What do the best sellers on Etsy have in common?</em>\r\n\r\nA. The best sellers on Etsy have really great photography. They also tell stories about themselves, how they’re inspired, how they make the things they sell. Those are the keys to being successful on Etsy.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, to market yourself successfully you have to have a standout image and a great story. Your graphics and your storytelling ability is what makes you stand out from a really crowded marketplace.\r\n\r\nThis is true everywhere, not just on Etsy. If you are shopping for a product online, you need to be able to see what you are buying (the power of image) and know why this product is better than the rest (the power of storytelling).\r\n\r\nPerhaps if you are struggling to get \"eyeballs\" to your blog or website or buyers to your bricks-and-mortar business, you need to take Chad Dickerson\'s insight to heart. Perhaps you need to assess the power of your graphics and your story. Are they strong? Are they setting you apart from our competition (in a positive way of course)?','Would you make a good Etsy seller?','','inherit','open','open','','2808-revision-v1','','','2014-11-30 11:05:29','2014-11-30 16:05:29','',2808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/11/2808-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2812,4,'2014-12-01 08:01:18','2014-12-01 13:01:18','In Sunday\'s <em>Washington Post</em> there is an interesting interview (<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2014/11/20/how-to-craft-a-successful-career-an-interview-with-etsy-ceo-chad-dickerson/\" target=\"_blank\">How to craft a successful career</a>) with Chad Dickerson, CEO of Etsy. In case you\'ve never had the urge to shop for handmade jewelery or other crafts, Etsy is <em>the</em> place to do that online. On Etsy, thousands of artists and crafters can sell their goods to a national/international market. It\'s a model that is working to the tune of $1.35 billion in sales.\r\n\r\nThe part of the interview that caught my eye as a marketing communications professional was this:\r\n<blockquote>Q. <em>What do the best sellers on Etsy have in common?</em>\r\n\r\nA. The best sellers on Etsy have really great photography. They also tell stories about themselves, how they’re inspired, how they make the things they sell. Those are the keys to being successful on Etsy.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, to market yourself successfully you have to have a standout image and a great story. Your graphics and your storytelling ability is what makes you stand out from a really crowded marketplace.\r\n\r\nThis is true everywhere, not just on Etsy. If you are shopping for a product online, you need to be able to see what you are buying (<strong>the power of image</strong>) and know why this product is better than the rest (<strong>the power of storytelling</strong>).\r\n\r\nPerhaps if you are struggling to get \"eyeballs\" to your blog or website or buyers to your bricks-and-mortar business, you need to take Chad Dickerson\'s insight to heart. Perhaps you need to assess the power of your graphics and your story. Are they strong? Are they setting you apart from our competition (in a positive way, of course)?\r\n\r\nOh, and the other thing(it<em> should</em> go without saying) is that to be a good Etsy seller you have to<strong> have a good product that people want to buy.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat makes you buy on Etsy or anywhere else? Do you assess the strength of the graphics? Do you read the description and/or story?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Would you make a good Etsy seller?','','inherit','open','open','','2808-revision-v1','','','2014-12-01 08:01:18','2014-12-01 13:01:18','',2808,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/12/2808-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2814,4,'2014-12-09 10:55:09','2014-12-09 15:55:09','Every time I go to the gym I see at least one person hanging on for dear life on the Step Mill. In case you don\'t have them at your gym, they are a \"workout escalator.\" Essentially, the workout consists of climbing moving stairs. Lots of people lean on the bars (yesterday I saw a woman whose upper body was horizontal, putting all her upper body weight on her arms) when the \"correct\" or more efficient way is to use the bars simply for balance and let your lower body do the work of climbing the stairs and keeping you upright.\r\n\r\nWhen you lean on the bars you are effectively <strong>getting an assist. </strong>You are trying to minimize the pain. But, as they say: no pain, no gain. Though it may look like you are working hard, you really aren\'t. You aren\'t getting the cardio you think you are and you aren\'t burning the amount of calories the machine tells you.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens on social media when you rely on programs to post for you. You are getting an assist that makes you look like you are working hard when in fact you are not. Plus, you are not getting all the benefits of social media either.\r\n\r\nThere are many social media apps and programs designed to give you an assist. We may need that automation in order to keep up with the pace of social media, which is 24-7. The problem is when we rely on these assists for all of our social media presence and we forget to inject some of our own effort.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an account I have been following on Twitter for a couple of years. I say account and not person because almost all the tweets from the account are links to blog posts (old blog posts at that). And I have seen the same five or six blog post links tweeted out over and over and over and over. There is no personality there. There is no discussion. There is no interaction.\r\n\r\nI am sure the person who manages this account set up a program that will tweet the top blog posts every certain amount of time. This person pretty much set it and forgot it. This person rarely if ever has any exchange with anybody, never re-tweets, and only responds to direct tweets days later (if at all). <em><strong>This account is entirely reliant on social media assists. So although there is a social media presence, there is no social media benefit.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nSocial media requires  effort and attention. Get assists if you must, but don\'t forget that over-relying on assistance means that you aren\'t making as many gains.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle your social media accounts? Do you follow accounts that are completely automated?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','No pain, no gain (or, are you relying too much on assists)? ','','publish','open','open','','no-pain-no-gain-are-you-relying-on-assists','','','2014-12-09 10:55:09','2014-12-09 15:55:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2814',0,'post','',0),(2815,4,'2014-12-09 10:55:09','2014-12-09 15:55:09','Every time I go to the gym I see at least one person hanging on for dear life on the Step Mill. In case you don\'t have them at your gym, they are a \"workout escalator.\" Essentially, the workout consists of climbing moving stairs. Lots of people lean on the bars (yesterday I saw a woman whose upper body was horizontal, putting all her upper body weight on her arms) when the \"correct\" or more efficient way is to use the bars simply for balance and let your lower body do the work of climbing the stairs and keeping you upright.\r\n\r\nWhen you lean on the bars you are effectively <strong>getting an assist. </strong>You are trying to minimize the pain. But, as they say: no pain, no gain. Though it may look like you are working hard, you really aren\'t. You aren\'t getting the cardio you think you are and you aren\'t burning the amount of calories the machine tells you.\r\n\r\nThe same thing happens on social media when you rely on programs to post for you. You are getting an assist that makes you look like you are working hard when in fact you are not. Plus, you are not getting all the benefits of social media either.\r\n\r\nThere are many social media apps and programs designed to give you an assist. We may need that automation in order to keep up with the pace of social media, which is 24-7. The problem is when we rely on these assists for all of our social media presence and we forget to inject some of our own effort.\r\n\r\nThere\'s an account I have been following on Twitter for a couple of years. I say account and not person because almost all the tweets from the account are links to blog posts (old blog posts at that). And I have seen the same five or six blog post links tweeted out over and over and over and over. There is no personality there. There is no discussion. There is no interaction.\r\n\r\nI am sure the person who manages this account set up a program that will tweet the top blog posts every certain amount of time. This person pretty much set it and forgot it. This person rarely if ever has any exchange with anybody, never re-tweets, and only responds to direct tweets days later (if at all). <em><strong>This account is entirely reliant on social media assists. So although there is a social media presence, there is no social media benefit.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nSocial media requires  effort and attention. Get assists if you must, but don\'t forget that over-relying on assistance means that you aren\'t making as many gains.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How do you handle your social media accounts? Do you follow accounts that are completely automated?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','No pain, no gain (or, are you relying too much on assists)? ','','inherit','open','open','','2814-revision-v1','','','2014-12-09 10:55:09','2014-12-09 15:55:09','',2814,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/12/2814-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2817,4,'2014-12-18 11:02:38','2014-12-18 16:02:38','Do you ever choose to fly an airline because of its brand identity? Or,  do you choose your flight based on schedule/price? I bet it\'s more than the latter than the former, but if all things are close, you may choose the brand you like the most.\r\n\r\nLast week, I took my first flight on Virgin America. I was going out to San Francisco and Virgin flies from Washington to SFO at least twice a day. I had heard good things, and I thought that Virgin, like Southwest or JetBlue, was a lower cost carrier. Well, it really isn\'t. Virgin charges a comparable price to the other major carrier (United) flying to San Francisco from this area.  And like United, Virgin charges for bags. Unlike United, Virgin charges for in-flight movies ($8 a pop). Virgin also charges for food, snacks and for premium (like Honest Tea) and alcoholic beverages. Pretty much the only thing that you can get for \"free\" is water, coffee and soda. But you order all of these items on demand, from your seat, via an in-flight on-screen ordering system. You want more water, you \"order\" it.\r\n\r\nAnd there are other differences. The seats are leather, there\'s more legroom, and the cabin has a purple light. The flight attendants seem a bit younger and \"cooler\" than most, and there is definitely no in-flight magazine (because print is so yesterday). But what is really different is the safety video. Take a look:\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/DtyfiPIHsIg\r\n\r\nRead more about how this v<a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3021770/leadership-now/amazingly-good-branding-lessons-from-virgin-americas-new-dance-video-yes-danc\" target=\"_blank\">ideo heralded a new brand strategy </a>for Virgin America in Fast Company.\r\n\r\nIt seems that even though Virgin America basically nickels and dimes its passengers, <strong>people enjoy flying with the airline</strong>. It just feels different--more fun and more hip. Even the vibe at the airport was different. Virgin shares a terminal with American at SFO. The Virgin side had funky chairs and work tables (with plug-in terminals). Lot of people were working at their laptops, with headphones on. Very few (if any) screaming children. Only one wheelchair request. The feeling was more tech-y, hip and relaxed. The American side felt darker, more stressed, more old-school.\r\n\r\nThe real difference may also be customer service. Our flight out of Washington-Dulles was delayed by two hours due to the huge storm that hit the Bay Area last week. The people at the podium immediately set to help out anybody who needed/wanted to change their flight plans. One of the crew brought out snack carts and  gave out free water and snacks. Everybody seemed calm. There was no grousing. A woman in the waiting area across from me told me she travels Virgin to California all the time for work. She told me it was rare for there to be a delay. She herself had connections out of SFO, and had to change her flight. She got on the phone with Virgin, and they were able to accommodate her. She was going to leave the next day, but when she left, she did not seem upset. The airline had taken care of her. The delay was not Virgin\'s fault, but rather Mother Nature\'s.  Virgin worked hard to lessen the impact of the delay and to accommodate its passengers (or guests as they call them).\r\n\r\nNow, would I fly Virgin again? Most likely. I would know to bring food on-board though, and maybe a movie on my smartphone. It would still depend on price and schedule, but all things being equal, Virgin wins out. It just felt better.\r\n\r\nWhat about you? Do you fly an airline because you like what it stands for? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\nUPDATE\r\n\r\nI just <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/18/these-airlines-lose-your-luggage-the-most-often/\" target=\"_blank\">came across this post on the Wonkblo</a>g on the Washington Post, which lists airlines on how often they lose your luggage. Virgin America is last on the list (loses the least amount of luggage). Now that may be because fewer people check their bags, or because Virgin is better. Either way, it is a good reason to fly an airline.','Do you fly a brand?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-fly-a-brand','','','2014-12-19 19:06:36','2014-12-20 00:06:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2817',0,'post','',0),(2818,4,'2014-12-18 10:59:01','2014-12-18 15:59:01','Do you ever choose to fly an airline because of its brand identity? Or,  do you choose your flight based on schedule/price? I bet it\'s more than the latter than the former, but if all things are close, you may choose the brand you like the most.\r\n\r\nLast week, I took my first flight on Virgin America. I was going out to San Francisco and Virgin flies from Washington to SFO at least twice a day. I had heard good things, and I thought that Virgin, like Southwest or JetBlue, was a lower cost carrier. Well, it really isn\'t. Virgin charges a comparable price to the other major carrier (United) flying to San Francisco from this area.  And like United, Virgin charges for bags. Unlike United, Virgin charges for in-flight movies ($8 a pop). Virgin also charges for food, snacks and for premium (like Honest Tea) and alcoholic beverages. Pretty much the only thing that you can get for \"free\" is water, coffee and soda. But you order all of these items on demand, from your seat, via an in-flight on-screen ordering system. You want more water, you \"order\" it.\r\n\r\nAnd there are other differences. The seats are leather, there\'s more legroom, and the cabin has a purple light. The flight attendants seem a bit younger and \"cooler\" than most, and there is definitely no in-flight magazine (because print is so yesterday). But what is really different is the safety video. Take a look:\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/DtyfiPIHsIg\r\n\r\nRead more about how this v<a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3021770/leadership-now/amazingly-good-branding-lessons-from-virgin-americas-new-dance-video-yes-danc\" target=\"_blank\">ideo heralded a new brand strategy </a>for Virgin America in Fast Company.\r\n\r\nIt seems that even though Virgin America basically nickels and dimes its passengers, <strong>people enjoy flying with the airline</strong>. It just feels different--more fun and more hip. Even the vibe at the airport was different. Virgin shares a terminal with American at SFO. The Virgin side had funky chairs and work tables (with plug-in terminals). Lot of people were working at their laptops, with headphones on. Very few (if any) screaming children. Only one wheelchair request. The feeling was more tech-y, hip and relaxed. The American side felt darker, more stressed, more old-school.\r\n\r\nThe real difference may also be customer service. Our flight out of Washington-Dulles was delayed by two hours due to the huge storm that hit the Bay Area last week. The people at the podium immediately set to help out anybody who needed/wanted to change their flight plans. One of the crew brought out snack carts and  gave out free water and snacks. Everybody seemed calm. There was no grousing. A woman in the waiting area across from me told me she travels Virgin to California all the time for work. She told me it was rare for there to be a delay. She herself had connections out of SFO, and had to change her flight. She got on the phone with Virgin, and they were able to accommodate her. She was going to leave the next day, but when she left, she did not seem upset. The airline had taken care of her. The delay was not Virgin\'s fault, but rather Mother Nature\'s.  Virgin worked hard to lessen the impact of the delay and to accommodate its passengers (or guests as they call them).\r\n\r\nNow, would I fly Virgin again? Most likely. I would know to bring food on-board though, and maybe a movie on my smartphone. It would still depend on price and schedule, but all things being equal, Virgin wins out. It just felt better.\r\n\r\nWhat about you? Do you fly an airline because you like what it stands for? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you fly a brand?','','inherit','open','open','','2817-revision-v1','','','2014-12-18 10:59:01','2014-12-18 15:59:01','',2817,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/12/2817-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2819,4,'2014-12-19 19:06:23','2014-12-20 00:06:23','Do you ever choose to fly an airline because of its brand identity? Or,  do you choose your flight based on schedule/price? I bet it\'s more than the latter than the former, but if all things are close, you may choose the brand you like the most.\n\nLast week, I took my first flight on Virgin America. I was going out to San Francisco and Virgin flies from Washington to SFO at least twice a day. I had heard good things, and I thought that Virgin, like Southwest or JetBlue, was a lower cost carrier. Well, it really isn\'t. Virgin charges a comparable price to the other major carrier (United) flying to San Francisco from this area.  And like United, Virgin charges for bags. Unlike United, Virgin charges for in-flight movies ($8 a pop). Virgin also charges for food, snacks and for premium (like Honest Tea) and alcoholic beverages. Pretty much the only thing that you can get for \"free\" is water, coffee and soda. But you order all of these items on demand, from your seat, via an in-flight on-screen ordering system. You want more water, you \"order\" it.\n\nAnd there are other differences. The seats are leather, there\'s more legroom, and the cabin has a purple light. The flight attendants seem a bit younger and \"cooler\" than most, and there is definitely no in-flight magazine (because print is so yesterday). But what is really different is the safety video. Take a look:\n\nhttp://youtu.be/DtyfiPIHsIg\n\nRead more about how this v<a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3021770/leadership-now/amazingly-good-branding-lessons-from-virgin-americas-new-dance-video-yes-danc\" target=\"_blank\">ideo heralded a new brand strategy </a>for Virgin America in Fast Company.\n\nIt seems that even though Virgin America basically nickels and dimes its passengers, <strong>people enjoy flying with the airline</strong>. It just feels different--more fun and more hip. Even the vibe at the airport was different. Virgin shares a terminal with American at SFO. The Virgin side had funky chairs and work tables (with plug-in terminals). Lot of people were working at their laptops, with headphones on. Very few (if any) screaming children. Only one wheelchair request. The feeling was more tech-y, hip and relaxed. The American side felt darker, more stressed, more old-school.\n\nThe real difference may also be customer service. Our flight out of Washington-Dulles was delayed by two hours due to the huge storm that hit the Bay Area last week. The people at the podium immediately set to help out anybody who needed/wanted to change their flight plans. One of the crew brought out snack carts and  gave out free water and snacks. Everybody seemed calm. There was no grousing. A woman in the waiting area across from me told me she travels Virgin to California all the time for work. She told me it was rare for there to be a delay. She herself had connections out of SFO, and had to change her flight. She got on the phone with Virgin, and they were able to accommodate her. She was going to leave the next day, but when she left, she did not seem upset. The airline had taken care of her. The delay was not Virgin\'s fault, but rather Mother Nature\'s.  Virgin worked hard to lessen the impact of the delay and to accommodate its passengers (or guests as they call them).\n\nNow, would I fly Virgin again? Most likely. I would know to bring food on-board though, and maybe a movie on my smartphone. It would still depend on price and schedule, but all things being equal, Virgin wins out. It just felt better.\n\nWhat about you? Do you fly an airline because you like what it stands for? Let me know in the comments.\n\nUPDATE\n\nI just came across this post on the Wonkblog on the Washington Post, which lists airlines on how often they lose your luggage. Virgin America is last on the list (loses the least amount of luggage). Now that may be because fewer people check their bags, or because Virgin is better. Either way, it is a good reason to fly an airline.','Do you fly a brand?','','inherit','open','open','','2817-autosave-v1','','','2014-12-19 19:06:23','2014-12-20 00:06:23','',2817,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/12/2817-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2820,4,'2014-12-19 19:06:36','2014-12-20 00:06:36','Do you ever choose to fly an airline because of its brand identity? Or,  do you choose your flight based on schedule/price? I bet it\'s more than the latter than the former, but if all things are close, you may choose the brand you like the most.\r\n\r\nLast week, I took my first flight on Virgin America. I was going out to San Francisco and Virgin flies from Washington to SFO at least twice a day. I had heard good things, and I thought that Virgin, like Southwest or JetBlue, was a lower cost carrier. Well, it really isn\'t. Virgin charges a comparable price to the other major carrier (United) flying to San Francisco from this area.  And like United, Virgin charges for bags. Unlike United, Virgin charges for in-flight movies ($8 a pop). Virgin also charges for food, snacks and for premium (like Honest Tea) and alcoholic beverages. Pretty much the only thing that you can get for \"free\" is water, coffee and soda. But you order all of these items on demand, from your seat, via an in-flight on-screen ordering system. You want more water, you \"order\" it.\r\n\r\nAnd there are other differences. The seats are leather, there\'s more legroom, and the cabin has a purple light. The flight attendants seem a bit younger and \"cooler\" than most, and there is definitely no in-flight magazine (because print is so yesterday). But what is really different is the safety video. Take a look:\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/DtyfiPIHsIg\r\n\r\nRead more about how this v<a href=\"http://www.fastcompany.com/3021770/leadership-now/amazingly-good-branding-lessons-from-virgin-americas-new-dance-video-yes-danc\" target=\"_blank\">ideo heralded a new brand strategy </a>for Virgin America in Fast Company.\r\n\r\nIt seems that even though Virgin America basically nickels and dimes its passengers, <strong>people enjoy flying with the airline</strong>. It just feels different--more fun and more hip. Even the vibe at the airport was different. Virgin shares a terminal with American at SFO. The Virgin side had funky chairs and work tables (with plug-in terminals). Lot of people were working at their laptops, with headphones on. Very few (if any) screaming children. Only one wheelchair request. The feeling was more tech-y, hip and relaxed. The American side felt darker, more stressed, more old-school.\r\n\r\nThe real difference may also be customer service. Our flight out of Washington-Dulles was delayed by two hours due to the huge storm that hit the Bay Area last week. The people at the podium immediately set to help out anybody who needed/wanted to change their flight plans. One of the crew brought out snack carts and  gave out free water and snacks. Everybody seemed calm. There was no grousing. A woman in the waiting area across from me told me she travels Virgin to California all the time for work. She told me it was rare for there to be a delay. She herself had connections out of SFO, and had to change her flight. She got on the phone with Virgin, and they were able to accommodate her. She was going to leave the next day, but when she left, she did not seem upset. The airline had taken care of her. The delay was not Virgin\'s fault, but rather Mother Nature\'s.  Virgin worked hard to lessen the impact of the delay and to accommodate its passengers (or guests as they call them).\r\n\r\nNow, would I fly Virgin again? Most likely. I would know to bring food on-board though, and maybe a movie on my smartphone. It would still depend on price and schedule, but all things being equal, Virgin wins out. It just felt better.\r\n\r\nWhat about you? Do you fly an airline because you like what it stands for? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\nUPDATE\r\n\r\nI just <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/12/18/these-airlines-lose-your-luggage-the-most-often/\" target=\"_blank\">came across this post on the Wonkblo</a>g on the Washington Post, which lists airlines on how often they lose your luggage. Virgin America is last on the list (loses the least amount of luggage). Now that may be because fewer people check their bags, or because Virgin is better. Either way, it is a good reason to fly an airline.','Do you fly a brand?','','inherit','open','open','','2817-revision-v1','','','2014-12-19 19:06:36','2014-12-20 00:06:36','',2817,'http://deborahbrody.com/2014/12/2817-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2823,4,'2015-01-06 14:39:02','2015-01-06 19:39:02','It’s hard to believe that we are in January. Of 2015. After clearing the haze left from the year-end holidays, and eying the still empty 2015 calendar in front of us, what better time to consider what you want to do with your blog this year.\r\n\r\nIn order to do something (bigger, better, more, less)—anything—with your blog, you should consider creating your very own 2015 blogging plan, which should include setting blogging resolutions and goals, and then listing a series of actions to get you there.\r\n\r\nTo me, a resolution is the guiding principle (for example, I want to be a better writer) while goals are a measurable way of achieving results (following the example, publish five articles during the year). Actions are simply the steps you take in order to get there (again, per example, research publications).\r\n\r\nSo here’s your bare-bones 2015 blogging plan:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Set a blogging resolution for the year (or as some people like to do, a focus word/phrase)</li>\r\n	<li>Set a series of goals (make sure they are specific and measurable) to help you achieve your resolution</li>\r\n	<li>List the actions you need to take to get there</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Blogging resolutions (choose one or write your own)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Blog regularly and consistently</li>\r\n	<li>Get better results/generate leads/improve thought leadership</li>\r\n	<li>Increase blog readers</li>\r\n	<li>Restart a blog</li>\r\n	<li>Upgrade/change the focus/redesign the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Be more focused on your area of expertise</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging goals (Pick and choose which would help you attain your blogging resolution and then add the specifics)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create a blogging schedule/editorial calendar that includes topics, authors, target amount of posts, keywords, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Write a mission/vision statement for the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Set aside brainstorming time each month to generate blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Spend more time on each blog post paying attention to grammar, spelling, fact-checking</li>\r\n	<li>Create better headlines for each blog post that will result in (more attention, more readers, better sharing)</li>\r\n	<li>Implement a blog promotion plan to reach target audience</li>\r\n	<li>Include graphics, video and/or audio in most or all blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Write a target number of blog posts per week/month/year</li>\r\n	<li>Experiment with a different format (podcast, vlog, live blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Determine specific call-to-actions to include with every blog post</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging actions (everybody should do most of these)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Update your blogging software, themes and plugins regularly or as needed</li>\r\n	<li>Review your current plugins and explore new or different versions (Do you still need all of them? What functionality is missing from your blog?)</li>\r\n	<li>Review your sharing capabilities (Any new social networks you want to include? Noticed any good sharing plugins on other blogs?)</li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Update your copyright line to reflect 2015 (do this now!)</span></li>\r\n	<li>Research your “competition”</li>\r\n	<li>Set your 2015 Google Analytics goals</li>\r\n	<li>Study your Google Analytics ( if you don’t know how—search for a tutorial or class)</li>\r\n	<li>If you use IFTTT, review and update your settings</li>\r\n	<li>Create graphics “warehouse” (whether server or cloud-based) where you can access and store your own pictures, images, infographics, video, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Research and select an image subscription service</li>\r\n	<li>Determine your blog loading speed and if it is slow, find ways to improve it</li>\r\n	<li>Make your blog responsive already! Do you see many people without smartphones around?</li>\r\n	<li>Update biographies, about us pages, gravatar pictures</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis is by no means a complete list. What would you add? What are your blogging resolutions and goals? What specific actions do you take to keep your blog running smoothly?\r\n\r\nHappy New Year 2015! Here\'s a virtual toast to you achieving great things with your blog this year. If you\'ve never had a plan for your blog, make 2015 the year to start!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging resolutions, goals and actions for 2015	','','publish','open','open','','blogging-resolutions-goals-and-actions-for-2015','','','2015-01-07 09:06:43','2015-01-07 14:06:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2823',0,'post','',0),(2824,4,'2015-01-06 14:36:32','2015-01-06 19:36:32','It’s hard to believe that we are in January. Of 2015. After clearing the haze left from the year-end holidays, and eying the still empty 2015 calendar in front of us, what better time to consider what you want to do with your blog this year.\r\n\r\nIn order to do something (bigger, better, more, less)—anything—with your blog, you should consider creating your very own 2015 blogging plan, which should include setting blogging resolutions and goals, and then listing a series of actions to get you there.\r\n\r\nTo me, a resolution is the guiding principle (for example, I want to be a better writer) while goals are a measurable way of achieving results (following the example, publish five articles during the year). Actions are simply the steps you take in order to get there (again, per example, research publications).\r\n\r\nSo here’s your bare-bones 2015 blogging plan:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Set a blogging resolution for the year (or as some people like to do, a focus word/phrase)</li>\r\n	<li>Set a series of goals (make sure they are specific and measurable) to help you achieve you resolution</li>\r\n	<li>List the actions you need to take to get there</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Blogging resolutions (choose one or write your own)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Blog regularly and consistently</li>\r\n	<li>Get better results/generate leads/improve thought leadership</li>\r\n	<li>Increase blog readers</li>\r\n	<li>Restart a blog</li>\r\n	<li>Upgrade/change the focus/redesign the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Be more focused on your area of expertise</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Blogging goals (Pick and choose which would help you attain your blogging resolution and then add the specifics)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create a blogging schedule/editorial calendar that includes topics, authors, target amount of posts, keywords, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Write a mission/vision statement for the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Set aside brainstorming time each month to generate blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Spend more time on each blog post paying attention to grammar, spelling, fact-checking</li>\r\n	<li>Create better headlines for each blog post that will result in (more attention, more readers, better sharing)</li>\r\n	<li>Implement a blog promotion plan to reach target audience</li>\r\n	<li>Include graphics, video and/or audio in most or all blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Write a target number of blog posts per week/month/year</li>\r\n	<li>Experiment with a different format (podcast, vlog, live blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Determine specific call-to-actions to include with every blog post</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging actions (everybody should do most of these)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Update your blogging software, themes and plugins regularly or as needed</li>\r\n	<li>Review your current plugins and explore new or different versions (Do you still need all of them? What functionality is missing from your blog?)</li>\r\n	<li>Review your sharing capabilities (Any new social networks you want to include? Noticed any good sharing plugins on other blogs?)</li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Update your copyright line to reflect 2015 (do this now!)</span></li>\r\n	<li>Research your “competition”</li>\r\n	<li>Set your 2015 Google Analytics goals</li>\r\n	<li>Study your Google Analytics ( if you don’t know how—search for a tutorial or class)</li>\r\n	<li>If you use IFTTT, review and update your settings</li>\r\n	<li>Create graphics “warehouse” (whether server or cloud-based) where you can access and store your own pictures, images, infographics, video, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Research and select an image subscription service</li>\r\n	<li>Determine your blog loading speed and if it is slow, find ways to improve it</li>\r\n	<li>Make your blog responsive already! Do you see many people without smartphones around?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat would you add? What are your blogging resolutions and goals? What specific actions do you take to keep your blog running smoothly?\r\n\r\nHappy New Year 2015! Here\'s a virtual toast to you achieving great things with your blog this year. If you\'ve never had a plan for your blog, make 2015 the year to start!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging resolutions, goals and actions for 2015	','','inherit','open','open','','2823-revision-v1','','','2015-01-06 14:36:32','2015-01-06 19:36:32','',2823,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2823-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2825,4,'2015-01-06 14:39:02','2015-01-06 19:39:02','It’s hard to believe that we are in January. Of 2015. After clearing the haze left from the year-end holidays, and eying the still empty 2015 calendar in front of us, what better time to consider what you want to do with your blog this year.\r\n\r\nIn order to do something (bigger, better, more, less)—anything—with your blog, you should consider creating your very own 2015 blogging plan, which should include setting blogging resolutions and goals, and then listing a series of actions to get you there.\r\n\r\nTo me, a resolution is the guiding principle (for example, I want to be a better writer) while goals are a measurable way of achieving results (following the example, publish five articles during the year). Actions are simply the steps you take in order to get there (again, per example, research publications).\r\n\r\nSo here’s your bare-bones 2015 blogging plan:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Set a blogging resolution for the year (or as some people like to do, a focus word/phrase)</li>\r\n	<li>Set a series of goals (make sure they are specific and measurable) to help you achieve you resolution</li>\r\n	<li>List the actions you need to take to get there</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Blogging resolutions (choose one or write your own)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Blog regularly and consistently</li>\r\n	<li>Get better results/generate leads/improve thought leadership</li>\r\n	<li>Increase blog readers</li>\r\n	<li>Restart a blog</li>\r\n	<li>Upgrade/change the focus/redesign the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Be more focused on your area of expertise</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging goals (Pick and choose which would help you attain your blogging resolution and then add the specifics)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create a blogging schedule/editorial calendar that includes topics, authors, target amount of posts, keywords, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Write a mission/vision statement for the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Set aside brainstorming time each month to generate blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Spend more time on each blog post paying attention to grammar, spelling, fact-checking</li>\r\n	<li>Create better headlines for each blog post that will result in (more attention, more readers, better sharing)</li>\r\n	<li>Implement a blog promotion plan to reach target audience</li>\r\n	<li>Include graphics, video and/or audio in most or all blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Write a target number of blog posts per week/month/year</li>\r\n	<li>Experiment with a different format (podcast, vlog, live blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Determine specific call-to-actions to include with every blog post</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging actions (everybody should do most of these)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Update your blogging software, themes and plugins regularly or as needed</li>\r\n	<li>Review your current plugins and explore new or different versions (Do you still need all of them? What functionality is missing from your blog?)</li>\r\n	<li>Review your sharing capabilities (Any new social networks you want to include? Noticed any good sharing plugins on other blogs?)</li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Update your copyright line to reflect 2015 (do this now!)</span></li>\r\n	<li>Research your “competition”</li>\r\n	<li>Set your 2015 Google Analytics goals</li>\r\n	<li>Study your Google Analytics ( if you don’t know how—search for a tutorial or class)</li>\r\n	<li>If you use IFTTT, review and update your settings</li>\r\n	<li>Create graphics “warehouse” (whether server or cloud-based) where you can access and store your own pictures, images, infographics, video, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Research and select an image subscription service</li>\r\n	<li>Determine your blog loading speed and if it is slow, find ways to improve it</li>\r\n	<li>Make your blog responsive already! Do you see many people without smartphones around?</li>\r\n	<li>Update biographies, about us pages, gravatar pictures</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis is by no means a complete list. What would you add? What are your blogging resolutions and goals? What specific actions do you take to keep your blog running smoothly?\r\n\r\nHappy New Year 2015! Here\'s a virtual toast to you achieving great things with your blog this year. If you\'ve never had a plan for your blog, make 2015 the year to start!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging resolutions, goals and actions for 2015	','','inherit','open','open','','2823-revision-v1','','','2015-01-06 14:39:02','2015-01-06 19:39:02','',2823,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2823-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2826,4,'2015-01-07 09:06:43','2015-01-07 14:06:43','It’s hard to believe that we are in January. Of 2015. After clearing the haze left from the year-end holidays, and eying the still empty 2015 calendar in front of us, what better time to consider what you want to do with your blog this year.\r\n\r\nIn order to do something (bigger, better, more, less)—anything—with your blog, you should consider creating your very own 2015 blogging plan, which should include setting blogging resolutions and goals, and then listing a series of actions to get you there.\r\n\r\nTo me, a resolution is the guiding principle (for example, I want to be a better writer) while goals are a measurable way of achieving results (following the example, publish five articles during the year). Actions are simply the steps you take in order to get there (again, per example, research publications).\r\n\r\nSo here’s your bare-bones 2015 blogging plan:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Set a blogging resolution for the year (or as some people like to do, a focus word/phrase)</li>\r\n	<li>Set a series of goals (make sure they are specific and measurable) to help you achieve your resolution</li>\r\n	<li>List the actions you need to take to get there</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Blogging resolutions (choose one or write your own)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Blog regularly and consistently</li>\r\n	<li>Get better results/generate leads/improve thought leadership</li>\r\n	<li>Increase blog readers</li>\r\n	<li>Restart a blog</li>\r\n	<li>Upgrade/change the focus/redesign the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Be more focused on your area of expertise</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging goals (Pick and choose which would help you attain your blogging resolution and then add the specifics)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Create a blogging schedule/editorial calendar that includes topics, authors, target amount of posts, keywords, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Write a mission/vision statement for the blog</li>\r\n	<li>Set aside brainstorming time each month to generate blog post ideas</li>\r\n	<li>Spend more time on each blog post paying attention to grammar, spelling, fact-checking</li>\r\n	<li>Create better headlines for each blog post that will result in (more attention, more readers, better sharing)</li>\r\n	<li>Implement a blog promotion plan to reach target audience</li>\r\n	<li>Include graphics, video and/or audio in most or all blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Write a target number of blog posts per week/month/year</li>\r\n	<li>Experiment with a different format (podcast, vlog, live blog)</li>\r\n	<li>Determine specific call-to-actions to include with every blog post</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Blogging actions (everybody should do most of these)</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Update your blogging software, themes and plugins regularly or as needed</li>\r\n	<li>Review your current plugins and explore new or different versions (Do you still need all of them? What functionality is missing from your blog?)</li>\r\n	<li>Review your sharing capabilities (Any new social networks you want to include? Noticed any good sharing plugins on other blogs?)</li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Update your copyright line to reflect 2015 (do this now!)</span></li>\r\n	<li>Research your “competition”</li>\r\n	<li>Set your 2015 Google Analytics goals</li>\r\n	<li>Study your Google Analytics ( if you don’t know how—search for a tutorial or class)</li>\r\n	<li>If you use IFTTT, review and update your settings</li>\r\n	<li>Create graphics “warehouse” (whether server or cloud-based) where you can access and store your own pictures, images, infographics, video, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Research and select an image subscription service</li>\r\n	<li>Determine your blog loading speed and if it is slow, find ways to improve it</li>\r\n	<li>Make your blog responsive already! Do you see many people without smartphones around?</li>\r\n	<li>Update biographies, about us pages, gravatar pictures</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis is by no means a complete list. What would you add? What are your blogging resolutions and goals? What specific actions do you take to keep your blog running smoothly?\r\n\r\nHappy New Year 2015! Here\'s a virtual toast to you achieving great things with your blog this year. If you\'ve never had a plan for your blog, make 2015 the year to start!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging resolutions, goals and actions for 2015	','','inherit','open','open','','2823-revision-v1','','','2015-01-07 09:06:43','2015-01-07 14:06:43','',2823,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2823-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2828,4,'2015-01-13 10:09:20','2015-01-13 15:09:20','You want to grow your blog. You want to write consistently. You want to be shared widely.\r\n\r\nAll bloggers do. But not all bloggers succeed.\r\n\r\nWith all things being equal, (posting well written, well research, thoughtful, grammatically-correct and spell-checked posts) what sets successful bloggers apart?\r\n\r\nSuccessful bloggers know the answer to this question:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Who will read this blog post?</strong></p>\r\nIn other words, they know and understand their <strong>target audience.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you know your target audience, you will write the stuff that is relevant, useful and/or interesting to them.\r\n\r\nLet\'s say you are a plumber who blogs about plumbing issues. Who is your target audience? Is it potential customers? Or is it young plumbers who want to learn the business? If it is the former, then your blog posts would  perhaps be focused on what causes plumbing issues and do-it-yourself tips to keep plumbing working well. If your target audience is young plumbers interested in learning the tricks of the trade, you might write about how to get customers or how to find the best plumbing supply vendors.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t define your target audience, and think about their needs, you will have an unfocused blog, and you will end up reaching no one.\r\n\r\nSo before you write your next blog post, ask yourself<strong> who will want to read this?  </strong>If the answer is not a member of your defined target audience, think twice about posting.','Before you write your next blog post, ask yourself this','','publish','open','open','','before-you-write-your-next-blog-post-ask-yourself-this','','','2015-01-13 10:09:20','2015-01-13 15:09:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2828',0,'post','',0),(2829,4,'2015-01-13 10:09:20','2015-01-13 15:09:20','You want to grow your blog. You want to write consistently. You want to be shared widely.\r\n\r\nAll bloggers do. But not all bloggers succeed.\r\n\r\nWith all things being equal, (posting well written, well research, thoughtful, grammatically-correct and spell-checked posts) what sets successful bloggers apart?\r\n\r\nSuccessful bloggers know the answer to this question:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Who will read this blog post?</strong></p>\r\nIn other words, they know and understand their <strong>target audience.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you know your target audience, you will write the stuff that is relevant, useful and/or interesting to them.\r\n\r\nLet\'s say you are a plumber who blogs about plumbing issues. Who is your target audience? Is it potential customers? Or is it young plumbers who want to learn the business? If it is the former, then your blog posts would  perhaps be focused on what causes plumbing issues and do-it-yourself tips to keep plumbing working well. If your target audience is young plumbers interested in learning the tricks of the trade, you might write about how to get customers or how to find the best plumbing supply vendors.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t define your target audience, and think about their needs, you will have an unfocused blog, and you will end up reaching no one.\r\n\r\nSo before you write your next blog post, ask yourself<strong> who will want to read this?  </strong>If the answer is not a member of your defined target audience, think twice about posting.','Before you write your next blog post, ask yourself this','','inherit','open','open','','2828-revision-v1','','','2015-01-13 10:09:20','2015-01-13 15:09:20','',2828,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2828-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2831,4,'2015-01-20 10:27:30','2015-01-20 15:27:30','For several years now, there have been organized Days of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day across the United States.\r\n\r\nI love Days of Service. In 2013, I went to the big one organized around President Obama\'s second inauguration, where I joined thousands in putting together care packages for US troops. Yesterday, I went to the Montgomery County (where I live) Day of Service and learned to crochet squares, which will be joined together by other volunteers into blankets for needy people.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2832\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2832\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday, at the Montgomery County Conference Center, where the MLK Day of Service event was held, I saw hundreds of folks, representing various ethnicities and races, many of them children, all crammed together in a ballroom. All of them converging to volunteer in memory of Dr. King, to participate in a small project (crochet for one hour, like me) but selfless.\r\n\r\nHow do you get thousands of folks to volunteer? Generally, there\'s not enough budget for physical incentives (t-shirts, food, etc.) for everyone. People will need to transport themselves to the location and give up a chunk of their time. So why do people do it, year after year?\r\n\r\nAll sorts of people will take the time and devote energy to volunteering because there is payoff. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The payoff  is a feeling of accomplishment.</span> They  feel like they are helping out and perhaps, even making a difference.\r\n\r\nThe one big marketing lesson here is simple. <strong>People want do things that make them feel good about themselves</strong>.\r\n\r\nA powerful motivation to get people to do what you want (buy a product, sign up for healthcare, etc.) is to focus on making people feel good about themselves.\r\n\r\nHave you seen the TV commercials for Chantix (a medication to help people quit smoking)? The commercials tell the stories of individuals who decided to quit, generally because they want to live long lives for their families. They focus on how good people feel once they have stopped smoking, and what a great accomplishment it is.\r\n\r\nWe know good marketing understands and focuses on the intended target audience. Part of understanding a target audience is to know what will motivate action. Some marketers feel scare tactics work better (if you don\'t buy life insurance, you will be hit by catastrophic funeral costs you won\'t be able to afford). In my opinion, people prefer to feel good about their choices (if you buy life insurance, you will have peace of mind).\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you respond better to positive or negative marketing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One big marketing lesson from the MLK Day of Service','','publish','open','open','','one-big-marketing-lesson-from-the-mlk-day-of-service','','','2015-01-20 10:27:30','2015-01-20 15:27:30','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2831',0,'post','',0),(2832,4,'2015-01-20 10:08:05','2015-01-20 15:08:05','','Crochet squares','Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service','inherit','open','open','','10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n','','','2015-01-20 10:08:37','2015-01-20 15:08:37','',2831,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2833,4,'2015-01-20 10:21:07','2015-01-20 15:21:07','For several years now, there have been organized Days of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day across the United States.\r\n\r\nI love Days of Service. In 2013, I went to the big one organized around President Obama\'s second inauguration, where I joined thousands in putting together care packages for US troops. Yesterday, I went to the Montgomery County (where I live) Day of Service and learned to crochet squares, which will be joined together by other volunteers into blankets for needy people.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2832\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYesterday, at the Montgomery County Conference Center, where the MLK Day of Service event was held, I saw hundreds of folks, representing various ethnicities and races. Lots of them were kids. All of them converging to volunteer in memory of Dr. King, to do something small (crochet for one hour, like me) but selfless.\r\n\r\nHow do you get thousands of folks to volunteer? Generally, there\'s not enough budget for physical incentives (t-shirts, food, etc.) for everyone. People will need to transport themselves to the location and give up a chunk of their time. So why do people do it, year after year?\r\n\r\nAll sorts of people will take the time and devote energy to volunteering because there is payoff. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The payoff  is a feeling of accomplishment.</span> They  feel like they are helping out and perhaps, even making a difference.\r\n\r\nThe one big marketing lesson here is simple. <strong>People want do things that make them feel good about themselves</strong>.\r\n\r\nTo get people to do things (buy a product, sign up for healthcare, etc.), marketing materials and efforts need to focus on making people feel good about themselves. That\'s powerful motivation.\r\n\r\nHave you seen the TV commercials for Chantix (a medication to help people quit smoking)? They tell the stories of individuals who decided to quit, generally because they want to live long lives for their families. The focus of these ads is on how good people feel once they have stopped smoking, and what a great accomplishment it is.\r\n\r\nWe know good marketing understands and focuses on the intended target audience. Part of understanding a target audience is to know what will motivate action. Some marketers feel scare tactics work better (if you don\'t buy life insurance, you will be hit by catastrophic funeral costs you won\'t be able to afford). In my opinion, people prefer to feel good about their choices (if you buy life insurance, you will have peace of mind).\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you respond better to positive or negative marketing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One big marketing lesson from the MLK Day of Service','','inherit','open','open','','2831-revision-v1','','','2015-01-20 10:21:07','2015-01-20 15:21:07','',2831,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2831-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2834,4,'2015-01-20 10:27:14','2015-01-20 15:27:14','For several years now, there have been organized Days of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day across the United States.\r\n\r\nI love Days of Service. In 2013, I went to the big one organized around President Obama\'s second inauguration, where I joined thousands in putting together care packages for US troops. Yesterday, I went to the Montgomery County (where I live) Day of Service and learned to crochet squares, which will be joined together by other volunteers into blankets for needy people.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2832\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2832\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10923270_10152688031315028_3539864702966170471_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Crochet squares at Montgomery County MLK Day of Service[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday, at the Montgomery County Conference Center, where the MLK Day of Service event was held, I saw hundreds of folks, representing various ethnicities and races, many of them children, all crammed together in a ballroom. All of them converging to volunteer in memory of Dr. King, to participate in a small project (crochet for one hour, like me) but selfless.\r\n\r\nHow do you get thousands of folks to volunteer? Generally, there\'s not enough budget for physical incentives (t-shirts, food, etc.) for everyone. People will need to transport themselves to the location and give up a chunk of their time. So why do people do it, year after year?\r\n\r\nAll sorts of people will take the time and devote energy to volunteering because there is payoff. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The payoff  is a feeling of accomplishment.</span> They  feel like they are helping out and perhaps, even making a difference.\r\n\r\nThe one big marketing lesson here is simple. <strong>People want do things that make them feel good about themselves</strong>.\r\n\r\nA powerful motivation to get people to do what you want (buy a product, sign up for healthcare, etc.) is to focus on making people feel good about themselves.\r\n\r\nHave you seen the TV commercials for Chantix (a medication to help people quit smoking)? The commercials tell the stories of individuals who decided to quit, generally because they want to live long lives for their families. They focus on how good people feel once they have stopped smoking, and what a great accomplishment it is.\r\n\r\nWe know good marketing understands and focuses on the intended target audience. Part of understanding a target audience is to know what will motivate action. Some marketers feel scare tactics work better (if you don\'t buy life insurance, you will be hit by catastrophic funeral costs you won\'t be able to afford). In my opinion, people prefer to feel good about their choices (if you buy life insurance, you will have peace of mind).\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? Do you respond better to positive or negative marketing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One big marketing lesson from the MLK Day of Service','','inherit','open','open','','2831-revision-v1','','','2015-01-20 10:27:14','2015-01-20 15:27:14','',2831,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2831-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2835,4,'2015-01-21 12:42:34','2015-01-21 17:42:34','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-01-21 12:42:34','2015-01-21 17:42:34','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2846,4,'2015-02-03 13:48:34','2015-02-03 18:48:34','Right off the bat let me say I think having open but moderated comments on websites and blogs is the way to go. In the past year, several leading blogs have decided to go the no-comment route, arguing that discussions will occur on social media. That\'s fine, but part of having a blog is being social, and to me, social means allowing comments.\r\n\r\nThis morning I read <a href=\"http://elliott.org/blog/comments-care/\" target=\"_blank\">this piece</a> on consumer advocate Christopher Elliot\'s site, in which he describes how he will deal with comments (especially snarky or inappropriate ones). Basically, his team (don\'t we all wish we had a team, but I digress) will moderate all comments and flag inappropriate ones. If someone is flagged, he/she will be informed and eventually be disallowed from commenting on the site. Seems very fair to me.\r\n\r\nYesterday, Mark Schaefer on his {grow} blog wrote a post entitled <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2015/02/02/online-audience/\" target=\"_blank\">\"I don\'t know my online audience and neither do you.\"</a> His point, with which I most definitely agree, is that you can\'t rely on social media actions and presence to really know who your audience is. There are many customers and potential customers who are just not active on social media, but may be actively doing business or thinking of doing business with you. They may be talking about you (gasp!) in person or emailing (gasp!) links but (the idea of it!) not sharing on social media. He says we can only identify about two percent of who it is that is sharing our content.\r\n\r\nHe writes:\r\n<blockquote>Pick any blogger who has been around for awhile (SIC) and ask them what percent of their audience comments on the blog — they’ll say it is about 2 percent.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the issue of commenting boils down to motivation. Only very motivated people are going to comment on your blog. In Elliot\'s case, many of those are motivated by a desire to be unpleasant or controversial. In Schaefer\'s example, only a small percentage of a total audience takes the step of commenting.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to recognize that all a comment indicates is that a motivated person has decided to interact with you on your blog (whether for good or for bad). By allowing it, you are encouraging interaction. By moderating comments, you are encouraging good behavior. By depending on getting comments, on the other hand, you are falling into a perceived popularity trap.\r\n\r\nA blog won\'t rise or fall on the number of comments that are on it, but rather on the actions that you want readers to take. Perhaps you want your readers to think about doing business with you. Or perhaps you want readers to think of you as an authority in a subject area. Whatever your goal is, try to figure out how to measure it. Your comments alone won\'t do it.\r\n\r\nYou are, of course, welcome to comment on this subject.\r\n\r\nUPDATE February 9, 2015:\r\n\r\nJust came <a href=\"http://www.theverge.com/tldr/2015/2/9/8007483/tablet-magazine-comments\" target=\"_blank\">across this article</a>, about Tablet Magazine, and a trial scheme to ask people to pay to comment. Should cut down on the crazy comments, but could also backfire by creating an obstacle to legitimate commenters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Some thoughts about comments','','publish','open','open','','some-thoughts-about-comments','','\nhttp://elliott.org/blog/comments-care/','2015-02-09 20:20:04','2015-02-10 01:20:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2846',0,'post','',2),(2838,4,'2015-01-26 15:53:09','2015-01-26 20:53:09','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[</strong>Insert number, generally  5 or 7<strong>]  [</strong>insert hyperbolic adjective such as surprising or best-ever<strong>] Tips to [</strong>insert desired action, generally improving or achieving<strong>] Your [</strong>Insert success-oriented result such as expert knowledge or success<strong>]\r\n</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Example:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5 Tips to Exponentially Improve Your Business Success\r\n</strong></p>\r\nThis is a headline formula sure to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed clicks (also known as click-bait). And click-bait is exactly what these are. Very few, if any, of the articles attached to these headlines provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Webster:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. After all, following a formula is easy, and it usually gets attention. The problem is that when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my non-surprising tip: avoid click-bait posts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','publish','open','open','','stop-surprising-me-with-your-tips','','','2015-02-02 10:36:28','2015-02-02 15:36:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2838',0,'post','',0),(2839,4,'2015-01-26 10:37:29','2015-01-26 15:37:29','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">5/7/10 (Surprising/Helpful/Unusual) Tips to (Improve/Increase/Achieve) Your (Nirvana/Success/Life)</p>\r\nThis is a formula to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed link-bait. And link-bait is exactly what these \"articles\" are. Very few, if any, of them provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Websters:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. It\'s easy, and it usually gets attention. But when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, the real surprise is that people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','inherit','open','open','','2838-revision-v1','','','2015-01-26 10:37:29','2015-01-26 15:37:29','',2838,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2838-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2840,4,'2015-01-26 10:40:29','2015-01-26 15:40:29','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">5/7/10 (Surprising/Helpful/Unusual) Tips to (Improve/Increase/Achieve)</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Your (Nirvana/Success/Life)</p>\r\nThis is a formula to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed link-bait. And link-bait is exactly what these \"articles\" are. Very few, if any, of them provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Webster:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. It\'s easy, and it usually gets attention. But when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, the real surprise is that people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','inherit','open','open','','2838-revision-v1','','','2015-01-26 10:40:29','2015-01-26 15:40:29','',2838,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2838-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2841,4,'2015-01-26 15:38:33','2015-01-26 20:38:33','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[Insert number, generally  5 or 7]  [insert hyperbolic adjective such as surprising or best-ever] Tips to [insert desired action, generally improving or achieving] Your [Insert success-oriented result such as expert knowledge or nirvana]\r\n</strong></h5>\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> </strong></h5>\r\nThis is a formula to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed link-bait. And link-bait is exactly what these \"articles\" are. Very few, if any, of them provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Webster:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. It\'s easy, and it usually gets attention. But when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, the real surprise is that people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','inherit','open','open','','2838-revision-v1','','','2015-01-26 15:38:33','2015-01-26 20:38:33','',2838,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2838-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2842,4,'2015-01-26 15:52:00','2015-01-26 20:52:00','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[</strong>Insert number, generally  5 or 7<strong>]  [</strong>insert hyperbolic adjective such as surprising or best-ever<strong>] Tips to [</strong>insert desired action, generally improving or achieving<strong>] Your [</strong>Insert success-oriented result such as expert knowledge or success<strong>]\r\n</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Example:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5 Tips to Exponentially Improve Your Business Success\r\n</strong></p>\r\nThis is a headline formula sure to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed clicks (also known as link-bait). And link-bait is exactly what these are. Very few, if any, of the articles attached to these headlines provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Webster:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. After all, following a formula is easy, and it usually gets attention. The problem is that when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my non-surprising tip: avoid link-bait posts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','inherit','open','open','','2838-revision-v1','','','2015-01-26 15:52:00','2015-01-26 20:52:00','',2838,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/2838-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2843,4,'2015-01-27 18:34:40','2015-01-27 23:34:40','<iframe src=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DR-Ox75S3bNvD01zpkolVqvBlo8PvC9htvgAI4MibU8/viewform?embedded=true\" width=\"600\" height=\"700\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\">Loading...</iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Email:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Call:</strong>\r\n\r\n240-803-DBMC (3262)\r\n\r\n<object width=\"230\" height=\"85\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"FlashVars\" value=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" /><embed width=\"230\" height=\"85\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton\" wmode=\"transparent\" flashvars=\"id=5e012d4bc24b62a8912b0ad9c09d5ce21e51c5e2&amp;style=0\" /></object>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twitter.com/dbmc\" target=\"_blank\">@DBMC</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mail</strong>:\r\n\r\n<address>Deborah Brody Marketing Communication</address><address>PO Box 1435\r\nRockville, MD 20849</address><address> </address>','Contact','','inherit','open','open','','24-revision-v1','','','2015-01-27 18:34:40','2015-01-27 23:34:40','',24,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/01/24-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2845,4,'2015-02-02 10:36:28','2015-02-02 15:36:28','In the last few weeks, I have been noticing an inordinate amount of posts with this type of formulaic headline:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[</strong>Insert number, generally  5 or 7<strong>]  [</strong>insert hyperbolic adjective such as surprising or best-ever<strong>] Tips to [</strong>insert desired action, generally improving or achieving<strong>] Your [</strong>Insert success-oriented result such as expert knowledge or success<strong>]\r\n</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Example:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5 Tips to Exponentially Improve Your Business Success\r\n</strong></p>\r\nThis is a headline formula sure to get attention. It is well-known that people love lists, tips and any headline with a number in it. Combine them all, and well, you have guaranteed clicks (also known as click-bait). And click-bait is exactly what these are. Very few, if any, of the articles attached to these headlines provide anything substantial. Certainly, not anything surprising. And many seem to forget what a tip is.\r\n\r\nAlthough the word tip has many meanings (including the point of a pencil, to topple something) the definition most of these posts refer to is this, from Merriam-Webster:\r\n<blockquote><span class=\"ssens\">  a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\"><strong>or</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"ssens\">a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources </span></blockquote>\r\nBut here\'s the thing. A lot of what I am reading barely seems like advice and most of it is certainly not authoritative. For example, I read one of these articles entitled something like 5 Tips to Improve Your Writing, and one of the \"tips\" was \"don\'t lie.\" Seriously. Don\'t lie is not a tip, it\'s a given (and some of the religious persuasion would say it is a commandment).\r\n\r\nAnd then, there\'s an article I read last week about \"surprising\" ways to land a job. Here\'s one of the surprising ways: network. They may have well put in \"fill an application\" or \"send a resume.\"\r\n\r\nI understand why people are writing these headlines and constructing their posts like this. After all, following a formula is easy, and it usually gets attention. The problem is that when you don\'t deliver on the promise of the headline, people won\'t read anything you write anymore or at least won\'t look at it seriously.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my non-surprising tip: avoid click-bait posts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Stop surprising me with your \"tips\"','','inherit','open','open','','2838-revision-v1','','','2015-02-02 10:36:28','2015-02-02 15:36:28','',2838,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2838-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2847,4,'2015-02-03 13:48:34','2015-02-03 18:48:34','Right off the bat let me say I think having open but moderated comments on websites and blogs is the way to go. In the past year, several leading blogs have decided to go the no-comment route, arguing that discussions will occur on social media. That\'s fine, but part of having a blog is being social, and to me, social means allowing comments.\r\n\r\nThis morning I read <a href=\"http://elliott.org/blog/comments-care/\" target=\"_blank\">this piece</a> on consumer advocate Christopher Elliot\'s site, in which he describes how he will deal with comments (especially snarky or inappropriate ones). Basically, his team (don\'t we all wish we had a team, but I digress) will moderate all comments and flag inappropriate ones. If someone is flagged, he/she will be informed and eventually be disallowed from commenting on the site. Seems very fair to me.\r\n\r\nYesterday, Mark Schaefer on his {grow} blog wrote a post entitled <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2015/02/02/online-audience/\" target=\"_blank\">\"I don\'t know my online audience and neither do you.\"</a> His point, with which I most definitely agree, is that you can\'t rely on social media actions and presence to really know who your audience is. There are many customers and potential customers who are just not active on social media, but may be actively doing business or thinking of doing business with you. They may be talking about you (gasp!) in person or emailing (gasp!) links but (the idea of it!) not sharing on social media. He says we can only identify about two percent of who it is that is sharing our content.\r\n\r\nHe writes:\r\n<blockquote>Pick any blogger who has been around for awhile (SIC) and ask them what percent of their audience comments on the blog — they’ll say it is about 2 percent.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the issue of commenting boils down to motivation. Only very motivated people are going to comment on your blog. In Elliot\'s case, many of those are motivated by a desire to be unpleasant or controversial. In Schaefer\'s example, only a small percentage of a total audience takes the step of commenting.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to recognize that all a comment indicates is that a motivated person has decided to interact with you on your blog (whether for good or for bad). By allowing it, you are encouraging interaction. By moderating comments, you are encouraging good behavior. By depending on getting comments, on the other hand, you are falling into a perceived popularity trap.\r\n\r\nA blog won\'t rise or fall on the number of comments that are on it, but rather on the actions that you want readers to take. Perhaps you want your readers to think about doing business with you. Or perhaps you want readers to think of you as an authority in a subject area. Whatever your goal is, try to figure out how to measure it. Your comments alone won\'t do it.\r\n\r\nYou are, of course, welcome to comment on this subject.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Some thoughts about comments','','inherit','open','open','','2846-revision-v1','','','2015-02-03 13:48:34','2015-02-03 18:48:34','',2846,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2846-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2848,4,'2013-04-26 17:38:26','2013-04-26 17:38:26','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-04-26 17:38:26','2013-04-26 17:38:26','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2849,4,'2015-02-05 10:29:50','2015-02-05 15:29:50','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Copy Editing</h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2015-02-05 10:29:50','2015-02-05 15:29:50','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2850,4,'2015-02-05 10:34:36','2015-02-05 15:34:36','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency, and accuracy to your documents.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency.\r\n\r\nCopy editing fee: $60 per hour\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','publish','open','open','','copy-editing','','','2017-09-04 13:19:56','2017-09-04 17:19:56','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=2850',0,'page','',0),(2851,4,'2015-02-05 10:34:36','2015-02-05 15:34:36','Copy editing will rid your documents of errors and make them sound better.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. With lighter copy editing, your document will be checked for grammar, spelling and consistency. With heavier editing, your document will also get re-worked for clarity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-revision-v1','','','2015-02-05 10:34:36','2015-02-05 15:34:36','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2850-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2852,4,'2015-02-05 10:43:35','2015-02-05 15:43:35',' ','','','publish','open','open','','2852','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2852',5,'nav_menu_item','',0),(2853,4,'2015-02-05 10:44:23','2015-02-05 15:44:23','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Copy Editing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/copy-editing/\">Copy Editing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2015-02-05 10:44:23','2015-02-05 15:44:23','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2854,4,'2015-02-06 09:44:23','2015-02-06 14:44:23','I wrote this post back in November, and never published it. But today, I was reading the <em>Washington Post</em> and came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nbc-stays-silent-but-privately-stands-behind-news-anchor-brian-williams/2015/02/05/e3d18cba-ad5b-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Farhi\'s column</a> regarding the Brian Williams \"scandal.\" In case you haven\'t heard about it, it involves Brian \"misremembering\" being shot at in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003.  Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>NBC News went into damage-control mode a day after the public symbol of the network, anchor Brian Williams, faced a <strong>torrent</strong> of derision and criticism for telling a story about his wartime reporting that has proved to be untrue.\r\n\r\nAs <strong>public disapproval roared on social media,</strong> NBC sought to protect and defend Williams, its lead anchor since 2004 and the most popular anchor in the nation.</blockquote>\r\nBolding is mine. Notice that Farhi writes about the \"torrent\" of criticism and disapproval...on social media. I stopped reading the article after these two paragraphs because I don\'t think there\'s a torrent, or a deluge or even a rainstorm of derision outside of social media. I think this is a <em>social media crisis</em>, where people in social media all seem to  outraged by the \"crisis\" and where the rest of the country (those people sitting around their living rooms watching TV in the evening) couldn\'t care less. Notice too that Brian Williams was on TV last night as if nothing had happened. And maybe it only happened in our little social media bubble.\r\n\r\nSo this is where I started this post back in November:\r\n\r\nWhen it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series <em>Homeland</em>. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial Homeland that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the <em>Homeland</em> bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Are these controversies manufactured? Is the scandal for real? Are we living in a social media culture of outrage? Are we living in a bubble?</h4>','Are we living in a bubble? ','','inherit','open','open','','2802-revision-v1','','','2015-02-06 09:44:23','2015-02-06 14:44:23','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2802-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2855,4,'2015-02-06 09:45:44','2015-02-06 14:45:44','I wrote this post back in November, and never published it. But today, I was reading the <em>Washington Post</em> and came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nbc-stays-silent-but-privately-stands-behind-news-anchor-brian-williams/2015/02/05/e3d18cba-ad5b-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Farhi\'s column</a> regarding the Brian Williams \"scandal.\" In case you haven\'t heard about it, it involves Brian \"misremembering\" being shot at in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003.  Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>NBC News went into damage-control mode a day after the public symbol of the network, anchor Brian Williams, faced a <strong>torrent</strong> of derision and criticism for telling a story about his wartime reporting that has proved to be untrue.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs <strong>public disapproval roared on social media,</strong> NBC sought to protect and defend Williams, its lead anchor since 2004 and the most popular anchor in the nation.</blockquote>\r\nBolding is mine. Notice that Farhi writes about the \"torrent\" of criticism and disapproval...on social media. I stopped reading the article after these two paragraphs because I don\'t think there\'s a torrent, or a deluge or even a rainstorm of derision outside of social media. I think this is a <em>social media crisis</em>, where people in social media all seem to  outraged by the \"crisis\" and where the rest of the country (those people sitting around their living rooms watching TV in the evening) couldn\'t care less. Notice too that Brian Williams was on TV last night as if nothing had happened. And maybe it only happened in our little social media bubble.\r\n\r\nSo this is where I started this post back in November:\r\n\r\nWhen it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series <em>Homeland</em>. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial Homeland that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the <em>Homeland</em> bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Are these controversies manufactured? Is the scandal for real? Are we living in a social media culture of outrage? Are we living in a bubble?</h4>','Are we living in a bubble? ','','inherit','open','open','','2802-revision-v1','','','2015-02-06 09:45:44','2015-02-06 14:45:44','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2802-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2856,4,'2015-02-06 12:41:49','2015-02-06 17:41:49','I wrote this post back in November, and never published it. But today, I was reading the <em>Washington Post</em> and came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nbc-stays-silent-but-privately-stands-behind-news-anchor-brian-williams/2015/02/05/e3d18cba-ad5b-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Farhi\'s column</a> regarding the Brian Williams \"scandal.\" In case you haven\'t heard about it, it involves Brian \"misremembering\" being shot at in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003.  Farhi writes:\n<blockquote>NBC News went into damage-control mode a day after the public symbol of the network, anchor Brian Williams, faced a <strong>torrent</strong> of derision and criticism for telling a story about his wartime reporting that has proved to be untrue.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs <strong>public disapproval roared on social media,</strong> NBC sought to protect and defend Williams, its lead anchor since 2004 and the most popular anchor in the nation.</blockquote>\nBolding is mine. Notice that Farhi writes about the \"torrent\" of criticism and disapproval...on social media. I stopped reading the article after these two paragraphs because I don\'t think there\'s a torrent, or a deluge or even a rainstorm of derision outside of social media. I think this is a <em>social media crisis</em>, where people in social media all seem to  outraged by the \"crisis\" and where the rest of the country (those people sitting around their living rooms watching TV in the evening) couldn\'t care less. Notice too that Brian Williams was on TV last night as if nothing had happened. And maybe it only happened in our little social media bubble.\n\nSo this is where I started this post back in November:\n\nWhen it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series <em>Homeland</em>. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\n\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial <em>Homeland</em> that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\n\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the <em>Homeland</em> bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\n\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\n\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\n\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\n\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\n<h4>What do you think? Are these controversies manufactured? Is the scandal for real? Are we living in a social media culture of outrage? Are we living in a bubble?</h4>','Are we living in a bubble? ','','inherit','open','open','','2802-autosave-v1','','','2015-02-06 12:41:49','2015-02-06 17:41:49','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2802-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2857,4,'2015-02-06 12:42:36','2015-02-06 17:42:36','I wrote this post back in November, and never published it. But today, I was reading the <em>Washington Post</em> and came across <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nbc-stays-silent-but-privately-stands-behind-news-anchor-brian-williams/2015/02/05/e3d18cba-ad5b-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Farhi\'s column</a> regarding the Brian Williams \"scandal.\" In case you haven\'t heard about it, it involves Brian \"misremembering\" being shot at in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003.  Farhi writes:\r\n<blockquote>NBC News went into damage-control mode a day after the public symbol of the network, anchor Brian Williams, faced a <strong>torrent</strong> of derision and criticism for telling a story about his wartime reporting that has proved to be untrue.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs <strong>public disapproval roared on social media,</strong> NBC sought to protect and defend Williams, its lead anchor since 2004 and the most popular anchor in the nation.</blockquote>\r\nBolding is mine. Notice that Farhi writes about the \"torrent\" of criticism and disapproval...on social media. I stopped reading the article after these two paragraphs because I don\'t think there\'s a torrent, or a deluge or even a rainstorm of derision outside of social media. I think this is a <em>social media crisis</em>, where people in social media all seem to  outraged by the \"crisis\" and where the rest of the country (those people sitting around their living rooms watching TV in the evening) couldn\'t care less. Notice too that Brian Williams was on TV last night as if nothing had happened. And maybe it only happened in our little social media bubble.\r\n\r\nSo this is where I started this post back in November:\r\n\r\nWhen it started three years ago, I was a huge fan of Showtime\'s series <em>Homeland</em>. I was hooked and had to watch every episode. It bummed me out we had to wait nine months between seasons.\r\n\r\nBut when the third season started this past September, I was no longer enthusiastic. I watched the first couple of episodes and found that I just didn\'t like the main character Carrie anymore. She had become way too crazy (she actually considers drowning her child!) and demanding and unreasonable. The story line had strayed so far from the initial <em>Homeland</em> that it was another story altogether. I quit watching. I no longer care.\r\n\r\nBecause I no longer care, I am no longer living in the <em>Homeland</em> bubble. The bubble is one where \"everybody\" is watching and commenting. Everybody just loves it. Articles and blog posts abound.\r\n\r\nIt seems that when you believe something or are a big fan of something, you surround yourself with like-minded people and views. In fact, your views are being reinforced. At times, you actively avoid being exposed to opposing views.\r\n\r\nNotice what is going on with Uber and Bill Cosby. In case you haven\'t seen the reports, Uber threatened to expose the personal life of a reporter who was aiming to write an article about Uber. Several women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. Both these cases are serious and they expose great flaws in a popular company and a beloved entertainer.\r\n\r\nMany articles, blog posts and Tweets have been devoted to dissecting the PR and communications shortcomings shown by both Uber and Cosby. But here\'s the thing: does it matter? People are still using Uber. And it was reported that at a comedy show in Florida a few days ago, the comedian got a standing ovation.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a disconnect between the world at large and the bubble we surround ourselves with. In PR and crisis communications, both Uber and Cosby are toast. They\'ve handled these situations poorly. But for those who don\'t delve into how things are communicated, who don\'t follow the news (and by the way, journalists are living in a bubble sometimes too), the concern is just not there. They don\'t care about Uber\'s threats because Uber gives them a convenient way to get places. They ignore the accusations against Cosby because they find him funny.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Are these controversies manufactured? Is the scandal for real? Are we living in a social media culture of outrage? Are we living in a bubble?</h4>','Are we living in a bubble? ','','inherit','open','open','','2802-revision-v1','','','2015-02-06 12:42:36','2015-02-06 17:42:36','',2802,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2802-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2858,4,'2015-02-09 20:19:39','2015-02-10 01:19:39','Right off the bat let me say I think having open but moderated comments on websites and blogs is the way to go. In the past year, several leading blogs have decided to go the no-comment route, arguing that discussions will occur on social media. That\'s fine, but part of having a blog is being social, and to me, social means allowing comments.\n\nThis morning I read <a href=\"http://elliott.org/blog/comments-care/\" target=\"_blank\">this piece</a> on consumer advocate Christopher Elliot\'s site, in which he describes how he will deal with comments (especially snarky or inappropriate ones). Basically, his team (don\'t we all wish we had a team, but I digress) will moderate all comments and flag inappropriate ones. If someone is flagged, he/she will be informed and eventually be disallowed from commenting on the site. Seems very fair to me.\n\nYesterday, Mark Schaefer on his {grow} blog wrote a post entitled <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2015/02/02/online-audience/\" target=\"_blank\">\"I don\'t know my online audience and neither do you.\"</a> His point, with which I most definitely agree, is that you can\'t rely on social media actions and presence to really know who your audience is. There are many customers and potential customers who are just not active on social media, but may be actively doing business or thinking of doing business with you. They may be talking about you (gasp!) in person or emailing (gasp!) links but (the idea of it!) not sharing on social media. He says we can only identify about two percent of who it is that is sharing our content.\n\nHe writes:\n<blockquote>Pick any blogger who has been around for awhile (SIC) and ask them what percent of their audience comments on the blog — they’ll say it is about 2 percent.</blockquote>\nBasically, the issue of commenting boils down to motivation. Only very motivated people are going to comment on your blog. In Elliot\'s case, many of those are motivated by a desire to be unpleasant or controversial. In Schaefer\'s example, only a small percentage of a total audience takes the step of commenting.\n\nIt\'s important to recognize that all a comment indicates is that a motivated person has decided to interact with you on your blog (whether for good or for bad). By allowing it, you are encouraging interaction. By moderating comments, you are encouraging good behavior. By depending on getting comments, on the other hand, you are falling into a perceived popularity trap.\n\nA blog won\'t rise or fall on the number of comments that are on it, but rather on the actions that you want readers to take. Perhaps you want your readers to think about doing business with you. Or perhaps you want readers to think of you as an authority in a subject area. Whatever your goal is, try to figure out how to measure it. Your comments alone won\'t do it.\n\nYou are, of course, welcome to comment on this subject.\n\nUPDATE February 9, 2015:\n\nJust came <a href=\"http://www.theverge.com/tldr/2015/2/9/8007483/tablet-magazine-comments\" target=\"_blank\">across this article</a>, about Tablet Magazine, and a trial scheme to ask people to pay to comment. Should cut down on the crazy comments, but could also backfire by making it harder for legitimate\n\n&nbsp;','Some thoughts about comments','','inherit','open','open','','2846-autosave-v1','','','2015-02-09 20:19:39','2015-02-10 01:19:39','',2846,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2846-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2859,4,'2015-02-09 20:20:04','2015-02-10 01:20:04','Right off the bat let me say I think having open but moderated comments on websites and blogs is the way to go. In the past year, several leading blogs have decided to go the no-comment route, arguing that discussions will occur on social media. That\'s fine, but part of having a blog is being social, and to me, social means allowing comments.\r\n\r\nThis morning I read <a href=\"http://elliott.org/blog/comments-care/\" target=\"_blank\">this piece</a> on consumer advocate Christopher Elliot\'s site, in which he describes how he will deal with comments (especially snarky or inappropriate ones). Basically, his team (don\'t we all wish we had a team, but I digress) will moderate all comments and flag inappropriate ones. If someone is flagged, he/she will be informed and eventually be disallowed from commenting on the site. Seems very fair to me.\r\n\r\nYesterday, Mark Schaefer on his {grow} blog wrote a post entitled <a href=\"http://www.businessesgrow.com/2015/02/02/online-audience/\" target=\"_blank\">\"I don\'t know my online audience and neither do you.\"</a> His point, with which I most definitely agree, is that you can\'t rely on social media actions and presence to really know who your audience is. There are many customers and potential customers who are just not active on social media, but may be actively doing business or thinking of doing business with you. They may be talking about you (gasp!) in person or emailing (gasp!) links but (the idea of it!) not sharing on social media. He says we can only identify about two percent of who it is that is sharing our content.\r\n\r\nHe writes:\r\n<blockquote>Pick any blogger who has been around for awhile (SIC) and ask them what percent of their audience comments on the blog — they’ll say it is about 2 percent.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the issue of commenting boils down to motivation. Only very motivated people are going to comment on your blog. In Elliot\'s case, many of those are motivated by a desire to be unpleasant or controversial. In Schaefer\'s example, only a small percentage of a total audience takes the step of commenting.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to recognize that all a comment indicates is that a motivated person has decided to interact with you on your blog (whether for good or for bad). By allowing it, you are encouraging interaction. By moderating comments, you are encouraging good behavior. By depending on getting comments, on the other hand, you are falling into a perceived popularity trap.\r\n\r\nA blog won\'t rise or fall on the number of comments that are on it, but rather on the actions that you want readers to take. Perhaps you want your readers to think about doing business with you. Or perhaps you want readers to think of you as an authority in a subject area. Whatever your goal is, try to figure out how to measure it. Your comments alone won\'t do it.\r\n\r\nYou are, of course, welcome to comment on this subject.\r\n\r\nUPDATE February 9, 2015:\r\n\r\nJust came <a href=\"http://www.theverge.com/tldr/2015/2/9/8007483/tablet-magazine-comments\" target=\"_blank\">across this article</a>, about Tablet Magazine, and a trial scheme to ask people to pay to comment. Should cut down on the crazy comments, but could also backfire by creating an obstacle to legitimate commenters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Some thoughts about comments','','inherit','open','open','','2846-revision-v1','','','2015-02-09 20:20:04','2015-02-10 01:20:04','',2846,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2846-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2860,4,'2015-02-11 09:44:31','2015-02-11 14:44:31','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine <a href=\"http://tabletmag.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Tablet</a> is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended (and intangible) barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt from information overload (or worse, visual overload)? Then you probably know what I mean, and I bet you just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your website\'s barrier to entry?','','publish','open','open','','how-high-is-your-websites-barrier-to-entry','','','2015-02-12 15:44:14','2015-02-12 20:44:14','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2860',0,'post','',0),(2928,4,'2015-03-23 14:31:45','2015-03-23 18:31:45','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Stylebook</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ/difer, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 copy editing rules to make you a better writer              ','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-v1','','','2015-03-23 14:31:45','2015-03-23 18:31:45','',2901,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2901-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2863,4,'2015-02-11 09:38:12','2015-02-11 14:38:12','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much content or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt? You probably just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 09:38:12','2015-02-11 14:38:12','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2864,4,'2015-02-11 09:39:23','2015-02-11 14:39:23','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt? You probably just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 09:39:23','2015-02-11 14:39:23','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2865,4,'2015-02-11 09:40:34','2015-02-11 14:40:34','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt? You probably just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 09:40:34','2015-02-11 14:40:34','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2866,4,'2015-02-11 09:41:45','2015-02-11 14:41:45','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt? You probably just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 09:41:45','2015-02-11 14:41:45','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2867,4,'2015-02-11 09:44:31','2015-02-11 14:44:31','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended (and intangible) barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt from information overload (or worse, visual overload)? You probably just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your website\'s barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 09:44:31','2015-02-11 14:44:31','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2868,4,'2015-02-11 17:17:17','2015-02-11 22:17:17','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine Tablet is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended (and intangible) barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt from information overload (or worse, visual overload)? Then you probably know what I mean, and I bet you just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your website\'s barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-11 17:17:17','2015-02-11 22:17:17','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2869,4,'2015-02-12 15:44:14','2015-02-12 20:44:14','Recently, I came across an article about how the Jewish online magazine <a href=\"http://tabletmag.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Tablet</a> is dealing with comments. It has decided to charge a fee to allow people to comment in order to make it harder for trolls to post obnoxious (and often anti-Semitic) comments. But there is an unintended consequence, and that is that legitimate commenters will now be dissuaded from commenting as well. The barrier to entry may prove too high.\r\n\r\nHave you ever thought about how a visitor interacts with your website? What does that person need to do to find what he or she is looking for? What information is crucial and how easy is it to access it?\r\n\r\n<em>If you have been seeing a low conversion rate on your website, a drop in visitors, or a high bounce rate, perhaps you need to examine whether you have created an unintended (and intangible) barrier to entry or have built a barrier to entry that is too high.</em>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany websites have barriers to entry. Some are easily \"climbed\" and some are like Mount Everest, impossible. Generally, these barriers include \"mechanical\" barriers such as subscription fees, sign up forms, or registration requirements. Some barriers are more subtle, intangible, but still make it hard for visitors to access your content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Mechanical barriers: High, medium and low walls to climb</strong>\r\n\r\nIn an effort to generate revenue from online readers, newspapers have added online <strong>subscription fees.</strong> That\'s a high barrier to entry, since visitors will not only have to sign up, but provide payment. Some websites require <strong>registration</strong>, generally your email and a password. That\'s also a medium barrier to entry.  Yet other websites splash a newsletter <strong>sign-up</strong> before you can read the content, but generally you can close that out making it a low barrier to entry.\r\n\r\nThere are good reasons to create these barriers. After all, you may want to grow your marketing database or get some insight into who is visiting your website, or like many newspapers, you are looking for a source of revenue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Intangible barriers: Creating a psychological \"wall\"</strong>\r\n\r\nBut barriers are not just mechanical or even visible. Your barriers to entry may be intangible and psychological. By that I mean that your barriers are tripping visitors\' heads. For example, your <strong>website navigation</strong> may not be intuitive or clear and may make it hard to for visitors to find what they are looking for.\r\n\r\nAnother hard-to-quantify barrier is the <strong>language</strong> that you choose to use on your website. Many tech and government websites are flush with jargon that is <em>nearly unintelligible</em> to an outsider.\r\n\r\nSome websites make it hard for visitors by having too much <strong>content</strong> or information to sort through. Have you ever landed on a page that made your eyes and head hurt from information overload (or worse, visual overload)? Then you probably know what I mean, and I bet you just went elsewhere.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>How would you classify your website in terms of barrier to entry? High, medium or low? Is it what you want or are you unintentionally turning visitors away?</h4>','How high is your website\'s barrier to entry?','','inherit','open','open','','2860-revision-v1','','','2015-02-12 15:44:14','2015-02-12 20:44:14','',2860,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2860-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2871,4,'2015-02-17 10:36:17','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I\'ve lost count of how many websites for public relations agencies, or writers, or designers, or marketing consultancies that I have visited claiming to be specialized in dozens of things.  You will see the navigation bar across the top and a tab entitled \"Specialties.\" You will then click on that and find several items, like a marketing agency that claims to specialize in SEO, native advertising, design, and social media, to name a few. Or a writer who specializes in medical writing , technical writing, long format, blogs, and many other forms of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s a specialty, singular.</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: you can\'t be specialized in so many fields. You may have <em>experience</em> and <em>knowledge</em> in those fields, but the word specialty, by definition, is limited to one field.\r\n\r\nMerriam-Webster provides this definition:\r\n<blockquote>something that a person or place is known for making or producing very well\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">an area of study or business that a person specializes in or has special knowledge of</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">Notice that it doesn\'t say \"things\" or \"areas of study.\" There is no plural in specialty.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">Maybe you are focused on different things.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">The truth is most marketing/advertising/public relations agencies specialize in their respective disciplines and <em>focus</em> on different aspects. That is, a public relations firm specializes in public relations but focuses on media relations, strategic planning and reputation management, for example.  And then there are agencies that specialize in media relations or strategic planning or reputation management, but they claim to specialize in all three I am a bit suspicious.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\"></p>','Just how specialized are you?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-02-17 10:36:17','2015-02-17 15:36:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2871',0,'post','',0),(2872,4,'2015-02-17 10:36:17','2015-02-17 15:36:17','I\'ve lost count of how many websites for public relations agencies, or writers, or designers, or marketing consultancies that I have visited claiming to be specialized in dozens of things.  You will see the navigation bar across the top and a tab entitled \"Specialties.\" You will then click on that and find several items, like a marketing agency that claims to specialize in SEO, native advertising, design, and social media, to name a few. Or a writer who specializes in medical writing , technical writing, long format, blogs, and many other forms of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s a specialty, singular.</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: you can\'t be specialized in so many fields. You may have <em>experience</em> and <em>knowledge</em> in those fields, but the word specialty, by definition, is limited to one field.\r\n\r\nMerriam-Webster provides this definition:\r\n<blockquote>something that a person or place is known for making or producing very well\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">an area of study or business that a person specializes in or has special knowledge of</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">Notice that it doesn\'t say \"things\" or \"areas of study.\" There is no plural in specialty.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">Maybe you are focused on different things.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\">The truth is most marketing/advertising/public relations agencies specialize in their respective disciplines and <em>focus</em> on different aspects. That is, a public relations firm specializes in public relations but focuses on media relations, strategic planning and reputation management, for example.  And then there are agencies that specialize in media relations or strategic planning or reputation management, but they claim to specialize in all three I am a bit suspicious.</p>\r\n<p class=\"bottom_entry\"></p>','Just how specialized are you?','','inherit','open','open','','2871-revision-v1','','','2015-02-17 10:36:17','2015-02-17 15:36:17','',2871,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2871-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2882,4,'2015-02-25 10:42:39','2015-02-25 15:42:39','By now you will have heard about the Cleveland local news anchor Kristi Capel and how she used a racial slur to describe Lady Gaga\'s performance at the Academy Awards. According to t<a href=\"http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2015/02/kristi_capel_drops_racially_offensive_term_during_morning_newscast.html\" target=\"_blank\">his report</a> in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Capel apologized and said she did not know what the word meant (I am not using the word here because it is racist).\r\n\r\nThink about that for a moment: <em>A news anchor, while broadcasting live, used a word that she did not understand.</em>\r\n\r\nIn Capel\'s case, I don\'t think there was any racial motivation behind this incident, but there was something much more common: ignorance.  She was called out (and rightfully so) because what she said was racist. But every single day, people are guilty of using words they don\'t understand, mangling their meaning.\r\n\r\nIf you watch enough TV or read enough stuff online or in print, you will see many instances of misused words.  To quote Inigo Montoya  in <em>The Princess Bride</em>:\r\n\r\n\"You keep using that word. I don\'t think it means what you think it means.\"\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/G2y8Sx4B2Sk\r\n\r\nLifehack says that travesty, ironic and bemused are among the<a href=\"http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-most-commonly-misused-words.html\" target=\"_blank\"> 10 Most Commonly Misused Words.</a>  Just look up the phrase \"misused words\" in your favorite search engine and you will get loads of examples (there are many more than 10).\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s one I see all the time</strong>\r\n\r\nOne word that  I have seen misused over and over is \"misnomer.\" <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misnomer\" target=\"_blank\">Merriam-Webster defines misnomer as:</a>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument </span></div></blockquote>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\">  <strong>:</strong>  a use of a wrong or inappropriate name </span><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  a wrong name or inappropriate designation </span></div>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"></div></blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Basically, a misnomer is using the wrong <em>name</em> for something . The example used by Merriam-Webster is the <em>international</em> airport that only serves domestic flights.  Seems straightforward enough. Yet, many times I hear journalists using the word misnomer when what they really mean is misunderstanding. They\'ll say something like: \"It\'s a misnomer to say that the senator is going to vote for the bill.\"</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\"><strong>You know that word doesn\'t exist, right?</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">There are some people who make up words or mispronounce words. Huffington Post lists <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelley-emling/made-up-words_b_4072552.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"11 Commonly Used Made-Up Words That Drive Us Insane\"</a> to include: \"expresso,\" \"supposably,\" and the famous \"irregardless.\" (Buzzfeed has a similar list: <a href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamellis/17-misused-and-made-up-words-that-make-you-rage#.cdYqmVP5\" target=\"_blank\">17 Misused and Made-Up Words That Make You Rage</a>.)</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Using words that don\'t mean what you think they do only makes you sound ignorant to those who do understand the meaning. In cases like Capel\'s, not only will you sound ignorant but you may also offend. So here are some warnings:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you are not sure of what a word means <em>precisely</em>, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think a word is right, but you aren\'t absolutely sure, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think you will sound like you know what you are talking about because you are using a long word, definitely don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">And finally, use a dictionary. Look that pesky word up.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>What words do you often notice as being misused?</h4>\r\n</div>','Are you sure you know what that word means?','','inherit','open','open','','2881-revision-v1','','','2015-02-25 10:42:39','2015-02-25 15:42:39','',2881,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2881-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2874,4,'2015-02-17 13:04:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We can\'t ask about something if we don\'t even know it exists. And yet, many times clients/bosses/customers expect us to. They may have forgotten to tell us.','If I don\'t ask and you don\'t tell','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-02-17 13:04:12','2015-02-17 18:04:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2874',0,'post','',0),(2875,4,'2015-02-17 13:04:12','2015-02-17 18:04:12','We can\'t ask about something if we don\'t even know it exists. And yet, many times clients/bosses/customers expect us to. They may have forgotten to tell us.','If I don\'t ask and you don\'t tell','','inherit','open','open','','2874-revision-v1','','','2015-02-17 13:04:12','2015-02-17 18:04:12','',2874,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2874-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2876,4,'2015-02-18 09:51:23','2015-02-18 14:51:23','I used to blog a couple of times a week, sometimes more. Then, after six years, I reduced my blogging to once per week, with the occasional second post in the same week. My aim is to be consistent, and I always want to have at least one blog post each week, no matter what.\r\n\r\n<strong>Consistency is key to keeping your blog viable</strong>. If you take off for months on end, people forget about your blog. And if you don\'t blog regularly, it is hard to promote your blog.\r\n\r\nSo what are you going to do when you can\'t or won\'t post on a regular, consistent schedule?\r\n\r\n<em>Some share old posts</em>. In many cases, that\'s not sustainable. After all, a blog is generally about timeliness and being topical. Although some blog posts have value long after you post them, you can\'t be wholly dependent on a few old posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Some hire a ghostblogger</em>. Paying a third party to produce blog posts on a continual basis can be an excellent solution if you can afford it <em>and</em> you can provide good instruction to the blogger for hire. You will also have to supervise the blog posts, and make sure they are meeting your audience\'s needs and your organization\'s voice.\r\n\r\n<em>Some solicit guest writers.</em> This is a great option if you can find the right person to guest post on your blog.\r\n\r\nThe one action you should do to prevent this situation from happening in the first place? <em>Write an evergreen post once a month or so.</em> (Evergreen means that it can be used at any time.) File it away. This way, when you are in the situation where you can\'t or won\'t blog, you have fresh material to post. If you are like me, there are times when you are feeling more creative or more focused, and writing seems easier. Take advantage and write up a blog post. Another plus of doing this is that you can work on your post to perfect it before posting. More editing time, more time to find images, and more time to work on the headline.\r\n\r\nIf writing an extra post each month seems daunting, perhaps start with having a regular brainstorming session (say once a month or once a quarter) where you challenge yourself to come up with five to ten blog post ideas. Keep that list on file and when you are feeling blocked, you will have something to work on.\r\n\r\nWe all get derailed but that doesn\'t mean we can\'t get back on track. Having a back up plan is a smart blogging policy.\r\n<h4>What do you do when you can\'t blog?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','One action to take to guarantee blog continuity','','publish','open','open','','one-action-to-take-to-guarantee-blog-continuity','','','2015-02-19 08:48:38','2015-02-19 13:48:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2876',0,'post','',0),(2877,4,'2015-02-18 09:50:28','2015-02-18 14:50:28','I used to blog a couple of times a week, sometimes more. Then, after six years, I reduced my blogging to once per week, with the occasional second post in the same week. My aim is to be consistent, and I always want to have at least one blog post each week, no matter what.\r\n\r\n<strong>Consistency is key to keeping your blog viable</strong>. If you take off for months on end, people forget about your blog. And if you don\'t blog regularly, it is hard to promote your blog.\r\n\r\nSo what are you going to do when you can\'t or won\'t post on a regular, consistent schedule?\r\n\r\n<em>Some share old posts</em>. in many cases, that\'s not sustainable. After all, a blog is generally about timeliness and being topical. Although some blog posts have value long after you post them, you can\'t be wholly dependent on a few old posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Some hire a ghostblogger</em>. Paying a third party to produce blog posts on a continual basis can be an excellent solution if you can afford it <em>and</em> you can provide good instruction to the blogger for hire. You will also have to supervise the blog posts, and make sure they are meeting your audience\'s needs and your organization\'s voice.\r\n\r\n<em>Some solicit guest writers.</em> This is a great option if you can find the right person to guest post on your blog.\r\n\r\nThe one action you should do to prevent this situation from happening in the first place? <em>Write an evergreen post once a month or so.</em> (Evergreen means that it can be used at any time.) File it away. This way, when you are in the situation where you can\'t or won\'t blog, you have fresh material to post. If you are like me, there are times when you are feeling more creative or more focused, and writing seems easier. Take advantage and write up a blog post. Another plus of doing this is that you can work on your post to perfect it before posting. More editing time, more time to find images, and more time to work on the headline.\r\n\r\nIf writing an extra post each month seems daunting, perhaps start with having a regular brainstorming session (say once a month or once a quarter) where you challenge yourself to come up with five to ten blog post ideas. Keep that list on file and when you are feeling blocked, you will have something to work on.\r\n\r\nWe all get derailed but that doesn\'t mean we can\'t get back on track. Having a back up is a smart blogging policy.\r\n<h4>What do you do when you can\'t blog?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','One action to take to guarantee blog continuity','','inherit','open','open','','2876-revision-v1','','','2015-02-18 09:50:28','2015-02-18 14:50:28','',2876,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2876-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2879,4,'2015-02-18 17:37:28','2015-02-18 22:37:28','I used to blog a couple of times a week, sometimes more. Then, after six years, I reduced my blogging to once per week, with the occasional second post in the same week. My aim is to be consistent, and I always want to have at least one blog post each week, no matter what.\r\n\r\n<strong>Consistency is key to keeping your blog viable</strong>. If you take off for months on end, people forget about your blog. And if you don\'t blog regularly, it is hard to promote your blog.\r\n\r\nSo what are you going to do when you can\'t or won\'t post on a regular, consistent schedule?\r\n\r\n<em>Some share old posts</em>. In many cases, that\'s not sustainable. After all, a blog is generally about timeliness and being topical. Although some blog posts have value long after you post them, you can\'t be wholly dependent on a few old posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Some hire a ghostblogger</em>. Paying a third party to produce blog posts on a continual basis can be an excellent solution if you can afford it <em>and</em> you can provide good instruction to the blogger for hire. You will also have to supervise the blog posts, and make sure they are meeting your audience\'s needs and your organization\'s voice.\r\n\r\n<em>Some solicit guest writers.</em> This is a great option if you can find the right person to guest post on your blog.\r\n\r\nThe one action you should do to prevent this situation from happening in the first place? <em>Write an evergreen post once a month or so.</em> (Evergreen means that it can be used at any time.) File it away. This way, when you are in the situation where you can\'t or won\'t blog, you have fresh material to post. If you are like me, there are times when you are feeling more creative or more focused, and writing seems easier. Take advantage and write up a blog post. Another plus of doing this is that you can work on your post to perfect it before posting. More editing time, more time to find images, and more time to work on the headline.\r\n\r\nIf writing an extra post each month seems daunting, perhaps start with having a regular brainstorming session (say once a month or once a quarter) where you challenge yourself to come up with five to ten blog post ideas. Keep that list on file and when you are feeling blocked, you will have something to work on.\r\n\r\nWe all get derailed but that doesn\'t mean we can\'t get back on track. Having a back up is a smart blogging policy.\r\n<h4>What do you do when you can\'t blog?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','One action to take to guarantee blog continuity','','inherit','open','open','','2876-revision-v1','','','2015-02-18 17:37:28','2015-02-18 22:37:28','',2876,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2876-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2880,4,'2015-02-19 08:48:38','2015-02-19 13:48:38','I used to blog a couple of times a week, sometimes more. Then, after six years, I reduced my blogging to once per week, with the occasional second post in the same week. My aim is to be consistent, and I always want to have at least one blog post each week, no matter what.\r\n\r\n<strong>Consistency is key to keeping your blog viable</strong>. If you take off for months on end, people forget about your blog. And if you don\'t blog regularly, it is hard to promote your blog.\r\n\r\nSo what are you going to do when you can\'t or won\'t post on a regular, consistent schedule?\r\n\r\n<em>Some share old posts</em>. In many cases, that\'s not sustainable. After all, a blog is generally about timeliness and being topical. Although some blog posts have value long after you post them, you can\'t be wholly dependent on a few old posts.\r\n\r\n<em>Some hire a ghostblogger</em>. Paying a third party to produce blog posts on a continual basis can be an excellent solution if you can afford it <em>and</em> you can provide good instruction to the blogger for hire. You will also have to supervise the blog posts, and make sure they are meeting your audience\'s needs and your organization\'s voice.\r\n\r\n<em>Some solicit guest writers.</em> This is a great option if you can find the right person to guest post on your blog.\r\n\r\nThe one action you should do to prevent this situation from happening in the first place? <em>Write an evergreen post once a month or so.</em> (Evergreen means that it can be used at any time.) File it away. This way, when you are in the situation where you can\'t or won\'t blog, you have fresh material to post. If you are like me, there are times when you are feeling more creative or more focused, and writing seems easier. Take advantage and write up a blog post. Another plus of doing this is that you can work on your post to perfect it before posting. More editing time, more time to find images, and more time to work on the headline.\r\n\r\nIf writing an extra post each month seems daunting, perhaps start with having a regular brainstorming session (say once a month or once a quarter) where you challenge yourself to come up with five to ten blog post ideas. Keep that list on file and when you are feeling blocked, you will have something to work on.\r\n\r\nWe all get derailed but that doesn\'t mean we can\'t get back on track. Having a back up plan is a smart blogging policy.\r\n<h4>What do you do when you can\'t blog?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','One action to take to guarantee blog continuity','','inherit','open','open','','2876-revision-v1','','','2015-02-19 08:48:38','2015-02-19 13:48:38','',2876,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2876-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2881,4,'2015-02-25 10:43:40','2015-02-25 15:43:40','By now you will have heard about the Cleveland local news anchor Kristi Capel and how she used a racial slur to describe Lady Gaga\'s performance at the Academy Awards. According to t<a href=\"http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2015/02/kristi_capel_drops_racially_offensive_term_during_morning_newscast.html\" target=\"_blank\">his report</a> in the <em>Cleveland Plain Dealer</em>, Capel apologized and said she did not know what the word meant (I am not using the word here because it is racist).\r\n\r\nThink about that for a moment: <em>A news anchor, while broadcasting live, used a word that she did not understand.</em>\r\n\r\nIn Capel\'s case, I don\'t think there was any racial motivation behind this incident, but there was something much more common: ignorance.  She was called out (and rightfully so) because what she said was racist. But every single day, people are guilty of using words they don\'t understand, mangling their meaning.\r\n\r\nIf you watch enough TV or read enough stuff online or in print, you will see many instances of misused words. To quote Inigo Montoya  in <em>The Princess Bride</em>:\r\n\r\n\"You keep using that word. I don\'t think it means what you think it means.\"\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/G2y8Sx4B2Sk\r\n\r\nLifehack says that travesty, ironic and bemused are among the<a href=\"http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-most-commonly-misused-words.html\" target=\"_blank\"> 10 Most Commonly Misused Words.</a>  Just look up the phrase \"misused words\" in your favorite search engine and you will get loads of examples (there are many more than 10).\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s one I see all the time</strong>\r\n\r\nOne word that  I have seen misused over and over is \"misnomer.\" <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misnomer\" target=\"_blank\">Merriam-Webster defines misnomer as:</a>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument </span></div></blockquote>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\">  <strong>:</strong> a use of a wrong or inappropriate name </span><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  a wrong name or inappropriate designation </span></div>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"></div></blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Basically, a misnomer is using the wrong <em>name</em> for something . The example used by Merriam-Webster is the <em>international</em> airport that only serves domestic flights.  Seems straightforward enough. Yet, many times I hear journalists using the word misnomer when what they really mean is misunderstanding. They\'ll say something like: \"It\'s a misnomer to say that the senator is going to vote for the bill.\"</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\"><strong>You know that word doesn\'t exist, right?</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">There are some people who make up words or mispronounce words. Huffington Post lists <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelley-emling/made-up-words_b_4072552.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"11 Commonly Used Made-Up Words That Drive Us Insane\"</a> to include: \"expresso,\" \"supposably,\" and the famous \"irregardless.\" (Buzzfeed has a similar list: <a href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamellis/17-misused-and-made-up-words-that-make-you-rage#.cdYqmVP5\" target=\"_blank\">17 Misused and Made-Up Words That Make You Rage</a>.)</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Using words that don\'t mean what you think they do only makes you sound ignorant to those who do understand the meaning. In cases like Capel\'s, not only will you sound ignorant but you may also offend. So here are some warnings:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you are not sure of what a word means <em>precisely</em>, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think a word is right, but you aren\'t absolutely sure, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think you will sound like you know what you are talking about because you are using a long word, definitely don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">And finally, use a dictionary. Look that pesky word up.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>What words do you often notice as being misused?</h4>\r\n</div>','Are you sure you know what that word means?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means','','','2015-02-26 08:32:09','2015-02-26 13:32:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2881',0,'post','',3),(2883,4,'2015-02-26 08:32:09','2015-02-26 13:32:09','By now you will have heard about the Cleveland local news anchor Kristi Capel and how she used a racial slur to describe Lady Gaga\'s performance at the Academy Awards. According to t<a href=\"http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2015/02/kristi_capel_drops_racially_offensive_term_during_morning_newscast.html\" target=\"_blank\">his report</a> in the <em>Cleveland Plain Dealer</em>, Capel apologized and said she did not know what the word meant (I am not using the word here because it is racist).\r\n\r\nThink about that for a moment: <em>A news anchor, while broadcasting live, used a word that she did not understand.</em>\r\n\r\nIn Capel\'s case, I don\'t think there was any racial motivation behind this incident, but there was something much more common: ignorance.  She was called out (and rightfully so) because what she said was racist. But every single day, people are guilty of using words they don\'t understand, mangling their meaning.\r\n\r\nIf you watch enough TV or read enough stuff online or in print, you will see many instances of misused words. To quote Inigo Montoya  in <em>The Princess Bride</em>:\r\n\r\n\"You keep using that word. I don\'t think it means what you think it means.\"\r\n\r\nhttp://youtu.be/G2y8Sx4B2Sk\r\n\r\nLifehack says that travesty, ironic and bemused are among the<a href=\"http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-most-commonly-misused-words.html\" target=\"_blank\"> 10 Most Commonly Misused Words.</a>  Just look up the phrase \"misused words\" in your favorite search engine and you will get loads of examples (there are many more than 10).\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s one I see all the time</strong>\r\n\r\nOne word that  I have seen misused over and over is \"misnomer.\" <a href=\"http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misnomer\" target=\"_blank\">Merriam-Webster defines misnomer as:</a>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument </span></div></blockquote>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"sblk\">\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"><span class=\"ssens\">  <strong>:</strong> a use of a wrong or inappropriate name </span><span class=\"ssens\"> <strong>:</strong>  a wrong name or inappropriate designation </span></div>\r\n<div class=\"scnt\"></div></blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Basically, a misnomer is using the wrong <em>name</em> for something . The example used by Merriam-Webster is the <em>international</em> airport that only serves domestic flights.  Seems straightforward enough. Yet, many times I hear journalists using the word misnomer when what they really mean is misunderstanding. They\'ll say something like: \"It\'s a misnomer to say that the senator is going to vote for the bill.\"</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\"><strong>You know that word doesn\'t exist, right?</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">There are some people who make up words or mispronounce words. Huffington Post lists <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelley-emling/made-up-words_b_4072552.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"11 Commonly Used Made-Up Words That Drive Us Insane\"</a> to include: \"expresso,\" \"supposably,\" and the famous \"irregardless.\" (Buzzfeed has a similar list: <a href=\"http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamellis/17-misused-and-made-up-words-that-make-you-rage#.cdYqmVP5\" target=\"_blank\">17 Misused and Made-Up Words That Make You Rage</a>.)</p>\r\n<p class=\"scnt\">Using words that don\'t mean what you think they do only makes you sound ignorant to those who do understand the meaning. In cases like Capel\'s, not only will you sound ignorant but you may also offend. So here are some warnings:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you are not sure of what a word means <em>precisely</em>, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think a word is right, but you aren\'t absolutely sure, don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">If you think you will sound like you know what you are talking about because you are using a long word, definitely don\'t use it.</li>\r\n	<li class=\"scnt\">And finally, use a dictionary. Look that pesky word up.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>What words do you often notice as being misused?</h4>\r\n</div>','Are you sure you know what that word means?','','inherit','open','open','','2881-revision-v1','','','2015-02-26 08:32:09','2015-02-26 13:32:09','',2881,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/2881-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2936,4,'2015-03-31 10:56:13','2015-03-31 14:56:13','A few weeks ago I came across a blog post with a headline that said something like “Why my business is getting off Facebook immediately.” Naturally, I was intrigued. But then I read the article, which told me the many reasons why it would be stupid for him or anybody to leave Facebook, saying things such as: Yes, I want to get off the fastest growing social network that has 800 million readers and counting.\r\n\r\nThe article, awash is sarcasm, was <em>designed </em>to make readers feel stupid for considering leaving Facebook.\r\n\r\nI had been drawn in a headline that I didn’t realize was sarcastic until I read the blog post—a prime example of bait and switch. I felt angry and insulted that the author thought that anybody considering getting off Facebook was stupid.\r\n\r\nAnd then last week, I came across this article on Ragan.com: <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18342.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=CEO%20interview%20prep%3B%20Kraft%2C%20Heinz%20announce%20merger%3B%20Local%20TV%20and%20media%20relations%3B%20How%20to%20build%20a%20secure%20online%20newsroom%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18342.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">31 terms that will complicate your writing</a>. The headline is not sarcastic, but the article is. However, the article is written pretty badly—I was confused as were many other readers as evidenced by the comments. The article, in my opinion, does not work at all.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips, author of the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog</a>, what he thought about using sarcasm in professional communication. Here’s what he said:\r\n<blockquote> The challenge is to make sure people don\'t take a comment you meant sarcastically as a straightforward, more serious one. Therefore, I try to always either preface a sarcastic comment with an obviously absurd rhetorical question or put it in italics to make clear that it stands apart from the rest of the post.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. <strong>Your reader or audience has to understand you are being sarcastic</strong>. If not, there will be misunderstanding and in essence, a lack of communication.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you decide to use sarcasm, you run three big risks:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You risk irritating or even alienating your reader</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to <em>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Clear Communication</em> by Kris Cole, sarcasm inhibits communication: “Sarcasm in fact is in the same league as name-calling, ridiculing and shaming; and it leads to the same results.”\r\n\r\nIn intra-personal relationships, sarcasm can be extremely damaging. According to the post <a href=\"http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-damage-of-using-sarcasm-in-workplace-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">The Damage of Using Sarcasm in Workplace Communication</a> by Skip Weisman:\r\n<blockquote>There is no positive upside to using sarcasm. It offers only short-term positive impact for the sarcastic person whose ego may get a boost by putting others down in this manner.\r\n\r\nNow, it will be couched in the context of humor and trying to be funny. Yet, that humor comes at the expense of someone else.</blockquote>\r\nIn essence, your sarcasm is a put-down to your audience, which can certainly lead to irritation and alienation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You risk being misunderstood</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is a type of passive-aggressive communication -- where you say one thing but mean another -- there is a very good chance that your meaning will be misconstrued or lost.\r\n\r\nIt may be challenging for your readers to know that you are being sarcastic and as Brad Phillips said above, they may think you are being serious when in fact you are not.\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is often dependent on tone, and it is hard to express tone in writing, you will be forced to use devices like quotation marks or strike-throughs to make your meaning clear.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3. Your risk seeming ethnocentric and culturally insensitive</strong>\r\n\r\nSarcasm does not travel well across cultures. While American culture tends to be very sarcastic, other cultures are not. And even within the U.S., there are regional differences. According to <a href=\"http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-of-sarcasm-yeah-right-25038/?no-ist=&amp;page=2\" target=\"_blank\">The Science of Sarcasm? Yeah, Right</a> in Smithsonian Magazine:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"copy-paste-block\">Northerners also were more likely to think sarcasm was funny: 56 percent of Northerners found sarcasm humorous while only 35 percent of Southerners did. The New Yorkers and male students from either location were more likely to describe themselves as sarcastic.\r\n\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nWould you ever write a sarcastic white paper or case study? Probably not. Why? Because you think of white papers and case studies as serious documents, intended to share information and/or communicate a finding. Instinctively, we avoid sarcasm in “serious” communications. And many people don’t see blogging on the same level as other, more formal, writing.\r\n\r\nThe truth is that sarcasm is often used as a distancing technique, and it can be extremely corrosive to clear communication. You should avoid it in business blogging.\r\n<h4>How do you feel about sarcasm in business blogging? Do you use it? Do you avoid it?</h4>','3 big reasons to avoid sarcasm in your business blog ','','publish','open','open','','3-big-reasons-to-avoid-sarcasm-in-your-business-blog','','\nhttp://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-damage-of-using-sarcasm-in-workplace-communication/','2015-03-31 10:56:13','2015-03-31 14:56:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2936',0,'post','',0),(2899,4,'2015-03-02 10:12:54','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I started reading a post and the author said he was going to \"explicate\" something. Explicate is a fancy word for explain. Explain is more widely used and universally understood. Explicate is rarely used and just sounds <del>pedantic</del> snobby.\r\n\r\nThen I tried to read a post but I couldn\'t make sense of it. The author is just not a very clear writer.\r\n\r\nA Twitter account I follow','Why I won\'t follow, share or even read','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-03-02 10:12:54','2015-03-02 15:12:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2899',0,'post','',0),(2900,4,'2015-03-02 10:12:54','2015-03-02 15:12:54','I started reading a post and the author said he was going to \"explicate\" something. Explicate is a fancy word for explain. Explain is more widely used and universally understood. Explicate is rarely used and just sounds <del>pedantic</del> snobby.\r\n\r\nThen I tried to read a post but I couldn\'t make sense of it. The author is just not a very clear writer.\r\n\r\nA Twitter account I follow','Why I won\'t follow, share or even read','','inherit','open','open','','2899-revision-v1','','','2015-03-02 10:12:54','2015-03-02 15:12:54','',2899,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2899-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2901,4,'2015-03-04 09:48:24','2015-03-04 14:48:24','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Stylebook</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, style,  punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 copy editing rules to make you a better writer              ','','publish','open','open','','6-copy-editing-rules-to-make-you-a-better-writer','','http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\nhttp://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/','2015-04-27 09:56:43','2015-04-27 13:56:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2901',0,'post','',0),(2902,4,'2015-03-04 09:44:14','2015-03-04 14:44:14','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Style Guide</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ/difer, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 Copy Editing Rules to Make You a Better Writer              ','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-v1','','','2015-03-04 09:44:14','2015-03-04 14:44:14','',2901,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2901-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2904,4,'2015-03-06 16:53:21','2015-03-06 21:53:21','I share so many articles every day on Twitter, and of those I save my favorites to Pocket (my favorite tool for saving articles). Starting today, I will do a weekly or biweekly round-up of great articles for weekend reading.\r\n\r\nHere are three articles on writing and editing:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://ajr.org/2015/03/04/7-self-editing-tips-reporters-without-copy-editors/\" target=\"_blank\">7 Self-Editing Tips for Reporters Without Copy Editors</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/research-review/the-value-of-copy-editing/?utm_source=API%27s+Need+to+Know+newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=e43d815832-Need_to_Know_March_3_20153_3_2015&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_e3bf78af04-e43d815832-45802581\" target=\"_blank\">Study Shows the Value of Copy Editing</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18213.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=PR%20tools%20someone%20should%20invent%3B%20Target%27s%20job%20cuts%3B%20Yik%20Yak%27s%20growing%20popularity%3B%20Tinder%20accused%20of%20ageism%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18213.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">11 easy ways to write more clearly</a>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a couple about websites and social media:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238324\" target=\"_blank\">5 Things You Can Learn From a Poorly Designed Website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://hbr.org/2015/03/is-social-media-actually-helping-your-companys-bottom-line?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29\" target=\"_blank\">Is Social Media Actually Helping Your Company\'s Bottom Line?</a>\r\n<h4>Happy reading and have a great weekend!</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','Some weekend reading','','publish','open','open','','some-weekend-reading','','\nhttp://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/research-review/the-value-of-copy-editing/','2015-03-06 16:53:21','2015-03-06 21:53:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2904',0,'post','',0),(2905,4,'2015-03-06 16:51:01','2015-03-06 21:51:01','I share so many articles every day on Twitter, and I save a few to Pocket. Starting today, I will do a weekly or biweekly round-up of great articles for weekend reading.\r\n\r\nHere are three articles on writing and editing:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://ajr.org/2015/03/04/7-self-editing-tips-reporters-without-copy-editors/\" target=\"_blank\">7 Self-Editing Tips for Reporters Without Copy Editors</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/research-review/the-value-of-copy-editing/?utm_source=API%27s+Need+to+Know+newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=e43d815832-Need_to_Know_March_3_20153_3_2015&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_e3bf78af04-e43d815832-45802581\" target=\"_blank\">Study Shows the Value of Copy Editing</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18213.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=PR%20tools%20someone%20should%20invent%3B%20Target%27s%20job%20cuts%3B%20Yik%20Yak%27s%20growing%20popularity%3B%20Tinder%20accused%20of%20ageism%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18213.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">11 easy ways to write more clearly</a>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a couple about websites and social media:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238324\" target=\"_blank\">5 Things You Can Learn From a Poorly Designed Website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://hbr.org/2015/03/is-social-media-actually-helping-your-companys-bottom-line?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29\" target=\"_blank\">Is Social Media Actually Helping Your Company\'s Bottom Line?</a>\r\n<h4>Happy reading and have a great weekend!</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','Some weekend reading','','inherit','open','open','','2904-revision-v1','','','2015-03-06 16:51:01','2015-03-06 21:51:01','',2904,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2904-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2906,4,'2015-03-06 16:53:21','2015-03-06 21:53:21','I share so many articles every day on Twitter, and of those I save my favorites to Pocket (my favorite tool for saving articles). Starting today, I will do a weekly or biweekly round-up of great articles for weekend reading.\r\n\r\nHere are three articles on writing and editing:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://ajr.org/2015/03/04/7-self-editing-tips-reporters-without-copy-editors/\" target=\"_blank\">7 Self-Editing Tips for Reporters Without Copy Editors</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/research-review/the-value-of-copy-editing/?utm_source=API%27s+Need+to+Know+newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=e43d815832-Need_to_Know_March_3_20153_3_2015&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_e3bf78af04-e43d815832-45802581\" target=\"_blank\">Study Shows the Value of Copy Editing</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18213.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=PR%20tools%20someone%20should%20invent%3B%20Target%27s%20job%20cuts%3B%20Yik%20Yak%27s%20growing%20popularity%3B%20Tinder%20accused%20of%20ageism%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18213.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">11 easy ways to write more clearly</a>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a couple about websites and social media:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238324\" target=\"_blank\">5 Things You Can Learn From a Poorly Designed Website</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://hbr.org/2015/03/is-social-media-actually-helping-your-companys-bottom-line?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29\" target=\"_blank\">Is Social Media Actually Helping Your Company\'s Bottom Line?</a>\r\n<h4>Happy reading and have a great weekend!</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','Some weekend reading','','inherit','open','open','','2904-revision-v1','','','2015-03-06 16:53:21','2015-03-06 21:53:21','',2904,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2904-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2907,4,'2015-03-07 10:17:33','2015-03-07 15:17:33','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Style Guide</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ/difer, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 copy editing rules to make you a better writer              ','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-v1','','','2015-03-07 10:17:33','2015-03-07 15:17:33','',2901,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2901-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2908,4,'2015-03-10 16:21:04','2015-03-10 20:21:04','This morning, the <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-brings-in-high-powered-help-to-rebuild-its-image/2015/03/09/e12a6084-c685-11e4-aa1a-86135599fb0f_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post reports</a> that Metro (the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority or WMATA) is hiring two big public relations/communications firms\r\n<blockquote>\"to help the transit agency rebuild its tattered image in the wake of a fatal Jan. 12 smoke incident.\"</blockquote>\r\nThe two agencies, O\'Neill Associates and Hill + Knowlton Strategies, are expert in crisis communications and will help develop a reputation management communications plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>The problem for Metro is that it has more than an image problem. It has an organizational problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nAs anybody who lives in the Washington, D.C. area and who rides Metro knows, WMATA has frequent problems, including lengthy delays, broken car doors, broken escalators, and smoke-filled stations. Most of these problems do not result in fatalities, as did the January incident, but they do inconvenience hundreds of commuters every day.\r\n\r\nWMATA has also experienced a drop in ridership in the past year (<a href=\"http://wtop.com/traffic/2015/03/d-c-area-sees-fewer-taking-public-transit/\" target=\"_blank\">D.C. area sees fewer taking public transit</a>). Although the article attributes this decline to lower gas prices, it is hard to imagine it doesn\'t have to do with the unreliable and expensive service that WMATA offers.\r\n\r\nMost news reports about the January incident detail aspects of WMATA\'s organizational challenges. There\'s a lack of internal accountability (why weren\'t NTSB safety directives followed?) and a lack of cooperation with external parties (first responders did not know where the smoke-filled train was in the tunnel and their radios did not work underground).\r\n\r\nIt\'s beyond my knowledge to detail the workings of WMATA, but as a rider, I have seen countless examples of poor service. Track work (or \"rebuilding\" as it is now called) happens nearly every weekend, causing lengthy delays. And the cost is astronomical. At the highest end, a round-trip peak-hour commute costs nearly $12.\r\n\r\nFrustration with Metro does not have to do with its image. It has to do with the real, day-to-day interactions most riders have with the system. A crisis communication plan is always good to have (as an aside, several years ago I heard Metro\'s then public relations director say that the agency had a plan in case of terrorism on the system, <em>but not in case of accidents</em>).\r\n\r\nI hope that by hiring outside communications counsel, Metro is admitting it has a problem and that it is ready to seek for a solution. But the solution is not simply <em>to appear</em> to have stuff under control (create a positive image). <strong>The real solution would be to address the organizational issues that underlie the image problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts?','Marketing communications efforts do not fix organizational problems','','publish','open','open','','marketing-communications-efforts-do-not-fix-organizational-problems','','','2015-03-10 16:21:04','2015-03-10 20:21:04','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2908',0,'post','',0),(2909,4,'2015-03-10 16:19:38','2015-03-10 20:19:38','This morning, the <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-brings-in-high-powered-help-to-rebuild-its-image/2015/03/09/e12a6084-c685-11e4-aa1a-86135599fb0f_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post reports</a> that Metro (the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority or WMATA) is hiring two big public relations/communications firms\r\n<blockquote>\"to help the transit agency rebuild its tattered image in the wake of a fatal Jan. 12 smoke incident.\"</blockquote>\r\nThe two agencies, O\'Neill Associates and Hill + Knowlton Strategies, are expert in crisis communications and will help develop a reputation management communications plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>The problem for Metro is that it has more than an image problem. It has an organizational problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nAs anybody who lives in the Washington, D.C. area and who rides Metro knows, WMATA has frequent problems, including lengthy delays, broken car doors, broken escalators, and smoke-filled stations. Most of these problems do not result in fatalities, as did the January incident, but they do inconvenience hundreds of commuters every day.\r\n\r\nWMATA has also experienced a drop in ridership in the past year (<a href=\"http://wtop.com/traffic/2015/03/d-c-area-sees-fewer-taking-public-transit/\" target=\"_blank\">D.C. area sees fewer taking public transit</a>). Although the article attributes this decline to lower gas prices, it is hard to imagine it doesn\'t have to do with the unreliable and expensive service that WMATA offers.\r\n\r\nMost news reports about the January incident detail aspects of WMATA\'s organizational challenges. There\'s a lack of internal accountability (why weren\'t NTSB safety directives followed?) and a lack of cooperation with external parties (first responders did not know where the smoke-filled train was in the tunnel and their radios did not work underground).\r\n\r\nIt\'s beyond my knowledge to detail the workings of WMATA, but as a rider, I have seen countless examples of poor service. Track work (or \"rebuilding\" as it is now called) happens nearly every weekend, causing lengthy delays. And the cost is astronomical. At the highest end, a round-trip peak-hour commute costs nearly $12.\r\n\r\nFrustration with Metro does not have to do with its image. It has to do with the real, day-to-day interactions most riders have with the system. A crisis communication plan is always good to have (as an aside, several years ago I heard Metro\'s then public relations director say that the agency had a plan in case of terrorism on the system, <em>but not in case of accidents</em>).\r\n\r\nI hope that by hiring outside communications counsel, Metro is admitting it has a problem and that it is ready to seek for a solution. But the solution is not simply <em>to appear</em> to have stuff under control (create a positive image). <strong>The real solution would be to address the organizational issues that underlie the image problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts?','Marketing communications efforts do not fix organizational problems','','inherit','open','open','','2908-revision-v1','','','2015-03-10 16:19:38','2015-03-10 20:19:38','',2908,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2908-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2933,4,'2015-03-27 19:04:57','2015-03-27 23:04:57','Mis servicios:\n<ul>\n	<li>Escritura y producción de materiales de mercadeo (marketing), ya sea un folleto, comunicados de prensa, o el contenido de un sitio Web.</li>\n	<li>Redacción de materiales.</li>\n	<li>Traducción de materiales  ingles/español.</li>\n</ul>\nPuede contar con trabajos hechos con creatividad y experiencia, y con la confianza de que hare el trabajo en el tiempo adecuado y a un precio justo.\n\nDependiendo de las exigencias del cliente, trabajo por proyecto o a largo plazo. En todo caso, el precio se dará por escrito.\n\n<strong>Biografia</strong>\n\nDeborah establecio su compañia en 2002. Cuenta con una carrera que abarca veinte años de trabajo en las industrias de relaciones públicas y de publicidad. Deborah obtuvo una Maestría en Comunicaciones en Boston University.\n\n<strong>¿Como le puedo ayudar? Mandeme un mail:</strong>\n\n<a href=\"mailto:info@deborahbrody.com\">info@deborahbrody.com</a>','Espanol','','inherit','open','open','','20-autosave-v1','','','2015-03-27 19:04:57','2015-03-27 23:04:57','',20,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/20-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2919,4,'2015-03-16 09:26:29','2015-03-16 13:26:29','<div><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with 20 years of public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several leading South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates (public relations), The Jeffrey Group (public relations focused on Latin America), and  Peter Nasca Associates (corporate communications). In 2001,  Deborah taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication. She lives in Rockville, Maryland and when not writing, she enjoys cooking, following current events and politics and doing yoga.\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\"></p>\r\n\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2015-03-16 09:26:29','2015-03-16 13:26:29','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/18-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2911,4,'2015-03-16 09:16:54','2015-03-16 13:16:54','<div><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with 20 years of public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several leading South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates (public relations), The Jeffrey Group (public relations focused on Latin America), and  Peter Nasca Associates (corporate communications). In 2001,  Deborah taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication. She lives in Rockville, Maryland and when not writing, she enjoys cooking, following current events and politics and doing yoga.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 20px;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/clients/\">Clients</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/portfolio/\">Portfolio</a> | <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/how-we-work/\">How We Work |</a><a title=\"Newsletters\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/about/newsletters/\">Newsletters</a></p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"aboutright\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts - she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she\'s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah\'s work and she was a pleasure to work with.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2015-03-16 09:16:54','2015-03-16 13:16:54','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/18-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2914,4,'2015-03-16 09:23:25','2015-03-16 13:23:25','“I\'ve had multiple opportunities to use Deborah for writing projects. You can depend on Deborah to turn things around quickly with spot-on work. She does a thorough job by putting the time in upfront to completely understand your objectives. She\'s great at meeting deadlines, communicates well and edits quickly. I highly recommend her for writing projects.”\r\n\r\n<em>David Heyman, Director, Customer Retention, FrontPoint Security</em>\r\n\r\n“Deborah is not someone you hire if you just want her to execute your plan \"as is,\" because she\'ll always tell you a better way to do it if there is one! Deborah does a fabulous job of looking at the bigger picture and making sure all projects are geared towards meeting your overall business goals. In addition to strategic planning, she\'s a terrific writer and editor.\r\n\r\n<em>Diane Danielson, Chief Operating Officer, Sperry Van Ness International Corp.</em>\r\n\r\n\"In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts – she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she’s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah’s work and she was a pleasure to work with.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</em>','What Clients Say','','publish','open','open','','what-clients-say','','','2015-03-16 09:25:49','2015-03-16 13:25:49','',1237,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=2914',0,'page','',0),(2916,4,'2015-03-16 09:22:56','2015-03-16 13:22:56','“I\'ve had multiple opportunities to use Deborah for writing projects. You can depend on Deborah to turn things around quickly with spot-on work. She does a thorough job by putting the time in upfront to completely understand your objectives. She\'s great at meeting deadlines, communicates well and edits quickly. I highly recommend her for writing projects.”\r\n\r\n<em>David Heyman, Director, Customer Retention, FrontPoint Security</em>\r\n\r\n“Deborah is not someone you hire if you just want her to execute your plan \"as is,\" because she\'ll always tell you a better way to do it if there is one! Deborah does a fabulous job of looking at the bigger picture and making sure all projects are geared towards meeting your overall business goals. In addition to strategic planning, she\'s a terrific writer and editor.\r\n\r\n<em>Diane Danielson, Chief Operating Officer, Sperry Van Ness International Corp.</em>\r\n\r\n\"In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts – she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she’s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah’s work and she was a pleasure to work with.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</em>','What clients say','','inherit','open','open','','2914-revision-v1','','','2015-03-16 09:22:56','2015-03-16 13:22:56','',2914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2914-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2915,4,'2015-03-16 09:21:13','2015-03-16 13:21:13','<div id=\"stcpDiv\">\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n\r\n“I\'ve had multiple opportunities to use Deborah for writing projects. You can depend on Deborah to turn things around quickly with spot-on work. She does a thorough job by putting the time in upfront to completely understand your objectives. She\'s great at meeting deadlines, communicates well and edits quickly. I highly recommend her for writing projects.”\r\n\r\n<em>David Heyman, Director, Customer Retention, FrontPoint Security</em>\r\n\r\n“Deborah is not someone you hire if you just want her to execute your plan \"as is,\" because she\'ll always tell you a better way to do it if there is one! Deborah does a fabulous job of looking at the bigger picture and making sure all projects are geared towards meeting your overall business goals. In addition to strategic planning, she\'s a terrific writer and editor.\r\n\r\n<em>Diane Danielson, Chief Operating Officer, Sperry Van Ness International Corp.</em>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">\"In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts – she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she’s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.\"</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">\"Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah’s work and she was a pleasure to work with.\"</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">\"Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.\"</p>\r\n<p id=\"testimonial\">Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</p>\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','What clients say','','inherit','open','open','','2914-revision-v1','','','2015-03-16 09:21:13','2015-03-16 13:21:13','',2914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2914-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2917,4,'2015-03-16 09:25:14','2015-03-16 13:25:14',' ','','','publish','open','open','','2917','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',1237,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2917',12,'nav_menu_item','',0),(2918,4,'2015-03-16 09:25:49','2015-03-16 13:25:49','“I\'ve had multiple opportunities to use Deborah for writing projects. You can depend on Deborah to turn things around quickly with spot-on work. She does a thorough job by putting the time in upfront to completely understand your objectives. She\'s great at meeting deadlines, communicates well and edits quickly. I highly recommend her for writing projects.”\r\n\r\n<em>David Heyman, Director, Customer Retention, FrontPoint Security</em>\r\n\r\n“Deborah is not someone you hire if you just want her to execute your plan \"as is,\" because she\'ll always tell you a better way to do it if there is one! Deborah does a fabulous job of looking at the bigger picture and making sure all projects are geared towards meeting your overall business goals. In addition to strategic planning, she\'s a terrific writer and editor.\r\n\r\n<em>Diane Danielson, Chief Operating Officer, Sperry Van Ness International Corp.</em>\r\n\r\n\"In the media relations area, Deborah displayed great news instincts – she knew what was newsworthy and how to get coverage. She is a creative, clear, and concise writer, targeting her products to the organization and its audiences. Plus, she’s bi-lingual and can help you reach even broader audiences.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Debbie Auerbach-Deutsch, former VP of Communications, B’nai B’rith International</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah wrote 8 reports on workshops that took place at the International Aid &amp; Trade Event in Washington D.C. The articles she wrote are accurate, engaging and comprehensive. They were delivered as requested and on time. I am more than satisfied with Deborah’s work and she was a pleasure to work with.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Sula Bruce, Aid and Development Forum</em>\r\n\r\n\"Deborah is a smart, clear, and strong writer who always impresses me with her awareness of the latest marketing trends.\"\r\n\r\n<em>Bonnie Auslander, Office of Business Communications, American University Kogod School of Business</em>','What Clients Say','','inherit','open','open','','2914-revision-v1','','','2015-03-16 09:25:49','2015-03-16 13:25:49','',2914,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2914-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2920,4,'2015-03-17 10:16:12','2015-03-17 14:16:12','Not a day goes by that I don’t see a post about tools. Just this morning I saw this: <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-ivanovs/10-social-media-tools-for_b_6619490.html\" target=\"_blank\">“10 Social Media Tools for Small Businesses and Freelancers.”</a> We are obsessed with tools, especially the online and free variety.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/9386959986_36e3678938_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2921\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/9386959986_36e3678938_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"watercolors sets 1 by niftynotebook on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> watercolors sets 1 by niftynotebook on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Tools exist to make jobs easier</strong>\r\n\r\nIt’d be hard to create this blog post without Microsoft Word or WordPress. If I wanted to make a cake, having an electric mixer would be helpful. But, owning or having access to tools, even the most advanced or professional type, does not make you a professional or an expert. In other words, owning a paintbrush does not make you an artist, any more than having Adobe Photoshop makes you a graphic designer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Having a tool does not make you an expert</strong>\r\n\r\nSay you bought some sculpting equipment. Do you think you will now be able to sculpt something like Michelangelo’s David? Well, you might…<em>if</em> you had years of training, Michelangelo’s genius, and some amazing Italian marble to work with.\r\n\r\nThe problem is not using tools to help you do your job, it’s that some organizations and individuals believe they can substitute a tool for an expert, or worse, that having the tool (Adobe Photoshop comes to mind), makes you the expert.\r\n\r\n<strong>Doing it yourself could cost you</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I was meeting with my accountant and he told me about a new client he recently started working with. This client had been filing his taxes using a popular online tax software. It turns out that my accountant was able to find the client thousands of dollars in tax savings because the do-it-yourself client had not known how to take depreciation on his mortgage and other deductions. Having tax software does not make you an accountant. The reason accountants can charge for their time is that they know what to do with the tax software, they understand tax laws and how they affect individual situations.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you say wrong in Spanish?</strong>\r\n\r\nSome organizations are turning to tools like Google Translate (or other online translation software) in order to save money by not hiring a professional translator. The results can be disastrous. Same can be said for do-it-yourself graphic design, website building and any number of services people think they can get for free or cheap.\r\n\r\nJust a couple of weeks ago, I was on a national environmental group’s website. The group has chapters around the world, and in the Spanish version of the website, the word used for “chapters” was “capítulos,” which quite literally means chapters in a book. In Spanish, capítulo is <em>not </em>used as a synonym for a section or group of people.\r\n\r\nMy advice is to only use tools for routine jobs and leave the skilled work to the professionals. It may seem to cost more to hire somebody, but as my accountant proved to his new client, it could end up saving you thousands down the road.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Do you rely on tools to avoid hiring a professional?</h4>','Tools save you money, except when they don\'t','','publish','open','open','','tools-save-you-money-except-when-they-dont','','','2015-03-17 10:16:12','2015-03-17 14:16:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2920',0,'post','',3),(2921,4,'2015-03-17 10:09:23','2015-03-17 14:09:23','','9386959986_36e3678938_z','watercolors sets 1 by niftynotebook on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','9386959986_36e3678938_z','','','2015-03-17 10:09:50','2015-03-17 14:09:50','',2920,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/9386959986_36e3678938_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2922,4,'2015-03-17 10:15:40','2015-03-17 14:15:40','Not a day goes by that I don’t see a post about tools. Just this morning I saw this: <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-ivanovs/10-social-media-tools-for_b_6619490.html\" target=\"_blank\">“10 Social Media Tools for Small Businesses and Freelancers.”</a> We are obsessed with tools, especially the online and free variety.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2921\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/9386959986_36e3678938_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2921\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/9386959986_36e3678938_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"watercolors sets 1 by niftynotebook on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> watercolors sets 1 by niftynotebook on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Tools exist to make jobs easier</strong>\r\n\r\nIt’d be hard to create this blog post without Microsoft Word or WordPress. If I wanted to make a cake, having an electric mixer would be helpful. But, owning or having access to tools, even the most advanced or professional type, does not make you a professional or an expert. In other words, owning a paintbrush does not make you an artist, any more than having Adobe Photoshop makes you a graphic designer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Having a tool does not make you an expert</strong>\r\n\r\nSay you bought some sculpting equipment. Do you think you will now be able to sculpt something like Michelangelo’s David? Well, you might…<em>if</em> you had years of training, Michelangelo’s genius, and some amazing Italian marble to work with.\r\n\r\nThe problem is not using tools to help you do your job, it’s that some organizations and individuals believe they can substitute a tool for an expert, or worse, that having the tool (Adobe Photoshop comes to mind), makes you the expert.\r\n\r\n<strong>Doing it yourself could cost you</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I was meeting with my accountant and he told me about a new client he recently started working with. This client had been filing his taxes using a popular online tax software. It turns out that my accountant was able to find the client thousands of dollars in tax savings because the do-it-yourself client had not known how to take depreciation on his mortgage and other deductions. Having tax software does not make you an accountant. The reason accountants can charge for their time is that they know what to do with the tax software, they understand tax laws and how they affect individual situations.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you say wrong in Spanish?</strong>\r\n\r\nSome organizations are turning to tools like Google Translate (or other online translation software) in order to save money by not hiring a professional translator. The results can be disastrous. Same can be said for do-it-yourself graphic design, website building and any number of services people think they can get for free or cheap.\r\n\r\nJust a couple of weeks ago, I was on a national environmental group’s website. The group has chapters around the world, and in the Spanish version of the website, the word used for “chapters” was “capítulos,” which quite literally means chapters in a book. In Spanish, capítulo is <em>not </em>used as a synonym for a section or group of people.\r\n\r\nMy advice is to only use tools for routine jobs and leave the skilled work to the professionals. It may seem to cost more to hire somebody, but as my accountant proved to his new client, it could end up saving you thousands down the road.\r\n<h4>What do you think? Do you rely on tools to avoid hiring a professional?</h4>','Tools save you money, except when they don\'t','','inherit','open','open','','2920-revision-v1','','','2015-03-17 10:15:40','2015-03-17 14:15:40','',2920,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2920-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2923,4,'2015-03-18 09:23:46','2015-03-18 13:23:46','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/83c206/preview\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-03-18 09:23:46','2015-03-18 13:23:46','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2924,4,'2015-03-18 16:59:58','2015-03-18 20:59:58','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-03-18 16:59:58','2015-03-18 20:59:58','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2925,4,'2015-03-20 09:29:27','2015-03-20 13:29:27','As I type this, it is snowing outside (again). Let\'s hope this is the last time this season! Spring starts this evening, at 6:45 p.m. and we are all ready for warmer temps and NO MORE SNOW! But I digress.\r\n\r\nFollowing, you will find seven of the most interesting and/or useful  articles I have read and shared in the past couple of weeks. So pour yourself a nice cup of something brewed, and have fun reading!\r\n\r\n<strong>On blogs and blogging:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.searchenginejournal.com/3-google-analytics-reports-help-find-blog-post-ideas-readers-will-love/125811/\" target=\"_blank\">3 Google Analytics Reports to Help You Find Blog Post Ideas Your Readers Will Love</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://blog.bufferapp.com/perfect-blog-post-research-data\" target=\"_blank\">The Anatomy of a Perfect Blog Post</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2015/03/fact-check-content/\" target=\"_blank\">How Well Do You Fact-Check Your Content</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>On writing and copy editing:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/like-versus-as\" target=\"_blank\">Like Versus As</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/writing-exercises/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=Oktopost-twitter-profile&amp;utm_campaign=Oktopost-Classic+Posts\" target=\"_blank\">12 Writing Exercises That Will Transform Your Copy Today</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwynne/2015/02/19/12-useless-public-relations-terms/\" target=\"_blank\">12 Useless Public Relations Terms</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/20-embarrassing-phrases-even-smart-people-misuse.html\" target=\"_blank\">20 Embarrassing Phrases Even Smart People Misuse</a>\r\n\r\nHappy spring!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The week\'s best brew: super-caffeinated articles','','publish','open','open','','the-weeks-best-brew-super-caffeinated-articles','','','2015-03-20 09:29:27','2015-03-20 13:29:27','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2925',0,'post','',0),(2926,4,'2015-03-20 09:29:27','2015-03-20 13:29:27','As I type this, it is snowing outside (again). Let\'s hope this is the last time this season! Spring starts this evening, at 6:45 p.m. and we are all ready for warmer temps and NO MORE SNOW! But I digress.\r\n\r\nFollowing, you will find seven of the most interesting and/or useful  articles I have read and shared in the past couple of weeks. So pour yourself a nice cup of something brewed, and have fun reading!\r\n\r\n<strong>On blogs and blogging:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.searchenginejournal.com/3-google-analytics-reports-help-find-blog-post-ideas-readers-will-love/125811/\" target=\"_blank\">3 Google Analytics Reports to Help You Find Blog Post Ideas Your Readers Will Love</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://blog.bufferapp.com/perfect-blog-post-research-data\" target=\"_blank\">The Anatomy of a Perfect Blog Post</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2015/03/fact-check-content/\" target=\"_blank\">How Well Do You Fact-Check Your Content</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>On writing and copy editing:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/like-versus-as\" target=\"_blank\">Like Versus As</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/writing-exercises/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=Oktopost-twitter-profile&amp;utm_campaign=Oktopost-Classic+Posts\" target=\"_blank\">12 Writing Exercises That Will Transform Your Copy Today</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwynne/2015/02/19/12-useless-public-relations-terms/\" target=\"_blank\">12 Useless Public Relations Terms</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/20-embarrassing-phrases-even-smart-people-misuse.html\" target=\"_blank\">20 Embarrassing Phrases Even Smart People Misuse</a>\r\n\r\nHappy spring!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The week\'s best brew: super-caffeinated articles','','inherit','open','open','','2925-revision-v1','','','2015-03-20 09:29:27','2015-03-20 13:29:27','',2925,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2925-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2929,4,'2015-03-23 14:32:41','2015-03-23 18:32:41','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Stylebook</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ/difer, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, style,  punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 copy editing rules to make you a better writer              ','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-v1','','','2015-03-23 14:32:41','2015-03-23 18:32:41','',2901,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2901-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2930,4,'2015-03-24 15:11:17','2015-03-24 19:11:17','When I first started using Twitter in 2008,  I had no idea what an \"RT\" was or how to check \"@\" messages. I didn\'t know Tweetdeck from Hootsuite. So I asked a couple millennial friends of mine, and over lunch, they explained how Twitter worked and how to use it.\r\n\r\nSince then, I believe I have become fairly adept at using Twitter and use it quite heavily as a place to learn, share and interact with people. I\'ve also used Twitter to promote my blog posts  and workshops, and by extension, my business.\r\n\r\nOne of the most gratifying aspects of Twitter is how many personal relationships I have developed. Some people whom I met through Twitter  have become friends IRL (\"in real life\") and some have become trusted online colleagues.\r\n\r\n<strong>Developing best practices for social media use\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nIn order to make life on Twitter more manageable, I follow certain \"best practices.\"  Up to now, they\'ve been in my head, but here\'s a more formal list:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use a client such as Hootsuite to make managing @ replies, streams easier</li>\r\n	<li>Group people in lists to include as a stream to follow (this way, I know what my friends/colleagues are up to)</li>\r\n	<li>Respond to @ replies ASAP</li>\r\n	<li>Thank people for sharing tweets, posts, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Avoid obscenities/expletives and unfollow those who favor this type of communication</li>\r\n	<li>Follow selectively (and don\'t follow back automatically)</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t engage with trolls, and block whenever possible</li>\r\n	<li>Block followers who are obviously spammers or bots or who are only following to get me to follow back</li>\r\n	<li>Be conscious of what I am sharing</li>\r\n	<li>Take personal conversations offline or DM if appropriate</li>\r\n	<li>Avoid unproductive complaining</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t tweet everything on my mind or share mundane stuff</li>\r\n	<li>Be personal without providing too much personal information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use tools that do your tweeting for you</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>To me, it\'s about common sense and having manners</strong>\r\n\r\nThey say good manners exist so that your behavior make others comfortable. That\'s why it is not good manners to use expletives (because some people may be offended and thus uncomfortable). That\'s why we say please and thank you (because we want to acknowledge that we are not owed anything, and that we appreciate kind gestures). That\'s why we don\'t chew with our mouth open (no comment needed right?).\r\n\r\nAnd yet, some people just don\'t get that in order to be on social media, and get along with others, you need to mind your manners and your behavior. Perhaps they don\'t really understand how Twitter works and that whatever you post on Twitter is visible to the public.  Perhaps they think you won\'t notice if they ignore your messages. Perhaps they feel entitled.  Or perhaps they are always rude in person too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps the best practice is to not take it personally</strong>\r\n\r\nWho knows why people behave the way they do. Truth is you just don\'t know. It could be they are going through a hard time or just got busy with other things. Some people like to offend and want to argue (trolls are everywhere on social media). Context and tone are hard to convey on social media, and on Twitter, you only have 140 characters to express yourself.\r\n<h4>Do you have best practices for Twitter? Do you behave differently on different social networks?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you lacking social media manners or best practices?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-lacking-social-media-manners-or-best-practices','','','2015-03-24 15:11:17','2015-03-24 19:11:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2930',0,'post','',0),(2931,4,'2015-03-24 15:10:45','2015-03-24 19:10:45','When I first started using Twitter in 2008,  I had no idea what an \"RT\" was or how to check \"@\" messages. I didn\'t know Tweetdeck from Hootsuite. So I asked a couple millennial friends of mine, and over lunch, they explained how Twitter worked and how to use it.\r\n\r\nSince then, I believe I have become fairly adept at using Twitter and use it quite heavily as a place to learn, share and interact with people. I\'ve also used Twitter to promote my blog posts  and workshops, and by extension, my business.\r\n\r\nOne of the most gratifying aspects of Twitter is how many personal relationships I have developed. Some people whom I met through Twitter  have become friends IRL (\"in real life\") and some have become trusted online colleagues.\r\n\r\n<strong>Developing best practices for social media use\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nIn order to make life on Twitter more manageable, I follow certain \"best practices.\"  Up to now, they\'ve been in my head, but here\'s a more formal list:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use a client such as Hootsuite to make managing @ replies, streams easier</li>\r\n	<li>Group people in lists to include as a stream to follow (this way, I know what my friends/colleagues are up to)</li>\r\n	<li>Respond to @ replies ASAP</li>\r\n	<li>Thank people for sharing tweets, posts, etc.</li>\r\n	<li>Avoid obscenities/expletives and unfollow those who favor this type of communication</li>\r\n	<li>Follow selectively (and don\'t follow back automatically)</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t engage with trolls, and block whenever possible</li>\r\n	<li>Block followers who are obviously spammers or bots or who are only following to get me to follow back</li>\r\n	<li>Be conscious of what I am sharing</li>\r\n	<li>Take personal conversations offline or DM if appropriate</li>\r\n	<li>Avoid unproductive complaining</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t tweet everything on my mind or share mundane stuff</li>\r\n	<li>Be personal without providing too much personal information</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use tools that do your tweeting for you</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>To me, it\'s about common sense and having manners</strong>\r\n\r\nThey say good manners exist so that your behavior make others comfortable. That\'s why it is not good manners to use expletives (because some people may be offended and thus uncomfortable). That\'s why we say please and thank you (because we want to acknowledge that we are not owed anything, and that we appreciate kind gestures). That\'s why we don\'t chew with our mouth open (no comment needed right?).\r\n\r\nAnd yet, some people just don\'t get that in order to be on social media, and get along with others, you need to mind your manners and your behavior. Perhaps they don\'t really understand how Twitter works and that whatever you post on Twitter is visible to the public.  Perhaps they think you won\'t notice if they ignore your messages. Perhaps they feel entitled.  Or perhaps they are always rude in person too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Perhaps the best practice is to not take it personally</strong>\r\n\r\nWho knows why people behave the way they do. Truth is you just don\'t know. It could be they are going through a hard time or just got busy with other things. Some people like to offend and want to argue (trolls are everywhere on social media). Context and tone are hard to convey on social media, and on Twitter, you only have 140 characters to express yourself.\r\n<h4>Do you have best practices for Twitter? Do you behave differently on different social networks?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you lacking social media manners or best practices?','','inherit','open','open','','2930-revision-v1','','','2015-03-24 15:10:45','2015-03-24 19:10:45','',2930,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2930-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2932,4,'2015-03-26 10:18:46','2015-03-26 14:18:46','<div><img style=\"margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 40px;\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/picture.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" />Deborah Brody is a writer and consultant with 20 years of public relations, advertising and marketing experience. Her firm, Deborah Brody Marketing Communications (DBMC), provides high-level writing and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.Prior to launching DBMC in 2002 and helping organizations refine marketing materials, write blog posts, create website content, and generate press releases, the bilingual (English, Spanish) Deborah worked at several leading South Florida-based agencies, including Everett Clay Associates (public relations), The Jeffrey Group (public relations focused on Latin America), and  Peter Nasca Associates (corporate communications). In 2001,  Deborah taught Advanced Public Relations Writing at Florida International University.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div id=\"testimonial\">Deborah is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., Politics) and of Boston University\'s College of Communications, where she earned a Master\'s degree in Mass Communication. She lives in Rockville, Maryland and when not writing, she enjoys cooking, following current events and politics and doing yoga.</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahbrody\">\r\n      \r\n          <img src=\"https://static.licdn.com/scds/common/u/img/webpromo/btn_viewmy_120x33.png\" width=\"120\" height=\"33\" border=\"0\" alt=\"View Deborah Brody\'s profile on LinkedIn\">\r\n        \r\n    </a>','About','','inherit','open','open','','18-revision-v1','','','2015-03-26 10:18:46','2015-03-26 14:18:46','',18,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/18-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2937,4,'2015-03-31 10:47:43','2015-03-31 14:47:43','A few weeks ago I came across a blog post with a headline that said something like “Why my business is getting off Facebook immediately.” Naturally, I was intrigued. But then I read the article, which told me the many reasons why it would be stupid for him or anybody to leave Facebook, saying things such as: Yes, I want to get off the fastest growing social network that has 800 billion readers and counting.\r\n\r\nThe article, awash is sarcasm, was <em>designed </em>to make readers feel stupid for considering leaving Facebook.\r\n\r\nI had been drawn in a headline that I didn’t realize was sarcastic until I read the blog post—a prime example of bait and switch. I felt angry and insulted that the author thought that anybody considering getting off lFacebook was stupid.\r\n\r\nAnd then last week, I came across this article on Ragan.com: <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18342.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=CEO%20interview%20prep%3B%20Kraft%2C%20Heinz%20announce%20merger%3B%20Local%20TV%20and%20media%20relations%3B%20How%20to%20build%20a%20secure%20online%20newsroom%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18342.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">31 terms that will complicate your writing</a>. The headline is not sarcastic, but the article is. However, the article is written pretty badly—I was confused as were many other readers as evidenced by the comments. The article, in my opinion, does not work at all.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips, author of the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog</a>, what he thought about using sarcasm in professional communication. Here’s what he said:\r\n<blockquote> The challenge is to make sure people don\'t take a comment you meant sarcastically as a straightforward, more serious one. Therefore, I try to always either preface a sarcastic comment with an obviously absurd rhetorical question or put it in italics to make clear that it stands apart from the rest of the post.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. <strong>Your reader or audience has to understand you are being sarcastic</strong>. If not, there will be misunderstanding and in essence, a lack of communication.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you decide to use sarcasm, you run three big risks.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You risk irritating or even alienating your reader</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to <em>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Clear Communication</em> by Kris Cole, sarcasm inhibits communication: “Sarcasm in fact is in the same league as name-calling, ridiculing and shaming; and it leads to the same results.”\r\n\r\nIn intra-personal relationships, sarcasm can be extremely damaging. According to the post <a href=\"http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-damage-of-using-sarcasm-in-workplace-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">The Damage of Using Sarcasm in Workplace Communication</a> by Skip Weisman:\r\n<blockquote>There is no positive upside to using sarcasm. It offers only short-term positive impact for the sarcastic person whose ego may get a boost by putting others down in this manner.\r\n\r\nNow, it will be couched in the context of humor and trying to be funny. Yet, that humor comes at the expense of someone else.</blockquote>\r\nIn essence, your sarcasm is a put-down to your audience, which can certainly lead to irritation and alienation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You risk being misunderstood</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is a type of passive-aggressive communication--where you say one thing but mean another--there is a very good chance that your meaning will be misconstrued or lost.\r\n\r\nIt may be challenging for your readers to know that you are being sarcastic and as Brad Phillips said above, they may think you are being serious when in fact you are not.\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is often dependent on tone, and it is hard to express tone in writing, you will be forced to use devices like quotation marks or strike-throughs to make your meaning clear.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3. Your risk seeming ethnocentric and culturally insensitive</strong>\r\n\r\nSarcasm does not travel well across cultures. While American culture tends to be very sarcastic, other cultures are not. And even within the U.S., there are regional differences. According to <a href=\"http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-of-sarcasm-yeah-right-25038/?no-ist=&amp;page=2\" target=\"_blank\">The Science of Sarcasm.? Yeah, Right</a> in Smithsonian Magazine:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"copy-paste-block\">Northerners also were more likely to think sarcasm was funny: 56 percent of Northerners found sarcasm humorous while only 35 percent of Southerners did. The New Yorkers and male students from either location were more likely to describe themselves as sarcastic.\r\n\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nWould you ever write a sarcastic white paper or case study? Probably not. Why? Because you think of white papers and case studies as serious documents, intended to share information and/or communicate a finding. Instinctively, we avoid sarcasm in “serious” communications. And many people don’t see blogging on the same level as other more formal writing.\r\n\r\nSarcasm is often used as a distancing technique, and it is corrosive to clear communication. You should avoid it in business blogging.\r\n<h4>How do you feel about sarcasm in business blogging? Do you use it? Do you avoid it?</h4>','3 big reasons to avoid sarcasm in your business blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2936-revision-v1','','','2015-03-31 10:47:43','2015-03-31 14:47:43','',2936,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2936-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2938,4,'2015-03-31 10:49:37','2015-03-31 14:49:37','A few weeks ago I came across a blog post with a headline that said something like “Why my business is getting off Facebook immediately.” Naturally, I was intrigued. But then I read the article, which told me the many reasons why it would be stupid for him or anybody to leave Facebook, saying things such as: Yes, I want to get off the fastest growing social network that has 800 million readers and counting.\r\n\r\nThe article, awash is sarcasm, was <em>designed </em>to make readers feel stupid for considering leaving Facebook.\r\n\r\nI had been drawn in a headline that I didn’t realize was sarcastic until I read the blog post—a prime example of bait and switch. I felt angry and insulted that the author thought that anybody considering getting off Facebook was stupid.\r\n\r\nAnd then last week, I came across this article on Ragan.com: <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18342.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=CEO%20interview%20prep%3B%20Kraft%2C%20Heinz%20announce%20merger%3B%20Local%20TV%20and%20media%20relations%3B%20How%20to%20build%20a%20secure%20online%20newsroom%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18342.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">31 terms that will complicate your writing</a>. The headline is not sarcastic, but the article is. However, the article is written pretty badly—I was confused as were many other readers as evidenced by the comments. The article, in my opinion, does not work at all.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips, author of the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog</a>, what he thought about using sarcasm in professional communication. Here’s what he said:\r\n<blockquote> The challenge is to make sure people don\'t take a comment you meant sarcastically as a straightforward, more serious one. Therefore, I try to always either preface a sarcastic comment with an obviously absurd rhetorical question or put it in italics to make clear that it stands apart from the rest of the post.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. <strong>Your reader or audience has to understand you are being sarcastic</strong>. If not, there will be misunderstanding and in essence, a lack of communication.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you decide to use sarcasm, you run three big risks.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You risk irritating or even alienating your reader</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to <em>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Clear Communication</em> by Kris Cole, sarcasm inhibits communication: “Sarcasm in fact is in the same league as name-calling, ridiculing and shaming; and it leads to the same results.”\r\n\r\nIn intra-personal relationships, sarcasm can be extremely damaging. According to the post <a href=\"http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-damage-of-using-sarcasm-in-workplace-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">The Damage of Using Sarcasm in Workplace Communication</a> by Skip Weisman:\r\n<blockquote>There is no positive upside to using sarcasm. It offers only short-term positive impact for the sarcastic person whose ego may get a boost by putting others down in this manner.\r\n\r\nNow, it will be couched in the context of humor and trying to be funny. Yet, that humor comes at the expense of someone else.</blockquote>\r\nIn essence, your sarcasm is a put-down to your audience, which can certainly lead to irritation and alienation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You risk being misunderstood</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is a type of passive-aggressive communication--where you say one thing but mean another--there is a very good chance that your meaning will be misconstrued or lost.\r\n\r\nIt may be challenging for your readers to know that you are being sarcastic and as Brad Phillips said above, they may think you are being serious when in fact you are not.\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is often dependent on tone, and it is hard to express tone in writing, you will be forced to use devices like quotation marks or strike-throughs to make your meaning clear.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3. Your risk seeming ethnocentric and culturally insensitive</strong>\r\n\r\nSarcasm does not travel well across cultures. While American culture tends to be very sarcastic, other cultures are not. And even within the U.S., there are regional differences. According to <a href=\"http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-of-sarcasm-yeah-right-25038/?no-ist=&amp;page=2\" target=\"_blank\">The Science of Sarcasm.? Yeah, Right</a> in Smithsonian Magazine:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"copy-paste-block\">Northerners also were more likely to think sarcasm was funny: 56 percent of Northerners found sarcasm humorous while only 35 percent of Southerners did. The New Yorkers and male students from either location were more likely to describe themselves as sarcastic.\r\n\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nWould you ever write a sarcastic white paper or case study? Probably not. Why? Because you think of white papers and case studies as serious documents, intended to share information and/or communicate a finding. Instinctively, we avoid sarcasm in “serious” communications. And many people don’t see blogging on the same level as other more formal writing.\r\n\r\nSarcasm is often used as a distancing technique, and it is corrosive to clear communication. You should avoid it in business blogging.\r\n<h4>How do you feel about sarcasm in business blogging? Do you use it? Do you avoid it?</h4>','3 big reasons to avoid sarcasm in your business blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2936-revision-v1','','','2015-03-31 10:49:37','2015-03-31 14:49:37','',2936,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2936-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2939,4,'2015-03-31 10:55:23','2015-03-31 14:55:23','A few weeks ago I came across a blog post with a headline that said something like “Why my business is getting off Facebook immediately.” Naturally, I was intrigued. But then I read the article, which told me the many reasons why it would be stupid for him or anybody to leave Facebook, saying things such as: Yes, I want to get off the fastest growing social network that has 800 million readers and counting.\r\n\r\nThe article, awash is sarcasm, was <em>designed </em>to make readers feel stupid for considering leaving Facebook.\r\n\r\nI had been drawn in a headline that I didn’t realize was sarcastic until I read the blog post—a prime example of bait and switch. I felt angry and insulted that the author thought that anybody considering getting off Facebook was stupid.\r\n\r\nAnd then last week, I came across this article on Ragan.com: <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18342.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=CEO%20interview%20prep%3B%20Kraft%2C%20Heinz%20announce%20merger%3B%20Local%20TV%20and%20media%20relations%3B%20How%20to%20build%20a%20secure%20online%20newsroom%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18342.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">31 terms that will complicate your writing</a>. The headline is not sarcastic, but the article is. However, the article is written pretty badly—I was confused as were many other readers as evidenced by the comments. The article, in my opinion, does not work at all.\r\n\r\nI asked Brad Phillips, author of the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training blog</a>, what he thought about using sarcasm in professional communication. Here’s what he said:\r\n<blockquote> The challenge is to make sure people don\'t take a comment you meant sarcastically as a straightforward, more serious one. Therefore, I try to always either preface a sarcastic comment with an obviously absurd rhetorical question or put it in italics to make clear that it stands apart from the rest of the post.</blockquote>\r\nExactly. <strong>Your reader or audience has to understand you are being sarcastic</strong>. If not, there will be misunderstanding and in essence, a lack of communication.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you decide to use sarcasm, you run three big risks:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You risk irritating or even alienating your reader</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to <em>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Clear Communication</em> by Kris Cole, sarcasm inhibits communication: “Sarcasm in fact is in the same league as name-calling, ridiculing and shaming; and it leads to the same results.”\r\n\r\nIn intra-personal relationships, sarcasm can be extremely damaging. According to the post <a href=\"http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-damage-of-using-sarcasm-in-workplace-communication/\" target=\"_blank\">The Damage of Using Sarcasm in Workplace Communication</a> by Skip Weisman:\r\n<blockquote>There is no positive upside to using sarcasm. It offers only short-term positive impact for the sarcastic person whose ego may get a boost by putting others down in this manner.\r\n\r\nNow, it will be couched in the context of humor and trying to be funny. Yet, that humor comes at the expense of someone else.</blockquote>\r\nIn essence, your sarcasm is a put-down to your audience, which can certainly lead to irritation and alienation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You risk being misunderstood</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is a type of passive-aggressive communication -- where you say one thing but mean another -- there is a very good chance that your meaning will be misconstrued or lost.\r\n\r\nIt may be challenging for your readers to know that you are being sarcastic and as Brad Phillips said above, they may think you are being serious when in fact you are not.\r\n\r\nBecause sarcasm is often dependent on tone, and it is hard to express tone in writing, you will be forced to use devices like quotation marks or strike-throughs to make your meaning clear.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3. Your risk seeming ethnocentric and culturally insensitive</strong>\r\n\r\nSarcasm does not travel well across cultures. While American culture tends to be very sarcastic, other cultures are not. And even within the U.S., there are regional differences. According to <a href=\"http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-of-sarcasm-yeah-right-25038/?no-ist=&amp;page=2\" target=\"_blank\">The Science of Sarcasm? Yeah, Right</a> in Smithsonian Magazine:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p class=\"copy-paste-block\">Northerners also were more likely to think sarcasm was funny: 56 percent of Northerners found sarcasm humorous while only 35 percent of Southerners did. The New Yorkers and male students from either location were more likely to describe themselves as sarcastic.\r\n\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nWould you ever write a sarcastic white paper or case study? Probably not. Why? Because you think of white papers and case studies as serious documents, intended to share information and/or communicate a finding. Instinctively, we avoid sarcasm in “serious” communications. And many people don’t see blogging on the same level as other, more formal, writing.\r\n\r\nThe truth is that sarcasm is often used as a distancing technique, and it can be extremely corrosive to clear communication. You should avoid it in business blogging.\r\n<h4>How do you feel about sarcasm in business blogging? Do you use it? Do you avoid it?</h4>','3 big reasons to avoid sarcasm in your business blog ','','inherit','open','open','','2936-revision-v1','','','2015-03-31 10:55:23','2015-03-31 14:55:23','',2936,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/2936-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2943,4,'2015-04-08 11:03:14','2015-04-08 15:03:14','You can select only two of the following three types of service: good, cheap, fast.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Good - Cheap - Fast: Pick Any Two by Kevin Lim, on Flickr\" href=\"https://www.flickr.com/photos/inju/2647397230\"><img src=\"https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3055/2647397230_16b0828cc1.jpg\" alt=\"Good - Cheap - Fast: Pick Any Two\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s been making the rounds lately, although I first heard it from a graphic designer years ago. Basically, if you want something to be good and fast, it won\'t be cheap. And if you want it to good and cheap, then it won\'t be fast. And if you want cheap and fast, well then it surely won\'t be good.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, we are continually being sold cheap and fast. Every day there\'s a <a title=\"Tools save you money, except when they don’t\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/tools-save-you-money-except-when-they-dont/\">new free tool to help you do something </a>(as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago). Or you\'ll find services being offered to do stuff fast (manage your social media in just minutes a day!).\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I saw something about how to make your own infographics quickly. This is because creating shareable infographics is a common digital marketing tactic. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But not all infographics are shareable, mainly because they are not very good.</span> Many times they don\'t have enough information, or the right information, or they are not visually appealing. And other times they have too much information and are hard to understand. If digital marketers continue thinking all that is needed is an infographic, and that designing one can be done cheaply and quickly, then infographics will become useless if they haven\'t already.\r\n\r\n<strong>When you are going for the fast and cheap, you are focused on cost (time and money) instead of value (what you get for your time and money).</strong>\r\n\r\nIn times when budgets are tight and time is scarce, unless there\'s a shift to focusing on value, people will continue to fall for the fast and cheap. And we know the fast and cheap may work in the very short term, but will rarely work to achieve long term business and communications goals.\r\n<h4>What are your thoughts? Is there something that can be done fast and cheap and be worthwhile?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you seduced by the cheap and fast?','','inherit','open','open','','2941-revision-v1','','','2015-04-08 11:03:14','2015-04-08 15:03:14','',2941,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2941-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2941,4,'2015-04-08 11:03:34','2015-04-08 15:03:34','You can select only two of the following three types of service: good, cheap, fast.\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Good - Cheap - Fast: Pick Any Two by Kevin Lim, on Flickr\" href=\"https://www.flickr.com/photos/inju/2647397230\"><img src=\"https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3055/2647397230_16b0828cc1.jpg\" alt=\"Good - Cheap - Fast: Pick Any Two\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s been making the rounds lately, although I first heard it from a graphic designer years ago. Basically, if you want something to be good and fast, it won\'t be cheap. And if you want it to good and cheap, then it won\'t be fast. And if you want cheap and fast, well then it surely won\'t be good.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, we are continually being sold cheap and fast. Every day there\'s a <a title=\"Tools save you money, except when they don’t\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/tools-save-you-money-except-when-they-dont/\">new free tool to help you do something </a>(as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago). Or you\'ll find services being offered to do stuff fast (manage your social media in just minutes a day!).\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I saw something about how to make your own infographics quickly. This is because creating shareable infographics is a common digital marketing tactic. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But not all infographics are shareable, mainly because they are not very good.</span> Many times they don\'t have enough information, or the right information, or they are not visually appealing. And other times they have too much information and are hard to understand. If digital marketers continue thinking all that is needed is an infographic, and that designing one can be done cheaply and quickly, then infographics will become useless if they haven\'t already.\r\n\r\n<strong>When you are going for the fast and cheap, you are focused on cost (time and money) instead of value (what you get for your time and money).</strong>\r\n\r\nIn times when budgets are tight and time is scarce, unless there\'s a shift to focusing on value, people will continue to fall for the fast and cheap. And we know the fast and cheap may work in the very short term, but will rarely work to achieve long term business and communications goals.\r\n<h4>What are your thoughts? Is there something that can be done fast and cheap and be worthwhile?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you seduced by the cheap and fast?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-seduced-by-the-cheap-and-fast','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2015/03/tools-save-you-money-except-when-they-dont/','2015-04-09 11:54:43','2015-04-09 15:54:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2941',0,'post','',0),(2942,4,'2015-04-07 20:24:01','2015-04-08 00:24:01','You can select only two of the following three types of service: good, cheap, fast.\r\n\r\nIt\'s been making the rounds lately, although I first heard it from a graphic designer years ago. Basically, if you want something to be good and fast, it won\'t be cheap. And if you want it to good and cheap, then it won\'t be fast. And if you want cheap and fast, well then it surely won\'t be good.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, we are continually being sold cheap and fast. Every day there\'s a new free tool to help you do something (as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago). Or you\'ll find services being offered to do stuff fast (manage your social media in just minutes a day!).\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I saw something about how to make your own infographics quickly. This is because sharing infographics is a common digital marketing tactic. But not all infographics are shareable, mainly because they are not very good. Many times they don\'t have enough information, or the right information, or they are not visually appealing. And other times they have too much information and are hard to understand.\r\n\r\nAnd yet people will continue to fall for the fast and cheap even though it won\'t help them achieve their goals.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you seduced by the cheap and fast?','','inherit','open','open','','2941-revision-v1','','','2015-04-07 20:24:01','2015-04-08 00:24:01','',2941,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2941-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3093,4,'2015-11-17 10:44:42','2015-11-17 15:44:42','You\'ve heard of <a href=\"https://www.georgetowncupcake.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Georgetown Cupcake</a>, right? In case you haven\'t (seriously?), the company started in a small space in Georgetown back in 2008 and has now expanded to six locations, including stores in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Atlanta, plus a thriving mail order business. The founders--sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis Lamontagne--even starred in a reality TV show for TLC called \"DC Cupcake.\"\r\n\r\nBut getting to a point where Georgetown Cupcake sells 25,000 cupcakes a day on average did not happen overnight. It took a lot of hard work. Katherine and Sophie shared how they did it at the Inc. Magazine/Capital One Founders Forum last week in Washington, DC, which I attended (it was free and yes, they served cupcakes).\r\n\r\nThe Georgetown Cupcake ladies shared a lot of information about what it really takes to get a business off the ground (working all hours, every day, and incurring a lot of debt for starters). Their success seems to be tied to how hands-on they are and how personal their motivation is (they learned to make cakes from the grandmother and wanted to recreate that).\r\n\r\nThey also shared some very interesting marketing insights. From my notes, following are  six marketing and communications takeaways:\r\n\r\n<strong>Use data to drive your business processes and collect data wherever you can</strong>\r\n\r\nEveryone keeps talking about metrics and analytics. Well, here\'s why: data can fuel your bottom line. In Georgetown Cupcake\'s case, they used shipping data to choose the locations where they have opened stores. The sisters say you need to ask yourself what information you need, and then collect it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Prove your business model and have a good product before getting marketing help</strong>\r\n\r\nYou have to have something people want to buy before you market it. The sisters got great publicity early on because lines were forming out the door at the first (and at the time, only) Georgetown location. They were able to get stories in the <em>New York Times</em> and the<em> Washington Post</em> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">without</span> public relations assistance.\r\n\r\n<strong>Word of mouth is the best advertising</strong>\r\n\r\nYou haven\'t seen ads for Georgetown Cupcake because they don\'t advertise. Instead, they rely on word of mouth. Which is how they got those lines out the door in the first place. Which is what led to the major newspaper coverage. Which is what led to the TV show. Which has led to their success.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use social media (and do it well)</strong>\r\n\r\nFrom the start, Georgetown Cupcake has been on social media. First they had a Facebook page, then Twitter, and now Instagram and Pinterest. One of their early social media innovations was to announce a special flavor of the day which you could mention at the store to get a free cupcake. They are still doing it--in fact, I just checked and today\'s free flavor is Apple Caramel. Why this works is that it gives people a tangible reason to follow, giving them \"inside\" knowledge. Katherine says she PERSONALLY handles their Twitter feed, which has 101,000 followers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Stay true to your brand experience and mission</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was important to the sisters that each new store reflect exactly the brand experience that the first store embodied. They wanted customers to feel a certain way when they walked through the doors, whether in New York or Atlanta. Because brand experience is not easy to replicate, the sisters are not rushing to expand nationwide (although you can order the cupcakes to be shipped anywhere in the U.S.).\r\n\r\n<strong>Focus on employee communications</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause the sisters cannot be at all the locations every day, they keep in touch with their employees constantly. They have a weekly internal newsletter, and they email each store several times a day. All employees are trained to understand the company\'s mission.\r\n\r\nIn a world where cupcakes chains have come and gone, it is interesting to see that Georgetown Cupcake is still doing well. Perhaps it\'s because the sisters are so involved and committed to their business. In any case, it was fascinating to hear them talk about their business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to sell 1000s of cupcakes','','inherit','open','open','','3092-revision-v1','','','2015-11-17 10:44:42','2015-11-17 15:44:42','',3092,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3092-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2945,4,'2015-04-10 10:51:45','2015-04-10 14:51:45','Get super-caffeinated, and read these five articles. A bit about punctuation, another bit about content, and some ideas for your blogs.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/a-simple-formula-for-writing-kick-ass-titles-ht?utm_campaign=blog-rss-emails&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=16643573\" target=\"_blank\">A Simple Formula for Writing Kick-Ass Blog Titles</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/dc97d1ad-80ff-425d-94ba-2e85fab695ab.aspx?utm_content=buffer88dc1&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer\" target=\"_blank\">10 punctuation essentials for every writer</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.crazyegg.com/2014/05/26/outstanding-website-content/?utm_content=buffera0116&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer\" target=\"_blank\">7 Tips That Take Your Content from Flat to Fabulous</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/blogging-frequency-benchmarks?utm_campaign=blog-rss-emails&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=16987374\" target=\"_blank\">How Often Should Companies Blog?</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18427.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=The%20importance%20of%20mobile-friendly%20websites%3B%20Officials%27%20response%20to%20cop%27s%20murder%20charge%3B%20Creativity%20and%20accountability%3B%20More%20bad%20email%20manners%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18427.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Study: Only 57% of PR websites are mobile-friend</a>ly\r\n\r\nHave a great weekend...and happy reading!','Best brew: 5 articles for your weekend reading','','publish','open','open','','best-brew-5-articles-for-your-weekend-reading','','','2015-04-10 10:51:45','2015-04-10 14:51:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2945',0,'post','',0),(2946,4,'2015-04-10 10:48:57','2015-04-10 14:48:57','Get super-caffeinated, and read these five articles. A bit about punctuation, another bit about content, and some ideas for your blogs.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/a-simple-formula-for-writing-kick-ass-titles-ht?utm_campaign=blog-rss-emails&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=16643573\" target=\"_blank\">A Simple Formula for Writing Kick-Ass Blog Titles</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/dc97d1ad-80ff-425d-94ba-2e85fab695ab.aspx?utm_content=buffer88dc1&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer\" target=\"_blank\">10 punctuation essentials for every writer</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.crazyegg.com/2014/05/26/outstanding-website-content/?utm_content=buffera0116&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer\" target=\"_blank\">7 Tips That Take Your Content from Flat to Fabulous</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/blogging-frequency-benchmarks?utm_campaign=blog-rss-emails&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=16987374\" target=\"_blank\">How Often Should Companies Blog?</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/18427.aspx?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Savicom&amp;utm_campaign=The%20importance%20of%20mobile-friendly%20websites%3B%20Officials%27%20response%20to%20cop%27s%20murder%20charge%3B%20Creativity%20and%20accountability%3B%20More%20bad%20email%20manners%3B%20and%20much%20more&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prdaily.com%2FMain%2FArticles%2F18427.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Study: Only 57% of PR websites are mobile-friend</a>ly\r\n\r\nHave a great weekend...and happy reading!','Best brew: 5 articles for your weekend reading','','inherit','open','open','','2945-revision-v1','','','2015-04-10 10:48:57','2015-04-10 14:48:57','',2945,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2945-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2947,4,'2015-04-14 11:21:25','2015-04-14 15:21:25','If you do a Google search on problems in social media marketing, you will find several articles that discuss the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Personnel (capacity of and/or lack of)</li>\r\n	<li>Strategy (generally lack of, or not fitting in with overall comms strategy)</li>\r\n	<li>No ability to measure ROI (or, can\'t justify expenditure)</li>\r\n	<li>Budget (not enough)</li>\r\n	<li>Content (not adequate)</li>\r\n	<li>Consistency (generally, lack of)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[Go ahead. Google \"the problem with social media marketing\" and you will see for yourself.]\r\n\r\nAlthough all these problems definitely affect the ability to do social media marketing, the biggest problem is this: <strong>all it takes is one click to unfollow/unlike. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, it\'s easy to lose support, and once you lose support, it\'s very hard to gain it back.</strong>\r\n\r\nIt occurred to me this morning that although I recently unfollowed a couple big names in social media that I had not missed them in the very least. In fact, I was relieved to not see them in my timeline. In the personal realm, I have hidden several people on Facebook. Again, I don\'t miss them and have almost forgotten them.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s easy to hit hide or mute or unfollow. And once you are out of sight, well, you are out of mind.</strong>\r\n\r\nStill, because there\'s a low barrier to entry, there\'s also a low barrier to exit. Something can go viral one week and practically disappear the next week. People lurch from one topic to another. Some social media accounts get stale. Some social media accounts become offensive. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Whatever the reason, we lose interest and we move on. And once we move on, it becomes difficult if not impossible to get us back.</span>\r\n\r\nThere\'s a small hitch to my theory and it\'s social sharing. Say you unfollow \"JoeBigMediaExpert\" but your trusted colleague \"Ilovesocialmedia\" hasn\'t. If \"Ilovesocialmedia\" constantly shares \"JoeBigMediaExpert\'s\" posts, you\'ll see them.\r\n\r\nStill, the ease of ignoring (unfollowing/unliking) on social media plus the clutter issue (too much stuff!) is what any social marketer has to deal with. The guiding questions may be these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What keeps followers interested?</li>\r\n	<li>What offends followers?</li>\r\n	<li>What\'s the best way to bring value to followers?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>What do you think?  What makes you keep following a brand or personality? What turns you off?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The real problem with social media marketing','','publish','open','open','','the-real-problem-with-social-media-marketing','','','2015-04-14 11:21:25','2015-04-14 15:21:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2947',0,'post','',0),(2948,4,'2015-04-14 11:20:20','2015-04-14 15:20:20','If you do a Google search on problems in social media marketing, you will find several articles that discuss the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Personnel (capacity of and/or lack of)</li>\r\n	<li>Strategy (generally lack of, or not fitting in with overall comms strategy)</li>\r\n	<li>No ability to measure ROI (or, can\'t justify expenditure)</li>\r\n	<li>Budget (not enough)</li>\r\n	<li>Content (not adequate)</li>\r\n	<li>Consistency (generally, lack of)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[Go ahead. Google \"the problem with social media marketing\" and you will see for yourself.]\r\n\r\nAlthough all these problems definitely affect the ability to do social media marketing, the biggest problem is this: <strong>all it takes is one click to unfollow/unlike. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, it\'s easy to lose support, and once you lose support, it\'s very hard to gain it back.</strong>\r\n\r\nIt occurred to me this morning that although I recently unfollowed a couple big names in social media that I had not missed them in the very least. In fact, I was relieved to not see them in my timeline. In the personal realm, I have hidden several people on Facebook. Again, I don\'t miss them and have almost forgotten them.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s easy to hit hide or mute or unfollow. And once you are out of sight, well, you are out of mind.</strong>\r\n\r\nStill, because there\'s a low barrier to entry, there\'s also a low barrier to exit. Something can go viral one week and practically disappear the next week. People lurch from one topic to another. Some social media accounts get stale. Some social media accounts become offensive. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Whatever the reason, we lose interest and we move on. And once we move on, it becomes difficult if not impossible to get us back.</span>\r\n\r\nThere\'s a small hitch to my theory and it\'s social sharing. Say you unfollow \"JoeBigMediaExpert\" but your trusted colleague \"Ilovesocialmedia\" hasn\'t. If \"Ilovesocialmedia\" constantly shares \"JoeBigMediaExpert\'s\" posts, you\'ll see them.\r\n\r\nStill, the ease of ignoring (unfollowing/unliking) on social media plus the clutter issue (too much stuff!) is what any social marketer has to deal with. The guiding questions may be these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What keeps followers interested?</li>\r\n	<li>What offends followers?</li>\r\n	<li>What\'s the best way to bring value to followers?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>What do you think?  What makes you keep following a brand or personality? What turns you off?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The real problem with social media marketing','','inherit','open','open','','2947-revision-v1','','','2015-04-14 11:20:20','2015-04-14 15:20:20','',2947,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2947-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2950,4,'2015-04-23 10:12:38','2015-04-23 14:12:38','You may have heard about the ongoing discussion in the public relations world regarding the usefulness of the press release. Many are saying the press release is dead.  Some are not so quick to give it last rites. Then there are those that are dogmatic about it: \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">always</span> send a press release\" or \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> send a press release.\"\r\n\r\nAlways and never are absolutes. To be dogmatic is to state a position unequivocally, to be absolute about it. The problem with dogma in communications is that nothing should be absolute. In the press release issue above, I would say that it <em>depends: </em>What is  the news, who is the target audience is and where do you want to communicate the news.\r\n\r\n<strong>A definition of dogma</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s what my Webster\'s dictionary says dogma is:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li> Something held as an established opinion, esp. an definitive authoritative tenet.</li>\r\n	<li> A doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNotice what the two definitions have in common? The word authoritative, which is a synonym for official, conclusive, and <strong>dictatorial. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Examples of dogmatic communications thinking</strong>\r\n\r\nBack when I started working in advertising, when I was a lowly media coordinator and my job was to place print media buys, I had a supervisor named Eileen. Eileen\'s dogmatic belief about newspaper advertising was that you <em>never place a print ad in Friday or Saturday newspapers.</em> Never. (This was in the 1990s and people did not have the Internet. They read actual physical newspapers.)\r\n\r\nBut, back in the \'90s and even today, the entertainment/weekend section always came out on Friday.  I thought most people would get the Friday paper just for the entertainment section, to see what was going on, what movies were playing, etc., so I argued with Eileen that Friday was actually a great day to be in the paper. It was an uphill battle. Eileen had been taught, and believed with absolute certainty, that Friday was, in her words, a dog day for ads.\r\n\r\nRecently, I had an online discussion with an website design firm that states it <em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> uses WordPress for its clients because it is \"always\" more vulnerable to hacking.</em> Instead, the firm always uses Adobe products. When presented with an alternative view (WordPress has open developing practices with thousands of plug-ins that increase functionality, for example) the design firm shot me down. It has a design dogma that disallows it from seeing the benefits of something alternative, or even using WordPress for some clients and Adobe for others, depending on needs.\r\n\r\nIn the blogging world, there seems to be a dogmatic belief that <em>you must blog at minimum once a week and more is better</em>. I have subscribed to this belief, but lately, I think it depends. I have seen blogs that I follow drop to blogging once a month with no ill effects (at least not visible....I don\'t know if it affects their SEO).\r\n\r\nDogma may be necessary in religion. Faith requires absolute conviction. Communications, however, must be flexible. Things are constantly changing. Look at social media. Five years ago it was all Facebook and Twitter. Today, we have Medium and Tumblr and Pinterest and Instagram and on and on.\r\n\r\n<strong>An alternative approach: use guidelines instead of tenets</strong>\r\n\r\nYou cannot afford to be dogmatic in communications. Always and never will leave you boxed in and unable to react to situations. A better approach is to create requirements and guidelines for your communications that take into consideration the why, what, where, who and how of what you are communicating.\r\n<h4>Do you have a communications dogma? What is it? Please share.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Beware of the dog(ma)','','publish','open','open','','beware-of-the-dogma','','','2015-04-23 10:12:38','2015-04-23 14:12:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2950',0,'post','',0),(2959,4,'2015-05-13 15:12:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','We all recognize good communicators. They are the ones that we listen to and learn from. But what does it take to be a good communicator? Is it an innate ability or are there skills you can learn?\r\n\r\nI think the best communicators have both innate abilities and have learned skills along the way. Some people have to overcome great challenges to becoming good at communications. They may be painfully shy. They may speak too low or too loud. And then there are people with little or no self-awareness, so that they don\'t realize they may have challenges they need to work on.\r\n\r\nSome people were born to communicate. They are the ones that tell a good story. Those that can convince you to do something (think a great preacher or politician). They naturally know what to do and do it well.\r\n\r\nBut there are skills that can help you become a better communicator.','What does it take to be a good communicator?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-05-13 15:12:35','2015-05-13 19:12:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2959',0,'post','',0),(2952,4,'2015-04-23 10:10:22','2015-04-23 14:10:22','You may have heard about the ongoing discussion in the public relations world regarding the usefulness of the press release. Many are saying the press release is dead.  Some are not so quick to give it last rites. Then there are those that are dogmatic about it: \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">always</span> send a press release\" or \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> send a press release.\"\r\n\r\nAlways and never are absolutes. To be dogmatic is to state a position unequivocally, to be absolute about it. The problem with dogma in communications is that nothing should be absolute. In the press release issue above, I would say that it <em>depends: </em>What is  the news, who is the target audience is and where do you want to communicate the news.\r\n\r\n<strong>A definition of dogma</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s what my Webster\'s dictionary says dogma is:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li> Something held as an established opinion, esp. an definitive authoritative tenet.</li>\r\n	<li> A doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNotice what the two definitions have in common? The word authoritative, which is a synonym for official, conclusive, and <strong>dictatoria</strong>l.\r\n\r\n<strong>Examples of dogmatic communications thinking</strong>\r\n\r\nBack when I started working in advertising, when I was a lowly media coordinator and my job was to place print media buys, I had a supervisor named Eileen. Eileen\'s dogmatic belief about newspaper advertising was that you <strong>never place a print ad in Friday or Saturday newspapers. </strong>Never. (This was in the 1990s and people did not have the Internet. They read actual physical newspapers.)\r\n\r\nBut, back in the \'90s and even today, the entertainment/weekend section always came out on Friday.  I thought most people would get the Friday paper just for the entertainment section, to see what was going on, what movies were playing, etc., so I argued with Eileen that Friday was actually a great day to be in the paper. It was an uphill battle. Eileen had been taught, and believed with absolute certainty, that Friday was, in her words, a dog day for ads.\r\n\r\nRecently, I had an online discussion with an website design firm that states it <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> uses WordPress for its clients because it is \"always\" more vulnerable to hacking. Instead, the firm always uses Adobe products. When presented with an alternative view (WordPress has open developing practices with thousands of plug-ins that increase functionality, for example) the design firm shot me down. It has a design dogma that disallows it from seeing the benefits of something alternative, or even using WordPress for some clients and Adobe for others, depending on needs.\r\n\r\nIn the blogging world, there seems to be a dogmatic belief that you must blog at minimum once a week and more is better. I have subscribed to this belief, but lately, I think it depends. I have seen blogs that I follow drop to blogging once a month with no ill effects (at least not visible....I don\'t know if it affects their SEO).\r\n\r\nDogma may be necessary in religion. Faith requires absolute conviction. Communications, however, must be flexible. Things are constantly changing. Look at social media. Five years ago it was all Facebook and Twitter. Today, we have Medium and Tumblr and Pinterest and Instagram and on and on.\r\n\r\n<strong>An alternative approach: use guidelines instead of tenets</strong>\r\n\r\nYou cannot afford to be dogmatic in communications. Always and never will leave you boxed in and unable to react to situations. A better approach is to create requirements and guidelines for your communications that take into consideration the why, what, where, who and how of what you are communicating.\r\n<h4>Do you have a communications dogma? What is it? Please share.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Beware of the dog(ma)','','inherit','open','open','','2950-revision-v1','','','2015-04-23 10:10:22','2015-04-23 14:10:22','',2950,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2950-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2953,4,'2015-04-23 10:12:38','2015-04-23 14:12:38','You may have heard about the ongoing discussion in the public relations world regarding the usefulness of the press release. Many are saying the press release is dead.  Some are not so quick to give it last rites. Then there are those that are dogmatic about it: \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">always</span> send a press release\" or \"<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> send a press release.\"\r\n\r\nAlways and never are absolutes. To be dogmatic is to state a position unequivocally, to be absolute about it. The problem with dogma in communications is that nothing should be absolute. In the press release issue above, I would say that it <em>depends: </em>What is  the news, who is the target audience is and where do you want to communicate the news.\r\n\r\n<strong>A definition of dogma</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s what my Webster\'s dictionary says dogma is:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li> Something held as an established opinion, esp. an definitive authoritative tenet.</li>\r\n	<li> A doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNotice what the two definitions have in common? The word authoritative, which is a synonym for official, conclusive, and <strong>dictatorial. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Examples of dogmatic communications thinking</strong>\r\n\r\nBack when I started working in advertising, when I was a lowly media coordinator and my job was to place print media buys, I had a supervisor named Eileen. Eileen\'s dogmatic belief about newspaper advertising was that you <em>never place a print ad in Friday or Saturday newspapers.</em> Never. (This was in the 1990s and people did not have the Internet. They read actual physical newspapers.)\r\n\r\nBut, back in the \'90s and even today, the entertainment/weekend section always came out on Friday.  I thought most people would get the Friday paper just for the entertainment section, to see what was going on, what movies were playing, etc., so I argued with Eileen that Friday was actually a great day to be in the paper. It was an uphill battle. Eileen had been taught, and believed with absolute certainty, that Friday was, in her words, a dog day for ads.\r\n\r\nRecently, I had an online discussion with an website design firm that states it <em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never</span> uses WordPress for its clients because it is \"always\" more vulnerable to hacking.</em> Instead, the firm always uses Adobe products. When presented with an alternative view (WordPress has open developing practices with thousands of plug-ins that increase functionality, for example) the design firm shot me down. It has a design dogma that disallows it from seeing the benefits of something alternative, or even using WordPress for some clients and Adobe for others, depending on needs.\r\n\r\nIn the blogging world, there seems to be a dogmatic belief that <em>you must blog at minimum once a week and more is better</em>. I have subscribed to this belief, but lately, I think it depends. I have seen blogs that I follow drop to blogging once a month with no ill effects (at least not visible....I don\'t know if it affects their SEO).\r\n\r\nDogma may be necessary in religion. Faith requires absolute conviction. Communications, however, must be flexible. Things are constantly changing. Look at social media. Five years ago it was all Facebook and Twitter. Today, we have Medium and Tumblr and Pinterest and Instagram and on and on.\r\n\r\n<strong>An alternative approach: use guidelines instead of tenets</strong>\r\n\r\nYou cannot afford to be dogmatic in communications. Always and never will leave you boxed in and unable to react to situations. A better approach is to create requirements and guidelines for your communications that take into consideration the why, what, where, who and how of what you are communicating.\r\n<h4>Do you have a communications dogma? What is it? Please share.</h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Beware of the dog(ma)','','inherit','open','open','','2950-revision-v1','','','2015-04-23 10:12:38','2015-04-23 14:12:38','',2950,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2950-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2954,4,'2015-04-27 09:56:43','2015-04-27 13:56:43','Today is<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/national-grammar-day\" target=\"_blank\"> National Grammar Day</a>, and if there\'s one group that lives and breathes grammar, it\'s copy editors. (Note: you will find some that write copyediting and copyeditor as one word, but I decided to follow <em>Merriam-Webster</em>, which spells them as two words.)\r\n\r\nBy cleaning up your sloppy sentences, a copy editor makes your writing clearer. But not everyone has access to a copy editor. The next best thing is to learn what copy editors look for and apply it to your own writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Follow a style guide and stick to it</strong>. Whether you have your own organizational style guide or you use a standard guide such as <em>The Associated Press Stylebook</em>, be sure to consult it and defer to it. You may want to write “Web site” but your style guide says it’s “website.” Don’t alternate usages. And check stuff that is likely to trip you up such as dates, abbreviations, addresses, and titles.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Be consistent.</strong> Make sure you are using the same spelling and style throughout your document.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Use a dictionary</strong> (and choose your standard). There are a couple big dictionary names: <em>Oxford</em> and <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. Choose one and stick to it and then use it to make sure that you are spelling [that word] correctly. And more so, <a title=\"Are you sure you know what that word means?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2015/02/are-you-sure-you-know-what-that-word-means/\" target=\"_blank\">does [that word] mean what you think it means? </a>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Watch out for often-confused words.</strong> Commonly confused words sound the same or are very close in spelling, but don’t mean the same thing. Some examples are effect/affect, defer/differ, and compliment/complement. You can find exhaustive lists on the internet. Spell check won’t catch these mistakes but using the wrong word will most certainly alter the meaning of what you are writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Fact check</strong>. Make sure it’s Mary and not Marie and that February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2015 was a Saturday and not a Friday. Are you sure that\'s the correct address? You get the drift.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Pay attention to your commas (and apostrophes, colons, etc.)</strong>. Nothing can derail a sentence faster than missing or improper punctuation. Also, take a stand regarding the <a href=\"http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/01/video-oxford-comma/\" target=\"_blank\">Oxford or serial comma</a>. Use it or don\'t, but be consistent.\r\n\r\nWant more? Check out<a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/grammar-girls-editing-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"> Grammar Girl\'s Editing Checklist</a> for an overview of the various mistakes that copy editors look for, and you can even print it out as reference!\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to get lost in writing your thoughts and not pay attention to the details. However, the details (grammar, style,  punctuation, spelling) are what help to make your thoughts clear to your readers.\r\n<h4>How are you celebrating National Grammar Day?</h4>\r\n&nbsp;','6 copy editing rules to make you a better writer              ','','inherit','open','open','','2901-revision-v1','','','2015-04-27 09:56:43','2015-04-27 13:56:43','',2901,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2901-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2955,4,'2015-04-29 10:33:49','2015-04-29 14:33:49','This is a quick rant because I just received an enewsletter from a woman I met at an event two or three years ago. I haven\'t heard from her since, but apparently she has just decided doing a newsletter is a good idea and that her list will include names from all the people from whom she has collected a business card. It didn\'t help that the newsletter was addressed to \"Brody,\" not \"Ms. Brody\" or \"Deborah.\"\r\n\r\nI immediately unsubscribed, not only because the last thing I need is another newsletter, but because this woman apparently thinks that my giving her my business card is an invitation to be added to a list. It does not. Business cards provide contact information, yes, but they do not have any power to agree to anything. I did not agree to be added to a list, and I certainly did not ask to be added to a list.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: direct marketing that complies with the CAN-SPAM laws requires opt-in permission. Just having my business card in your possession is not permission to add me to your list.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe only way that having my business card gives you a pass to get me to be on your marketing list is if you use that contact information to get in touch with me first. For example, you might send me a personal, non-mass email asking me if I would be interested in your list, or perhaps asking me to visit your website where I would have the option to sign up for your newsletter, or you could call me (you know, on the phone) to set up a coffee date and talk to me.\r\n\r\nA business card is a networking tool, nothing more. If you use the contact information on the business card to send me unsolicited material, then you are a spammer, plain and simple.\r\n\r\nRant over.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My business card is not a pass to your enewsletter','','publish','open','open','','my-business-card-is-not-a-pass-to-your-enewsletter','','','2015-04-29 10:33:49','2015-04-29 14:33:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2955',0,'post','',0),(2956,4,'2015-04-29 10:33:49','2015-04-29 14:33:49','This is a quick rant because I just received an enewsletter from a woman I met at an event two or three years ago. I haven\'t heard from her since, but apparently she has just decided doing a newsletter is a good idea and that her list will include names from all the people from whom she has collected a business card. It didn\'t help that the newsletter was addressed to \"Brody,\" not \"Ms. Brody\" or \"Deborah.\"\r\n\r\nI immediately unsubscribed, not only because the last thing I need is another newsletter, but because this woman apparently thinks that my giving her my business card is an invitation to be added to a list. It does not. Business cards provide contact information, yes, but they do not have any power to agree to anything. I did not agree to be added to a list, and I certainly did not ask to be added to a list.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: direct marketing that complies with the CAN-SPAM laws requires opt-in permission. Just having my business card in your possession is not permission to add me to your list.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe only way that having my business card gives you a pass to get me to be on your marketing list is if you use that contact information to get in touch with me first. For example, you might send me a personal, non-mass email asking me if I would be interested in your list, or perhaps asking me to visit your website where I would have the option to sign up for your newsletter, or you could call me (you know, on the phone) to set up a coffee date and talk to me.\r\n\r\nA business card is a networking tool, nothing more. If you use the contact information on the business card to send me unsolicited material, then you are a spammer, plain and simple.\r\n\r\nRant over.\r\n\r\nThoughts?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My business card is not a pass to your enewsletter','','inherit','open','open','','2955-revision-v1','','','2015-04-29 10:33:49','2015-04-29 14:33:49','',2955,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/04/2955-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2960,4,'2015-05-13 15:12:35','2015-05-13 19:12:35','We all recognize good communicators. They are the ones that we listen to and learn from. But what does it take to be a good communicator? Is it an innate ability or are there skills you can learn?\r\n\r\nI think the best communicators have both innate abilities and have learned skills along the way. Some people have to overcome great challenges to becoming good at communications. They may be painfully shy. They may speak too low or too loud. And then there are people with little or no self-awareness, so that they don\'t realize they may have challenges they need to work on.\r\n\r\nSome people were born to communicate. They are the ones that tell a good story. Those that can convince you to do something (think a great preacher or politician). They naturally know what to do and do it well.\r\n\r\nBut there are skills that can help you become a better communicator.','What does it take to be a good communicator?','','inherit','open','open','','2959-revision-v1','','','2015-05-13 15:12:35','2015-05-13 19:12:35','',2959,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/05/2959-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2962,4,'2015-05-14 15:14:09','0000-00-00 00:00:00','Yesterday, I attended a presentation on social media sponsored by the DC Ad Club. Allison Burke of the Brookings Institution gave a nice overview about what you need to consider when working on organic social media content, that is, the content that you don\'t pay for.  More and more, the main social networks like Twitter and Facebook are making it so that you have to pay to promote your posts or else they will be lost in a huge morass of content. Allison says that you should look at promotion or pay to play as a boost, while focusing your efforts on creating great organic content.\r\n\r\nWhat she said made sense to me, but it got me thinking that what seems obvious, and what works well is not always what people in social media do. We\'ve seen the many social media blunders that happen daily, making me conclude that to do social media you have to have special skills. These are:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does working with social media require special skills?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-05-14 15:14:09','2015-05-14 19:14:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2962',0,'post','',0),(2963,4,'2015-05-14 15:06:23','2015-05-14 19:06:23','Yesterday, I attended a presentation on social media sponsored by the DC Ad Club. Allison Burke of the Brookings Institution gave a nice overview about what you need to consider when working on organic social media content, that is, the content that you don\'t pay for.  More and more, the main social networks like Twitter and Facebook are making it so that you have to pay to promote your posts or else they will be lost in a huge morass of content. Allison says that you should look at promotion or pay to play as a boost, while focusing your efforts on creating great organic content.\r\n\r\nWhat she said made sense to me, but it got me thinking that what seems obvious, and what works well is not always what people in social media do. We\'ve seen the many social media blunders that happen daily, making me conclude that to do social media you have to have special skills. These are:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does working with social media require special skills?','','inherit','open','open','','2962-revision-v1','','','2015-05-14 15:06:23','2015-05-14 19:06:23','',2962,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/05/2962-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2965,4,'2015-05-19 11:08:51','2015-05-19 15:08:51','Your website and your car are more similar than you think. You put in a substantial investment up front when you acquired them, and you need to give them both maintenance if you want to keep them working properly.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2966\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11147250425_54340fb6dd_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2966\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11147250425_54340fb6dd_z-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"Mechanics and car by Astrid Westvang via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a> Mechanics and car by Astrid Westvang via Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nChances are good that if you want to keep your car running, you\'ve spent some time and money giving it proper maintenance. But have you given any maintenance to your website since you launched it?\r\n\r\nManufacturers provide guidelines for car owners, making it easy to know when to do what. For example, most car owners are advised to give their vehicles an oil change approximately every 3,000 miles. You are also asked to take your car in for service at certain milestones (50,000 miles, etc.) to check out things like your brakes, hoses, and whatever else.\r\n\r\nDepending on who developed your website, you may also have some guidance. However, there are many websites out there that haven\'t gotten their figurative oil changes lately. It\'s as if the website owners think that just putting up a website and forgetting about it is enough. Unfortunately, if you don\'t give your website some maintenance, it will stop working properly for you.\r\n\r\nHere are few things to check out on your website:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Is it mobile-friendly?</li>\r\n	<li>Is the contact information accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you have social media properties? Are they included?</li>\r\n	<li>Are your links up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>Are all your pages rendering properly?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your content updated/accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>What is the copyright information (hint: if it says copyright 2009, you need to update)</li>\r\n	<li>If you list any personnel (staff, leadership, board), is the list complete and up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>If you list services or products, do you still offer all of these?</li>\r\n	<li>If you have pricing, is it accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your website software up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your domain registration in order?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis is not a comprehensive list. But if it\'s been a while since you gave your website any thought or attention, you may want to put it on your to-do list. You may even find that maintenance is not enough and that you need a complete overhaul.\r\n\r\nIt\'s no longer enough to just have a website. You must keep it up (or hire someone to do it for you).\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? When was the last time you took a look at your website?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Give your website an oil change!','','publish','open','open','','give-your-website-an-oil-change','','','2015-05-19 11:08:51','2015-05-19 15:08:51','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2965',0,'post','',0),(2966,4,'2015-05-19 11:05:21','2015-05-19 15:05:21','','11147250425_54340fb6dd_z','Mechanics and car by Astrid Westvang via Flickr','inherit','open','open','','11147250425_54340fb6dd_z','','','2015-05-19 11:06:01','2015-05-19 15:06:01','',2965,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11147250425_54340fb6dd_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2967,4,'2015-05-19 11:06:53','2015-05-19 15:06:53','Your website and your car are more similar than you think. You put in a substantial investment up front when you acquired them, and you need to give them both maintenance if you want to keep them working properly.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2966\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11147250425_54340fb6dd_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2966\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11147250425_54340fb6dd_z-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"Mechanics and car by Astrid Westvang via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" /></a> Mechanics and car by Astrid Westvang via Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nChances are good that if you want to keep your car running, you\'ve spent some time and money giving it proper maintenance. But have you given any maintenance to your website since you launched it?\r\n\r\nManufacturers provide guidelines for car owners, making it easy to know when to do what. For example, most car owners are advised to give their vehicles an oil change approximately every 3,000 miles. You are also asked to take your car in for service at certain milestones (50,000 miles, etc.) to check out things like your brakes, hoses, and whatever else.\r\n\r\nDepending on who developed your website, you may also have some guidance. However, there are many websites out there that haven\'t gotten their figurative oil changes lately. It\'s as if the website owners think that just putting up a website and forgetting about it is enough. Unfortunately, if you don\'t give your website some maintenance, it will stop working properly for you.\r\n\r\nHere are few things to check out on your website:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Is it mobile-friendly?</li>\r\n	<li>Is the contact information accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>Do you have social media properties? Are they included?</li>\r\n	<li>Are your links up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>Are all your pages rendering properly?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your content updated/accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>What is the copyright information (hint: if it says copyright 2009, you need to update)</li>\r\n	<li>If you list any personnel (staff, leadership, board), is the list complete and up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>If you list services or products, do you still offer all of these?</li>\r\n	<li>If you have pricing, is it accurate?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your website software up to date?</li>\r\n	<li>Is your domain registration in order?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis is not a comprehensive list. But if it\'s been a while since you gave your website any thought or attention, you may want to put it on your to-do list. You may even find that maintenance is not enough and that you need a complete overhaul.\r\n\r\nIt\'s no longer enough to just have a website. You must keep it up (or hire someone to do it for you).\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? When was the last time you took a look at your website?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Give your website an oil change!','','inherit','open','open','','2965-revision-v1','','','2015-05-19 11:06:53','2015-05-19 15:06:53','',2965,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/05/2965-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2994,4,'2015-07-01 14:31:39','2015-07-01 18:31:39','<strong>\"What do I need to know about this?\"</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing--you don\'t know what you don\'t know. And if you don\'t know, you can\'t ask the right questions in order to get the answers you need.  So you have to start from zero, and ask \"what do I need to know about this.\" You\'ll want to ask someone who has more knowledge or experience than you.\r\n\r\n<strong>What does a new home buyer need to know?</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I was talking to an acquaintance of mine, who happens to be a top-selling real estate agent (she\'s sold something like $25 million in property).  I was telling her about my first few months as a homeowner, when I had to have a bunch of things fixed. The real estate agent asked me if had gotten a home appliance policy. I told her that I hadn\'t and that I didn\'t even know about it.  She went on to tell me she negotiates that for every single one of her new home buyers. She told me my real estate agent <em>should\'ve</em> told me about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>What do you look for in a real estate agent?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis question of course lead to a discussion about my real estate agent,  whom at first I really liked, but, after being in my house for a few months and dealing with a bunch of issues,  I came realize didn\'t really do her job well. She didn\'t point out what I needed to know as a new home buyer. And I didn\'t know the questions to ask her, since I said before, you don\'t know what you don\'t know.\r\n\r\nThe more I learn about real estate and home ownership, the more I realize that my real estate agent (unlike my new acquaintance), was just not very good. She was mediocre but the fact is, i<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">t was my own fault for choosing to work with her without having educated myself more</span> about what to look for in a real estate agent.\r\n\r\n<strong>You need to acknowledge that you don\'t know</strong>\r\n\r\nI should\'ve started by asking myself: \"what do I need to know before buying a house?\" I could\'ve asked friends, I could\'ve read books, I could\'ve done more research online. I didn\'t.\r\n\r\nI did watch a lot of HGTV (don\'t laugh, it was very helpful), especially <em>House Hunters</em> and <em>Property Virgins</em>. I watched enough HGTV to know that you have to look at the bones of the house, not the current esthetics and also to know what your priorities are. But those shows don\'t talk about issues such as heat pumps versus furnaces, or what costs you should plan for in your first year, and so forth.\r\n\r\n<strong>But this blog is not about real estate, it\'s about communications</strong>\r\n\r\nNot knowing what questions to ask is what gets so many projects off track.  Say you are launching a blog, and you don\'t know to ask what you need in a web host, you may end up with a blog that doesn\'t work.\r\n\r\nSo before you start any communications project--whether it be launching a website or putting together a social media campaign--ask someone who\'s been there before: \"what do I need to know?\"\r\n\r\nHow do you know what questions to ask? Have you ever been in a situation where not asking the right questions made a project or situation go wrong?','First, ask this one question','','publish','open','open','','first-ask-this-one-question','','','2015-07-01 14:31:39','2015-07-01 18:31:39','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2994',0,'post','',0),(2971,4,'2015-05-27 09:33:04','2015-05-27 13:33:04','Lately, I have been inundated with customer feedback requests from what seems like every company with which I have even had a glancing blow. And all of these feedback requests have serious flaws.\r\n\r\n<strong>Self-serving</strong>: The airline I flew wanted to know about my recent flight, but not about the other part of the same trip, which included one segment that was delayed five hours.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bordering on harassment:</strong> My gym wants feedback (about what, I don’t know or care) and they have sent me at least five or more requests reminding me they want my feedback. Apparently they don’t take no for an answer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not interested in my opinion at all:</strong> The conference I attended last week says it wants my opinion, but sent a survey that focused more on my demographic profile than on my opinion.\r\n\r\n<strong>Asking every possible question on earth</strong>: I got a questionnaire that I abandoned when I realized that after five minutes I was only twenty percent done, thanks to the helpful completion meter at the bottom of the survey.\r\n\r\n<strong>Really, just give us a glowing review:</strong> Some companies send you a link to online customer response sites like Yelp, basically asking for you to provide a testimonial, and may even try to promote this action by offering a discount next time you come in.\r\n\r\nCustomer feedback can be very valuable. <em>If</em> done the right way, feedback requests can tell you what customers/clients/supporters are thinking, and can alert you to any issues. However, there’s a big “if” there, and as evidenced by my own examples above, many organizations are not handling these requests well.\r\n\r\nMany times, I have provided specific feedback, only to never hear from the company again or see the problem addressed. I think the problem is that customer feedback requests straddle the line between communications/marketing and operations.\r\n\r\nCommunicators/marketers see asking for feedback as a way of communicating further with customers. Operations folks see feedback as a potential for improvement (theoretically). But if these two factions are not in consultation, you end up with customer feedback requests that don’t actually address any issues the customer may be having or may even hurt the brand as customers are bothered by repeated requests or intrusive questions.\r\n\r\nBefore you ask for customer feedback, here are four things to keep in mind.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine exactly why you want feedback</strong>. Are you trying to assess your product/service? Are you trying to pinpoint problem areas? Do you want to get testimonials?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine what you will do with the feedback.</strong> Will you address any issues?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine the best way to get the feedback.</strong> Is it email? Or a phone call?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Remember your customers are not obligated to give you feedback</strong>. Customers are in fact doing you a favor by providing feedback. Respect their time. Don’t harass them.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nHow do you handle customer feedback? Do you even ask for it? If you do, how do you go about it? Please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you really want customer feedback? Ask the right way.','','publish','open','open','','do-you-really-want-customer-feedback-ask-the-right-way','','','2015-05-27 18:22:37','2015-05-27 22:22:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2971',0,'post','',0),(2972,4,'2015-05-27 09:31:03','2015-05-27 13:31:03','Lately, I have been inundated with customer feedback requests from what seems like every company with which I have even had a glancing blow. And all of these feedback requests have serious flaws.\r\n\r\n<strong>Self-serving</strong>: The airline I flew wanted to know about my recent flight, but not about the other part of the same trip, which included one segment that was delayed five hours.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bordering on harassment:</strong> My gym wants feedback (about what, I don’t know or care) and they have sent me at least five or more requests reminding me they want my feedback. Apparently they don’t take no for an answer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not interested in my opinion at all:</strong> The conference I attended last week says it wants to my opinion, but sent a survey that focused more on my demographic profile than on my opinion.\r\n\r\n<strong>Asking every possible question on earth</strong>: I got a questionnaire that I abandoned when I realized that after five minutes I was only twenty percent done, thanks to the helpful completion meter at the bottom of the survey.\r\n\r\n<strong>Really, just give us a glowing review:</strong> Some companies send you a link to online customer response sites like Yelp, basically asking for you to provide a testimonial, and may even try to promote this action by offering a discount next time you come in.\r\n\r\nCustomer feedback can be very valuable. <em>If</em> done the right way, feedback requests can tell you what customers/clients/supporters are thinking, and can alert you to any issues. However, there’s a big “if” there, and as evidenced by my own examples above, many organizations are not handling these requests well.\r\n\r\nMany times, I have provided specific feedback, only to never hear from the company again or see the problem addressed. I think the problem is that customer feedback requests straddle the line between communications/marketing and operations.\r\n\r\nCommunicators/marketers see asking for feedback as a way of communicating further with customers. Operations folks see feedback as a potential for improvement (theoretically). But if these two factions are not in consultation, you end up with customer feedback requests that don’t actually address any issues the customer may be having or may even hurt the brand as customers are bothered by repeated requests or intrusive questions.\r\n\r\nBefore you ask for customer feedback, here are four things to keep in mind.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine exactly why you want feedback</strong>. Are you trying to assess your product/service? Are you trying to pinpoint problem areas? Do you want to get testimonials?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine what you will do with the feedback.</strong> Will you address any issues?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine the best way to get the feedback.</strong> Is it email? Or a phone call?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Remember your customers are not obligated to give you feedback</strong>. Customers are in fact doing you a favor by providing feedback. Respect their time. Don’t harass them.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nHow do you handle customer feedback? Do you even ask for it? If you do, how do you go about it? Please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you really want customer feedback? Ask the right way.','','inherit','open','open','','2971-revision-v1','','','2015-05-27 09:31:03','2015-05-27 13:31:03','',2971,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/05/2971-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2973,4,'2015-05-27 18:22:37','2015-05-27 22:22:37','Lately, I have been inundated with customer feedback requests from what seems like every company with which I have even had a glancing blow. And all of these feedback requests have serious flaws.\r\n\r\n<strong>Self-serving</strong>: The airline I flew wanted to know about my recent flight, but not about the other part of the same trip, which included one segment that was delayed five hours.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bordering on harassment:</strong> My gym wants feedback (about what, I don’t know or care) and they have sent me at least five or more requests reminding me they want my feedback. Apparently they don’t take no for an answer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not interested in my opinion at all:</strong> The conference I attended last week says it wants my opinion, but sent a survey that focused more on my demographic profile than on my opinion.\r\n\r\n<strong>Asking every possible question on earth</strong>: I got a questionnaire that I abandoned when I realized that after five minutes I was only twenty percent done, thanks to the helpful completion meter at the bottom of the survey.\r\n\r\n<strong>Really, just give us a glowing review:</strong> Some companies send you a link to online customer response sites like Yelp, basically asking for you to provide a testimonial, and may even try to promote this action by offering a discount next time you come in.\r\n\r\nCustomer feedback can be very valuable. <em>If</em> done the right way, feedback requests can tell you what customers/clients/supporters are thinking, and can alert you to any issues. However, there’s a big “if” there, and as evidenced by my own examples above, many organizations are not handling these requests well.\r\n\r\nMany times, I have provided specific feedback, only to never hear from the company again or see the problem addressed. I think the problem is that customer feedback requests straddle the line between communications/marketing and operations.\r\n\r\nCommunicators/marketers see asking for feedback as a way of communicating further with customers. Operations folks see feedback as a potential for improvement (theoretically). But if these two factions are not in consultation, you end up with customer feedback requests that don’t actually address any issues the customer may be having or may even hurt the brand as customers are bothered by repeated requests or intrusive questions.\r\n\r\nBefore you ask for customer feedback, here are four things to keep in mind.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine exactly why you want feedback</strong>. Are you trying to assess your product/service? Are you trying to pinpoint problem areas? Do you want to get testimonials?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine what you will do with the feedback.</strong> Will you address any issues?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Determine the best way to get the feedback.</strong> Is it email? Or a phone call?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Remember your customers are not obligated to give you feedback</strong>. Customers are in fact doing you a favor by providing feedback. Respect their time. Don’t harass them.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nHow do you handle customer feedback? Do you even ask for it? If you do, how do you go about it? Please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Do you really want customer feedback? Ask the right way.','','inherit','open','open','','2971-revision-v1','','','2015-05-27 18:22:37','2015-05-27 22:22:37','',2971,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/05/2971-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2974,4,'2015-06-02 12:14:43','2015-06-02 16:14:43','<em><strong>You\'re invited</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nThat was the subject line for an email I got recently from Boston University. Naturally, I assumed that I was been invited to attend an event. But no, I was being invited to donate money to the annual pledge drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>This was a classic bait-and-switch. </strong>\r\n\r\nThe following week I got an email from BU that said something about women (fewer/more women getting degrees, I can\'t recall). Again, I opened it since I thought it would be an article about gender disparity. It wasn\'t. It was another bait-and-switch. Again, BU wanted me to be among the women who donate to the university.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bait-and-switch headlines/subject lines are trust-killers.</strong>\r\n\r\nI understand there\'s clutter and that you need to work hard to entice readers. Using a bait-and-switch can guarantee people will open your email or read you article, but at a cost. When you fool people this way (and that is what you are doing),  you ensure they will no longer trust your content.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/You-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2976\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/You-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the-200x300.png\" alt=\"_You can fool all the people some of the\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n</strong></em></span>\r\n\r\nWhat\'s going to happen when BU really wants to invite me to an event? What type of subject line will they use? I am not going to believe \"you\'re invited\" again.\r\n\r\nWriting a subject line/headline is not easy. You want to entice readers to open your email or read your article. You are much better off describing what you are offering inside than using a false premise.\r\n\r\nWhat is your experience with bait-and-switch headlines or subject lines? If you use them, how well do they work for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One type of headline will always fail','','publish','open','open','','one-type-of-headline-will-always-fail','','','2015-06-02 12:14:43','2015-06-02 16:14:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2974',0,'post','',0),(2975,4,'2015-06-02 11:43:34','2015-06-02 15:43:34','<em><strong>You\'re invited</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nThat was the subject line for an email I got recently from Boston University. Naturally, I assumed that I was been invited to attend an event. But no, I was being invited to donate money to the annual pledge drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>This was a classic bait-and-switch. </strong>\r\n\r\nThe following week I got an email from BU that said something about women (fewer/more women getting degrees, I can\'t recall). Again, I opened it since I thought it would be an article about gender disparity. It wasn\'t. It was another bait-and-switch. Again, BU wanted me to be among the women who donate to the university.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bait-and-switch headlines/subject lines are trust-killers.</strong>\r\n\r\nI understand there\'s clutter and that you need to work hard to entice readers. Using a bait-and-switch can guarantee people will open your email or read you article, but at a cost. When you fool people this way (and that is what you are doing),  you ensure they will no longer trust your content.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>\"You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time,  but you cannot fool all the people all the time.\" Abraham Lincoln\r\n</strong></em></span>\r\n\r\nWhat\'s going to happen when BU really wants to invite me to an event? What type of subject line will they use? I am not going to believe \"you\'re invited\" again.\r\n\r\nWriting a subject line/headline is not easy. You want to entice readers to open your email or read your article. You are much better off describing what you are offering inside than using a false premise.\r\n\r\nWhat is your experience with bait-and-switch headlines or subject lines? If you use them, how well do they work for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One type of headline will always fail','','inherit','open','open','','2974-revision-v1','','','2015-06-02 11:43:34','2015-06-02 15:43:34','',2974,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2974-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2976,4,'2015-06-02 12:11:18','2015-06-02 16:11:18','','_You can fool all the people some of the','','inherit','open','open','','_you-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the','','','2015-06-02 12:11:18','2015-06-02 16:11:18','',2974,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/You-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2977,4,'2015-06-02 12:12:13','2015-06-02 16:12:13','<em><strong>You\'re invited</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nThat was the subject line for an email I got recently from Boston University. Naturally, I assumed that I was been invited to attend an event. But no, I was being invited to donate money to the annual pledge drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>This was a classic bait-and-switch. </strong>\r\n\r\nThe following week I got an email from BU that said something about women (fewer/more women getting degrees, I can\'t recall). Again, I opened it since I thought it would be an article about gender disparity. It wasn\'t. It was another bait-and-switch. Again, BU wanted me to be among the women who donate to the university.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bait-and-switch headlines/subject lines are trust-killers.</strong>\r\n\r\nI understand there\'s clutter and that you need to work hard to entice readers. Using a bait-and-switch can guarantee people will open your email or read you article, but at a cost. When you fool people this way (and that is what you are doing),  you ensure they will no longer trust your content.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/You-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2976\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/You-can-fool-all-the-people-some-of-the-200x300.png\" alt=\"_You can fool all the people some of the\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n</strong></em></span>\r\n\r\nWhat\'s going to happen when BU really wants to invite me to an event? What type of subject line will they use? I am not going to believe \"you\'re invited\" again.\r\n\r\nWriting a subject line/headline is not easy. You want to entice readers to open your email or read your article. You are much better off describing what you are offering inside than using a false premise.\r\n\r\nWhat is your experience with bait-and-switch headlines or subject lines? If you use them, how well do they work for you?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One type of headline will always fail','','inherit','open','open','','2974-revision-v1','','','2015-06-02 12:12:13','2015-06-02 16:12:13','',2974,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2974-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2979,4,'2015-06-03 11:17:56','2015-06-03 15:17:56','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-06-03 11:17:56','2015-06-03 15:17:56','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2980,4,'2015-06-05 13:57:20','2015-06-05 17:57:20','Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\nYesterday, Grammarly (a site that promises to be your best grammar check resource), posted an article titled <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">\"5 authors who died old maids\" </a>to Facebook (unfortunately, I was not quick-thinking enough to take a screen shot). The post was about great female writers such as Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson.\r\n\r\nI did a double take when I saw that on my timeline. Old maids? What year is this? Who calls unmarried women \"old maids?\" I commented on the Facebook post that it was sexist and ageist to use the term, and that Grammarly should rename the post. Many others had similar comments and sentiments.  Some ( minority) thought using the term was perfectly OK and that the rest of use were too easily offended.\r\n\r\nThen, I went to Twitter where I posted this:\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC20150605-111755.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2982\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC20150605-111755-180x300.png\" alt=\"Tweet\" width=\"180\" height=\"300\" /></a></span>\r\n\r\nI remind you that Grammarly is a site that claims it offers a \"better way to write.\"\r\n\r\nNo response from Grammarly on Twitter or on Facebook. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">No comment whatsoever.</span> But this morning, <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">the post</a> is gone from Facebook and from the Grammarly blog without any type of acknowledgement.\r\n\r\nIt seems that Grammarly understood that using the term was offensive enough to some, or at least, controversial enough, to remove the post. They have erased it from Grammarly post history. But Grammarly has not admitted anything explicitly.  It ignored tweets and Facebook comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is ignoring comments a wise move?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd just this past weekend, in the <em>Washington Post Magazine,</em> humor columnist Gene Weingarten had this to say about Grammarly:\r\n<blockquote>In short, as a sleuth, Grammarly is top-notch. As an editor, however, it is of the prissy, arbitrary, rule-besotted sort whom good writers want to kill. Under the circumstances, I would do it slow and ugly, like what Dave the astronaut did to HAL.</blockquote>\r\nPerhaps not super humorous, but definitely worth it to <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/gene-takes-grammarly-to-school/2015/05/22/a3bf6a56-f4dd-11e4-b2f3-af5479e6bbdd_story.html?postshare=8761433118311597\" target=\"_blank\">read the whole piece.</a>\r\n\r\nGrammarly can\'t erase Weingarten\'s piece as easily as it can erase it\'s own mistakes.\r\n\r\nNow, is Grammarly in crisis, even of the fleeting social media kind? No, of course not. But in my book at least, it has a damaged image. Between Weingarten\'s criticism and Grammarly\'s uncaring attitude, not to mention the fact that a sexist term got through the supposed strict usage checker folks, I am not keen to promote or use the service. And no amount of erasing posts (would this also be called white-washing? I am not sure) and ignoring comments is going to fix that.\r\n\r\nWhat would you recommend that Grammarly do, if anything? Oh, and had you even heard of Grammarly before or am I doing it a public relations favor by mentioning it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you rehab your image by deleting offensive posts?','','publish','open','open','','can-you-rehab-your-image-by-deleting-offensive-posts','','','2015-06-05 13:57:20','2015-06-05 17:57:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2980',0,'post','',0),(2982,4,'2015-06-05 13:46:23','2015-06-05 17:46:23','','Tweet','','inherit','open','open','','sc20150605-111755','','','2015-06-05 13:46:37','2015-06-05 17:46:37','',2980,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC20150605-111755.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(2981,4,'2015-06-05 11:28:56','2015-06-05 15:28:56','Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\nYesterday, Grammarly (a site that promises to be your best grammar check resource), posted an article titled <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">\"5 authors who died old maids\" </a>to Facebook (unfortunately, I was not quick thinking enough to take a screen shot). I did a double take when I saw that on my timeline. Old maids? What year is this? Who calls unmarried women \"old maids?\" I commented on the post that it was sexist and ageist to use the term, and that Grammarly should rename the post. Many others had similar comments and sentiments.  Some ( minority) thought using the term was perfectly ok and that the rest of use were too easily offended.\r\n\r\nThen, I went to Twitter where I posted this:\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">When was the last time you heard the term \"old maid?\" Well, @grammarly thinks it\'s perfectly fine to call unmarried women by that name.</span>\r\n\r\nI remind you that Grammarly is a site that claims it offers a \"better way to write.\"\r\n\r\nNo word from Grammarly on Twitter or on Facebook. No comment whatsoever.\r\n\r\nThis morning, <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">the post</a> is gone from Facebook and from the Grammarly blog.\r\n\r\nClearly, Grammarly is not standing by the term old maids. They have erased it from Grammarly post history. But Grammarly has not admitted that it may be offensive (not to mention hopelessly old fashioned) to use this term. It simply removed it without acknowledging anybody\'s comments about it.\r\n\r\nAnd ust this past weekend, in the <em>Washington Post Magazine,</em> Gene Weingarten had this to say about Grammarly:\r\n<blockquote>In short, as a sleuth, Grammarly is top-notch. As an editor, however, it is of the prissy, arbitrary, rule-besotted sort whom good writers want to kill. Under the circumstances, I would do it slow and ugly, like what Dave the astronaut did to HAL.</blockquote>\r\nDo yourself a favor and <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/gene-takes-grammarly-to-school/2015/05/22/a3bf6a56-f4dd-11e4-b2f3-af5479e6bbdd_story.html?postshare=8761433118311597\" target=\"_blank\">read the whole piece.</a>\r\n\r\nGrammarly can\'t erase Weingarten\'s piece as easily as it can erase it\'s own mistakes.\r\n\r\nNow, is Grammarly in crisis, even of the fleeting social media kind? No, of course not. But in my book at least, it has a damaged image. Between Weingarten\'s criticism and Grammarly\'s uncaring attitude, I am not keen to promote or use the service. And no amount of erasing posts (would this also be called white-washing? I am not sure) and ignoring comments is going to fix that.\r\n\r\nWhat would you recommend that Grammarly do, if anything? Oh, and had you even heard of Grammarly before or am I doing it a public relations favor by mentioning it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you rehab your image by deleting offensive posts?','','inherit','open','open','','2980-revision-v1','','','2015-06-05 11:28:56','2015-06-05 15:28:56','',2980,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2983,4,'2015-06-05 13:55:50','2015-06-05 17:55:50','Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\nYesterday, Grammarly (a site that promises to be your best grammar check resource), posted an article titled <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">\"5 authors who died old maids\" </a>to Facebook (unfortunately, I was not quick-thinking enough to take a screen shot). The post was about great female writers such as Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson.\r\n\r\nI did a double take when I saw that on my timeline. Old maids? What year is this? Who calls unmarried women \"old maids?\" I commented on the Facebook post that it was sexist and ageist to use the term, and that Grammarly should rename the post. Many others had similar comments and sentiments.  Some ( minority) thought using the term was perfectly OK and that the rest of use were too easily offended.\r\n\r\nThen, I went to Twitter where I posted this:\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC20150605-111755.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2982\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC20150605-111755-180x300.png\" alt=\"Tweet\" width=\"180\" height=\"300\" /></a></span>\r\n\r\nI remind you that Grammarly is a site that claims it offers a \"better way to write.\"\r\n\r\nNo response from Grammarly on Twitter or on Facebook. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">No comment whatsoever.</span> But this morning, <a href=\"http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/5-authors-who-died-old-maids/?lf\" target=\"_blank\">the post</a> is gone from Facebook and from the Grammarly blog without any type of acknowledgement.\r\n\r\nIt seems that Grammarly understood that using the term was offensive enough to some, or at least, controversial enough, to remove the post. They have erased it from Grammarly post history. But Grammarly has not admitted anything explicitly.  It ignored tweets and Facebook comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is ignoring comments a wise move?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd just this past weekend, in the <em>Washington Post Magazine,</em> humor columnist Gene Weingarten had this to say about Grammarly:\r\n<blockquote>In short, as a sleuth, Grammarly is top-notch. As an editor, however, it is of the prissy, arbitrary, rule-besotted sort whom good writers want to kill. Under the circumstances, I would do it slow and ugly, like what Dave the astronaut did to HAL.</blockquote>\r\nPerhaps not super humorous, but definitely worth it to <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/gene-takes-grammarly-to-school/2015/05/22/a3bf6a56-f4dd-11e4-b2f3-af5479e6bbdd_story.html?postshare=8761433118311597\" target=\"_blank\">read the whole piece.</a>\r\n\r\nGrammarly can\'t erase Weingarten\'s piece as easily as it can erase it\'s own mistakes.\r\n\r\nNow, is Grammarly in crisis, even of the fleeting social media kind? No, of course not. But in my book at least, it has a damaged image. Between Weingarten\'s criticism and Grammarly\'s uncaring attitude, not to mention the fact that a sexist term got through the supposed strict usage checker folks, I am not keen to promote or use the service. And no amount of erasing posts (would this also be called white-washing? I am not sure) and ignoring comments is going to fix that.\r\n\r\nWhat would you recommend that Grammarly do, if anything? Oh, and had you even heard of Grammarly before or am I doing it a public relations favor by mentioning it?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you rehab your image by deleting offensive posts?','','inherit','open','open','','2980-revision-v1','','','2015-06-05 13:55:50','2015-06-05 17:55:50','',2980,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2984,4,'2015-06-09 08:30:00','2015-06-09 12:30:00','Every Monday, I get a enewsletter that compiles events. Yesterday, it listed an event that sounded interesting and when I clicked on the link to learn more, it took me to a 404-error page not found.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2985\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15565336879_592702424b_z.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-2985 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15565336879_592702424b_z-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"15565336879_592702424b_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> By PastaWS on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nBroken links or missing pages are a hassle for your readers.  And not only that, search engines punish you for them (by affecting your SEO).\r\n\r\nIf you are planning an email/enewsletter/Tweet/Facebook post/etc.: Check your links before sending or posting. It\'s that simple. Just click on them and make sure they are taking you to the right place. It may be an extra few minutes of your time, but it will make your readers happy and make you look competent.\r\n\r\nIf you want to make sure there are no broken links on your website, there are many tools that can help you (search for broken link checker). Here\'s a compilation, specific for WordPress sites:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.wpuniversity.com/blog/5-tools-find-broken-links\" target=\"_blank\">5 Tools to Check for Broken Links</a></p>\r\nOnce you\'ve found broken links on your website, you will want to fix them.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/web-marketing-how-to-deal-with-broken-links.html\" target=\"_blank\">Web Marketing: How to Deal with Broken Links</a></p>\r\nMake sure to put some time and effort into avoiding sending people to non-existent website pages. It will help maintain your readers\'  trust and your standing with the search engines.\r\n\r\nIf you come across a broken link, what do you do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is that link broken?','','publish','open','open','','is-that-link-broken','','','2015-06-09 08:30:00','2015-06-09 12:30:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2984',0,'post','',0),(2985,4,'2015-06-09 08:05:58','2015-06-09 12:05:58','','15565336879_592702424b_z','','inherit','open','open','','15565336879_592702424b_z','','','2015-06-09 08:05:58','2015-06-09 12:05:58','',2984,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15565336879_592702424b_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(2986,4,'2015-06-09 08:27:49','2015-06-09 12:27:49','Every Monday, I get a enewsletter that compiles events. Yesterday, it listed an event that sounded interesting and when I clicked on the link to learn more, it took me to a 404-error page not found.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2985\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15565336879_592702424b_z.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-2985 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15565336879_592702424b_z-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"15565336879_592702424b_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> By PastaWS on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nBroken links or missing pages are a hassle for your readers.  And not only that, search engines punish you for them (by affecting your SEO).\r\n\r\nIf you are planning an email/enewsletter/Tweet/Facebook post/etc.: Check your links before sending or posting. It\'s that simple. Just click on them and make sure they are taking you to the right place. It may be an extra few minutes of your time, but it will make your readers happy and make you look competent.\r\n\r\nIf you want to make sure there are no broken links on your website, there are many tools that can help you (search for broken link checker). Here\'s a compilation, specific for WordPress sites:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.wpuniversity.com/blog/5-tools-find-broken-links\" target=\"_blank\">5 Tools to Check for Broken Links</a></p>\r\nOnce you\'ve found broken links on your website, you will want to fix them.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/web-marketing-how-to-deal-with-broken-links.html\" target=\"_blank\">Web Marketing: How to Deal with Broken Links</a></p>\r\nMake sure to put some time and effort into avoiding sending people to non-existent website pages. It will help maintain your readers\'  trust and your standing with the search engines.\r\n\r\nIf you come across a broken link, what do you do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is that link broken?','','inherit','open','open','','2984-revision-v1','','','2015-06-09 08:27:49','2015-06-09 12:27:49','',2984,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2984-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2997,4,'2015-07-07 09:38:33','2015-07-07 13:38:33','Have you checked your analytics lately? What\'s your bounce rate? If it is high, it means that people arrive at your website only to \"bounce off\" a few seconds later. This means they are not reading your content. This means they are not clicking through to other pages.  And of course, this means they are not buying your product, supporting your cause or contacting you to learn more about your services.\r\n\r\nHere are three website blunders that could be costing you readers (and support):\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Audio/video autoplay:</strong> Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes me close a website faster than auto sound/video. It always startles me and then it irritates. Do not, under any circumstances, enable autoplay on your website. Not many people want noise (talk/music that is unwanted is noise) suddenly blasting out of their device.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Links to abandoned social media feeds:</strong>  Sending folks to a Twitter account that hasn\'t been updated in months (or worse, years) is a recipe for failure. <em>If you can\'t keep up with a particular social media account</em>, <em>do not link to it</em>. People do check social media accounts because they want to see what you\'ve been up to. If there\'s nothing there, they assume you are not active, not just on social media, but in general.\r\n\r\nP.S. Plus, it\'s essential that your social media descriptions be up to date, and relevant.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Your way or the highway:</strong> Are you enabling pop-ups to force people to sign-up for a newsletter before being able to access your site? Are you asking people to subscribe to email in order to get updates instead of allowing RSS subscriptions? Telling people to go to Facebook to read the latest news?  If you are <em>imposing</em> your favorite tactic, you are effectively telling people that it\'s your way or not at all. People appreciate choice. And different people like different things, so offering options is always good (not too many options mind you).\r\n\r\nAre you committing any of the above three blunders? If not, there are several other issues that may be turning off readers, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Making your content hard to read (font/type that is too small or white type on black background)</li>\r\n	<li>Website it too busy (too much going on, distracting)</li>\r\n	<li>Typos and/or spelling/grammatical mistakes</li>\r\n	<li>Outdated information</li>\r\n	<li>Not enough information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat sends you off a website? Please share your website peeves with me in the comments.','3 website blunders that are costing you readers','','publish','open','open','','3-website-blunders-that-are-costing-you-readers','','','2015-07-07 09:38:33','2015-07-07 13:38:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2997',0,'post','',0),(2990,4,'2015-06-24 13:36:09','2015-06-24 17:36:09','Bobby Jindal<a href=\"http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/245976-jindal-announces-2016-bid\" target=\"_blank\"> just announced (via Facebook) today</a> that he is adding himself to the slew of GOP 2016 presidential hopefuls.\r\n\r\nThere are lots of reasons why Jindal does not have even a small chance of winning the nomination: Louisiana (the state where he is currently governor) is doing badly, he lacks charisma, and he has made a series of questionable/false/stupid comments recently (Muslim no-go zones, for example).\r\n\r\nCurrently polling at about one percent, Jindal faces tremendous challenges even getting in to the Fox News GOP candidates debate that will only allow the top ten contenders on stage. It\'s pretty clear that Jindal is jockeying for a vice presidential nod, but even that is out of reach for him. Why?<strong> He has a huge authenticity problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nJindal, who was named Piyush by his Indian parents, seems to have rejected his background. He converted to Catholicism and changed his name to Bobby. He has even said he doesn\'t consider himself Indian-American, but just American. The <em>Washington Post</em> explores the question about how Jindal views his past in this article published yesterday: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/from-piyush-to-bobby-how-does-jindal-feel-about-his-familys-past/2015/06/22/7d45a3da-18ec-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">From Piyush to Bobby: How Does Jindal Feel About his Family\'s Past.</a>\r\n\r\nThis passage from the article (the bolding is mine) is very telling:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Suresh C. Gupta, a Potomac, Md., doctor, gave a fundraiser for Jindal’s first gubernatorial bid. But he said Jindal has actively tried to disassociate himself from the Indian American community in recent years.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“So what if he’s Republican? So what if he’s Christian? I don’t care about those things,” said Gupta, who is a Democrat. <strong>“But you can’t forget about your heritage. You can’t forget about your roots.”</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the United States last September, a host of politicians attended his rally at Madison Square Garden. Jindal did not. <strong>When Jindal’s name was mentioned, he was booed by the crowd.</strong></p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s impossible to say what motivated Jindal to embrace being \"American\" while at the same time downplaying his roots. Perhaps he is embarrassed by his background or perhaps he thinks people can\'t relate to an Indian-American. Whatever the reason, it\'s clear that potential supporters are turned off by his disassociation with his background.\r\n\r\nAlthough the United States is a melting pot, and most immigrants try to assimilate, many still have pride in their heritage. And there are many politicians who embrace hyphenation, from the first Italian-American mayor of New York City Fiorello LaGuardia to former Congressman David Wu (D-OR), the only Chinese-American serving in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.\r\n\r\nAn even more negative view of Jindal is given in the <em>Politico Magazin</em>e article by Alan Greenblatt:<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/bobby-jindal-the-stupid-partys-candidate-119349.html?hp=t4_r#.VYrkwUanFgJ\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Stupid Party\'s Candidate:Running to the Right is not Working for Bobby Jindal.\" </a>\r\n\r\nGreenblatt argues that Jindal is pandering to the more conservative base of the Republican Party. He writes:\r\n<blockquote>A governor who reshaped his state by overhauling the education and Medicaid systems now hardly talks substance at all. In fairness, he has released detailed plans on taxes and education, but he routinely spends his time on the stump throwing red meat to the most conservative parts of his party.</blockquote>\r\nHe adds:\r\n<blockquote>His pander approach hasn’t worked for him. “He is smart, he is policy knowledgeable,” says Henry Olsen, a conservative analyst at the Ethics &amp; Public Policy Center, “but rather than build a public persona around his strengths, he has crafted a public persona around other people’s strengths.”</blockquote>\r\nThis adds up to an authenticity problem. Who is Bobby Jindal and why does he keep changing his stripes? People respond best to what is authentic and can generally spot a fake. Jindal seems to be working hard to be something he can never be. As long as he\'s trying to be something he isn\'t, he will continue to lag behind in the polls.\r\n\r\n<strong>Authenticity matters, especially when you are trying to persuade.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you were Jindal\'s communications person, what would you advise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Authenticity matters (or, Why Bobby Jindal Won\'t Win but Chris Christie Might)','','publish','open','open','','authenticity-matters-or-why-bobby-jindal-wont-win-but-chris-christie-might','','','2015-06-24 13:36:09','2015-06-24 17:36:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=2990',0,'post','',0),(2992,4,'2015-06-24 13:36:09','2015-06-24 17:36:09','Bobby Jindal<a href=\"http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/245976-jindal-announces-2016-bid\" target=\"_blank\"> just announced (via Facebook) today</a> that he is adding himself to the slew of GOP 2016 presidential hopefuls.\r\n\r\nThere are lots of reasons why Jindal does not have even a small chance of winning the nomination: Louisiana (the state where he is currently governor) is doing badly, he lacks charisma, and he has made a series of questionable/false/stupid comments recently (Muslim no-go zones, for example).\r\n\r\nCurrently polling at about one percent, Jindal faces tremendous challenges even getting in to the Fox News GOP candidates debate that will only allow the top ten contenders on stage. It\'s pretty clear that Jindal is jockeying for a vice presidential nod, but even that is out of reach for him. Why?<strong> He has a huge authenticity problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nJindal, who was named Piyush by his Indian parents, seems to have rejected his background. He converted to Catholicism and changed his name to Bobby. He has even said he doesn\'t consider himself Indian-American, but just American. The <em>Washington Post</em> explores the question about how Jindal views his past in this article published yesterday: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/from-piyush-to-bobby-how-does-jindal-feel-about-his-familys-past/2015/06/22/7d45a3da-18ec-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">From Piyush to Bobby: How Does Jindal Feel About his Family\'s Past.</a>\r\n\r\nThis passage from the article (the bolding is mine) is very telling:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Suresh C. Gupta, a Potomac, Md., doctor, gave a fundraiser for Jindal’s first gubernatorial bid. But he said Jindal has actively tried to disassociate himself from the Indian American community in recent years.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“So what if he’s Republican? So what if he’s Christian? I don’t care about those things,” said Gupta, who is a Democrat. <strong>“But you can’t forget about your heritage. You can’t forget about your roots.”</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the United States last September, a host of politicians attended his rally at Madison Square Garden. Jindal did not. <strong>When Jindal’s name was mentioned, he was booed by the crowd.</strong></p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s impossible to say what motivated Jindal to embrace being \"American\" while at the same time downplaying his roots. Perhaps he is embarrassed by his background or perhaps he thinks people can\'t relate to an Indian-American. Whatever the reason, it\'s clear that potential supporters are turned off by his disassociation with his background.\r\n\r\nAlthough the United States is a melting pot, and most immigrants try to assimilate, many still have pride in their heritage. And there are many politicians who embrace hyphenation, from the first Italian-American mayor of New York City Fiorello LaGuardia to former Congressman David Wu (D-OR), the only Chinese-American serving in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.\r\n\r\nAn even more negative view of Jindal is given in the <em>Politico Magazin</em>e article by Alan Greenblatt:<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/bobby-jindal-the-stupid-partys-candidate-119349.html?hp=t4_r#.VYrkwUanFgJ\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Stupid Party\'s Candidate:Running to the Right is not Working for Bobby Jindal.\" </a>\r\n\r\nGreenblatt argues that Jindal is pandering to the more conservative base of the Republican Party. He writes:\r\n<blockquote>A governor who reshaped his state by overhauling the education and Medicaid systems now hardly talks substance at all. In fairness, he has released detailed plans on taxes and education, but he routinely spends his time on the stump throwing red meat to the most conservative parts of his party.</blockquote>\r\nHe adds:\r\n<blockquote>His pander approach hasn’t worked for him. “He is smart, he is policy knowledgeable,” says Henry Olsen, a conservative analyst at the Ethics &amp; Public Policy Center, “but rather than build a public persona around his strengths, he has crafted a public persona around other people’s strengths.”</blockquote>\r\nThis adds up to an authenticity problem. Who is Bobby Jindal and why does he keep changing his stripes? People respond best to what is authentic and can generally spot a fake. Jindal seems to be working hard to be something he can never be. As long as he\'s trying to be something he isn\'t, he will continue to lag behind in the polls.\r\n\r\n<strong>Authenticity matters, especially when you are trying to persuade.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you were Jindal\'s communications person, what would you advise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Authenticity matters (or, Why Bobby Jindal Won\'t Win but Chris Christie Might)','','inherit','open','open','','2990-revision-v1','','','2015-06-24 13:36:09','2015-06-24 17:36:09','',2990,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2990-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2991,4,'2015-06-24 13:32:57','2015-06-24 17:32:57','An alternative title for the post would be Why Bobby Jindal Won\'t Win but Chris Christie Might.\r\n\r\nBobby Jindal<a href=\"http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/245976-jindal-announces-2016-bid\" target=\"_blank\"> just announced (via Facebook) today</a> that he is adding himself to the slew of GOP 2016 presidential hopefuls.\r\n\r\nThere are lots of reasons why Jindal does not have even a small chance of winning the nomination: Louisiana (the state where he is currently governor) is doing badly, he lacks charisma, and he has made a series of questionable/false/stupid comments recently (Muslim no-go zones, for example).\r\n\r\nCurrently polling at about one percent, Jindal faces tremendous challenges even getting in to the Fox News debate that will only allow the top ten contenders on stage. It\'s pretty clear that Jindal is jockeying for a vice presidential nod, but even that is out of reach for him. Why?<strong> He has a huge authenticity problem.</strong>\r\n\r\nJindal, who was named Piyush by his Indian parents, seems to have rejected his background. He converted to Catholicism and changed his name to Bobby. He has even said he doesn\'t consider himself Indian-American, but just American. The <em>Washington Post</em> explores the question about how Jindal views his past in this article published yesterday: <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/from-piyush-to-bobby-how-does-jindal-feel-about-his-familys-past/2015/06/22/7d45a3da-18ec-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html\" target=\"_blank\">From Piyush to Bobby: How Does Jindal Feel About his Family\'s Past.</a>\r\n\r\nThis passage from the article (the bolding is mine) is very telling:\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Suresh C. Gupta, a Potomac, Md., doctor, gave a fundraiser for Jindal’s first gubernatorial bid. But he said Jindal has actively tried to disassociate himself from the Indian American community in recent years.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“So what if he’s Republican? So what if he’s Christian? I don’t care about those things,” said Gupta, who is a Democrat. <strong>“But you can’t forget about your heritage. You can’t forget about your roots.”</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the United States last September, a host of politicians attended his <a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/09/28/indias-modi-was-once-denied-u-s-entry-sunday-he-was-the-star-at-madison-square-garden/\">rally</a> at Madison Square Garden. Jindal did not. <strong>When Jindal’s name was mentioned, <a href=\"http://www.newsweek.com/modi-us-indians-come-home-come-buy-273868\" target=\"_blank\">he was booed</a> by the crowd.</strong></p>\r\n</blockquote>\r\nIt\'s impossible to say what motivated Jindal to embrace being \"American\" while at the same time downplaying his roots. Perhaps he is embarrassed by his background or perhaps he thinks people can\'t relate to an Indian-American. Whatever the reason, it\'s clear that potential supporters are turned off by his disassociation with his background.\r\n\r\nAlthough the United States is a melting pot, and most immigrants try to assimilate, many still have pride in their heritage. And there are many politicians who embrace hyphenation, from the first Italian-American mayor of New York City Fiorello LaGuardia to former Congressman David Wu (D-OR), the only Chinese-American serving in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011.\r\n\r\nAn even more negative view of Jindal is given in the <em>Politico Magazin</em>e article by Alan Greenblatt:<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/bobby-jindal-the-stupid-partys-candidate-119349.html?hp=t4_r#.VYrkwUanFgJ\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Stupid Party\'s Candidate:Running to the Right is not Working for Bobby Jindal.\" </a>\r\n\r\nGreenblatt argues that Jindal is pandering to the more conservative base of the Republican Party. He writes:\r\n<blockquote>A governor who reshaped his state by overhauling the education and Medicaid systems now hardly talks substance at all. In fairness, he has released detailed plans on taxes and education, but he routinely spends his time on the stump throwing red meat to the most conservative parts of his party.</blockquote>\r\nHe adds:\r\n<blockquote>His pander approach hasn’t worked for him. “He is smart, he is policy knowledgeable,” says Henry Olsen, a conservative analyst at the Ethics &amp; Public Policy Center, “but rather than build a public persona around his strengths, he has crafted a public persona around other people’s strengths.”</blockquote>\r\nThis adds up to an authenticity problem. Who is Bobby Jindal and why does he keep changing his stripes? People respond best to what is authentic and can generally spot a fake. Jindal seems to be working hard to be something he can never be. As long as he\'s trying to be something he isn\'t, he will continue to lag behind in the polls.\r\n\r\nAuthenticity matters, especially if you are trying to persuade.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you were Jindal\'s communications person, what would you advise?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Authenticity matters','','inherit','open','open','','2990-revision-v1','','','2015-06-24 13:32:57','2015-06-24 17:32:57','',2990,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/06/2990-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2995,4,'2015-07-01 14:28:16','2015-07-01 18:28:16','<strong>\"What do I need to know about this?\"</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing--you don\'t know what you don\'t know. And if you don\'t know, you can\'t ask the right questions in order to get the answers you need.  So you have to start from zero, and ask \"what do I need to know about this.\" You\'ll want to ask someone who has more knowledge or experience than you.\r\n\r\n<strong>What does a new home buyer need to know?</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I was talking to an acquaintance of mine, who happens to be a top-selling real estate agent (she\'s sold something like $25 million in property).  I was telling her about my first few months as a homeowner, when I had to have a bunch of things fixed. The real estate agent asked me if had gotten a home appliance policy. I told her that I hadn\'t and that I didn\'t even know about it.  She went on to tell me she negotiates that for every single one of her new home buyers. She told me my real estate agent <em>should\'ve</em> told me about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>What do you look for in a real estate agent?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis question of course lead to a discussion about my real estate agent,  whom at first I really liked, but, after being in my house for a few months and dealing with a bunch of issues,  whom I realized didn\'t really do her job well. She didn\'t point out what I needed to know as a new home buyer. And I didn\'t know the questions to ask her, since I said before, you don\'t know what you don\'t know.\r\n\r\nThe more I learn about real estate and home ownership, the more I realize that my real estate agent (unlike my new acquaintance), was just not very good. She was mediocre but the fact is, i<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">t was my own fault for choosing to work with her without having educated myself more</span> about what to look for in a real estate agent.\r\n\r\n<strong>You need to acknowledge that you don\'t know</strong>\r\n\r\nI should\'ve started by asking myself: \"what do I need to know before buying a house?\" I could\'ve asked friends, I could\'ve read books, I could\'ve done more research online. I didn\'t.\r\n\r\nI did watch a lot of HGTV (don\'t laugh, it was very helpful), especially <em>House Hunters</em> and <em>Property Virgins</em>. I watched enough HGTV to know that you have to look at the bones of the house, not the current esthetics and also to know what your priorities are. But those shows don\'t talk about issues such as heat pumps versus furnaces, or what costs you should plan for in your first year, and so forth.\r\n\r\n<strong>But this blog is not about real estate, it\'s about communications</strong>\r\n\r\nNot knowing what questions to ask is what gets so many projects off track.  Say you are launching a blog, and you don\'t know to ask what you need in a web host, you may end up with a blog that doesn\'t work.\r\n\r\nSo before you start any communications project--whether it be launching a website or putting together a social media campaign--ask someone who\'s been there before: \"what do I need to know?\"\r\n\r\nHow do you know what questions to ask? Have you ever been in a situation where not asking the right questions made a project or situation go wrong?','First, ask this one question','','inherit','open','open','','2994-revision-v1','','','2015-07-01 14:28:16','2015-07-01 18:28:16','',2994,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/2994-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2996,4,'2015-07-01 14:31:39','2015-07-01 18:31:39','<strong>\"What do I need to know about this?\"</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing--you don\'t know what you don\'t know. And if you don\'t know, you can\'t ask the right questions in order to get the answers you need.  So you have to start from zero, and ask \"what do I need to know about this.\" You\'ll want to ask someone who has more knowledge or experience than you.\r\n\r\n<strong>What does a new home buyer need to know?</strong>\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I was talking to an acquaintance of mine, who happens to be a top-selling real estate agent (she\'s sold something like $25 million in property).  I was telling her about my first few months as a homeowner, when I had to have a bunch of things fixed. The real estate agent asked me if had gotten a home appliance policy. I told her that I hadn\'t and that I didn\'t even know about it.  She went on to tell me she negotiates that for every single one of her new home buyers. She told me my real estate agent <em>should\'ve</em> told me about it.\r\n\r\n<strong>What do you look for in a real estate agent?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis question of course lead to a discussion about my real estate agent,  whom at first I really liked, but, after being in my house for a few months and dealing with a bunch of issues,  I came realize didn\'t really do her job well. She didn\'t point out what I needed to know as a new home buyer. And I didn\'t know the questions to ask her, since I said before, you don\'t know what you don\'t know.\r\n\r\nThe more I learn about real estate and home ownership, the more I realize that my real estate agent (unlike my new acquaintance), was just not very good. She was mediocre but the fact is, i<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">t was my own fault for choosing to work with her without having educated myself more</span> about what to look for in a real estate agent.\r\n\r\n<strong>You need to acknowledge that you don\'t know</strong>\r\n\r\nI should\'ve started by asking myself: \"what do I need to know before buying a house?\" I could\'ve asked friends, I could\'ve read books, I could\'ve done more research online. I didn\'t.\r\n\r\nI did watch a lot of HGTV (don\'t laugh, it was very helpful), especially <em>House Hunters</em> and <em>Property Virgins</em>. I watched enough HGTV to know that you have to look at the bones of the house, not the current esthetics and also to know what your priorities are. But those shows don\'t talk about issues such as heat pumps versus furnaces, or what costs you should plan for in your first year, and so forth.\r\n\r\n<strong>But this blog is not about real estate, it\'s about communications</strong>\r\n\r\nNot knowing what questions to ask is what gets so many projects off track.  Say you are launching a blog, and you don\'t know to ask what you need in a web host, you may end up with a blog that doesn\'t work.\r\n\r\nSo before you start any communications project--whether it be launching a website or putting together a social media campaign--ask someone who\'s been there before: \"what do I need to know?\"\r\n\r\nHow do you know what questions to ask? Have you ever been in a situation where not asking the right questions made a project or situation go wrong?','First, ask this one question','','inherit','open','open','','2994-revision-v1','','','2015-07-01 14:31:39','2015-07-01 18:31:39','',2994,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/2994-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2998,4,'2015-07-07 09:38:33','2015-07-07 13:38:33','Have you checked your analytics lately? What\'s your bounce rate? If it is high, it means that people arrive at your website only to \"bounce off\" a few seconds later. This means they are not reading your content. This means they are not clicking through to other pages.  And of course, this means they are not buying your product, supporting your cause or contacting you to learn more about your services.\r\n\r\nHere are three website blunders that could be costing you readers (and support):\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Audio/video autoplay:</strong> Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes me close a website faster than auto sound/video. It always startles me and then it irritates. Do not, under any circumstances, enable autoplay on your website. Not many people want noise (talk/music that is unwanted is noise) suddenly blasting out of their device.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Links to abandoned social media feeds:</strong>  Sending folks to a Twitter account that hasn\'t been updated in months (or worse, years) is a recipe for failure. <em>If you can\'t keep up with a particular social media account</em>, <em>do not link to it</em>. People do check social media accounts because they want to see what you\'ve been up to. If there\'s nothing there, they assume you are not active, not just on social media, but in general.\r\n\r\nP.S. Plus, it\'s essential that your social media descriptions be up to date, and relevant.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Your way or the highway:</strong> Are you enabling pop-ups to force people to sign-up for a newsletter before being able to access your site? Are you asking people to subscribe to email in order to get updates instead of allowing RSS subscriptions? Telling people to go to Facebook to read the latest news?  If you are <em>imposing</em> your favorite tactic, you are effectively telling people that it\'s your way or not at all. People appreciate choice. And different people like different things, so offering options is always good (not too many options mind you).\r\n\r\nAre you committing any of the above three blunders? If not, there are several other issues that may be turning off readers, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Making your content hard to read (font/type that is too small or white type on black background)</li>\r\n	<li>Website it too busy (too much going on, distracting)</li>\r\n	<li>Typos and/or spelling/grammatical mistakes</li>\r\n	<li>Outdated information</li>\r\n	<li>Not enough information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat sends you off a website? Please share your website peeves with me in the comments.','3 website blunders that are costing you readers','','inherit','open','open','','2997-revision-v1','','','2015-07-07 09:38:33','2015-07-07 13:38:33','',2997,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/2997-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3000,4,'2015-07-10 08:50:52','2015-07-10 12:50:52','\"What you meant to say\" is a new feature here on the Caffeinated blog. It\'s meant to be a compilation of the (many) grammatical/spelling/word choice mistakes we see all around us, all the time.  It occurred to me that I should start keeping a running list for fun, and then of course, I thought it would make a fun blog post. These are all real examples. Readers are welcomed to add their findings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3001\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3001\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr[/caption]\r\n<h3>For the week ending July 10 (questionable word/usage is bolded):</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Subject line on a spam email:</strong> This Video Is A Must Watch. [<strong>Effects</strong> Us All}\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Affects\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> Come check out our conference room and <strong>setup</strong> a tour!\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>:  Set up.  As two words,  set up is a verb,  whereas setup is a noun.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> CAE stands for Certified Association Executive. <strong>They’re</strong> the hallmark of a committed assoc. professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: It’s\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet to a car rental company</strong>: Great service. Great cars. Will <strong>defiantly</strong> pick [name] again for my next trip\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Definitely, showing how you can\'t ever rely on autocorrect or spell check.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you meant to say','','publish','open','open','','what-you-meant-to-say','','','2015-07-10 08:50:52','2015-07-10 12:50:52','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3000',0,'post','',0),(3001,4,'2015-07-10 08:47:28','2015-07-10 12:47:28','','2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z','By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr','inherit','open','open','','2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z','','','2015-07-10 08:48:07','2015-07-10 12:48:07','',3000,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3002,4,'2015-07-10 08:48:31','2015-07-10 12:48:31','\"What you meant to say\" is a new feature here on the Caffeinated blog. It\'s meant to be a compilation of the (many) grammatical/spelling/word choice mistakes we see all around us, all the time.  It occurred to me that I should start keeping a running list for fun, and then of course, I thought it would make a fun blog post. These are all real examples. Readers are welcomed to add their findings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3001\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3001\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr[/caption]\r\n<h3>For the week ending July 10 (questionable word/usage is bolded):</h3>\r\n<strong>Subject line on a spam email:</strong> This Video Is A Must Watch. [<strong>Effects</strong> Us All}\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Affects\r\n\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> Come check out our conference room and <strong>setup</strong> a tour!\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>:  Set up.  As two words,  set up is a verb,  whereas setup is a noun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> CAE stands for Certified Association Executive. <strong>They’re</strong> the hallmark of a committed assoc. professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: It’s\r\n\r\n<strong>Tweet to a car rental company</strong>: Great service. Great cars. Will <strong>defiantly</strong> pick [name] again for my next trip\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Definitely, showing how you can\'t ever rely on autocorrect or spell check.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you meant to say','','inherit','open','open','','3000-revision-v1','','','2015-07-10 08:48:31','2015-07-10 12:48:31','',3000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3000-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3003,4,'2015-07-10 08:49:38','2015-07-10 12:49:38','\"What you meant to say\" is a new feature here on the Caffeinated blog. It\'s meant to be a compilation of the (many) grammatical/spelling/word choice mistakes we see all around us, all the time.  It occurred to me that I should start keeping a running list for fun, and then of course, I thought it would make a fun blog post. These are all real examples. Readers are welcomed to add their findings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3001\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3001\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr[/caption]\r\n<h3>For the week ending July 10 (questionable word/usage is bolded):</h3>\r\n<strong>Subject line on a spam email:</strong> This Video Is A Must Watch. [<strong>Effects</strong> Us All}\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Affects\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> Come check out our conference room and <strong>setup</strong> a tour!\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>:  Set up.  As two words,  set up is a verb,  whereas setup is a noun.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> CAE stands for Certified Association Executive. <strong>They’re</strong> the hallmark of a committed assoc. professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: It’s\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet to a car rental company</strong>: Great service. Great cars. Will <strong>defiantly</strong> pick [name] again for my next trip\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Definitely, showing how you can\'t ever rely on autocorrect or spell check.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you meant to say','','inherit','open','open','','3000-revision-v1','','','2015-07-10 08:49:38','2015-07-10 12:49:38','',3000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3000-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3004,4,'2015-07-10 08:50:52','2015-07-10 12:50:52','\"What you meant to say\" is a new feature here on the Caffeinated blog. It\'s meant to be a compilation of the (many) grammatical/spelling/word choice mistakes we see all around us, all the time.  It occurred to me that I should start keeping a running list for fun, and then of course, I thought it would make a fun blog post. These are all real examples. Readers are welcomed to add their findings.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3001\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3001\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2617897409_7d0e7d8eeb_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> By Paulo Paraiso via Flickr[/caption]\r\n<h3>For the week ending July 10 (questionable word/usage is bolded):</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Subject line on a spam email:</strong> This Video Is A Must Watch. [<strong>Effects</strong> Us All}\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Affects\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> Come check out our conference room and <strong>setup</strong> a tour!\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>:  Set up.  As two words,  set up is a verb,  whereas setup is a noun.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet:</strong> CAE stands for Certified Association Executive. <strong>They’re</strong> the hallmark of a committed assoc. professional.\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: It’s\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***</p>\r\n<strong>Tweet to a car rental company</strong>: Great service. Great cars. Will <strong>defiantly</strong> pick [name] again for my next trip\r\n\r\n<strong>What you meant to say</strong>: Definitely, showing how you can\'t ever rely on autocorrect or spell check.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What you meant to say','','inherit','open','open','','3000-revision-v1','','','2015-07-10 08:50:52','2015-07-10 12:50:52','',3000,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3000-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3005,4,'2015-07-16 13:25:33','2015-07-16 17:25:33','I recently attended a panel discussion where the five speakers on the panel were going to share their insights about industry trends. The first speaker got up (literally, up out of his seat) and started providing stats and information <em>about his business</em>, and then proceeded to ask the audience for questions. The moderator had to jump in to remind him that questions would be taken after all the speakers had their say.\r\n\r\nThis speaker didn\'t seem to know what the panel\'s topic was (trends) and he was completely focused on sharing what his business does, even though the audience wasn\'t there to hear that. Worse, he acted as if he was the only one presenting by pacing in front of the other panelists.\r\n\r\nThe speaker was <em>talking a</em>t the audience. He was giving a speech that was all about him and did not respond to what the audience wanted or needed.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes the expression \"given a talking to\" convey positive feelings for you? I bet it doesn\'t. Nobody likes to be <em>talked to</em> and being <em>talked at</em> is almost as bad. Both imply that the speaker has power over the audience or that the speaker is superior in some way.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, if someone is <em>talking with</em> you, there\'s a conversation going on. There\'s some give and take, even if it\'s not verbal. Speakers who are <em>talking with</em> an audience are paying attention to what the audience needs, they are responding to cues and they are engaging the audience\'s attention.\r\n\r\nYou want to be talking <em>with</em> your audience. You want to be <em>responsive</em> to their needs.\r\n\r\nThere are three basic steps to make sure you are talking with your audience:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>who</strong> your audience is</li>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>why</strong> the audience is there</li>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>what</strong> the audience needs from you</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nYou get bonus points for adjusting your speech depending on <strong>where</strong> you are and <strong>when</strong> you are giving it.\r\n\r\nHave you sat through a speech that was all about the speaker? Did you feel talked at? Did it bother you? Please share your stories in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you talking at or talking with your audience?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-talking-at-or-talking-with-your-audience','','','2015-07-16 13:25:33','2015-07-16 17:25:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3005',0,'post','',0),(3006,4,'2015-07-16 12:08:12','2015-07-16 16:08:12','Does the expression \"given a talking to\" convey positive feelings for you? I bet it doesn\'t. Nobody likes to be <em>talked to</em> and being <em>talked at</em> is almost as bad. Both imply that the speaker has power over the audience or that the speaker is superior in some way.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, if someone is <em>talking with</em> you, there\'s a conversation going on. There\'s some give and take, even if it\'s not verbal. Speakers who are talking with an audience are paying attention to what the audience needs, they are responding to cues and they are engaging the audience\'s attention.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you talking at or talking with your audience?','','inherit','open','open','','3005-revision-v1','','','2015-07-16 12:08:12','2015-07-16 16:08:12','',3005,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3005-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3007,4,'2015-07-16 13:25:33','2015-07-16 17:25:33','I recently attended a panel discussion where the five speakers on the panel were going to share their insights about industry trends. The first speaker got up (literally, up out of his seat) and started providing stats and information <em>about his business</em>, and then proceeded to ask the audience for questions. The moderator had to jump in to remind him that questions would be taken after all the speakers had their say.\r\n\r\nThis speaker didn\'t seem to know what the panel\'s topic was (trends) and he was completely focused on sharing what his business does, even though the audience wasn\'t there to hear that. Worse, he acted as if he was the only one presenting by pacing in front of the other panelists.\r\n\r\nThe speaker was <em>talking a</em>t the audience. He was giving a speech that was all about him and did not respond to what the audience wanted or needed.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDoes the expression \"given a talking to\" convey positive feelings for you? I bet it doesn\'t. Nobody likes to be <em>talked to</em> and being <em>talked at</em> is almost as bad. Both imply that the speaker has power over the audience or that the speaker is superior in some way.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, if someone is <em>talking with</em> you, there\'s a conversation going on. There\'s some give and take, even if it\'s not verbal. Speakers who are <em>talking with</em> an audience are paying attention to what the audience needs, they are responding to cues and they are engaging the audience\'s attention.\r\n\r\nYou want to be talking <em>with</em> your audience. You want to be <em>responsive</em> to their needs.\r\n\r\nThere are three basic steps to make sure you are talking with your audience:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>who</strong> your audience is</li>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>why</strong> the audience is there</li>\r\n	<li>Understand <strong>what</strong> the audience needs from you</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nYou get bonus points for adjusting your speech depending on <strong>where</strong> you are and <strong>when</strong> you are giving it.\r\n\r\nHave you sat through a speech that was all about the speaker? Did you feel talked at? Did it bother you? Please share your stories in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you talking at or talking with your audience?','','inherit','open','open','','3005-revision-v1','','','2015-07-16 13:25:33','2015-07-16 17:25:33','',3005,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3005-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3009,4,'2015-07-21 13:13:09','2015-07-21 17:13:09','Content must be the buzziest term in the communications /marketing field right now. Everywhere you turn it seem you find discussions of content strategy and marketing. There are articles on how to create  or re-purpose content. There are discussions on what is the best content and what channel is it ideally shared on.\r\n\r\n<em>But is content marketing absolutely necessary for you to achieve your business objectives?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong> What is content marketing exactly?</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst let’s start with a definition of content marketing. According to the <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Content Marketing Institute</a> (I highly recommend you check it out for its excellent and useful information), content marketing is:\r\n<blockquote> the practice of creating relevant and compelling content in a consistent fashion to a targeted buyer, focusing on all stages of the buying process, from brand awareness through to brand evangelism.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, you create content in order to sell something (your ideas, your product, your service) or obtain something (support).\r\n\r\nI agree wholeheartedly with the theory that you should be providing information for your potential customers or supporters to make informed decisions. I am a huge fan of blogs in particular as an easy way to create and share content.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, what about those that don\'t  \"do\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nThat said, how do you explain the success of a content strategist I know who doesn’t even have a website, much less “content”? Or the digital media expert who has so much work she hasn’t blogged in months? Or the public relations agency that last tweeted in 2012?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the many successful small businesses (e.g., plumbers, caterers, etc.) that may have websites but that don’t usually have the staff, budget or time to handle blogging, tweeting, creating infographics, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another type of lead generation</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do these non-content producers have in common? Positive word-of-mouth. These business thrive on referrals and generally  do not rely on internet searches as their main source of leads.  (As an aside, there are referrals that come in the form of online reviews, and this is a subset of search engine optimization that relies on local search.)\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3010\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3010 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"5398112759_599e51db9f_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Whispers by coolio-claire on Flickr. Creative Commons license.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Content is not always online</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the other thing: content is not always online. Content— a fancy word for information—can be shared face-to-face, in person. What you say to others about your business helps to market your business. This is why we develop key messages and elevator pitches. This is why we attend networking events. This is why we host coffees and get-togethers.\r\n\r\n<strong> Yes, content works to achieve business objectives</strong>\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that content marketing works, but it is not always the online and social media versions that are the most successful.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How much content do you produce? Is content at the heart of your marketing strategy? Let me know in the comments','Is content marketing necessary to business success?','','publish','open','open','','is-content-marketing-necessary-to-business-success','','','2015-07-21 13:16:01','2015-07-21 17:16:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3009',0,'post','',0),(3010,4,'2015-07-21 13:08:05','2015-07-21 17:08:05','Whispers by coolio-clair on Flickr, Creative Commons license\n','5398112759_599e51db9f_z','','inherit','open','open','','5398112759_599e51db9f_z','','','2015-07-21 13:08:52','2015-07-21 17:08:52','',3009,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3011,4,'2015-07-21 13:11:01','2015-07-21 17:11:01','Content must be the buzziest term in the communications /marketing field right now. Everywhere you turn it seem you find discussions of content strategy and marketing. There are articles on how to create  or re-purpose content. There are discussions on what is the best content and what channel is it ideally shared on.\r\n\r\n<em>But is content marketing absolutely necessary for you to achieve your business objectives?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong> What is content marketing exactly</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst let’s start with a definition of content marketing. According to the <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Content Marketing Institute</a> (I highly recommend you check it out for its plethora of excellent and useful information), content marketing is:\r\n<blockquote> the practice of creating relevant and compelling content in a consistent fashion to a targeted buyer, focusing on all stages of the buying process, from brand awareness through to brand evangelism.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, you create content in order to sell something (your ideas, your product, your service) or obtain something (support).\r\n\r\nI agree wholeheartedly with the theory that you should be providing information for your potential customers or supporters to make informed decisions. I am a huge fan of blogs in particular as an easy way to create and share content.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, what about those that don\'t  \"do\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nThat said, how do you explain the success of a content strategist I know who doesn’t even have a website, much less “content”? Or the digital media expert who has so much work she hasn’t blogged in months? Or the public relations agency that last tweeted in 2012?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the many successful small businesses (e.g. plumbers, caterers, etc.) that may have websites but that don’t usually have the staff, budget or time to handle blogging, tweeting, creating infographics, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another type of lead generation</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do these non-content producers have in common? Positive word-of-mouth. These business thrive on referrals and generally  do not rely on internet searches as their main source of leads.  (As an aside, there are referrals that come in the form of online reviews, and this is a subset of search engine optimization that relies on local search.)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3010\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"5398112759_599e51db9f_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Content is not always online</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the other thing: content is not always online. Content— a fancy word for information—can be shared face-to-face, in person. What you say to others about your business helps to market your business. This is why we develop key messages and elevator pitches. This is why we attend networking events. This is why we host coffees and get-togethers.\r\n\r\n<strong> Yes, content works to achieve business objectives</strong>\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that content marketing works, but it is not always the online and social media versions that are the most successful.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How much content do you produce? Is content at the heart of your marketing strategy? Let me know in the comments','Is content marketing necessary to business success?','','inherit','open','open','','3009-revision-v1','','','2015-07-21 13:11:01','2015-07-21 17:11:01','',3009,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3009-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3012,4,'2015-07-21 13:13:09','2015-07-21 17:13:09','Content must be the buzziest term in the communications /marketing field right now. Everywhere you turn it seem you find discussions of content strategy and marketing. There are articles on how to create  or re-purpose content. There are discussions on what is the best content and what channel is it ideally shared on.\r\n\r\n<em>But is content marketing absolutely necessary for you to achieve your business objectives?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong> What is content marketing exactly?</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst let’s start with a definition of content marketing. According to the <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Content Marketing Institute</a> (I highly recommend you check it out for its excellent and useful information), content marketing is:\r\n<blockquote> the practice of creating relevant and compelling content in a consistent fashion to a targeted buyer, focusing on all stages of the buying process, from brand awareness through to brand evangelism.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, you create content in order to sell something (your ideas, your product, your service) or obtain something (support).\r\n\r\nI agree wholeheartedly with the theory that you should be providing information for your potential customers or supporters to make informed decisions. I am a huge fan of blogs in particular as an easy way to create and share content.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, what about those that don\'t  \"do\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nThat said, how do you explain the success of a content strategist I know who doesn’t even have a website, much less “content”? Or the digital media expert who has so much work she hasn’t blogged in months? Or the public relations agency that last tweeted in 2012?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the many successful small businesses (e.g., plumbers, caterers, etc.) that may have websites but that don’t usually have the staff, budget or time to handle blogging, tweeting, creating infographics, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another type of lead generation</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do these non-content producers have in common? Positive word-of-mouth. These business thrive on referrals and generally  do not rely on internet searches as their main source of leads.  (As an aside, there are referrals that come in the form of online reviews, and this is a subset of search engine optimization that relies on local search.)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3010\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"5398112759_599e51db9f_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Content is not always online</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the other thing: content is not always online. Content— a fancy word for information—can be shared face-to-face, in person. What you say to others about your business helps to market your business. This is why we develop key messages and elevator pitches. This is why we attend networking events. This is why we host coffees and get-togethers.\r\n\r\n<strong> Yes, content works to achieve business objectives</strong>\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that content marketing works, but it is not always the online and social media versions that are the most successful.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How much content do you produce? Is content at the heart of your marketing strategy? Let me know in the comments','Is content marketing necessary to business success?','','inherit','open','open','','3009-revision-v1','','','2015-07-21 13:13:09','2015-07-21 17:13:09','',3009,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3009-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3013,4,'2015-07-21 13:16:01','2015-07-21 17:16:01','Content must be the buzziest term in the communications /marketing field right now. Everywhere you turn it seem you find discussions of content strategy and marketing. There are articles on how to create  or re-purpose content. There are discussions on what is the best content and what channel is it ideally shared on.\r\n\r\n<em>But is content marketing absolutely necessary for you to achieve your business objectives?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong> What is content marketing exactly?</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst let’s start with a definition of content marketing. According to the <a href=\"http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Content Marketing Institute</a> (I highly recommend you check it out for its excellent and useful information), content marketing is:\r\n<blockquote> the practice of creating relevant and compelling content in a consistent fashion to a targeted buyer, focusing on all stages of the buying process, from brand awareness through to brand evangelism.</blockquote>\r\nBasically, you create content in order to sell something (your ideas, your product, your service) or obtain something (support).\r\n\r\nI agree wholeheartedly with the theory that you should be providing information for your potential customers or supporters to make informed decisions. I am a huge fan of blogs in particular as an easy way to create and share content.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, what about those that don\'t  \"do\" content</strong>\r\n\r\nThat said, how do you explain the success of a content strategist I know who doesn’t even have a website, much less “content”? Or the digital media expert who has so much work she hasn’t blogged in months? Or the public relations agency that last tweeted in 2012?\r\n\r\nAnd then there are the many successful small businesses (e.g., plumbers, caterers, etc.) that may have websites but that don’t usually have the staff, budget or time to handle blogging, tweeting, creating infographics, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another type of lead generation</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat do these non-content producers have in common? Positive word-of-mouth. These business thrive on referrals and generally  do not rely on internet searches as their main source of leads.  (As an aside, there are referrals that come in the form of online reviews, and this is a subset of search engine optimization that relies on local search.)\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3010\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3010 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5398112759_599e51db9f_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"5398112759_599e51db9f_z\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Whispers by coolio-claire on Flickr. Creative Commons license.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Content is not always online</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the other thing: content is not always online. Content— a fancy word for information—can be shared face-to-face, in person. What you say to others about your business helps to market your business. This is why we develop key messages and elevator pitches. This is why we attend networking events. This is why we host coffees and get-togethers.\r\n\r\n<strong> Yes, content works to achieve business objectives</strong>\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that content marketing works, but it is not always the online and social media versions that are the most successful.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts? How much content do you produce? Is content at the heart of your marketing strategy? Let me know in the comments','Is content marketing necessary to business success?','','inherit','open','open','','3009-revision-v1','','','2015-07-21 13:16:01','2015-07-21 17:16:01','',3009,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3009-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3014,4,'2015-07-22 09:12:52','2015-07-22 13:12:52','<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2015-07-22 09:12:52','2015-07-22 13:12:52','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3016,4,'2015-07-28 09:37:20','2015-07-28 13:37:20','Last year, LinkedIn opened up its publishing platform to all. Since then, we’ve seen an explosion in these long-form posts. Everyone is trying it, and why not, after all, LinkedIn is the professional social network and we want to expand and influence our business network in order to get more business or land our next job.\r\n\r\nThe idea, according to the <a href=\"https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/47537/~/tips-for-writing-long-form-posts-on-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn help blog</a>, is to share your expertise. It says:\r\n<blockquote>Your long-form posts should share your professional expertise. Write about challenges you\'ve faced, opportunities you\'ve seized, or important trends in your industry.</blockquote>\r\nAnd yet, many times people are pushing their products/services/ebooks/webinars on us. Instead of providing information or resources, these people are merely trying to sell us something.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tell, don\'t sell</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t know about you, but I don’t like being sold to. If I am shopping for something, I want a salesperson to help me figure out what I should be looking for. I don’t want a salesperson to push something.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about trust</strong>\r\n\r\nOn LinkedIn, your network is probably composed of people you have worked with or gone to school with, or perhaps met volunteering or through a networking event. Your network is not a bunch of random strangers (or at least, it shouldn’t be). You’ve earned your network’s trust. This is why when somebody spams us on LinkedIn we get pretty upset. And this is why we should get upset when somebody writes a LinkedIn long-form post that is designed solely to sell something.\r\n\r\nTo stop breaking your network’s trust and get their attention instead, write LinkedIn posts that are worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes a top-performing post?</strong>\r\n\r\nA read of the top performing posts on LinkedIn shows they share the following characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>They answer questions (for example a current top post is titled \"What makes a leader\")</li>\r\n	<li>They give tips</li>\r\n	<li>They have fun headlines</li>\r\n	<li>The have a strong point of view, sometimes controversial</li>\r\n	<li>Having notoriety or celebrity helps (The top post when I looked yesterday was by author Daniel Goleman)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Make your posts work for you</strong>\r\n\r\nBased on this, here are six tips to make your LinkedIn posts stand out and work for you:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Write about a subject you know well<strong>.</strong> If you are an expert on UX, then write about that instead of the five life lessons you learned from the seminar you attended last week.</li>\r\n	<li>Share your knowledge/expertise. Don’t charge for it by making people pay for your webinar or your ebook.</li>\r\n	<li>It’s not academic writing—make it conversational.</li>\r\n	<li>Don’t rant. There are plenty of other places you can vent—perhaps at your local pub to your friends.</li>\r\n	<li>Write clearly. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes by asking someone to edit/proof it.</li>\r\n	<li>Spend time working on your headline. Think of it as your book cover. If it is appealing, people will read through (and maybe even buy it).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat is your experience with LinkedIn long-form posts? Have you written one? If yes, how did it perform? If no, what has stopped you?','What makes a successful LinkedIn long-form post','','publish','open','open','','what-makes-a-successful-linkedin-long-form-post','','','2015-07-28 09:37:20','2015-07-28 13:37:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3016',0,'post','',0),(3017,4,'2015-07-28 09:29:37','2015-07-28 13:29:37','Last year, LinkedIn opened up its publishing platform to all. Since then, we’ve seen an explosion in these long-form posts. Everyone is trying it, and why not, after all, LinkedIn is the professional social network and we want to expand and influence our business network in order to get more business or land our next job.\r\n\r\nThe idea, according to the <a href=\"https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/47537/~/tips-for-writing-long-form-posts-on-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn help blog</a>, is to share your expertise. It says:\r\n<blockquote>Your long-form posts should share your professional expertise. Write about challenges you\'ve faced, opportunities you\'ve seized, or important trends in your industry.</blockquote>\r\nAnd yet, many times people are pushing their products/services/ebooks/webinars on us. Instead of providing information or resources, these people are merely trying to sell us something.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tell, don\'t sell</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t know about you, but I don’t like being sold to. If I am shopping for something, I want a salesperson to help me figure out what I should be looking for. I don’t want a salesperson to push something.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about trust</strong>\r\n\r\nOn LinkedIn, your network is probably composed of people you have worked with or gone to school with, or perhaps met volunteering or through a networking event. Your network is not a bunch of random strangers (or at least, it shouldn’t be). You’ve earned your network’s trust. This is why when somebody spams us on LinkedIn we get pretty upset. And this is why we should get upset when somebody writes a LinkedIn long-form post that is designed solely to sell something.\r\n\r\nTo stop breaking your network’s trust and get their attention instead, write LinkedIn posts that are worthwhile.\r\n\r\nA read of the top performing posts on LinkedIn shows they share the following characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>They answer questions</li>\r\n	<li>They give tips</li>\r\n	<li>They have fun headlines</li>\r\n	<li>The have a strong point of view, sometimes controversial</li>\r\n	<li>And notoriety/celebrity helps (The top post when I looked yesterday was by author Daniel Goleman)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBased on this, here are some tips to make your LinkedIn posts stand out:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Write about a subject you know well<strong>.</strong> If you are an expert on UX, then write about that instead of the five life lessons you learned from the seminar you attended last week.</li>\r\n	<li>Share your knowledge/expertise. Don’t charge for it by making people pay for your webinar or your ebook.</li>\r\n	<li>It’s not academic writing—make it conversational.</li>\r\n	<li>Don’t rant. There are plenty of other places you can vent—perhaps at your local pub to your friends.</li>\r\n	<li>Write clearly. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes by asking someone to edit/proof it.</li>\r\n	<li>Spend time working on your headline. Think of it as your book cover. If it is appealing, people will read through (and maybe even buy it).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat is your experience with LinkedIn long-form posts? Have you written one? If yes, how did it perform? If no, what has stopped you?','What makes a great LinkedIn long-form post','','inherit','open','open','','3016-revision-v1','','','2015-07-28 09:29:37','2015-07-28 13:29:37','',3016,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3016-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3018,4,'2015-07-28 09:33:57','2015-07-28 13:33:57','Last year, LinkedIn opened up its publishing platform to all. Since then, we’ve seen an explosion in these long-form posts. Everyone is trying it, and why not, after all, LinkedIn is the professional social network and we want to expand and influence our business network in order to get more business or land our next job.\r\n\r\nThe idea, according to the <a href=\"https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/47537/~/tips-for-writing-long-form-posts-on-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn help blog</a>, is to share your expertise. It says:\r\n<blockquote>Your long-form posts should share your professional expertise. Write about challenges you\'ve faced, opportunities you\'ve seized, or important trends in your industry.</blockquote>\r\nAnd yet, many times people are pushing their products/services/ebooks/webinars on us. Instead of providing information or resources, these people are merely trying to sell us something.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tell, don\'t sell</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t know about you, but I don’t like being sold to. If I am shopping for something, I want a salesperson to help me figure out what I should be looking for. I don’t want a salesperson to push something.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about trust</strong>\r\n\r\nOn LinkedIn, your network is probably composed of people you have worked with or gone to school with, or perhaps met volunteering or through a networking event. Your network is not a bunch of random strangers (or at least, it shouldn’t be). You’ve earned your network’s trust. This is why when somebody spams us on LinkedIn we get pretty upset. And this is why we should get upset when somebody writes a LinkedIn long-form post that is designed solely to sell something.\r\n\r\nTo stop breaking your network’s trust and get their attention instead, write LinkedIn posts that are worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes a top-performing post?</strong>\r\n\r\nA read of the top performing posts on LinkedIn shows they share the following characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>They answer questions (for example, \"What makes a leader\")</li>\r\n	<li>They give tips</li>\r\n	<li>They have fun headlines</li>\r\n	<li>The have a strong point of view, sometimes controversial</li>\r\n	<li>And notoriety/celebrity helps (The top post when I looked yesterday was by author Daniel Goleman)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBased on this, here are some tips to make your LinkedIn posts stand out:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Write about a subject you know well<strong>.</strong> If you are an expert on UX, then write about that instead of the five life lessons you learned from the seminar you attended last week.</li>\r\n	<li>Share your knowledge/expertise. Don’t charge for it by making people pay for your webinar or your ebook.</li>\r\n	<li>It’s not academic writing—make it conversational.</li>\r\n	<li>Don’t rant. There are plenty of other places you can vent—perhaps at your local pub to your friends.</li>\r\n	<li>Write clearly. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes by asking someone to edit/proof it.</li>\r\n	<li>Spend time working on your headline. Think of it as your book cover. If it is appealing, people will read through (and maybe even buy it).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat is your experience with LinkedIn long-form posts? Have you written one? If yes, how did it perform? If no, what has stopped you?','What makes a great LinkedIn long-form post','','inherit','open','open','','3016-revision-v1','','','2015-07-28 09:33:57','2015-07-28 13:33:57','',3016,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3016-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3019,4,'2015-07-28 09:36:34','2015-07-28 13:36:34','Last year, LinkedIn opened up its publishing platform to all. Since then, we’ve seen an explosion in these long-form posts. Everyone is trying it, and why not, after all, LinkedIn is the professional social network and we want to expand and influence our business network in order to get more business or land our next job.\r\n\r\nThe idea, according to the <a href=\"https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/47537/~/tips-for-writing-long-form-posts-on-linkedin\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn help blog</a>, is to share your expertise. It says:\r\n<blockquote>Your long-form posts should share your professional expertise. Write about challenges you\'ve faced, opportunities you\'ve seized, or important trends in your industry.</blockquote>\r\nAnd yet, many times people are pushing their products/services/ebooks/webinars on us. Instead of providing information or resources, these people are merely trying to sell us something.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tell, don\'t sell</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t know about you, but I don’t like being sold to. If I am shopping for something, I want a salesperson to help me figure out what I should be looking for. I don’t want a salesperson to push something.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about trust</strong>\r\n\r\nOn LinkedIn, your network is probably composed of people you have worked with or gone to school with, or perhaps met volunteering or through a networking event. Your network is not a bunch of random strangers (or at least, it shouldn’t be). You’ve earned your network’s trust. This is why when somebody spams us on LinkedIn we get pretty upset. And this is why we should get upset when somebody writes a LinkedIn long-form post that is designed solely to sell something.\r\n\r\nTo stop breaking your network’s trust and get their attention instead, write LinkedIn posts that are worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<strong>What makes a top-performing post?</strong>\r\n\r\nA read of the top performing posts on LinkedIn shows they share the following characteristics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>They answer questions (for example a current top post is titled \"What makes a leader\")</li>\r\n	<li>They give tips</li>\r\n	<li>They have fun headlines</li>\r\n	<li>The have a strong point of view, sometimes controversial</li>\r\n	<li>Having notoriety or celebrity helps (The top post when I looked yesterday was by author Daniel Goleman)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Make your posts work for you</strong>\r\n\r\nBased on this, here are six tips to make your LinkedIn posts stand out and work for you:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Write about a subject you know well<strong>.</strong> If you are an expert on UX, then write about that instead of the five life lessons you learned from the seminar you attended last week.</li>\r\n	<li>Share your knowledge/expertise. Don’t charge for it by making people pay for your webinar or your ebook.</li>\r\n	<li>It’s not academic writing—make it conversational.</li>\r\n	<li>Don’t rant. There are plenty of other places you can vent—perhaps at your local pub to your friends.</li>\r\n	<li>Write clearly. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes by asking someone to edit/proof it.</li>\r\n	<li>Spend time working on your headline. Think of it as your book cover. If it is appealing, people will read through (and maybe even buy it).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWhat is your experience with LinkedIn long-form posts? Have you written one? If yes, how did it perform? If no, what has stopped you?','What makes a successful LinkedIn long-form post','','inherit','open','open','','3016-revision-v1','','','2015-07-28 09:36:34','2015-07-28 13:36:34','',3016,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/07/3016-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3020,4,'2015-08-04 10:27:35','2015-08-04 14:27:35','I follow more than 1,300 accounts on Twitter. Some of them are purely news sources and some are people I know \"in real life.\" Some are journalists and others \"social media experts.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3021\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3021\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSince I spend a good amount of my day on Twitter, I see a lot of tweets. Many of those tweets are interesting or funny or offer good advice. However, some tweets make me wonder if the person/account has ever considered why he/she is on Twitter. I see constant check-ins and bitter complaints about spouses. I see random quotes and people earning points for some action (usually checking in). I see people obviously brown-nosing (\"Store X is the best, super customer service). And just today I saw a tweet about someone\'s menstrual cycle (I wish I were kidding).\r\n\r\n<strong>Get strategic.</strong>\r\n\r\nBig brands probably have a written and codified Twitter strategy that is part of their larger content strategy. But if you are a freelancer, small business owner or just you, you may not have a \"content strategy\" much less a Twitter strategy? But should you?\r\n\r\nIf you want to get more out of Twitter, yes, you should develop a simple but effective strategy.\r\n\r\nHere’s how to develop a Twitter strategy:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Decide what you want to achieve on Twitter.</strong> This is also the answer to \"why am I here?\" Perhaps you want to make business contacts or you want to learn more about a subject or you want to promote your writing. Whatever it is, write it down.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Now, figure out  your audience.</strong> What kinds of people or accounts are likely to have the type of information you are interested in? Who on Twitter would be interested in your stuff? Can you describe a group or groups of people that would be your audience? For example, if you are a knitter and sell stuff on Etsy, your audience would be other knitters, people interested in crafts and so forth.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>What defines success for you on Twitter?</strong> Do you want to have a large following? Do you want to be an influencer? Do you want to meet like-minded folks in person?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nBy thinking about these issues, you will start being more focused or purposeful in your tweeting.\r\n\r\n<strong>Now, get tactical</strong>\r\n\r\nTactics are what puts your strategy in motion.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Engage.</strong> See someone asking a question? Respond! Find somebody\'s tweet useful/inspiring/interesting? Retweet!</li>\r\n	<li> <strong>Become a content curator.</strong> Find sources (Twitter accounts, blogs, websites) and follow them. Collect and share the most relevant information for your audience (see above).</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Join/follow selected Twitter chats.</strong> There are so many on a variety of topics, and folks that participate in those are folks that are interested in the same stuff as you are.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Use lists</strong>. Twitter gives you the ability to put accounts into lists, and then, when you use a Twitter client such as Hootsuite, you can put those lists into their own column. This way if you have a list of \"Fiendish knitters\" you can make sure to see what those crafters are up to.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What am I trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course you will have the occasional “not on message” tweet. You are a person with a life and you want to share your interests or things that happen to you. But if this is all you tweet, you have a problem, and you are probably not seeing any results from Twitter.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>So, perhaps before you tweet anything, you should ask yourself : What am I trying to accomplish by sharing this?</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nLet me know: do you have a Twitter strategy? Can you share it?','Do you have a Twitter strategy?','','publish','open','open','','do-you-have-a-twitter-strategy','','','2015-08-04 10:27:35','2015-08-04 14:27:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3020',0,'post','',0),(3021,4,'2015-08-04 10:23:41','2015-08-04 14:23:41','','3939487692_0486e3e87e_z','Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr','inherit','open','open','','3939487692_0486e3e87e_z','','','2015-08-04 10:24:11','2015-08-04 14:24:11','',3020,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3022,4,'2015-08-04 10:26:41','2015-08-04 14:26:41','I follow more than 1,300 accounts on Twitter. Some of them are purely news sources and some are people I know \"in real life.\" Some are journalists and others \"social media experts.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3021\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3021\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSince I spend a good amount of my day on Twitter, I see a lot of tweets. Many of those tweets are interesting or funny or offer good advice. However, some tweets make me wonder if the person/account has ever considered why he/she is on Twitter. I see constant check-ins and bitter complaints about spouses. I see random quotes and people earning points for some action (usually checking in). I see people obviously brown-nosing (\"Store X is the best, super customer service). And just today I saw a tweet about someone\'s menstrual cycle (I wish I were kidding).\r\n\r\n<strong>Get strategic.</strong>\r\n\r\nBig brands probably have a written and codified Twitter strategy that is part of their larger content strategy. But if you are a freelancer, small business owner or just you, you may not have a \"content strategy\" much less a Twitter strategy? But should you?\r\n\r\nIf you want to get more out of Twitter, yes, you should develop a simple but effective strategy.\r\n\r\nHere’s how to develop a Twitter strategy:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Decide what you want to achieve on Twitter.</strong> This is also the answer to \"why am I here?\" Perhaps you want to make business contacts or you want to learn more about a subject or you want to promote your writing. Whatever it is, write it down.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Now, figure out  your audience.</strong> What kinds of people or accounts are likely to have the type of information you are interested in? Who on Twitter would be interested in your stuff? Can you describe a group or groups of people that would be your audience? For example, if you are a knitter and sell stuff on Etsy, your audience would be other knitters, people interested in crafts and so forth.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>What defines success for you on Twitter?</strong> Do you want to have a large following? Do you want to be an influencer? Do you want to meet like-minded folks in person?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nBy thinking about these issues, you will start being more focused or purposeful in your tweeting.\r\n\r\n<strong>Now, get tactical</strong>\r\n\r\nTactics are what puts your strategy in motion.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Engage.</strong> See someone asking a question? Respond! Find somebody\'s tweet useful/inspiring/interesting? Retweet!</li>\r\n	<li> <strong>Become a content curator.</strong> Find sources (Twitter accounts, blogs, websites) and follow them. Collect and share the most relevant information for your audience (see above).</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Join/follow selected Twitter chats.</strong> There are so many on a variety of topics, and folks that participate in those are folks that are interested in the same stuff as you are.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Use lists</strong>. Twitter gives you the ability to put accounts into lists, and then, when you use a Twitter client such as Hootsuite, you can put those lists into their own column. This way if you have a list of \"Fiendish knitters\" you can make sure to see what those crafters are up to.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What am I trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course you will have the occasional “not on message” tweet. You are a person with a life and you want to share your interests or things that happen to you. But if this is all you tweet, you have a problem, and you are probably not seeing any results from twitter.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>So, perhaps before you tweet anything, you should ask yourself : What am I trying to accomplish by sharing this?</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nLet me know: do you have a Twitter strategy? Can you share it?','Do you have a Twitter strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','3020-revision-v1','','','2015-08-04 10:26:41','2015-08-04 14:26:41','',3020,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/08/3020-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3023,4,'2015-08-04 10:27:35','2015-08-04 14:27:35','I follow more than 1,300 accounts on Twitter. Some of them are purely news sources and some are people I know \"in real life.\" Some are journalists and others \"social media experts.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3021\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3021\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3939487692_0486e3e87e_z-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sand sculpture by Rosaura Ochoa via Flckr[/caption]\r\n\r\nSince I spend a good amount of my day on Twitter, I see a lot of tweets. Many of those tweets are interesting or funny or offer good advice. However, some tweets make me wonder if the person/account has ever considered why he/she is on Twitter. I see constant check-ins and bitter complaints about spouses. I see random quotes and people earning points for some action (usually checking in). I see people obviously brown-nosing (\"Store X is the best, super customer service). And just today I saw a tweet about someone\'s menstrual cycle (I wish I were kidding).\r\n\r\n<strong>Get strategic.</strong>\r\n\r\nBig brands probably have a written and codified Twitter strategy that is part of their larger content strategy. But if you are a freelancer, small business owner or just you, you may not have a \"content strategy\" much less a Twitter strategy? But should you?\r\n\r\nIf you want to get more out of Twitter, yes, you should develop a simple but effective strategy.\r\n\r\nHere’s how to develop a Twitter strategy:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Decide what you want to achieve on Twitter.</strong> This is also the answer to \"why am I here?\" Perhaps you want to make business contacts or you want to learn more about a subject or you want to promote your writing. Whatever it is, write it down.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Now, figure out  your audience.</strong> What kinds of people or accounts are likely to have the type of information you are interested in? Who on Twitter would be interested in your stuff? Can you describe a group or groups of people that would be your audience? For example, if you are a knitter and sell stuff on Etsy, your audience would be other knitters, people interested in crafts and so forth.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>What defines success for you on Twitter?</strong> Do you want to have a large following? Do you want to be an influencer? Do you want to meet like-minded folks in person?</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nBy thinking about these issues, you will start being more focused or purposeful in your tweeting.\r\n\r\n<strong>Now, get tactical</strong>\r\n\r\nTactics are what puts your strategy in motion.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Engage.</strong> See someone asking a question? Respond! Find somebody\'s tweet useful/inspiring/interesting? Retweet!</li>\r\n	<li> <strong>Become a content curator.</strong> Find sources (Twitter accounts, blogs, websites) and follow them. Collect and share the most relevant information for your audience (see above).</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Join/follow selected Twitter chats.</strong> There are so many on a variety of topics, and folks that participate in those are folks that are interested in the same stuff as you are.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Use lists</strong>. Twitter gives you the ability to put accounts into lists, and then, when you use a Twitter client such as Hootsuite, you can put those lists into their own column. This way if you have a list of \"Fiendish knitters\" you can make sure to see what those crafters are up to.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What am I trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nOf course you will have the occasional “not on message” tweet. You are a person with a life and you want to share your interests or things that happen to you. But if this is all you tweet, you have a problem, and you are probably not seeing any results from Twitter.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>So, perhaps before you tweet anything, you should ask yourself : What am I trying to accomplish by sharing this?</strong> </em>\r\n\r\nLet me know: do you have a Twitter strategy? Can you share it?','Do you have a Twitter strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','3020-revision-v1','','','2015-08-04 10:27:35','2015-08-04 14:27:35','',3020,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/08/3020-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3026,4,'2015-08-18 17:42:56','2015-08-18 21:42:56','There’s been two blog post ideas floating around in my head, so I thought I would combine them since they are both short.\r\n<h1><strong>Details please!</strong></h1>\r\nA few weeks ago, I saw a query from a woman to a group we’re both in. She was asking about “affordable” meeting space that would allow her to charge for admission. Predictably, the questions starting rolling in: How many people would she be hosting? Would she be serving food? And from me, what did she consider affordable?\r\n\r\nHer question was fundamentally flawed because she did not provide enough detail.\r\n\r\nImagine if before asking a vague question, this woman had taken a few minutes to think about what is necessary in booking a meeting space (you know, those pesky details):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Number of attendees/space needs</li>\r\n	<li>Location</li>\r\n	<li>Budget</li>\r\n	<li>Amount of time needed</li>\r\n	<li>Schedule (date and time)</li>\r\n	<li>Ability to charge attendance</li>\r\n	<li>Catering (needed or not)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nShe would have saved time (hers and ours): getting better suggestions and fielding fewer questions.\r\n\r\nNext time you are looking to get information about anything, take a few minutes to think about the details that may be relevant. Make it easy for others to provide you with the information you need.\r\n<h1>It\'s all about him!</h1>\r\nSaw this on Twitter:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-08-18-10.57.40.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3028\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-08-18-10.57.40-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"2015-08-18 10.57.40\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" /></a>Although it\'s become acceptable to use the plural for gender neutrality (I still prefer his/her because plural is plural), if you know the gender (male in this case) it is perfectly OK to use a gendered pronoun (his not their). It\'s worrisome that people are so intent on being gender neutral (which is good) that they forget that gendered pronouns can be used appropriately.\r\n\r\nThat\'s all folks. Catch you soon and let me know if you have any documents that need some copy editing.','It\'s a 2for1 blog post','','publish','open','open','','its-a-2for1-blog-post','','','2015-08-18 17:42:56','2015-08-18 21:42:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3026',0,'post','',0),(3028,4,'2015-08-18 17:36:51','2015-08-18 21:36:51','','2015-08-18 10.57.40','','inherit','open','open','','2015-08-18-10-57-40','','','2015-08-18 17:36:51','2015-08-18 21:36:51','',3026,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-08-18-10.57.40.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3027,4,'2015-08-18 17:25:53','2015-08-18 21:25:53','There’s been two blog post ideas floating around in my head, so I thought I would combine them since they are both short.\r\n<h1>\r\n<strong>Details please!</strong></h1>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA few weeks ago, I saw a query from a woman to a group we’re both in. She was asking about “affordable” meeting space that would allow her to charge for admission. Predictably, the questions starting rolling in: How many people would she be hosting? Would she be serving food? And from me, what did she consider affordable?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHer question was fundamentally flawed: she did not provide enough detail.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nImagine if before asking a vague question, this woman had taken a few minutes to think about what is necessary in booking a meeting space (you know, those pesky details):\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Number of attendees/space needs</li>\r\n	<li>Location</li>\r\n	<li>Budget</li>\r\n	<li>Amount of time needed</li>\r\n	<li>Schedule (date and time)</li>\r\n	<li>Ability to charge attendance</li>\r\n	<li>Catering (needed or not)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe would have saved time (hers and ours): getting better suggestions and fielding fewer questions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNext time you are looking to get information about anything, take a few minutes to think about the details that may be relevant. Make it easy for others to provide you with the information you need.\r\n<h1>It\'s all about him!</h1>\r\n&nbsp;','It\'s a 2for1 blog post','','inherit','open','open','','3026-revision-v1','','','2015-08-18 17:25:53','2015-08-18 21:25:53','',3026,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/08/3026-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3029,4,'2015-08-18 17:41:28','2015-08-18 21:41:28','There’s been two blog post ideas floating around in my head, so I thought I would combine them since they are both short.\r\n<h1><strong>Details please!</strong></h1>\r\nA few weeks ago, I saw a query from a woman to a group we’re both in. She was asking about “affordable” meeting space that would allow her to charge for admission. Predictably, the questions starting rolling in: How many people would she be hosting? Would she be serving food? And from me, what did she consider affordable?\r\n\r\nHer question was fundamentally flawed because she did not provide enough detail.\r\n\r\nImagine if before asking a vague question, this woman had taken a few minutes to think about what is necessary in booking a meeting space (you know, those pesky details):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Number of attendees/space needs</li>\r\n	<li>Location</li>\r\n	<li>Budget</li>\r\n	<li>Amount of time needed</li>\r\n	<li>Schedule (date and time)</li>\r\n	<li>Ability to charge attendance</li>\r\n	<li>Catering (needed or not)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nShe would have saved time (hers and ours): getting better suggestions and fielding fewer questions.\r\n\r\nNext time you are looking to get information about anything, take a few minutes to think about the details that may be relevant. Make it easy for others to provide you with the information you need.\r\n<h1>It\'s all about him!</h1>\r\nSaw this on Twitter:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-08-18-10.57.40.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3028\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-08-18-10.57.40-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"2015-08-18 10.57.40\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" /></a>Although it\'s become acceptable to use the plural for gender neutrality (I still prefer his/her because plural is plural), if you know the gender (male in this case) it is perfectly OK to use a gendered pronoun (his not their). It\'s worrisome that people are so intent on being gender neutral (which is good) that they forget that gendered pronouns can be used appropriately.\r\n\r\nThat\'s all folks. Catch you soon and let me know if you have any documents that need some copy editing.','It\'s a 2for1 blog post','','inherit','open','open','','3026-revision-v1','','','2015-08-18 17:41:28','2015-08-18 21:41:28','',3026,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/08/3026-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3031,4,'2015-08-27 09:28:37','2015-08-27 13:28:37','You have to do PR if you want to get new clients!\r\n\r\nYou have to have an optimized website if you want to get new customers!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3032\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3736095515_504612aab7_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3032\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3736095515_504612aab7_z-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"number 1 by Jon Jordan on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a> number 1 by Jon Jordan on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou have to do content marketing if you want to get new leads!\r\n\r\nAnd most recently,\r\n\r\nYou have to try Periscope to get some exposure!\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the new world of marketing communications, there is a growing array of standard and innovative possibilities for getting the word out about your business.\r\n\r\nFrom the pre-Internet era we have good old advertising/public relations/marketing, including the use of print materials, broadcast, outdoor, direct mail, etc.\r\n\r\nFrom the Internet-era, we have websites and email marketing.\r\n\r\nFrom the social media-era, we have content marketing, and a seemingly endless stream of networks (Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and so forth) and video in short format (Vine) and in long format (Periscope). And I am sure as I write this, something else is bubbling up to capture our short-attention span.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: all of these work. They work differently, with different audiences and with different levels of \"engagement.\"  But the uncomfortable truth is that no one thing will get you leads/customers.\r\n\r\nBack in the old days, we had a concept called \"integrated marketing communications.\" It posited that in order to be successful, you had to use a variety of marcomm tools and make sure they were playing nice with each other.  For example, if you were using sponsorship and public relations, the PR folks would know what you were sponsoring and the sponsorship folks might in turn get a bit of PR for the sponsorship. You know, everybody working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nNow it seems that people want a shortcut. They want to try the one thing that will \"guarantee\" results. Everybody seems to be lurching from one platform to the next, one tactic to another.\r\n\r\nIf you want to achieve results from your marketing communications efforts you are going to have<strong> to stop being tactical and start being strategic.</strong> Stop thinking in terms of doing one thing to get audiences interested today and start thinking in terms of objectives and actions you want from said audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t do just one thing.</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h5>If you need help figuring out what your communications efforts should be, contact me today! Let\'s talk.</h5>','Do this one thing!','','publish','open','open','','do-this-one-thing','','','2015-08-27 09:28:37','2015-08-27 13:28:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3031',0,'post','',0),(3032,4,'2015-08-27 09:25:35','2015-08-27 13:25:35','photo of a number one by Jon Jordan on Flickr','3736095515_504612aab7_z','number 1 by Jon Jordan on Flickr','inherit','open','open','','3736095515_504612aab7_z','','','2015-08-27 09:26:18','2015-08-27 13:26:18','',3031,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3736095515_504612aab7_z.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3033,4,'2015-08-27 09:26:52','2015-08-27 13:26:52','You have to do PR if you want to get new clients!\r\n\r\nYou have to have an optimized website if you want to get new customers!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3032\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3736095515_504612aab7_z.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3032\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3736095515_504612aab7_z-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"number 1 by Jon Jordan on Flickr\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a> number 1 by Jon Jordan on Flickr[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou have to do content marketing if you want to get new leads!\r\n\r\nAnd most recently,\r\n\r\nYou have to try Periscope to get some exposure!\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the new world of marketing communications, there is a growing array of standard and innovative possibilities for getting the word out about your business.\r\n\r\nFrom the pre-Internet era we have good old advertising/public relations/marketing, including the use of print materials, broadcast, outdoor, direct mail, etc.\r\n\r\nFrom the Internet-era, we have websites and email marketing.\r\n\r\nFrom the social media-era, we have content marketing, and a seemingly endless stream of networks (Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and so forth) and video in short format (Vine) and in long format (Periscope). And I am sure as I write this, something else is bubbling up to capture our short-attention span.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: all of these work. They work differently, with different audiences and with different levels of \"engagement.\"  But the uncomfortable truth is that no one thing will get you leads/customers.\r\n\r\nBack in the old days, we had a concept called \"integrated marketing communications.\" It posited that in order to be successful, you had to use a variety of marcomm tools and make sure they were playing nice with each other.  For example, if you were using sponsorship and public relations, the PR folks would know what you were sponsoring and the sponsorship folks might in turn get a bit of PR for the sponsorship. You know, everybody working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nNow it seems that people want a shortcut. They want to try the one thing that will \"guarantee\" results. Everybody seems to be lurching from one platform to the next, one tactic to another.\r\n\r\nIf you want to achieve results from your marketing communications efforts you are going to have<strong> to stop being tactical and start being strategic.</strong> Stop thinking in terms of doing one thing to get audiences interested today and start thinking in terms of objectives and actions you want from said audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t do just one thing.</strong>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h5>If you need help figuring out what your communications efforts should be, contact me today! Let\'s talk.</h5>','Do this one thing!','','inherit','open','open','','3031-revision-v1','','','2015-08-27 09:26:52','2015-08-27 13:26:52','',3031,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/08/3031-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3035,4,'2015-09-04 11:27:18','2015-09-04 15:27:18','I meant to post earlier in the week. However, Verizon \"inadvertently\" cut my FIOS line--so I had no TV or internet Wednesday into Thursday. Yes, this is a first world problem. Regardless, it had to be resolved, which involved the thing I despise the most in the world: calling Verizon customer service.\r\n\r\nAnd it was just as bad as I feared. First you have to get through a phone tree (I can\'t stand talking to machines). And then I got disconnected. Then, when I called back, the phone tree was stuck on whether I had power at my location or not. Thanks Verizon, for thinking I am that stupid that I would think that without electricity I would have working TV/internet. On the third try, I went for the Spanish option, from which I was able to finally speak to an agent (whose command of Spanish was not the best as he was versed in Spanglish more than Spanish).\r\n\r\nTo make a long story short, after more than 24 hours without service and after several calls to support, my FIOS is back on a temporary line that will eventually have to be buried (meaning I am still not done with Verizon).\r\n\r\nI work from home, so having internet access is essential for me.  Yes, I have a smartphone so I wasn\'t entirely disconnected from the world wide web, but try proofreading a brochure on your smartphone. Not so easy.\r\n\r\nThe only positive from this fiasco is that it sparked this blog post. Here\'s what I learned from losing my internet service:\r\n\r\n1.<strong>The measure of a company is how it responds to customer problems.</strong> Verizon does not do well on this measure. Verizon, like most companies, is fine <em>as long as you don\'t have a problem.</em>  Verizon makes it very hard for customers to talk to customer service agents. It makes customers run around in circles: repeat information, navigate phone trees and so forth. I lost a whole day of service PLUS more than an hour getting someone to help PLUS using data on my phone PLUS having to go somewhere to be able to access the internet to do work PLUS waiting during a three-hour window. If I call to request a credit, I may be compensated for the service loss but not for my time and certainly not for the aggravation. I am sure Verizon is betting that I won\'t want to lose more time on this, and it may be right. As I said before, I despise calling Verizon\'s customer service.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Monopolies like Verizon have no incentive to be customer-centric and they don\'t advertise or promote their customer service.</strong> If you notice, all FIOS advertising is about what great speeds you will have or any other benefits of having WORKING service. There\'s  no mention of the great customer service that accompanies this \"super-fast\" internet because there is none.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Some companies provide better customer service via social media. Verizon does not.</strong> Several years ago this was not true. You could get better, faster service from Twitter since @verizonsupport agents seemed to be more empowered than those on the 1-800 number.  Now, if you complain on Twitter, Verizon reps will quickly want to move you over to direct message so that they can give you a link to report your problem. Agents on @verizonsupport seem to have little or no ability to actually help or intervene in your favor, unlike @deltaassist, which has the ability to rebook your flight, etc.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>The problem is with company policies not with employees.</strong> It\'s been my experience that people want to help, but they are forced to follow company policies and procedures, which are not customer-friendly. The technician that came to my house was far more helpful and on the ball than the agents on the 1-800 line. He was empowered to do what he had to do to fix the problem, whereas the agents in the call center were forced to call other departments and work within constraints.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>You must have a \"plan b\" or \"plan c.\"</strong> If something fails (you could lose power, or your car is in the shop or any other unexpected problem), you have to find a work around. In this case, my county libraries all offer wi-fi, and have desks with power outlets. That was the way to get some work done for me.\r\n\r\nAnd lastly, on a personal note:\r\n\r\n6. <strong>I have to try to stop sweating the small stuff.</strong> I get upset because I expect things to work and work well. And they often don\'t.  Yesterday, I was reminded  that our time on earth can be very short and you just don\'t know how life will turn out, so perhaps worrying about Verizon is a complete waste of time. I had my annual eye doctor appointment, and the usual optometrist was not there. I was shocked and very sorry to learn that she died suddenly after an aggressive illness. She was around my age. She was a very nice person and I always enjoyed chatting with her. The doctor told me she had been very healthy and health-conscious, but this illness came out of nowhere. She was gone in a matter of weeks. Rest in peace Teresa, you are missed.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy your Labor Day weekend!  How did we get to the last weekend of \"official\" summer  so fast? Sigh.','When you lose your internet service...','','publish','open','open','','when-you-lose-your-internet-service','','','2015-09-04 11:27:18','2015-09-04 15:27:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3035',0,'post','',0),(3036,4,'2015-09-04 11:27:18','2015-09-04 15:27:18','I meant to post earlier in the week. However, Verizon \"inadvertently\" cut my FIOS line--so I had no TV or internet Wednesday into Thursday. Yes, this is a first world problem. Regardless, it had to be resolved, which involved the thing I despise the most in the world: calling Verizon customer service.\r\n\r\nAnd it was just as bad as I feared. First you have to get through a phone tree (I can\'t stand talking to machines). And then I got disconnected. Then, when I called back, the phone tree was stuck on whether I had power at my location or not. Thanks Verizon, for thinking I am that stupid that I would think that without electricity I would have working TV/internet. On the third try, I went for the Spanish option, from which I was able to finally speak to an agent (whose command of Spanish was not the best as he was versed in Spanglish more than Spanish).\r\n\r\nTo make a long story short, after more than 24 hours without service and after several calls to support, my FIOS is back on a temporary line that will eventually have to be buried (meaning I am still not done with Verizon).\r\n\r\nI work from home, so having internet access is essential for me.  Yes, I have a smartphone so I wasn\'t entirely disconnected from the world wide web, but try proofreading a brochure on your smartphone. Not so easy.\r\n\r\nThe only positive from this fiasco is that it sparked this blog post. Here\'s what I learned from losing my internet service:\r\n\r\n1.<strong>The measure of a company is how it responds to customer problems.</strong> Verizon does not do well on this measure. Verizon, like most companies, is fine <em>as long as you don\'t have a problem.</em>  Verizon makes it very hard for customers to talk to customer service agents. It makes customers run around in circles: repeat information, navigate phone trees and so forth. I lost a whole day of service PLUS more than an hour getting someone to help PLUS using data on my phone PLUS having to go somewhere to be able to access the internet to do work PLUS waiting during a three-hour window. If I call to request a credit, I may be compensated for the service loss but not for my time and certainly not for the aggravation. I am sure Verizon is betting that I won\'t want to lose more time on this, and it may be right. As I said before, I despise calling Verizon\'s customer service.\r\n\r\n2. <strong>Monopolies like Verizon have no incentive to be customer-centric and they don\'t advertise or promote their customer service.</strong> If you notice, all FIOS advertising is about what great speeds you will have or any other benefits of having WORKING service. There\'s  no mention of the great customer service that accompanies this \"super-fast\" internet because there is none.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>Some companies provide better customer service via social media. Verizon does not.</strong> Several years ago this was not true. You could get better, faster service from Twitter since @verizonsupport agents seemed to be more empowered than those on the 1-800 number.  Now, if you complain on Twitter, Verizon reps will quickly want to move you over to direct message so that they can give you a link to report your problem. Agents on @verizonsupport seem to have little or no ability to actually help or intervene in your favor, unlike @deltaassist, which has the ability to rebook your flight, etc.\r\n\r\n4. <strong>The problem is with company policies not with employees.</strong> It\'s been my experience that people want to help, but they are forced to follow company policies and procedures, which are not customer-friendly. The technician that came to my house was far more helpful and on the ball than the agents on the 1-800 line. He was empowered to do what he had to do to fix the problem, whereas the agents in the call center were forced to call other departments and work within constraints.\r\n\r\n5. <strong>You must have a \"plan b\" or \"plan c.\"</strong> If something fails (you could lose power, or your car is in the shop or any other unexpected problem), you have to find a work around. In this case, my county libraries all offer wi-fi, and have desks with power outlets. That was the way to get some work done for me.\r\n\r\nAnd lastly, on a personal note:\r\n\r\n6. <strong>I have to try to stop sweating the small stuff.</strong> I get upset because I expect things to work and work well. And they often don\'t.  Yesterday, I was reminded  that our time on earth can be very short and you just don\'t know how life will turn out, so perhaps worrying about Verizon is a complete waste of time. I had my annual eye doctor appointment, and the usual optometrist was not there. I was shocked and very sorry to learn that she died suddenly after an aggressive illness. She was around my age. She was a very nice person and I always enjoyed chatting with her. The doctor told me she had been very healthy and health-conscious, but this illness came out of nowhere. She was gone in a matter of weeks. Rest in peace Teresa, you are missed.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy your Labor Day weekend!  How did we get to the last weekend of \"official\" summer  so fast? Sigh.','When you lose your internet service...','','inherit','open','open','','3035-revision-v1','','','2015-09-04 11:27:18','2015-09-04 15:27:18','',3035,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3035-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3037,4,'2015-09-08 16:01:05','2015-09-08 20:01:05','It seems fairly straightforward: if you offer something, especially if it\'s of benefit to your customers/members/audience, you should make it known. And yet, I would bet good money that you aren\'t reaping the benefits from various companies and associations simply because you don\'t even know what they are.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I called my car insurance company today about renewing my policy. The very efficient and pleasant (almost shockingly so) customer service agent helped me out and informed me that with my policy came various discounts at car rental agencies, oil change shops, and even restaurants.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you don\'t know about it, it\'s as if it doesn\'t exist.</strong>\r\n\r\nSay what? I had absolutely no idea. None. Zip. Mind you, I have been a customer of this company for ages. And in that time, not once has anybody pointed out that I could be saving  20%  on my car rentals or getting $25 oil changes.\r\n\r\nTurns out that this insurance company is doing a very poor job of showcasing these great perks. Which leads me to wonder why it bothers negotiating these deals with vendors if it isn\'t sharing them with customers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hidden benefits or perks don\'t benefit anybody.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour customers/members/associates should understand why they do business with you, in other words, what is in it for them.  If they don\'t know what benefits are derived from their association with you, there\'s no reason for them to stay.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know what benefits you offer?</strong>\r\n\r\nRight now, answer this question: what are the top five reasons that made your customers/members do business/become affiliated with you? These are your primary benefits, and should be absolutely, 100% obvious.\r\n\r\nAre there any secondary benefits? Are you offering special discounts or deals like my car insurance company? Are your customers entitled to anything special such as annual policy reviews, information sessions, special access to museums or cultural events, etc.?\r\n\r\n<strong>Benefits don\'t communicate themselves!</strong>\r\n\r\nIn order to maintain your customer/membership base, you must communicate all of the benefits you offer.\r\n\r\nDon\'t just assume your audience knows.  Audit your marketing materials (website, social media sites, printed materials, enewsletters, etc.)  to see if you are letting your customers/members know what\'s in it for them when they do business with you. Survey your people to see what they know about your offerings, about why they do business with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hidden benefits are not beneficial','','publish','open','open','','hidden-benefits-are-not-beneficial','','','2015-09-08 16:01:05','2015-09-08 20:01:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3037',0,'post','',0),(3038,4,'2015-09-08 14:23:10','2015-09-08 18:23:10','It seems fairly straightforward: if you offer something, especially if it\'s of benefit to your audience, you should make it known. And yet, how many benefits are available to you that you simply don\'t know about? Probably a lot. But you don\'t know what you don\'t know.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I called my car insurance company today about renewing my policy. The very efficient and pleasant (almost shockingly so) customer service agent helped me out and informed me that with my policy came various discounts at car rental agencies, oil change shops and even restaurants. What? I had no idea. Turns out that the insurance company is doing a very poor job of showcasing this great benefit. Which leads me to wonder why it bothers negotiating these deals with vendors if it isn\'t sharing them with customers.\r\n\r\nSometimes a benefit is obvious. And sometimes not so much.','Make sure that your audience knows what you offer','','inherit','open','open','','3037-revision-v1','','','2015-09-08 14:23:10','2015-09-08 18:23:10','',3037,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3037-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3039,4,'2015-09-08 15:59:46','2015-09-08 19:59:46','It seems fairly straightforward: if you offer something, especially if it\'s of benefit to your customers/members/audience, you should make it known. And yet, I would bet good money that you aren\'t reaping the benefits from various companies and associations simply because you don\'t even know what they are.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I called my car insurance company today about renewing my policy. The very efficient and pleasant (almost shockingly so) customer service agent helped me out and informed me that with my policy came various discounts at car rental agencies, oil change shops, and even restaurants.\r\n\r\n<strong>If I don\'t know about it, it\'s as if it doesn\'t exist.</strong>\r\n\r\nSay what? I had absolutely no idea. None. Zip. Mind you, I have been a customer of this company for ages. And in that time, not once has anybody pointed out that I could be saving  20%  on my car rentals or getting $25 oil changes.\r\n\r\nTurns out that this insurance company is doing a very poor job of showcasing these great perks. Which leads me to wonder why it bothers negotiating these deals with vendors if it isn\'t sharing them with customers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hidden benefits or perks don\'t benefit anybody.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour customers/members/associates should understand why they do business with you, in other words, what is in it for them.  If they don\'t know what benefits are derived from their association with you, there\'s no reason for them to stay.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know what benefits you offer?</strong>\r\n\r\nRight now, answer this question: what are the top five reasons that made your customers/members do business/become affiliated with you? These are your primary benefits, and should be absolutely, 100% obvious.\r\n\r\nAre there any secondary benefits? Are you offering special discounts or deals like my car insurance company? Are your customers entitled to anything special such as annual policy reviews, information sessions, special access to museums or cultural events, etc.?\r\n\r\n<strong>Benefits don\'t communicate themselves!</strong>\r\n\r\nIn order to maintain your customer/membership base, you must communicate all of the benefits you offer.\r\n\r\nDon\'t just assume your audience knows.  Audit your marketing materials (website, social media sites, printed materials, enewsletters, etc.)  to see if you are letting your customers/members know what\'s in it for them when they do business with you. Survey your people to see what they know about your offerings, about why they do business with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hidden benefits are not beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','3037-revision-v1','','','2015-09-08 15:59:46','2015-09-08 19:59:46','',3037,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3037-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3040,4,'2015-09-08 16:01:05','2015-09-08 20:01:05','It seems fairly straightforward: if you offer something, especially if it\'s of benefit to your customers/members/audience, you should make it known. And yet, I would bet good money that you aren\'t reaping the benefits from various companies and associations simply because you don\'t even know what they are.\r\n\r\nCase in point: I called my car insurance company today about renewing my policy. The very efficient and pleasant (almost shockingly so) customer service agent helped me out and informed me that with my policy came various discounts at car rental agencies, oil change shops, and even restaurants.\r\n\r\n<strong>If you don\'t know about it, it\'s as if it doesn\'t exist.</strong>\r\n\r\nSay what? I had absolutely no idea. None. Zip. Mind you, I have been a customer of this company for ages. And in that time, not once has anybody pointed out that I could be saving  20%  on my car rentals or getting $25 oil changes.\r\n\r\nTurns out that this insurance company is doing a very poor job of showcasing these great perks. Which leads me to wonder why it bothers negotiating these deals with vendors if it isn\'t sharing them with customers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hidden benefits or perks don\'t benefit anybody.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour customers/members/associates should understand why they do business with you, in other words, what is in it for them.  If they don\'t know what benefits are derived from their association with you, there\'s no reason for them to stay.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know what benefits you offer?</strong>\r\n\r\nRight now, answer this question: what are the top five reasons that made your customers/members do business/become affiliated with you? These are your primary benefits, and should be absolutely, 100% obvious.\r\n\r\nAre there any secondary benefits? Are you offering special discounts or deals like my car insurance company? Are your customers entitled to anything special such as annual policy reviews, information sessions, special access to museums or cultural events, etc.?\r\n\r\n<strong>Benefits don\'t communicate themselves!</strong>\r\n\r\nIn order to maintain your customer/membership base, you must communicate all of the benefits you offer.\r\n\r\nDon\'t just assume your audience knows.  Audit your marketing materials (website, social media sites, printed materials, enewsletters, etc.)  to see if you are letting your customers/members know what\'s in it for them when they do business with you. Survey your people to see what they know about your offerings, about why they do business with you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Hidden benefits are not beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','3037-revision-v1','','','2015-09-08 16:01:05','2015-09-08 20:01:05','',3037,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3037-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3041,4,'2015-09-09 09:07:13','2015-09-09 13:07:13','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-09-09 09:07:13','2015-09-09 13:07:13','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3043,4,'2015-09-16 11:26:08','2015-09-16 15:26:08','From Yelp to Google to TripAdvisor, user reviews can be found easily when you search online for anything, whether it be hotels, services, restaurants and so on. In our social media age, everyone is a critic and has a forum. People are keen to share their experiences, whether it be to warn others about bad service or to express great satisfaction at how a product works.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important for  business owners (and for organizations) to pay attention to reviews.  Here are four main reasons every business should be actively tracking and soliciting reviews:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. User reviews identify weaknesses that businesses should address.</strong>\r\n\r\nEssentially, reviews are customer satisfaction surveys. Perhaps it\'s because we\'ve become passive-aggressive as a culture, but people are more likely to air their complaints to a third party. So instead of contacting management, people will go on Yelp and talk about their experience. For example, if you run a hotel, and every reviewer on TripAdvisor complains about the air conditioning, that tells you that you need to address the problem ASAP.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. User reviews help businesses  appear higher in search results.</strong>\r\n\r\nReviews are content, and the more fresh content, the better the search engines like it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. User reviews give businesses a specific reason to interact with customers.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhether responding to a negative review or thanking a customer for a positive one, a review gives a business a way to talk to customers beyond the initial interaction or transaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. User reviews can tell businesses more about what customers consider important.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat people choose to highlight when reviewing a business can provide invaluable consumer insight. What types of things are most users praising or complaining about? What makes a user be enthusiastic about a business?\r\n\r\n<strong>In sum:</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses that don\'t track customer reviews are losing valuable insights about how they are perceived. Business that don\'t respond to reviews are stating that what customers say doesn\'t matter, and will miss the chance to improve.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow do you handle reviews? Have you designated a specific person or department to track reviews? Does that same person or department respond to reviews? Please let me know in the comments how your business or organization deals with reviews, and what you have learned (if anything) from them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you should pay attention to user reviews','','publish','open','open','','why-you-should-pay-attention-to-user-reviews','','','2015-09-16 11:26:08','2015-09-16 15:26:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3043',0,'post','',1),(3044,4,'2015-09-16 11:26:08','2015-09-16 15:26:08','From Yelp to Google to TripAdvisor, user reviews can be found easily when you search online for anything, whether it be hotels, services, restaurants and so on. In our social media age, everyone is a critic and has a forum. People are keen to share their experiences, whether it be to warn others about bad service or to express great satisfaction at how a product works.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important for  business owners (and for organizations) to pay attention to reviews.  Here are four main reasons every business should be actively tracking and soliciting reviews:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. User reviews identify weaknesses that businesses should address.</strong>\r\n\r\nEssentially, reviews are customer satisfaction surveys. Perhaps it\'s because we\'ve become passive-aggressive as a culture, but people are more likely to air their complaints to a third party. So instead of contacting management, people will go on Yelp and talk about their experience. For example, if you run a hotel, and every reviewer on TripAdvisor complains about the air conditioning, that tells you that you need to address the problem ASAP.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. User reviews help businesses  appear higher in search results.</strong>\r\n\r\nReviews are content, and the more fresh content, the better the search engines like it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. User reviews give businesses a specific reason to interact with customers.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhether responding to a negative review or thanking a customer for a positive one, a review gives a business a way to talk to customers beyond the initial interaction or transaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. User reviews can tell businesses more about what customers consider important.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat people choose to highlight when reviewing a business can provide invaluable consumer insight. What types of things are most users praising or complaining about? What makes a user be enthusiastic about a business?\r\n\r\n<strong>In sum:</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses that don\'t track customer reviews are losing valuable insights about how they are perceived. Business that don\'t respond to reviews are stating that what customers say doesn\'t matter, and will miss the chance to improve.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHow do you handle reviews? Have you designated a specific person or department to track reviews? Does that same person or department respond to reviews? Please let me know in the comments how your business or organization deals with reviews, and what you have learned (if anything) from them.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you should pay attention to user reviews','','inherit','open','open','','3043-revision-v1','','','2015-09-16 11:26:08','2015-09-16 15:26:08','',3043,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3043-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3046,4,'2015-09-22 11:07:56','2015-09-22 15:07:56','A couple of weeks ago I went into a small local specialty store that does not get a lot of foot traffic. The store sells lots of expensive gift items, and a few lower cost items such as cards and candles. I needed to buy a greeting card and like this store\'s small but unique selection. I found what I wanted and when I went to pay the store owner, she asked me, quite pointedly, \"that\'s it?\" Then she started asking whether I wanted to look at the handcrafted candlesticks and other gift items.  Her remarks made it clear that she needed more business and that my one $3 card was not going to cut it.\r\n\r\n<strong>She was trying to give me a guilt trip.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you look up the term \"guilt trip\" you will come up with several psychology-based articles such as  <a href=\"v\\https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201305/7-ways-get-out-guilt-trips\" target=\"_blank\">\"7 ways to get out of guilt trips\"</a>, which define what a guilt trip is and why people use it. Basically, people use guilt trips in <em>an effort to control behavior</em>. Although guilt trips may reach their mark, they often cause resentment and anger toward the \"guilt tripper.\"\r\n\r\nAnd I definitely felt resentment when I left the store. On the one hand, I felt bad for the store owner and wondered how she was going to stay in business. On the other hand, I felt angry since I had specifically gone to this store to buy a special card and this woman seemed to think that it was my responsibility to spend more than a few dollars to help save her business.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is the guilt trip an effective strategy?\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking about how some charities --specifically those dealing with hunger, homelessness, and disaster relief-- use guilt as an appeal for donors. These charities generally intend to appeal to your feelings of guilt for having access to comfort and food while others, who are much less fortunate, starve and suffer.\r\n\r\nI am sure you remember the TV commercial for a children\'s charity that would show pictures of starving children in Africa, often focusing on their distended stomachs and the horrible conditions around them. We were told that we could ease the suffering simply by sponsoring one child for the price of a cup of coffee a day. The underlying message was clear:  you should feel guilty buying your daily coffee when that money could save a child\'s life.\r\n\r\nDo you feel manipulated by these type of appeals? Or is this appeal to your feelings of guilt an effective way to break through the clutter and inspire action (a donation)?\r\n\r\n<strong>Guilt trips have consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nGuilt trips <em>are</em> effective in<em> forcing</em> action (after all, how many parents have used the line about starving children in Africa to get kids to finish eating their meals) but they may have negative consequences. Perhaps you <strong>stop feeling guilty</strong> once you\'ve made a donation and then never donate again. Or perhaps,  you <strong>resent</strong> being made to feel guilty and you <strong>ignore the appeal</strong> altogether. In some cases, an appeal to guilt has been so many times that the <strong>audience has become jaded</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s the alternative?</strong>\r\n\r\nFor charities, an alternative is to emphasize how <em>helping is a benefit</em> to the donor. This way, the potential donor is not doing something out of guilt, and therefore feels good about his or her act. As a bonus, there\'s no chance that the donor will feel resentment afterward.\r\n\r\nHave you used the guilt trip as a marketing tool? Why or why not? And if yes, how did it work for you?\r\n\r\nP.S. As I was writing this post, I got an email donation appeal that started with these words (emphasis mine):\r\n<blockquote>In this moment when we are bombarded by <strong>shocking images of refugees risking their lives in search of safety</strong>, we must do all we can to help.\r\n\r\nI know this because <strong>I have seen the fear in the eyes of refugees as they describe fleeing their homes in the dark of night</strong>.\r\n\r\nI have sat with refugees as they shared their stories of being resettled in my home state of Ohio, and elsewhere in the U.S., overcoming language and cultural barriers to live their lives with freedom and security.</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;','Guilty appeal','','publish','open','open','','guilty-appeal','','','2015-09-22 11:07:56','2015-09-22 15:07:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3046',0,'post','',0),(3047,4,'2015-09-21 11:41:15','2015-09-21 15:41:15','A couple of weeks ago I went into a small specialty store that does not get a lot of foot traffic. The store sells lots of  expensive gift items, and a few lower cost items such as cards and candles. I wanted a card and like this store\'s small but unique selection. I found what I wanted and when I went to pay the store owner, she asked me, quite pointedly, \"that\'s it?\" Then she started asking whether I wanted to look at the handcrafted candlesticks and other gift items.  Her remarks made it clear that she needed more business and that my one $3 card was not going to cut it.\r\n\r\n<strong>She was giving me a guilt trip.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you look up the term \"guilt trip\" you will come up with several psychology-based articles such as  <a href=\"v\\https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201305/7-ways-get-out-guilt-trips\" target=\"_blank\">\"7 ways to get out of guilt trips\"</a>, which define what a guilt trip is and why people use it. Basically, people use guilt trips in an effort to control behavior. Although guilt trips may reach their mark, they often cause resentment and anger toward the \"guilt tripper.\"\r\n\r\nAnd I definitely felt resentment when I left the store. On the one hand, I felt bad for the store owner and wondered how she was going to stay in business. On the other hand, I felt angry since I had specifically gone to this store to buy a special card and this woman seemed ungrateful.\r\n\r\n<strong>How effective is the guilt trip?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking about how some charities appeal to donors by using guilt. If charities appeal to your feelings of guilt for having access to comfort and food while others starve and suffer, do you resent being manipulated? Or is it an effective way to break through the clutter and inspire action (a donation)?\r\n\r\nI am sure you remember the TV commercial for a charity that would show pictures of starving children in Africa, often focusing on their distended stomachs and the horrible conditions around them. We were told that we could ease the suffering simply by sponsoring one child for the price of a cup of coffee a day.  The underlying message was crystal clear:  you should feel guilty buying your daily coffee when that money could save a child\'s life.\r\n\r\nGuilt trips <em>are</em> effective in forcing action (after all, how many parents have used the line about starving children in Africa to get kids to finish eating their meals) but they may have negative consequences. Perhaps you stop feeling guilty once you\'ve made a donation and then never donate again. Or perhaps,  you resent being made to feel guilty and you ignore the appeal altogether.\r\n\r\nIn our age of DVRs and ad-blocking, it is especially easy to ignore commercials and charitable appeals altogether.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','3046-revision-v1','','','2015-09-21 11:41:15','2015-09-21 15:41:15','',3046,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3046-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3048,4,'2015-09-21 11:54:38','2015-09-21 15:54:38','A couple of weeks ago I went into a local small specialty store that does not get a lot of foot traffic. The store sells lots of  expensive gift items, and a few lower cost items such as cards and candles. I wanted a card and like this store\'s small but unique selection. I found what I wanted and when I went to pay the store owner, she asked me, quite pointedly, \"that\'s it?\" Then she started asking whether I wanted to look at the handcrafted candlesticks and other gift items.  Her remarks made it clear that she needed more business and that my one $3 card was not going to cut it.\r\n\r\n<strong>She was giving me a guilt trip.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you look up the term \"guilt trip\" you will come up with several psychology-based articles such as  <a href=\"v\\https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201305/7-ways-get-out-guilt-trips\" target=\"_blank\">\"7 ways to get out of guilt trips\"</a>, which define what a guilt trip is and why people use it. Basically, people use guilt trips in an effort to control behavior. Although guilt trips may reach their mark, they often cause resentment and anger toward the \"guilt tripper.\"\r\n\r\nAnd I definitely felt resentment when I left the store. On the one hand, I felt bad for the store owner and wondered how she was going to stay in business. On the other hand, I felt angry since I had specifically gone to this store to buy a special card and this woman seemed ungrateful.\r\n\r\n<strong>How effective is the guilt trip?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking about how some charities appeal to donors by using guilt. If charities appeal to your feelings of guilt for having access to comfort and food while others starve and suffer, do you resent being manipulated? Or is it an effective way to break through the clutter and inspire action (a donation)?\r\n\r\nI am sure you remember the TV commercial for a charity that would show pictures of starving children in Africa, often focusing on their distended stomachs and the horrible conditions around them. We were told that we could ease the suffering simply by sponsoring one child for the price of a cup of coffee a day.  The underlying message was crystal clear:  you should feel guilty buying your daily coffee when that money could save a child\'s life.\r\n\r\nGuilt trips <em>are</em> effective in forcing action (after all, how many parents have used the line about starving children in Africa to get kids to finish eating their meals) but they may have negative consequences. Perhaps you stop feeling guilty once you\'ve made a donation and then never donate again. Or perhaps,  you resent being made to feel guilty and you ignore the appeal altogether.\r\n\r\nIn our age of DVRs and ad-blocking, it is especially easy to ignore commercials and charitable appeals altogether.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','3046-revision-v1','','','2015-09-21 11:54:38','2015-09-21 15:54:38','',3046,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3046-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3049,4,'2015-09-22 10:33:37','2015-09-22 14:33:37','A couple of weeks ago I went into a small local specialty store that does not get a lot of foot traffic. The store sells lots of expensive gift items, and a few lower cost items such as cards and candles. I needed to buy a greeting card and like this store\'s small but unique selection. I found what I wanted and when I went to pay the store owner, she asked me, quite pointedly, \"that\'s it?\" Then she started asking whether I wanted to look at the handcrafted candlesticks and other gift items.  Her remarks made it clear that she needed more business and that my one $3 card was not going to cut it.\r\n\r\n<strong>She was giving me a guilt trip.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you look up the term \"guilt trip\" you will come up with several psychology-based articles such as  <a href=\"v\\https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201305/7-ways-get-out-guilt-trips\" target=\"_blank\">\"7 ways to get out of guilt trips\"</a>, which define what a guilt trip is and why people use it. Basically, people use guilt trips in an effort to control behavior. Although guilt trips may reach their mark, they often cause resentment and anger toward the \"guilt tripper.\"\r\n\r\nAnd I definitely felt resentment when I left the store. On the one hand, I felt bad for the store owner and wondered how she was going to stay in business. On the other hand, I felt angry since I had specifically gone to this store to buy a special card and this woman seemed to think that it was my responsibility to spend more than a few dollars to help save her business.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is the guilt trip an effective strategy?\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking about how some charities --specifically those dealing with hunger, homelessness and disaster relief-- appeal to donors by using guilt. If charities appeal to your feelings of guilt for having access to comfort and food while others starve and suffer, do you resent being manipulated? Or is it an effective way to break through the clutter and inspire action (a donation)?\r\n\r\nI am sure you remember the TV commercial for a charity that would show pictures of starving children in Africa, often focusing on their distended stomachs and the horrible conditions around them. We were told that we could ease the suffering simply by sponsoring one child for the price of a cup of coffee a day.  The underlying message was clear:  you should feel guilty buying your daily coffee when that money could save a child\'s life.\r\n\r\n<strong>Guilt trips have consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nGuilt trips <em>are</em> effective in forcing action (after all, how many parents have used the line about starving children in Africa to get kids to finish eating their meals) but they may have negative consequences. Perhaps you <strong>stop feeling guilty</strong> once you\'ve made a donation and then never donate again. Or perhaps,  you <strong>resent</strong> being made to feel guilty and you <strong>ignore the appeal</strong> altogether. In some cases, an appeal to guilt has been so many times that the <strong>audience has become jaded</strong>.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s the alternative?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','3046-revision-v1','','','2015-09-22 10:33:37','2015-09-22 14:33:37','',3046,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3046-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3050,4,'2015-09-22 11:06:37','2015-09-22 15:06:37','A couple of weeks ago I went into a small local specialty store that does not get a lot of foot traffic. The store sells lots of expensive gift items, and a few lower cost items such as cards and candles. I needed to buy a greeting card and like this store\'s small but unique selection. I found what I wanted and when I went to pay the store owner, she asked me, quite pointedly, \"that\'s it?\" Then she started asking whether I wanted to look at the handcrafted candlesticks and other gift items.  Her remarks made it clear that she needed more business and that my one $3 card was not going to cut it.\r\n\r\n<strong>She was trying to give me a guilt trip.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you look up the term \"guilt trip\" you will come up with several psychology-based articles such as  <a href=\"v\\https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201305/7-ways-get-out-guilt-trips\" target=\"_blank\">\"7 ways to get out of guilt trips\"</a>, which define what a guilt trip is and why people use it. Basically, people use guilt trips in <em>an effort to control behavior</em>. Although guilt trips may reach their mark, they often cause resentment and anger toward the \"guilt tripper.\"\r\n\r\nAnd I definitely felt resentment when I left the store. On the one hand, I felt bad for the store owner and wondered how she was going to stay in business. On the other hand, I felt angry since I had specifically gone to this store to buy a special card and this woman seemed to think that it was my responsibility to spend more than a few dollars to help save her business.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is the guilt trip an effective strategy?\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThis got me thinking about how some charities --specifically those dealing with hunger, homelessness, and disaster relief-- use guilt as an appeal for donors. These charities generally intend to appeal to your feelings of guilt for having access to comfort and food while others, who are much less fortunate, starve and suffer.\r\n\r\nI am sure you remember the TV commercial for a children\'s charity that would show pictures of starving children in Africa, often focusing on their distended stomachs and the horrible conditions around them. We were told that we could ease the suffering simply by sponsoring one child for the price of a cup of coffee a day. The underlying message was clear:  you should feel guilty buying your daily coffee when that money could save a child\'s life.\r\n\r\nDo you feel manipulated by these type of appeals? Or is this appeal to your feelings of guilt an effective way to break through the clutter and inspire action (a donation)?\r\n\r\n<strong>Guilt trips have consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nGuilt trips <em>are</em> effective in<em> forcing</em> action (after all, how many parents have used the line about starving children in Africa to get kids to finish eating their meals) but they may have negative consequences. Perhaps you <strong>stop feeling guilty</strong> once you\'ve made a donation and then never donate again. Or perhaps,  you <strong>resent</strong> being made to feel guilty and you <strong>ignore the appeal</strong> altogether. In some cases, an appeal to guilt has been so many times that the <strong>audience has become jaded</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s the alternative?</strong>\r\n\r\nFor charities, an alternative is to emphasize how <em>helping is a benefit</em> to the donor. This way, the potential donor is not doing something out of guilt, and therefore feels good about his or her act. As a bonus, there\'s no chance that the donor will feel resentment afterward.\r\n\r\nHave you used the guilt trip as a marketing tool? Why or why not? And if yes, how did it work for you?\r\n\r\nP.S. As I was writing this post, I got an email donation appeal that started with these words (emphasis mine):\r\n<blockquote>In this moment when we are bombarded by <strong>shocking images of refugees risking their lives in search of safety</strong>, we must do all we can to help.\r\n\r\nI know this because <strong>I have seen the fear in the eyes of refugees as they describe fleeing their homes in the dark of night</strong>.\r\n\r\nI have sat with refugees as they shared their stories of being resettled in my home state of Ohio, and elsewhere in the U.S., overcoming language and cultural barriers to live their lives with freedom and security.</blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;','Guilty appeal','','inherit','open','open','','3046-revision-v1','','','2015-09-22 11:06:37','2015-09-22 15:06:37','',3046,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3046-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3052,4,'2015-09-30 14:27:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I am an avid reader who gets most of her books from the library, except when I am traveling. Before a trip, I like to pick up a paperback or two to read on the plane.\r\n\r\nMy local used bookstore (Friends of Montgomery County Libraries) happens to be awesome. It\'s large, well lit and has many recent books in great condition. And it charges about $2 per book. That\'s a bargain!\r\n\r\nWhat makes a used bookstore good? Obviously, having a wide selection is number one, but there are a few other things too:\r\n\r\n1. Make it easy to find things.\r\n\r\nCategorized: Bookstores are generally divided into categories such as Fiction, Biographies, Business, and so forth.\r\n\r\nLabeled: And those category areas should be labeled. By classifying books, readers are better able to find what they are look for.\r\n\r\nAlphabetized: Have you ever tried looking for a specific book in a bookstore that does not alphabetize its holdings? You probably didn\'t find it or gave up.\r\n\r\n2. Sort and classify correctly. Imagine looking for a biography but not finding it in the biography section because it was placed in the fiction section. This happens all the time, especially when staff is not really looking at the book or making assumptions. At my bookstore, I have found The Zookeeper\'s Wife by Diane Ackerman twice in the fiction section. It\'s not fiction. It\'s the real life story of Polish people who hid Jews from the Nazis in a zoo (very worth a read).\r\n\r\n3. Knowledgeable staff. If you are looking for a book, and don\'t know where it would be classified, a knowledgeable staff member would be able to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Lessons from a used bookstore','','draft','open','open','','','','','2015-09-30 14:27:13','2015-09-30 18:27:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3052',0,'post','',0),(3053,4,'2015-09-30 14:27:13','2015-09-30 18:27:13','I am an avid reader who gets most of her books from the library, except when I am traveling. Before a trip, I like to pick up a paperback or two to read on the plane.\r\n\r\nMy local used bookstore (Friends of Montgomery County Libraries) happens to be awesome. It\'s large, well lit and has many recent books in great condition. And it charges about $2 per book. That\'s a bargain!\r\n\r\nWhat makes a used bookstore good? Obviously, having a wide selection is number one, but there are a few other things too:\r\n\r\n1. Make it easy to find things.\r\n\r\nCategorized: Bookstores are generally divided into categories such as Fiction, Biographies, Business, and so forth.\r\n\r\nLabeled: And those category areas should be labeled. By classifying books, readers are better able to find what they are look for.\r\n\r\nAlphabetized: Have you ever tried looking for a specific book in a bookstore that does not alphabetize its holdings? You probably didn\'t find it or gave up.\r\n\r\n2. Sort and classify correctly. Imagine looking for a biography but not finding it in the biography section because it was placed in the fiction section. This happens all the time, especially when staff is not really looking at the book or making assumptions. At my bookstore, I have found The Zookeeper\'s Wife by Diane Ackerman twice in the fiction section. It\'s not fiction. It\'s the real life story of Polish people who hid Jews from the Nazis in a zoo (very worth a read).\r\n\r\n3. Knowledgeable staff. If you are looking for a book, and don\'t know where it would be classified, a knowledgeable staff member would be able to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Lessons from a used bookstore','','inherit','open','open','','3052-revision-v1','','','2015-09-30 14:27:13','2015-09-30 18:27:13','',3052,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/09/3052-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3055,4,'2015-10-05 10:15:33','2015-10-05 14:15:33','Last week, my \"new\" laptop was in the shop. Apparently, the hard drive was failing and I couldn\'t start up or use the computer in any way. I had already deployed my Plan B-- using my old laptop (which is really ancient by computer standards). Then, on Friday morning, the old laptop spontaneously decided to shut itself off.  I turned it back on, and after a couple of minutes, it turned off again. Suddenly, I had no way of sending out a document I had to send or finish the blog post I was writing (it is in the drafts, and will be published soon).\r\n\r\nNow what? I hadn\'t heard back from the repair people to let me know what was wrong with the new computer, so I didn\'t know if it could be fixed or how long it would take.\r\n\r\nWhat could I do until I got a working computer back? Develop a Plan C.\r\n\r\nWhere could I access a computer? There\'s always the computers at the library. In a pinch, that would do. But not as a real solution. First of all, you can\'t be there for unlimited hours and there\'s no privacy.\r\n\r\nThen, I decided to look up computer rentals (using my smartphone).  There are several companies that will rent you computers and AV equipment. For a daily/weekly/monthly fee they will ship you a laptop that has Microsoft Office and boom, you are back in business. It\'s not cheap, but it is certainly better than losing business because you can\'t work.\r\n\r\nKnowing the option to rent a laptop was available, I felt more in control. Then I remembered my former Plan B mini-laptop from a few years ago when I had a similar problem. I dusted it off, and started it up. It needed updates, but I was able to at least access the Internet on a bigger screen than my smartphone.\r\n\r\nBy the end of the day on Friday, the computer repair people called to let me know what was wrong. By Saturday I would have my computer back, with a new hard drive installed.\r\n\r\nThe moral of the story is simple: you must have backup plans. Not just Plan B, but Plan C and maybe even Plan D. You never know what can happen, especially with technology. A few weeks ago I told you about how Verizon cut off my cable and Internet. Plan B then was the smartphone, and Plan C was the library.\r\n\r\nHaving two computers be down at the same time has made me re-think my technology needs. Here are my new resolutions:\r\n\r\n-Find an IT person to be on call for me. For years, I had a techie friend who would help me out, but that\'s not a solid solution.\r\n\r\n-Backup files regularly. Always. For the record, I did do this, but not as conscientiously as I could.\r\n\r\n-Get another computer. You must always have a secondary option, especially if like me, you work for yourself and your work requires a computer.\r\n\r\nIt\'s going to take some time to get everything back to normal, so if I haven\'t written you back, be patient or write me again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','And on to Plan C','','publish','open','open','','and-on-to-plan-c','','','2015-10-05 10:15:33','2015-10-05 14:15:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3055',0,'post','',0),(3056,4,'2015-10-05 10:15:33','2015-10-05 14:15:33','Last week, my \"new\" laptop was in the shop. Apparently, the hard drive was failing and I couldn\'t start up or use the computer in any way. I had already deployed my Plan B-- using my old laptop (which is really ancient by computer standards). Then, on Friday morning, the old laptop spontaneously decided to shut itself off.  I turned it back on, and after a couple of minutes, it turned off again. Suddenly, I had no way of sending out a document I had to send or finish the blog post I was writing (it is in the drafts, and will be published soon).\r\n\r\nNow what? I hadn\'t heard back from the repair people to let me know what was wrong with the new computer, so I didn\'t know if it could be fixed or how long it would take.\r\n\r\nWhat could I do until I got a working computer back? Develop a Plan C.\r\n\r\nWhere could I access a computer? There\'s always the computers at the library. In a pinch, that would do. But not as a real solution. First of all, you can\'t be there for unlimited hours and there\'s no privacy.\r\n\r\nThen, I decided to look up computer rentals (using my smartphone).  There are several companies that will rent you computers and AV equipment. For a daily/weekly/monthly fee they will ship you a laptop that has Microsoft Office and boom, you are back in business. It\'s not cheap, but it is certainly better than losing business because you can\'t work.\r\n\r\nKnowing the option to rent a laptop was available, I felt more in control. Then I remembered my former Plan B mini-laptop from a few years ago when I had a similar problem. I dusted it off, and started it up. It needed updates, but I was able to at least access the Internet on a bigger screen than my smartphone.\r\n\r\nBy the end of the day on Friday, the computer repair people called to let me know what was wrong. By Saturday I would have my computer back, with a new hard drive installed.\r\n\r\nThe moral of the story is simple: you must have backup plans. Not just Plan B, but Plan C and maybe even Plan D. You never know what can happen, especially with technology. A few weeks ago I told you about how Verizon cut off my cable and Internet. Plan B then was the smartphone, and Plan C was the library.\r\n\r\nHaving two computers be down at the same time has made me re-think my technology needs. Here are my new resolutions:\r\n\r\n-Find an IT person to be on call for me. For years, I had a techie friend who would help me out, but that\'s not a solid solution.\r\n\r\n-Backup files regularly. Always. For the record, I did do this, but not as conscientiously as I could.\r\n\r\n-Get another computer. You must always have a secondary option, especially if like me, you work for yourself and your work requires a computer.\r\n\r\nIt\'s going to take some time to get everything back to normal, so if I haven\'t written you back, be patient or write me again!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','And on to Plan C','','inherit','open','open','','3055-revision-v1','','','2015-10-05 10:15:33','2015-10-05 14:15:33','',3055,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3055-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3057,4,'2015-10-08 11:07:24','2015-10-08 15:07:24','If  you haven\'t been  watching PBS\'  <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/great-british-baking-show/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great British Baking Show</a> (which is called the Great British Bake-Off in the UK, where it originates), you are missing out on one of the most charming competition shows out there. Each season begins with a baker\'s dozen contestants, who are asked during each episode to complete three tasks: a specific type of baking task  (cookies, pies, sponge cakes, etc.) , a technical challenge, and lastly, a \"signature bake.\"  Their \"bakes\" are judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who each week choose a star baker, who has distinguished him/herself that week,  while also asking one of the contestants to leave. At the end of the season, only one contestant will remain.\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiNOwKDYHzo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Focus on form AND function\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode that aired this past Sunday, the signature bake challenge was to create a beautiful tower made of biscuits. The tower had to measure around 10 inches and be creative, using different types of biscuits. Frances, who has been distinguishing herself for her creativity during the previous weeks, had a bad bake--her tower of biscuits collapsed right before the judging, prompting Mary to tell her that the \"brief\" was to build a tower and that it didn\'t matter if her biscuits were tasty or her idea creative.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s not enough to look good or to be very creative, if the communications vehicle does not fulfill its mission. We\'ve all seen beautiful websites that don\'t have the correct information or that are difficult to navigate (which is what UX/UI tries to correct). This is why overly creative ads that don\'t \"convert\" are a waste of money.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Technique and precision matter</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery episode of The Great British Baking Show has a technical challenge. The \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode required bakers to create tuiles, a delicate French cookie. A lot goes into creating tuiles--the batter must be of a certain consistency, you  have to be careful to not over or under bake them, and they are very delicate, so you must know how to handle and shape them properly.\r\n\r\n<em>The lesson for communicators is simple: you can\'t rely on creativity alone. You have to learn the craft too. And you have to be precise with what you want to achieve.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider who you\'re baking for</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the show, it\'s clear that the contestants have to win Mary and Paul\'s approval. It doesn\'t matter if the contestants have been baking for years and their families love their stuff, if Mary and Paul don\'t think it tastes good or it is not properly baked.\r\n\r\n<em>The audience matters. How sophisticated are they? What are they looking for? What will appeal to them?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. You have to bake a lot of cookies\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nBaking well takes both knowledge and practice, but especially practice. The more you bake, the more you know what works and what doesn\'t. You learn how to judge whether something is baked enough. You figure out your own shortcuts or how to switch up a recipe to make it taste right.\r\n\r\n<em>Experience matters in communications.  That\'s not to say you can\'t try new ways of doing things, but only that you can do it better if you\'ve been doing it for a while.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. You have to taste it!</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Pies\" episode, contestants were asked to bake a fruit pie. One of the contestants, Ali, found fruit pies so disgusting that he didn\'t even bother to taste the filling for his own apple pie. When tasting the pie, Paul reminded Ali that it is a must to taste your food. Ali was voted off  the show  because his pie didn\'t taste good (and he had a couple of other technical issues too).\r\n\r\n<em>Perhaps we don\'t actually taste stuff in communications, but we do have to understand what is going on with our \"ingredients\" and our \"bake.\" We have do some research to understand what our audience wants and what is important to communicate. And of course, we measure: we look at the results for a campaign or at the Google Analytics for a website.</em>\r\n\r\nDo you watch this show? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments.','5 communications lessons from The Great British Baking Show','','publish','open','open','','5-communications-lessons-from-the-great-british-baking-show','','','2015-10-08 11:07:24','2015-10-08 15:07:24','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3057',0,'post','',0),(3058,4,'2015-10-08 10:41:29','2015-10-08 14:41:29','If  you haven\'t been  watching PBS\'  <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/great-british-baking-show/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great British Baking Show</a> (which is called the Great British Bake-Off in the UK, where it originates), you are missing out on one of the most charming competition shows out there. Each season with a baker\'s dozen contestants, who are asked during each session (episode) to complete three tasks: a type of \"bake,\" a technical challenge and a signature bake.  Their \"bakes\" are judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who each week choose a star baker and also ask one of the contestants to leave.\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiNOwKDYHzo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Form and function matter...equally</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode that aired this past Sunday, the signature bake challenge was to create a beautiful tower made of biscuits. The tower had to measure around 10 inches and be creative, using different types of biscuits. Frances, who has been distinguishing herself for her creativity, had a bad bake--her tower of biscuits collapsed right before the judging, prompting Mary to tell her that the \"brief\" was to build a tower. It didn\'t matter if her biscuits were tasty or her idea creative.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not enough to look good or to be very creative, if the communications vehicle does not fulfill its mission. We\'ve all seen beautiful websites that don\'t have the correct information or that are difficult to navigate (which is what UX/UI tries to correct). This is why overly creative ads that don\'t \"convert\" are a waste of money.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Technique and precision matter</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery episode of The Great British Baking Show has a technical challenge. The \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode required bakers to create tuiles, a delicate French cookie. A lot goes into creating tuiles--the batter must be of a certain consistency, you  have to be careful to not over or under bake them, and they are very delicate, so you must know how to handle and shape them properly.\r\n\r\nThe lesson for communicators is simple: you can\'t rely on creativity alone. You have to learn the craft too. And you have to be precise with what you want to achieve.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider who you\'re baking for</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the show, it\'s clear that the contestants have to win Mary and Paul\'s approval. It doesn\'t matter if the contestants have been baking for years and their families love their stuff, if Mary and Paul don\'t think it tastes good or it is not properly baked.\r\n\r\nThe audience matters. How sophisticated are they? What are they looking for? What will appeal to them?\r\n\r\n4. It takes a lot of practice\r\n\r\nAll the bakers are','5 communications lessons from The Great British Baking Show','','inherit','open','open','','3057-revision-v1','','','2015-10-08 10:41:29','2015-10-08 14:41:29','',3057,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3059,4,'2015-10-08 10:56:40','2015-10-08 14:56:40','If  you haven\'t been  watching PBS\'  <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/great-british-baking-show/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great British Baking Show</a> (which is called the Great British Bake-Off in the UK, where it originates), you are missing out on one of the most charming competition shows out there. Each season with a baker\'s dozen contestants, who are asked during each session (episode) to complete three tasks: a type of \"bake,\" a technical challenge and a signature bake.  Their \"bakes\" are judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who each week choose a star baker and also ask one of the contestants to leave.\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiNOwKDYHzo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Form and function matter...equally</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode that aired this past Sunday, the signature bake challenge was to create a beautiful tower made of biscuits. The tower had to measure around 10 inches and be creative, using different types of biscuits. Frances, who has been distinguishing herself for her creativity, had a bad bake--her tower of biscuits collapsed right before the judging, prompting Mary to tell her that the \"brief\" was to build a tower. It didn\'t matter if her biscuits were tasty or her idea creative.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s not enough to look good or to be very creative, if the communications vehicle does not fulfill its mission. We\'ve all seen beautiful websites that don\'t have the correct information or that are difficult to navigate (which is what UX/UI tries to correct). This is why overly creative ads that don\'t \"convert\" are a waste of money.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Technique and precision matter</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery episode of The Great British Baking Show has a technical challenge. The \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode required bakers to create tuiles, a delicate French cookie. A lot goes into creating tuiles--the batter must be of a certain consistency, you  have to be careful to not over or under bake them, and they are very delicate, so you must know how to handle and shape them properly.\r\n\r\n<em>The lesson for communicators is simple: you can\'t rely on creativity alone. You have to learn the craft too. And you have to be precise with what you want to achieve.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider who you\'re baking for</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the show, it\'s clear that the contestants have to win Mary and Paul\'s approval. It doesn\'t matter if the contestants have been baking for years and their families love their stuff, if Mary and Paul don\'t think it tastes good or it is not properly baked.\r\n\r\n<em>The audience matters. How sophisticated are they? What are they looking for? What will appeal to them?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. It takes a lot of practice</strong>\r\n\r\nBaking well takes both knowledge and practice, but especially practice. The more you bake, the more you know what works and what doesn\'t. You learn how to judge whether something is baked enough. You figure out your own shortcuts or how to switch up a recipe to make it taste right.\r\n\r\n<em>Experience matters in communications.  That\'s not to say you can\'t try new ways of doing things, but only that you can do it better if you\'ve been doing it for a while.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. You have to taste it!</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Pies\" episode, contestants were asked to bake a fruit pie. One of the contestants, Ali, found fruit pies so disgusting that he didn\'t even bother to taste the filling for his own apple pie. Ali was booted from the show  because his pie tasted terrible (and he had a couple of other issues too). Paul reminded him that you MUST taste your food.\r\n\r\n<em>Perhaps we don\'t taste stuff in communications, but we have to understand what is going on with our \"ingredients\" and our \"bake.\" We have do some research to understand what our audience wants and what is important to communicate. And of course, we measure: we look at the results for a campaign or at the Google Analytics for a website.</em>\r\n\r\nDo you watch this show? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments.','5 communications lessons from The Great British Baking Show','','inherit','open','open','','3057-revision-v1','','','2015-10-08 10:56:40','2015-10-08 14:56:40','',3057,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3060,4,'2015-10-08 11:02:04','2015-10-08 15:02:04','If  you haven\'t been  watching PBS\'  <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/great-british-baking-show/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great British Baking Show</a> (which is called the Great British Bake-Off in the UK, where it originates), you are missing out on one of the most charming competition shows out there. Each season begins with a baker\'s dozen contestants, who are asked during each episode to complete three tasks: a type of \"bake,\" a technical challenge and a signature bake.  Their \"bakes\" are judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who each week choose a star baker and also ask one of the contestants to leave. At the end of the season, only one contestant will remain.\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiNOwKDYHzo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Form and function matter...equally</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode that aired this past Sunday, the signature bake challenge was to create a beautiful tower made of biscuits. The tower had to measure around 10 inches and be creative, using different types of biscuits. Frances, who has been distinguishing herself for her creativity, had a bad bake--her tower of biscuits collapsed right before the judging, prompting Mary to tell her that the \"brief\" was to build a tower. It didn\'t matter if her biscuits were tasty or her idea creative.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s not enough to look good or to be very creative, if the communications vehicle does not fulfill its mission. We\'ve all seen beautiful websites that don\'t have the correct information or that are difficult to navigate (which is what UX/UI tries to correct). This is why overly creative ads that don\'t \"convert\" are a waste of money.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Technique and precision matter</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery episode of The Great British Baking Show has a technical challenge. The \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode required bakers to create tuiles, a delicate French cookie. A lot goes into creating tuiles--the batter must be of a certain consistency, you  have to be careful to not over or under bake them, and they are very delicate, so you must know how to handle and shape them properly.\r\n\r\n<em>The lesson for communicators is simple: you can\'t rely on creativity alone. You have to learn the craft too. And you have to be precise with what you want to achieve.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider who you\'re baking for</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the show, it\'s clear that the contestants have to win Mary and Paul\'s approval. It doesn\'t matter if the contestants have been baking for years and their families love their stuff, if Mary and Paul don\'t think it tastes good or it is not properly baked.\r\n\r\n<em>The audience matters. How sophisticated are they? What are they looking for? What will appeal to them?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. It takes a lot of practice</strong>\r\n\r\nBaking well takes both knowledge and practice, but especially practice. The more you bake, the more you know what works and what doesn\'t. You learn how to judge whether something is baked enough. You figure out your own shortcuts or how to switch up a recipe to make it taste right.\r\n\r\n<em>Experience matters in communications.  That\'s not to say you can\'t try new ways of doing things, but only that you can do it better if you\'ve been doing it for a while.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. You have to taste it!</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Pies\" episode, contestants were asked to bake a fruit pie. One of the contestants, Ali, found fruit pies so disgusting that he didn\'t even bother to taste the filling for his own apple pie. When tasting the pie, Paul reminded Ali that it is a must to taste your food. Ali was voted off  the show  because his pie didn\'t taste good (and he had a couple of other technical issues too).\r\n\r\n<em>Perhaps we don\'t actually taste stuff in communications, but we do have to understand what is going on with our \"ingredients\" and our \"bake.\" We have do some research to understand what our audience wants and what is important to communicate. And of course, we measure: we look at the results for a campaign or at the Google Analytics for a website.</em>\r\n\r\nDo you watch this show? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments.','5 communications lessons from The Great British Baking Show','','inherit','open','open','','3057-revision-v1','','','2015-10-08 11:02:04','2015-10-08 15:02:04','',3057,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3061,4,'2015-10-08 11:07:24','2015-10-08 15:07:24','If  you haven\'t been  watching PBS\'  <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/great-british-baking-show/\" target=\"_blank\">The Great British Baking Show</a> (which is called the Great British Bake-Off in the UK, where it originates), you are missing out on one of the most charming competition shows out there. Each season begins with a baker\'s dozen contestants, who are asked during each episode to complete three tasks: a specific type of baking task  (cookies, pies, sponge cakes, etc.) , a technical challenge, and lastly, a \"signature bake.\"  Their \"bakes\" are judged by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who each week choose a star baker, who has distinguished him/herself that week,  while also asking one of the contestants to leave. At the end of the season, only one contestant will remain.\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiNOwKDYHzo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Focus on form AND function\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode that aired this past Sunday, the signature bake challenge was to create a beautiful tower made of biscuits. The tower had to measure around 10 inches and be creative, using different types of biscuits. Frances, who has been distinguishing herself for her creativity during the previous weeks, had a bad bake--her tower of biscuits collapsed right before the judging, prompting Mary to tell her that the \"brief\" was to build a tower and that it didn\'t matter if her biscuits were tasty or her idea creative.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s not enough to look good or to be very creative, if the communications vehicle does not fulfill its mission. We\'ve all seen beautiful websites that don\'t have the correct information or that are difficult to navigate (which is what UX/UI tries to correct). This is why overly creative ads that don\'t \"convert\" are a waste of money.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Technique and precision matter</strong>\r\n\r\nEvery episode of The Great British Baking Show has a technical challenge. The \"Biscuits and Traybakes\" episode required bakers to create tuiles, a delicate French cookie. A lot goes into creating tuiles--the batter must be of a certain consistency, you  have to be careful to not over or under bake them, and they are very delicate, so you must know how to handle and shape them properly.\r\n\r\n<em>The lesson for communicators is simple: you can\'t rely on creativity alone. You have to learn the craft too. And you have to be precise with what you want to achieve.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Consider who you\'re baking for</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the show, it\'s clear that the contestants have to win Mary and Paul\'s approval. It doesn\'t matter if the contestants have been baking for years and their families love their stuff, if Mary and Paul don\'t think it tastes good or it is not properly baked.\r\n\r\n<em>The audience matters. How sophisticated are they? What are they looking for? What will appeal to them?</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. You have to bake a lot of cookies\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nBaking well takes both knowledge and practice, but especially practice. The more you bake, the more you know what works and what doesn\'t. You learn how to judge whether something is baked enough. You figure out your own shortcuts or how to switch up a recipe to make it taste right.\r\n\r\n<em>Experience matters in communications.  That\'s not to say you can\'t try new ways of doing things, but only that you can do it better if you\'ve been doing it for a while.</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. You have to taste it!</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the \"Pies\" episode, contestants were asked to bake a fruit pie. One of the contestants, Ali, found fruit pies so disgusting that he didn\'t even bother to taste the filling for his own apple pie. When tasting the pie, Paul reminded Ali that it is a must to taste your food. Ali was voted off  the show  because his pie didn\'t taste good (and he had a couple of other technical issues too).\r\n\r\n<em>Perhaps we don\'t actually taste stuff in communications, but we do have to understand what is going on with our \"ingredients\" and our \"bake.\" We have do some research to understand what our audience wants and what is important to communicate. And of course, we measure: we look at the results for a campaign or at the Google Analytics for a website.</em>\r\n\r\nDo you watch this show? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments.','5 communications lessons from The Great British Baking Show','','inherit','open','open','','3057-revision-v1','','','2015-10-08 11:07:24','2015-10-08 15:07:24','',3057,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3063,4,'2015-10-14 11:56:33','2015-10-14 15:56:33','You\'ve seen advertising by algorithm every single time you go on Facebook. If you\'ve done an online search for anything (books, movies, clothing, etc.), you will now see a banner ad for that thing or brand. If you\'ve discussed anything with a recognizable name (politician, specific book or movie or brand) on your timeline, chances are you will see a sponsored post about that thing on your timeline. Those posts are automatically generated by algorithms.\r\n\r\nLike this one that appeared last week on my Facebook timeline:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3064\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"409\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-3064 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1-300x168.png\" alt=\"Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline\" width=\"409\" height=\"229\" /></a> Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline[/caption]\r\n\r\nI had definitely mentioned Ben Carson in my status updates. <em>In a negative way.</em> I had shared several articles about his horrible \"gun control caused the Holocaust\" comments. I couldn\'t believe that anyone, much less a person running for president, would be so stupid and so offensive.\r\n\r\nAnd then the sponsored ad popped up. Obviously the algorithm \"if that then this\" recipe says something like \"if a person mentions Ben Carson more than once in status updates, then show the support Ben Carson ad.\"\r\n\r\nBut I am the exactly wrong target. I don\'t like Ben Carson and what I have been saying about him is not supportive. This sponsored post is a #fail as they say on Twitter, and a waste of the campaign\'s money.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t let algorithms fail you!</strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic advertising has its pitfalls. But is the problem the algorithm or the person that makes the recipe for the algorithm? I suspect it\'s a bit of both.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">There are at least three steps to successful advertising by algorithm:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You have to understand how algorithms work</strong>\r\n\r\nAdvertising algorithms don\'t do nuance. They can\'t judge emotions--negative or positive. <em>They can only scan for keywords and then follow recipes.</em>\r\n\r\nPlus, each search engine or social network has its own rules. Apparently for Facebook algorithms, budgets have a lot to do with how and when your sponsored content shows up. Read<a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/the-importance-of-understanding-facebooks-algorithms-part-1/619293\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Importance of Understanding Facebook Algorithms, Part 1.\"</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You have to provide strategic guidance  </strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you launch any advertising, including online advertising, you must have a strategy in place. You need to define your target audience and be as detailed as possible. You need to define your objectives. You must understand what you want to accomplish.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. You have to measure\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd with online advertising, especially when you are relying on computer-generated algorithms, you have to measure. You want to understand your outcomes.  How did your ads do? What kinds of people clicked and did they take any other actions? (It\'s always about the metrics.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What would you add? Do you have resources to share about algorithms? What\'s been your experience with algorithms in advertising? Successful or not so much? Please let me know. And if you want to discuss your advertising or communications strategy, get in touch!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you do advertising by algorithm?','','publish','open','open','','can-you-do-advertising-by-algorithm','','','2015-10-15 11:59:21','2015-10-15 15:59:21','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3063',0,'post','',0),(3064,4,'2015-10-14 10:07:06','2015-10-14 14:07:06','','Ben Carson Ad','Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline','inherit','open','open','','screenshot-1','','','2015-10-14 10:07:46','2015-10-14 14:07:46','',3063,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3065,4,'2015-10-14 11:45:30','2015-10-14 15:45:30','You\'ve seen advertising by algorithm every single time you go on Facebook. If you\'ve done a search for anything, you will now see a banner ad for that thing or brand. If you\'ve discussed anything on your timeline, chances are you will see a sponsored post about that thing on your timeline. Those are automatically generated by algorithms.\r\n\r\nLike this:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3064\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"1024\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-3064 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1-1024x575.png\" alt=\"Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" /></a> Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline[/caption]\r\n\r\nI had definitely mentioned Ben Carson in my status updates. <em>In a negative way.</em> I had shared several articles about his horrible \"gun control caused the Holocaust\" comments. I couldn\'t believe that anyone, much less a person running for president, would be so stupid and so offensive.\r\n\r\nAnd then the sponsored ad popped up. Obviously the algorithm \"if that then this\" recipe says something like \"if a person mentions Ben Carson more than once in status updates, then show the support Ben Carson ad.\"\r\n\r\nObviously, I would not support Ben Carson\'s campaign. And this sponsored post is a waste of the campaign\'s money.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t let algorithms fail you</strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic advertising has its pitfalls.  Is the problem the algorithm or the person that makes the recipe for the algorithm? I suspect it\'s a bit of both.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">There are at least three steps to successful advertising by algorithm:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You have to understand how algorithms work</strong>\r\n\r\nAdvertising algorithms don\'t do nuance. They can\'t judge emotions--negative or positive. <em>They can only scan for keywords and then follow recipes.</em>\r\n\r\nPlus, each search engine or social network has its own rules. Apparently for Facebook algorithms, budgets have a lot to do with how and when your sponsored content shows up. Read<a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/the-importance-of-understanding-facebooks-algorithms-part-1/619293\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Importance of Understanding Facebook Algorithms, Part 1.\"</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You have to provide guidance  </strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you launch any advertising, including online advertising, you must have a strategy in place. You need to define your target audience and be as detailed as possible. You need to define your objectives. You must understand what you want to accomplish.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. You have to measure\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd with online advertising, especially when you are relying on computer-generated algorithms, you have to measure. You want to understand your outcomes.  How did your ads do? What kinds of people clicked and did they take any other actions? (It\'s always about the metrics.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What would you add? Do you have resources to share about algorithms? What\'s been your experience with algorithms in advertising? Successful or not so much? Please let me know. And if you want to discuss you advertising or communications strategy, get in touch!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you do advertising by algorithm?','','inherit','open','open','','3063-revision-v1','','','2015-10-14 11:45:30','2015-10-14 15:45:30','',3063,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3063-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3066,4,'2015-10-14 11:48:19','2015-10-14 15:48:19','You\'ve seen advertising by algorithm every single time you go on Facebook. If you\'ve done a search for anything, you will now see a banner ad for that thing or brand. If you\'ve discussed anything on your timeline, chances are you will see a sponsored post about that thing on your timeline. Those are automatically generated by algorithms.\r\n\r\nLike this:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3064\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"409\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-3064 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1-300x168.png\" alt=\"Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline\" width=\"409\" height=\"229\" /></a> Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline[/caption]\r\n\r\nI had definitely mentioned Ben Carson in my status updates. <em>In a negative way.</em> I had shared several articles about his horrible \"gun control caused the Holocaust\" comments. I couldn\'t believe that anyone, much less a person running for president, would be so stupid and so offensive.\r\n\r\nAnd then the sponsored ad popped up. Obviously the algorithm \"if that then this\" recipe says something like \"if a person mentions Ben Carson more than once in status updates, then show the support Ben Carson ad.\"\r\n\r\nObviously, I would not support Ben Carson\'s campaign. And this sponsored post is a waste of the campaign\'s money.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t let algorithms fail you</strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic advertising has its pitfalls.  Is the problem the algorithm or the person that makes the recipe for the algorithm? I suspect it\'s a bit of both.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">There are at least three steps to successful advertising by algorithm:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You have to understand how algorithms work</strong>\r\n\r\nAdvertising algorithms don\'t do nuance. They can\'t judge emotions--negative or positive. <em>They can only scan for keywords and then follow recipes.</em>\r\n\r\nPlus, each search engine or social network has its own rules. Apparently for Facebook algorithms, budgets have a lot to do with how and when your sponsored content shows up. Read<a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/the-importance-of-understanding-facebooks-algorithms-part-1/619293\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Importance of Understanding Facebook Algorithms, Part 1.\"</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You have to provide guidance  </strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you launch any advertising, including online advertising, you must have a strategy in place. You need to define your target audience and be as detailed as possible. You need to define your objectives. You must understand what you want to accomplish.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. You have to measure\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd with online advertising, especially when you are relying on computer-generated algorithms, you have to measure. You want to understand your outcomes.  How did your ads do? What kinds of people clicked and did they take any other actions? (It\'s always about the metrics.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What would you add? Do you have resources to share about algorithms? What\'s been your experience with algorithms in advertising? Successful or not so much? Please let me know. And if you want to discuss you advertising or communications strategy, get in touch!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you do advertising by algorithm?','','inherit','open','open','','3063-revision-v1','','','2015-10-14 11:48:19','2015-10-14 15:48:19','',3063,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3063-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3067,4,'2015-10-14 11:55:50','2015-10-14 15:55:50','You\'ve seen advertising by algorithm every single time you go on Facebook. If you\'ve done an online search for anything (books, movies, clothing, etc.), you will now see a banner ad for that thing or brand. If you\'ve discussed anything with a recognizable name (politician, specific book or movie or brand) on your timeline, chances are you will see a sponsored post about that thing on your timeline. Those posts are automatically generated by algorithms.\r\n\r\nLike this one that appeared last week on my Facebook timeline:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3064\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"409\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-3064 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1-300x168.png\" alt=\"Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline\" width=\"409\" height=\"229\" /></a> Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline[/caption]\r\n\r\nI had definitely mentioned Ben Carson in my status updates. <em>In a negative way.</em> I had shared several articles about his horrible \"gun control caused the Holocaust\" comments. I couldn\'t believe that anyone, much less a person running for president, would be so stupid and so offensive.\r\n\r\nAnd then the sponsored ad popped up. Obviously the algorithm \"if that then this\" recipe says something like \"if a person mentions Ben Carson more than once in status updates, then show the support Ben Carson ad.\"\r\n\r\nBut I am the exactly wrong target. I don\'t like Ben Carson and what I have been saying about him is not supportive. This sponsored post is a #fail as they say on Twitter, and a waste of the campaign\'s money.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t let algorithms fail you!</strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic advertising has its pitfalls. But is the problem the algorithm or the person that makes the recipe for the algorithm? I suspect it\'s a bit of both.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">There are at least three steps to successful advertising by algorithm:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You have to understand how algorithms work</strong>\r\n\r\nAdvertising algorithms don\'t do nuance. They can\'t judge emotions--negative or positive. <em>They can only scan for keywords and then follow recipes.</em>\r\n\r\nPlus, each search engine or social network has its own rules. Apparently for Facebook algorithms, budgets have a lot to do with how and when your sponsored content shows up. Read<a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/the-importance-of-understanding-facebooks-algorithms-part-1/619293\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Importance of Understanding Facebook Algorithms, Part 1.\"</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You have to provide strategic guidance  </strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you launch any advertising, including online advertising, you must have a strategy in place. You need to define your target audience and be as detailed as possible. You need to define your objectives. You must understand what you want to accomplish.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. You have to measure\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd with online advertising, especially when you are relying on computer-generated algorithms, you have to measure. You want to understand your outcomes.  How did your ads do? What kinds of people clicked and did they take any other actions? (It\'s always about the metrics.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What would you add? Do you have resources to share about algorithms? What\'s been your experience with algorithms in advertising? Successful or not so much? Please let me know. And if you want to discuss you advertising or communications strategy, get in touch!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you do advertising by algorithm?','','inherit','open','open','','3063-revision-v1','','','2015-10-14 11:55:50','2015-10-14 15:55:50','',3063,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3063-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3068,4,'2015-10-15 11:59:21','2015-10-15 15:59:21','You\'ve seen advertising by algorithm every single time you go on Facebook. If you\'ve done an online search for anything (books, movies, clothing, etc.), you will now see a banner ad for that thing or brand. If you\'ve discussed anything with a recognizable name (politician, specific book or movie or brand) on your timeline, chances are you will see a sponsored post about that thing on your timeline. Those posts are automatically generated by algorithms.\r\n\r\nLike this one that appeared last week on my Facebook timeline:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3064\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"409\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-3064 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screenshot-1-300x168.png\" alt=\"Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline\" width=\"409\" height=\"229\" /></a> Ben Carson sponsored ad in my Facebook timeline[/caption]\r\n\r\nI had definitely mentioned Ben Carson in my status updates. <em>In a negative way.</em> I had shared several articles about his horrible \"gun control caused the Holocaust\" comments. I couldn\'t believe that anyone, much less a person running for president, would be so stupid and so offensive.\r\n\r\nAnd then the sponsored ad popped up. Obviously the algorithm \"if that then this\" recipe says something like \"if a person mentions Ben Carson more than once in status updates, then show the support Ben Carson ad.\"\r\n\r\nBut I am the exactly wrong target. I don\'t like Ben Carson and what I have been saying about him is not supportive. This sponsored post is a #fail as they say on Twitter, and a waste of the campaign\'s money.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t let algorithms fail you!</strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic advertising has its pitfalls. But is the problem the algorithm or the person that makes the recipe for the algorithm? I suspect it\'s a bit of both.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">There are at least three steps to successful advertising by algorithm:</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. You have to understand how algorithms work</strong>\r\n\r\nAdvertising algorithms don\'t do nuance. They can\'t judge emotions--negative or positive. <em>They can only scan for keywords and then follow recipes.</em>\r\n\r\nPlus, each search engine or social network has its own rules. Apparently for Facebook algorithms, budgets have a lot to do with how and when your sponsored content shows up. Read<a href=\"http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/the-importance-of-understanding-facebooks-algorithms-part-1/619293\" target=\"_blank\"> \"The Importance of Understanding Facebook Algorithms, Part 1.\"</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. You have to provide strategic guidance  </strong>\r\n\r\nBefore you launch any advertising, including online advertising, you must have a strategy in place. You need to define your target audience and be as detailed as possible. You need to define your objectives. You must understand what you want to accomplish.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. You have to measure\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd with online advertising, especially when you are relying on computer-generated algorithms, you have to measure. You want to understand your outcomes.  How did your ads do? What kinds of people clicked and did they take any other actions? (It\'s always about the metrics.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What would you add? Do you have resources to share about algorithms? What\'s been your experience with algorithms in advertising? Successful or not so much? Please let me know. And if you want to discuss your advertising or communications strategy, get in touch!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Can you do advertising by algorithm?','','inherit','open','open','','3063-revision-v1','','','2015-10-15 11:59:21','2015-10-15 15:59:21','',3063,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3063-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3069,4,'2015-10-20 10:21:53','2015-10-20 14:21:53','','REACH-brochure-03','','inherit','open','open','','reach-brochure-03','','','2015-10-20 10:21:53','2015-10-20 14:21:53','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(3070,4,'2015-10-20 10:23:54','2015-10-20 14:23:54','<h2>International charity needs to rebrand</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International, a charitable organization that provides education, housing and other services to disadvantaged children in 24 countries, needed to increase its donor base and extend its appeal. The charity had not refreshed its materials in a long time, and the existing look and messaging did not communicate well to a new donor target.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International was using an outdated brochure and wanted to recreate both the design and the content. Dan Kohan of Sensical Design designed a new logo and the new brochure. DBMC was tasked with writing the content.\r\n\r\nAs with any new project, my first step was to have an in-depth conversation with the client. I suggested that our first step would be to create key messages and an organizational description that could be used in the brochure and all other marketing pieces (website, press releases, etc.). I provided the client with a detailed branding and identity questionnaire. From her answers and our interview, I developed the key messages (with supporting points) and a “boilerplate” organizational description. Once those were approved, I went on to write the brochure.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, REACH International has a beautiful, updated brochure that communicates the impact of the humanitarian work it does around the world.\r\n\r\nView the PDF of the new brochure: <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">REACH-brochure-03</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2015-10-20 10:23:54','2015-10-20 14:23:54','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3071,4,'2015-10-20 10:25:04','2015-10-20 14:25:04','<h2>International charity needs to rebrand</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.reach.org/\" target=\"_blank\">REACH International</a>, a charitable organization that provides education, housing and other services to disadvantaged children in 24 countries, needed to increase its donor base and extend its appeal. The charity had not refreshed its materials in a long time, and the existing look and messaging did not communicate well to a new donor target.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International was using an outdated brochure and wanted to recreate both the design and the content. Dan Kohan of Sensical Design designed a new logo and the new brochure. DBMC was tasked with writing the content.\r\n\r\nAs with any new project, my first step was to have an in-depth conversation with the client. I suggested that our first step would be to create key messages and an organizational description that could be used in the brochure and all other marketing pieces (website, press releases, etc.). I provided the client with a detailed branding and identity questionnaire. From her answers and our interview, I developed the key messages (with supporting points) and a “boilerplate” organizational description. Once those were approved, I went on to write the brochure.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, REACH International has a beautiful, updated brochure that communicates the impact of the humanitarian work it does around the world.\r\n\r\nView the PDF of the new brochure: <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">REACH-brochure-03</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2015-10-20 10:25:04','2015-10-20 14:25:04','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3072,4,'2015-10-20 10:26:25','2015-10-20 14:26:25','<h2>International charity needs to rebrand</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.reach.org/\" target=\"_blank\">REACH International</a>, a charitable organization that provides education, housing and other services to disadvantaged children in 24 countries, needed to increase its donor base and extend its appeal. The charity had not refreshed its materials in a long time, and the existing look and messaging did not communicate well to a new donor target.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nREACH International was using an outdated brochure and wanted to recreate both the design and the content. Dan Kohan of<a href=\"http://sensicaldesign.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Sensical Design</a> designed a new logo and the new brochure. DBMC was tasked with writing the content.\r\n\r\nAs with any new project, my first step was to have an in-depth conversation with the client. I suggested that our first step would be to create key messages and an organizational description that could be used in the brochure and all other marketing pieces (website, press releases, etc.). I provided the client with a detailed branding and identity questionnaire. From her answers and our interview, I developed the key messages (with supporting points) and a “boilerplate” organizational description. Once those were approved, I went on to write the brochure.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, REACH International has a beautiful, updated brochure that communicates the impact of the humanitarian work it does around the world.\r\n\r\nView the PDF of the new brochure: <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/REACH-brochure-03.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">REACH-brochure-03</a>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Nonprofit needs a website and a tagline to start up</h2>\r\n<strong>The Case</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Pebbles of Hope</strong> is a nonprofit dedicated to helping premature babies to survive and thrive. When its founder and executive director, Cheryl Chotrani, approached DBMC, the organization was just starting out and needed marketing help. Specifically, Ms. Chotrani asked me to write the website content and to create a tagline for the organization. Ms. Chotrani, who has a marketing and media background, had already created a very comprehensive creative brief outlining the key messages, the target audience, and what the desired look and feel was for the website and had already hired a designer to create the website and a logo.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Work</strong>\r\n\r\nAs with any project, the first step is getting to know the client and the issue at hand. In this case I had several in-depth interviews with Ms. Chotrani. I read through the information she provided, gathered research on preterm births and also researched other organizations doing similar work.\r\n\r\nThe second step was to clarify the goal of the website and what type of information would have to be included. Then, I created a robust website outline/navigation guide that would serve to guide the content.\r\n\r\nWith the approved outline in hand, and the information gathered from the client and other sources, I started writing the content. Client comments and changes were incorporated and a final draft was sent to the designer.\r\n\r\nConcurrently to writing the website content, I developed around fifteen tagline suggestions. Having the tagline would help set the tone and direction for the website and the organization. These suggested taglines were submitted to the client, and with her input, the final tagline was selected.\r\n\r\nThe last step was to check and proofread the finished website.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Result</strong>\r\n\r\nToday, <a href=\"http://www.pebblesofhope.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Pebbles of Hope has a beautiful and functional website</a>. On it you can see the tagline “Giving the world’s smallest babies a fighting chance.” Thanks to volunteers, the organization also has a frequently updated blog, and a social media presence. Some of the website content and the tagline are used in other marketing materials, including a brochure.','Recent Projects','','inherit','open','open','','40-revision-v1','','','2015-10-20 10:26:25','2015-10-20 14:26:25','',40,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/40-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3075,4,'2015-10-21 09:36:43','2015-10-21 13:36:43','I\'ve been blogging for years, since early 2008. That\'s almost eight years in which I have blogged here, on a personal blog, for clients, and even developed a training workshop to teach people how to blog. I love the format--it\'s generally quick and up until recently, it\'s been easy.  But lately, blogging has gotten harder and harder. It\'s a struggle to come up with one good blog post a week when in my heyday, I wrote several blog posts a week.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s going on? I can only speak for myself, but here it is:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Blogging itself is easy but coming up with relevant, meaningful posts is hard</strong>. Lately, I see lots of posts that are just crap. They recycle information or they post obvious \"tips.\" I want to create original and creative posts, and lately, I don\'t have a lot to add to the conversation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. There\'s plenty (too much?) of competition</strong>. There\'s so much to read and we have limited time. I know I scan through the headlines on my Feedly and probably only read a small percentage of articles. It feels overwhelming to try to stand out with so much out there.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. And of course, we are being told by the \"experts\" how to make our blog posts better</strong>: add images, make sure to optimize for SEO, and on and on.  In other words, put more work into it. I am a fan of writing and posting quickly, while still posting something that is grammatically correct and typo-free. I don\'t enjoy looking for images for a post, although I know why it\'s important but to me it makes the posting so much more onerous.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. There are real-world consequences.</strong> On a personal blog, all we are doing is sharing our thoughts. If people flock to it, then so much the better. On a business blog, we are doing \"content marketing.\" We are trying to help our websites and increase our business. We are establishing \"thought leadership.\" Whatever our business goals are, they can and should be measured, and they can and should impact our bottom line.\r\n\r\nThese aren\'t excuses. I will continue blogging--it\'s important. But it\'s not as easy as it used to be.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\">What about you? Are you finding that blogging is harder to get done? If so, why? And how do you counter it?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging is easy until it\'s not','','publish','open','open','','blogging-is-easy-until-its-not','','','2015-10-21 09:36:43','2015-10-21 13:36:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3075',0,'post','',0),(3076,4,'2015-10-21 09:36:43','2015-10-21 13:36:43','I\'ve been blogging for years, since early 2008. That\'s almost eight years in which I have blogged here, on a personal blog, for clients, and even developed a training workshop to teach people how to blog. I love the format--it\'s generally quick and up until recently, it\'s been easy.  But lately, blogging has gotten harder and harder. It\'s a struggle to come up with one good blog post a week when in my heyday, I wrote several blog posts a week.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s going on? I can only speak for myself, but here it is:\r\n\r\n1. <strong>Blogging itself is easy but coming up with relevant, meaningful posts is hard</strong>. Lately, I see lots of posts that are just crap. They recycle information or they post obvious \"tips.\" I want to create original and creative posts, and lately, I don\'t have a lot to add to the conversation.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. There\'s plenty (too much?) of competition</strong>. There\'s so much to read and we have limited time. I know I scan through the headlines on my Feedly and probably only read a small percentage of articles. It feels overwhelming to try to stand out with so much out there.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. And of course, we are being told by the \"experts\" how to make our blog posts better</strong>: add images, make sure to optimize for SEO, and on and on.  In other words, put more work into it. I am a fan of writing and posting quickly, while still posting something that is grammatically correct and typo-free. I don\'t enjoy looking for images for a post, although I know why it\'s important but to me it makes the posting so much more onerous.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. There are real-world consequences.</strong> On a personal blog, all we are doing is sharing our thoughts. If people flock to it, then so much the better. On a business blog, we are doing \"content marketing.\" We are trying to help our websites and increase our business. We are establishing \"thought leadership.\" Whatever our business goals are, they can and should be measured, and they can and should impact our bottom line.\r\n\r\nThese aren\'t excuses. I will continue blogging--it\'s important. But it\'s not as easy as it used to be.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800000;\">What about you? Are you finding that blogging is harder to get done? If so, why? And how do you counter it?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Blogging is easy until it\'s not','','inherit','open','open','','3075-revision-v1','','','2015-10-21 09:36:43','2015-10-21 13:36:43','',3075,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3075-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3077,4,'2015-10-27 09:35:05','2015-10-27 13:35:05','This weekend I noticed the mums in front of my house were looking a bit sad...all droopy and discolored. Apparently, they were in dire need of watering.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3079\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3079\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sad mums\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sad mums[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat do dying mums have to do with marketing communications? Let me tell you.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I bought these mums at my local farmer\'s market . I asked the farmer/vendor how long they would last. She told me that mums are hardy and should last through Thanksgiving, providing some color as the flowering annuals die.\r\n\r\nBut at the rate my mums were going, they wouldn\'t make it to Halloween. So this past Saturday during my weekly visit to the farmer\'s market I asked the vendor about the mums: Should I water them or would it be OK to wait until it rained on Sunday? She told me that I should most definitely water them as soon as I got home,<em> because mums need a lot of water. </em>\r\n\r\nWell, then. I had made the incorrect assumption that because mums are hardy plants, it meant they needed little water. If, when I bought them, she had mentioned that mums should be watered frequently, I would have done so. But she hadn\'t and this is exactly the type of information I needed to know to help my plants survive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers don\'t know what they don\'t know. Period.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nIt\'s your job as a marketing/communications person (let\'s include sales under marketing here) to make sure they have the information they need to use your product or service appropriately and get the most out of it.\r\n\r\n<strong>You are the expert...not the customer\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nCustomers  don\'t know your product or service as well as you do. You are the real-life expert on your product or service. You know what it does, how it does it and why.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask yourself this one simple question:</strong>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>What does the customer/ client have to know about my product or service?</em></p>\r\nOnce you have the answer to this question, your content marketing, copywriting, and especially your customer/client interaction, will all be easier.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need help figuring out what your customers should know about your product or service, get in touch! I can help.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does the customer have to know?','','publish','open','open','','what-does-the-customer-have-to-know','','','2015-10-27 09:35:05','2015-10-27 13:35:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3077',0,'post','',0),(3078,4,'2015-10-26 13:34:30','2015-10-26 17:34:30','This weekend I noticed the mums in front of my house were looking a bit sad...all droopy and discolored. Apparently, they were in dire need of watering.\r\n\r\nWhat do dying mums have to do with marketing communications? Let me tell you.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I bought these mums at the farmer\'s market (where I go to every Saturday). I asked the farmer/vendor how long they would last. She told me that mums are hardy and should last through Thanksgiving, andwould provide some color to as the flowering annuals die. But at the rate my mums were going, they wouldn\'t make it to Halloween. So this past Saturday at the farmer\'s market I asked the vendor about the mums. Should I water them or would it be ok to wait until it rained on Sunday. She told me that I should definitely water them as soon as I got home,<em> that mums need a lot of water. </em>\r\n\r\nWell, then.  If she had mentioned that to me when I bought them, I would have watered them more regularly. But she hadn\'t and this is exactly the type of information I needed to know. I had made the incorrect assumption that because mums are hardy plants, that meant they needed little water.\r\n\r\n<strong>You are the expert...not the customer\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nCustomers  don\'t know your product or service as well as you do. You are the real-life expert on your product or service. You know what it does, how it does it and why it does it.\r\n\r\nSo, ask yourself this one simple question:\r\n\r\n<em>What does the customer/ client have to know about my product or service?</em>\r\n\r\nOnce you have the answer to this question, your content marketing, copywriting and especially your customer/client interaction will all go much better and be more productive. Your customers will know exactly what they need to know.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers don\'t know what they don\'t know. Period. </strong> It\'s your job as a marketing/communications  person (let\'s make sure to include sales under marketing here) to make sure they have the information they need to use your product or service appropriately.\r\n\r\nIf the customer does not use your product how it is supposed to be used or doesn\'t take a necessary safety precaution or u\r\n\r\nThe consequences of not doing this are huge.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does the customer have to know?','','inherit','open','open','','3077-revision-v1','','','2015-10-26 13:34:30','2015-10-26 17:34:30','',3077,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3077-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3079,4,'2015-10-27 09:22:59','2015-10-27 13:22:59','','20151026_135130','Sad mums','inherit','open','open','','20151026_135130','','','2015-10-27 09:23:13','2015-10-27 13:23:13','',3077,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3080,4,'2015-10-27 09:30:27','2015-10-27 13:30:27','This weekend I noticed the mums in front of my house were looking a bit sad...all droopy and discolored. Apparently, they were in dire need of watering.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3079\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3079\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sad mums\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sad mums[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat do dying mums have to do with marketing communications? Let me tell you.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I bought these mums at my local farmer\'s market . I asked the farmer/vendor how long they would last. She told me that mums are hardy and should last through Thanksgiving, providing some color as the flowering annuals die.\r\n\r\nBut at the rate my mums were going, they wouldn\'t make it to Halloween. So this past Saturday during my weekly  visit to the farmer\'s market I asked the vendor about the mums: Should I water them or would it be OK to wait until it rained on Sunday? She told me that I should most definitely water them as soon as I got home,<em> because mums need a lot of water. </em>\r\n\r\nWell, then. I had made the incorrect assumption that because mums are hardy plants, it meant they needed little water. If, when I bought them, she had mentioned that mums should be watered frequently, I would have done so. But she hadn\'t and this is exactly the type of information I needed to know to help my plants survive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers don\'t know what they don\'t know. Period.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nIt\'s your job as a marketing/communications  person (let\'s include sales under marketing here) to make sure they have the information they need to use your product or service appropriately and get the most out of it.\r\n\r\n<strong>You are the expert...not the customer\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nCustomers  don\'t know your product or service as well as you do. You are the real-life expert on your product or service. You know what it does, how it does it and why.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask yourself this one simple question:</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>What does the customer/ client have to know about my product or service?</em>\r\n\r\nOnce you have the answer to this question, your content marketing, copywriting, and especially your customer/client interaction, will all be easier.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need help figuring out what your customers should know about your product or service, get in touch! I can help.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does the customer have to know?','','inherit','open','open','','3077-revision-v1','','','2015-10-27 09:30:27','2015-10-27 13:30:27','',3077,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3077-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3081,4,'2015-10-27 09:35:05','2015-10-27 13:35:05','This weekend I noticed the mums in front of my house were looking a bit sad...all droopy and discolored. Apparently, they were in dire need of watering.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3079\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3079\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151026_135130-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sad mums\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Sad mums[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat do dying mums have to do with marketing communications? Let me tell you.\r\n\r\nA couple of weeks ago, I bought these mums at my local farmer\'s market . I asked the farmer/vendor how long they would last. She told me that mums are hardy and should last through Thanksgiving, providing some color as the flowering annuals die.\r\n\r\nBut at the rate my mums were going, they wouldn\'t make it to Halloween. So this past Saturday during my weekly visit to the farmer\'s market I asked the vendor about the mums: Should I water them or would it be OK to wait until it rained on Sunday? She told me that I should most definitely water them as soon as I got home,<em> because mums need a lot of water. </em>\r\n\r\nWell, then. I had made the incorrect assumption that because mums are hardy plants, it meant they needed little water. If, when I bought them, she had mentioned that mums should be watered frequently, I would have done so. But she hadn\'t and this is exactly the type of information I needed to know to help my plants survive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Customers don\'t know what they don\'t know. Period.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nIt\'s your job as a marketing/communications person (let\'s include sales under marketing here) to make sure they have the information they need to use your product or service appropriately and get the most out of it.\r\n\r\n<strong>You are the expert...not the customer\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nCustomers  don\'t know your product or service as well as you do. You are the real-life expert on your product or service. You know what it does, how it does it and why.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask yourself this one simple question:</strong>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>What does the customer/ client have to know about my product or service?</em></p>\r\nOnce you have the answer to this question, your content marketing, copywriting, and especially your customer/client interaction, will all be easier.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need help figuring out what your customers should know about your product or service, get in touch! I can help.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does the customer have to know?','','inherit','open','open','','3077-revision-v1','','','2015-10-27 09:35:05','2015-10-27 13:35:05','',3077,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/10/3077-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3083,4,'2015-11-03 12:57:44','2015-11-03 17:57:44','This post is about a phenomenon that I\'ve noticed on Twitter (just in case you aren\'t on Twitter, I\'m letting you know now so you can stop reading).\r\n\r\nFirst of all,  here\'s a question: do you expect a thank you or other acknowledgement when you re-tweet something? I would like to know for sure (I would appreciate your thoughts, please do share them in the comments) but my gut tells me most people appreciate a thank you but don\'t expect it or need it.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there\'s been an explosion (or at least it seems so to me) in automated \'thanks for your interaction\' tweets. You\'ve probably seen the ones I mean:\r\n<blockquote><span data-reactid=\".0\">My best RTs this week came from: @xxx  @xxx <a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"thankSAll\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#thankSAll</a> Who were yours? <a href=\"https://t.co/sog7FmAmWy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">sumall.com/thankyou</a></span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">or</span></p>\r\n<span data-reactid=\".0\">Thanks to my top interactors!\r\n@xxxx @xxxx\r\n<a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"tweetjukebox\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#tweetjukebox</a></span></blockquote>\r\nI see why some people would think this is a good idea. Perhaps they were raised by parents who insisted that you must write a thank you note whenever you get a gift. Or perhaps, they think any interaction, even automated interaction, is better than no interaction.\r\n\r\nIt\'s similar to when you send a company an email outlining some concern or question you have and you then receive at automated reply thanking you for your email but not addressing your issue. You could have said that the company\'s product is killing you and the reply would still say \"thank you for your email.\"\r\n\r\nAutomated replies and automated tweets may be expedient but they are empty gestures. They have no content. They have no context. And they are basically useless in terms of creating the social media \"engagement\" everyone talks about.\r\n\r\nIf the only way you can think of interacting with others on Twitter is by automated thank yous, I respectfully suggest you get yourself off the platform immediately.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, if you absolutely, positively need to have an app send out canned tweets for you, you may not have the time or inclination to be on social media.\r\n\r\nHere are some truths about social media engagement:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>its time-consuming</li>\r\n	<li>there\'s effort involved</li>\r\n	<li>personal beats automated every day</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat do you think? Are you using these automated thank you generators? If so, what are you hoping to achieve? Are you achieving what you are hoping?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is lazy interaction better than no interaction?','','publish','open','open','','is-lazy-interaction-better-than-no-interaction','','','2015-11-03 16:51:53','2015-11-03 21:51:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3083',0,'post','',2),(3084,4,'2015-11-02 13:39:35','2015-11-02 18:39:35','This post is about Twitter.  I\'m  just letting you know so you can stop reading. in case you aren\'t on Twitter or were looking for some other type of information.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, here\'s a question: do you expect a thank you or other acknowledgement when you re-tweet something? I would like to know for sure (so would appreciate your thoughts--share them in the comments) but my gut tells me most people appreciate a thank you but don\'t expect it or need it.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there\'s been an explosion (or at least it seems so to me) in automated \'thanks for your interaction\' tweets. You\'ve probably seen the ones I mean:\r\n<blockquote><span data-reactid=\".0\">My best RTs this week came from: @xxx  @xxx <a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"thankSAll\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#thankSAll</a> Who were yours? <a href=\"https://t.co/sog7FmAmWy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">sumall.com/thankyou</a></span>\r\n\r\nor\r\n\r\n<span data-reactid=\".0\">Thanks to my top interactors!\r\n@xxxx @xxxx\r\n<a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"tweetjukebox\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#tweetjukebox</a></span></blockquote>\r\nI see why some people would think this is a good idea. Perhaps they were raised by parents who insisted that you must write a thank you note whenever you get a gift. Or perhaps, they think any interaction, even automated interaction, is better than no interaction.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is lazy interaction better than no interaction?','','inherit','open','open','','3083-revision-v1','','','2015-11-02 13:39:35','2015-11-02 18:39:35','',3083,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3083-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3085,4,'2015-11-03 12:57:44','2015-11-03 17:57:44','This post is about a phenomenon that I\'ve noticed on Twitter (I\'m  just letting you know so you can stop reading in case you aren\'t on Twitter or were looking for some other type of information).\r\n\r\nFirst of all,  here\'s a question: do you expect a thank you or other acknowledgement when you re-tweet something? I would like to know for sure (so would appreciate your thoughts--share them in the comments) but my gut tells me most people appreciate a thank you but don\'t expect it or need it.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there\'s been an explosion (or at least it seems so to me) in automated \'thanks for your interaction\' tweets. You\'ve probably seen the ones I mean:\r\n<blockquote><span data-reactid=\".0\">My best RTs this week came from: @xxx  @xxx <a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"thankSAll\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#thankSAll</a> Who were yours? <a href=\"https://t.co/sog7FmAmWy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">sumall.com/thankyou</a></span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">or</span></p>\r\n<span data-reactid=\".0\">Thanks to my top interactors!\r\n@xxxx @xxxx\r\n<a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"tweetjukebox\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#tweetjukebox</a></span></blockquote>\r\nI see why some people would think this is a good idea. Perhaps they were raised by parents who insisted that you must write a thank you note whenever you get a gift. Or perhaps, they think any interaction, even automated interaction, is better than no interaction.\r\n\r\nIt\'s similar to when you send a company an email outlining some concern or question you have and you then receive at automated reply thanking you for your email but not addressing your issue. You could have said that the company\'s product is killing you and the reply would still say \"thank you for email.\"\r\n\r\nAutomated replies and automated tweets may be expedient but they are empty gestures. They have no content. They have no context. And they are basically useless in terms of creating the social media \"engagement\" everyone talks about.\r\n\r\nIf the only way you can think of interacting with others on Twitter is by automated thank yous, I respectfully suggest you get yourself off the platform immediately.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, if you absolutely, positively need to have an app send out canned tweets for you, you may not have the time or inclination to be on social media.\r\n\r\nHere are some truths about social media engagement:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>its time-consuming</li>\r\n	<li>there\'s effort involved</li>\r\n	<li>personal beats automated every day</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat do you think? Are you using these automated thank you generators? If so, what are you hoping to achieve? Are you achieving what you are hoping?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is lazy interaction better than no interaction?','','inherit','open','open','','3083-revision-v1','','','2015-11-03 12:57:44','2015-11-03 17:57:44','',3083,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3083-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3086,4,'2015-11-03 16:51:21','2015-11-03 21:51:21','This post is about a phenomenon that I\'ve noticed on Twitter (just in case you aren\'t on Twitter, I\'m letting you know now so you can stop reading).\n\nFirst of all,  here\'s a question: do you expect a thank you or other acknowledgement when you re-tweet something? I would like to know for sure (so would appreciate your thoughts--share them in the comments) but my gut tells me most people appreciate a thank you but don\'t expect it or need it.\n\nAnd yet, there\'s been an explosion (or at least it seems so to me) in automated \'thanks for your interaction\' tweets. You\'ve probably seen the ones I mean:\n<blockquote><span data-reactid=\".0\">My best RTs this week came from: @xxx  @xxx <a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"thankSAll\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#thankSAll</a> Who were yours? <a href=\"https://t.co/sog7FmAmWy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">sumall.com/thankyou</a></span>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">or</span></p>\n<span data-reactid=\".0\">Thanks to my top interactors!\n@xxxx @xxxx\n<a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"tweetjukebox\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#tweetjukebox</a></span></blockquote>\nI see why some people would think this is a good idea. Perhaps they were raised by parents who insisted that you must write a thank you note whenever you get a gift. Or perhaps, they think any interaction, even automated interaction, is better than no interaction.\n\nIt\'s similar to when you send a company an email outlining some concern or question you have and you then receive at automated reply thanking you for your email but not addressing your issue. You could have said that the company\'s product is killing you and the reply would still say \"thank you for your email.\"\n\nAutomated replies and automated tweets may be expedient but they are empty gestures. They have no content. They have no context. And they are basically useless in terms of creating the social media \"engagement\" everyone talks about.\n\nIf the only way you can think of interacting with others on Twitter is by automated thank yous, I respectfully suggest you get yourself off the platform immediately.\n\nSimilarly, if you absolutely, positively need to have an app send out canned tweets for you, you may not have the time or inclination to be on social media.\n\nHere are some truths about social media engagement:\n<ul>\n	<li>its time-consuming</li>\n	<li>there\'s effort involved</li>\n	<li>personal beats automated every day</li>\n</ul>\nWhat do you think? Are you using these automated thank you generators? If so, what are you hoping to achieve? Are you achieving what you are hoping?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Is lazy interaction better than no interaction?','','inherit','open','open','','3083-autosave-v1','','','2015-11-03 16:51:21','2015-11-03 21:51:21','',3083,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3083-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3087,4,'2015-11-03 16:51:53','2015-11-03 21:51:53','This post is about a phenomenon that I\'ve noticed on Twitter (just in case you aren\'t on Twitter, I\'m letting you know now so you can stop reading).\r\n\r\nFirst of all,  here\'s a question: do you expect a thank you or other acknowledgement when you re-tweet something? I would like to know for sure (I would appreciate your thoughts, please do share them in the comments) but my gut tells me most people appreciate a thank you but don\'t expect it or need it.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, there\'s been an explosion (or at least it seems so to me) in automated \'thanks for your interaction\' tweets. You\'ve probably seen the ones I mean:\r\n<blockquote><span data-reactid=\".0\">My best RTs this week came from: @xxx  @xxx <a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"thankSAll\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#thankSAll</a> Who were yours? <a href=\"https://t.co/sog7FmAmWy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">sumall.com/thankyou</a></span>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">or</span></p>\r\n<span data-reactid=\".0\">Thanks to my top interactors!\r\n@xxxx @xxxx\r\n<a class=\"_quickSearchPopup hash\" title=\"tweetjukebox\" href=\"https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#\">#tweetjukebox</a></span></blockquote>\r\nI see why some people would think this is a good idea. Perhaps they were raised by parents who insisted that you must write a thank you note whenever you get a gift. Or perhaps, they think any interaction, even automated interaction, is better than no interaction.\r\n\r\nIt\'s similar to when you send a company an email outlining some concern or question you have and you then receive at automated reply thanking you for your email but not addressing your issue. You could have said that the company\'s product is killing you and the reply would still say \"thank you for your email.\"\r\n\r\nAutomated replies and automated tweets may be expedient but they are empty gestures. They have no content. They have no context. And they are basically useless in terms of creating the social media \"engagement\" everyone talks about.\r\n\r\nIf the only way you can think of interacting with others on Twitter is by automated thank yous, I respectfully suggest you get yourself off the platform immediately.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, if you absolutely, positively need to have an app send out canned tweets for you, you may not have the time or inclination to be on social media.\r\n\r\nHere are some truths about social media engagement:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>its time-consuming</li>\r\n	<li>there\'s effort involved</li>\r\n	<li>personal beats automated every day</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhat do you think? Are you using these automated thank you generators? If so, what are you hoping to achieve? Are you achieving what you are hoping?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is lazy interaction better than no interaction?','','inherit','open','open','','3083-revision-v1','','','2015-11-03 16:51:53','2015-11-03 21:51:53','',3083,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3083-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3089,4,'2015-11-10 10:40:58','2015-11-10 15:40:58','Last night, I happily attended the <a href=\"https://www.press.org/news-multimedia/videos/kalb-report-sunday-talk\" target=\"_blank\">latest Kalb Report at the National Press Club</a>. The topic was the Sunday morning public affairs shows and the guests were Chuck Todd of Meet the Press and John Dickerson of Face the Nation (and in case you didn\'t know, moderator Marvin Kalb was moderator of Meet the Press in the 80s). As is usually the case, the program was very interesting, especially to someone like me, who always watches Meet the Press or Face the Nation on Sunday and has been doing so for decades.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3090\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151109_195227.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3090\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151109_195227-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Todd and Dickerson at Kalb Report\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Chuck Todd and John Dickerson at Kalb Report, November 9, 2015[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Not paying attention</strong>\r\n\r\nBut apparently, not everybody else was as interested or at least, not everybody was giving the program their full attention. Next to me, two women were whispering to each other during most of the program. On my other side, a woman was busy on her iPhone. I wasn\'t sure what she was doing--maybe texting or maybe taking notes--but she was at it the whole time. Behind me, a gentleman kept fiddling with his camera. In front of me, two women were whispering to each other every few minutes. An official-seeming photographer (although I am not sure he was there officially) kept photographing the stage (and annoyingly, had his camera set to make clicking noises as though it were an old-fashioned camera).\r\n\r\n<strong>Distracting others</strong>\r\n\r\nEven though I was very interested in the program, I was getting distracted by what was going on around me. Other people\'s lack of attention (or perhaps, it was lack of manners) was attracting my attention!\r\n\r\n<strong>Lack of manners or short attention span?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been seeing this lack of attention a lot and in many different types of venues. Just last week, I took an email marketing class along with about 15 other people. Two women were busy whispering for a good portion of the class, while the instructor was explaining something. These women showed a complete disregard for the instructor, and also for the rest of the class. Were they just completely unaware of how distracting they were being? Were they bored? Was something else more important happening that had to be discussed right there and then? I don\'t know, but again, their rudeness (because talking while someone else is presenting is just plain rude) was distracting me.\r\n\r\nMore and more, short attention spans are making it hard for anybody or anything to retain attention for any length of time. If people watch live television, they start fiddling with their tablet or phone during the commercials. If people are at the movies, they fiddle with their phone during the trailers (and sometimes, during the movie too).\r\n\r\n<strong>A real challenge for marketers</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople seem more restless and less able to focus and that\'s a real challenge for communicators and marketers. We\'ve seen an increase in image-based marketing precisely because people are not reading text. Marketing materials must grab attention quickly and only hope to hold on to it for seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>The impact</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1. Shorter messages</span>. Marketers have to keep in mind that their messages are competing with thousands of other messages and with a shortened attention span. This means we really have to know what we are selling (or advocating), and how to distill it into as few words as possible.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2. Customization.</span> We also need to realize that people are living in little bubbles, where they choose to pay attention to only what they want to pay attention to. Mass messaging doesn\'t work anymore. People are demanding to get only what they want to get.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3. Becoming part of the discussion.</span> Messages alone don\'t do it. Now, you have to become part of the conversation. Take the REI announcement a couple weeks ago that it was closing on Black Friday \"to let associates be outside.\" Everyone got in on this conversation. REI used the hashtag #OptOutside in the announcement. Discussions on social media and mass media ensued. Brilliant!\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you noticed the drop in attention? What are you doing to counter it? Can you? Please let me know in the comments.</span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You are competing for attention with attention itself','','publish','open','open','','you-are-competing-for-attention-with-attention-itself','','','2015-11-10 10:40:58','2015-11-10 15:40:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3089',0,'post','',1),(3090,4,'2015-11-10 10:08:18','2015-11-10 15:08:18','','20151109_195227','Chuck Todd and John Dickerson at Kalb Report, November 9, 2015','inherit','open','open','','20151109_195227','','','2015-11-10 10:08:59','2015-11-10 15:08:59','',3089,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151109_195227.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3091,4,'2015-11-10 10:39:51','2015-11-10 15:39:51','Last night, I happily attended the <a href=\"https://www.press.org/news-multimedia/videos/kalb-report-sunday-talk\" target=\"_blank\">latest Kalb Report at the National Press Club</a>. The topic was the Sunday morning public affairs shows and the guests were Chuck Todd of Meet the Press and John Dickerson of Face the Nation (and in case you didn\'t know, moderator Marvin Kalb was moderator of Meet the Press in the 80s). As is usually the case, the program was very interesting, especially to someone like me, who always watches Meet the Press or Face the Nation on Sunday and has been doing so for decades.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3090\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151109_195227.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3090\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151109_195227-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Todd and Dickerson at Kalb Report\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Chuck Todd and John Dickerson at Kalb Report, November 9, 2015[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Not paying attention</strong>\r\n\r\nBut apparently, not everybody else was as interested or at least, not everybody was giving the program their full attention. Next to me, two women were whispering to each other during most of the program. On my other side, a woman was busy on her iPhone. I wasn\'t sure what she was doing--maybe texting or maybe taking notes--but she was at it the whole time. Behind me, a gentleman kept fiddling with his camera. In front of me, two women were whispering to each other every few minutes. An official-seeming photographer (although I am not sure he was there officially) kept photographing the stage (and annoyingly, had his camera set to make clicking noises as though it were an old-fashioned camera).\r\n\r\n<strong>Distracting others</strong>\r\n\r\nEven though I was very interested in the program, I was getting distracted by what was going on around me. Other people\'s lack of attention (or perhaps, it was lack of manners) was attracting my attention!\r\n\r\n<strong>Lack of manners or short attention span?</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been seeing this lack of attention a lot and in many different types of venues. Just last week, I took an email marketing class along with about 15 other people. Two women were busy whispering for a good portion of the class, while the instructor was explaining something. These women showed a complete disregard for the instructor, and also for the rest of the class. Were they just completely unaware of how distracting they were being? Were they bored? Was something else more important happening that had to be discussed right there and then? I don\'t know, but again, their rudeness (because talking while someone else is presenting is just plain rude) was distracting me.\r\n\r\nMore and more, short attention spans are making it hard for anybody or anything to retain attention for any length of time. If people watch live television, they start fiddling with their tablet or phone during the commercials. If people are at the movies, they fiddle with their phone during the trailers (and sometimes, during the movie too).\r\n\r\n<strong>A real challenge for marketers</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople seem more restless and less able to focus and that\'s a real challenge for communicators and marketers. We\'ve seen an increase in image-based marketing precisely because people are not reading text. Marketing materials must grab attention quickly and only hope to hold on to it for seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>The impact</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1. Shorter messages</span>. Marketers have to keep in mind that their messages are competing with thousands of other messages and with a shortened attention span. This means we really have to know what we are selling (or advocating), and how to distill it into as few words as possible.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2. Customization.</span> We also need to realize that people are living in little bubbles, where they choose to pay attention to only what they want to pay attention to. Mass messaging doesn\'t work anymore. People are demanding to get only what they want to get.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">3. Becoming part of the discussion.</span> Messages alone don\'t do it. Now, you have to become part of the conversation. Take the REI announcement a couple weeks ago that it was closing on Black Friday \"to let associates be outside.\" Everyone got in on this conversation. REI used the hashtag #OptOutside in the announcement. Discussions on social media and mass media ensued. Brilliant!\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you noticed the drop in attention? What are you doing to counter it? Can you? Please let me know in the comments.</span> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You are competing for attention with attention itself','','inherit','open','open','','3089-revision-v1','','','2015-11-10 10:39:51','2015-11-10 15:39:51','',3089,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3089-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3092,4,'2015-11-17 10:44:42','2015-11-17 15:44:42','You\'ve heard of <a href=\"https://www.georgetowncupcake.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Georgetown Cupcake</a>, right? In case you haven\'t (seriously?), the company started in a small space in Georgetown back in 2008 and has now expanded to six locations, including stores in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Atlanta, plus a thriving mail order business. The founders--sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis Lamontagne--even starred in a reality TV show for TLC called \"DC Cupcake.\"\r\n\r\nBut getting to a point where Georgetown Cupcake sells 25,000 cupcakes a day on average did not happen overnight. It took a lot of hard work. Katherine and Sophie shared how they did it at the Inc. Magazine/Capital One Founders Forum last week in Washington, DC, which I attended (it was free and yes, they served cupcakes).\r\n\r\nThe Georgetown Cupcake ladies shared a lot of information about what it really takes to get a business off the ground (working all hours, every day, and incurring a lot of debt for starters). Their success seems to be tied to how hands-on they are and how personal their motivation is (they learned to make cakes from the grandmother and wanted to recreate that).\r\n\r\nThey also shared some very interesting marketing insights. From my notes, following are  six marketing and communications takeaways:\r\n\r\n<strong>Use data to drive your business processes and collect data wherever you can</strong>\r\n\r\nEveryone keeps talking about metrics and analytics. Well, here\'s why: data can fuel your bottom line. In Georgetown Cupcake\'s case, they used shipping data to choose the locations where they have opened stores. The sisters say you need to ask yourself what information you need, and then collect it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Prove your business model and have a good product before getting marketing help</strong>\r\n\r\nYou have to have something people want to buy before you market it. The sisters got great publicity early on because lines were forming out the door at the first (and at the time, only) Georgetown location. They were able to get stories in the <em>New York Times</em> and the<em> Washington Post</em> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">without</span> public relations assistance.\r\n\r\n<strong>Word of mouth is the best advertising</strong>\r\n\r\nYou haven\'t seen ads for Georgetown Cupcake because they don\'t advertise. Instead, they rely on word of mouth. Which is how they got those lines out the door in the first place. Which is what led to the major newspaper coverage. Which is what led to the TV show. Which has led to their success.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use social media (and do it well)</strong>\r\n\r\nFrom the start, Georgetown Cupcake has been on social media. First they had a Facebook page, then Twitter, and now Instagram and Pinterest. One of their early social media innovations was to announce a special flavor of the day which you could mention at the store to get a free cupcake. They are still doing it--in fact, I just checked and today\'s free flavor is Apple Caramel. Why this works is that it gives people a tangible reason to follow, giving them \"inside\" knowledge. Katherine says she PERSONALLY handles their Twitter feed, which has 101,000 followers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Stay true to your brand experience and mission</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was important to the sisters that each new store reflect exactly the brand experience that the first store embodied. They wanted customers to feel a certain way when they walked through the doors, whether in New York or Atlanta. Because brand experience is not easy to replicate, the sisters are not rushing to expand nationwide (although you can order the cupcakes to be shipped anywhere in the U.S.).\r\n\r\n<strong>Focus on employee communications</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause the sisters cannot be at all the locations every day, they keep in touch with their employees constantly. They have a weekly internal newsletter, and they email each store several times a day. All employees are trained to understand the company\'s mission.\r\n\r\nIn a world where cupcakes chains have come and gone, it is interesting to see that Georgetown Cupcake is still doing well. Perhaps it\'s because the sisters are so involved and committed to their business. In any case, it was fascinating to hear them talk about their business.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to sell 1000s of cupcakes','','publish','open','open','','how-to-sell-1000s-of-cupcakes','','','2015-11-17 10:44:42','2015-11-17 15:44:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3092',0,'post','',0),(3117,4,'2015-12-31 09:36:46','2015-12-31 14:36:46','I don\'t know what happened to 2015. It started with such potential, all shiny and bright (and cold here in the Washington, DC area). And it went downhill fast.\r\n\r\nHere are  six \"trends\" that were everywhere in 2015 and that I hope we don\'t see in the coming year:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Overuse of emojis and gifs</strong> (they are especially egregious in professional communications). Oxford Dictionary even chose an emoji as \"word\" of the year. Enough said.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Multiple emails asking for money, </strong>especially on New Year\'s Eve (today alone I have already deleted at least a dozen) from organizations that have already sent multiple emails at Thanksgiving, on Giving Tuesday, before Christmas, after Christmas. If I wanted to give, I would have already.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. And speaking of email, too many were <strong>not responsive/mobile-friendly</strong>. This wasn\'t good in 2015 and it certainly won\'t fly in 2016. Most people read email on their smartphones or tablets. Deal with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4</strong>.<strong> Auto-video/audio on websites</strong>. This year I felt that every website I went on had a (loud, obnoxious) video pop-up. Having the video or audio auto-play ensures I will click out of your website really fast.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Over-capitalization.</strong> In American English, we have simple rules for capitalizing words: we use capitals to start a sentence and in proper names. We don\'t capitalize to show something is important, even if it sounds important (e.g., \"we elect a president every four years\" not \"we elect a President every four years\"). And unlike Germans, we don\'t capitalize every single noun.\r\n\r\nAnd last, but not least:\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Obsessive news coverage and its partner, endless speculating.</strong> It didn\'t start this year, and probably won\'t end this year, but we saw too many examples of obsessive coverage of selected news stories this year. Going all out on one news story, like the Paris bombings, sending every reporter and anchor to the scene, and then providing all sorts of baseless \"analysis\" does not qualify as actual journalism. It does not clarify the story. Instead, it gives rise to fear and uncertainty. This is what\'s given rise to blowhard politicians such as the millionaire real estate developer who will say the most outrageous things because he knows it will attract attention and speculation.\r\n\r\nWhat trends got your goat in 2015? Share them in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s hope for a better 2016. Happy New Year everybody!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Six trends I don\'t want to see in 2016','','publish','open','open','','six-bad-2015-trends','','','2015-12-31 09:36:46','2015-12-31 14:36:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3117',0,'post','',0),(3095,4,'2015-11-18 14:14:44','2015-11-18 19:14:44','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2015-11-18 14:14:44','2015-11-18 19:14:44','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3102,4,'2015-12-08 12:53:51','2015-12-08 17:53:51','Back in October I pledged to myself to complete National Novel Writing Month or <a href=\"http://nanowrimo.org/\" target=\"_blank\">NaNoWriMo</a>. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an annual event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during November. People self-monitor and track their word count on the NaNoWriMo website. Once the “novel” is done, you upload the document for “validation.” And if you indeed wrote the 50K words, then you are labeled a “winner.” Although you can order a winner t-shirt (and pay for it), there are no prizes. The only reward you get is self-satisfaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>Try, try again?</strong>\r\n\r\nI had tried to complete NaNoWriMo once before, and only got to about 9,000 words. This time, I made it all the way to 20,000. I wasn’t even half-way through and I only had about 10 days left. The website helpfully reminded me that to complete the “novel,” I would have to write at least 3,000 words a day or, if I stayed at the pace I was going, I would finish sometime at the end of December or early January. It was then that I realized that I simply didn’t have it in me.\r\n\r\nThe “novel” I was writing was not compelling. I did not have a sense of how to keep the plot (such as it was) moving forward. And here’s the thing: Novels are not a bunch of words strung together to beat the clock.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s a novel, really?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, the word novel has two meanings. As an adjective, novel means new and fresh. As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines novel as “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.” If we put both definitions together, a novel should be a new, fresh, and long narrative or story.\r\n\r\n<strong>Writing is a discipline</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the good thing about NaNoWriMo: If you develop the discipline to write every day, and if you work toward a clearly defined goal, you will get somewhere with your writing. In other words, you become a writer if you write consistently.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is writing is more than that</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand: A successful writer has to communicate something specific and has to do it clearly. Just hitting a word count does not make you a writer (certainly not a good writer). It makes you someone who has placed a certain number of words on paper (screen).\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to tell a story</strong>\r\n\r\nFor me, the big lesson of NaNoWriMo is that writing is not enough. You have to have a story to tell. There’s got to be more than words on a page.\r\n\r\nI have always been an avid fiction reader. And doing the NaNoWriMo experiment gave me much more appreciation and respect for published writers. Writing 50,000 words is hard. Writing 50,000 words (or more) that actually are interesting, make sense, and share a story is immeasurably harder.\r\n\r\nHave you tried NaNoWriMo? If so, what are your lessons learned? Did you write something that was published?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One invaluable writing lesson','','publish','open','open','','one-invaluable-writing-lesson','','','2015-12-23 12:52:29','2015-12-23 17:52:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3102',0,'post','',0),(3097,4,'2015-11-24 10:29:28','2015-11-24 15:29:28','During this season, and especially during Thanksgiving week, we see a lot of talk of gratitude. At least one DC-area TV channel is asking people to post what they are grateful for (and hashtag it, of course).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124_101824.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3098\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124_101824-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Thank you card\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Those that do</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been getting several email thank you notes—from airlines, rewards programs and organizations that I have supported in the past. It’s nice to get an email that is simply expressing thanks and not trying to sell or promote or convince.\r\n\r\nAnd every end of year, I get a couple “Season’s Greetings and Thank You for your Business” holiday cards in the mail. I generally get one from my accountant and one from a company that painted the exterior of my house three years ago. I get so few actual printed holiday cards, especially from vendors, that I really notice them.\r\n\r\n<strong>And those that don\'t</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, I don’t get anything from the painting company that painted the interior of my house, or from the company that installed the hardwood floors in my house (a much bigger job than the house painting) or from the company with which I had a multi-year service contract.\r\n\r\nPerhaps these companies don’t send any thank yous at all. Or perhaps they don’t value my patronage.\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about this because I just had a new HVAC unit installed. It is the largest purchase I have made this year, and it was a hard decision to make. The company that sold and installed the unit was very professional. The salesperson followed up and answered a ton of my questions and concerns. The installers were on time and worked diligently, leaving everything clean and tidy. All the paperwork was in order.\r\n\r\nBut a week later, I have not heard a word from this company. No follow up to see how the system is working, no inquiry about my experience with the installation, and most surprisingly, no thank you for buying the product/service.\r\n\r\n<strong>Polite, and meeting expectations</strong>\r\n\r\nWe don’t expect thank you notes from the grocery store (even though we probably spend money there more consistently and frequently than almost anywhere else) or for the vast number of regular transactions we all make during the year. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But when we buy something big—a car, a house, a time share—we do expect a thank you.</span>\r\n\r\nWriting (or emailing) thank you notes is what polite people do when they’ve received a gift. And it is what companies should do when you’ve made a big purchase or done business with them. Because so few companies do it, sending a thank you is what differentiates them. It also shows, in a tangible way, that a company values your patronage. It’s a marketing win.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you send thank you notes to your customers or clients? If not, why not? If so, how do you do it--electronically or with a printed card?</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>And with that, let me say thank you for reading this post, and this blog. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why giving thanks is a marketing win','','publish','open','open','','why-giving-thanks-is-a-marketing-win','','','2015-11-24 10:29:42','2015-11-24 15:29:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3097',0,'post','',0),(3098,4,'2015-11-24 10:26:03','2015-11-24 15:26:03','Thank you card','20151124_101824','','inherit','open','open','','20151124_101824','','','2015-11-24 10:26:20','2015-11-24 15:26:20','',3097,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124_101824.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3099,4,'2015-11-24 10:27:54','2015-11-24 15:27:54','During this season, and especially during Thanksgiving week, we see a lot of talk of gratitude. At least one DC-area TV channel is asking people to post what they are grateful for (and hashtag it, of course).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124_101824.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3098\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124_101824-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Thank you card\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Those that do</strong>\r\n\r\nI have been getting several email thank you notes—from airlines, rewards programs and organizations that I have supported in the past. It’s nice to get an email that is simply expressing thanks and not trying to sell or promote or convince.\r\n\r\nAnd every end of year, I get a couple “Season’s Greetings and Thank You for your Business” holiday cards in the mail. I generally get one from my accountant and one from a company that painted the exterior of my house three years ago. I get so few actual printed holiday cards, especially from vendors, that I really notice them.\r\n\r\n<strong>And those that don\'t</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, I don’t get anything from the painting company that painted the interior of my house, or from the company that installed the hardwood floors in my house (a much bigger job than the house painting) or from the company with which I had a multi-year service contract.\r\n\r\nPerhaps these companies don’t send any thank yous at all. Or perhaps they don’t value my patronage.\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about this because I just had a new HVAC unit installed. It is the largest purchase I have made this year, and it was a hard decision to make. The company that sold and installed the unit was very professional. The salesperson followed up and answered a ton of my questions and concerns. The installers were on time and worked diligently, leaving everything clean and tidy. All the paperwork was in order.\r\n\r\nBut a week later, I have not heard a word from this company. No follow up to see how the system is working, no inquiry about my experience with the installation, and most surprisingly, no thank you for buying the product/service.\r\n\r\n<strong>Polite, and meeting expectations</strong>\r\n\r\nWe don’t expect thank you notes from the grocery store (even though we probably spend money there more consistently and frequently than almost anywhere else) or for the vast number of regular transactions we all make during the year. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But when we buy something big—a car, a house, a time share—we do expect a thank you.</span>\r\n\r\nWriting (or emailing) thank you notes is what polite people do when they’ve received a gift. And it is what companies should do when you’ve made a big purchase or done business with them. Because so few companies do it, sending a thank you is what differentiates them. It also shows, in a tangible way, that a company values your patronage. It’s a marketing win.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you send thank you notes to your customers or clients? If not, why not? If so, how do you do it--electronically or with a printed card?</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>And with that, let me say thank you for reading this post, and this blog. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why giving thanks is a marketing win','','inherit','open','open','','3097-revision-v1','','','2015-11-24 10:27:54','2015-11-24 15:27:54','',3097,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/11/3097-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3103,4,'2015-12-08 12:52:55','2015-12-08 17:52:55','Back in October I pledged to myself to complete National Novel Writing Month or <a href=\"http://nanowrimo.org/\" target=\"_blank\">NaNoWriMo</a>. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an annual event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during November. People self-monitor and track their word count on the NaNoWriMo website. Once the “novel” is done, you upload the document for “validation.” And if you indeed wrote the 50K words, then you are labeled a “winner.” Although you can order a winner t-shirt (and pay for it), there are no prizes. The only reward you get is self-satisfaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>Try, try again?</strong>\r\n\r\nI had tried to complete NaNoWriMo once before, and only got to about 9,000 words. This time, I made it all the way to 20,000. I wasn’t even half-way through and I only had about 10 days left. The website helpfully reminded me that to complete the “novel,” I would have to write at least 3,000 words a day or, if I stayed at the pace I was going, I would finish sometime at the end of December or early January. It was then that I realized that I simply didn’t have it in me.\r\n\r\nThe “novel” I was writing was not compelling. I did not have a sense of how to keep the plot (such as it was) moving forward. Andn here’s the thing: Novels are not a bunch of words strung together to beat the clock.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s a novel, really?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, the word novel has two meanings. As an adjective, novel means new and fresh. As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines novel as “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.” If we put both definitions together, a novel should be a new, fresh and long narrative or story.\r\n\r\n<strong>Writing is a discipline</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the good thing about NaNoWriMo: If you develop the discipline to write every day, and if you work toward a clearly defined goal, you will get somewhere with your writing. In other words, you become a writer if you write consistently.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is writing is more than that</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand: A successful writer has to communicate something specific and has to do it clearly. Just hitting a word count does not make you a writer (certainly not a good writer). It makes you someone who has placed a certain number of words on paper (screen).\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to tell a story</strong>\r\n\r\nFor me, the big lesson of NaNoWriMo is that writing is not enough. You have to have a story to tell. There’s got to be more than words on a page.\r\n\r\nI have always been an avid fiction reader. And doing the NaNoWriMo experiment gave me much more appreciation and respect for published writers. Writing 50,000 words is hard. Writing 50,000 words (or more) that actually are interesting, make sense and share a story is immeasurably harder.\r\n\r\nHave you tried NaNoWriMo? If so, what are your lessons learned? Did you write something that was published?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One invaluable writing lesson','','inherit','open','open','','3102-revision-v1','','','2015-12-08 12:52:55','2015-12-08 17:52:55','',3102,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3102-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3104,4,'2015-12-08 12:53:51','2015-12-08 17:53:51','Back in October I pledged to myself to complete National Novel Writing Month or <a href=\"http://nanowrimo.org/\" target=\"_blank\">NaNoWriMo</a>. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an annual event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during November. People self-monitor and track their word count on the NaNoWriMo website. Once the “novel” is done, you upload the document for “validation.” And if you indeed wrote the 50K words, then you are labeled a “winner.” Although you can order a winner t-shirt (and pay for it), there are no prizes. The only reward you get is self-satisfaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>Try, try again?</strong>\r\n\r\nI had tried to complete NaNoWriMo once before, and only got to about 9,000 words. This time, I made it all the way to 20,000. I wasn’t even half-way through and I only had about 10 days left. The website helpfully reminded me that to complete the “novel,” I would have to write at least 3,000 words a day or, if I stayed at the pace I was going, I would finish sometime at the end of December or early January. It was then that I realized that I simply didn’t have it in me.\r\n\r\nThe “novel” I was writing was not compelling. I did not have a sense of how to keep the plot (such as it was) moving forward. Andn here’s the thing: Novels are not a bunch of words strung together to beat the clock.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s a novel, really?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, the word novel has two meanings. As an adjective, novel means new and fresh. As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines novel as “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.” If we put both definitions together, a novel should be a new, fresh and long narrative or story.\r\n\r\n<strong>Writing is a discipline</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the good thing about NaNoWriMo: If you develop the discipline to write every day, and if you work toward a clearly defined goal, you will get somewhere with your writing. In other words, you become a writer if you write consistently.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is writing is more than that</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand: A successful writer has to communicate something specific and has to do it clearly. Just hitting a word count does not make you a writer (certainly not a good writer). It makes you someone who has placed a certain number of words on paper (screen).\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to tell a story</strong>\r\n\r\nFor me, the big lesson of NaNoWriMo is that writing is not enough. You have to have a story to tell. There’s got to be more than words on a page.\r\n\r\nI have always been an avid fiction reader. And doing the NaNoWriMo experiment gave me much more appreciation and respect for published writers. Writing 50,000 words is hard. Writing 50,000 words (or more) that actually are interesting, make sense, and share a story is immeasurably harder.\r\n\r\nHave you tried NaNoWriMo? If so, what are your lessons learned? Did you write something that was published?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One invaluable writing lesson','','inherit','open','open','','3102-revision-v1','','','2015-12-08 12:53:51','2015-12-08 17:53:51','',3102,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3102-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3106,4,'2015-12-16 10:30:29','2015-12-16 15:30:29','<strong>I needed pizza and water STAT</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I was enjoying one perfect sunny day on the beach in Hollywood, Florida (it rained a lot in South Florida last week!). After going for a run along the boardwalk, I stopped into a pizza shop to get a bottle of water and a slice of pizza for lunch. There was an older man milling about waiting but nobody seemed to be at the counter. Finally, a guy appeared at the other end of the counter. I signaled him. He ignored me. I said \"excuse me\" and he ignored me. Then I said \"Could we get some service down here?\" and he said something like this: \"in a moment, I am taking care of something else.\"\r\n\r\nWhat else could be more important to him than paying customers who wanted to buy something? Apparently, anything was more important. Right after that, this guy picked up something and went outside to put it in storage or something. He was not helping other customers and he was avoiding helping me.\r\n\r\nLuckily for me, there are several pizza joints along the Hollywood boardwalk, and so I walked out of this one and on to next one. There, I was served a slice of pizza and a bottle of water in a flash, and with a smile.\r\n\r\n<strong>We all have tasks galore</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: we all have things to do. We all have endless lists of tasks to do daily, weekly and even monthly.  Since we have limited hours every day, we prioritize those tasks. For example, if you need to invoice your customers, that task comes before choosing sandwiches for the holiday party. Perhaps party planning is more fun, but invoicing brings in the money that will pay for the party.\r\n\r\nIf we want to stay in business, we need to prioritize our <em>current</em> clients and customers. We need to prioritize the work that pays, and the people that pay us. And yet, we see businesses who are so busy chasing potential customers that they ignore current ones.\r\n\r\n<strong>Losing sales</strong>\r\n\r\nOr worse, we see salespeople who are too busy with tasks (to put it kindly) to focus on the potential sales that are right in their store. That scenario happened to me a few weeks ago when I was shopping for some furniture. I walked into a mega furniture store whose name rhymes with Carlo, and <em>nobody</em> approached me. There were plenty of salespeople around but none of them even greeted me. Then I went up to a salesperson who was busy not doing anything and asked her where I could find medium sized media cabinets (I described a very specific need). She shrugged. She didn\'t seem know but what was worse is that she didn\'t seem care to help me. Do you think I bought anything at that store? Do you think I am ever going back there again?\r\n\r\nIn the pizza place scenario, there was absolutely no reason that guy behind the counter couldn\'t have come over or sent someone to take my order right away. What he \"had\" to do could wait an extra two minutes, but as a thirsty, hungry customer, I couldn\'t wait.  That pizza place lost my business, not only on that day, but at any other time I happen to be in Hollywood Beach and have a hankering for pizza.\r\n\r\n<strong>Priorities, priorities</strong>\r\n\r\nCurrent business pays us now. And if we do a good job, it continues to pay in the future. Potential business must also be cultivated so we can continue to grow, but not at the expense of our current customers.\r\n\r\nIn the end, it\'s all about priorities.\r\n\r\n<strong>What are your business priorities? How do you communicate to your customers or clients that they are important to you?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to alienate customers and lose business forever','','publish','open','open','','how-to-alienate-customers','','','2015-12-16 10:30:29','2015-12-16 15:30:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3106',0,'post','',0),(3107,4,'2015-12-15 15:54:02','2015-12-15 20:54:02','Last week, I was enjoying one sunny day on the beach in Hollywood, Florida (it rained a lot in South Florida last week!). After going for a run along the boardwalk, I stopped into a pizza shop to get water and a slice of pizza for lunch. There was a guy waiting and nobody seemed to be at the counter. Finally, a guy appeared at the other end of the counter. I signaled him. He ignored. I said \"excuse me\" and he ignored me. I said \"could we get some service down here\" and he said \"in a moment, I am taking care of something else.\"\r\n\r\nWhat else could be more important that potential customers? Well, not much. He picked up something and went outside to put it in storage or something. He was not helping other customers or making pizza.\r\n\r\nLuckily for me, there are several pizza joints along the Hollywood boardwalk, and so I walked out of this one and on to next one. There, I was served a slice of pizza and a bottle of water in a flash, and with a smile.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: we all have things to do. We all have endless lists of tasks to do daily, weekly, monthly and so on. Since we have limited hours every day, we prioritize those tasks. For example, if you need to invoice your customers, that task comes before choosing sandwiches for the holiday party .Perhaps party planning is more fun, but invoicing brings in the money that will pay for the party.\r\n\r\nIf we want to stay in business, paying customers should come first.\r\n\r\nIn the pizza place scenario, there was absolutely no reason that guy behind the counter couldn\'t have come over or sent someone to take my order right away. What he had to do could wait an extra two minutes, but as a thirsty, hungry customer, I couldn\'t wait. And didn\'t have to. The pizza place lost my business, not only on that day, but any other time I happen to be in Hollywood Beach and have a hankering for pizza.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','3106-revision-v1','','','2015-12-15 15:54:02','2015-12-15 20:54:02','',3106,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3106-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3108,4,'2015-12-16 10:26:48','2015-12-16 15:26:48','<strong>I needed pizza and water STAT</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I was enjoying one perfect sunny day on the beach in Hollywood, Florida (it rained a lot in South Florida last week!). After going for a run along the boardwalk, I stopped into a pizza shop to get a bottle of water and a slice of pizza for lunch. There was an older man milling about waiting but nobody seemed to be at the counter. Finally, a guy appeared at the other end of the counter. I signaled him. He ignored me. I said \"excuse me\" and he ignored me. Then I said \"Could we get some service down here?\" and he said something like \"in a moment, I am taking care of something else.\"\r\n\r\nWhat else could be more important to him than paying customers who wanted to buy something? Apparently, anything was more important. Right after that, this guy picked up something and went outside to put it in storage or something. He was not helping other customers and he was avoiding helping me.\r\n\r\nLuckily for me, there are several pizza joints along the Hollywood boardwalk, and so I walked out of this one and on to next one. There, I was served a slice of pizza and a bottle of water in a flash, and with a smile.\r\n\r\n<strong>We all have tasks galore</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: we all have things to do. We all have endless lists of tasks to do daily, weekly and even monthly.  Since we have limited hours every day, we prioritize those tasks. For example, if you need to invoice your customers, that task comes before choosing sandwiches for the holiday party. Perhaps party planning is more fun, but invoicing brings in the money that will pay for the party.\r\n\r\nIf we want to stay in business, we need to prioritize our <em>current</em> clients and customers. We need to prioritize the work that pays, and the people that pay us. And yet, we see businesses who are so busy chasing potential customers that they ignore current ones.\r\n\r\n<strong>Losing sales</strong>\r\n\r\nOr worse, we see salespeople who are too busy with tasks (to put it kindly) to focus on the potential sales that are right in their store. That scenario happened to me a few weeks ago when I was shopping for some furniture. I walked into a mega furniture store whose name rhymes with Carlo, and <em>nobody</em> approached me. There were plenty of salespeople around but none of them even greeted me. Then I found someone and asked her where I could find medium sized media cabinets (I described a very specific need). She shrugged. She didn\'t seem know but what was worse is that she didn\'t seem care to help me. Do you think I bought anything at that store? Do you think I am ever going back there again?\r\n\r\nIn the pizza place scenario, there was absolutely no reason that guy behind the counter couldn\'t have come over or sent someone to take my order right away. What he \"had\" to do could wait an extra two minutes, but as a thirsty, hungry customer, I couldn\'t wait.  That pizza place lost my business, not only on that day, but at any other time I happen to be in Hollywood Beach and have a hankering for pizza.\r\n\r\n<strong>Priorities, priorities</strong>\r\n\r\nCurrent business pays us now. And if we do a good job, it continues to pay in the future. Potential business must also be cultivated so we can continue to grow, but not at the expense of our current customers.\r\n\r\nIn the end, it\'s all about priorities.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to alienate customers and lose business forever','','inherit','open','open','','3106-revision-v1','','','2015-12-16 10:26:48','2015-12-16 15:26:48','',3106,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3106-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3109,4,'2015-12-16 10:30:29','2015-12-16 15:30:29','<strong>I needed pizza and water STAT</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I was enjoying one perfect sunny day on the beach in Hollywood, Florida (it rained a lot in South Florida last week!). After going for a run along the boardwalk, I stopped into a pizza shop to get a bottle of water and a slice of pizza for lunch. There was an older man milling about waiting but nobody seemed to be at the counter. Finally, a guy appeared at the other end of the counter. I signaled him. He ignored me. I said \"excuse me\" and he ignored me. Then I said \"Could we get some service down here?\" and he said something like this: \"in a moment, I am taking care of something else.\"\r\n\r\nWhat else could be more important to him than paying customers who wanted to buy something? Apparently, anything was more important. Right after that, this guy picked up something and went outside to put it in storage or something. He was not helping other customers and he was avoiding helping me.\r\n\r\nLuckily for me, there are several pizza joints along the Hollywood boardwalk, and so I walked out of this one and on to next one. There, I was served a slice of pizza and a bottle of water in a flash, and with a smile.\r\n\r\n<strong>We all have tasks galore</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: we all have things to do. We all have endless lists of tasks to do daily, weekly and even monthly.  Since we have limited hours every day, we prioritize those tasks. For example, if you need to invoice your customers, that task comes before choosing sandwiches for the holiday party. Perhaps party planning is more fun, but invoicing brings in the money that will pay for the party.\r\n\r\nIf we want to stay in business, we need to prioritize our <em>current</em> clients and customers. We need to prioritize the work that pays, and the people that pay us. And yet, we see businesses who are so busy chasing potential customers that they ignore current ones.\r\n\r\n<strong>Losing sales</strong>\r\n\r\nOr worse, we see salespeople who are too busy with tasks (to put it kindly) to focus on the potential sales that are right in their store. That scenario happened to me a few weeks ago when I was shopping for some furniture. I walked into a mega furniture store whose name rhymes with Carlo, and <em>nobody</em> approached me. There were plenty of salespeople around but none of them even greeted me. Then I went up to a salesperson who was busy not doing anything and asked her where I could find medium sized media cabinets (I described a very specific need). She shrugged. She didn\'t seem know but what was worse is that she didn\'t seem care to help me. Do you think I bought anything at that store? Do you think I am ever going back there again?\r\n\r\nIn the pizza place scenario, there was absolutely no reason that guy behind the counter couldn\'t have come over or sent someone to take my order right away. What he \"had\" to do could wait an extra two minutes, but as a thirsty, hungry customer, I couldn\'t wait.  That pizza place lost my business, not only on that day, but at any other time I happen to be in Hollywood Beach and have a hankering for pizza.\r\n\r\n<strong>Priorities, priorities</strong>\r\n\r\nCurrent business pays us now. And if we do a good job, it continues to pay in the future. Potential business must also be cultivated so we can continue to grow, but not at the expense of our current customers.\r\n\r\nIn the end, it\'s all about priorities.\r\n\r\n<strong>What are your business priorities? How do you communicate to your customers or clients that they are important to you?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to alienate customers and lose business forever','','inherit','open','open','','3106-revision-v1','','','2015-12-16 10:30:29','2015-12-16 15:30:29','',3106,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3106-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3112,4,'2015-12-23 12:52:28','2015-12-23 17:52:28','Back in October I pledged to myself to complete National Novel Writing Month or <a href=\"http://nanowrimo.org/\" target=\"_blank\">NaNoWriMo</a>. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an annual event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during November. People self-monitor and track their word count on the NaNoWriMo website. Once the “novel” is done, you upload the document for “validation.” And if you indeed wrote the 50K words, then you are labeled a “winner.” Although you can order a winner t-shirt (and pay for it), there are no prizes. The only reward you get is self-satisfaction.\n\n<strong>Try, try again?</strong>\n\nI had tried to complete NaNoWriMo once before, and only got to about 9,000 words. This time, I made it all the way to 20,000. I wasn’t even half-way through and I only had about 10 days left. The website helpfully reminded me that to complete the “novel,” I would have to write at least 3,000 words a day or, if I stayed at the pace I was going, I would finish sometime at the end of December or early January. It was then that I realized that I simply didn’t have it in me.\n\nThe “novel” I was writing was not compelling. I did not have a sense of how to keep the plot (such as it was) moving forward. And here’s the thing: Novels are not a bunch of words strung together to beat the clock.\n\n<strong>What\'s a novel, really?</strong>\n\nIn fact, the word novel has two meanings. As an adjective, novel means new and fresh. As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines novel as “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.” If we put both definitions together, a novel should be a new, fresh, and long narrative or story.\n\n<strong>Writing is a discipline</strong>\n\nHere’s the good thing about NaNoWriMo: If you develop the discipline to write every day, and if you work toward a clearly defined goal, you will get somewhere with your writing. In other words, you become a writer if you write consistently.\n\n<strong>But is writing is more than that</strong>\n\nOn the other hand: A successful writer has to communicate something specific and has to do it clearly. Just hitting a word count does not make you a writer (certainly not a good writer). It makes you someone who has placed a certain number of words on paper (screen).\n\n<strong>You have to tell a story</strong>\n\nFor me, the big lesson of NaNoWriMo is that writing is not enough. You have to have a story to tell. There’s got to be more than words on a page.\n\nI have always been an avid fiction reader. And doing the NaNoWriMo experiment gave me much more appreciation and respect for published writers. Writing 50,000 words is hard. Writing 50,000 words (or more) that actually are interesting, make sense, and share a story is immeasurably harder.\n\nHave you tried NaNoWriMo? If so, what are your lessons learned? Did you write something that was published?\n\n&nbsp;','One invaluable writing lesson','','inherit','open','open','','3102-autosave-v1','','','2015-12-23 12:52:28','2015-12-23 17:52:28','',3102,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3102-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3113,4,'2015-12-23 12:52:29','2015-12-23 17:52:29','Back in October I pledged to myself to complete National Novel Writing Month or <a href=\"http://nanowrimo.org/\" target=\"_blank\">NaNoWriMo</a>. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an annual event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during November. People self-monitor and track their word count on the NaNoWriMo website. Once the “novel” is done, you upload the document for “validation.” And if you indeed wrote the 50K words, then you are labeled a “winner.” Although you can order a winner t-shirt (and pay for it), there are no prizes. The only reward you get is self-satisfaction.\r\n\r\n<strong>Try, try again?</strong>\r\n\r\nI had tried to complete NaNoWriMo once before, and only got to about 9,000 words. This time, I made it all the way to 20,000. I wasn’t even half-way through and I only had about 10 days left. The website helpfully reminded me that to complete the “novel,” I would have to write at least 3,000 words a day or, if I stayed at the pace I was going, I would finish sometime at the end of December or early January. It was then that I realized that I simply didn’t have it in me.\r\n\r\nThe “novel” I was writing was not compelling. I did not have a sense of how to keep the plot (such as it was) moving forward. And here’s the thing: Novels are not a bunch of words strung together to beat the clock.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s a novel, really?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn fact, the word novel has two meanings. As an adjective, novel means new and fresh. As a noun, Merriam-Webster defines novel as “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.” If we put both definitions together, a novel should be a new, fresh, and long narrative or story.\r\n\r\n<strong>Writing is a discipline</strong>\r\n\r\nHere’s the good thing about NaNoWriMo: If you develop the discipline to write every day, and if you work toward a clearly defined goal, you will get somewhere with your writing. In other words, you become a writer if you write consistently.\r\n\r\n<strong>But is writing is more than that</strong>\r\n\r\nOn the other hand: A successful writer has to communicate something specific and has to do it clearly. Just hitting a word count does not make you a writer (certainly not a good writer). It makes you someone who has placed a certain number of words on paper (screen).\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to tell a story</strong>\r\n\r\nFor me, the big lesson of NaNoWriMo is that writing is not enough. You have to have a story to tell. There’s got to be more than words on a page.\r\n\r\nI have always been an avid fiction reader. And doing the NaNoWriMo experiment gave me much more appreciation and respect for published writers. Writing 50,000 words is hard. Writing 50,000 words (or more) that actually are interesting, make sense, and share a story is immeasurably harder.\r\n\r\nHave you tried NaNoWriMo? If so, what are your lessons learned? Did you write something that was published?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','One invaluable writing lesson','','inherit','open','open','','3102-revision-v1','','','2015-12-23 12:52:29','2015-12-23 17:52:29','',3102,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3102-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3114,4,'2015-12-23 12:59:25','2015-12-23 17:59:25','Here we are, a couple days before Christmas or Festivus or Kwanzaa. Or perhaps it\'s a few days after Hanukkah. Whatever you celebrate, this time of the year is full of holidays. And it\'s time that\'s devoted to friends and family more so than to work. So in that spirit, and no matter what you celebrate,  I wish you all very happy holidays! Have a wonderful time and enjoy some well-earned rest.\r\n\r\nI am working on a year-in-review post and could use your help. What things did you learn this year? What did you resolved to do differently next year? What were your pet peeves or  major aggravations (communications-wise!)? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.','Happy holidays (and that is not a political statement)','','publish','open','open','','happy-holidays-and-that-is-not-a-political-statement','','','2015-12-23 12:59:25','2015-12-23 17:59:25','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3114',0,'post','',0),(3115,4,'2015-12-23 12:59:25','2015-12-23 17:59:25','Here we are, a couple days before Christmas or Festivus or Kwanzaa. Or perhaps it\'s a few days after Hanukkah. Whatever you celebrate, this time of the year is full of holidays. And it\'s time that\'s devoted to friends and family more so than to work. So in that spirit, and no matter what you celebrate,  I wish you all very happy holidays! Have a wonderful time and enjoy some well-earned rest.\r\n\r\nI am working on a year-in-review post and could use your help. What things did you learn this year? What did you resolved to do differently next year? What were your pet peeves or  major aggravations (communications-wise!)? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.','Happy holidays (and that is not a political statement)','','inherit','open','open','','3114-revision-v1','','','2015-12-23 12:59:25','2015-12-23 17:59:25','',3114,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3114-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3118,4,'2015-12-31 09:35:27','2015-12-31 14:35:27','I don\'t know what happened to 2015. It started with such potential, all shiny and bright (and cold here in the Washington, DC area). And it went downhill fast.\r\n\r\nHere are  six \"trends\" that were everywhere in 2015 and that I hope we don\'t see in the coming year:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Overuse of emojis and gifs</strong> (they are especially egregious in professional communications). Oxford Dictionary even chose an emoji as \"word\" of the year. Enough said.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Multiple emails asking for money, </strong>especially on New Year\'s Eve (today alone I have already deleted at least a dozen) from organizations that have already sent multiple emails at Thanksgiving, on Giving Tuesday, before Christmas, after Christmas. If I wanted to give, I would have already.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. And speaking of email, too many were <strong>not responsive/mobile-friendly</strong>. This wasn\'t good in 2015 and it certainly won\'t fly in 2016. Most people read email on their smartphones or tablets. Deal with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4</strong>.<strong> Auto-video/audio on websites</strong>. This year I felt that every website I went on had a (loud, obnoxious) video pop-up. Having the video or audio auto-play ensures I will click out of your website really fast.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Over-capitalization.</strong> In American English, we have simple rules for capitalizing words: we use capitals to start a sentence and in proper names. We don\'t capitalize to show something is important, even if it sounds important (e.g., \"we elect a president every four years\" not \"we elect a President every four years\"). And unlike Germans, we don\'t capitalize every single noun.\r\n\r\nAnd last, but not least:\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Obsessive coverage and its partner, endless speculating.</strong> It didn\'t start this year, and probably won\'t end this year, but we saw too many examples of obsessive coverage of selected news stories this year. Going all out on one news story, like the Paris bombings, sending every reporter and anchor to the scene, and then providing all sorts of baseless \"analysis\" does not clarify a story. Instead, it gives rise to fear and uncertainty. This is what\'s given rise to blowhard politicians such as the millionaire real estate developer who will say the most outrageous things because he knows it will attract attention and speculation.\r\n\r\nWhat trends got your goat in 2015? Share them in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s hope for a better 2016. Happy New Year everybody!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Six trends I don\'t want to see in 2016','','inherit','open','open','','3117-revision-v1','','','2015-12-31 09:35:27','2015-12-31 14:35:27','',3117,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3117-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3119,4,'2015-12-31 09:36:46','2015-12-31 14:36:46','I don\'t know what happened to 2015. It started with such potential, all shiny and bright (and cold here in the Washington, DC area). And it went downhill fast.\r\n\r\nHere are  six \"trends\" that were everywhere in 2015 and that I hope we don\'t see in the coming year:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Overuse of emojis and gifs</strong> (they are especially egregious in professional communications). Oxford Dictionary even chose an emoji as \"word\" of the year. Enough said.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Multiple emails asking for money, </strong>especially on New Year\'s Eve (today alone I have already deleted at least a dozen) from organizations that have already sent multiple emails at Thanksgiving, on Giving Tuesday, before Christmas, after Christmas. If I wanted to give, I would have already.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. And speaking of email, too many were <strong>not responsive/mobile-friendly</strong>. This wasn\'t good in 2015 and it certainly won\'t fly in 2016. Most people read email on their smartphones or tablets. Deal with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4</strong>.<strong> Auto-video/audio on websites</strong>. This year I felt that every website I went on had a (loud, obnoxious) video pop-up. Having the video or audio auto-play ensures I will click out of your website really fast.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Over-capitalization.</strong> In American English, we have simple rules for capitalizing words: we use capitals to start a sentence and in proper names. We don\'t capitalize to show something is important, even if it sounds important (e.g., \"we elect a president every four years\" not \"we elect a President every four years\"). And unlike Germans, we don\'t capitalize every single noun.\r\n\r\nAnd last, but not least:\r\n\r\n<strong>6. Obsessive news coverage and its partner, endless speculating.</strong> It didn\'t start this year, and probably won\'t end this year, but we saw too many examples of obsessive coverage of selected news stories this year. Going all out on one news story, like the Paris bombings, sending every reporter and anchor to the scene, and then providing all sorts of baseless \"analysis\" does not qualify as actual journalism. It does not clarify the story. Instead, it gives rise to fear and uncertainty. This is what\'s given rise to blowhard politicians such as the millionaire real estate developer who will say the most outrageous things because he knows it will attract attention and speculation.\r\n\r\nWhat trends got your goat in 2015? Share them in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s hope for a better 2016. Happy New Year everybody!</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Six trends I don\'t want to see in 2016','','inherit','open','open','','3117-revision-v1','','','2015-12-31 09:36:46','2015-12-31 14:36:46','',3117,'http://deborahbrody.com/2015/12/3117-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3121,4,'2016-01-12 09:47:20','2016-01-12 14:47:20','Do we agree that your website is one of your largest (if not<em> the</em> largest) marketing properties? If so, then read on.\r\n\r\nWhen you are a solo business owner like me, you don’t have an IT department or a webmaster. And so it’s up to you to deal with your website. Last week I changed web hosts  for the fourth time in the more than 15 years that I’ve had this website. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while for many reasons (perhaps the subject of an upcoming post) and I am glad I did. Going through the process showcased exactly why it’s so important to choose the right host.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choosing a website host is a crucial business decision</strong>\r\n\r\nSince your website is your front office on the Internet and it needs to remain open and accessible at all times, choosing your web host is a critical business decision. There are dozens if not hundreds of website hosts (do a search and you will see), many offering dirt cheap hosting packages. The host you choose can have a tremendous impact on your business, and your decision should not involve price alone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here’s what you want from a website host:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Near perfect reliability.</strong> In hosting parlance, this is called \"uptime\" and you want to make sure it is as close to 100% as possible. If your host’s servers go down frequently, that means your website goes down frequently, which basically means lost business for you. And when servers are down, you won’t get email either, which also means lost business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fast website loading times.</strong> Website loading is partially due to your host’s servers (capacity, whether they are shared or dedicated) and partially due to factors on your website (number of plug-ins, design). According to my current host, the closer the servers are to your customers, the faster the website loading times. Website loading times may even affect your SEO ranking (read more about it <a href=\"https://www.searchenginejournal.com/web-hosting-can-impact-page-load-speed/145547/\" target=\"_blank\">here)</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Good if not great customer service</strong>. If there’s a problem, you want to be able to speak to someone who can (and wants) to help you. You are looking for customer service that is available 365/24/7, and if you are in the U.S., preferably based here. You may also want to look for an employee-owned company, because the people you talk to will have a real interest in solving any problems you may have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean record.</strong> Some hosts, due to their cheap rates, attract a lot of spammy businesses, which in turn get the host blacklisted by some ISPs. This is big. Your host\'s standing can affect whether your emails get delivered (my previous host was blacklisted by Yahoo and my emails to Yahoo addresses would all bounce back) and even your SEO standing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ability to deal with your website specifications.</strong> You want to make sure tech support understands your platform. For example, if you run a WordPress site, you want a host that works with WordPress; and if you run ecommerce on your website, you want a host that can handle secure transactions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ease of use.</strong> My last hosting provider had two different accounts for me. One was a billing account, with a separate user name and password, and a “cPanel” account, for handling website administration.  If I needed to update credit card information, I had to log in to billing, and to change website parameters, to cPanel. To make it worse, you couldn’t access cPanel from the the main hosting website, but rather through an obscure URL you had received when you signed up. Needless to say, this was not easy or simple. It wasted a lot of my time too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here are three other important tips:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Don’t rely on your developer/designer’s recommendation.</strong> Many website developers have reseller accounts with a website host, so it\'s in their own interest to sell you that. Do your own research. There are several resources to help you identify a good host. I like<a href=\"Needless%20to say, this was not easy or simple.\" target=\"_blank\"> SiteGeek</a>. Check out reviews and see what people are saying. Are many people having the same issue? What is the main complaint? Are more people leaving a host than transferring in?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>NEVER register your domain with your website hosting company.</strong> If there’s a problem, they will be able to hold your website hostage. Instead, choose a separate registrar. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you hassle in the long run, and let you maintain control of your website.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Have a separate email account on Gmail or something similar</strong>. Use this for the administrative emails that you get from your website hosting company and domain registrar. If your website and email are down you will still be able to access your stuff, particularly if you forgot your user name and/or password, or need to respond to a work ticket.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nRemember your website is an integral part of your business and marketing efforts. Money you spend on your website—whether it be on design and development, hosting, listing—is a business/marketing expense that I can assure you will provide you a return on your investment. Cheaper, especially in website hosting, is just cheaper, not better.','How to make one of your biggest marketing decisions','','publish','open','open','','how-to-make-one-of-your-biggest-marketing-decisions','','','2016-01-12 09:47:20','2016-01-12 14:47:20','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3121',0,'post','',0),(3122,4,'2016-01-12 09:28:49','2016-01-12 14:28:49','Do we agree that your website is one of your largest (if not<em> the</em> largest) marketing properties? If so, then read on.\r\n\r\nWhen you are a solo business owner like me, you don’t have an IT department or a webmaster. And so it’s up to you to deal with your website. Last week I changed web hosts (and lost a blog post in the process, but that’s another story) for the fourth time in the more than 15 years that I’ve had this website. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while for many reasons (perhaps the subject of an upcoming post) and I am glad I did. Going through the process showcased exactly why it’s so important to choose the right host.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choosing a website host is a crucial business decision</strong>\r\n\r\nSince your website is your front office and it needs to remain open and accessible at all times, choosing your web host is a crucial business decision. There are dozens if not hundreds of website hosts (do a search and you will see), many offering dirt cheap hosting packages. The host you choose can have a tremendous impact on your business, and your decision should not involve price alone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here’s what you want from a website host:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Near perfect reliability.</strong> In hosting parlance, this is called \"uptime\" and you want to make sure it is as close to 100% as possible. If your host’s servers go down frequently, that means your website goes down frequently, which basically means lost business for you. And when servers are down, you won’t get email either.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fast website loading times.</strong> Website loading is partially due to your host’s servers and partially due to factors on your website suchs as number of plug-ins and design . According to my current host, the closer the servers are to your customers, the faster the website loading times. I am not sure how accurate that is, but website loading may even affect your SEO ranking. You can read more about it <a href=\"https://www.searchenginejournal.com/web-hosting-can-impact-page-load-speed/145547/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Good if not great customer service</strong>. If there’s a problem, you want to get a live person to talk to. You want customer service that is available 365/24/7, preferably U.S.- based. If you can get a company that is employee-owned, so much the better.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean record.</strong> Some hosts, due to their cheap rates, attract a lot of spammy businesses, which in turn get the host blacklisted by some ISPs. This is big. It can affect whether your emails get delivered and even your SEO standing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ability to deal with your website specifications.</strong> You want to make sure tech support understands your platform. For example, if you run a WordPress site, you want a host that works with WordPress and if you run ecommerce on your website, you want a host that can handle secure transactions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ease of use.</strong> My last hosting provider had two different accounts for me. One was a billing account, with a separate user name and password, and a “cPanel” account, for website stuff.  If I needed to update credit card information, I had to log in to billing, and to update email addresses to cPanel. To make it worse, you couldn’t access cPanel from the the main hosting website, but rather through an obscure URL you had received when you signed up. Needless to say, this was not easy or simple. It wasted a lot of my time too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here are three other important tips:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Don’t rely on your developer/designer’s recommendation.</strong> Many website developers have reseller accounts with a website host, so it\'s in their own interest to sell you that. Do your own research. There are several resources to help you identify a good host. I like<a href=\"Needless%20to say, this was not easy or simple.\" target=\"_blank\"> SiteGeek</a>. You should read the reviews and see what people are saying. Are many people having the same issue? What is the main complaint? Are more people leaving a host than transferring in?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>NEVER register your domain with your website hosting company.</strong> If there’s a problem, they will be able to hold your website hostage. Instead, choose a separate registrar. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you hassle in the long run, and let you maintain control of your website.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Have a separate email account on Gmail or something similar</strong>. Use this for the administrative emails that you get from your website hosting company and domain registrar. If your website and email are down you will still be able to access your stuff, particularly if you forgot your user name and/or password, or need to respond to a work ticket.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nRemember your website is an integral part of your business and marketing efforts. Money you spend on your website—whether it be on design and development, hosting, listing—is a business/marketing expense that I can assure you will provide you with return on your investment. Cheaper, especially in website hosting, is just cheaper, not better.','How to make one of your biggest marketing decisions','','inherit','open','open','','3121-revision-v1','','','2016-01-12 09:28:49','2016-01-12 14:28:49','',3121,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3121-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3124,4,'2016-01-12 09:47:20','2016-01-12 14:47:20','Do we agree that your website is one of your largest (if not<em> the</em> largest) marketing properties? If so, then read on.\r\n\r\nWhen you are a solo business owner like me, you don’t have an IT department or a webmaster. And so it’s up to you to deal with your website. Last week I changed web hosts  for the fourth time in the more than 15 years that I’ve had this website. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while for many reasons (perhaps the subject of an upcoming post) and I am glad I did. Going through the process showcased exactly why it’s so important to choose the right host.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choosing a website host is a crucial business decision</strong>\r\n\r\nSince your website is your front office on the Internet and it needs to remain open and accessible at all times, choosing your web host is a critical business decision. There are dozens if not hundreds of website hosts (do a search and you will see), many offering dirt cheap hosting packages. The host you choose can have a tremendous impact on your business, and your decision should not involve price alone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here’s what you want from a website host:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Near perfect reliability.</strong> In hosting parlance, this is called \"uptime\" and you want to make sure it is as close to 100% as possible. If your host’s servers go down frequently, that means your website goes down frequently, which basically means lost business for you. And when servers are down, you won’t get email either, which also means lost business.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fast website loading times.</strong> Website loading is partially due to your host’s servers (capacity, whether they are shared or dedicated) and partially due to factors on your website (number of plug-ins, design). According to my current host, the closer the servers are to your customers, the faster the website loading times. Website loading times may even affect your SEO ranking (read more about it <a href=\"https://www.searchenginejournal.com/web-hosting-can-impact-page-load-speed/145547/\" target=\"_blank\">here)</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Good if not great customer service</strong>. If there’s a problem, you want to be able to speak to someone who can (and wants) to help you. You are looking for customer service that is available 365/24/7, and if you are in the U.S., preferably based here. You may also want to look for an employee-owned company, because the people you talk to will have a real interest in solving any problems you may have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean record.</strong> Some hosts, due to their cheap rates, attract a lot of spammy businesses, which in turn get the host blacklisted by some ISPs. This is big. Your host\'s standing can affect whether your emails get delivered (my previous host was blacklisted by Yahoo and my emails to Yahoo addresses would all bounce back) and even your SEO standing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ability to deal with your website specifications.</strong> You want to make sure tech support understands your platform. For example, if you run a WordPress site, you want a host that works with WordPress; and if you run ecommerce on your website, you want a host that can handle secure transactions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ease of use.</strong> My last hosting provider had two different accounts for me. One was a billing account, with a separate user name and password, and a “cPanel” account, for handling website administration.  If I needed to update credit card information, I had to log in to billing, and to change website parameters, to cPanel. To make it worse, you couldn’t access cPanel from the the main hosting website, but rather through an obscure URL you had received when you signed up. Needless to say, this was not easy or simple. It wasted a lot of my time too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here are three other important tips:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Don’t rely on your developer/designer’s recommendation.</strong> Many website developers have reseller accounts with a website host, so it\'s in their own interest to sell you that. Do your own research. There are several resources to help you identify a good host. I like<a href=\"Needless%20to say, this was not easy or simple.\" target=\"_blank\"> SiteGeek</a>. Check out reviews and see what people are saying. Are many people having the same issue? What is the main complaint? Are more people leaving a host than transferring in?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>NEVER register your domain with your website hosting company.</strong> If there’s a problem, they will be able to hold your website hostage. Instead, choose a separate registrar. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you hassle in the long run, and let you maintain control of your website.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Have a separate email account on Gmail or something similar</strong>. Use this for the administrative emails that you get from your website hosting company and domain registrar. If your website and email are down you will still be able to access your stuff, particularly if you forgot your user name and/or password, or need to respond to a work ticket.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nRemember your website is an integral part of your business and marketing efforts. Money you spend on your website—whether it be on design and development, hosting, listing—is a business/marketing expense that I can assure you will provide you a return on your investment. Cheaper, especially in website hosting, is just cheaper, not better.','How to make one of your biggest marketing decisions','','inherit','open','open','','3121-revision-v1','','','2016-01-12 09:47:20','2016-01-12 14:47:20','',3121,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3121-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3123,4,'2016-01-12 09:40:46','2016-01-12 14:40:46','Do we agree that your website is one of your largest (if not<em> the</em> largest) marketing properties? If so, then read on.\r\n\r\nWhen you are a solo business owner like me, you don’t have an IT department or a webmaster. And so it’s up to you to deal with your website. Last week I changed web hosts (and lost a blog post in the process, but that’s another story) for the fourth time in the more than 15 years that I’ve had this website. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while for many reasons (perhaps the subject of an upcoming post) and I am glad I did. Going through the process showcased exactly why it’s so important to choose the right host.\r\n\r\n<strong>Choosing a website host is a crucial business decision</strong>\r\n\r\nSince your website is your front office and it needs to remain open and accessible at all times, choosing your web host is a crucial business decision. There are dozens if not hundreds of website hosts (do a search and you will see), many offering dirt cheap hosting packages. The host you choose can have a tremendous impact on your business, and your decision should not involve price alone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here’s what you want from a website host:</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Near perfect reliability.</strong> In hosting parlance, this is called \"uptime\" and you want to make sure it is as close to 100% as possible. If your host’s servers go down frequently, that means your website goes down frequently, which basically means lost business for you. And when servers are down, you won’t get email either.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fast website loading times.</strong> Website loading is partially due to your host’s servers (capacity, whether they are shared or dedicated) and partially due to factors on your website (number of plug-ins, design).  According to my current host, the closer the servers are to your customers, the faster the website loading times. I am not sure how accurate that is, but website loading times may even affect your SEO ranking, so it\'s something to be aware of. You can read more about it <a href=\"https://www.searchenginejournal.com/web-hosting-can-impact-page-load-speed/145547/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Good if not great customer service</strong>. If there’s a problem, you want to be able to speak to someone who can (and wants) to help you. You are looking for customer service that is available 365/24/7, and if you are in the U.S.,  preferably based here.  You may also want to look for an employee-owned company, because the people you talk to will have a real interest in solving any problems you may have.\r\n\r\n<strong>Clean record.</strong> Some hosts, due to their cheap rates, attract a lot of spammy businesses, which in turn get the host blacklisted by some ISPs. This is big. Your host\'s standing can affect whether your emails get delivered (my previous host was blacklisted by Yahoo and my emails to Yahoo addresses would all bounce back) and even your SEO standing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ability to deal with your website specifications.</strong> You want to make sure tech support understands your platform. For example, if you run a WordPress site, you want a host that works with WordPress; and if you run ecommerce on your website, you want a host that can handle secure transactions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ease of use.</strong> My last hosting provider had two different accounts for me. One was a billing account, with a separate user name and password, and a “cPanel” account, for handling website administration.  If I needed to update credit card information, I had to log in to billing, and to change website parameters, to cPanel. To make it worse, you couldn’t access cPanel from the the main hosting website, but rather through an obscure URL you had received when you signed up. Needless to say, this was not easy or simple. It wasted a lot of my time too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here are three other important tips:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Don’t rely on your developer/designer’s recommendation.</strong> Many website developers have reseller accounts with a website host, so it\'s in their own interest to sell you that. Do your own research. There are several resources to help you identify a good host. I like<a href=\"Needless%20to say, this was not easy or simple.\" target=\"_blank\"> SiteGeek</a>. Check out reviews and see what people are saying. Are many people having the same issue? What is the main complaint? Are more people leaving a host than transferring in?</li>\r\n	<li><strong>NEVER register your domain with your website hosting company.</strong> If there’s a problem, they will be able to hold your website hostage. Instead, choose a separate registrar. It may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you hassle in the long run, and let you maintain control of your website.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Have a separate email account on Gmail or something similar</strong>. Use this for the administrative emails that you get from your website hosting company and domain registrar. If your website and email are down you will still be able to access your stuff, particularly if you forgot your user name and/or password, or need to respond to a work ticket.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nRemember your website is an integral part of your business and marketing efforts. Money you spend on your website—whether it be on design and development, hosting, listing—is a business/marketing expense that I can assure you will provide you a return on your investment. Cheaper, especially in website hosting, is just cheaper, not better.','How to make one of your biggest marketing decisions','','inherit','open','open','','3121-revision-v1','','','2016-01-12 09:40:46','2016-01-12 14:40:46','',3121,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3121-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3126,4,'2016-01-20 09:53:06','2016-01-20 14:53:06','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-01-20 09:53:06','2016-01-20 14:53:06','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3127,4,'2016-01-21 09:28:49','2016-01-21 14:28:49','<em>Warning—this post is somewhat political since it uses a politician as an example, and not in a flattering way.</em>\r\n\r\nIn case you missed it on Tuesday, Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump in the campaign for Republican presidential nominee. Her speech (if in fact what she did can be called that) has been described as rambling, patriotic, fiery. What is has not been described as is clear (or meaningful for that matter). The New York Times has a great article, <a href=\"http://nyti.ms/1Owhayh\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Mystifying Lines of Sarah Palin\'s Speech</a>, that analyzes different parts of the speech and interprets what Palin may have meant, a kind of Palin translation if you like.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3128\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3128\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Tossing up a salad\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Tossing up a salad[/caption]\r\n\r\nFollowing is an excerpt of Palin’s speech (taken from a <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/20/sarah-palins-rambling-remarkable-and-at-times-hard-to-understand-endorsement-of-donald-trump/?postshare=1801453291953204&amp;tid=ss_tw\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article and transcrip</a>t):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“Trump’s candidacy, it has exposed not just that tragic ramifications of that betrayal of the transformation of our country, but too, he has exposed the complicity on both sides of the aisle that has enabled it, okay? Well, Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man, that’s why he’s doing so well. He’s been able to tear the veil off this idea of the system. The way that the system really works, and please hear me on this, I want you guys to understand more and more how the system, the establishment, works, and has gotten us into the troubles that we are in in America. The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor class, and that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere. We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment to make things great again. It’s part of the problem.\"</p>\r\n<strong>Here’s how this paragraph could be rewritten for clarity:</strong>\r\n\r\nTrump’s candidacy has exposed all sorts of problems in politics and has shown people how the system really works. Seeing these problems has made people angry. Campaign donors have been dictating to the politicians they support, in order to keep our borders open to get cheap labor from Mexico. Also, the politicians have been creating bad trade deals that help special interests in other countries. We need a new type of politician who has the power to bust the establishment, which is part of the problem.\r\n\r\nNotice the difference?\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It’s shorter, it gets to the point, and it avoids jargon and cliches.</strong></p>\r\nYes, I know, it no longer has “color.” Palin is known for throwing in all sorts of colorful phrases such as “he’s going rogue left and right.”  When giving a speech, the speaker has more leeway to use attention-getting phrases than in written communication. In Palin’s case, her reliance on “color” overwhelms any message that she may actually be trying to deliver.\r\n\r\nPalin has been criticized for delivering “word salad” speeches that toss together a bunch of words and phrases. Her speech on Tuesday seems a perfect example of this tendency.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Too many words, too little meaning','','publish','open','open','','too-many-words-too-little-meaning','','','2016-01-21 13:27:00','2016-01-21 18:27:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3127',0,'post','',0),(3128,4,'2016-01-21 09:26:50','2016-01-21 14:26:50','','assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855','Tossing up a salad','inherit','open','open','','assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855','','','2016-01-21 09:27:14','2016-01-21 14:27:14','',3127,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3129,4,'2016-01-21 09:27:47','2016-01-21 14:27:47','<em>Warning—this post somewhat political since it uses a politician as an example, and not in a flattering way.</em>\r\n\r\nIn case you missed it on Tuesday, Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump in the campaign for Republican presidential nominee. Her speech (if in fact what she did can be called that) has been described as rambling, patriotic, fiery. What is has not been described as is clear (or meaningful for that matter). The New York Times has a great article, <a href=\"http://nyti.ms/1Owhayh\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Mystifying Lines of Sarah Palin\'s Speech</a>, that analyzes different parts of the speech and interprets what Palin may have meant, a kind of Palin translation if you like.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3128\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3128\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Tossing up a salad\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Tossing up a salad[/caption]\r\n\r\nFollowing is an excerpt of Palin’s speech (taken from a <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/20/sarah-palins-rambling-remarkable-and-at-times-hard-to-understand-endorsement-of-donald-trump/?postshare=1801453291953204&amp;tid=ss_tw\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article and transcrip</a>t):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“Trump’s candidacy, it has exposed not just that tragic ramifications of that betrayal of the transformation of our country, but too, he has exposed the complicity on both sides of the aisle that has enabled it, okay? Well, Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man, that’s why he’s doing so well. He’s been able to tear the veil off this idea of the system. The way that the system really works, and please hear me on this, I want you guys to understand more and more how the system, the establishment, works, and has gotten us into the troubles that we are in in America. The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor class, and that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere. We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment to make things great again. It’s part of the problem.\"</p>\r\n<strong>Here’s how this paragraph could be rewritten for clarity:</strong>\r\n\r\nTrump’s candidacy has exposed all sorts of problems in politics and has shown people how the system really works. Seeing these problems has made people angry. Campaign donors have been dictating to the politician they support, in order to keep our borders open to get cheap labor from Mexico. Also, the politicians have been creating bad trade deals that help special interests in other countries. We need a new type of politician who has the power to bust the establishment, which is part of the problem.\r\n\r\nNotice the difference?\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It’s shorter, it gets to the point, and it avoids jargon and cliches.</strong></p>\r\nYes, I know, it no longer has “color.” Palin is known for throwing in all sorts of colorful phrases such as “he’s going rogue left and right.”  When giving a speech, the speaker has more leeway to use attention-getting phrases than in written communication. In Palin’s case, her reliance on “color” overwhelms any message that she may actually be trying to deliver.\r\n\r\nPalin has been criticized for delivering “word salad” speeches that toss together a bunch of words and phrases. Her speech on Tuesday seems a perfect example of this tendency.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Too many words, too little meaning','','inherit','open','open','','3127-revision-v1','','','2016-01-21 09:27:47','2016-01-21 14:27:47','',3127,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3127-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3130,4,'2016-01-21 13:26:25','2016-01-21 18:26:25','<em>Warning—this post somewhat political since it uses a politician as an example, and not in a flattering way.</em>\r\n\r\nIn case you missed it on Tuesday, Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump in the campaign for Republican presidential nominee. Her speech (if in fact what she did can be called that) has been described as rambling, patriotic, fiery. What is has not been described as is clear (or meaningful for that matter). The New York Times has a great article, <a href=\"http://nyti.ms/1Owhayh\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Mystifying Lines of Sarah Palin\'s Speech</a>, that analyzes different parts of the speech and interprets what Palin may have meant, a kind of Palin translation if you like.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3128\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3128\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Tossing up a salad\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Tossing up a salad[/caption]\r\n\r\nFollowing is an excerpt of Palin’s speech (taken from a <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/20/sarah-palins-rambling-remarkable-and-at-times-hard-to-understand-endorsement-of-donald-trump/?postshare=1801453291953204&amp;tid=ss_tw\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article and transcrip</a>t):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“Trump’s candidacy, it has exposed not just that tragic ramifications of that betrayal of the transformation of our country, but too, he has exposed the complicity on both sides of the aisle that has enabled it, okay? Well, Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man, that’s why he’s doing so well. He’s been able to tear the veil off this idea of the system. The way that the system really works, and please hear me on this, I want you guys to understand more and more how the system, the establishment, works, and has gotten us into the troubles that we are in in America. The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor class, and that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere. We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment to make things great again. It’s part of the problem.\"</p>\r\n<strong>Here’s how this paragraph could be rewritten for clarity:</strong>\r\n\r\nTrump’s candidacy has exposed all sorts of problems in politics and has shown people how the system really works. Seeing these problems has made people angry. Campaign donors have been dictating to the politicians they support, in order to keep our borders open to get cheap labor from Mexico. Also, the politicians have been creating bad trade deals that help special interests in other countries. We need a new type of politician who has the power to bust the establishment, which is part of the problem.\r\n\r\nNotice the difference?\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It’s shorter, it gets to the point, and it avoids jargon and cliches.</strong></p>\r\nYes, I know, it no longer has “color.” Palin is known for throwing in all sorts of colorful phrases such as “he’s going rogue left and right.”  When giving a speech, the speaker has more leeway to use attention-getting phrases than in written communication. In Palin’s case, her reliance on “color” overwhelms any message that she may actually be trying to deliver.\r\n\r\nPalin has been criticized for delivering “word salad” speeches that toss together a bunch of words and phrases. Her speech on Tuesday seems a perfect example of this tendency.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Too many words, too little meaning','','inherit','open','open','','3127-revision-v1','','','2016-01-21 13:26:25','2016-01-21 18:26:25','',3127,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3127-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3131,4,'2016-01-21 13:27:00','2016-01-21 18:27:00','<em>Warning—this post is somewhat political since it uses a politician as an example, and not in a flattering way.</em>\r\n\r\nIn case you missed it on Tuesday, Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump in the campaign for Republican presidential nominee. Her speech (if in fact what she did can be called that) has been described as rambling, patriotic, fiery. What is has not been described as is clear (or meaningful for that matter). The New York Times has a great article, <a href=\"http://nyti.ms/1Owhayh\" target=\"_blank\">The Most Mystifying Lines of Sarah Palin\'s Speech</a>, that analyzes different parts of the speech and interprets what Palin may have meant, a kind of Palin translation if you like.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3128\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3128\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/assorted-foods-1324828-1278x855-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Tossing up a salad\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Tossing up a salad[/caption]\r\n\r\nFollowing is an excerpt of Palin’s speech (taken from a <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/20/sarah-palins-rambling-remarkable-and-at-times-hard-to-understand-endorsement-of-donald-trump/?postshare=1801453291953204&amp;tid=ss_tw\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Post article and transcrip</a>t):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">“Trump’s candidacy, it has exposed not just that tragic ramifications of that betrayal of the transformation of our country, but too, he has exposed the complicity on both sides of the aisle that has enabled it, okay? Well, Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man, that’s why he’s doing so well. He’s been able to tear the veil off this idea of the system. The way that the system really works, and please hear me on this, I want you guys to understand more and more how the system, the establishment, works, and has gotten us into the troubles that we are in in America. The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor class, and that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere. We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment to make things great again. It’s part of the problem.\"</p>\r\n<strong>Here’s how this paragraph could be rewritten for clarity:</strong>\r\n\r\nTrump’s candidacy has exposed all sorts of problems in politics and has shown people how the system really works. Seeing these problems has made people angry. Campaign donors have been dictating to the politicians they support, in order to keep our borders open to get cheap labor from Mexico. Also, the politicians have been creating bad trade deals that help special interests in other countries. We need a new type of politician who has the power to bust the establishment, which is part of the problem.\r\n\r\nNotice the difference?\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It’s shorter, it gets to the point, and it avoids jargon and cliches.</strong></p>\r\nYes, I know, it no longer has “color.” Palin is known for throwing in all sorts of colorful phrases such as “he’s going rogue left and right.”  When giving a speech, the speaker has more leeway to use attention-getting phrases than in written communication. In Palin’s case, her reliance on “color” overwhelms any message that she may actually be trying to deliver.\r\n\r\nPalin has been criticized for delivering “word salad” speeches that toss together a bunch of words and phrases. Her speech on Tuesday seems a perfect example of this tendency.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Too many words, too little meaning','','inherit','open','open','','3127-revision-v1','','','2016-01-21 13:27:00','2016-01-21 18:27:00','',3127,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3127-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3135,4,'2016-01-27 09:51:46','2016-01-27 14:51:46','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, Above The Noise. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at GetStoried.com. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the AP style guide for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices – ha!). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to resell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misperception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books. That would be nice, but... I won’t hold my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-27 09:51:46','2016-01-27 14:51:46','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3136,4,'2016-01-28 10:04:30','2016-01-28 15:04:30','','Carrie Morgan headshot 4','Carrie Morgan','inherit','open','open','','carrie-morgan-headshot-4','','','2016-01-28 10:04:42','2016-01-28 15:04:42','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3137,4,'2016-01-28 10:09:05','2016-01-28 15:09:05','','13','','inherit','open','open','','13','','','2016-01-28 10:09:05','2016-01-28 15:09:05','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3138,4,'2016-01-28 10:11:15','2016-01-28 15:11:15','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first. She gets a few extra questions because she just published her first book, Above the Noise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Carrie Morgan\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @morgancarrie\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, Above The Noise. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at GetStoried.com. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the AP style guide for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices – ha!). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to resell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misperception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books. That would be nice, but... I won’t hold my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:11:15','2016-01-28 15:11:15','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3139,4,'2016-01-28 10:21:12','2016-01-28 15:21:12','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Carrie Morgan\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @morgancarrie\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:21:12','2016-01-28 15:21:12','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3141,4,'2016-01-28 10:24:31','2016-01-28 15:24:31','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Carrie Morgan\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:24:31','2016-01-28 15:24:31','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3140,4,'2016-01-28 10:23:35','2016-01-28 15:23:35','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Carrie Morgan\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:23:35','2016-01-28 15:23:35','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3142,4,'2016-01-28 10:25:24','2016-01-28 15:25:24','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Carrie Morgan\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:25:24','2016-01-28 15:25:24','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3143,4,'2016-01-28 10:29:00','2016-01-28 15:29:00','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Carrie Morgan</strong>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:29:00','2016-01-28 15:29:00','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3144,4,'2016-01-28 10:30:23','2016-01-28 15:30:23','Welcome to the first \"On Writing\" interview, a monthly series in which a marketing communications pro will answer seven questions about writing. This month, public relations consultant and author Carrie Morgan of Rock the Status Quo agreed to be the first <del>victim</del> pro to participate. Find her thoughts below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"220\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3136\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Carrie-Morgan-headshot-4-220x300.jpg\" alt=\"Carrie Morgan\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" /></a> Carrie Morgan[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Carrie Morgan</strong>\r\n\r\nAuthor of <em>Above The Noise: Creating Trust, Value &amp; Reputation Online Using Digital PR</em>. Senior digital PR consultant - public relations, content marketing, social media &amp; SEO. Author. Feisty word nerd. #PRprochat founder.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:  <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Rock The Status Quo</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/morgancarrie\" target=\"_blank\">@morgancarrie</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR professional who focuses on digital PR, I’d consider writing to be my most important skill, and something that quickly sets me apart from competitors. It drives over 90 percent of my revenue, since I specialize in content marketing, messaging and search engine optimization, allowing me to achieve amazing results for my clients. I constantly work to improve my storytelling skills, too, which is a fascinating trend to watch right now. My love of writing and helping others led to publication of my first book, <em>Above The Noise</em>. It launched just this week, and can be found at Amazon, Barnes &amp; Noble and many bookstores.\r\n\r\n<strong> 2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?   </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting absolutely matters! From a great headline driving social shares and viral activity to a 140-character tweet, our ability to wordsmith drives conversion and success, or feeds client failure. A picture might say a thousand words, but a few words strung together creatively have REMARKABLE power. As an industry, communications professionals don’t put nearly enough emphasis on the importance of writing skills. It’s an essential skill. In my opinion, every minute you invest in improving your writing skills (and reading – which improves writing skills almost by osmosis!) delivers a huge dividend. As far as self-education goes, the benefits far outweigh the energy and time it requires to improve. LinkedIn long-form posts or Medium are great places to practice if you don’t want to create your own branded blog. LinkedIn particularly works well, since it also helps you build a personal brand – always a solid career move.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead as much as possible, since it boost your vocabulary and grammar skills through exposure, write as much as possible to practice your skills, and invest at least a few hours each month learning something new. Michael Margolis provides a wonderful free eBook on business storytelling skills at <a href=\"http://www.getstoried.com/\" target=\"_blank\">GetStoried.com</a>. I’m excited to say he’ll be a guest on <a href=\"http://rockthestatusquo.com/prprochat-pr-twitter-chat-for-public-relations-professionals/\">#PRprochat</a> in April, if you’d like to join us!\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>W</strong><strong>hat are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t use very many tools, actually, I just write as often as possible. My blog is my #1 tool, since it is the primary place that I practice my writing skills. Twitter is fabulous for teaching brevity while remaining compelling. I also curate marketing and PR content every day, which keeps me on top of new trends and tips throughout the day.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. </strong><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI follow the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a>  for public relations content that will be exposed to journalists or formal media platforms – such as press releases, byline articles for a media publication and media pitches. For other kinds of content however, such as blogging or infographics, I fit the style to the outlet. Many non-journalistic media use the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk &amp; White. A blog post for a business journal might use AP style, but a blog post for a client should be consistent with the style already used on their site. Blogging especially can often use a less formal style of writing. I match the style to the platform as much as possible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy—writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve? That’s a tough one.... I really hate it when people retweet something with an error in it. If you liked it enough to share it, take a second to fix the error before you pass it on. Otherwise their error becomes YOUR error. Another pet peeve are press release quotes that sound like every other quote. Be bold, take a stand and write something with a bit of thought leadership to it.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “heinous”—I think because it’s a word my teenage son really hates, so the look on his face and his reaction when I use it encourage me to repeat it as much as possible. My least favorite word is any misspelled word.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3137 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13-1024x512.png\" alt=\"13\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCarrie has just released her book,<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Above-Noise-Creating-Reputation-Digital/dp/1628652586/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449082739&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=above+the+noise+carrie+morgan\" target=\"_blank\"><em> Above the Noise</em></a>. Writing a book has its own special challenges, so I asked Carrie to elaborate.\r\n\r\n<strong>How long did it take you to write this book?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis book is several years in the making, because I started out with a different book than the one actually published this week. It took FAR more time to write than I expected, though – about six months of weekends and nights. Building the platform before I approached publishers with my book proposal was about eighteen months of solid effort, on top of time invested to actually write the book.\r\n\r\n<strong> Did you face any obstacles and how did you overcome them?</strong>\r\n\r\nIt was an interesting journey! For my first book idea, Digital Haystack, I spent over a year and a half building my platform, then reached out to New York book agents until I landed one, thinking that would help me land a book deal. It wasn’t a good experience. Basically, all the agent did was take a book proposal I’d already created, and email it out to a small database of contacts. I had to push her and babysit the process every step of the way. When we finally landed a deal, I ended up firing the publisher (who wanted to change the name of the book, a decision from its board of directors who knew nothing about marketing as an industry and wanted to use a term that’s been outdated for a decade on a book of modern best practices). After I’d cancelled that contract, with no help from the agent, I ended up also firing the agent because she made no effort to sell the book. So that I wouldn’t have to pay her a commission, I restructured the book and sold it within twenty minutes of sending out my new book proposal. It was an interesting process, for sure, and I learned some valuable lessons. I’m already working on my second book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any tips for people thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBuild an audience before you write the book, and begin marketing LONG before the book is published, otherwise you’ll never rise above the noise to be heard. You also won’t be able to draw the interest of publishers, if that’s your goal. They want pre-existing audience for the book. There’s also a common misconception that publishers will do the book marketing for you. False! They are printers with lackluster marketing skills who only invest budget marketing authors who are already proven to be successful. They do next to nothing for new authors. You must be prepared to do it yourself AND have a budget for that marketing. Also, be very careful of self-publishing. I’d estimate that 90% or more of self-published books were written for vanity reasons and missing the kind of quality a publisher would require, but it’s a huge market where everyone makes money except for the author. Also know that self-publishing carries a different kind of clout than something put out by a publishing house. Know the difference, and make sure the road you choose fits your goals for the book. One last thought: before I began the journey to being an author, I had no clue that over 95% of authors make next to NO MONEY on their book. Write it for other reasons. I wrote my book to build up my reputation as a consultant, not to sell books.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Stay tuned to this space for upcoming On Writing interviews. And remember, if you need to create or recreate marketing materials, I am here to help!</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Carrie Morgan rocks the status quo','','inherit','open','open','','3134-revision-v1','','','2016-01-28 10:30:23','2016-01-28 15:30:23','',3134,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/01/3134-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3147,4,'2016-02-03 12:00:12','2016-02-03 17:00:12','Organizations  often spend a lot of time creating (or redesigning) the perfect website. It could take months to get the best design, the right content, and everything running smoothly. Then, finally, the website is launched or relaunched. But it won\'t be perfect.\r\n\r\nThere will be kinks: broken links, missing information, pictures not loading correctly, etc.   Some of these kinks get worked out once they are found. But many times, the kinks are not discovered right away.\r\n\r\n<strong>I can\'t find it and you don\'t know it if you don\'t use it.</strong>\r\n\r\nJust last week, I needed information on putting a stop payment on a check. I first went to my bank\'s website. I looked around and could not find any information on how to do it or how much it would cost. I was forced to call. I spoke to a representative, who explained the costs and the process. I asked if I could do it online. Yes, she said, of course. I asked how. She had to transfer me to a website customer service agent. I posed the same question. She looked around, and finally discovered where this information lay. It was not obvious, or easily found. And doing a search did not turn it up. The bank had no idea.\r\n\r\n<strong>Does it happen the way you say it happens?</strong>\r\n\r\nI went to a website that offered a free ebook if you signed up for an email newsletter. After inputting my email address, I got a pop-up saying  I would get a link in my inbox very soon to which I\'d then have to respond. And once I\'d done that, I\'d have to wait to get another link to get the ebook (process seems a bit too long but that is another story). It took quite a while for the first link to show up. And then it took another long while for the other link to show up.  I am pretty sure that the website\'s owner has never had to sign up to download the ebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Your website needs continual oversight','','inherit','open','open','','3146-revision-v1','','','2016-02-03 12:00:12','2016-02-03 17:00:12','',3146,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3148,4,'2016-02-03 12:53:15','2016-02-03 17:53:15','Organizations  often spend a lot of time (and money) creating (or redesigning) the perfect website. It could take months to get the best design, the right content, and everything running smoothly. Then, finally, the website is launched or relaunched. But it won\'t be perfect. It still need scrutiny and probably, more work.\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t stop working on your website--it\'s a continuous process</strong>\r\n\r\nFirs of all, your newly launched website will most certainly have all sorts of kinks: broken links, missing information, pictures not loading correctly, etc.  Some of these kinks get worked out once they are found. But many times, the kinks are not discovered right away.\r\n\r\n<strong>You need user feedback.</strong>\r\n\r\nYour website should be designed with the user in mind (user experience or UX design). And perhaps it was, but how do <em>your</em> users interact with the website? What information do they need to find? What do they like and what don\'t they like? OK, so maybe they won\'t come out and tell you, but you probably do know what areas of your website are being visited and which aren\'t.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bank website: I can\'t find what I need!\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nJust last week, I needed information on putting a stop payment on a check. I first went to my bank\'s website. I looked around and could not find any information on how to do it or how much it would cost. I was forced to call. I spoke to a representative, who explained the costs and the process. I asked if I could do it online. Yes, she said, of course. I asked how. She had to transfer me to a website customer service agent. I posed the same question. She looked around, and finally discovered where this information lay. It was not obvious, or easily found. And doing a search did not turn it up. The bank had no idea that something so common as a stop payment was not addressed on its website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Does it happen the way you say it happens?</strong>\r\n\r\nI went to a website that offered a free ebook if you signed up for an email newsletter. After inputting my email address, I got a pop-up saying  I would get a link in my inbox very soon to which I\'d then have to respond. And once I\'d done that, I\'d have to wait to get another link to get the ebook (process seems a bit too long but that is another story). It took quite a while for the first link to show up. And then it took another long while for the other link to show up.  I am pretty sure that the website\'s owner has never had to sign up to download the ebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Your website needs attention','','inherit','open','open','','3146-revision-v1','','','2016-02-03 12:53:15','2016-02-03 17:53:15','',3146,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3149,4,'2016-02-09 14:43:09','2016-02-09 19:43:09','I only watched the first part of Super Bowl 50, and halfheartedly at that. I am not a football fan, and I had no reason to root for either the Broncos or the Panthers. Also, I wasn\'t at a Super Bowl party. The only part that I was paying some attention to was the commercials.\r\n\r\nI have always been interested in Super Bowl advertising from a professional standpoint, ever since my first job as a media buyer at a now defunct Boston ad agency. While I was there, one of the media directors gave a presentation about why it had been worth it to spend $1 million (this was in the 1990s) to run one 30-second spot for a small, up to then unknown, company:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>He said it increased national <strong>brand recognition</strong> dramatically</li>\r\n	<li>And also, perhaps even more important strategically, made this company <strong>look like a big player</strong>, since the other Super Bowl advertisers are generally well established (well funded) brands such as Budweiser and Coca Cola.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nToday, Super Bowl ads cost close to $5 million for each 30-second spot. And then there are the other costs: advertising agency fees, production, talent (and famous talent ain\'t cheap), which probably tack on another $1-2 million, making it a huge chunk of the company\'s marketing budget.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is it worth it?</strong>\r\n\r\nClearly, advertisers think Super Bowl advertising is worth it. And since we don\'t know what their objectives are (brand recognition, sales, image bolstering), it is hard to say whether these are achieved.\r\n\r\n(You can check out who the advertisers were on Super Bowl 50 and link to all the spots in this AdAge article <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-50-ad-chart-buying-big-game-commercials/301183/\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl 50 Complete Ad Chart</a>.)\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, one of the best ads of the night was the Bud Light commercial featuring Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/JohgwbpQuy8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nIt was genuinely clever and funny. And packed a whole lot of celebrity punch. But, are you going to start drinking Bud Light? I bet that if you already drink Bud, perhaps you will feel more secure about your choice. This is called <strong>social proof,</strong> which means that we believe behavior (drinking Bud Light) is cool if other people (Seth Rogen! Amy Schumer!) think it is.\r\n\r\nBut, on the other hand, if you are like me, you will never, ever, drink Bud Light. No amount of cute or smart or funny commercials are going to make me choose Bud Light the next time I am at a bar, restaurant or liquor store. I just don\'t like it.\r\n\r\nI have a<strong> hardened opinion</strong>, and it is very hard to change this type of view. By the way, the same goes for my opinion of several other big Super Bowl advertisers including Doritos (don\'t eat them), Taco Bell (just not going there), and Mountain Dew (really, a monkey-baby nightmare?).\r\n\r\nBut, on issues where people don\'t have an opinion or don\'t have enough information, a Super Bowl commercial can really make a difference. Another ad that was not only funny but very effective was this one for the Amazon Echo, featuring Alec Baldwin, Jason Schwartzman, Dan Marino and Missy Elliot:\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/qTz5jAn-XX8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThis introduced a product and also piqued interest. I\'d be curious to know how Echo sales do after this, but just based on Twitter, there was a lot of chatter about it (brand recognition, check!).\r\n\r\nIn sum, Super Bowl advertising expenditure is somewhat overblown for brands with strong brand recognition but can be worth it for new products or brands.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you watched the Super Bowl, did you focus on the commercials? Did any make you think differently about a product or brand? Let me know in the comments.','Do Super Bowl ads change minds?','','publish','open','open','','do-super-bowl-ads-change-minds','','','2016-02-09 17:39:35','2016-02-09 22:39:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3149',0,'post','',0),(3150,4,'2016-02-09 14:41:50','2016-02-09 19:41:50','I only watched the first part of Super Bowl 50, and halfheartedly at that. I am not a football fan, and I had no reason to root for either the Broncos or the Panthers. And I was not at Super Bowl party. If I do watch the Super Bowl it is to check out the ads.\r\n\r\nI have always been interested from a professional standpoint, ever since my first job as a media buyer at a now defunct Boston ad agency. While I was there, one of the media directors gave a presentation about why it had been worth it to spend $1 million (this was in the 1990s) to run one 30-second spot for a small, up to then unknown, company:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>He said it increased national <strong>brand recognition</strong> dramatically</li>\r\n	<li>And also, perhaps even more important strategically, made this company <strong>look like a big player</strong>, since the other Super Bowl advertisers are generally well established (well funded) brands such as Budweiser and Coca Cola.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nToday, Super Bowl ads cost close to $5 million for each 30-second spot. And then there are the other costs: advertising agency fees, production, talent (and famous talent ain\'t cheap), which probably tack on another $1-2 million, making it a huge chunk of the company\'s marketing budget.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is it worth it?</strong>\r\n\r\nClearly, advertisers think Super Bowl advertising is worth it. And since we don\'t know what their objectives are (brand recognition, sales, image bolstering), it is hard to say whether these are achieved.\r\n\r\n(You can check out who the advertisers were on Super Bowl 50 and link to all the spots in this AdAge article <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-50-ad-chart-buying-big-game-commercials/301183/\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl 50 Complete Ad Chart</a>.)\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, one of the best ads of the night was the Bud Light commercial featuring Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/JohgwbpQuy8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nIt was genuinely clever and funny. And packed a whole lot of celebrity punch. But, are you going to start drinking Bud Light? I bet that if you already drink Bud, perhaps you will feel more secure about your choice. This is called <strong>social proof,</strong> which means that we believe behavior (drinking Bud Light) is cool if other people (Seth Rogen! Amy Schumer!) think it is.\r\n\r\nBut, on the other hand, if you are like me, you will never, ever, drink Bud Light. No amount of cute or smart or funny commercials are going to make me choose Bud Light the next time I am at a bar, restaurant or liquor store. I just don\'t like it.\r\n\r\nI have a<strong> hardened opinion</strong>, and it is very hard to change this type of view. By the way, the same goes for my opinion of several other big Super Bowl advertisers including Doritos (don\'t eat them), Taco Bell (just not going there), and Mountain Dew (really, a monkey-baby nightmare?).\r\n\r\nBut, on issues where people don\'t have an opinion or don\'t have enough information, a Super Bowl commercial can really make a difference. Another ad that was not only funny but very effective was this one for the Amazon Echo, featuring Alec Baldwin, Jason Schwartzman, Dan Marino and Missy Elliot:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/qTz5jAn-XX8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThis introduced a product and also piqued interest. I\'d be curious to know how Echo sales do after this, but just based on Twitter, there was a lot of chatter about it (brand recognition, check!).\r\n\r\nIn sum, Super Bowl advertising expenditure is somewhat overblown for brands with strong brand recognition but can be worth it for new products or brands.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you watched the Super Bowl, did you focus on the commercials? Did any make you think differently about a product or brand? Let me know in the comments.','Do Super Bowl ads change minds?','','inherit','open','open','','3149-revision-v1','','','2016-02-09 14:41:50','2016-02-09 19:41:50','',3149,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3149-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3151,4,'2016-02-09 17:38:56','2016-02-09 22:38:56','I only watched the first part of Super Bowl 50, and halfheartedly at that. I am not a football fan, and I had no reason to root for either the Broncos or the Panthers. Also, I wasn\'t at a Super Bowl party. The only part that I was paying some attention was t\n\nI have always been interested from a professional standpoint, ever since my first job as a media buyer at a now defunct Boston ad agency. While I was there, one of the media directors gave a presentation about why it had been worth it to spend $1 million (this was in the 1990s) to run one 30-second spot for a small, up to then unknown, company:\n<ul>\n	<li>He said it increased national <strong>brand recognition</strong> dramatically</li>\n	<li>And also, perhaps even more important strategically, made this company <strong>look like a big player</strong>, since the other Super Bowl advertisers are generally well established (well funded) brands such as Budweiser and Coca Cola.</li>\n</ul>\nToday, Super Bowl ads cost close to $5 million for each 30-second spot. And then there are the other costs: advertising agency fees, production, talent (and famous talent ain\'t cheap), which probably tack on another $1-2 million, making it a huge chunk of the company\'s marketing budget.\n\n<strong>Is it worth it?</strong>\n\nClearly, advertisers think Super Bowl advertising is worth it. And since we don\'t know what their objectives are (brand recognition, sales, image bolstering), it is hard to say whether these are achieved.\n\n(You can check out who the advertisers were on Super Bowl 50 and link to all the spots in this AdAge article <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-50-ad-chart-buying-big-game-commercials/301183/\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl 50 Complete Ad Chart</a>.)\n\nIn my opinion, one of the best ads of the night was the Bud Light commercial featuring Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/JohgwbpQuy8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\n\nIt was genuinely clever and funny. And packed a whole lot of celebrity punch. But, are you going to start drinking Bud Light? I bet that if you already drink Bud, perhaps you will feel more secure about your choice. This is called <strong>social proof,</strong> which means that we believe behavior (drinking Bud Light) is cool if other people (Seth Rogen! Amy Schumer!) think it is.\n\nBut, on the other hand, if you are like me, you will never, ever, drink Bud Light. No amount of cute or smart or funny commercials are going to make me choose Bud Light the next time I am at a bar, restaurant or liquor store. I just don\'t like it.\n\nI have a<strong> hardened opinion</strong>, and it is very hard to change this type of view. By the way, the same goes for my opinion of several other big Super Bowl advertisers including Doritos (don\'t eat them), Taco Bell (just not going there), and Mountain Dew (really, a monkey-baby nightmare?).\n\nBut, on issues where people don\'t have an opinion or don\'t have enough information, a Super Bowl commercial can really make a difference. Another ad that was not only funny but very effective was this one for the Amazon Echo, featuring Alec Baldwin, Jason Schwartzman, Dan Marino and Missy Elliot:\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/qTz5jAn-XX8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\n\nThis introduced a product and also piqued interest. I\'d be curious to know how Echo sales do after this, but just based on Twitter, there was a lot of chatter about it (brand recognition, check!).\n\nIn sum, Super Bowl advertising expenditure is somewhat overblown for brands with strong brand recognition but can be worth it for new products or brands.\n\nWhat do you think? If you watched the Super Bowl, did you focus on the commercials? Did any make you think differently about a product or brand? Let me know in the comments.','Do Super Bowl ads change minds?','','inherit','open','open','','3149-autosave-v1','','','2016-02-09 17:38:56','2016-02-09 22:38:56','',3149,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3149-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3152,4,'2016-02-09 17:39:35','2016-02-09 22:39:35','I only watched the first part of Super Bowl 50, and halfheartedly at that. I am not a football fan, and I had no reason to root for either the Broncos or the Panthers. Also, I wasn\'t at a Super Bowl party. The only part that I was paying some attention to was the commercials.\r\n\r\nI have always been interested in Super Bowl advertising from a professional standpoint, ever since my first job as a media buyer at a now defunct Boston ad agency. While I was there, one of the media directors gave a presentation about why it had been worth it to spend $1 million (this was in the 1990s) to run one 30-second spot for a small, up to then unknown, company:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>He said it increased national <strong>brand recognition</strong> dramatically</li>\r\n	<li>And also, perhaps even more important strategically, made this company <strong>look like a big player</strong>, since the other Super Bowl advertisers are generally well established (well funded) brands such as Budweiser and Coca Cola.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nToday, Super Bowl ads cost close to $5 million for each 30-second spot. And then there are the other costs: advertising agency fees, production, talent (and famous talent ain\'t cheap), which probably tack on another $1-2 million, making it a huge chunk of the company\'s marketing budget.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is it worth it?</strong>\r\n\r\nClearly, advertisers think Super Bowl advertising is worth it. And since we don\'t know what their objectives are (brand recognition, sales, image bolstering), it is hard to say whether these are achieved.\r\n\r\n(You can check out who the advertisers were on Super Bowl 50 and link to all the spots in this AdAge article <a href=\"http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-50-ad-chart-buying-big-game-commercials/301183/\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl 50 Complete Ad Chart</a>.)\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, one of the best ads of the night was the Bud Light commercial featuring Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/JohgwbpQuy8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nIt was genuinely clever and funny. And packed a whole lot of celebrity punch. But, are you going to start drinking Bud Light? I bet that if you already drink Bud, perhaps you will feel more secure about your choice. This is called <strong>social proof,</strong> which means that we believe behavior (drinking Bud Light) is cool if other people (Seth Rogen! Amy Schumer!) think it is.\r\n\r\nBut, on the other hand, if you are like me, you will never, ever, drink Bud Light. No amount of cute or smart or funny commercials are going to make me choose Bud Light the next time I am at a bar, restaurant or liquor store. I just don\'t like it.\r\n\r\nI have a<strong> hardened opinion</strong>, and it is very hard to change this type of view. By the way, the same goes for my opinion of several other big Super Bowl advertisers including Doritos (don\'t eat them), Taco Bell (just not going there), and Mountain Dew (really, a monkey-baby nightmare?).\r\n\r\nBut, on issues where people don\'t have an opinion or don\'t have enough information, a Super Bowl commercial can really make a difference. Another ad that was not only funny but very effective was this one for the Amazon Echo, featuring Alec Baldwin, Jason Schwartzman, Dan Marino and Missy Elliot:\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/qTz5jAn-XX8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nThis introduced a product and also piqued interest. I\'d be curious to know how Echo sales do after this, but just based on Twitter, there was a lot of chatter about it (brand recognition, check!).\r\n\r\nIn sum, Super Bowl advertising expenditure is somewhat overblown for brands with strong brand recognition but can be worth it for new products or brands.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? If you watched the Super Bowl, did you focus on the commercials? Did any make you think differently about a product or brand? Let me know in the comments.','Do Super Bowl ads change minds?','','inherit','open','open','','3149-revision-v1','','','2016-02-09 17:39:35','2016-02-09 22:39:35','',3149,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3149-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3154,4,'2016-02-16 12:53:37','2016-02-16 17:53:37','I just watched the movie <a href=\"https://youtu.be/MqOz8-Sto1g\" target=\"_blank\">\"Truth,\"</a> starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, about questionable documents, used by producer Mary Mapes and reported by Dan Rather on <em>60 Minutes II</em>, which purported to prove that George W. Bush may not have served his full duty in the National Guard.\r\n\r\nThe movie came out last year around the same time as <a href=\"https://youtu.be/Zg5zSVxx9JM\" target=\"_blank\">\"Spotlight,\"</a> also a movie about journalists. \"Spotlight\" (which I saw last year) tells the story of the <em>Boston Globe</em> reporters who investigated child abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, and the subsequent Church cover-up. Both movies are based on real stories, and both deal with reporting, but that is where any similarity ends.\r\n\r\n\"Truth\" portrays a major screw-up at CBS. \"Spotlight\" portrays a major triumph by the <em>Boston Globe</em>.\r\n\r\nAlso, \"Truth\" is about broadcast journalism and \"Spotlight\" is about print journalism and the differences are stark. In \"Truth,\" facts are not properly sourced essentially because of time constraints associated with broadcast deadlines. In \"Spotlight,\" the reporters are told they have to dig out and track down the sources until the story is right.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that having enough time to fact check and substantiate a story is the deciding factor between getting things right and screwing up.\r\n\r\nThese movies also show a different understanding of what a journalist’s role is. As the title implies, \"Truth\" is about getting at a truth, even though the facts may not be right. \"Spotlight\" is about not only getting the facts right, but getting enough information so that what is being presented can’t be easily challenged.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facts and truth are not the same.</strong>\r\n\r\nFacts are provable. The high temperature in Washington, D.C. on February 15<sup>th</sup> was 29F as recorded by the weather watchers at Reagan National Airport. You can check that.\r\n\r\nTruth is a belief, and it is changeable. What is true to someone, such as he/she believes that chocolate is the best flavor may not be true to someone who prefers vanilla. The only facts here are that chocolate and vanilla are flavors.\r\n\r\nWhen we write, and especially when we edit, we have to check the facts. Are names spelled correctly? Are the numbers used accurate? And further, we have to check the sources. Just because many people are saying something on social media does not make it factual. Not being careful with fact-checking leads to a story blowing up as it did in \"Truth.\" It may or may not be true that President Bush skirted his National Guard service, but it will never be proven without checking sources (are they reliable?) and facts carefully and thoroughly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the campaign trail a fact-free zone?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd that brings me to political journalism today. As has been evidenced countless times on the campaign trail, many of the candidates are not dealing in facts, but rather in their own truths or beliefs. And many political journalists are caught up in trying to question the “truth” without knowing or researching or checking the facts. So we hear statements that are not fact-based such as America is “less safe” today because of Barack Obama’s policies or that Obamacare is hurting the economy. These are not facts. They are beliefs and they are not provable.\r\n\r\nJournalists who are covering the campaign have a duty to find and point out the facts. Sometimes we’ll see them do this. For example, on <em>Fox News Sunday</em>, Chris Wallace pushed back against Ted Cruz’s assertion that Obamacare has been a job killer by quoting the jobless rate, which is the lowest it’s been since 2008. Cruz then punted and blamed the fact checkers, saying they were not impartial. You can read more<a href=\"http://www.mediaite.com/tv/thats-changing-the-subject-chris-wallace-confronts-cruz-on-health-care-claims/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>\r\n\r\nBut not all journalists point to facts. We’ve seen many debates where the candidates’ assertions are not challenged. This is partially because there are so many such assertions, and partially because journalists do not necessarily know the facts. Just this weekend during the Republican debate, most of the candidates said that Obama should not (could not?) appoint a justice to the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia (who died Saturday). Some claimed there was precedent for this. We’ve since learned of the so-called Thurmond rule, where, according to Senator Strom Thurmond, no appointments would be confirmed in the summer previous to the end of a president’s term. However, this is not actually a “rule” but rather a tradition, and one that is not really enforced. But, facts aside, Republican candidates keep insisting there is precedent. We even saw Ted Cruz state that if Obama appoints someone, the Second Amendment would “die.” I didn’t see any push back, perhaps because this is so belief-based there are no facts to counter the argument with.\r\n\r\n<strong>And then, if journalists do push back…</strong>\r\n\r\nRemember when Donald Trump claimed he saw Muslims celebrating the 9-11 attacks in the streets of New Jersey? To him, the truth was United States Muslims celebrated the country being attacked. The facts were that no such outdoor celebration occurred in New Jersey. None. Some journalists pushed back, citing the facts, but Trump doesn’t care about facts, especially if they do not substantiate his beliefs. And especially if continuing to refute facts gives him more publicity, but that’s another story.\r\n\r\nOur democracy is in real danger when beliefs trump facts. Journalists must do their job make sure that they are presenting facts and not beliefs. They should not let the pressures of the 24-7 news cycle make them into Mary Mapes, seeking some higher truth but not checking the facts. They should not let candidates’ questionable assertions go unchallenged. Many people—voters—get all their information from one source, their favored news outlet, and don’t fact check or examine the source of the information. They assume the information is reliable and make decisions based on it. Those decisions help elect presidents and do have consequences.\r\n\r\nDo you feel that journalists are doing the best they can? Could they do better? What makes a good journalist? Please share your opinions in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Truth vs. facts vs. journalism: an editorial','','publish','open','open','','truth-vs-facts-vs-journalism-an-editorial','','','2016-02-16 12:53:37','2016-02-16 17:53:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3154',0,'post','',0),(3155,4,'2016-02-16 12:20:26','2016-02-16 17:20:26','I just watched the movie <a href=\"https://youtu.be/MqOz8-Sto1g\" target=\"_blank\">\"Truth,\"</a> starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, about questionable documents, used by producer Mary Mapes and reported by Dan Rather on 60 Minutes II, which purported to prove that George W. Bush may not have served his full duty in the National Guard.\r\n\r\nThe movie came out last year around the same time as <a href=\"https://youtu.be/Zg5zSVxx9JM\" target=\"_blank\">\"Spotlight,\"</a> also a movie about journalists. Spotlight (which I saw last year) tells the story of the <em>Boston Globe</em> reporters who investigated child abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, and the subsequent Church cover-up. Both movies are based on real stories, and both deal with reporting, but that is where any similarity ends.\r\n\r\n\"Truth\" portrays major screw-up at CBS. \"Spotlight\" portrays a major triumph by the <em>Boston Globe</em>.\r\n\r\nAlso, \"Truth\" is about broadcast journalism and \"Spotlight\" is about print journalism and the differences are stark. In \"Truth,\" facts are not properly sourced essentially because of time constraints associated with broadcast deadlines. In \"Spotlight,\" the reporters are told they have to dig out and track down the sources until the story is right.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that having enough time to fact check and substantiate a story is the deciding factor between getting things right and screwing up.\r\n\r\nBut these movies also show a different understanding of what a journalist’s role is. As the title implies, \"Truth\" is about getting at a truth, even though the facts may not be right. \"Spotlight\" is about not only getting the facts right but getting enough information so that what is being presented can’t be easily challenged.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facts and truth are not the same.</strong>\r\n\r\nFacts are check-able and provable. The high temperature in Washington, D.C. on February 15<sup>th</sup> was 29F as recorded by the weather watchers at Reagan National Airport. You can check that.\r\n\r\nTruth is a belief, and it is changeable. What is true to someone, such as he/she believes that chocolate is the best flavor may not be true to someone who prefers vanilla. The only facts here are that chocolate and vanilla are flavors.\r\n\r\nWhen we write, and especially when we edit, we have to check the facts. Are names spelled correctly? Are the numbers used accurate? And further, we have to check the sources. Just because many people are saying something on social media does not make it factual. Not being careful with fact-checking leads to a story blowing up as it did in \"Truth.\" It may or may not be true that President Bush skirted his National Guard service, but it will never be proven without checking sources and facts carefully and thoroughly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the campaign trail a fact-free zone?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd that brings me to political journalism today. As has been evidenced countless times on the campaign trail, many of the candidates are not dealing in facts, but rather in their own truths or beliefs. And many political journalists are caught up in trying to question the “truth” without knowing or researching or checking the facts. So we hear statements that are not fact-based such as America is “less safe” today because of Barack Obama’s policies or that Obamacare is hurting the economy. These are not facts. They are beliefs and they are not provable.\r\n\r\nJournalists who are covering the campaign have a duty to point the facts. Sometimes we’ll see them do this. For example, on Fox’s Sunday program, Chris Wallace pushed back against Ted Cruz’s assertion that Obamacare has been a job killer, saying that the fact is that the jobless rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008. Cruz then punted and blamed the fact checkers, saying they were not impartial. You can read more<a href=\"http://www.mediaite.com/tv/thats-changing-the-subject-chris-wallace-confronts-cruz-on-health-care-claims/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>\r\n\r\nBut not all journalists point to facts. We’ve seen many debates where the candidates’ assertions are not challenged. This is partially because there are so many such assertions, and partially because journalists do not necessarily know the facts. Just this weekend during the Republican debate, most of the candidates said that Obama should not (could not?) appoint a justice to replace Antonin Scalia. Some claimed there was precedent for this. We’ve since learned of the so-called Thurmond rule, where, according to Senator Strom Thurmond, no appointments would be confirmed in the summer previous to the end of a president’s term. However, this is not actually a “rule” but rather a tradition, and one that is not really enforced. But, facts aside, Republican candidates keep insisting there is precedent. We even saw Ted Cruz state that if Obama appoints someone, the Second Amendment would “die.” I didn’t see any pushback, perhaps because this is so belief-based there are no facts to counter the argument with.\r\n\r\n<strong>And then, if journalists do push back…</strong>\r\n\r\nRemember when Donald Trump claimed he saw Muslims celebrating the 9-11 attacks in the streets of New Jersey? To him, the truth was United States Muslims celebrated the country being attacked. The facts were that no such outdoor celebration occurred in New Jersey. None. Some journalists pushed back, citing the facts, but Trump doesn’t care about facts, especially if they do not substantiate his beliefs. And especially if continuing to refute facts gives him more publicity, but that’s another story.\r\n\r\nOur democracy is in real danger when beliefs trump facts. Journalists must do their job make sure that they are presenting facts and not beliefs. They should not let the pressures of the 24-7 news cycle make them into Mary Mapes, seeking truth and not checking the facts. They should not let candidates’ questionable assertions go unchallenged. Many people—voters—get all their information from one source, their favored news outlet, and don’t fact check or examine the source of the information. They assume the information is reliable and make decisions based on it. Those decisions help elect presidents and do have consequences.\r\n\r\nDo you feel that journalists are doing the best they can? Could they do better? What makes a good journalist?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Truth vs. facts vs. journalism: an editorial','','inherit','open','open','','3154-revision-v1','','','2016-02-16 12:20:26','2016-02-16 17:20:26','',3154,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3154-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3156,4,'2016-02-16 12:48:04','2016-02-16 17:48:04','I just watched the movie <a href=\"https://youtu.be/MqOz8-Sto1g\" target=\"_blank\">\"Truth,\"</a> starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, about questionable documents, used by producer Mary Mapes and reported by Dan Rather on <em>60 Minutes II</em>, which purported to prove that George W. Bush may not have served his full duty in the National Guard.\r\n\r\nThe movie came out last year around the same time as <a href=\"https://youtu.be/Zg5zSVxx9JM\" target=\"_blank\">\"Spotlight,\"</a> also a movie about journalists. \"Spotlight\" (which I saw last year) tells the story of the <em>Boston Globe</em> reporters who investigated child abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, and the subsequent Church cover-up. Both movies are based on real stories, and both deal with reporting, but that is where any similarity ends.\r\n\r\n\"Truth\" portrays a major screw-up at CBS. \"Spotlight\" portrays a major triumph by the <em>Boston Globe</em>.\r\n\r\nAlso, \"Truth\" is about broadcast journalism and \"Spotlight\" is about print journalism and the differences are stark. In \"Truth,\" facts are not properly sourced essentially because of time constraints associated with broadcast deadlines. In \"Spotlight,\" the reporters are told they have to dig out and track down the sources until the story is right.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that having enough time to fact check and substantiate a story is the deciding factor between getting things right and screwing up.\r\n\r\nThese movies also show a different understanding of what a journalist’s role is. As the title implies, \"Truth\" is about getting at a truth, even though the facts may not be right. \"Spotlight\" is about not only getting the facts right, but getting enough information so that what is being presented can’t be easily challenged.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facts and truth are not the same.</strong>\r\n\r\nFacts are provable. The high temperature in Washington, D.C. on February 15<sup>th</sup> was 29F as recorded by the weather watchers at Reagan National Airport. You can check that.\r\n\r\nTruth is a belief, and it is changeable. What is true to someone, such as he/she believes that chocolate is the best flavor may not be true to someone who prefers vanilla. The only facts here are that chocolate and vanilla are flavors.\r\n\r\nWhen we write, and especially when we edit, we have to check the facts. Are names spelled correctly? Are the numbers used accurate? And further, we have to check the sources. Just because many people are saying something on social media does not make it factual. Not being careful with fact-checking leads to a story blowing up as it did in \"Truth.\" It may or may not be true that President Bush skirted his National Guard service, but it will never be proven without checking sources (are they reliable?) and facts carefully and thoroughly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the campaign trail a fact-free zone?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd that brings me to political journalism today. As has been evidenced countless times on the campaign trail, many of the candidates are not dealing in facts, but rather in their own truths or beliefs. And many political journalists are caught up in trying to question the “truth” without knowing or researching or checking the facts. So we hear statements that are not fact-based such as America is “less safe” today because of Barack Obama’s policies or that Obamacare is hurting the economy. These are not facts. They are beliefs and they are not provable.\r\n\r\nJournalists who are covering the campaign have a duty to find and point out the facts. Sometimes we’ll see them do this. For example, on <em>Fox News Sunday</em>, Chris Wallace pushed back against Ted Cruz’s assertion that Obamacare has been a job killer by quoting the jobless rate, which is the lowest it’s been since 2008. Cruz then punted and blamed the fact checkers, saying they were not impartial. You can read more<a href=\"http://www.mediaite.com/tv/thats-changing-the-subject-chris-wallace-confronts-cruz-on-health-care-claims/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>\r\n\r\nBut not all journalists point to facts. We’ve seen many debates where the candidates’ assertions are not challenged. This is partially because there are so many such assertions, and partially because journalists do not necessarily know the facts. Just this weekend during the Republican debate, most of the candidates said that Obama should not (could not?) appoint a justice to the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia (who died Saturday). Some claimed there was precedent for this. We’ve since learned of the so-called Thurmond rule, where, according to Senator Strom Thurmond, no appointments would be confirmed in the summer previous to the end of a president’s term. However, this is not actually a “rule” but rather a tradition, and one that is not really enforced. But, facts aside, Republican candidates keep insisting there is precedent. We even saw Ted Cruz state that if Obama appoints someone, the Second Amendment would “die.” I didn’t see any push back, perhaps because this is so belief-based there are no facts to counter the argument with.\r\n\r\n<strong>And then, if journalists do push back…</strong>\r\n\r\nRemember when Donald Trump claimed he saw Muslims celebrating the 9-11 attacks in the streets of New Jersey? To him, the truth was United States Muslims celebrated the country being attacked. The facts were that no such outdoor celebration occurred in New Jersey. None. Some journalists pushed back, citing the facts, but Trump doesn’t care about facts, especially if they do not substantiate his beliefs. And especially if continuing to refute facts gives him more publicity, but that’s another story.\r\n\r\nOur democracy is in real danger when beliefs trump facts. Journalists must do their job make sure that they are presenting facts and not beliefs. They should not let the pressures of the 24-7 news cycle make them into Mary Mapes, seeking some higher truth but not checking the facts. They should not let candidates’ questionable assertions go unchallenged. Many people—voters—get all their information from one source, their favored news outlet, and don’t fact check or examine the source of the information. They assume the information is reliable and make decisions based on it. Those decisions help elect presidents and do have consequences.\r\n\r\nDo you feel that journalists are doing the best they can? Could they do better? What makes a good journalist?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Truth vs. facts vs. journalism: an editorial','','inherit','open','open','','3154-revision-v1','','','2016-02-16 12:48:04','2016-02-16 17:48:04','',3154,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3154-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3157,4,'2016-02-16 12:53:37','2016-02-16 17:53:37','I just watched the movie <a href=\"https://youtu.be/MqOz8-Sto1g\" target=\"_blank\">\"Truth,\"</a> starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, about questionable documents, used by producer Mary Mapes and reported by Dan Rather on <em>60 Minutes II</em>, which purported to prove that George W. Bush may not have served his full duty in the National Guard.\r\n\r\nThe movie came out last year around the same time as <a href=\"https://youtu.be/Zg5zSVxx9JM\" target=\"_blank\">\"Spotlight,\"</a> also a movie about journalists. \"Spotlight\" (which I saw last year) tells the story of the <em>Boston Globe</em> reporters who investigated child abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, and the subsequent Church cover-up. Both movies are based on real stories, and both deal with reporting, but that is where any similarity ends.\r\n\r\n\"Truth\" portrays a major screw-up at CBS. \"Spotlight\" portrays a major triumph by the <em>Boston Globe</em>.\r\n\r\nAlso, \"Truth\" is about broadcast journalism and \"Spotlight\" is about print journalism and the differences are stark. In \"Truth,\" facts are not properly sourced essentially because of time constraints associated with broadcast deadlines. In \"Spotlight,\" the reporters are told they have to dig out and track down the sources until the story is right.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that having enough time to fact check and substantiate a story is the deciding factor between getting things right and screwing up.\r\n\r\nThese movies also show a different understanding of what a journalist’s role is. As the title implies, \"Truth\" is about getting at a truth, even though the facts may not be right. \"Spotlight\" is about not only getting the facts right, but getting enough information so that what is being presented can’t be easily challenged.\r\n\r\n<strong>Facts and truth are not the same.</strong>\r\n\r\nFacts are provable. The high temperature in Washington, D.C. on February 15<sup>th</sup> was 29F as recorded by the weather watchers at Reagan National Airport. You can check that.\r\n\r\nTruth is a belief, and it is changeable. What is true to someone, such as he/she believes that chocolate is the best flavor may not be true to someone who prefers vanilla. The only facts here are that chocolate and vanilla are flavors.\r\n\r\nWhen we write, and especially when we edit, we have to check the facts. Are names spelled correctly? Are the numbers used accurate? And further, we have to check the sources. Just because many people are saying something on social media does not make it factual. Not being careful with fact-checking leads to a story blowing up as it did in \"Truth.\" It may or may not be true that President Bush skirted his National Guard service, but it will never be proven without checking sources (are they reliable?) and facts carefully and thoroughly.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is the campaign trail a fact-free zone?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd that brings me to political journalism today. As has been evidenced countless times on the campaign trail, many of the candidates are not dealing in facts, but rather in their own truths or beliefs. And many political journalists are caught up in trying to question the “truth” without knowing or researching or checking the facts. So we hear statements that are not fact-based such as America is “less safe” today because of Barack Obama’s policies or that Obamacare is hurting the economy. These are not facts. They are beliefs and they are not provable.\r\n\r\nJournalists who are covering the campaign have a duty to find and point out the facts. Sometimes we’ll see them do this. For example, on <em>Fox News Sunday</em>, Chris Wallace pushed back against Ted Cruz’s assertion that Obamacare has been a job killer by quoting the jobless rate, which is the lowest it’s been since 2008. Cruz then punted and blamed the fact checkers, saying they were not impartial. You can read more<a href=\"http://www.mediaite.com/tv/thats-changing-the-subject-chris-wallace-confronts-cruz-on-health-care-claims/\" target=\"_blank\"> here.</a>\r\n\r\nBut not all journalists point to facts. We’ve seen many debates where the candidates’ assertions are not challenged. This is partially because there are so many such assertions, and partially because journalists do not necessarily know the facts. Just this weekend during the Republican debate, most of the candidates said that Obama should not (could not?) appoint a justice to the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia (who died Saturday). Some claimed there was precedent for this. We’ve since learned of the so-called Thurmond rule, where, according to Senator Strom Thurmond, no appointments would be confirmed in the summer previous to the end of a president’s term. However, this is not actually a “rule” but rather a tradition, and one that is not really enforced. But, facts aside, Republican candidates keep insisting there is precedent. We even saw Ted Cruz state that if Obama appoints someone, the Second Amendment would “die.” I didn’t see any push back, perhaps because this is so belief-based there are no facts to counter the argument with.\r\n\r\n<strong>And then, if journalists do push back…</strong>\r\n\r\nRemember when Donald Trump claimed he saw Muslims celebrating the 9-11 attacks in the streets of New Jersey? To him, the truth was United States Muslims celebrated the country being attacked. The facts were that no such outdoor celebration occurred in New Jersey. None. Some journalists pushed back, citing the facts, but Trump doesn’t care about facts, especially if they do not substantiate his beliefs. And especially if continuing to refute facts gives him more publicity, but that’s another story.\r\n\r\nOur democracy is in real danger when beliefs trump facts. Journalists must do their job make sure that they are presenting facts and not beliefs. They should not let the pressures of the 24-7 news cycle make them into Mary Mapes, seeking some higher truth but not checking the facts. They should not let candidates’ questionable assertions go unchallenged. Many people—voters—get all their information from one source, their favored news outlet, and don’t fact check or examine the source of the information. They assume the information is reliable and make decisions based on it. Those decisions help elect presidents and do have consequences.\r\n\r\nDo you feel that journalists are doing the best they can? Could they do better? What makes a good journalist? Please share your opinions in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Truth vs. facts vs. journalism: an editorial','','inherit','open','open','','3154-revision-v1','','','2016-02-16 12:53:37','2016-02-16 17:53:37','',3154,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3154-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3170,4,'2016-03-03 16:01:06','2016-03-03 21:01:06','As a huge fan of British mysteries, I am always reading books by authors such as Peter Robinson, Peter Lovesey, Ann Cleeves, and Ian Rankin. And I watch many British detective shows such as \"DCI Banks,\" \"Inspector Morse,\" \"Lewis,\" and \"Vera.\" Many of these shows are directly based on British authors’ books (\"Vera\" is based on Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope series), or based on the characters developed by the authors (Colin Dexter’s character Inspector Morse has inspired three TV shows: \"Inspector Morse,\"  \"Lewis,\" and \"Endeavour\").\r\n\r\nLast Friday, I finished reading Ann Cleeves’ <a href=\"http://www.anncleeves.com/vera/harbour.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Harbour Street\"</a> and coincidentally (weirdly, really), the \"Vera\" episode (\"On Harbour Street\") that aired Saturday on WETA UK was based on that very book! It was a great opportunity to see how the TV adaptation of the book stacked up-- what was the same, what was different.\r\n\r\n<strong>The same</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main premise of the story was exactly the same: an older woman, Margaret, is stabbed on the Metro. Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope’s sergeant, Joe Ashworth and his daughter are on the train when the dead woman is found. Vera investigates, leading her to a house on Harbour Street in the the town of Mardle, where the murdered woman lived. Vera pursues the investigation by talking to several people who knew the victim. Most of the main characters are the same: Vera, Joe, Margaret, Kate, and Dee (Margaret’s friend, an alcoholic prostitute).\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet different</strong>\r\n\r\nOther characters are different or even completely eliminated. For example, in the book, Vera has a constable named Holly, but in the TV adaptation, her name is Shep. Also, last names are different for many of the characters. The TV episode follows the same general plot as the book but eliminates a few side stories (e.g., a burning down of a building for insurance purposes), changes several details (e.g., Dee falls to her death in the TV show whereas she is stabbed in the book) and even has a different murderer (not going to give that away!). The action in the book takes place right before Christmas and it is cold, snowy and the roads are icy. In the TV adaptation, the action is set in what could be summer (or late spring, early fall).\r\n\r\n<strong>What is content marketing?</strong>\r\n\r\nContent marketing is essentially re-purposing content, that is, taking various types of informational material (for example: a how-to video, a news article) at your disposal, and using it in different ways to help market your product or advocate for your cause.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you re-purpose content?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you re-purpose content, you are generally taking material that was produced for a certain purpose and/or medium (e.g., a long-form article in a trade publication) and you are adapting to a different purpose and/or medium (perhaps a blog post).\r\n\r\n<strong>Screenwriters re-purpose content, right?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to adapt or re-purpose content successfully, you can learn from what the \"Vera\" screenwriters did with \"On Harbour Street.\" Basically, they took a 376-page book and made it fit the time and story constraints of a one-and-a-half hour TV show. To achieve this, they concentrated on the main character, Vera (since she’s the title character of the TV series), while cutting out non-essential stories and extraneous characters. Perhaps because it is easier to film outside during the warmer months, the timing of the action was changed from winter to summer.\r\n\r\nThere are three steps you should follow when re-purposing content:\r\n\r\n<strong> 1. Know and understand the original material</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What is the essence of this content?</li>\r\n	<li>What are the content\'s most important points or key messages?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>2. Understand the medium where the content is to be re-purposed.</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What are the length/time/space constraints?</li>\r\n	<li>When is the content going to appear?</li>\r\n	<li>Will you need graphics or better explanations?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong> 3. Understand and know the audience</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Who will be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How will they be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How are they different or the same as the audience for the original content?</li>\r\n	<li>Do they have special needs?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Bottom line: To re-purpose any type of content, you must be able to maintain the content’s original meaning while making it relevant to new audiences and different media. </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How watching TV can make you a better content marketer','','publish','open','open','','how-watching-tv-can-make-you-a-better-content-marketer','','','2016-03-03 16:01:06','2016-03-03 21:01:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3170',0,'post','',0),(3160,4,'2016-02-25 08:38:56','2016-02-25 13:38:56','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism, and later worked in radio and television news. From there, he made the transition to public relations. Throughout his communications career, Chuck has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3164\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3164\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Tanowitz\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Chuck Tanowitz[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ctanowitz\" target=\"_blank\">@ctanowitz</a>\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients,  in everything from the<em> New York Times</em> to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the by-lined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist, I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma, and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What resonates for you? Let me know in the comments. And be on the lookout the last Thursday of every month for On Writing, where professionals share their thoughts on one of the most important communications skills.</span>','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-chuck-tanowitz-thinks-like-a-journalist','','','2016-02-25 08:38:56','2016-02-25 13:38:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3160',0,'post','',0),(3163,4,'2016-02-24 09:41:49','2016-02-24 14:41:49','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism and worked in radio and television, later in public relations. Throughout, he has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @ctanowitz\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients, appearing in everything from the New York Times to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the bylined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the AP Stylebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-24 09:41:49','2016-02-24 14:41:49','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3161,4,'2016-02-24 09:13:40','2016-02-24 14:13:40','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism and worked in radio and television, later in public relations. Throughout, he has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @ctanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Short bio (two or three sentences):</strong>  Chuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients, appearing in everything from the New York Times to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\nSeven questions about writing\r\n\r\n<strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the bylined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>Good writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the AP Stylebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-24 09:13:40','2016-02-24 14:13:40','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3162,4,'2016-02-24 09:21:46','2016-02-24 14:21:46','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism and worked in radio and television, later in public relations. Throughout, he has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @ctanowitz\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients, appearing in everything from the New York Times to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\nSeven questions about writing\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the bylined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the AP Stylebook.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-24 09:21:46','2016-02-24 14:21:46','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3164,4,'2016-02-25 08:28:02','2016-02-25 13:28:02','','Chuck Tanowitz (003)','Chuck Tanowitz','inherit','open','open','','chuck-tanowitz-003','','','2016-02-25 08:28:26','2016-02-25 13:28:26','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3165,4,'2016-02-25 08:35:03','2016-02-25 13:35:03','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism, and later worked in radio and television news. From there, he made the transition to public relations. Throughout his communications career, Chuck has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3164\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3164\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Tanowitz\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Chuck Tanowitz[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ctanowitz\" target=\"_blank\">@ctanowitz</a>\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients,  in everything from the<em> New York Times</em> to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the by-lined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What resonates for you? Let me know in the comments. And be on the lookout the last Thursday of every month for On Writing, where marketing communications pros will share their thoughts.</span>','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-25 08:35:03','2016-02-25 13:35:03','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3166,4,'2016-02-25 08:35:57','2016-02-25 13:35:57','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism, and later worked in radio and television news. From there, he made the transition to public relations. Throughout his communications career, Chuck has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3164\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3164\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Tanowitz\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Chuck Tanowitz[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ctanowitz\" target=\"_blank\">@ctanowitz</a>\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients,  in everything from the<em> New York Times</em> to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the by-lined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What resonates for you? Let me know in the comments. And be on the lookout the last Thursday of every month for On Writing, where marketing communications pros will share their thoughts.</span>','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-25 08:35:57','2016-02-25 13:35:57','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3167,4,'2016-02-25 08:37:46','2016-02-25 13:37:46','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism, and later worked in radio and television news. From there, he made the transition to public relations. Throughout his communications career, Chuck has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3164\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3164\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Tanowitz\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Chuck Tanowitz[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ctanowitz\" target=\"_blank\">@ctanowitz</a>\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients,  in everything from the<em> New York Times</em> to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the by-lined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What resonates for you? Let me know in the comments. And be on the lookout the last Thursday of every month for On Writing, where professionals share their thoughts on one of the most important communications skills.</span>','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-25 08:37:46','2016-02-25 13:37:46','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3168,4,'2016-02-25 08:38:56','2016-02-25 13:38:56','This month, I asked Chuck Tanowitz to give me his thoughts on writing. He studied journalism, and later worked in radio and television news. From there, he made the transition to public relations. Throughout his communications career, Chuck has relied on having strong writing skills and a sharp mind, as you will read in his answers below.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3164\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3164\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Chuck-Tanowitz-003-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Tanowitz\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Chuck Tanowitz[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Chuck Tanowitz\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ctanowitz\" target=\"_blank\">@ctanowitz</a>\r\n\r\nChuck Tanowitz is a content, marketing and PR professional living in the Boston area. His written pieces have appeared under his name and under that of his clients,  in everything from the<em> New York Times</em> to the deepest trade technology publications.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nPublic relations relies on writing. Pitching media requires it, but so does social engagement and the by-lined articles that clients want us to write all the time.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?  </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters now more than ever. Writing well is not just about typing in a few words, it’s about communicating. Even if you’re using a few emojis in your texting, your job as a communicator is to convey a thought, emotion or opinion using the tools at your disposal that are appropriate of the medium of choice. If that medium is text and the emoji helps convey some crucial aspect of that thought, then go ahead and use it. But the words remain necessary and the shortened length mean that the editing skills honed over a lifetime are all that much more important.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nGood writing is good editing.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt sounds silly, but my top writing resource remains Google. It helps me with spelling, grammar, usage and fact checking. You can’t trust everything, but mostly it’s a solid resource.  My second-favorite is my social network of fellow writers. Third is the <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nBeing a former journalist, I tend to follow AP Style. An old employer of mine hated the Oxford comma, and now I continue to struggle with it.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI hate passive writing. Not that I hate it in all circumstances, but I find a lot of young writers fall back on it to hide that they’re actually missing information and facts. We used to do that in TV when we would say “a man was shot” when we lacked information about who fired the gun. TV got around some of that by eliminating verbs altogether, with lines such as “gunshots today leave one dead and two injured.” But if writers simply looked for the verb “to be” and cut it back, they’d find their writing greatly improved.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.  What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nNo one word is better or worse than another, the context matters most.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What resonates for you? Let me know in the comments. And be on the lookout the last Thursday of every month for On Writing, where professionals share their thoughts on one of the most important communications skills.</span>','On writing: Chuck Tanowitz thinks like a journalist','','inherit','open','open','','3160-revision-v1','','','2016-02-25 08:38:56','2016-02-25 13:38:56','',3160,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/02/3160-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3171,4,'2016-03-03 15:53:18','2016-03-03 20:53:18','As a huge fan of British mysteries, I am always reading books by authors such as Peter Robinson, Peter Lovesey, Ann Cleeves, and Ian Rankin. And I watch many British detective shows such as \"DCI Banks,\" \"Inspector Morse,\" \"Lewis,\" and \"Vera.\" Many of these shows are directly based on British authors’ books (\"Vera\" is based on Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope series), or based on the characters developed by the authors (Colin Dexter’s character Inspector Morse has inspired three TV shows: \"Inspector Morse,\"  \"Lewis,\" and \"Endeavour\").\r\n\r\nLast Friday, I finished reading Ann Cleeves’ <a href=\"http://www.anncleeves.com/vera/harbour.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Harbour Street\"</a> and coincidentally (weirdly, really), the \"Vera\" episode (On Harbour Street) that aired Saturday on WETA UK was based on that very book! It was a great opportunity to see how the TV adaptation of the book stacked up-- what was the same, what was different.\r\n\r\n<strong>The same</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main premise of the story was exactly the same: an older woman, Margaret, is stabbed on the Metro. Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope’s sergeant, Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jess, are on the train when the dead woman is found. Vera investigates, leading her to a house on Harbour Street in Mardle, where the murdered woman lived. Vera pursues the investigation by talking to several people who knew the victim. Most of the main characters are the same: Vera, Joe, Margaret, Kate, and Dee (Margaret’s friend, an alcoholic prostitute).\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet different</strong>\r\n\r\nOther characters are different or even completely eliminated. For example, in the book, Vera has a constable named Holly, but in the TV adaptation, her name is Shep. Also, last names are different for many of the characters. The TV episode follows the same general plot as the book but eliminates a few side stories (e.g., a burning down of a building for insurance purposes), changes several details (e.g., Dee falls to her death in the TV show whereas she is stabbed in the book) and even has a different murderer (not going to give that away!). The action in the book takes place right before Christmas and it is cold, snowy and the roads are icy. In the TV adaptation, the action is set in what could be summer (or late spring, early fall).\r\n\r\n<strong>What is content marketing?</strong>\r\n\r\nContent marketing is essentially re-purposing content, that is, taking various types of informational material (for example: a how-to video, a news article) at your disposal, and using it in different ways to help market your product or advocate for your cause.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you re-purpose content?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you re-purpose content, you are generally taking material that was produced for a certain purpose and/or medium (e.g., a long-form article in a trade publication) and you are adapting to a different purpose and/or medium (perhaps a blog post).\r\n\r\nIf you want to adapt or re-purpose content successfully, you can learn from what the \"Vera\" screenwriters did with \"On Harbour Street.\" Basically, they took a 376-page book and made it fit the time and story constraints of a one-and-a-half hour TV show. To achieve this, they concentrated on the main character, Vera (since she’s the title character of the TV series), while cutting out non-essential stories and extraneous characters. Perhaps because it is easier to film outside during the warmer months, the timing of the action was changed from winter to summer.\r\n\r\nThere are three steps you should follow when re-purposing content:\r\n\r\n<strong> 1. Know and understand the original material</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What is the essence of this content?</li>\r\n	<li>What are the content\'s most important points or key messages?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>2. Understand the medium where the content is to be re-purposed.</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What are the length/time/space constraints?</li>\r\n	<li>When is the content going to appear?</li>\r\n	<li>Will you need graphics or better explanations?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong> 3. Understand and know the audience</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Who will be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How will they be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How are they different or the same as the audience for the original content?</li>\r\n	<li>Do they have special needs?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>To re-purpose any type of content, you must be able to maintain the content’s original meaning while making it relevant to new audiences and different media. </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How watching TV can make you a better content marketer','','inherit','open','open','','3170-revision-v1','','','2016-03-03 15:53:18','2016-03-03 20:53:18','',3170,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3170-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3172,4,'2016-03-03 16:01:06','2016-03-03 21:01:06','As a huge fan of British mysteries, I am always reading books by authors such as Peter Robinson, Peter Lovesey, Ann Cleeves, and Ian Rankin. And I watch many British detective shows such as \"DCI Banks,\" \"Inspector Morse,\" \"Lewis,\" and \"Vera.\" Many of these shows are directly based on British authors’ books (\"Vera\" is based on Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope series), or based on the characters developed by the authors (Colin Dexter’s character Inspector Morse has inspired three TV shows: \"Inspector Morse,\"  \"Lewis,\" and \"Endeavour\").\r\n\r\nLast Friday, I finished reading Ann Cleeves’ <a href=\"http://www.anncleeves.com/vera/harbour.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Harbour Street\"</a> and coincidentally (weirdly, really), the \"Vera\" episode (\"On Harbour Street\") that aired Saturday on WETA UK was based on that very book! It was a great opportunity to see how the TV adaptation of the book stacked up-- what was the same, what was different.\r\n\r\n<strong>The same</strong>\r\n\r\nThe main premise of the story was exactly the same: an older woman, Margaret, is stabbed on the Metro. Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope’s sergeant, Joe Ashworth and his daughter are on the train when the dead woman is found. Vera investigates, leading her to a house on Harbour Street in the the town of Mardle, where the murdered woman lived. Vera pursues the investigation by talking to several people who knew the victim. Most of the main characters are the same: Vera, Joe, Margaret, Kate, and Dee (Margaret’s friend, an alcoholic prostitute).\r\n\r\n<strong>Yet different</strong>\r\n\r\nOther characters are different or even completely eliminated. For example, in the book, Vera has a constable named Holly, but in the TV adaptation, her name is Shep. Also, last names are different for many of the characters. The TV episode follows the same general plot as the book but eliminates a few side stories (e.g., a burning down of a building for insurance purposes), changes several details (e.g., Dee falls to her death in the TV show whereas she is stabbed in the book) and even has a different murderer (not going to give that away!). The action in the book takes place right before Christmas and it is cold, snowy and the roads are icy. In the TV adaptation, the action is set in what could be summer (or late spring, early fall).\r\n\r\n<strong>What is content marketing?</strong>\r\n\r\nContent marketing is essentially re-purposing content, that is, taking various types of informational material (for example: a how-to video, a news article) at your disposal, and using it in different ways to help market your product or advocate for your cause.\r\n\r\n<strong>How do you re-purpose content?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you re-purpose content, you are generally taking material that was produced for a certain purpose and/or medium (e.g., a long-form article in a trade publication) and you are adapting to a different purpose and/or medium (perhaps a blog post).\r\n\r\n<strong>Screenwriters re-purpose content, right?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to adapt or re-purpose content successfully, you can learn from what the \"Vera\" screenwriters did with \"On Harbour Street.\" Basically, they took a 376-page book and made it fit the time and story constraints of a one-and-a-half hour TV show. To achieve this, they concentrated on the main character, Vera (since she’s the title character of the TV series), while cutting out non-essential stories and extraneous characters. Perhaps because it is easier to film outside during the warmer months, the timing of the action was changed from winter to summer.\r\n\r\nThere are three steps you should follow when re-purposing content:\r\n\r\n<strong> 1. Know and understand the original material</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What is the essence of this content?</li>\r\n	<li>What are the content\'s most important points or key messages?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>2. Understand the medium where the content is to be re-purposed.</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>What are the length/time/space constraints?</li>\r\n	<li>When is the content going to appear?</li>\r\n	<li>Will you need graphics or better explanations?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong> 3. Understand and know the audience</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Who will be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How will they be accessing the content?</li>\r\n	<li>How are they different or the same as the audience for the original content?</li>\r\n	<li>Do they have special needs?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Bottom line: To re-purpose any type of content, you must be able to maintain the content’s original meaning while making it relevant to new audiences and different media. </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How watching TV can make you a better content marketer','','inherit','open','open','','3170-revision-v1','','','2016-03-03 16:01:06','2016-03-03 21:01:06','',3170,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3170-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3174,4,'2016-03-08 15:39:54','2016-03-08 20:39:54','Written materials are the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear, concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and your business stand out.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Website content</li>\r\n	<li>Blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Marketing collateral\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Brochures</li>\r\n	<li>Flyers</li>\r\n	<li>Taglines</li>\r\n	<li>Ebooks</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter copy</li>\r\n	<li>Email copy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\r\n	<li>Public relations materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Press releases</li>\r\n	<li>Executive biographies</li>\r\n	<li>Position papers</li>\r\n	<li>White papers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Messaging materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Key messages</li>\r\n	<li>Company descriptions</li>\r\n	<li>Boilerplate</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWriting fee: $100 per hour','Writing/Copywriting','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2016-03-08 15:39:54','2016-03-08 20:39:54','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/49-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3175,4,'2016-03-08 15:42:42','2016-03-08 20:42:42','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency and accuracy to your documents.\n\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency. With heavier editing, your document will also get re-worked for clarity.\n\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-autosave-v1','','','2016-03-08 15:42:42','2016-03-08 20:42:42','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/2850-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3176,4,'2016-03-08 15:42:56','2016-03-08 20:42:56','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency and accuracy to your documents.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency.\r\n\r\nCopy editing fee: $50 per hour\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-revision-v1','','','2016-03-08 15:42:56','2016-03-08 20:42:56','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/2850-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3177,4,'2013-04-26 17:28:27','2013-04-26 17:28:27','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing and communications plan? Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing ideas, tactics and strategies.\r\n<h3>Blog consulting</h3>\r\nWhere does your blog fit in your overall communications plan? Is it achieving results?\r\n<h3>Social media consulting</h3>\r\nAre you using social media effectively? Are you reaching your goals? We\'ll help you determine what is working and what is not, and how to fix it.\r\n<h3>Communications audits</h3>\r\nAre your key messages relevant? What marketing collateral do you need and which could you get rid of? We will assess your materials and provide recommendations.','Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-04-26 17:28:27','2013-04-26 17:28:27','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2013/04/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3178,4,'2016-03-08 15:43:41','2016-03-08 20:43:41','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing and communications plan? Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing ideas, tactics and strategies.\r\n<h3>Blog consulting</h3>\r\nWhere does your blog fit in your overall communications plan? Is it achieving results?\r\n<h3>Social media consulting</h3>\r\nAre you using social media effectively? Are you reaching your goals? We\'ll help you determine what is working and what is not, and how to fix it.\r\n<h3>Communications audits</h3>\r\nAre your key messages relevant? What marketing collateral do you need and which could you get rid of? We will assess your materials and provide recommendations.\r\n\r\nCommunications consulting fee: $100 per hour','Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2016-03-08 15:43:41','2016-03-08 20:43:41','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3179,4,'2016-03-10 09:25:47','2016-03-10 14:25:47','We’re all familiar with the “no response” response, right? That’s the response that we don’t actually get but that in effect means no.\r\n\r\nIt happens with all sorts of queries and in all communication modes. Perhaps you sent a text message asking your friend if he wants to go to the movies, and you don’t hear back. Perhaps you sent an email inquiring about a job, and all you got in response was nothing. Maybe you are old school, and left a colleague a voice mail message, and she never called back.\r\n\r\nSince this “no response” has become the <em>de facto</em> “no” response, we\'ve come to assume if we haven’t heard from somebody that he or she is not interested in what we are offering, or proposing, or asking about. But, this assumption can be problematic.\r\n\r\n<strong>No more follow ups</strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes (not many times but still it happens) people genuinely did not get your message. The email ended up in the spam folder or the voice message got inadvertently deleted. But because you’ve become used to not expecting an answer unless the person is interested, you’ve stopped following up. And you and the recipient may miss out on a potential opportunity.\r\n\r\n<strong>Too many follow ups</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there are people who don’t give up until they get an answer. They may be clueless or they may be aggressive or both. When they don’t hear back from you, they keep getting in touch. The keep calling and texting and emailing. They don’t get that your lack of response means no and it also means “please stop getting in touch, I don’t want to deal with you!”\r\n\r\n<strong>It’s just plain lazy</strong>\r\n\r\nBy assuming that everybody understands that no response means you aren’t interested, in effect, you are taking the lazy (and rude) approach. Why bother answering an email with a polite “thank you but not interested” response when it is much easier to just ignore and delete?\r\n\r\n<strong>It may make you look bad</strong>\r\n\r\nYou may think that not responding communicates that you are too/so busy. You may actually be coming off as self-important or uncaring.\r\n\r\n<strong>What to do?</strong>\r\n\r\nWe’ve all been on either side of the “no response” response. Sometimes, we get overwhelmed and we forget to respond. And sometimes we sit around waiting for a response that never comes. What, if anything, can we do about it?\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>If you get the “no response” response:</strong> Accept that you can’t control what other people do. You don’t know their motivations or reasoning. So, don’t automatically assume a “no response” equals no unless you really know the person and his/her <em>modus operandi.</em> Do follow up once, but probably no more than that. If again, you don’t get a response, let it go. Remember, you can only try to get in touch but you can’t force an interaction.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>If you are avoiding responding:</strong> Become aware of the messages you are sending when you don’t respond. Is it that you can’t or don’t want to say no? Why is that? Are you not responding because you are overwhelmed? If so, perhaps you need to see about reducing your workload. Perhaps you do it because you don’t like confrontation. If so, ask yourself what you think will happen.</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? What do you think when someone fails to respond to you? Or are you the one failing to respond?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What to do about the “no response” response ','','publish','open','open','','what-to-do-about-the-no-response-response','','','2016-03-10 09:25:47','2016-03-10 14:25:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3179',0,'post','',0),(3180,4,'2016-03-10 09:25:26','2016-03-10 14:25:26','We’re all familiar with the “no response” response, right? That’s the response that we don’t actually get but that in effect means no.\r\n\r\nIt happens with all sorts of queries and in all communication modes. Perhaps you sent a text message asking your friend if he wants to go to the movies, and you don’t hear back. Perhaps you sent an email inquiring about a job, and all you got in response was nothing. Maybe you are old school, and left a colleague a voice mail message, and she never called back.\r\n\r\nSince this “no response” has become the <em>de facto</em> “no” response, we\'ve come to assume if we haven’t heard from somebody that he or she is not interested in what we are offering, or proposing, or asking about. But, this assumption can be problematic.\r\n\r\n<strong>No more follow ups</strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes (not many times but still it happens) people genuinely did not get your message. The email ended up in the spam folder or the voice message got inadvertently deleted. But because you’ve become used to not expecting an answer unless the person is interested, you’ve stopped following up. And you and the recipient may miss out on a potential opportunity.\r\n\r\n<strong>Too many follow ups</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there are people who don’t give up until they get an answer. They may be clueless or they may be aggressive or both. When they don’t hear back from you, they keep getting in touch. The keep calling and texting and emailing. They don’t get that your lack of response means no and it also means “please stop getting in touch, I don’t want to deal with you!”\r\n\r\n<strong>It’s just plain lazy</strong>\r\n\r\nBy assuming that everybody understands that no response means you aren’t interested, in effect, you are taking the lazy (and rude) approach. Why bother answering an email with a polite “thank you but not interested” response when it is much easier to just ignore and delete?\r\n\r\n<strong>It may make you look bad</strong>\r\n\r\nYou may think that not responding communicates that you are too/so busy. You may actually be coming off as self-important or uncaring.\r\n\r\n<strong>What to do?</strong>\r\n\r\nWe’ve all been on either side of the “no response” response. Sometimes, we get overwhelmed and we forget to respond. And sometimes we sit around waiting for a response that never comes. What, if anything, can we do about it?\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>If you get the “no response” response:</strong> Accept that you can’t control what other people do. You don’t know their motivations or reasoning. So, don’t automatically assume a “no response” equals no unless you really know the person and his/her <em>modus operandi.</em> Do follow up once, but probably no more than that. If again, you don’t get a response, let it go. Remember, you can only try to get in touch but you can’t force an interaction.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>If you are avoiding responding:</strong> Become aware of the messages you are sending when you don’t respond. Is it that you can’t or don’t want to say no? Why is that? Are you not responding because you are overwhelmed? If so, perhaps you need to see about reducing your workload. Perhaps you do it because you don’t like confrontation. If so, ask yourself what you think will happen.</p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? What do you think when someone fails to respond to you? Or are you the one failing to respond?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What to do about the “no response” response ','','inherit','open','open','','3179-revision-v1','','','2016-03-10 09:25:26','2016-03-10 14:25:26','',3179,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3182,4,'2016-03-16 09:53:09','2016-03-16 13:53:09','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-03-16 09:53:09','2016-03-16 13:53:09','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3183,4,'2016-03-18 10:39:52','2016-03-18 14:39:52','\"Can someone share what they use to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>backup</em></span> their files?\"\r\n\r\nThis was the subject line in an email to a Listserv I\'m on. In this case, the person wrote backup (one word), which is an adjective, when he meant to say back up (two words), which is a verb.\r\n\r\nThere are several things about English that seem to trip up a lot of people. This is one of those things.\r\n\r\nIt happens when you have two words that are often used as a pair and you put them together in one word. However, the new word is not the same as the  pair. In some cases the pair is a verb and the resulting new word is an adjective. In some cases the resulting word is a noun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Back up is not the same as backup.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen back up is two words, there\'s some sort of action taking place, which means it\'s a verb. You put your car in reverse gear so you can <em>back up</em> (verb) out of your driveway. Maybe you <em>back up</em> (verb) your files on an external hard drive (I don\'t but I should). You <em>back up </em>(verb) your claims with proven information (although some presidential candidates don\'t).\r\n\r\nWhen backup is one word, it can be an adjective, meaning the word is modifying or describing something. You may have a <em>backup </em>computer in case your usual computer conks out. You may have a <em>backup plan</em> in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, a backup is a noun:  You may have your<em> backup</em> with you on a thumb drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Shut down is not the same as shutdown.</strong>\r\n\r\nAt the end of your work day, perhaps you <em>shut down</em> (verb) your computer. Now your computer is in <em>shutdown </em>(adjective) mode.\r\n\r\nThis past Wednesday here in the Washington area, the Metro was <em>shut down</em> (verb) for more than 24 hours to conduct emergency inspections and repairs.  Metro\'s general manager said the <em>shutdown</em> (noun) was necessary.\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day is not the same as everyday.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Every day (noun)</em> that passes I think about some <em>everyday</em> (adjective) tasks that can get done quickly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Just some everyday information to pass on to you. Happy Friday!</span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you get tripped up with this type of thing in your documents, I can help fix it. Contact me about copy editing.','One word plus one word equals new word','','publish','open','open','','one-word-plus-one-word-equals-new-word','','','2016-03-18 19:02:55','2016-03-18 23:02:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3183',0,'post','',0),(3184,4,'2016-03-18 10:39:52','2016-03-18 14:39:52','\"Can someone share what they use to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>backup</em></span> their files?\"\r\n\r\nThis was the subject line in an email to a Listserv I am on. In this case, the person wrote backup (one word), which is an adjective, when he meant to say back up (two words), which is a verb.\r\n\r\nThere are several things about English that seem to trip up a lot of people. This is one of those things.\r\n\r\nIt happens when you have two words that are often used as a pair and you put them together in one word. However, the new word is not the same as the two-word pair. In some cases the two-word pair is a verb and the resulting new word is an adjective. In some cases the resulting word is a noun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Back up is not the same as backup.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen back up is two words, there\'s some sort of action taking place ,which means it\'s a verb. You put your car in reverse gear so you can <em>back up</em> (verb) out of your driveway. Maybe you <em>back up</em> (verb) your files on an external hard drive (I don\'t but I should). You <em>back up </em>(verb) your claims with proven information (although some presidential candidates don\'t).\r\n\r\nWhen backup is one word, it can be adjective, meaning the word is modifying or describing something. You may have a <em>backup </em>computer in case your usual computer conks out. You may have a <em>backup plan</em> in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, a backup is a noun:  You may have your<em> backup</em> with you on a thumb drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Shut down is not the same as shutdown.</strong>\r\n\r\nAt the end of your work day, perhaps you <em>shut down</em> (verb) your computer. Now your computer is in <em>shutdown </em>(adjective) mode.\r\n\r\nThis past Wednesday here in the Washington area, the Metro was <em>shut down</em> (verb) for more than 24 hours to conduct emergency inspections and repairs.  Metro\'s general manager said the <em>shutdown</em> (noun) was necessary.\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day is not the same as everyday.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Every day (noun)</em> that passes I think about some <em>everyday</em> (adjective) tasks that can get done quickly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Just some everyday information to pass on to you. Happy Friday!</span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you get tripped up with this type of thing in your documents, I can help fix it. Contact me about copy editing.','One word plus one word equals new word','','inherit','open','open','','3183-revision-v1','','','2016-03-18 10:39:52','2016-03-18 14:39:52','',3183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3183-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3185,4,'2016-03-18 14:10:29','2016-03-18 18:10:29','\"Can someone share what they use to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>backup</em></span> their files?\"\n\nThis was the subject line in an email to a Listserv I\'m on. In this case, the person wrote backup (one word), which is an adjective, when he meant to say back up (two words), which is a verb.\n\nThere are several things about English that seem to trip up a lot of people. This is one of those things.\n\nIt happens when you have two words that are often used as a pair and you put them together in one word. However, the new word is not the same as the two-word pair. In some cases the two-word pair is a verb and the resulting new word is an adjective. In some cases the resulting word is a noun.\n\n<strong>Back up is not the same as backup.</strong>\n\nWhen back up is two words, there\'s some sort of action taking place, which means it\'s a verb. You put your car in reverse gear so you can <em>back up</em> (verb) out of your driveway. Maybe you <em>back up</em> (verb) your files on an external hard drive (I don\'t but I should). You <em>back up </em>(verb) your claims with proven information (although some presidential candidates don\'t).\n\nWhen backup is one word, it can be an adjective, meaning the word is modifying or describing something. You may have a <em>backup </em>computer in case your usual computer conks out. You may have a <em>backup plan</em> in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, a backup is a noun:  You may have your<em> backup</em> with you on a thumb drive.\n\n<strong>Shut down is not the same as shutdown.</strong>\n\nAt the end of your work day, perhaps you <em>shut down</em> (verb) your computer. Now your computer is in <em>shutdown </em>(adjective) mode.\n\nThis past Wednesday here in the Washington area, the Metro was <em>shut down</em> (verb) for more than 24 hours to conduct emergency inspections and repairs.  Metro\'s general manager said the <em>shutdown</em> (noun) was necessary.\n\n<strong>Every day is not the same as everyday.</strong>\n\n<em>Every day (noun)</em> that passes I think about some <em>everyday</em> (adjective) tasks that can get done quickly.\n\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Just some everyday information to pass on to you. Happy Friday!</span>\n\nP.S. If you get tripped up with this type of thing in your documents, I can help fix it. Contact me about copy editing.','One word plus one word equals new word','','inherit','open','open','','3183-autosave-v1','','','2016-03-18 14:10:29','2016-03-18 18:10:29','',3183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3183-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3186,4,'2016-03-18 14:10:44','2016-03-18 18:10:44','\"Can someone share what they use to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>backup</em></span> their files?\"\r\n\r\nThis was the subject line in an email to a Listserv I\'m on. In this case, the person wrote backup (one word), which is an adjective, when he meant to say back up (two words), which is a verb.\r\n\r\nThere are several things about English that seem to trip up a lot of people. This is one of those things.\r\n\r\nIt happens when you have two words that are often used as a pair and you put them together in one word. However, the new word is not the same as the two-word pair. In some cases the two-word pair is a verb and the resulting new word is an adjective. In some cases the resulting word is a noun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Back up is not the same as backup.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen back up is two words, there\'s some sort of action taking place, which means it\'s a verb. You put your car in reverse gear so you can <em>back up</em> (verb) out of your driveway. Maybe you <em>back up</em> (verb) your files on an external hard drive (I don\'t but I should). You <em>back up </em>(verb) your claims with proven information (although some presidential candidates don\'t).\r\n\r\nWhen backup is one word, it can be an adjective, meaning the word is modifying or describing something. You may have a <em>backup </em>computer in case your usual computer conks out. You may have a <em>backup plan</em> in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, a backup is a noun:  You may have your<em> backup</em> with you on a thumb drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Shut down is not the same as shutdown.</strong>\r\n\r\nAt the end of your work day, perhaps you <em>shut down</em> (verb) your computer. Now your computer is in <em>shutdown </em>(adjective) mode.\r\n\r\nThis past Wednesday here in the Washington area, the Metro was <em>shut down</em> (verb) for more than 24 hours to conduct emergency inspections and repairs.  Metro\'s general manager said the <em>shutdown</em> (noun) was necessary.\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day is not the same as everyday.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Every day (noun)</em> that passes I think about some <em>everyday</em> (adjective) tasks that can get done quickly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Just some everyday information to pass on to you. Happy Friday!</span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you get tripped up with this type of thing in your documents, I can help fix it. Contact me about copy editing.','One word plus one word equals new word','','inherit','open','open','','3183-revision-v1','','','2016-03-18 14:10:44','2016-03-18 18:10:44','',3183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3183-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3187,4,'2016-03-18 19:02:55','2016-03-18 23:02:55','\"Can someone share what they use to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>backup</em></span> their files?\"\r\n\r\nThis was the subject line in an email to a Listserv I\'m on. In this case, the person wrote backup (one word), which is an adjective, when he meant to say back up (two words), which is a verb.\r\n\r\nThere are several things about English that seem to trip up a lot of people. This is one of those things.\r\n\r\nIt happens when you have two words that are often used as a pair and you put them together in one word. However, the new word is not the same as the  pair. In some cases the pair is a verb and the resulting new word is an adjective. In some cases the resulting word is a noun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Back up is not the same as backup.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen back up is two words, there\'s some sort of action taking place, which means it\'s a verb. You put your car in reverse gear so you can <em>back up</em> (verb) out of your driveway. Maybe you <em>back up</em> (verb) your files on an external hard drive (I don\'t but I should). You <em>back up </em>(verb) your claims with proven information (although some presidential candidates don\'t).\r\n\r\nWhen backup is one word, it can be an adjective, meaning the word is modifying or describing something. You may have a <em>backup </em>computer in case your usual computer conks out. You may have a <em>backup plan</em> in case something goes wrong. Sometimes, a backup is a noun:  You may have your<em> backup</em> with you on a thumb drive.\r\n\r\n<strong>Shut down is not the same as shutdown.</strong>\r\n\r\nAt the end of your work day, perhaps you <em>shut down</em> (verb) your computer. Now your computer is in <em>shutdown </em>(adjective) mode.\r\n\r\nThis past Wednesday here in the Washington area, the Metro was <em>shut down</em> (verb) for more than 24 hours to conduct emergency inspections and repairs.  Metro\'s general manager said the <em>shutdown</em> (noun) was necessary.\r\n\r\n<strong>Every day is not the same as everyday.</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Every day (noun)</em> that passes I think about some <em>everyday</em> (adjective) tasks that can get done quickly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Just some everyday information to pass on to you. Happy Friday!</span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you get tripped up with this type of thing in your documents, I can help fix it. Contact me about copy editing.','One word plus one word equals new word','','inherit','open','open','','3183-revision-v1','','','2016-03-18 19:02:55','2016-03-18 23:02:55','',3183,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3183-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3189,4,'2016-03-23 13:32:55','2016-03-23 17:32:55','Last week, I attended the <a href=\"http://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/women-and-business/2016/\" target=\"_blank\">Women &amp; Business: An Atlantic Exchange</a>, which was an event showcasing women\'s business concerns organized by The Atlantic magazine. One of the segments included an interview with Melanie Whelan, CEO of SoulCycle, a boutique indoor cycling studio.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan spoke at length about the SoulCycle culture and its business model. Soul Cycle concentrates on providing a special experience to its customers, where they feel part of a community. She said that SoulCycle has never advertised, instead relying on satisfied users to become brand ambassadors, to discuss their positive experience with friends and in social media, promoting the company. In this way, SoulCycle has grown from being a one-of studio on the Upper West Side of New York to having several  studios in many large metropolitan areas.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan offered several interesting insights about her company\'s corporate culture, brand experience and market growth, and it\'s worth watching her presentation:\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XoSLXPUazVo?list=PLwj46yNDLyTU0QBEVX0bhPqCWaobJ2Lv1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Word-of-mouth marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nOver and over, you hear businesses claim that their best marketing is word-of-mouth and/or referrals. In SoulCycle\'s case, it seems that word-of-mouth marketing has paid off in spades.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, at this very forum, which was intended both to help women entrepreneurs get some solid information and to network with each other, I saw first hand how hard it is for most people to network and connect with each other.\r\n\r\n<strong>Networking can be hard for some</strong>\r\n\r\nThere were women who seemed very shy, and couldn\'t seem to even smile or even look at strangers.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman with bad body odor.  Whether or not she was aware of the issue, I am not sure, but I would think many people steered clear of her.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman, standing next to me at the buffet line, who barely acknowledged an ice breaker comment I made. Even after being given an easy way to chat, she refused to do so. I am not sure if it was lack of interest or shyness or perhaps she was just hungry.\r\n\r\nThen there was the socially awkward woman I sat down next to inside the auditorium. She dropped her papers and I picked them up and handed them to her, and she didn\'t even acknowledge me or thank me. She then started taking notes off my printed agenda, without so much as a word or an \"excuse me, but may I see your agenda.\" And even worse, she kept falling asleep and leaning on me. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>But networking is an essential business skill</strong>\r\n\r\nThen there was a woman who smiled, shook hands and introduced herself, making it easy to converse. She understood the power of networking. As she said to me, networking isn\'t about closing a sale, but rather about meeting people who will remember you and perhaps refer to you later on when a need arises for them or in their circle.\r\n\r\nNetworking is the most basic form of marketing communications. It\'s your opportunity to introduce yourself and your business on a personal, one-to-one level. It is an essential part of business and professional development.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not easy for most folks, myself included, to walk into a room full of strangers and just chat it up. But there are ways to make it less intimidating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think quality versus quantity</strong>. You don\'t have to meet everyone in the room. If you meet one or two people, and get to know them, you will be doing well.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about what you do and how to best communicate it.</strong> It\'s easy to get stuck in  thinking everybody understands what you do, but chances are good that they won\'t. Think of a simple way of introducing yourself and your business, and that allows for questions to follow.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand that other people in the room are just as uncomfortable as you are</strong>. A smile goes a long way in making people relax.\r\n\r\nIf you are still having trouble connecting, perhaps you should consider some outside help. Perhaps you can hire a business coach to help you refine your approach and to give you pointers.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you network? What works best for you? Please share in the comments.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Business networking is a form of marketing communications','','publish','open','open','','business-networking-is-a-form-of-marketing-communications','','','2016-03-23 13:32:55','2016-03-23 17:32:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3189',0,'post','',0),(3190,4,'2016-03-23 13:28:58','2016-03-23 17:28:58','Last week, I attended the <a href=\"http://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/women-and-business/2016/\" target=\"_blank\">Women &amp; Business: An Atlantic Exchange</a>, which was an event showcasing women\'s business concerns organized by The Atlantic magazine. One of the segments included an interview with Melanie Whelan, CEO of SoulCycle, a boutique indoor cycling studio.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan spoke at length about the SoulCycle culture and its business model. Soul Cycle concentrates on providing a special experience to its customers, where they feel part of a community. She said that SoulCycle has never advertised, instead relying on satisfied users to become brand ambassadors, to discuss their positive experience with friends and in social media, promoting the company. In this way, SoulCycle has grown from being a one-of studio on the Upper West Side of New York to having several  studios in many large metropolitan areas.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan offered several interesting insights about her company\'s corporate culture, brand experience and market growth, and it\'s worth watching her presentation:\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XoSLXPUazVo?list=PLwj46yNDLyTU0QBEVX0bhPqCWaobJ2Lv1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Word-of-mouth marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nOver and over, you hear businesses claim that their best marketing is word-of-mouth and/or referrals. In SoulCycle\'s case, it seems that word-of-mouth marketing has paid off in spades.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, at this very forum, which was intended both to help women entrepreneurs get some solid information and to network with each other, I saw first hand how hard it is for most people to network and connect with each other.\r\n\r\n<strong>Networking can be hard for some</strong>\r\n\r\nThere were women who seemed very shy, and couldn\'t seem to even smile or even look at strangers.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman with bad body odor. I am sure many people steered clear of her.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman, standing next to me at the buffet line, who barely acknowledged an ice breaker comment I made. Even after being given an easy way to chat, she refused to do so. I am not sure if it was lack of interest or shyness or perhaps she was just hungry.\r\n\r\nThen there was the socially awkward woman I sat down next to inside the auditorium. She dropped her papers and I picked them up and handed them to her, and she didn\'t even acknowledge me or thank me. She then started taking notes off my printed agenda, without so much as a word or an \"excuse me, but may I see your agenda.\" And even worse, she kept falling asleep and leaning on me. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>But networking is an essential business skill</strong>\r\n\r\nBut then there was a woman who smiled, shook hands and introduced herself, making it easy to converse. She understood the power of networking. As she said to me, networking isn\'t about closing a sale, but rather about meeting people who will remember you and perhaps refer to you later on when a need arises for them or in their circle.\r\n\r\nNetworking is the most basic form of marketing communications. It\'s your opportunity to introduce yourself and your business on a personal, one-to-one level. It is an essential part of business and professional development.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not easy for most folks, myself included, to walk into a room full of strangers and just chat it up. But there are ways to make it less intimidating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think quality versus quantity</strong>. You don\'t have to meet everyone in the room. If you meet one or two people, and get to know them, you will be doing well.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about what you do and how to best communicate it.</strong> It\'s easy to get stuck in  thinking everybody understands what you do, but chances are good that they won\'t. Think of a simple way of introducing yourself and your business, and that allows for questions to follow.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand that other people in the room are just as uncomfortable as you are</strong>. A smile goes a long way in making people relax.\r\n\r\nIf you are still having trouble connecting, perhaps you should consider some outside help. You many need a business coach to help you refine your approach and to give you pointers.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you network? What works best for you? Please share in the comments.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Business networking is a form of marketing communications','','inherit','open','open','','3189-revision-v1','','','2016-03-23 13:28:58','2016-03-23 17:28:58','',3189,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3189-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3191,4,'2016-03-23 13:32:55','2016-03-23 17:32:55','Last week, I attended the <a href=\"http://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/women-and-business/2016/\" target=\"_blank\">Women &amp; Business: An Atlantic Exchange</a>, which was an event showcasing women\'s business concerns organized by The Atlantic magazine. One of the segments included an interview with Melanie Whelan, CEO of SoulCycle, a boutique indoor cycling studio.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan spoke at length about the SoulCycle culture and its business model. Soul Cycle concentrates on providing a special experience to its customers, where they feel part of a community. She said that SoulCycle has never advertised, instead relying on satisfied users to become brand ambassadors, to discuss their positive experience with friends and in social media, promoting the company. In this way, SoulCycle has grown from being a one-of studio on the Upper West Side of New York to having several  studios in many large metropolitan areas.\r\n\r\nMs. Whelan offered several interesting insights about her company\'s corporate culture, brand experience and market growth, and it\'s worth watching her presentation:\r\n<iframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XoSLXPUazVo?list=PLwj46yNDLyTU0QBEVX0bhPqCWaobJ2Lv1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>Word-of-mouth marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nOver and over, you hear businesses claim that their best marketing is word-of-mouth and/or referrals. In SoulCycle\'s case, it seems that word-of-mouth marketing has paid off in spades.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, at this very forum, which was intended both to help women entrepreneurs get some solid information and to network with each other, I saw first hand how hard it is for most people to network and connect with each other.\r\n\r\n<strong>Networking can be hard for some</strong>\r\n\r\nThere were women who seemed very shy, and couldn\'t seem to even smile or even look at strangers.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman with bad body odor.  Whether or not she was aware of the issue, I am not sure, but I would think many people steered clear of her.\r\n\r\nThere was a woman, standing next to me at the buffet line, who barely acknowledged an ice breaker comment I made. Even after being given an easy way to chat, she refused to do so. I am not sure if it was lack of interest or shyness or perhaps she was just hungry.\r\n\r\nThen there was the socially awkward woman I sat down next to inside the auditorium. She dropped her papers and I picked them up and handed them to her, and she didn\'t even acknowledge me or thank me. She then started taking notes off my printed agenda, without so much as a word or an \"excuse me, but may I see your agenda.\" And even worse, she kept falling asleep and leaning on me. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>But networking is an essential business skill</strong>\r\n\r\nThen there was a woman who smiled, shook hands and introduced herself, making it easy to converse. She understood the power of networking. As she said to me, networking isn\'t about closing a sale, but rather about meeting people who will remember you and perhaps refer to you later on when a need arises for them or in their circle.\r\n\r\nNetworking is the most basic form of marketing communications. It\'s your opportunity to introduce yourself and your business on a personal, one-to-one level. It is an essential part of business and professional development.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not easy for most folks, myself included, to walk into a room full of strangers and just chat it up. But there are ways to make it less intimidating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think quality versus quantity</strong>. You don\'t have to meet everyone in the room. If you meet one or two people, and get to know them, you will be doing well.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about what you do and how to best communicate it.</strong> It\'s easy to get stuck in  thinking everybody understands what you do, but chances are good that they won\'t. Think of a simple way of introducing yourself and your business, and that allows for questions to follow.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand that other people in the room are just as uncomfortable as you are</strong>. A smile goes a long way in making people relax.\r\n\r\nIf you are still having trouble connecting, perhaps you should consider some outside help. Perhaps you can hire a business coach to help you refine your approach and to give you pointers.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you network? What works best for you? Please share in the comments.</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Business networking is a form of marketing communications','','inherit','open','open','','3189-revision-v1','','','2016-03-23 13:32:55','2016-03-23 17:32:55','',3189,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3189-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3192,4,'2016-03-31 09:13:50','2016-03-31 13:13:50','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we even begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">PR Daily</a> or <a href=\"http://www.prweb.com/\" target=\"_blank\">PRWeb.com.</a> But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a> is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as their/there/they\'re; affect/effect; than/then. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite word, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron, and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-julie-mullen-buzzes','','','2016-03-31 09:28:26','2016-03-31 13:28:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3192',0,'post','',0),(3193,4,'2016-03-30 09:42:39','2016-03-30 13:42:39','','buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image','','inherit','open','open','','buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image','','','2016-03-30 09:42:39','2016-03-30 13:42:39','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3194,4,'2016-03-30 09:44:15','2016-03-30 13:44:15','This month, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who after a stint in journalism, has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches, but now, a PR agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3193\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:  </strong>Julie Mullen,\r\n\r\nThe Buzz Agency\r\n\r\nDelray Beach, FL\r\n\r\n<strong>Website:</strong> thebuzzagency.net\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>  @juliemmullen | @thebuzzagency\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nJulie Mullen is co-founder  and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 09:44:15','2016-03-30 13:44:15','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3204,4,'2016-03-30 16:29:14','2016-03-30 20:29:14','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. [epq-quote align=\"align-right\"][/epq-quote]Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:29:14','2016-03-30 20:29:14','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3195,4,'2016-03-30 14:00:02','2016-03-30 18:00:02','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who after a stint in journalism, has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches, but now, a PR agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3193\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>Julie Mullen</strong>\r\n\r\nJulie Mullen is co-founder  and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>  @juliemmullen | @thebuzzagency\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 14:00:02','2016-03-30 18:00:02','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3198,4,'2016-03-30 14:06:59','2016-03-30 18:06:59','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 14:06:59','2016-03-30 18:06:59','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3196,4,'2016-03-30 14:02:19','2016-03-30 18:02:19','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong>\r\n\r\nJulie Mullen is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>  @juliemmullen | @thebuzzagency\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 14:02:19','2016-03-30 18:02:19','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3197,4,'2016-03-30 14:03:50','2016-03-30 18:03:50','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong>\r\n\r\nJulie Mullen is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>                                                                                     Twitter:</strong>  @juliemmullen |                                                                                                           @thebuzzagency\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 14:03:50','2016-03-30 18:03:50','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3199,4,'2016-03-30 16:09:56','2016-03-30 20:09:56','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. [epq-quote align=\"align-right\"]Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?[/epq-quote]\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:09:56','2016-03-30 20:09:56','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3201,4,'2016-03-30 16:11:53','2016-03-30 20:11:53','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it.Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:11:53','2016-03-30 20:11:53','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3200,4,'2016-03-30 16:11:12','2016-03-30 20:11:12','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. [epq-quote align=\"align-right\"]Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?[/epq-quote]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:11:12','2016-03-30 20:11:12','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3203,4,'2016-03-30 16:27:17','2016-03-30 20:27:17','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:27:17','2016-03-30 20:27:17','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3202,4,'2016-03-30 16:21:24','2016-03-30 20:21:24','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. <span class=\"pullquote\">Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?</span>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:21:24','2016-03-30 20:21:24','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3205,4,'2016-03-30 16:33:40','2016-03-30 20:33:40','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as  an agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it.[bctt tweet=\" Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"]\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. [epq-quote align=\"align-right\"][/epq-quote]Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 16:33:40','2016-03-30 20:33:40','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3206,4,'2016-03-31 09:00:13','2016-03-31 13:00:13','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:00:13','2016-03-31 13:00:13','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3207,4,'2016-03-31 09:02:06','2016-03-31 13:02:06','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:02:06','2016-03-31 13:02:06','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3208,4,'2016-03-31 09:02:22','2016-03-31 13:02:22','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like PR Daily or PRWeb.com. But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, AP Stylebook is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:02:22','2016-03-31 13:02:22','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3209,4,'2016-03-31 09:08:19','2016-03-31 13:08:19','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">PR Daily</a> or <a href=\"http://www.prweb.com/\" target=\"_blank\">PRWeb.com.</a> But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a> is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as THEIR/THEY’RE/THERE; AFFECT/EFFECT; THAN/THEN. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:08:19','2016-03-31 13:08:19','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3210,4,'2016-03-31 09:13:18','2016-03-31 13:13:18','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we event begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">PR Daily</a> or <a href=\"http://www.prweb.com/\" target=\"_blank\">PRWeb.com.</a> But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a> is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as their/there/they\'re; affect/effect; than/then. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite word, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron, and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:13:18','2016-03-31 13:13:18','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3211,4,'2016-03-31 09:28:26','2016-03-31 13:28:26','This month, for the third edition of On Writing, I reached out to Julie Mullen, who has had a long and very effective career in public relations. Julie has not only worked in the trenches of the PR world, but now, as a communications agency owner, directs communications strategy, and hires and manages staff.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3193\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3193 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"buzz-agency-julie-mullen-image\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Julie Mullen Partner/Co-Founder The Buzz Agency[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Julie Mullen</strong> is co-founder and partner of one of South Florida’s largest communications firms, The Buzz Agency, based in Delray Beach. The firm specializes in public relations, social media, community outreach, and event management. A proud Air Force brat, Julie has lived in 10 states and one foreign country. Her PR career includes director-level positions in broadcast and print media, as well as in agency, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization:</strong> <a href=\"http://thebuzzagency.net/\" target=\"_blank\">The Buzz Agency</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter: </strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/juliemmullen\" target=\"_blank\">@juliemmullen<strong>\r\n</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nAt this point in my career, I spend much more time editing than writing. I do enjoy giving \"track changes\" a hearty workout. Most of the writing I do currently is geared towards new business development (e.g., proposals, RFP’s). Is it important? Absolutely. Our livelihood depends on it. Who wants to hire a communications firm that can’t craft an interesting message? Or spell?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many platforms our industry uses to create compelling messages. Press release writing is obviously much different than creating content for a Tweet. But regardless of <em>what</em> you are writing, it’s critical to know <em>how</em> tell the story in an effective way. Additionally, I will not even consider an applicant whose writing skills are sub-par. From their initial introductory email, to their resume, to their writing samples, and if we give them a writing project, we look at the compilation of it all before we even begin to take the next steps.  I don’t want recent college graduates mistaking their for they’re, for example.\r\n\r\n<strong> 3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nRead, read, read. If you’re a publicist, read content that is relevant to your client – newspapers, magazines, industry trades, etc. Get to know what kind of information those outlets require and what style of writing they tend to use, then format your written pitches, releases, presentations accordingly.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. </strong><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nAP Stylebook has always been my go-to source. I also use industry sources like <a href=\"http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">PR Daily</a> or <a href=\"http://www.prweb.com/\" target=\"_blank\">PRWeb.com.</a> But the best source I have is an editor I know, who, I believe, is the best in the business.\r\n\r\n<strong> 5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, <a href=\"https://www.apstylebook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">AP Stylebook</a> is like the Bible of proper grammar and punctuation for journalists, so if it’s good enough for them, it certainly is good enough for me!\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nImproper use of homophones, such as their/there/they\'re; affect/effect; than/then. It drives me NUTS!\r\n\r\n<strong> 7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy least favorite has to be any form of hyperbole, such as AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! MOUTH-WATERING! Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite word, but contenders include serendipity, oxymoron, and love.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you agree with Julie that your livelihood in public relations depends on being able to write well? Share your thoughts in the comments. And be sure to check this space on the last Thursday of every month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing: Julie Mullen buzzes about PR ','','inherit','open','open','','3192-revision-v1','','','2016-03-31 09:28:26','2016-03-31 13:28:26','',3192,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/03/3192-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3213,4,'2016-04-07 13:38:08','2016-04-07 17:38:08','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3215\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"money-9-1238441-1279x850\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Every few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but I\'ll tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching during the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend because it bothers my eyes, so even a free mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply about money.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You have to understand what motivates your customer</span>.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion. Companies are collecting emails to do marketing or to send reminders. Well, they can also send a survey or even a personalized email.\r\n\r\nImagine how much more effective it would be if the yoga studio owner sent me an email saying she\'s noticed I haven\'t been there in several months and she\'d like to know if I am still living in town or doing yoga.\r\n\r\nHow do you track your clients or customers? How do you entice them to come back? Let me know what works for you in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money  (customer feedback part 1)','','publish','open','open','','its-not-always-about-the-money-customer-feedback-part-1','','','2016-04-13 09:34:00','2016-04-13 13:34:00','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3213',0,'post','',0),(3214,4,'2016-04-07 09:44:29','2016-04-07 13:44:29','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\nEvery few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but let tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend or volumize because it bothers my eyes, so even a free extender mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply a cash transaction.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. You have to understand what motivates your customer.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Perhaps you send a survey. Or perhaps you do a market study. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money --customer feedback part 1','','inherit','open','open','','3213-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 09:44:29','2016-04-07 13:44:29','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3213-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3215,4,'2016-04-07 13:24:26','2016-04-07 17:24:26','','money-9-1238441-1279x850','','inherit','open','open','','money-9-1238441-1279x850','','','2016-04-07 13:24:26','2016-04-07 17:24:26','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3216,4,'2016-04-07 13:36:02','2016-04-07 17:36:02','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\nEvery few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3215\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"money-9-1238441-1279x850\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but I\'ll tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching during the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend because it bothers my eyes, so even a free mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply about money.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. You have to understand what motivates your customer.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion. Companies are collecting emails to do marketing or to send reminders. Well, they can also send a survey or even a personalized email.\r\n\r\nImagine how much more effective it would be if the yoga studio owner sent me an email saying she\'s noticed I haven\'t been there in several months and she\'d like to know if I am still living in town or doing yoga.\r\n\r\nHow do you track your clients or customers? How do you entice them to come back?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money --customer feedback part 1','','inherit','open','open','','3213-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 13:36:02','2016-04-07 17:36:02','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3213-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3217,4,'2016-04-07 13:37:00','2016-04-07 17:37:00','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3215\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"money-9-1238441-1279x850\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Every few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but I\'ll tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching during the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend because it bothers my eyes, so even a free mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply about money.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. You have to understand what motivates your customer.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion. Companies are collecting emails to do marketing or to send reminders. Well, they can also send a survey or even a personalized email.\r\n\r\nImagine how much more effective it would be if the yoga studio owner sent me an email saying she\'s noticed I haven\'t been there in several months and she\'d like to know if I am still living in town or doing yoga.\r\n\r\nHow do you track your clients or customers? How do you entice them to come back?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money --customer feedback part 1','','inherit','open','open','','3213-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 13:37:00','2016-04-07 17:37:00','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3213-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3218,4,'2016-04-07 13:38:08','2016-04-07 17:38:08','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3215\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"money-9-1238441-1279x850\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Every few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but I\'ll tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching during the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend because it bothers my eyes, so even a free mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply about money.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You have to understand what motivates your customer</span>.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion. Companies are collecting emails to do marketing or to send reminders. Well, they can also send a survey or even a personalized email.\r\n\r\nImagine how much more effective it would be if the yoga studio owner sent me an email saying she\'s noticed I haven\'t been there in several months and she\'d like to know if I am still living in town or doing yoga.\r\n\r\nHow do you track your clients or customers? How do you entice them to come back? Let me know what works for you in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money --customer feedback part 1','','inherit','open','open','','3213-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 13:38:08','2016-04-07 17:38:08','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3213-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3220,4,'2016-04-13 09:39:36','2016-04-13 13:39:36','Is asking for feedback the same as asking for a review? Nope. Not even close.\r\n\r\nThere’s a huge difference between feedback and reviews: First of all, each targets a different audience. And second, each serves a different purpose.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feedback is about you (service/product/offering)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for feedback, you want to know what works and what doesn’t, (presumably) in order to improve the offering. Do you want to know what customers/supporters really think about you? Then ask for feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reviews are about your customers/supporters (potential and current)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for reviews, you are asking customers to <em>share </em>their thoughts, both good and bad, about your product or service <em>with other customers</em>.\r\n\r\nMany organizations make the mistake of asking for a review when what they want is feedback and some ask for feedback when all they want is a review.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3221\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>You need both, but for different reasons</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should try to get both feedback and reviews from their customers, but not at the same time or using the same method.\r\n\r\nFeedback benefits the organization, because it provides honest insights meant to correct any issues.\r\n\r\nReviews are important too. They help with SEO, they can entice new customers, and they add credibility. Of course, not all reviews are positive, but negative reviews can serve as a red flag to businesses.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you want feedback or just an inflated review?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am taking a course on Udemy (an online “school”). The course is super long, and I am almost finished with it. About half-way through, Udemy asked me to rate the course. I rated it three stars out of five, mainly because the course is too long, repetitive and somewhat disorganized.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got this email from the course’s instructor (in full below, except I removed the instructor’s name):\r\n<blockquote>Hey Deborah,\r\n\r\nThank you for enrolling in my course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI noticed you left a 3 star review. Was there something specifically wrong with the course that I can help you with? If the course simply isn\'t for you, I can surely help you get a refund.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTeaching on Udemy is part of my livelihood, and as you can see from the thoroughness of the course, I put a huge amount of effort into making it as useful as possible. I know the course could get boring from time to time, but I tried my best to be as thorough as possible for the beginner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUdemy reacts very negatively toward 3 star reviews, and it tells them not to give my course as much visibility. It also hurts my livelihood generated from course sales.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you can modify your review, that would be very much appreciated and it will go a long way toward helping me continue to teach on Udemy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOnce again, please let me know what was wrong with the course, and if you need me to get a refund processed for you, please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you very much for your consideration,</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the Udemy instructor wants me to give him a five-star review, <em>because it benefits him</em>, not because it benefits his potential customers.  By the way, in my book, a three-star review is not negative, but fair/middling.\r\n\r\nIt occurs to me that if reviewers are pressured to change their reviews, and provide glowing reviews for something that is not five-star worthy, it can create problems down the road. Say this instructor gets all five-star reviews for a non-five-star course. People sign up based on those reviews and they are then disappointed because the course does not live up to the reviews. In turn, they provide not-so-glowing reviews. The instructor contacts them and offers to negotiate a refund, like he did for me. In the end, he will make less money.\r\n\r\nIf instead, the instructor asked for specific feedback and disassociated it from the review or from the money I paid for the course, I would provide a critique. And if he were interested in actually improving his course rather than just improving the reviews, he would weigh it carefully and maybe consider incorporating my feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask for both</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations who want to improve, should always ask for <em>private, anonymous</em> feedback.\r\n\r\nBusinesses who want to build up credibility and SEO should ask for reviews. However, businesses need to be prepared for negative comments, and they need to have a way to deal with them.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? Do you use reviews and feedback interchangeably? Do you solicit either feedback or reviews or both? How do you do it? Let me know in the comments.</span>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)','','publish','open','open','','feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2','','','2016-04-13 09:39:36','2016-04-13 13:39:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3220',0,'post','',1),(3221,4,'2016-04-13 09:30:35','2016-04-13 13:30:35','','five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640','','inherit','open','open','','five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640','','','2016-04-13 09:30:35','2016-04-13 13:30:35','',3220,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3222,4,'2016-04-13 09:32:27','2016-04-13 13:32:27','<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"></span>Is asking for feedback the same as asking for a review? Nope. Not even close.\r\n\r\nThere’s a huge difference between feedback and reviews: First of all, each targets a different audience. And second, each serves a different purpose.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feedback is about you (service/product/offering)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for feedback, you want to know what works and what doesn’t, (presumably) in order to improve the offering. Do you want to know what customers/supporters really think about you? Then ask for feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reviews are about your customers/supporters (potential and current)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for reviews, you are asking customers to <em>share </em>their thoughts, both good and bad, about your product or service <em>with other customers</em>.\r\n\r\nMany organizations make the mistake of asking for a review when what they want is feedback and some ask for feedback when all they want is a review.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3221\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>You need both, but for different reasons</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should try to get both feedback and reviews from their customers, but not at the same time or using the same method.\r\n\r\nFeedback benefits the organization, because it provides honest insights meant to correct any issues.\r\n\r\nReviews are important too. They help with SEO, they can entice new customers, and they add credibility. Of course, not all reviews are positive, but negative reviews can serve as a red flag to businesses.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you want feedback or just an inflated review?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am taking a course on Udemy (an online “school”). The course is super long, and I am almost finished with it. About half-way through, Udemy asked me to rate the course. I rated it three stars out of five, mainly because the course is too long, repetitive and somewhat disorganized.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got this email from the course’s instructor (in full below, except I removed the instructor’s name):\r\n<blockquote>Hey Deborah,\r\n\r\nThank you for enrolling in my course.\r\n\r\nI noticed you left a 3 star review. Was there something specifically wrong with the course that I can help you with? If the course simply isn\'t for you, I can surely help you get a refund.\r\n\r\nTeaching on Udemy is part of my livelihood, and as you can see from the thoroughness of the course, I put a huge amount of effort into making it as useful as possible. I know the course could get boring from time to time, but I tried my best to be as thorough as possible for the beginner.\r\n\r\nUdemy reacts very negatively toward 3 star reviews, and it tells them not to give my course as much visibility. It also hurts my livelihood generated from course sales.\r\n\r\nIf you can modify your review, that would be very much appreciated and it will go a long way toward helping me continue to teach on Udemy.\r\n\r\nOnce again, please let me know what was wrong with the course, and if you need me to get a refund processed for you, please let me know.\r\n\r\nThank you very much for your consideration,</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the Udemy instructor wants me to give him a five-star review, <em>because it benefits him</em>, not because it benefits his potential customers.  By the way, in my book, a three-star review is not negative, but fair/middling.\r\n\r\nIt occurs to me that if reviewers are pressured to change their reviews, and provide glowing reviews for something that is not all that, it can create problems down the road. Say this instructor gets all five-star reviews for a non-five-star course. People sign up based on those reviews and they are disappointed. They provide lesser reviews. The instructor contacts them and offers to negotiate a refund, like he did for me. In the end, he will make less money.\r\n\r\nIf instead, he asked for feedback and disassociated it from the review or from the money I paid for the course, I would provide the feedback. And if he were interested in actually improving his course rather than just improving the reviews, he would weigh it carefully and maybe consider incorporating my feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask for both</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations who want to improve, should always ask for <em>private, anonymous</em> feedback.\r\n\r\nBusinesses who want to build up credibility and SEO should ask for reviews. However, businesses need to be prepared for negative comments, and they need to have a way to deal with them.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? Do you use reviews and feedback interchangeably? Do you solicit either feedback or reviews or both? How do you do it? Let me know in the comments.</span>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3220-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 09:32:27','2016-04-13 13:32:27','',3220,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3220-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3223,4,'2016-04-13 09:33:13','2016-04-13 13:33:13','<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"></span>Is asking for feedback the same as asking for a review? Nope. Not even close.\r\n\r\nThere’s a huge difference between feedback and reviews: First of all, each targets a different audience. And second, each serves a different purpose.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feedback is about you (service/product/offering)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for feedback, you want to know what works and what doesn’t, (presumably) in order to improve the offering. Do you want to know what customers/supporters really think about you? Then ask for feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reviews are about your customers/supporters (potential and current)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for reviews, you are asking customers to <em>share </em>their thoughts, both good and bad, about your product or service <em>with other customers</em>.\r\n\r\nMany organizations make the mistake of asking for a review when what they want is feedback and some ask for feedback when all they want is a review.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3221\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>You need both, but for different reasons</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should try to get both feedback and reviews from their customers, but not at the same time or using the same method.\r\n\r\nFeedback benefits the organization, because it provides honest insights meant to correct any issues.\r\n\r\nReviews are important too. They help with SEO, they can entice new customers, and they add credibility. Of course, not all reviews are positive, but negative reviews can serve as a red flag to businesses.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you want feedback or just an inflated review?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am taking a course on Udemy (an online “school”). The course is super long, and I am almost finished with it. About half-way through, Udemy asked me to rate the course. I rated it three stars out of five, mainly because the course is too long, repetitive and somewhat disorganized.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got this email from the course’s instructor (in full below, except I removed the instructor’s name):\r\n<blockquote>Hey Deborah,\r\n\r\nThank you for enrolling in my course.\r\n\r\nI noticed you left a 3 star review. Was there something specifically wrong with the course that I can help you with? If the course simply isn\'t for you, I can surely help you get a refund.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTeaching on Udemy is part of my livelihood, and as you can see from the thoroughness of the course, I put a huge amount of effort into making it as useful as possible. I know the course could get boring from time to time, but I tried my best to be as thorough as possible for the beginner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUdemy reacts very negatively toward 3 star reviews, and it tells them not to give my course as much visibility. It also hurts my livelihood generated from course sales.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you can modify your review, that would be very much appreciated and it will go a long way toward helping me continue to teach on Udemy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOnce again, please let me know what was wrong with the course, and if you need me to get a refund processed for you, please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you very much for your consideration,</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the Udemy instructor wants me to give him a five-star review, <em>because it benefits him</em>, not because it benefits his potential customers.  By the way, in my book, a three-star review is not negative, but fair/middling.\r\n\r\nIt occurs to me that if reviewers are pressured to change their reviews, and provide glowing reviews for something that is not all that, it can create problems down the road. Say this instructor gets all five-star reviews for a non-five-star course. People sign up based on those reviews and they are disappointed. They provide lesser reviews. The instructor contacts them and offers to negotiate a refund, like he did for me. In the end, he will make less money.\r\n\r\nIf instead, he asked for feedback and disassociated it from the review or from the money I paid for the course, I would provide the feedback. And if he were interested in actually improving his course rather than just improving the reviews, he would weigh it carefully and maybe consider incorporating my feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask for both</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations who want to improve, should always ask for <em>private, anonymous</em> feedback.\r\n\r\nBusinesses who want to build up credibility and SEO should ask for reviews. However, businesses need to be prepared for negative comments, and they need to have a way to deal with them.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? Do you use reviews and feedback interchangeably? Do you solicit either feedback or reviews or both? How do you do it? Let me know in the comments.</span>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3220-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 09:33:13','2016-04-13 13:33:13','',3220,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3220-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3224,4,'2016-04-13 09:33:32','2016-04-13 13:33:32','<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"></span>Is asking for feedback the same as asking for a review? Nope. Not even close.\r\n\r\nThere’s a huge difference between feedback and reviews: First of all, each targets a different audience. And second, each serves a different purpose.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feedback is about you (service/product/offering)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for feedback, you want to know what works and what doesn’t, (presumably) in order to improve the offering. Do you want to know what customers/supporters really think about you? Then ask for feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reviews are about your customers/supporters (potential and current)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for reviews, you are asking customers to <em>share </em>their thoughts, both good and bad, about your product or service <em>with other customers</em>.\r\n\r\nMany organizations make the mistake of asking for a review when what they want is feedback and some ask for feedback when all they want is a review.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3221\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>You need both, but for different reasons</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should try to get both feedback and reviews from their customers, but not at the same time or using the same method.\r\n\r\nFeedback benefits the organization, because it provides honest insights meant to correct any issues.\r\n\r\nReviews are important too. They help with SEO, they can entice new customers, and they add credibility. Of course, not all reviews are positive, but negative reviews can serve as a red flag to businesses.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you want feedback or just an inflated review?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am taking a course on Udemy (an online “school”). The course is super long, and I am almost finished with it. About half-way through, Udemy asked me to rate the course. I rated it three stars out of five, mainly because the course is too long, repetitive and somewhat disorganized.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got this email from the course’s instructor (in full below, except I removed the instructor’s name):\r\n<blockquote>Hey Deborah,\r\n\r\nThank you for enrolling in my course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI noticed you left a 3 star review. Was there something specifically wrong with the course that I can help you with? If the course simply isn\'t for you, I can surely help you get a refund.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTeaching on Udemy is part of my livelihood, and as you can see from the thoroughness of the course, I put a huge amount of effort into making it as useful as possible. I know the course could get boring from time to time, but I tried my best to be as thorough as possible for the beginner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUdemy reacts very negatively toward 3 star reviews, and it tells them not to give my course as much visibility. It also hurts my livelihood generated from course sales.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you can modify your review, that would be very much appreciated and it will go a long way toward helping me continue to teach on Udemy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOnce again, please let me know what was wrong with the course, and if you need me to get a refund processed for you, please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you very much for your consideration,</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the Udemy instructor wants me to give him a five-star review, <em>because it benefits him</em>, not because it benefits his potential customers.  By the way, in my book, a three-star review is not negative, but fair/middling.\r\n\r\nIt occurs to me that if reviewers are pressured to change their reviews, and provide glowing reviews for something that is not all that, it can create problems down the road. Say this instructor gets all five-star reviews for a non-five-star course. People sign up based on those reviews and they are disappointed. They provide lesser reviews. The instructor contacts them and offers to negotiate a refund, like he did for me. In the end, he will make less money.\r\n\r\nIf instead, he asked for feedback and disassociated it from the review or from the money I paid for the course, I would provide the feedback. And if he were interested in actually improving his course rather than just improving the reviews, he would weigh it carefully and maybe consider incorporating my feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask for both</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations who want to improve, should always ask for <em>private, anonymous</em> feedback.\r\n\r\nBusinesses who want to build up credibility and SEO should ask for reviews. However, businesses need to be prepared for negative comments, and they need to have a way to deal with them.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? Do you use reviews and feedback interchangeably? Do you solicit either feedback or reviews or both? How do you do it? Let me know in the comments.</span>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3220-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 09:33:32','2016-04-13 13:33:32','',3220,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3220-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3225,4,'2016-04-13 09:34:00','2016-04-13 13:34:00','Going by the emails I receive, some companies think that I don’t do business with them solely because I can’t afford to.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3215\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/money-9-1238441-1279x850-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"money-9-1238441-1279x850\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Every few weeks, a yoga studio I used to attend until my favorite teacher left sends me a dollars-off promotion. Come back, they say, here’s an $8 discount.\r\n\r\nThen there’s the company that is always sending me discounts for handyman services.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd there’s a cosmetics company that sends emails telling me how I can get a free something or other with purchase (Only today! Only friends and family!).\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about money.</strong>\r\n\r\nNone of these companies has any idea why I am not a return customer. They’ve never asked me, but I\'ll tell you my reasons.\r\n\r\nI haven’t been back to the yoga studio because I don’t like the teacher that is currently teaching during the time slot that is convenient for me. Additionally, I hurt my shoulder and I can’t do yoga right now.\r\n\r\nI haven’t used the handyman company because I don’t have a current need. That’s not to say I won’t in the future, but there’s nothing (knocking on wood here) that needs fixing right now.\r\n\r\nThe cosmetics company just yesterday was offering me a free lash-extender mascara. I wear contact lenses and I never use mascaras that extend because it bothers my eyes, so even a free mascara is not an enticement.\r\n\r\n<strong>But at least they are tracking.</strong>\r\n\r\nTo their credit, these companies have noticed that I haven’t been a customer for a while and they want me back. But they err in thinking that doing business is simply about money.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Getting customers back is not as easy as offering a discount or a gift with purchase. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">You have to understand what motivates your customer</span>.\r\n\r\nThe decision to buy something or do business with a company is often about more than just price. There are other factors, both tangible (e.g., need, convenience, timing) and intangible (e.g., trust, satisfaction, appreciation) that affect whether you shop somewhere or buy a certain product.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sometimes, you have to ask.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve lost business or aren’t getting repeat business, you have to ask why. Don’t assume that everything can be fixed with a dollars-off promotion. Companies are collecting emails to do marketing or to send reminders. Well, they can also send a survey or even a personalized email.\r\n\r\nImagine how much more effective it would be if the yoga studio owner sent me an email saying she\'s noticed I haven\'t been there in several months and she\'d like to know if I am still living in town or doing yoga.\r\n\r\nHow do you track your clients or customers? How do you entice them to come back? Let me know what works for you in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It’s not always about the money  (customer feedback part 1)','','inherit','open','open','','3213-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 09:34:00','2016-04-13 13:34:00','',3213,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3213-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3226,4,'2016-04-13 09:38:13','2016-04-13 13:38:13','Is asking for feedback the same as asking for a review? Nope. Not even close.\r\n\r\nThere’s a huge difference between feedback and reviews: First of all, each targets a different audience. And second, each serves a different purpose.\r\n\r\n<strong>Feedback is about you (service/product/offering)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for feedback, you want to know what works and what doesn’t, (presumably) in order to improve the offering. Do you want to know what customers/supporters really think about you? Then ask for feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>Reviews are about your customers/supporters (potential and current)</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you ask for reviews, you are asking customers to <em>share </em>their thoughts, both good and bad, about your product or service <em>with other customers</em>.\r\n\r\nMany organizations make the mistake of asking for a review when what they want is feedback and some ask for feedback when all they want is a review.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3221\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"five-golden-stars-isolated-1142569-1280x640\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<strong>You need both, but for different reasons</strong>\r\n\r\nOrganizations should try to get both feedback and reviews from their customers, but not at the same time or using the same method.\r\n\r\nFeedback benefits the organization, because it provides honest insights meant to correct any issues.\r\n\r\nReviews are important too. They help with SEO, they can entice new customers, and they add credibility. Of course, not all reviews are positive, but negative reviews can serve as a red flag to businesses.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you want feedback or just an inflated review?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am taking a course on Udemy (an online “school”). The course is super long, and I am almost finished with it. About half-way through, Udemy asked me to rate the course. I rated it three stars out of five, mainly because the course is too long, repetitive and somewhat disorganized.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got this email from the course’s instructor (in full below, except I removed the instructor’s name):\r\n<blockquote>Hey Deborah,\r\n\r\nThank you for enrolling in my course.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI noticed you left a 3 star review. Was there something specifically wrong with the course that I can help you with? If the course simply isn\'t for you, I can surely help you get a refund.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTeaching on Udemy is part of my livelihood, and as you can see from the thoroughness of the course, I put a huge amount of effort into making it as useful as possible. I know the course could get boring from time to time, but I tried my best to be as thorough as possible for the beginner.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUdemy reacts very negatively toward 3 star reviews, and it tells them not to give my course as much visibility. It also hurts my livelihood generated from course sales.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you can modify your review, that would be very much appreciated and it will go a long way toward helping me continue to teach on Udemy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOnce again, please let me know what was wrong with the course, and if you need me to get a refund processed for you, please let me know.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you very much for your consideration,</blockquote>\r\nBasically, the Udemy instructor wants me to give him a five-star review, <em>because it benefits him</em>, not because it benefits his potential customers.  By the way, in my book, a three-star review is not negative, but fair/middling.\r\n\r\nIt occurs to me that if reviewers are pressured to change their reviews, and provide glowing reviews for something that is not five-star worthy, it can create problems down the road. Say this instructor gets all five-star reviews for a non-five-star course. People sign up based on those reviews and they are then disappointed because the course does not live up to the reviews. In turn, they provide not-so-glowing reviews. The instructor contacts them and offers to negotiate a refund, like he did for me. In the end, he will make less money.\r\n\r\nIf instead, the instructor asked for specific feedback and disassociated it from the review or from the money I paid for the course, I would provide a critique. And if he were interested in actually improving his course rather than just improving the reviews, he would weigh it carefully and maybe consider incorporating my feedback.\r\n\r\n<strong>So, ask for both</strong>\r\n\r\nBusinesses and organizations who want to improve, should always ask for <em>private, anonymous</em> feedback.\r\n\r\nBusinesses who want to build up credibility and SEO should ask for reviews. However, businesses need to be prepared for negative comments, and they need to have a way to deal with them.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What are your thoughts? Do you use reviews and feedback interchangeably? Do you solicit either feedback or reviews or both? How do you do it? Let me know in the comments.</span>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3220-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 09:38:13','2016-04-13 13:38:13','',3220,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3220-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3229,4,'2016-04-28 09:37:37','2016-04-28 13:37:37','We\'ve reached the fourth edition of On Writing, and this time, I asked Jay Morris to share his insights. Jay, who runs his own PR consultancy, has an extensive writing background as a journalist and editor. He also writes one of my favorite blogs, The Wayward Journey.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3230\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"223\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3230\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris-223x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a> Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Jay Morris</strong> began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor before moving to the Washington area to practice public relations and marketing at several DC-based trade associations. An award-winning communicator, he now manages his own firm, <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC</a>,  where he helps clients increase their visibility in the marketplace, on Capitol Hill and with members, consumers and stakeholders. He also blogs at <a href=\"https://waywardjourney.com\">The Wayward Journey</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JayMorCom\" target=\"_blank\">@JayMorCom</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is by far the most important “deliverable” I provide my clients. My projects often begin with a strategic communications assessment, but I almost always end up writing something for the client. It could be web content, a blog post, a press release or a speech—some type of written communication that meets a need and tells the client’s story.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting does matter, and I think it matters even more in a world where there is a way too much mediocre content. If you want to distinguish yourself—if you really want to stand out—you need to be able to communicate effectively. Whether it’s a tweet or a long-form journal article, put some effort into writing it well. Readers will take notice and reward you for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nAn English professor once wrote on one of my papers, “You seem to understand the concepts, but your writing is unpracticed.” That was a bruise to my ego, but I took what he said to heart and worked hard at improving my writing. I practiced writing clearly and concisely. My advice to anyone who wants to write would be the same: practice, practice, practice! Just as musicians and athletes practice for hours each day, writers need to flex their creative muscles, too. Look for ways to stretch your skills, try new forms and experiment with your style and voice. Blogging and journaling are two excellent ways of doing that.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk &amp; White’s “The Elements of Style,” John Warriner’s “English Grammar and Composition” and Gerald Levin’s “Prose Models” are timeless references worth getting. A good way to perfect your craft is to study authors you admire. Early on, I read nonfiction by John McPhee, Tom Wolfe and Garry Wills, and I read a lot of short story collections. Taking classes or joining a writers group helps, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve always followed the AP Stylebook. It goes back to my journalism days when I worked on a newspaper, then later on magazines and newsletters. Regardless of the style guide, I lean towards rules that favor simplicity and eliminating the unnecessary. For example, I’m not a big fan of the Oxford comma. I’m also a stickler for consistency. Once you choose a style rule, you should apply it consistently throughout your work.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nDangling participles and misplaced modifiers. I often see these in poorly written marketing pitches (and it does make me cringe). The offending sentence usually goes something like this: “As a communications professional who is constantly asked to do more with less, Acme Media understands how important it is for you to spend your PR dollars wisely.” Needless to say, Acme Media is not a communications professional!\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nI think the words “intentional,” “mindful” and “purposeful” have become overused. It’s a shame because I do like the idea of being purposeful in my life and work. Probably my favorite words are the “the other day.” I always seem to start my blog posts with, “The other day, I…” It’s a good way to begin a story. My advice is to choose words that help your storytelling, which, after all, is what writing is about.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you stretch your writing skills? Do you journal and blog like Jay Morris? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and watch this blog next month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing:  For Jay Morris, writing is a journey','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-for-jay-morris-writing-is-a-journey','','','2016-04-28 09:37:37','2016-04-28 13:37:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3229',0,'post','',0),(3230,4,'2016-04-27 11:07:01','2016-04-27 15:07:01','','Jay Morris','Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC','inherit','open','open','','jay-morris','','','2016-04-27 11:07:27','2016-04-27 15:07:27','',3229,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3231,4,'2016-04-27 11:11:06','2016-04-27 15:11:06','<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3230\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"223\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3230\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris-223x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a> Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Jay Morris</strong> began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor before moving to the Washington area to practice public relations and marketing at several DC-based trade associations. An award-winning communicator, he now manages his own firm, <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC</a>,  where he helps clients increase their visibility in the marketplace, on Capitol Hill and with members, consumers and stakeholders. He also blogs at <a href=\"https://waywardjourney.com\">The Wayward Journey</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> JayMorCom\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is by far the most important “deliverable” I provide my clients. My projects often begin with a strategic communications assessment, but I almost always end up writing something for the client. It could be web content, a blog post, a press release or a speech—some type of written communication that meets a need and tells the client’s story.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting does matter, and I think it matters even more in a world where there is a way too much mediocre content. If you want to distinguish yourself—if you really want to stand out—you need to be able to communicate effectively. Whether it’s a tweet or a long-form journal article, put some effort into writing it well. Readers will take notice and reward you for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nAn English professor once wrote on one of my papers, “You seem to understand the concepts, but your writing is unpracticed.” That was a bruise to my ego, but I took what he said to heart and worked hard at improving my writing. I practiced writing clearly and concisely. My advice to anyone who wants to write would be the same: practice, practice, practice! Just as musicians and athletes practice for hours each day, writers need to flex their creative muscles, too. Look for ways to stretch your skills, try new forms and experiment with your style and voice. Blogging and journaling are two excellent ways of doing that.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk &amp; White’s “The Elements of Style,” John Warriner’s “English Grammar and Composition” and Gerald Levin’s “Prose Models” are timeless references worth getting. A good way to perfect your craft is to study authors you admire. Early on, I read nonfiction by John McPhee, Tom Wolfe and Garry Wills, and I read a lot of short story collections. Taking classes or joining a writers group helps, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve always followed the AP Stylebook. It goes back to my journalism days when I worked on a newspaper, then later on magazines and newsletters. Regardless of the style guide, I lean towards rules that favor simplicity and eliminating the unnecessary. For example, I’m not a big fan of the Oxford comma. I’m also a stickler for consistency. Once you choose a style rule, you should apply it consistently throughout your work.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nDangling participles and misplaced modifiers. I often see these in poorly written marketing pitches (and it does make me cringe). The offending sentence usually goes something like this: “As a communications professional who is constantly asked to do more with less, Acme Media understands how important it is for you to spend your PR dollars wisely.” Needless to say, Acme Media is not a communications professional!\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nI think the words “intentional,” “mindful” and “purposeful” have become overused. It’s a shame because I do like the idea of being purposeful in my life and work. Probably my favorite words are the “the other day.” I always seem to start my blog posts with, “The other day, I…” It’s a good way to begin a story. My advice is to choose words that help your storytelling, which, after all, is what writing is about.','On writing:  For Jay Morris, writing is a journey','','inherit','open','open','','3229-revision-v1','','','2016-04-27 11:11:06','2016-04-27 15:11:06','',3229,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3232,4,'2016-04-28 09:29:15','2016-04-28 13:29:15','This month is the fourth edition of On Writing, and I asked Jay Morris to share his thoughts. Jay, who runs his own PR consultancy, has an extensive writing background as a journalist and editor. He also writes one of my favorite blogs,The Wayward Journey.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3230\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"223\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3230\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris-223x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a> Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Jay Morris</strong> began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor before moving to the Washington area to practice public relations and marketing at several DC-based trade associations. An award-winning communicator, he now manages his own firm, <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC</a>,  where he helps clients increase their visibility in the marketplace, on Capitol Hill and with members, consumers and stakeholders. He also blogs at <a href=\"https://waywardjourney.com\">The Wayward Journey</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JayMorCom\" target=\"_blank\">@JayMorCom</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is by far the most important “deliverable” I provide my clients. My projects often begin with a strategic communications assessment, but I almost always end up writing something for the client. It could be web content, a blog post, a press release or a speech—some type of written communication that meets a need and tells the client’s story.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting does matter, and I think it matters even more in a world where there is a way too much mediocre content. If you want to distinguish yourself—if you really want to stand out—you need to be able to communicate effectively. Whether it’s a tweet or a long-form journal article, put some effort into writing it well. Readers will take notice and reward you for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nAn English professor once wrote on one of my papers, “You seem to understand the concepts, but your writing is unpracticed.” That was a bruise to my ego, but I took what he said to heart and worked hard at improving my writing. I practiced writing clearly and concisely. My advice to anyone who wants to write would be the same: practice, practice, practice! Just as musicians and athletes practice for hours each day, writers need to flex their creative muscles, too. Look for ways to stretch your skills, try new forms and experiment with your style and voice. Blogging and journaling are two excellent ways of doing that.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk &amp; White’s “The Elements of Style,” John Warriner’s “English Grammar and Composition” and Gerald Levin’s “Prose Models” are timeless references worth getting. A good way to perfect your craft is to study authors you admire. Early on, I read nonfiction by John McPhee, Tom Wolfe and Garry Wills, and I read a lot of short story collections. Taking classes or joining a writers group helps, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve always followed the AP Stylebook. It goes back to my journalism days when I worked on a newspaper, then later on magazines and newsletters. Regardless of the style guide, I lean towards rules that favor simplicity and eliminating the unnecessary. For example, I’m not a big fan of the Oxford comma. I’m also a stickler for consistency. Once you choose a style rule, you should apply it consistently throughout your work.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nDangling participles and misplaced modifiers. I often see these in poorly written marketing pitches (and it does make me cringe). The offending sentence usually goes something like this: “As a communications professional who is constantly asked to do more with less, Acme Media understands how important it is for you to spend your PR dollars wisely.” Needless to say, Acme Media is not a communications professional!\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nI think the words “intentional,” “mindful” and “purposeful” have become overused. It’s a shame because I do like the idea of being purposeful in my life and work. Probably my favorite words are the “the other day.” I always seem to start my blog posts with, “The other day, I…” It’s a good way to begin a story. My advice is to choose words that help your storytelling, which, after all, is what writing is about.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you stretch your writing skills? Do you journal and blog like Jay Morris? Watch this blog next month for more thoughts on writing, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.</span>','On writing:  For Jay Morris, writing is a journey','','inherit','open','open','','3229-revision-v1','','','2016-04-28 09:29:15','2016-04-28 13:29:15','',3229,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3233,4,'2016-04-28 09:33:15','2016-04-28 13:33:15','We\'ve reached the fourth edition of On Writing, and this time, I asked Jay Morris to share his thoughts. Jay, who runs his own PR consultancy, has an extensive writing background as a journalist and editor. He also writes one of my favorite blogs, The Wayward Journey.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3230\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"223\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3230\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris-223x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a> Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Jay Morris</strong> began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor before moving to the Washington area to practice public relations and marketing at several DC-based trade associations. An award-winning communicator, he now manages his own firm, <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC</a>,  where he helps clients increase their visibility in the marketplace, on Capitol Hill and with members, consumers and stakeholders. He also blogs at <a href=\"https://waywardjourney.com\">The Wayward Journey</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JayMorCom\" target=\"_blank\">@JayMorCom</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is by far the most important “deliverable” I provide my clients. My projects often begin with a strategic communications assessment, but I almost always end up writing something for the client. It could be web content, a blog post, a press release or a speech—some type of written communication that meets a need and tells the client’s story.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting does matter, and I think it matters even more in a world where there is a way too much mediocre content. If you want to distinguish yourself—if you really want to stand out—you need to be able to communicate effectively. Whether it’s a tweet or a long-form journal article, put some effort into writing it well. Readers will take notice and reward you for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nAn English professor once wrote on one of my papers, “You seem to understand the concepts, but your writing is unpracticed.” That was a bruise to my ego, but I took what he said to heart and worked hard at improving my writing. I practiced writing clearly and concisely. My advice to anyone who wants to write would be the same: practice, practice, practice! Just as musicians and athletes practice for hours each day, writers need to flex their creative muscles, too. Look for ways to stretch your skills, try new forms and experiment with your style and voice. Blogging and journaling are two excellent ways of doing that.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk &amp; White’s “The Elements of Style,” John Warriner’s “English Grammar and Composition” and Gerald Levin’s “Prose Models” are timeless references worth getting. A good way to perfect your craft is to study authors you admire. Early on, I read nonfiction by John McPhee, Tom Wolfe and Garry Wills, and I read a lot of short story collections. Taking classes or joining a writers group helps, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve always followed the AP Stylebook. It goes back to my journalism days when I worked on a newspaper, then later on magazines and newsletters. Regardless of the style guide, I lean towards rules that favor simplicity and eliminating the unnecessary. For example, I’m not a big fan of the Oxford comma. I’m also a stickler for consistency. Once you choose a style rule, you should apply it consistently throughout your work.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nDangling participles and misplaced modifiers. I often see these in poorly written marketing pitches (and it does make me cringe). The offending sentence usually goes something like this: “As a communications professional who is constantly asked to do more with less, Acme Media understands how important it is for you to spend your PR dollars wisely.” Needless to say, Acme Media is not a communications professional!\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nI think the words “intentional,” “mindful” and “purposeful” have become overused. It’s a shame because I do like the idea of being purposeful in my life and work. Probably my favorite words are the “the other day.” I always seem to start my blog posts with, “The other day, I…” It’s a good way to begin a story. My advice is to choose words that help your storytelling, which, after all, is what writing is about.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you stretch your writing skills? Do you journal and blog like Jay Morris? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and watch this blog next month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing:  For Jay Morris, writing is a journey','','inherit','open','open','','3229-revision-v1','','','2016-04-28 09:33:15','2016-04-28 13:33:15','',3229,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3234,4,'2016-04-28 09:37:37','2016-04-28 13:37:37','We\'ve reached the fourth edition of On Writing, and this time, I asked Jay Morris to share his insights. Jay, who runs his own PR consultancy, has an extensive writing background as a journalist and editor. He also writes one of my favorite blogs, The Wayward Journey.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3230\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"223\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3230\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jay-Morris-223x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a> Jay Morris, CEO, Jay Morris Communications, LLC[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Jay Morris</strong> began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor before moving to the Washington area to practice public relations and marketing at several DC-based trade associations. An award-winning communicator, he now manages his own firm, <a href=\"http://jmcomllc.com\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Morris Communications, LLC</a>,  where he helps clients increase their visibility in the marketplace, on Capitol Hill and with members, consumers and stakeholders. He also blogs at <a href=\"https://waywardjourney.com\">The Wayward Journey</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JayMorCom\" target=\"_blank\">@JayMorCom</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is by far the most important “deliverable” I provide my clients. My projects often begin with a strategic communications assessment, but I almost always end up writing something for the client. It could be web content, a blog post, a press release or a speech—some type of written communication that meets a need and tells the client’s story.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting does matter, and I think it matters even more in a world where there is a way too much mediocre content. If you want to distinguish yourself—if you really want to stand out—you need to be able to communicate effectively. Whether it’s a tweet or a long-form journal article, put some effort into writing it well. Readers will take notice and reward you for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>3</strong>. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nAn English professor once wrote on one of my papers, “You seem to understand the concepts, but your writing is unpracticed.” That was a bruise to my ego, but I took what he said to heart and worked hard at improving my writing. I practiced writing clearly and concisely. My advice to anyone who wants to write would be the same: practice, practice, practice! Just as musicians and athletes practice for hours each day, writers need to flex their creative muscles, too. Look for ways to stretch your skills, try new forms and experiment with your style and voice. Blogging and journaling are two excellent ways of doing that.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk &amp; White’s “The Elements of Style,” John Warriner’s “English Grammar and Composition” and Gerald Levin’s “Prose Models” are timeless references worth getting. A good way to perfect your craft is to study authors you admire. Early on, I read nonfiction by John McPhee, Tom Wolfe and Garry Wills, and I read a lot of short story collections. Taking classes or joining a writers group helps, too.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve always followed the AP Stylebook. It goes back to my journalism days when I worked on a newspaper, then later on magazines and newsletters. Regardless of the style guide, I lean towards rules that favor simplicity and eliminating the unnecessary. For example, I’m not a big fan of the Oxford comma. I’m also a stickler for consistency. Once you choose a style rule, you should apply it consistently throughout your work.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nDangling participles and misplaced modifiers. I often see these in poorly written marketing pitches (and it does make me cringe). The offending sentence usually goes something like this: “As a communications professional who is constantly asked to do more with less, Acme Media understands how important it is for you to spend your PR dollars wisely.” Needless to say, Acme Media is not a communications professional!\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nI think the words “intentional,” “mindful” and “purposeful” have become overused. It’s a shame because I do like the idea of being purposeful in my life and work. Probably my favorite words are the “the other day.” I always seem to start my blog posts with, “The other day, I…” It’s a good way to begin a story. My advice is to choose words that help your storytelling, which, after all, is what writing is about.\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">How do you stretch your writing skills? Do you journal and blog like Jay Morris? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and watch this blog next month for more thoughts on writing.</span></strong>','On writing:  For Jay Morris, writing is a journey','','inherit','open','open','','3229-revision-v1','','','2016-04-28 09:37:37','2016-04-28 13:37:37','',3229,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/3229-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3249,4,'2016-05-18 13:28:10','2016-05-18 17:28:10','<strong>Social media is easy -- </strong><strong>all you need is quotes</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I attended a networking event where a speaker shared her insights about social media, specifically for business (you\'d think that by 2016, everyone has learned all about social media, but I digress).\r\n\r\nThe speaker, a self-proclaimed social media expert who works primarily with small, local businesses, wanted to share with us that \"doing\" social media is not hard. All  you have to do is to provide content. She gave suggestions for the types of \"content\" your business could share--articles you find \"around,\" pictures you take, and her absolute favorite, quotes. Basically, she told us, find a \"cute\" quote and then put together an image featuring said quote and a picture or a background, like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3246\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"sign-1570201-1279x863\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" /></a>She told us quotes do gangbusters on Facebook. People just love them, and then they \"like\" them and even share them.\r\n\r\nOK, I don\'t have anything against quotes. Sometimes a nice inspirational quote will motivate you or a funny one will make you laugh. We all need quick breaks and reading and sharing a quote is a harmless use of 10 seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about liking or sharing. It\'s about goals.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut, here\'s the thing: why are you on social media? If you are on social media as a business, you are not there simply to get likes or shares. Getting likes or shares is great, but you really are using social media <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">to achieve certain business or communications goals</span>, such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Getting people to visit your website</li>\r\n	<li>Establishing your \"thought leadership\"</li>\r\n	<li>Creating a network</li>\r\n	<li>\"Engaging\" with your customers and potential customers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Start with why</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Simon Sinek, \"start with why.\"\r\n\r\n<em>(See what I did there?)</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf all you are trying to accomplish is being social or having fun, then go ahead, share all the quotes and funny pictures you want. Get all sorts of likes and shares, and feel good about yourself.\r\n\r\nHowever, if you are trying to accomplish business goals, then be clear on what those are and figure out how to get there. Perhaps sharing an article from your CEO about the issue your service solves, and which links back to your website, gets you both website visits and thought leadership.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know why you are social media? Do you have specific goals for your social media?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You don\'t want shares or likes','','inherit','open','open','','3245-revision-v1','','','2016-05-18 13:28:10','2016-05-18 17:28:10','',3245,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3245-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3237,4,'2016-05-11 09:16:11','2016-05-11 13:16:11','<strong>An exponential mistake?</strong>\r\n\r\nSeveral years ago, when I was just starting out, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, independent) hotels.\r\n\r\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would not understand the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?\r\n\r\nWhether this client was right or not about \"exponential,\" the takeaway is that you have to use the language that your audience will get. If your audience talks at a sixth-grade level, you can\'t use university-level language and hope they understand what you are saying.\r\n\r\n<strong>Trump gets it (or maybe doesn\'t know better)</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to the article<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/05/03/donald-trump-speaks-like-a-sixth-grader-all-politicians-should/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Donald Trump Speaks Like a Sixth Grader. All Politicians Should,\"</a> by Allison Jane Smith and published this past Sunday in the <em>Washington Post</em>, part of Trump\'s success in the presidential primaries can be attributed to his ability to communicate with the swath of Americans who have low literacy skills. As you probably have heard, Trump always uses simple words, and repeats them constantly.\r\n\r\nSmith writes:\r\n<blockquote>When speaking to or writing for a broad audience, it’s a best practice to speak at <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_writing-2Dfor-2Dlower-2Dliteracy-2Dusers_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=2WqK0yBJL6ATX9FTRytK72bllmhEvwifCk6_6rogEfs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">an eighth-grade reading level</a>. More than 40 percent of Americans have only basic literary skills, according to a <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nces.ed.gov_naal_kf-5Fdemographics.asp&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=ICSe7uE6Xl_lsnGKWuWOfb-0nKnYsEaKbkYa6g3i5pk&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">2003 assessment</a>. And even highly educated people prefer to read <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_legibility-2Dreadability-2Dcomprehension_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=JY4Qiz63BhGQh0QJYH0zRSu3pPXUj2MFkxBnzkSmPxs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">below</a> their formal education level.</blockquote>\r\n<strong>Adjust your language</strong>\r\n\r\nIn other words, speakers (and writers) who want to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">communicate more widely</span> would do better to simplify. Using big words when most people don\'t get them will only hurt your cause, perhaps exponentially.\r\n\r\nOf course, if you are trying to communicate more narrowly, or to a very sophisticated audience, you will have to adjust your language accordingly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Your job as a communicator is to make sure your audience gets you.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you ever read marketing material that you didn\'t understand? Do you think it was a language choice issue? Let me know in the comments.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does your audience get you?','','publish','open','open','','does-your-audience-get-you','','','2016-05-11 09:19:12','2016-05-11 13:19:12','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3237',0,'post','',0),(3238,4,'2016-05-10 15:55:26','2016-05-10 19:55:26','A few years ago, when I was just starting, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, probably independent) hotels.\r\n\r\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would get the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?','Does your audience get you?','','inherit','open','open','','3237-revision-v1','','','2016-05-10 15:55:26','2016-05-10 19:55:26','',3237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3237-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3239,4,'2016-05-10 17:06:54','2016-05-10 21:06:54','A few years ago, when I was just starting, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, independent) hotels.\r\n\r\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would get the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?\r\n\r\nWhether this client was right or not about \"exponential,\" the takeaway is that you have to use the language that your audience will get. If your audience talks at a sixth-grade level, you can\'t use university-level language and hope they understand what you are saying.\r\n\r\nAccording to the article<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/05/03/donald-trump-speaks-like-a-sixth-grader-all-politicians-should/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Donald Trump Speaks Like a Sixth Grader. All Politicians Should,\"</a> by Allison Jane Smith and published this past Sunday in the <em>Washington Post</em>, part of Trump\'s success in the presidential primaries can be attributed to his ability to communicate with the swath of Americans who have low literacy skills. Trump always uses simple words, and repeats them constantly.\r\n\r\nSmith writes:\r\n<blockquote>When speaking to or writing for a broad audience, it’s a best practice to speak at <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_writing-2Dfor-2Dlower-2Dliteracy-2Dusers_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=2WqK0yBJL6ATX9FTRytK72bllmhEvwifCk6_6rogEfs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">an eighth-grade reading level</a>. More than 40 percent of Americans have only basic literary skills, according to a <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nces.ed.gov_naal_kf-5Fdemographics.asp&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=ICSe7uE6Xl_lsnGKWuWOfb-0nKnYsEaKbkYa6g3i5pk&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">2003 assessment</a>. And even highly educated people prefer to read <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_legibility-2Dreadability-2Dcomprehension_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=JY4Qiz63BhGQh0QJYH0zRSu3pPXUj2MFkxBnzkSmPxs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">below</a> their formal education level.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, speakers (and writers) who want to communicate more widely would do better to simplify. Using big words when most people don\'t get them will only hurt your cause, perhaps exponentially.\r\n\r\nOf course, if you are trying to communicate more narrowly, or to a very sophisticated audience, you will have to adjust your language accordingly.\r\n\r\nHave you ever read marketing material that you didn\'t understand? Do you think it was a language choice issue? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does your audience get you?','','inherit','open','open','','3237-revision-v1','','','2016-05-10 17:06:54','2016-05-10 21:06:54','',3237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3237-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3240,4,'2016-05-11 09:16:11','2016-05-11 13:16:11','Several years ago, when I was just starting out, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, independent) hotels.\r\n\r\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would not understand the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?\r\n\r\nWhether this client was right or not about \"exponential,\" the takeaway is that you have to use the language that your audience will get. If your audience talks at a sixth-grade level, you can\'t use university-level language and hope they understand what you are saying.\r\n\r\nAccording to the article<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/05/03/donald-trump-speaks-like-a-sixth-grader-all-politicians-should/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Donald Trump Speaks Like a Sixth Grader. All Politicians Should,\"</a> by Allison Jane Smith and published this past Sunday in the <em>Washington Post</em>, part of Trump\'s success in the presidential primaries can be attributed to his ability to communicate with the swath of Americans who have low literacy skills. As you probably have heard, Trump always uses simple words, and repeats them constantly.\r\n\r\nSmith writes:\r\n<blockquote>When speaking to or writing for a broad audience, it’s a best practice to speak at <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_writing-2Dfor-2Dlower-2Dliteracy-2Dusers_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=2WqK0yBJL6ATX9FTRytK72bllmhEvwifCk6_6rogEfs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">an eighth-grade reading level</a>. More than 40 percent of Americans have only basic literary skills, according to a <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nces.ed.gov_naal_kf-5Fdemographics.asp&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=ICSe7uE6Xl_lsnGKWuWOfb-0nKnYsEaKbkYa6g3i5pk&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">2003 assessment</a>. And even highly educated people prefer to read <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_legibility-2Dreadability-2Dcomprehension_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=JY4Qiz63BhGQh0QJYH0zRSu3pPXUj2MFkxBnzkSmPxs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">below</a> their formal education level.</blockquote>\r\nIn other words, speakers (and writers) who want to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">communicate more widely</span> would do better to simplify. Using big words when most people don\'t get them will only hurt your cause, perhaps exponentially.\r\n\r\nOf course, if you are trying to communicate more narrowly, or to a very sophisticated audience, you will have to adjust your language accordingly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Your job as a communicator is to make sure your audience gets you.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you ever read marketing material that you didn\'t understand? Do you think it was a language choice issue? Let me know in the comments.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does your audience get you?','','inherit','open','open','','3237-revision-v1','','','2016-05-11 09:16:11','2016-05-11 13:16:11','',3237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3237-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3241,4,'2016-05-11 09:18:28','2016-05-11 13:18:28','An exponential mistake?\n\nSeveral years ago, when I was just starting out, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, independent) hotels.\n\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would not understand the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?\n\nWhether this client was right or not about \"exponential,\" the takeaway is that you have to use the language that your audience will get. If your audience talks at a sixth-grade level, you can\'t use university-level language and hope they understand what you are saying.\n\n<strong>Trump gets it (or maybe doesn\'t know better)</strong>\n\nAccording to the article<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/05/03/donald-trump-speaks-like-a-sixth-grader-all-politicians-should/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Donald Trump Speaks Like a Sixth Grader. All Politicians Should,\"</a> by Allison Jane Smith and published this past Sunday in the <em>Washington Post</em>, part of Trump\'s success in the presidential primaries can be attributed to his ability to communicate with the swath of Americans who have low literacy skills. As you probably have heard, Trump always uses simple words, and repeats them constantly.\n\nSmith writes:\n<blockquote>When speaking to or writing for a broad audience, it’s a best practice to speak at <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_writing-2Dfor-2Dlower-2Dliteracy-2Dusers_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=2WqK0yBJL6ATX9FTRytK72bllmhEvwifCk6_6rogEfs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">an eighth-grade reading level</a>. More than 40 percent of Americans have only basic literary skills, according to a <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nces.ed.gov_naal_kf-5Fdemographics.asp&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=ICSe7uE6Xl_lsnGKWuWOfb-0nKnYsEaKbkYa6g3i5pk&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">2003 assessment</a>. And even highly educated people prefer to read <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_legibility-2Dreadability-2Dcomprehension_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=JY4Qiz63BhGQh0QJYH0zRSu3pPXUj2MFkxBnzkSmPxs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">below</a> their formal education level.</blockquote>\nIn other words, speakers (and writers) who want to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">communicate more widely</span> would do better to simplify. Using big words when most people don\'t get them will only hurt your cause, perhaps exponentially.\n\nOf course, if you are trying to communicate more narrowly, or to a very sophisticated audience, you will have to adjust your language accordingly.\n\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Your job as a communicator is to make sure your audience gets you.</span>\n\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you ever read marketing material that you didn\'t understand? Do you think it was a language choice issue? Let me know in the comments.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;','Does your audience get you?','','inherit','open','open','','3237-autosave-v1','','','2016-05-11 09:18:28','2016-05-11 13:18:28','',3237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3237-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3242,4,'2016-05-11 09:19:12','2016-05-11 13:19:12','<strong>An exponential mistake?</strong>\r\n\r\nSeveral years ago, when I was just starting out, I was hired by a new client to write a sales pitch letter. The letter would promote a hotel reservations software that the client was selling to small (non-chain, independent) hotels.\r\n\r\nThe client hated the letter I wrote. He didn\'t even want to pay me for it! His main complaint was that I used language the hotel owners wouldn\'t understand. Specifically, I had used the term \"exponential growth,\" and the client thought most people would not understand the word \"exponential.\" I was completely taken aback. To me, \"exponential growth\" sounded good. You\'d want your business to experience it by simply buying a new software, right?\r\n\r\nWhether this client was right or not about \"exponential,\" the takeaway is that you have to use the language that your audience will get. If your audience talks at a sixth-grade level, you can\'t use university-level language and hope they understand what you are saying.\r\n\r\n<strong>Trump gets it (or maybe doesn\'t know better)</strong>\r\n\r\nAccording to the article<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/05/03/donald-trump-speaks-like-a-sixth-grader-all-politicians-should/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory\" target=\"_blank\"> \"Donald Trump Speaks Like a Sixth Grader. All Politicians Should,\"</a> by Allison Jane Smith and published this past Sunday in the <em>Washington Post</em>, part of Trump\'s success in the presidential primaries can be attributed to his ability to communicate with the swath of Americans who have low literacy skills. As you probably have heard, Trump always uses simple words, and repeats them constantly.\r\n\r\nSmith writes:\r\n<blockquote>When speaking to or writing for a broad audience, it’s a best practice to speak at <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_writing-2Dfor-2Dlower-2Dliteracy-2Dusers_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=2WqK0yBJL6ATX9FTRytK72bllmhEvwifCk6_6rogEfs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">an eighth-grade reading level</a>. More than 40 percent of Americans have only basic literary skills, according to a <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nces.ed.gov_naal_kf-5Fdemographics.asp&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=ICSe7uE6Xl_lsnGKWuWOfb-0nKnYsEaKbkYa6g3i5pk&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">2003 assessment</a>. And even highly educated people prefer to read <a href=\"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nngroup.com_articles_legibility-2Dreadability-2Dcomprehension_&amp;d=DQMFaQ&amp;c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&amp;r=zZ-ULk44Cmdk_g8Nibpw-jVetFWF8cmowsSgSjx8dqw&amp;m=7AfRpjsOnVI_ZEC6jBQ9FnZV0gBeqSEG23lz607jcss&amp;s=JY4Qiz63BhGQh0QJYH0zRSu3pPXUj2MFkxBnzkSmPxs&amp;e=\" data-xslt=\"_http\">below</a> their formal education level.</blockquote>\r\n<strong>Adjust your language</strong>\r\n\r\nIn other words, speakers (and writers) who want to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">communicate more widely</span> would do better to simplify. Using big words when most people don\'t get them will only hurt your cause, perhaps exponentially.\r\n\r\nOf course, if you are trying to communicate more narrowly, or to a very sophisticated audience, you will have to adjust your language accordingly.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Your job as a communicator is to make sure your audience gets you.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have you ever read marketing material that you didn\'t understand? Do you think it was a language choice issue? Let me know in the comments.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does your audience get you?','','inherit','open','open','','3237-revision-v1','','','2016-05-11 09:19:12','2016-05-11 13:19:12','',3237,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3237-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3296,4,'2016-07-26 11:04:12','2016-07-26 15:04:12','','Leslie_OFLAHAVAN','Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write','inherit','open','open','','leslie_oflahavan','','','2016-07-26 11:04:52','2016-07-26 15:04:52','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3245,4,'2016-05-18 10:00:05','2016-05-18 14:00:05','<strong>Social media is easy -- </strong><strong>all you need is quotes</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I attended a networking event where a speaker shared her insights about social media, specifically for business (you\'d think that by 2016, everyone has learned all about social media, but I digress).\r\n\r\nThe speaker, a self-proclaimed social media expert who works primarily with small, local businesses, wanted to share with us that \"doing\" social media is not hard. All  you have to do is to provide content. She gave suggestions for the types of \"content\" your business could share--articles you find \"around,\" pictures you take, and her absolute favorite, quotes. Basically, she told us, find a \"cute\" quote and then put together an image featuring said quote and a picture or a background, like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3246\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"sign-1570201-1279x863\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" /></a>She told us quotes do gangbusters on Facebook. People just love them, and then they \"like\" them and even share them.\r\n\r\nOK, I don\'t have anything against quotes. Sometimes a nice inspirational quote will motivate you or a funny one will make you laugh. We all need quick breaks and reading and sharing a quote is a harmless use of 10 seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about liking or sharing. It\'s about goals.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut, here\'s the thing: why are you on social media? If you are on social media as a business, you are not there simply to get likes or shares. Getting likes or shares is great, but you really are using social media <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">to achieve certain business or communications goals</span>, such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Getting people to visit your website</li>\r\n	<li>Establishing your \"thought leadership\"</li>\r\n	<li>Creating a network</li>\r\n	<li>\"Engaging\" with your customers and potential customers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Start with why</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Simon Sinek, \"start with why.\"\r\n\r\n<em>(See what I did there?)</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf all you are trying to accomplish is being social or having fun, then go ahead, share all the quotes and funny pictures you want. Get all sorts of likes and shares, and feel good about yourself.\r\n\r\nHowever, if you are trying to accomplish business goals, then be clear on what those are and figure out how to get there. Perhaps sharing an article from your CEO about the issue your service solves, and which links back to your website, gets you both website visits and thought leadership.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know why you are social media? Do you have specific goals for your social media?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You don\'t want shares or likes','','publish','open','open','','you-dont-want-shares-or-likes','','','2016-05-18 13:28:10','2016-05-18 17:28:10','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3245',0,'post','',0),(3246,4,'2016-05-18 09:48:20','2016-05-18 13:48:20','','sign-1570201-1279x863','','inherit','open','open','','sign-1570201-1279x863','','','2016-05-18 09:48:20','2016-05-18 13:48:20','',3245,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3247,4,'2016-05-18 09:53:26','2016-05-18 13:53:26','<strong>Social media is easy -- </strong><strong>all you need is quotes</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I attended a networking event where a speaker shared her insights about social media, specifically for business (you would think that by 2016, everyone has learned all about social media, but I digress).\r\n\r\nThe speaker, a self-proclaimed social media expert who works primarily with small, local businesses, wanted to share with us that \"doing\" social media is not hard. All  you have to do is to provide content. She gave suggestions for the types of \"content\" your business could share--articles you find \"around,\" pictures you take, and her absolute favorite, quotes. Basically, she told us, find a \"cute\" quote and then put together an image featuring said quote and a picture or a background (which you can buy on Canva for a couple dollars), kind of like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3246\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"sign-1570201-1279x863\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" /></a>She told us quotes do gangbusters on Facebook. People just love them, and then they \"like\" them and even share them.\r\n\r\nOK, I don\'t have anything against quotes. Sometimes a nice inspirational quote will motivate you or a funny one will make you laugh. We all need quick breaks and reading and sharing a quote is a harmless use of 10 seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about liking or sharing. It\'s about goals.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut, here\'s the thing: why are you on social media? If you are on social media as a business, you are not there to get likes or shares. Getting likes or shares is great, but you really are using social media <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">to achieve certain business or communications goals</span>, such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Getting people to visit your website</li>\r\n	<li>Establishing your \"thought leadership\"</li>\r\n	<li>Creating a network</li>\r\n	<li>\"Engaging\" with your customers and potential customers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Start with why</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote (see what I did there?) Simon Sinek, \"start with why.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf all you are trying to accomplish is being social, then go ahead, share all the quotes and funny pictures you want. Get all sorts of likes and shares, and feel good about yourself.\r\n\r\nHowever, if you are trying to accomplish business goals, then be clear on what those are and figure out how to get there. Perhaps sharing an article that links back to your website gets you both website visits and thought leadership.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know why you are social media? Do you have specific goals for your social media?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You don\'t want shares or likes','','inherit','open','open','','3245-revision-v1','','','2016-05-18 09:53:26','2016-05-18 13:53:26','',3245,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3245-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3248,4,'2016-05-18 09:57:50','2016-05-18 13:57:50','<strong>Social media is easy -- </strong><strong>all you need is quotes</strong>\r\n\r\nLast week, I attended a networking event where a speaker shared her insights about social media, specifically for business (you would think that by 2016, everyone has learned all about social media, but I digress).\r\n\r\nThe speaker, a self-proclaimed social media expert who works primarily with small, local businesses, wanted to share with us that \"doing\" social media is not hard. All  you have to do is to provide content. She gave suggestions for the types of \"content\" your business could share--articles you find \"around,\" pictures you take, and her absolute favorite, quotes. Basically, she told us, find a \"cute\" quote and then put together an image featuring said quote and a picture or a background, like this:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3246\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sign-1570201-1279x863-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"sign-1570201-1279x863\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" /></a>She told us quotes do gangbusters on Facebook. People just love them, and then they \"like\" them and even share them.\r\n\r\nOK, I don\'t have anything against quotes. Sometimes a nice inspirational quote will motivate you or a funny one will make you laugh. We all need quick breaks and reading and sharing a quote is a harmless use of 10 seconds.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s not about liking or sharing. It\'s about goals.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut, here\'s the thing: why are you on social media? If you are on social media as a business, you are not there to get likes or shares. Getting likes or shares is great, but you really are using social media <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">to achieve certain business or communications goals</span>, such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Getting people to visit your website</li>\r\n	<li>Establishing your \"thought leadership\"</li>\r\n	<li>Creating a network</li>\r\n	<li>\"Engaging\" with your customers and potential customers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Start with why</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Simon Sinek, \"start with why.\"\r\n\r\n<em>(See what I did there?)</em>\r\n\r\n<strong>What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf all you are trying to accomplish is being social or having fun, then go ahead, share all the quotes and funny pictures you want. Get all sorts of likes and shares, and feel good about yourself.\r\n\r\nHowever, if you are trying to accomplish business goals, then be clear on what those are and figure out how to get there. Perhaps sharing an article from your CEO about the issue your service solves, and which links back to your website, gets you both website visits and thought leadership.\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you know why you are social media? Do you have specific goals for your social media?</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You don\'t want shares or likes','','inherit','open','open','','3245-revision-v1','','','2016-05-18 09:57:50','2016-05-18 13:57:50','',3245,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3245-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3252,4,'2016-05-25 17:05:47','2016-05-25 21:05:47','','Brad Phillips ','Brad Phillips','inherit','open','open','','brad-phillips-headshot-mini','','','2016-05-25 17:06:12','2016-05-25 21:06:12','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3253,4,'2016-05-25 17:08:46','2016-05-25 21:08:46','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Brad Phillips\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   Phillips Media Relations, LLC\r\n\r\n<strong>Website:</strong> <a href=\"http://www.MrMediaTraining.com\">www.MrMediaTraining.com</a> and <a href=\"http://www.PhillipsMediaRelations.com\">www.PhillipsMediaRelations.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @MrMediaTraining\r\n\r\nBrad Phillips is the president of Phillips Media Relations, a media and presentation training firm with offices in NYC and DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the Mr. Media Training blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.','On writing: Brad Phillips trains ','','inherit','open','open','','3251-revision-v1','','','2016-05-25 17:08:46','2016-05-25 21:08:46','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3251-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3254,4,'2016-05-26 08:43:48','2016-05-26 12:43:48','One of the blogs on my must-read list is <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a>, written by Brad Phillips.  I\'ve been reading Brad\'s insights on media and communications for years. Brad truly is a born blogger, and a great communicator, so naturally, I wanted to him to share this thoughts on writing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips, president, Phillips Media Relations[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>B</strong><strong>rad Phillips</strong> is the president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media and presentation training firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the Mr. Media Training blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mrmediatraining\" target=\"_blank\">@MrMediaTraining</a>\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.','On writing: Brad Phillips trains ','','inherit','open','open','','3251-revision-v1','','','2016-05-26 08:43:48','2016-05-26 12:43:48','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3251-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3255,4,'2016-05-26 08:45:10','2016-05-26 12:45:10','One of the blogs on my must-read list is <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a>, written by Brad Phillips.  I\'ve been reading Brad\'s insights on media and communications for years. Brad truly is a born blogger, and a great communicator, so naturally, I wanted to him to share this thoughts on writing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips, president, Phillips Media Relations[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>B</strong><strong>rad Phillips</strong> is the president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media and presentation training firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a> blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mrmediatraining\" target=\"_blank\">@MrMediaTraining</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.','On writing: Brad Phillips knows training is key','','inherit','open','open','','3251-revision-v1','','','2016-05-26 08:45:10','2016-05-26 12:45:10','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3251-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3256,4,'2016-05-26 08:50:12','2016-05-26 12:50:12','One of the blogs on my must-read list is <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a>, written by Brad Phillips.  I\'ve been reading Brad\'s insights on media and communications for years. Brad truly is a born blogger, and a great communicator, so naturally, I wanted to him to share this thoughts on writing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips, president, Phillips Media Relations[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>B</strong><strong>rad Phillips</strong> is the president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media and presentation training firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a> blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mrmediatraining\" target=\"_blank\">@MrMediaTraining</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1</strong>. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do  you agree with Brad editing is the most important part in producing top-notch writing? I know I do! Share your thoughts on writing in the comments, and be sure to check this space next month when another communications pro will share his or her thoughts on writing.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have a meaningful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! Unofficial summer is finally here.</span></strong>','On writing: Brad Phillips knows training is key','','inherit','open','open','','3251-revision-v1','','','2016-05-26 08:50:12','2016-05-26 12:50:12','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3251-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3257,4,'2016-05-26 08:52:09','2016-05-26 12:52:09','One of the blogs on my must-read list is <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a>, written by Brad Phillips.  I\'ve been reading Brad\'s insights on media and communications for years. Brad truly is a born blogger, and a great communicator, so naturally, I wanted to him to share this thoughts on writing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3252\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3252 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Brad-Phillips-Headshot-Mini-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brad Phillips\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Brad Phillips, president, Phillips Media Relations[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>B</strong><strong>rad Phillips</strong> is the president of <a href=\"http://www.phillipsmediarelations.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Phillips Media Relations</a>, a media and presentation training firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Before founding his firm in 2004, he was a journalist with ABC News and CNN. Phillips is the author of <em>The Media Training Bible</em>, an Amazon #1 Public Relations best seller, the new book <em>101 Ways to Open a Speech</em>, and the <a href=\"http://www.mrmediatraining.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Mr. Media Training</a> blog, the world\'s most-visited media training website.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mrmediatraining\" target=\"_blank\">@MrMediaTraining</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1</strong>. <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is critical for our firm and touches all parts of our work. Our books help introduce potential clients to our work for a modest cost, and our blog—which posts fresh content at least weekly—does the same for free. Our writing also influences our training sessions; sharply written media interview practice questions often elicit surprising responses, which allow us to discuss better approaches with the client. In terms of its overall importance as a skill, I can’t think of many others that are more important. Framing your ideas well—particularly in a business dependent upon the written word—is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first joined Twitter in 2009, I feared that it would hasten grammar’s demise, or at least its relative importance. To my surprise, I found that the challenge of reducing thoughts to a compelling 140 characters tightened my writing in other places, too. Like so many things, writing can both thrive and suffer in a digital world.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe best advice may also be the most obvious: the greatest writing lives in the editing. For example, my preference is to frame a blog post in my mind before writing, hammer it out quickly, and then spend the majority of my time cleaning it up, moving pieces around, and tightening the writing.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t have any specific writing resources, but try to pay attention to other bloggers. For some reason, blog posts are the perfect length for me. I’ve always struggled with longer-form writing, which is why I organized <em>The Media Training Bible </em>as 101 two-page lessons rather than, say, eight main chapters containing 25 pages each.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’ve never felt a compelling need to marry myself to a single style guide; even the editor for my books relied on Chicago style but modified it to meet our needs. This is one of those areas in which it’s helpful to know the rules in order to know how and when to break them. More important than stringent rules to me is making sure my choices are grammatically defensible.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy biggest pet peeve is when writers include unnecessary words. A few extraneous phrases in an effort to achieve a friendlier tone is one thing. But when it’s pervasive throughout someone’s writing, I click away from their post.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word is “yes,” not when offered in an unthinking or overly compliant way, but when someone agrees to take on a challenge with determination and enthusiasm. My least favorite is “like” when used as verbal filler.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do  you agree with Brad editing is the most important part in producing top-notch writing? I know I do! Share your thoughts on writing in the comments, and be sure to check this space next month when another communications pro will share his or her thoughts on writing.</span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Have a meaningful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend: Unofficial summer is finally here!</span></strong>','On writing: Brad Phillips knows training is key','','inherit','open','open','','3251-revision-v1','','','2016-05-26 08:52:09','2016-05-26 12:52:09','',3251,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/05/3251-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3259,4,'2016-06-03 09:35:58','2016-06-03 13:35:58','A few weeks ago, I <a title=\"Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/\" target=\"_blank\">told you about how a Udemy instructor</a> requested that I change my review from three stars to five stars because it would help him remain high in the ratings. He had no interest in whether his course merited five stars or why I had rated it three stars. He just wanted me to like him enough to further his purposes.\r\n\r\nAnd then today in the <em>Washington Post</em>, I read this article: \"<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/02/this-landlord-said-like-me-on-facebook-or-get-evicted/\" target=\"_blank\">This landlord said \'like\' me on Facebook or get evicted.\"</a> Basically, in both a show of poor communication skills and even poorer business law knowledge, a landlord in Salt Lake City, Utah posted notices on tenants\' doors, telling them to \"like\" the building/complex on Facebook or be in violation of their rental agreement. Naturally, the tenants did not like this at all and many took to Facebook to complain and some threatened legal action, saying that it was an invasion of privacy, etc. The landlord was forced to retreat, and even had to take down the Facebook page because of the various negative comments and ratings that arose due to this move .\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t force people to like you.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut hidden in the article, lies the purported reason why the landlord made this move: since there had been pictures taken at a community party, the landlord wanted to have legal authority to post them and tag them. I am not sure if this is an excuse, or it\'s real, but the way the landlord communicated this was poor or non-existent.\r\n\r\n<strong>So again, it is an issue of poor communication.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn today\'s social, online world, it is increasingly difficult for businesses to hide bad behavior.  Businesses can\'t force positive reviews or likes, although many times businesses ask customers to like them in order to give discounts or other preferential information. In this way, the number of likes on a page has become completely meaningless. Similarly, if a business has only glowing reviews, they are suspect, and may not be seen as valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>Give \'em a reason to want to like you</strong>\r\n\r\nI am not saying that businesses should avoid reviews or Facebook. Businesses need to communicate better, and more importantly, give customers a reason (through actual good service or products) <em>to want</em> to like them and review them positively.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Why do you like Facebook pages? Do you like them to get event information or special discounts? To support a business owner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.</span>','Forcing \"likes\" is poor business communication (part 1)','','publish','open','open','','forcing-likes-is-poor-business-communication-part-1','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/','2016-06-03 09:35:58','2016-06-03 13:35:58','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3259',0,'post','',0),(3260,4,'2016-06-03 09:32:42','2016-06-03 13:32:42','A few weeks ago, I <a title=\"Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/\" target=\"_blank\">told you about how a Udemy instructor</a> requested that I change my review from three stars to five stars because it would help him remain high in the ratings. He had no interest in whether his course merited five stars or why I had rated it three stars. He just wanted me to like him enough to further his purposes.\r\n\r\nAnd then today in the <em>Washington Post</em>, I read this article: \"<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/02/this-landlord-said-like-me-on-facebook-or-get-evicted/\" target=\"_blank\">This landlord said \'like\' me on Facebook or get evicted.\"</a> Basically, in both a show of poor communication skills and even poorer business law knowledge, a landlord in Salt Lake City, Utah posted notices on each tenants\' doors, telling them to \"like\" them on Facebook or be in violation of their rental agreement. Naturally, the tenants did not like this at all and many took to Facebook to complain and some took legal action, saying that it was an invasion of privacy, etc. The landlord was forced to retreat, and even took down the Facebook page because of the various negative comments and ratings.\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t force people to like you.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut hidden in the article, lies the reason why the landlord made this move: since there had been pictures taken at a community party, the landlord wanted to have legal authority to post them and tag them. I am not sure if this is an excuse, or it\'s real, but the way the landlord communicated this was poor or non-existent.\r\n\r\n<strong>So again, it is an issue of poor communication.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn today\'s social, online world, it is increasingly difficult for businesses to hide bad behavior.  Businesses can\'t force positive reviews or likes, although many times businesses ask customers to like them in order to give discounts or other preferential information. In this way, the number of likes on a page has become completely meaningless. Similarly, if a business has only glowing reviews, they are suspect, and may not be seen as valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>Give \'em a reason to want to like you</strong>\r\n\r\nI am not saying that businesses should avoid reviews or Facebook. Businesses need to communicate better, and more importantly, give customers a reason (through actual good service or products) <em>to want</em> to like them and review them positively.\r\n\r\nWhy do you like Facebook pages? Do you like them to get event information or special discounts? To support a business owner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.','Forcing \"likes\" is poor business communication (part 1)','','inherit','open','open','','3259-revision-v1','','','2016-06-03 09:32:42','2016-06-03 13:32:42','',3259,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3259-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3261,4,'2016-06-03 09:35:58','2016-06-03 13:35:58','A few weeks ago, I <a title=\"Feedback is not a synonym for review (customer feedback part 2)\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2016/04/feedback-is-not-a-synonym-for-review-customer-feedback-part-2/\" target=\"_blank\">told you about how a Udemy instructor</a> requested that I change my review from three stars to five stars because it would help him remain high in the ratings. He had no interest in whether his course merited five stars or why I had rated it three stars. He just wanted me to like him enough to further his purposes.\r\n\r\nAnd then today in the <em>Washington Post</em>, I read this article: \"<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/02/this-landlord-said-like-me-on-facebook-or-get-evicted/\" target=\"_blank\">This landlord said \'like\' me on Facebook or get evicted.\"</a> Basically, in both a show of poor communication skills and even poorer business law knowledge, a landlord in Salt Lake City, Utah posted notices on tenants\' doors, telling them to \"like\" the building/complex on Facebook or be in violation of their rental agreement. Naturally, the tenants did not like this at all and many took to Facebook to complain and some threatened legal action, saying that it was an invasion of privacy, etc. The landlord was forced to retreat, and even had to take down the Facebook page because of the various negative comments and ratings that arose due to this move .\r\n\r\n<strong>You can\'t force people to like you.</strong>\r\n\r\nBut hidden in the article, lies the purported reason why the landlord made this move: since there had been pictures taken at a community party, the landlord wanted to have legal authority to post them and tag them. I am not sure if this is an excuse, or it\'s real, but the way the landlord communicated this was poor or non-existent.\r\n\r\n<strong>So again, it is an issue of poor communication.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn today\'s social, online world, it is increasingly difficult for businesses to hide bad behavior.  Businesses can\'t force positive reviews or likes, although many times businesses ask customers to like them in order to give discounts or other preferential information. In this way, the number of likes on a page has become completely meaningless. Similarly, if a business has only glowing reviews, they are suspect, and may not be seen as valid.\r\n\r\n<strong>Give \'em a reason to want to like you</strong>\r\n\r\nI am not saying that businesses should avoid reviews or Facebook. Businesses need to communicate better, and more importantly, give customers a reason (through actual good service or products) <em>to want</em> to like them and review them positively.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Why do you like Facebook pages? Do you like them to get event information or special discounts? To support a business owner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.</span>','Forcing \"likes\" is poor business communication (part 1)','','inherit','open','open','','3259-revision-v1','','','2016-06-03 09:35:58','2016-06-03 13:35:58','',3259,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3259-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3263,4,'2016-06-08 09:49:54','2016-06-08 13:49:54','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-06-08 09:49:54','2016-06-08 13:49:54','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3288,4,'2016-07-12 09:18:47','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I don\'t much about the restaurant business other than as a diner. And as a diner, I think it\'s imperative for restaurants to have websites, especially if they are new.','Should you launch your restaurant without a website?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2016-07-12 09:18:47','2016-07-12 13:18:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3288',0,'post','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (3265,4,'2016-06-14 10:53:40','2016-06-14 14:53:40','This post is about how Delta Airlines compounded a bad experience by asking the wrong questions. Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\n<strong>International flight on Delta</strong>\r\n\r\nA few weeks back I was returning to the United States on Delta from a trip abroad. My first port of entry was Delta\'s major hub, Atlanta. If you\'ve traveled internationally you know that you must claim your suitcase and then pass with it through customs, to then be able to check it back through to your final destination. However, on this occasion, my suitcase never arrived in the customs baggage claim. And even though I asked several Delta agents and baggage claim workers, not one person was able to tell me where my bag was, if it had been loaded off the plane or even if it had arrived in Atlanta at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tweeting doesn\'t help at all</strong>\r\n\r\nI was forced to check with Delta\'s customer \"service\" counter outside the customs area, where I was quite unhelpfully told my bag would \"automatically\" be transferred to my Washington bound flight, since it was tagged to DCA. I tweeted Delta to see if they could help me find out the whereabouts of my bag. Their response was to ask me if I had spoken to a manager. That was not the right question. The question should have been \"how can we help?\" If I had spoken to a manager (which, I would have had one been available and I did not have to catch my next flight), why would I be tweeting @Delta?\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you really want to know what I think?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell, my bag did not arrive at Washington with me on my flight. It was delivered to my home the next afternoon. At which point, Delta sent me the following email, with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion:\"\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe are very sorry for the baggage mishandling you experienced on May 05, 2016.\r\n\r\nAs a valued SkyMiles member, your feedback about your experience is important to us and will help us continue to improve. We ask that you please provide feedback on your experience by answering the question below.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nYour feedback is important to us and again, we offer our deepest apologies for this inconvenience.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sincerely,\r\nGil West\r\nChief Operating Officer</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nThere are literally countless other questions they could have asked such as: was my bag delivered in good shape, as promised, was the delivery service professional, did DCA baggage services handle my claim correctly, did the service met my expectations or anything at all about the actual incident. Delta would have had to ask questions like that if it actually cared about its operations and customer experiences. Instead, Delta only wants to know if, based on this experience, I would recommend it to others.\r\n\r\n<strong>That was not the right question. It showed me that Delta is only interested in its reputation and not even vaguely about their operational efficacy or customer experience.</strong>\r\n\r\nI wrote Delta a three-page letter (not an email) about this travel experience (there were other issues too). I enumerated the various things that Delta should look into and correct (customer service, their Twitter presence, among others). I got a two-paragraph email back, basically repeating what I had mentioned and offering me some Delta SkyMiles for my troubles.\r\n\r\n<strong>No, really, what do you think of us?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then I got another email from Delta with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion.\" This is what this email said:\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe recently sent you an email regarding your Delta Customer Care request. It was our pleasure assisting you.\r\n\r\nOur goal is to deliver the very best service possible, so your feedback is important in helping us recognize and improve our quality. Please begin this short survey regarding how I did by answering the first question below:</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nAgain, Delta is mostly interested in whether I would recommend Delta. Which, again, is not the right question. The question should be whether I was satisfied with the response to my letter (I was not) or whether the response had addressed any of my concerns (not to my knowledge).\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you really want to know?</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Companies that are serious about improving ask for real feedback.</span> To ask me whether I would recommend Delta is not a good or useful question. It is poor communications and even poorer customer service.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What do you think? Would you have answered this question? What benefit does it provide the company and does it provide any benefit to the customer?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Asking the wrong question is poor communication (part 2)','','publish','open','open','','asking-the-wrong-question-is-poor-communication-part-2','','','2016-06-14 10:53:40','2016-06-14 14:53:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3265',0,'post','',0),(3266,4,'2016-06-14 10:45:38','2016-06-14 14:45:38','This post is about how Delta Airlines compounded a bad experience by asking the wrong questions. Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\nA few weeks back I was returning to the United States on Delta from a trip abroad. My first port of entry was Delta\'s major hub, Atlanta. If you\'ve traveled internationally you know that you must claim your suitcase and then pass with it through customs, to then be able to check it back through to your final destination. However, on this occasion, my suitcase never arrived in the customs baggage claim. And even though I asked several Delta agents and baggage claim workers, not one person was able to tell me where my bag was, if it had been loaded off the plane or even if it had arrived in Atlanta at all.\r\n\r\nI was forced to check with Delta\'s customer \"service\" counter outside the customs area, where I was quite unhelpfully told my bag would \"automatically\" be transferred to my Washington bound flight, since it was tagged to DCA. I tweeted Delta to see if they could help me find out the whereabouts of my bag. Their response was to ask me if I had spoken to a manager. That was not the right question. The question should have been \"how can we help?\" If I had spoken to a manager (which, I would have had one been available and I did not have to catch my next flight), why would I be tweeting @Delta?\r\n\r\nWell, my bag did not arrive at Washington with me on my flight. It was delivered to my home the next afternoon. At which point, Delta sent me the following email, with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion:\"\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe are very sorry for the baggage mishandling you experienced on May 05, 2016.\r\n\r\nAs a valued SkyMiles member, your feedback about your experience is important to us and will help us continue to improve. We ask that you please provide feedback on your experience by answering the question below.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nYour feedback is important to us and again, we offer our deepest apologies for this inconvenience.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sincerely,\r\nGil West\r\nChief Operating Officer</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nThere are literally countless other questions they could have asked such as: was my bag delivered in good shape, as promised, was the delivery service professional, did DCA baggage services handle my claim correctly, did the service met my expectations or anything at all about the actual incident. Delta would have had to ask questions like that if it actually cared about its operations and customer experiences. Instead, Delta only wants to know if, based on this experience, I would recommend it to others.\r\n\r\n<strong>That was not the right question. It showed me that Delta is only interested in its reputation and not even vaguely about their operational efficacy or customer experience.</strong>\r\n\r\nI wrote Delta a three-page letter (not an email) about this travel experience (there were other issues too). I enumerated the various things that Delta should look into and correct (customer service, their Twitter presence, among others). I got a two-paragraph email back, basically repeating what I had mentioned and offering me some Delta SkyMiles for my troubles.\r\n\r\nAnd then I got another email from Delta with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion.\" This is what this email said:\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe recently sent you an email regarding your Delta Customer Care request. It was our pleasure assisting you.\r\n\r\nOur goal is to deliver the very best service possible, so your feedback is important in helping us recognize and improve our quality. Please begin this short survey regarding how I did by answering the first question below:</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nAgain, Delta is mostly interested in whether I would recommend Delta. Which, again, is not the right question. The question should be whether I was satisfied with the response to my letter (I was not) or whether the response had addressed any of my concerns (not to my knowledge).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Companies that are serious about improving ask for real feedback.</span> To ask me whether I would recommend Delta is not a good or useful question. It is poor communications and even poorer customer service.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Would you have answered this question? What benefit does it provide the company and does it provide any benefit to the customer?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Asking the wrong question is poor communication (part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3265-revision-v1','','','2016-06-14 10:45:38','2016-06-14 14:45:38','',3265,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3265-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3267,4,'2016-06-14 10:51:21','2016-06-14 14:51:21','This post is about how Delta Airlines compounded a bad experience by asking the wrong questions. Here\'s the story:\r\n\r\n<strong>International flight on Delta</strong>\r\n\r\nA few weeks back I was returning to the United States on Delta from a trip abroad. My first port of entry was Delta\'s major hub, Atlanta. If you\'ve traveled internationally you know that you must claim your suitcase and then pass with it through customs, to then be able to check it back through to your final destination. However, on this occasion, my suitcase never arrived in the customs baggage claim. And even though I asked several Delta agents and baggage claim workers, not one person was able to tell me where my bag was, if it had been loaded off the plane or even if it had arrived in Atlanta at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Tweeting doesn\'t help at all</strong>\r\n\r\nI was forced to check with Delta\'s customer \"service\" counter outside the customs area, where I was quite unhelpfully told my bag would \"automatically\" be transferred to my Washington bound flight, since it was tagged to DCA. I tweeted Delta to see if they could help me find out the whereabouts of my bag. Their response was to ask me if I had spoken to a manager. That was not the right question. The question should have been \"how can we help?\" If I had spoken to a manager (which, I would have had one been available and I did not have to catch my next flight), why would I be tweeting @Delta?\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you really want to know what I think?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell, my bag did not arrive at Washington with me on my flight. It was delivered to my home the next afternoon. At which point, Delta sent me the following email, with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion:\"\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe are very sorry for the baggage mishandling you experienced on May 05, 2016.\r\n\r\nAs a valued SkyMiles member, your feedback about your experience is important to us and will help us continue to improve. We ask that you please provide feedback on your experience by answering the question below.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?ezfxd4s2nch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nYour feedback is important to us and again, we offer our deepest apologies for this inconvenience.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sincerely,\r\nGil West\r\nChief Operating Officer</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nThere are literally countless other questions they could have asked such as: was my bag delivered in good shape, as promised, was the delivery service professional, did DCA baggage services handle my claim correctly, did the service met my expectations or anything at all about the actual incident. Delta would have had to ask questions like that if it actually cared about its operations and customer experiences. Instead, Delta only wants to know if, based on this experience, I would recommend it to others.\r\n\r\n<strong>That was not the right question. It showed me that Delta is only interested in its reputation and not even vaguely about their operational efficacy or customer experience.</strong>\r\n\r\nI wrote Delta a three-page letter (not an email) about this travel experience (there were other issues too). I enumerated the various things that Delta should look into and correct (customer service, their Twitter presence, among others). I got a two-paragraph email back, basically repeating what I had mentioned and offering me some Delta SkyMiles for my troubles.\r\n\r\n<strong>No, really, what do you think of us?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then I got another email from Delta with the subject line \"Deborah, We Value Your Opinion.\" This is what this email said:\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<strong>Dear Deborah,</strong>\r\n\r\nWe recently sent you an email regarding your Delta Customer Care request. It was our pleasure assisting you.\r\n\r\nOur goal is to deliver the very best service possible, so your feedback is important in helping us recognize and improve our quality. Please begin this short survey regarding how I did by answering the first question below:</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>How likely are you to recommend Delta Air Lines to others? </strong>\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">May or May Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Probably Will Not</td>\r\n<td width=\"20%\">Definitely Will Not</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td colspan=\"5\">\r\n<table width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=5\"><strong>5 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=4\"><strong>4 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=3\"><strong>3 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=2\"><strong>2 </strong></a></td>\r\n<td><a href=\"http://survey.medallia.com/?e997485ykch73zt8twb9&amp;_score=1\"><strong>1 </strong></a></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nAgain, Delta is mostly interested in whether I would recommend Delta. Which, again, is not the right question. The question should be whether I was satisfied with the response to my letter (I was not) or whether the response had addressed any of my concerns (not to my knowledge).\r\n\r\n<strong>Do you really want to know?</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Companies that are serious about improving ask for real feedback.</span> To ask me whether I would recommend Delta is not a good or useful question. It is poor communications and even poorer customer service.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What do you think? Would you have answered this question? What benefit does it provide the company and does it provide any benefit to the customer?</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Asking the wrong question is poor communication (part 2)','','inherit','open','open','','3265-revision-v1','','','2016-06-14 10:51:21','2016-06-14 14:51:21','',3265,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3265-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3277,4,'2016-06-28 08:47:43','2016-06-28 12:47:43','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being published early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago through a Restaurant Week \"PR ladies\' lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/karenaddis\" target=\"_blank\"> @karenaddis</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the <em>AP Stylebook</em>, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a toss-up between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the upcoming On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-pr-pro-karen-addis-is-succinct','','','2016-06-28 08:47:43','2016-06-28 12:47:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3277',0,'post','',0),(3271,4,'2016-06-22 09:52:03','2016-06-22 13:52:03','<strong>Grammar matters</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is a lawn sign that has appeared around my neighborhood:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3272\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3272\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Lawn sign \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Lawn sign[/caption]\r\n\r\nI believe what they meant to say was \"No Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge.\" Or maybe they meant to say \"Not More Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge,\" which would still be awkward.  I am not sure. Perhaps the people behind this campaign were not sure either. But what I do know is that this sign is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s spelled A-L-A-N</strong>\r\n\r\nU.K\'s Vision Express had a major typo, transposing the L and A, in a letter to a customer. It was quite insulting.  You have to read this<a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3651973/Customer-shocked-rude-spelling-mistake-letter-Vision-Express.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Daily Mail article </a>to see what I mean, but suffice it to say, a proofreader would have saved the day. (Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Leslie O\'Flahavan</a> for sharing the article on her company\'s Facebook feed.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Copy edit your work, or at least, do some proofreading</strong>\r\n\r\nHaving poor grammar, or a typo (or two or three) in your marketing materials is poor communication. Your message will be muddled and any mistakes will distract from what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\nTypos and grammatical mistakes are fixable, and if you don\'t catch them in time, they can be costly. There is a solution and that is to copy edit <em>and</em> proofread your written materials.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Watch this space next week for the next On Writing interview, with a pro who certainly knows that grammar and spelling matter.</span>','Poor grammar is poor communication part 3','','publish','open','open','','poor-grammar-is-poor-communication-part-3','','','2016-06-22 09:52:03','2016-06-22 13:52:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3271',0,'post','',0),(3272,4,'2016-06-22 08:45:02','2016-06-22 12:45:02','','20160612_115648','Lawn sign ','inherit','open','open','','20160612_115648','','','2016-06-22 08:45:51','2016-06-22 12:45:51','',3271,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3273,4,'2016-06-22 08:46:03','2016-06-22 12:46:03','[caption id=\"attachment_3272\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"3264\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3272\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg\" alt=\"Lawn sign \" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" /></a> Lawn sign[/caption]','Poor grammar is poor communication part 3','','inherit','open','open','','3271-revision-v1','','','2016-06-22 08:46:03','2016-06-22 12:46:03','',3271,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3271-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3274,4,'2016-06-22 09:17:25','2016-06-22 13:17:25','<strong>Grammar matters</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is a lawn sign that has appeared around my neighborhood:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3272\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3272\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Lawn sign \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Lawn sign[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI believe what they meant to say was \"No Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge.\" Or maybe they meant to say \"Not More Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge,\" which would still be awkward.  I am not sure. Perhaps the people behind this campaign were not sure either. But what I do know is that this sign is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s spelled A-L-A-N</strong>\r\n\r\nU.K\'s Vision Express had a one major typo, which was quite insulting to one customer in particular.  You have to read this<a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3651973/Customer-shocked-rude-spelling-mistake-letter-Vision-Express.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Daily Mail story </a>to see what I mean, but suffice it to say, a proofreader would have saved the day. (Thanks to Leslie O\'Flavahan for sharing this on her company\'s Facebook page.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Copy edit your work, or at least, do some proofreading</strong>\r\n\r\nPoor grammar, or a typo (or two or three), is poor communication. Your message will be muddled or the mistakes will distract from what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\nTypos and grammatical mistakes are fixable, but if you don\'t catch them in time, they can be costly. There is a solution and that is to copy edit <em>and</em> proofread your written materials. If you don\'t hire a professional to do it, you should have someone else review your work.','Poor grammar is poor communication part 3','','inherit','open','open','','3271-revision-v1','','','2016-06-22 09:17:25','2016-06-22 13:17:25','',3271,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3271-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3275,4,'2016-06-22 09:50:41','2016-06-22 13:50:41','<strong>Grammar matters</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is a lawn sign that has appeared around my neighborhood:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3272\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3272\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160612_115648-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Lawn sign \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Lawn sign[/caption]\r\n\r\nI believe what they meant to say was \"No Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge.\" Or maybe they meant to say \"Not More Townhouses on Historic Chestnut Lodge,\" which would still be awkward.  I am not sure. Perhaps the people behind this campaign were not sure either. But what I do know is that this sign is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s spelled A-L-A-N</strong>\r\n\r\nU.K\'s Vision Express had a major typo, transposing the L and A, in a letter to a customer. It was quite insulting.  You have to read this<a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3651973/Customer-shocked-rude-spelling-mistake-letter-Vision-Express.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Daily Mail article </a>to see what I mean, but suffice it to say, a proofreader would have saved the day. (Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Leslie O\'Flahavan</a> for sharing the article on her company\'s Facebook feed.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Copy edit your work, or at least, do some proofreading</strong>\r\n\r\nHaving poor grammar, or a typo (or two or three) in your marketing materials is poor communication. Your message will be muddled and any mistakes will distract from what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\nTypos and grammatical mistakes are fixable, and if you don\'t catch them in time, they can be costly. There is a solution and that is to copy edit <em>and</em> proofread your written materials.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Watch this space next week for the next On Writing interview, with a pro who certainly knows that grammar and spelling matter.</span>','Poor grammar is poor communication part 3','','inherit','open','open','','3271-revision-v1','','','2016-06-22 09:50:41','2016-06-22 13:50:41','',3271,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3271-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3278,4,'2016-06-27 13:53:33','2016-06-27 17:53:33','','KarenHeadshot','Karen Addis, APR','inherit','open','open','','karenheadshot','','','2016-06-27 13:53:47','2016-06-27 17:53:47','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3279,4,'2016-06-27 13:54:45','2016-06-27 17:54:45','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor this month\'s On Writing interview, I turned to Karen Addis. I have known Karen for several years (mostly because of our love of Restaurant Week and dining), and we\'ve often chatted about how writing skills seem to be on the decline.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @karenaddis\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>To be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n	<li><strong>Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>Absolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n	<li><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>Never stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n	<li><strong>What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>Strunk and White’s Elements of Style never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n<ol start=\"5\">\r\n	<li><strong>Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>Having graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the AP Style Guide, of course!</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"6\">\r\n	<li><strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>The random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"7\">\r\n	<li><strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>Favorite word: It’s a tossup between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-27 13:54:45','2016-06-27 17:54:45','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3280,4,'2016-06-28 08:39:04','2016-06-28 12:39:04','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being publised early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago, through a PR Restaurant Week \"lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @karenaddis\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the AP Stylebook, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a tossup between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-28 08:39:04','2016-06-28 12:39:04','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3281,4,'2016-06-28 08:42:00','2016-06-28 12:42:00','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being published early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago through a Restaurant Week \"PR ladies\' lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"http://https://twitter.com/karenaddis\" target=\"_blank\">@karenaddis</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the <em>AP Stylebook</em>, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a tossup between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-28 08:42:00','2016-06-28 12:42:00','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3282,4,'2016-06-28 08:43:12','2016-06-28 12:43:12','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being published early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago through a Restaurant Week \"PR ladies\' lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/karenaddis\" target=\"_blank\"> @karenaddis</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the <em>AP Stylebook</em>, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a tossup between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-28 08:43:12','2016-06-28 12:43:12','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3283,4,'2016-06-28 08:45:23','2016-06-28 12:45:23','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being published early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago through a Restaurant Week \"PR ladies\' lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/karenaddis\" target=\"_blank\"> @karenaddis</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the <em>AP Stylebook</em>, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a toss-up between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the upcoming On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-28 08:45:23','2016-06-28 12:45:23','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3284,4,'2016-06-28 08:47:43','2016-06-28 12:47:43','This month\'s On Writing interview (which is being published early because of the upcoming long Fourth of July weekend) is with PR maven Karen Addis.  I connected with Karen several years ago through a Restaurant Week \"PR ladies\' lunch bunch.\" We share a love of food, and a belief that writing skills are slowly vanishing. Following are her thoughts on writing and its importance.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3278\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3278 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KarenHeadshot-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Addis, APR\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" /></a> Karen Addis, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\nKaren Addis, APR, is the senior vice president at <a href=\"http://www.vaneperen.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Van Eperen</a>, a full-service boutique public relations agency in North Bethesda. Karen leads new business development and manages the agency\'s national and international health, science and technology accounts.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong><a href=\"https://twitter.com/karenaddis\" target=\"_blank\"> @karenaddis</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective communicator, you need to have excellent writing skills. I write every single day for a variety of audiences and formats, ranging from new business proposals and contributed articles to blogs and tweets.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nAbsolutely! You need to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly, especially in the digital/text/emoji world where every word and symbol matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nNever stop writing and be well read. You also need to have a thorough understanding of the rules of grammar and punctuation and then know when it’s okay to break them.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nStrunk and White’s <em>Elements of Style</em> never goes out of fashion nor does the dictionary or thesaurus.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nHaving graduated with a degree in journalism and having spent my entire career working with the media, the <em>AP Stylebook</em>, of course!\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe random use of the comma. No one seems to know how to use commas anymore!\r\n\r\n7. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: It’s a toss-up between vacation and chocolate...or Chardonnay! Least favorite word: utilize. I absolutely <em>loathe</em> this word! Use is shorter and means the same thing.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Having recently copy edited a document in which I had to add dozens of commas, I agree wholeheartedly with Karen that people don\'t seem to know how to use the comma. Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be on the lookout next month for the upcoming On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: PR pro Karen Addis is succinct','','inherit','open','open','','3277-revision-v1','','','2016-06-28 08:47:43','2016-06-28 12:47:43','',3277,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/06/3277-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3289,4,'2016-07-12 09:18:47','2016-07-12 13:18:47','I don\'t much about the restaurant business other than as a diner. And as a diner, I think it\'s imperative for restaurants to have websites, especially if they are new.','Should you launch your restaurant without a website?','','inherit','open','open','','3288-revision-v1','','','2016-07-12 09:18:47','2016-07-12 13:18:47','',3288,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3288-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3290,4,'2016-07-13 11:27:48','2016-07-13 15:27:48','When you see the same mistake done over and over again, you have to wonder how people manage to keep jobs or their business afloat.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing fail #1: Not sending emails from an organizational address</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you get an email, as I did this morning, from a certain Ellyn Fisher, whom I have never met, would you open it? I bet, like I did, that if you did, you would hesitate to open it if not delete it completely. However, I get so many emails from individuals in organizations, that I decided to open it up and it turned out to be from the Ad Council. So the email was legitimate, but this organization does not seem to understand how email appears in your inbox and why sending it from a staffer\'s email address is a bad idea.\r\n\r\nThe best practice would be to send the email from the name of the organization. This is easily done in your email sending options, especially when you are using a email provider such a Constant Contact or MailChimp.\r\n\r\nThe second-best practice is to use an individual\'s name followed by the organization\'s name. For example, I get emails from Janine Wampler, ACES Communications. Those always come from the same individual, and they identify the organization so I know that it\'s OK to open.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t understand that we are living in an age where each of us gets hundreds of emails a day, we have limited attention spans, and we have a fear of being cyber attacked, you should not be doing any email communication.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing #fail #2: Not having a complete website (or not having one at all)</strong>\r\n\r\nLast Friday, I was meeting some friends for dinner. There\'s a new place that I had heard about and I did some searches to see if I could find a menu. The only thing available was a one page website with absolutely no useful information and a Facebook page, with even less useful information. We did end up meeting at this restaurant. We got there and were asked if we had reservations. Since we did not (by the way, it was 6:30 p.m. and the place was not full), the hostess told us our only option was to eat outside on the patio. Normally that would have been fine, but it was abnormally hot and humid and the patio did not even have ceiling fans. We took a look at the menu, which remember, was not available anywhere online, and we were very underwhelmed. The offerings did not make us want to brave the heat and we decided to go elsewhere. A couple showed up right after us and they too were offered the patio, and they also left.\r\n\r\nA restaurant website should include all the information that diners need. This includes: hours, reservation policy, menu, special considerations (for example, in this case, the website could indicate diners without a reservation would be seated in the outdoor patio).\r\n\r\nThese days, there is no excuse for not having a working, attractive website. There are so many providers of build-it-yourself websites, from Wix to Squarespace. And there are providers that specialize in industries, such as restaurants.\r\n\r\nWhat are marketing fails that you see over and over? Share them in the comments.','Two common marketing #fails (and pet peeves)','','publish','open','open','','two-common-marketing-fails-and-pet-peeves','','','2016-07-13 11:27:48','2016-07-13 15:27:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3290',0,'post','',0),(3291,4,'2016-07-13 11:26:39','2016-07-13 15:26:39','When you see the same mistake done over and over again, you have to wonder how people manage to keep jobs or their business afloat.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing fail #1: Not sending emails from an organizational address</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you get an email, as I did this morning, from a certain Ellyn Fisher, whom I have never met, would you open it? I bet, like I did, that if you did, you would hesitate to open it if not delete it completely. However, I get so many emails from individuals in organizations, that I decided to open it up and it turned out to be from the Ad Council. So the email was legitimate, but this organization does not seem to understand how email appears in your inbox and why sending it from a staffer\'s email address is a bad idea.\r\n\r\nThe best practice would be to send the email from the name of the organization. This is easily done in your email sending options, especially when you are using a email provider such a Constant Contact or MailChimp.\r\n\r\nThe second-best practice is to use an individual\'s name followed by the organization\'s name. For example, I get emails from Janine Wampler, ACES Communications. Those always come from the same individual, and they identify the organization so I know that it\'s OK to open.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t understand that we are living in an age where each of us gets hundreds of emails a day, we have limited attention spans, and we have a fear of being cyber attacked, you should not be doing any email communication.\r\n\r\n<strong>Marketing #fail #2: Not having a complete website (or not having one at all)</strong>\r\n\r\nLast Friday, I was meeting some friends for dinner. There\'s a new place that I had heard about and I did some searches to see if I could find a menu. The only thing available was a one page website with absolutely no useful information and a Facebook page, with even less useful information. We did end up meeting at this restaurant. We got there and were asked if we had reservations. Since we did not (by the way, it was 6:30 p.m. and the place was not full), the hostess told us our only option was to eat outside on the patio. Normally that would have been fine, but it was abnormally hot and humid and the patio did not even have ceiling fans. We took a look at the menu, which remember, was not available anywhere online, and we were very underwhelmed. The offerings did not make us want to brave the heat and we decided to go elsewhere. A couple showed up right after us and they too were offered the patio, and they also left.\r\n\r\nA restaurant website should include all the information that diners need. This includes: hours, reservation policy, menu, special considerations (for example, in this case, the website could indicate diners without a reservation would be seated in the outdoor patio).\r\n\r\nThese days, there is no excuse for not having a working, attractive website. There are so many providers of build-it-yourself websites, from Wix to Squarespace. And there are providers that specialize in industries, such as restaurants.\r\n\r\nWhat are marketing fails that you see over and over? Share them in the comments.','Two common marketing #fails (and pet peeves)','','inherit','open','open','','3290-revision-v1','','','2016-07-13 11:26:39','2016-07-13 15:26:39','',3290,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3290-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3293,4,'2016-07-21 11:31:22','2016-07-21 15:31:22','There\'s a quotation floating out there that has been often attributed to Maya Angelou, but which may have other sources. It\'s this:\r\n<blockquote>They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.</blockquote>\r\nIf you are working in communications, especially marketing communications, you should take that quote to heart. Perhaps, even print it and post it where you always can see it.\r\n\r\nAs a communicator, your job is to elicit <em>positive feelings</em> from your audience. Perhaps you want them to buy something, donate money, advocate or like your company. If they feel positively toward you or your organization, they are more likely to take the action you want them to. On the other hand, if they feel negatively toward you, they are less likely to want anything to do with you.\r\n\r\nOrganizations that \"get\" it are the ones that have the more engaged, loyal supporters.  Organizations that don\'t are the ones that ignore customers or that communicate with them in ways that are not customer-friendly.\r\n\r\nSo remember to take your customer/supporter/donor\'s feelings into consideration. Think about how you want your audience to feel the next time your write an email or website copy or anything else. If you focus on that, I can promise you will  have better results.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It is about feelings','','publish','open','open','','it-is-about-feelings','','','2016-07-21 11:31:22','2016-07-21 15:31:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3293',0,'post','',0),(3294,4,'2016-07-21 11:31:22','2016-07-21 15:31:22','There\'s a quotation floating out there that has been often attributed to Maya Angelou, but which may have other sources. It\'s this:\r\n<blockquote>They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.</blockquote>\r\nIf you are working in communications, especially marketing communications, you should take that quote to heart. Perhaps, even print it and post it where you always can see it.\r\n\r\nAs a communicator, your job is to elicit <em>positive feelings</em> from your audience. Perhaps you want them to buy something, donate money, advocate or like your company. If they feel positively toward you or your organization, they are more likely to take the action you want them to. On the other hand, if they feel negatively toward you, they are less likely to want anything to do with you.\r\n\r\nOrganizations that \"get\" it are the ones that have the more engaged, loyal supporters.  Organizations that don\'t are the ones that ignore customers or that communicate with them in ways that are not customer-friendly.\r\n\r\nSo remember to take your customer/supporter/donor\'s feelings into consideration. Think about how you want your audience to feel the next time your write an email or website copy or anything else. If you focus on that, I can promise you will  have better results.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','It is about feelings','','inherit','open','open','','3293-revision-v1','','','2016-07-21 11:31:22','2016-07-21 15:31:22','',3293,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3293-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3295,4,'2016-07-28 08:27:55','2016-07-28 12:27:55','I definitely wanted to interview Leslie O\'Flahavan for this series, and I am so glad she agreed to be featured this month. She\'s been teaching writing for  years and offers an academic perspective that\'s a bit different from marketing/communications folks.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">E-WRITE </a>owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter</strong>: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LeslieO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" target=\"_blank\">@LeslieO</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like <a href=\"https://www.wiktionary.org/\" target=\"_blank\">wiktionary.org</a>, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickandDirtyTips.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Leslie\'s advice on modeling your writing on something that you think is good. Everyone should work on recognizing when something works well and  analyzing what makes it so. Check back here on August 25, when I will interview another marketing/communications pro on the importance of writing. And if you need help with your writing, I am happy to lend a pen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-leslie-oflahavan-gets-the-point','','','2016-07-28 08:27:55','2016-07-28 12:27:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3295',0,'post','',0),(3297,4,'2016-07-26 11:05:14','2016-07-26 15:05:14','One person who I definitely wanted to interview for this series is Leslie O\'Flahavan (easier to just call her Leslie O, like her Twitter handle). She\'s been teaching writing for  years and she has the educational perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As E-WRITE owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h1>Seven questions about writing</h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like wiktionary.org, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s QuickandDirtyTips.com\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','inherit','open','open','','3295-revision-v1','','','2016-07-26 11:05:14','2016-07-26 15:05:14','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3295-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3392,4,'2016-11-10 09:57:14','2016-11-10 14:57:14','It seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.','Always start with the reader in mind','','inherit','open','open','','3391-revision-v1','','','2016-11-10 09:57:14','2016-11-10 14:57:14','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3391-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3299,4,'2016-07-27 16:28:58','2016-07-27 20:28:58','I definitely wanted to interview Leslie O\'Flahavan for this series and I am so glad she agreed to be featured this month. She\'s been teaching writing for  years and offers an academic perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">E-WRITE </a>owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\nTwitter: @LeslieO\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h1>Seven questions about writing</h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like wiktionary.org, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s QuickandDirtyTips.com\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','inherit','open','open','','3295-revision-v1','','','2016-07-27 16:28:58','2016-07-27 20:28:58','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3295-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3300,4,'2016-07-27 16:36:23','2016-07-27 20:36:23','I definitely wanted to interview Leslie O\'Flahavan for this series and I am so glad she agreed to be featured this month. She\'s been teaching writing for  years and offers an academic perspective.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">E-WRITE </a>owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter</strong>: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LeslieO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" target=\"_blank\">@LeslieO</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like <a href=\"https://www.wiktionary.org/\" target=\"_blank\">wiktionary.org</a>, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickandDirtyTips.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Leslie\'s advice on modelling your writing on something that\'s good. Everyone should work on recognizing when something is good and then analyzing what makes it so. Check back here on August 25, when I will interview another marketing/communications pro. And if you need help with your writing, be sure to get in touch!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','inherit','open','open','','3295-revision-v1','','','2016-07-27 16:36:23','2016-07-27 20:36:23','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3295-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3301,4,'2016-07-28 08:25:19','2016-07-28 12:25:19','I definitely wanted to interview Leslie O\'Flahavan for this series, and I am so glad she agreed to be featured this month. She\'s been teaching writing for  years and offers an academic perspective that\'s a bit different from the marketing/communications folks.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">E-WRITE </a>owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter</strong>: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LeslieO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" target=\"_blank\">@LeslieO</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like <a href=\"https://www.wiktionary.org/\" target=\"_blank\">wiktionary.org</a>, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickandDirtyTips.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Leslie\'s advice on modeling your writing on something that you think is good. Everyone should work on recognizing when something works well and  analyzing what makes it so. Check back here on August 25, when I will interview another marketing/communications pro on the importance of writing. And if you need help with your writing, I am happy to lend a pen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','inherit','open','open','','3295-revision-v1','','','2016-07-28 08:25:19','2016-07-28 12:25:19','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3295-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3302,4,'2016-07-28 08:27:55','2016-07-28 12:27:55','I definitely wanted to interview Leslie O\'Flahavan for this series, and I am so glad she agreed to be featured this month. She\'s been teaching writing for  years and offers an academic perspective that\'s a bit different from marketing/communications folks.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3296\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"199\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3296\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Leslie_OFLAHAVAN-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" /></a> Leslie O\'Flahavan, E-Write[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLeslie O’Flahavan is a get-to-the point writer and an experienced, versatile writing instructor. As <a href=\"http://www.ewriteonline.com/\" target=\"_blank\">E-WRITE </a>owner since 1996, Leslie has been writing content and teaching customized writing courses for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Leslie can help the most stubborn, inexperienced, or word-phobic employees at your organization improve their writing skills, so they can do their jobs better.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter</strong>: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LeslieO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" target=\"_blank\">@LeslieO</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting IS my work. Because I am a writer myself and a life-long writing teacher, writing plays the largest role possible in my work. Of course, I may be a bit biased, but I think writing is an essential skill. At work, writing is perhaps THE essential communication skill.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, writing well matters even more in our digital/emoji world. Some people have the idea that “no one really writes or reads anymore.” I don’t agree with this at all. If you text, you are writing. If you Instagram a picture of your brunch, and you add some words to the picture, you are writing. It’s elitist to think that only academic tracts or annual reports are “real” writing. Writing happens every time someone keyboards or scrawls some words. Because we’re writing so much now, doing it well matters a lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nHow you improve your writing skills depends on what you need to write, the skills you’re struggling with as a writer, and which stage in your career you find yourself. In most cases, the best advice I could give is to find a good example or model of what you’re trying to write before you begin. So, if you have to write a proposal, find an example of a proposal that won the funding. Read it analytically to see how the writer constructed it. If you have to write the “About Us” page for your website, find three or four models of excellent About Us pages and one that’s not very good. Before you begin writing, contrast the bad one to the good ones. Analytical reading will help prepare you to repeat the successful writing strategies you’ve observed.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI like <a href=\"https://www.wiktionary.org/\" target=\"_blank\">wiktionary.org</a>, <em>Letting Go of the Words</em> by Ginny Redish, and Grammar Girl’s <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickandDirtyTips.com</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one? </strong>\r\n\r\nIn my work, I often am asked to follow my client’s style guide, which will sometimes be an in-house guide or a published guide such as Chicago Manual of Style, with some company-specific adaptations. I’m always glad to follow a style guide.\r\n\r\n<strong>6.</strong> <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nAs a writing teacher, I try not to be peevish or to cringe very much. After all, I’m supposed to be helping people whose writing is cringe-worthy or whose grammar blunders tweak my peeve nerve. I’m not put off by a genuine writing error. These things happen. In fact, I recently misspelled my own name in an email. What puts me off is when people act like fixing the error isn’t important. Or when they treat the plain language movement as a fad. That makes me cranky.\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong> <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn 2016, my favorite word is <em>rapport</em>. And <em>pimples</em> has been my least favorite word for decades, since I had them, back in the late 70s.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Leslie\'s advice on modeling your writing on something that you think is good. Everyone should work on recognizing when something works well and  analyzing what makes it so. Check back here on August 25, when I will interview another marketing/communications pro on the importance of writing. And if you need help with your writing, I am happy to lend a pen!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Leslie O\'Flahavan gets the point','','inherit','open','open','','3295-revision-v1','','','2016-07-28 08:27:55','2016-07-28 12:27:55','',3295,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/07/3295-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3303,4,'2016-08-03 10:01:09','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I just ended a course of antibiotics. As you probably know, there are several types of antibiotics, each prescribed for different conditions, each with their specific set of instructions and side effects.\r\n\r\nWhen my doctor called to tell me that I need to take antibiotics, I was stunned. I thought I had a virus, but no, it was something much more serious. I could barely process all the questions I had. The doctor told me to start taking the antibiotic immediately, instructing me to take it with food, twice a day, and to make sure to take it for the full course.\r\n\r\nI hustled over to the pharmacy.\r\n\r\nWhen I picked up my prescription, the bottle said: \"Take twice a day with food.\" My pharmacy (like most) provides an insert detailing more specifics about the medication. I read through it, and found it contradicted the doctor\'s instructions. The information said that taking the antibiotic with food reduces its effectiveness, and suggests you take it one hour before a meal or two hours after, and to take it with \"plenty of water.\" It didn\'t specify a time plan for taking the medicine. I\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I still had lots of questions. The pharmacy\'s information was different than what the doc had said, so naturally, I researched on the internet. I found more information, some contradictory, some the same.\r\n\r\nSo here are some of my questions:\r\n\r\nWhat does it mean \"to take with food?\" Does it mean with a meal, with a cracker, while eating food or after eating?\r\n\r\nWhen you say twice a day, should I space it out? By how many hours? Does it matter if it is morning and night?\r\n\r\nWhen you say plenty of water,  does that mean a full glass of water? How many ounces exactly? Drink more after?\r\n\r\nNow, I understand there\'s not a lot of room on the medicine bottle to provide specific information. That\'s what the insert is about. But that too wasn\'t helpful.\r\n\r\nHave you -it is about language that is simple but doesn\'t provide enough information. I am talking about the information doctors give you, or more specifically, the information provided with your prescription.','Sometimes you need more information','','draft','open','open','','sometimes-you-need-more-information','','','2016-08-03 10:01:09','2016-08-03 14:01:09','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3303',0,'post','',0),(3304,4,'2016-08-01 08:44:12','2016-08-01 12:44:12','I love the plain language movement. If we could rid the earth of the word utilize I would be very happy. But this post is not really about plain language--it is about language that is simple but doesn\'t provide enough information. I am talking about the information doctors give you, or more specifically, the information provided with your prescription.\r\n\r\nYou see, I just ended a course of antibiotics. When the doctor called to tell me I would have to be taking antibiotics, she told me to take them with food, twice a day, and make sure to take them for all ten days. That\'s it.\r\n\r\nWhen I picked up my prescription, the bottle said: \"Take twice a day with food.\" My pharmacy (like most) gives a paper detailing more specifics, but these contradicted the instructions. The information said that taking the antibiotic with food reduces its effectiveness, and suggests you take it one hour before a meal or two hours after, and to take it with \"plenty of water.\" The role of food is to stop the antibiotic from messing with your digestion.\r\n\r\nSo here are my questions:\r\n\r\nWhat does it mean \"to take with food?\" Does it mean with a meal, with a cracker, while eating food or after eating?\r\n\r\nWhen you say twice a day, should I space it out? By how many hours? Does it matter if it is morning and night?\r\n\r\nWhen you say plenty of water,  does that mean a full glass of water? How many ounces exactly? Drink more after?\r\n\r\nAs you can tell, both the doctor\'s directions and certainly the pharmacy\'s instructions, were vague. You can be simple but yet be precise.','Simple is not always better','','inherit','open','open','','3303-revision-v1','','','2016-08-01 08:44:12','2016-08-01 12:44:12','',3303,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3303-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3305,4,'2016-08-03 10:01:09','2016-08-03 14:01:09','I just ended a course of antibiotics. As you probably know, there are several types of antibiotics, each prescribed for different conditions, each with their specific set of instructions and side effects.\r\n\r\nWhen my doctor called to tell me that I need to take antibiotics, I was stunned. I thought I had a virus, but no, it was something much more serious. I could barely process all the questions I had. The doctor told me to start taking the antibiotic immediately, instructing me to take it with food, twice a day, and to make sure to take it for the full course.\r\n\r\nI hustled over to the pharmacy.\r\n\r\nWhen I picked up my prescription, the bottle said: \"Take twice a day with food.\" My pharmacy (like most) provides an insert detailing more specifics about the medication. I read through it, and found it contradicted the doctor\'s instructions. The information said that taking the antibiotic with food reduces its effectiveness, and suggests you take it one hour before a meal or two hours after, and to take it with \"plenty of water.\" It didn\'t specify a time plan for taking the medicine. I\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I still had lots of questions. The pharmacy\'s information was different than what the doc had said, so naturally, I researched on the internet. I found more information, some contradictory, some the same.\r\n\r\nSo here are some of my questions:\r\n\r\nWhat does it mean \"to take with food?\" Does it mean with a meal, with a cracker, while eating food or after eating?\r\n\r\nWhen you say twice a day, should I space it out? By how many hours? Does it matter if it is morning and night?\r\n\r\nWhen you say plenty of water,  does that mean a full glass of water? How many ounces exactly? Drink more after?\r\n\r\nNow, I understand there\'s not a lot of room on the medicine bottle to provide specific information. That\'s what the insert is about. But that too wasn\'t helpful.\r\n\r\nHave you -it is about language that is simple but doesn\'t provide enough information. I am talking about the information doctors give you, or more specifically, the information provided with your prescription.','Sometimes you need more information','','inherit','open','open','','3303-revision-v1','','','2016-08-03 10:01:09','2016-08-03 14:01:09','',3303,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3303-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3307,4,'2016-08-03 14:21:53','2016-08-03 18:21:53','I can\'t believe that in mid-2016 I am still complaining about this, but it happened to me again just this morning. I came across an interesting blog post about--get this--content strategy, and it had NO SHARING BUTTONS. None. Zilch. There was no<em> easy</em> way to share this content out short of me cutting and pasting the URL or using an extension such as Buffer (as Jonathan Rick helpfully pointed out on Twitter).\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about the user</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, content strategy is supposed to keep the \"user experience\" (or UX) in mind. That means, that you, the content strategist or website/blog owner, need to think about your site\'s visitors: How do they use your site? What do they need to do on your site? What do they want to learn about you? How can you make the process easy and intuitive <em>for them</em>?\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about being social</strong>\r\n\r\nSharing buttons have been around for years. There are dozens of plugins that allow this functionality in WordPress, and I am sure in any other blogging platform. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Not having sharing buttons means you do not want your content to be shared.</span> Which means you do not understand the purpose of content or the social aspect of social media (blogs are social media).\r\n\r\nIt\'s not difficult: <strong>Your content strategy needs to include an easy way to share content</strong>. And by the way, sharing content also includes being able to email it or print it (don\'t get me started on how many recipe sites don\'t have this functionality).\r\n\r\n<strong>Make sure it works</strong>\r\n\r\nBut it\'s not enough to stick a sharing plugin on your blog or website and call it a day. You have to check that it actually works. And that it is providing the right information. And that it is easy to find and use. (Just yesterday, I came across another blog post that I wanted to share, and it did have a sharing button, microscopic, but there, and guess what, it didn\'t work.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>You will find sharing (and printing) buttons at the bottom of this post. Please consider sharing this so that we can get all the non-sharers on board.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is sharing part of your content strategy?','','publish','open','open','','is-sharing-part-of-your-content-strategy','','','2016-08-03 14:21:53','2016-08-03 18:21:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3307',0,'post','',0),(3308,4,'2016-08-03 14:16:37','2016-08-03 18:16:37','I can\'t believe that in mid-2016 I am still complaining about this, but it happened to me again just this morning. I came across an interesting blog post about--get this--content strategy, and it had NO SHARING BUTTONS. None. Zilch. Nada. There was no<em> easy</em> way to share this content out short of me cutting and pasting the URL or using an extension such as Buffer (as Jonathan Rick helpfully pointed out on Twitter).\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, content strategy is supposed to keep the \"user experience\" or UX in mind. That means, that you, the content strategist, need to think about your website\'s visitors: How do they use your site? What do they need to do on your site? What do they want to learn about you? How can you make the process easy and intuitive <em>for them</em>?\r\n\r\nSharing buttons have been around for years. There are dozens of plugins that allow this functionality in WordPress, and I am sure in any other blogging platform. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Not having sharing buttons means you do not want your content to be shared.</span> Which means you do not understand the purpose of content or the social aspect of social media (blogs are social media).\r\n\r\nIt\'s not difficult: <strong>Your content strategy needs to include an easy way to share content</strong>. And by the way, sharing content also includes being able to email it or print it (don\'t get me started on how many recipe sites don\'t have this functionality).\r\n\r\nIt\'s also not enough to stick a sharing plugin on your blog or website and call it a day. You have to check that it actually works. And that it is providing the right information. And that it is easy to find and use. (Just yesterday, I came across another blog post that I wanted to share, and it did have a sharing button, microscopic, but there, and guess what, it didn\'t work).\r\n\r\nYou will find sharing (and printing) buttons at the bottom of this post. Please consider sharing this so that we can get all the non-sharers on board.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is sharing part of your content strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','3307-revision-v1','','','2016-08-03 14:16:37','2016-08-03 18:16:37','',3307,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3307-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3309,4,'2016-08-03 14:18:15','2016-08-03 18:18:15','I can\'t believe that in mid-2016 I am still complaining about this, but it happened to me again just this morning. I came across an interesting blog post about--get this--content strategy, and it had NO SHARING BUTTONS. None. Zilch. Nada. There was no<em> easy</em> way to share this content out short of me cutting and pasting the URL or using an extension such as Buffer (as Jonathan Rick helpfully pointed out on Twitter).\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about the user</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, content strategy is supposed to keep the \"user experience\" or UX in mind. That means, that you, the content strategist, need to think about your website\'s visitors: How do they use your site? What do they need to do on your site? What do they want to learn about you? How can you make the process easy and intuitive <em>for them</em>?\r\n\r\n<strong>There\'s got to be a way to share</strong>\r\n\r\nSharing buttons have been around for years. There are dozens of plugins that allow this functionality in WordPress, and I am sure in any other blogging platform. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Not having sharing buttons means you do not want your content to be shared.</span> Which means you do not understand the purpose of content or the social aspect of social media (blogs are social media).\r\n\r\nIt\'s not difficult: <strong>Your content strategy needs to include an easy way to share content</strong>. And by the way, sharing content also includes being able to email it or print it (don\'t get me started on how many recipe sites don\'t have this functionality).\r\n\r\n<strong>Make sure it works</strong>\r\n\r\nIt\'s also not enough to stick a sharing plugin on your blog or website and call it a day. You have to check that it actually works. And that it is providing the right information. And that it is easy to find and use. (Just yesterday, I came across another blog post that I wanted to share, and it did have a sharing button, microscopic, but there, and guess what, it didn\'t work).\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>You will find sharing (and printing) buttons at the bottom of this post. Please consider sharing this so that we can get all the non-sharers on board.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is sharing part of your content strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','3307-revision-v1','','','2016-08-03 14:18:15','2016-08-03 18:18:15','',3307,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3307-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3310,4,'2016-08-03 14:21:36','2016-08-03 18:21:36','I can\'t believe that in mid-2016 I am still complaining about this, but it happened to me again just this morning. I came across an interesting blog post about--get this--content strategy, and it had NO SHARING BUTTONS. None. Zilch. There was no<em> easy</em> way to share this content out short of me cutting and pasting the URL or using an extension such as Buffer (as Jonathan Rick helpfully pointed out on Twitter).\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about the user</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing, content strategy is supposed to keep the \"user experience\" (or UX) in mind. That means, that you, the content strategist or website/blog owner, need to think about your site\'s visitors: How do they use your site? What do they need to do on your site? What do they want to learn about you? How can you make the process easy and intuitive <em>for them</em>?\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about being social</strong>\r\n\r\nSharing buttons have been around for years. There are dozens of plugins that allow this functionality in WordPress, and I am sure in any other blogging platform. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Not having sharing buttons means you do not want your content to be shared.</span> Which means you do not understand the purpose of content or the social aspect of social media (blogs are social media).\r\n\r\nIt\'s not difficult: <strong>Your content strategy needs to include an easy way to share content</strong>. And by the way, sharing content also includes being able to email it or print it (don\'t get me started on how many recipe sites don\'t have this functionality).\r\n\r\n<strong>Make sure it works</strong>\r\n\r\nBut it\'s not enough to stick a sharing plugin on your blog or website and call it a day. You have to check that it actually works. And that it is providing the right information. And that it is easy to find and use. (Just yesterday, I came across another blog post that I wanted to share, and it did have a sharing button, microscopic, but there, and guess what, it didn\'t work.)\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>You will find sharing (and printing) buttons at the bottom of this post. Please consider sharing this so that we can get all the non-sharers on board.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is sharing part of your content strategy?','','inherit','open','open','','3307-revision-v1','','','2016-08-03 14:21:36','2016-08-03 18:21:36','',3307,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3307-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3312,4,'2016-08-09 10:42:31','2016-08-09 14:42:31','<strong>An important message for Deborah</strong>\r\n\r\nThat was the exact subject line of an email I got this morning from AT&amp;T.\r\n\r\nSince I have my cell phone service through AT&amp;T, and the email clearly was<em> designed</em> to sound official, and I thought it was service-related news about my usage or bill. But no, it wasn\'t about my cell phone service at all. Instead, the email was an advertisement for a \"flash sale\" on AT&amp;T\'s home security services.\r\n\r\nLet\'s review: A company with which I have an established (and may I add, quite long) customer relationship sends me an email that claims it\'s important. The subject line is personalized, but the purpose of the email is to sell me other, <em>unrelated</em> services.\r\n\r\n<strong>A case of misdirection</strong>\r\n\r\nIn other words, the subject line of this email was misleading. The email was neither important nor specifically for me. It was a promotion that required a subject line that would hook me into opening it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Entering the realm of unintended consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nToday\'s misleading email from AT&amp;T had two unintended consequences:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>it eroded my trust in AT&amp;T, undermining the company\'s credibility</li>\r\n	<li>it caused me to unsubscribe from their promotional emails (all of them)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Raise interest but not at the expense of your credibility</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, companies and organizations need to have email subject lines that will raise interest and make people open the email. That\'s the purpose of email marketing after all. But when the subject lines are misleading--designed specifically as click-bait--the organization\'s credibility takes a hit. No longer will readers believe emails with words such as important, or urgent. Down the road, this can have negative consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bottom line</strong>\r\n\r\nCultivate your credibility, even at the expense of potential sales. Once you\'ve destroyed your credibility, you will have a very hard time getting it back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to undermine your credibility','','publish','open','open','','how-to-undermine-your-credibility','','','2016-08-09 10:42:31','2016-08-09 14:42:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3312',0,'post','',0),(3314,4,'2016-08-09 10:36:56','2016-08-09 14:36:56','This morning I got an email from AT&amp;T with this exact subject line:\r\n\r\n<strong>An important message for Deborah</strong>\r\n\r\nSince I have my cell phone service through AT&amp;T, and the email clearly was<em> designed</em> to sound official, and I thought it was service-related news about my usage or bill. But no, it wasn\'t about my cell phone service at all. Instead, the email was an advertisement for a \"flash sale\" on AT&amp;T\'s home security services.\r\n\r\nLet\'s review: A company with which I have an established (and may I add, quite long) customer relationship sends me an email that claims it\'s important. The subject line is personalized, but the purpose of the email is to sell me other, <em>unrelated</em> services.\r\n\r\n<strong>A case of misdirection</strong>\r\n\r\nIn other words, the subject line of this email was misleading. The email was neither important nor specifically for me. It was a promotion that required a subject line that would hook me into opening it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Entering the realm of unintended consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nToday\'s misleading email from AT&amp;T had two unintended consequences:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>it eroded my trust in AT&amp;T and thus undermined the company\'s credibility</li>\r\n	<li>it caused me to unsubscribe from their promotional emails (all of them)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Raise interest but not at the expense of your credibility</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, companies and organizations need to have email subject lines that will raise interest and make people open the email. That\'s the purpose of email marketing after all. But when the subject lines are misleading--designed specifically as click-bait--the organization\'s credibility takes a hit. No longer will readers believe emails with words such as important, or urgent. Down the road, this can have negative consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bottom line</strong>\r\n\r\nCultivate your credibility, even at the expense of potential sales. Once you\'ve destroyed your credibility, you will have a very hard time getting it back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to undermine your credibility','','inherit','open','open','','3312-revision-v1','','','2016-08-09 10:36:56','2016-08-09 14:36:56','',3312,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3312-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3313,4,'2016-08-09 10:35:07','2016-08-09 14:35:07','This morning I got an email from AT&amp;T with this exact subject line:\r\n\r\n<strong>An important message for Deborah</strong>\r\n\r\nSince I have my cell phone service through AT&amp;T, and the email clearly was<em> designed</em> to sound official, and I thought it was news about my usage or bill or ability to upgrade. But no, it wasn\'t about my cell phone service at all. Instead, the email was an advertisement for a \"flash sale\" on AT&amp;T\'s home security services.\r\n\r\nLet\'s review: A company with which I have an established (and may I add, quite long) customer relationship sends me an email that claims it\'s important. The subject line is personalized, but the purpose of the email is to sell me other, <em>unrelated</em> services.\r\n\r\n<strong>A case of misdirection</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">In other words, the subject line of this email was misleading</span>. The email was neither important nor specifically for me. It was a promotion that required a subject line that would hook me into opening it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Entering the realm of unintended consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nToday\'s misleading email from AT&amp;T had two unintended consequences:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>it eroded my trust in AT&amp;T and thus undermined the company\'s credibility</li>\r\n	<li>it caused me to unsubscribe from their promotional emails (all of them)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Raise interest but not at the expense of your credibility</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, companies and organizations need to have email subject lines that will raise interest and make people open the email. That\'s the purpose of email marketing after all. But when the subject lines are misleading--designed specifically as click-bait--the organization\'s credibility takes a hit. No longer will readers believe emails with words such as important, or urgent. Down the road, this can have negative consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bottom line</strong>\r\n\r\nCultivate your credibility, even at the expense of potential sales. Once you\'ve destroyed your credibility, you will have a very hard time getting it back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to undermine your credibility','','inherit','open','open','','3312-revision-v1','','','2016-08-09 10:35:07','2016-08-09 14:35:07','',3312,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3312-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3315,4,'2016-08-09 10:40:51','2016-08-09 14:40:51','<strong>An important message for Deborah</strong>\r\n\r\nThat was the exact subject line of an email I got this morning from AT&amp;T.\r\n\r\nSince I have my cell phone service through AT&amp;T, and the email clearly was<em> designed</em> to sound official, and I thought it was service-related news about my usage or bill. But no, it wasn\'t about my cell phone service at all. Instead, the email was an advertisement for a \"flash sale\" on AT&amp;T\'s home security services.\r\n\r\nLet\'s review: A company with which I have an established (and may I add, quite long) customer relationship sends me an email that claims it\'s important. The subject line is personalized, but the purpose of the email is to sell me other, <em>unrelated</em> services.\r\n\r\n<strong>A case of misdirection</strong>\r\n\r\nIn other words, the subject line of this email was misleading. The email was neither important nor specifically for me. It was a promotion that required a subject line that would hook me into opening it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Entering the realm of unintended consequences</strong>\r\n\r\nToday\'s misleading email from AT&amp;T had two unintended consequences:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>it eroded my trust in AT&amp;T, undermining the company\'s credibility</li>\r\n	<li>it caused me to unsubscribe from their promotional emails (all of them)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Raise interest but not at the expense of your credibility</strong>\r\n\r\nYes, companies and organizations need to have email subject lines that will raise interest and make people open the email. That\'s the purpose of email marketing after all. But when the subject lines are misleading--designed specifically as click-bait--the organization\'s credibility takes a hit. No longer will readers believe emails with words such as important, or urgent. Down the road, this can have negative consequences.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bottom line</strong>\r\n\r\nCultivate your credibility, even at the expense of potential sales. Once you\'ve destroyed your credibility, you will have a very hard time getting it back.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to undermine your credibility','','inherit','open','open','','3312-revision-v1','','','2016-08-09 10:40:51','2016-08-09 14:40:51','',3312,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3312-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3317,4,'2016-08-17 09:21:20','2016-08-17 13:21:20','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-08-17 09:21:20','2016-08-17 13:21:20','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3318,4,'2016-08-18 12:51:56','2016-08-18 16:51:56','Yesterday, after Pilates class, I was chatting with another student for a couple minutes as we gathered our stuff. In the background, I heard a bell ringing. I noticed it but didn\'t know what it meant. We kept on chatting. The bell rang again. Again, no idea what it was. Then, one of the instructors tapped me on the shoulder and said we were being too loud, to please leave, and that the bell means be quiet. I turned to her, and after apologizing (#sorrynotsorry), told her that I had absolutely no idea what her ringing bell meant. Neither did the other student. We went outside,  feeling a bit peeved.\r\n\r\nIn my experience, a ringing bell indicates something is starting or ending. In yoga classes, teachers often ring a bell to indicate final relaxation is over. I do not associate a ringing bell with the need to be quiet.\r\n\r\nI\'ve been going to this Pilates studio for several weeks. Not once has my instructor ever rung a bell, even when there have been other people chatting. There\'s no sign indicating that you need to be quiet or that a bell will be rung if you\'re not. There\'s nothing about it on the studio website. In fact, this is the only instruction regarding behavior:\r\n<blockquote>Protocol\r\n\r\nClients must sign-in at the Front Desk upon arrival. Please remove your shoes and silence your cell phone upon entering the studio. Pets are not allowed. For your safety, clients who arrive more than 10 minutes late to a group class will not be permitted to join the class.</blockquote>\r\nThis studio is quite small and there\'s no separate waiting area. It\'s one big room. If noise is a problem (and mind you, Pilates, unlike yoga,  lacks a meditative/spiritual aspect), you need to remind students to be quiet. You could put up a sign saying something like: please, no talking or cell phone use (or whatever else).\r\n\r\nWe all understand what this means, right?:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/skotan-No-sign-800px.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3319\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/skotan-No-sign-800px-300x300.png\" alt=\"skotan-No-sign-800px\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>That\'s because some symbols/signals are universal. </strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: if you are going to use a symbol or signal that is not universally understood to mean what you intend it to, you will have to define it and educate people about what it means.\r\n\r\nIf you want to communicate clearly, you cannot make assumptions. You\'ll have to keep in mind that other people have different experiences and understanding than you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does that mean?','','publish','open','open','','what-does-that-mean','','','2016-08-18 12:51:56','2016-08-18 16:51:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3318',0,'post','',0),(3319,4,'2016-08-18 12:43:46','2016-08-18 16:43:46','','skotan-No-sign-800px','','inherit','open','open','','skotan-no-sign-800px','','','2016-08-18 12:43:46','2016-08-18 16:43:46','',3318,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/skotan-No-sign-800px.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3320,4,'2016-08-18 12:51:56','2016-08-18 16:51:56','Yesterday, after Pilates class, I was chatting with another student for a couple minutes as we gathered our stuff. In the background, I heard a bell ringing. I noticed it but didn\'t know what it meant. We kept on chatting. The bell rang again. Again, no idea what it was. Then, one of the instructors tapped me on the shoulder and said we were being too loud, to please leave, and that the bell means be quiet. I turned to her, and after apologizing (#sorrynotsorry), told her that I had absolutely no idea what her ringing bell meant. Neither did the other student. We went outside,  feeling a bit peeved.\r\n\r\nIn my experience, a ringing bell indicates something is starting or ending. In yoga classes, teachers often ring a bell to indicate final relaxation is over. I do not associate a ringing bell with the need to be quiet.\r\n\r\nI\'ve been going to this Pilates studio for several weeks. Not once has my instructor ever rung a bell, even when there have been other people chatting. There\'s no sign indicating that you need to be quiet or that a bell will be rung if you\'re not. There\'s nothing about it on the studio website. In fact, this is the only instruction regarding behavior:\r\n<blockquote>Protocol\r\n\r\nClients must sign-in at the Front Desk upon arrival. Please remove your shoes and silence your cell phone upon entering the studio. Pets are not allowed. For your safety, clients who arrive more than 10 minutes late to a group class will not be permitted to join the class.</blockquote>\r\nThis studio is quite small and there\'s no separate waiting area. It\'s one big room. If noise is a problem (and mind you, Pilates, unlike yoga,  lacks a meditative/spiritual aspect), you need to remind students to be quiet. You could put up a sign saying something like: please, no talking or cell phone use (or whatever else).\r\n\r\nWe all understand what this means, right?:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/skotan-No-sign-800px.png\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3319\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/skotan-No-sign-800px-300x300.png\" alt=\"skotan-No-sign-800px\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a><strong>That\'s because some symbols/signals are universal. </strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: if you are going to use a symbol or signal that is not universally understood to mean what you intend it to, you will have to define it and educate people about what it means.\r\n\r\nIf you want to communicate clearly, you cannot make assumptions. You\'ll have to keep in mind that other people have different experiences and understanding than you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What does that mean?','','inherit','open','open','','3318-revision-v1','','','2016-08-18 12:51:56','2016-08-18 16:51:56','',3318,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3318-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3321,4,'2016-08-18 14:46:02','2016-08-18 18:46:02','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency and accuracy to your documents.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency.\r\n\r\nCopy editing fee: $55 per hour\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-revision-v1','','','2016-08-18 14:46:02','2016-08-18 18:46:02','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/2850-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3323,4,'2016-08-25 10:11:37','2016-08-25 14:11:37','The most effective public relations professionals understand journalism, and what makes something newsworthy. They also appreciate that writing clearly and concisely is crucial to communicating with news editors and journalists. This is exactly why Stu Opperman is great at PR.  I\'ve known Stu for many years, and have often turned to him to review my writing. I know he will help make it clearer and more concise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n<strong> Twitter</strong>:<a href=\"https://twitter.com/stuopperman\" target=\"_blank\"> @stuopperman</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship, or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong>  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I agree with Stu that getting rid of extraneous words (and cliches) would go a long way in giving public relations writing more impact. For more writing insights, check back here on September 29.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman impacts PR','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-stu-opperman-impacts-pr','','','2016-08-25 10:11:37','2016-08-25 14:11:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3323',0,'post','',0),(3324,4,'2016-08-24 11:01:17','2016-08-24 15:01:17','','Stu Opperman (larger) head shot','Stu Opperman, APR\n','inherit','open','open','','stu-opperman-larger-head-shot','','','2016-08-24 11:01:37','2016-08-24 15:01:37','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3325,4,'2016-08-24 11:02:00','2016-08-24 15:02:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top (two) writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n7.  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-24 11:02:00','2016-08-24 15:02:00','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3326,4,'2016-08-24 11:02:59','2016-08-24 15:02:59','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top (two) writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n7.  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman\'s writing impacts PR','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-24 11:02:59','2016-08-24 15:02:59','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3327,4,'2016-08-24 11:08:33','2016-08-24 15:08:33','Really effective public relations professionals understand journalism and what makes something newsworthy. They also appreciate that writing clearly and concisely is crucial to communicating with journalists. This is exactly why Stu Opperman is great at PR, something he\'s been doing well for years. I\'ve known Stu for many years, and have often turned to him to review my writing. I know he will help it be clearer and more concise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top (two) writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong>  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman\'s writing impacts PR','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-24 11:08:33','2016-08-24 15:08:33','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3328,4,'2016-08-24 11:09:51','2016-08-24 15:09:51','Really effective public relations professionals understand journalism and what makes something newsworthy. They also appreciate that writing clearly and concisely is crucial to communicating with journalists. This is exactly why Stu Opperman is great at PR, something he\'s been doing well for years. I\'ve known Stu for many years, and have often turned to him to review my writing. I know he will help it be clearer and more concise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n<strong> Twitter</strong>:<a href=\"https://twitter.com/stuopperman\" target=\"_blank\"> @stuopperman</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top (two) writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong>  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman\'s writing impacts PR','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-24 11:09:51','2016-08-24 15:09:51','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3329,4,'2016-08-25 10:04:02','2016-08-25 14:04:02','The most effective public relations professionals understand journalism, and what makes something newsworthy. They also appreciate that writing clearly and concisely is crucial to communicating with news editors and journalists. This is exactly why Stu Opperman is great at PR.  I\'ve known Stu for many years, and have often turned to him to review my writing. I know he will help make it clearer and more concise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n<strong> Twitter</strong>:<a href=\"https://twitter.com/stuopperman\" target=\"_blank\"> @stuopperman</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship, or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n3. <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong>  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I agree with Stu that getting rid of extraneous words and cliches would go a long way in giving public relations writing more impact. For more writing insights, check back here on September 29.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman\'s writing impacts PR','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-25 10:04:02','2016-08-25 14:04:02','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3330,4,'2016-08-25 10:10:14','2016-08-25 14:10:14','The most effective public relations professionals understand journalism, and what makes something newsworthy. They also appreciate that writing clearly and concisely is crucial to communicating with news editors and journalists. This is exactly why Stu Opperman is great at PR.  I\'ve known Stu for many years, and have often turned to him to review my writing. I know he will help make it clearer and more concise.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"206\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3324 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Stu-Opperman-larger-head-shot-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"Stu Opperman, APR \" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" /></a> Stu Opperman, APR[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAn accredited public relations professional, Stu Opperman, APR, owns <a href=\"https://impactplayers.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Impact Players</a>, well-connected firm that positively impacts the business agenda of its clients and contacts. Prior to that, he worked for South Florida-based public relations firms and also had a career as an executive and on-air talent in radio.\r\n\r\n<strong> Twitter</strong>:<a href=\"https://twitter.com/stuopperman\" target=\"_blank\"> @stuopperman</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it? </strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the backbone of all that I do, whether it’s media relations, crisis communications, content production, relationship, or audience building. Effectively communicating through the written word, in whatever format it takes, is how I most often accomplish internal and external objectives.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nIt matters more than ever, since there will be diminishing numbers of people willing or able to write effectively as communication evolves. Those who have embraced or been enabled by the shortcuts will find they need individuals who possess actual writing skills, especially in situations where it is critical to be clear, persuasive, or motivating.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nPay attention to effective writing and take note of how it\'s being done, and that’s not just in books. There is plenty to be learned in short-form communications -- articles, email, blog posts, Twitter, and even billboards.\r\n\r\n<strong> 4. What are your top writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nI’m a big fan of Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (where he famously wrote that “the road to Hell is paved with adverbs”). Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” is a classic I continue to turn to on a regular basis.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nFor the media work I do, there is only one – the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nThe use of extraneous language that could be replaced by one word (“due to the fact that” should be “because”).\r\n\r\n<strong>7.</strong>  <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nMy favorite word may be “repugnant,” not only because it’s so descriptive but also because the speaker shows his or her distaste in the pronunciation of it. My least favorite are all the ones poor writers litter their copy with, especially in public relations, such as “unique,” “cutting edge,” and “state-of-the-art.” If everything is unique, then nothing is.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I agree with Stu that getting rid of extraneous words (and cliches) would go a long way in giving public relations writing more impact. For more writing insights, check back here on September 29.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Stu Opperman impacts PR','','inherit','open','open','','3323-revision-v1','','','2016-08-25 10:10:14','2016-08-25 14:10:14','',3323,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/08/3323-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3338,4,'2016-09-12 16:51:45','2016-09-12 20:51:45','I\'ve been conducting an experiment over on my personal Facebook page. I haven\'t posted anything for more than two weeks. As I expected, nobody has commented on my lack of posting. Nobody has gone to my Facebook page and reacted/commented on anything already there. There\'s been absolutely no interaction. Perhaps this means I have crappy \"friends\" or more likely, it means that when you don\'t participate in social media, people forget you\'re there.\r\n\r\nI\'ve seen this happen with my blog. If I haven\'t posted recently, my site traffic goes down. When I post something, my traffic goes up. (This is why it\'s so valuable to have Google Analytics deployed on your site.)\r\n\r\nThis could never happen \"in real life.\" Even if you were quietly sitting in a room not talking to anybody, people would notice you were there. Perhaps they wouldn\'t speak to you, but they would see you. I<strong>n social media, to get noticed, you must be active</strong>. You have to post regularly.  People will forget your blog if they haven\'t seen you post for a while. Ditto if you haven\'t posted recently on LinkedIn (and worse if you don\'t have even have a picture on your profile).\r\n\r\nMany small businesses understand that social media is an important communications channel. However, many don\'t understand how to make it really work for them. You\'ll see businesses (organizations and nonprofits too) that think all they have to do is create the Facebook page, get some people to \"like\" it and nothing more.\r\n\r\nThe only reason somebody would visit your Facebook page (or website or LinkedIn profile) when you haven\'t been active is because they are looking for something specific or researching. And then it would have to come up as part of a query. Even well known brands (the CocaColas and McDonald\'s of this world) advertise. They want to be top of mind and reinforce their brand promise.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the bottom line: If you are using social media for business purposes, you must be active, even if it means doing paid advertising.\r\n\r\nWhen you are out of sight on social media, you are out of mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Out of sight, out of mind?','','publish','open','open','','out-of-sight-out-of-mind','','','2016-09-12 16:51:45','2016-09-12 20:51:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3338',0,'post','',0),(3333,4,'2016-09-01 10:24:43','2016-09-01 14:24:43','It seems a daily occurrence at the Washington Post: a headline typo here, and a factual error there. Sometimes, I have had to read a sentence several times to even start understanding it. This is because the Washington Post has few (if any) copy editors. I suspect reporters are being asked to edit their own work, which is never a good idea, especially with quick turnarounds. You can edit your own work, if you can look at it with \"fresh eyes\" after a day or so. In the fast-paced, 24/7 news cycle, there is little time to look at writing with fresh eyes.\r\n\r\nI could not believe the mistake I found in an article in today\'s Post. It\'s about the Chesapeake Crab &amp; Beer Festival, which took place on Saturday at National Harbor in Maryland. The story appeared in the Post\'s Local Living section  and had the headline \"All smiles on a crab-filled festival day in Inner Harbor.\"\r\n\r\nThe Inner Harbor is in Baltimore and the event took place at National Harbor. Then, in the body of the article, the writer says the event took place in Baltimore, except it didn\'t. See for yourself here:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img040.pdf\">Washington Post article</a>\r\n\r\nCopy editors don\'t just catch grammatical mistakes and typos, they check for accuracy too. Clearly, this article was not checked at all. A cursory search (and plain common sense) would have told anyone reading this article that the event took place at National Harbor and not in Baltimore.\r\n\r\nShame on the Washington Post! These mistakes make the newspaper look sloppy and careless, and makes me question the accuracy of all reporting.','The Washington Post needs copy editors','','publish','open','open','','the-washington-post-needs-copy-editors','','','2016-09-01 10:24:43','2016-09-01 14:24:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3333',0,'post','',0),(3334,4,'2016-09-01 10:17:41','2016-09-01 14:17:41','','Washington Post article','','inherit','open','open','','img040','','','2016-09-01 10:17:58','2016-09-01 14:17:58','',3333,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img040.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(3335,4,'2016-09-01 10:22:45','2016-09-01 14:22:45','It seems a daily occurrence at the Washington Post: a headline typo here, and error there. Sometimes, I have had to read a sentence several times to even start understanding it. This is because the Washington Post has few (if any) copy editors. I suspect reporters are being asked to edit their own work, which is never a good idea, especially with quick turnarounds. You can edit your own work, if you can look at it with \"fresh eyes\" after a day or so. In the fast-paced, 24/7 news cycle, there is little time to look at writing with fresh eyes.\r\n\r\nI could not believe the mistake I found in an article in today\'s Post. It\'s about the Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival, which took place on Saturday at National Harbor in Maryland. The story appeared in the Post\'s Local Living section  and had the headline \"All smiles on a crab-filled festival day in Inner Harbor.\"\r\n\r\nThe Inner Harbor is in Baltimore and the event took place at National Harbor. Then, in the body of the article, the writer says the event took place in Baltimore, except it didn\'t. See for yourself here:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img040.pdf\">Washington Post article</a>\r\n\r\nCopy editors don\'t just catch grammatical mistakes and typos, they check for accuracy too. Clearly, this article was not checked at all. A cursory search (and plain common sense) would have told anyone reading this article that the event took place at National Harbor and not in Baltimore.\r\n\r\nShame on the Washington Post! These mistakes make the newspaper look sloppy and careless, and makes me question the accuracy of all reporting.','The Washington Post needs copy editors','','inherit','open','open','','3333-revision-v1','','','2016-09-01 10:22:45','2016-09-01 14:22:45','',3333,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3333-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3336,4,'2016-09-01 10:24:43','2016-09-01 14:24:43','It seems a daily occurrence at the Washington Post: a headline typo here, and a factual error there. Sometimes, I have had to read a sentence several times to even start understanding it. This is because the Washington Post has few (if any) copy editors. I suspect reporters are being asked to edit their own work, which is never a good idea, especially with quick turnarounds. You can edit your own work, if you can look at it with \"fresh eyes\" after a day or so. In the fast-paced, 24/7 news cycle, there is little time to look at writing with fresh eyes.\r\n\r\nI could not believe the mistake I found in an article in today\'s Post. It\'s about the Chesapeake Crab &amp; Beer Festival, which took place on Saturday at National Harbor in Maryland. The story appeared in the Post\'s Local Living section  and had the headline \"All smiles on a crab-filled festival day in Inner Harbor.\"\r\n\r\nThe Inner Harbor is in Baltimore and the event took place at National Harbor. Then, in the body of the article, the writer says the event took place in Baltimore, except it didn\'t. See for yourself here:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img040.pdf\">Washington Post article</a>\r\n\r\nCopy editors don\'t just catch grammatical mistakes and typos, they check for accuracy too. Clearly, this article was not checked at all. A cursory search (and plain common sense) would have told anyone reading this article that the event took place at National Harbor and not in Baltimore.\r\n\r\nShame on the Washington Post! These mistakes make the newspaper look sloppy and careless, and makes me question the accuracy of all reporting.','The Washington Post needs copy editors','','inherit','open','open','','3333-revision-v1','','','2016-09-01 10:24:43','2016-09-01 14:24:43','',3333,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3333-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3339,4,'2016-09-12 16:51:45','2016-09-12 20:51:45','I\'ve been conducting an experiment over on my personal Facebook page. I haven\'t posted anything for more than two weeks. As I expected, nobody has commented on my lack of posting. Nobody has gone to my Facebook page and reacted/commented on anything already there. There\'s been absolutely no interaction. Perhaps this means I have crappy \"friends\" or more likely, it means that when you don\'t participate in social media, people forget you\'re there.\r\n\r\nI\'ve seen this happen with my blog. If I haven\'t posted recently, my site traffic goes down. When I post something, my traffic goes up. (This is why it\'s so valuable to have Google Analytics deployed on your site.)\r\n\r\nThis could never happen \"in real life.\" Even if you were quietly sitting in a room not talking to anybody, people would notice you were there. Perhaps they wouldn\'t speak to you, but they would see you. I<strong>n social media, to get noticed, you must be active</strong>. You have to post regularly.  People will forget your blog if they haven\'t seen you post for a while. Ditto if you haven\'t posted recently on LinkedIn (and worse if you don\'t have even have a picture on your profile).\r\n\r\nMany small businesses understand that social media is an important communications channel. However, many don\'t understand how to make it really work for them. You\'ll see businesses (organizations and nonprofits too) that think all they have to do is create the Facebook page, get some people to \"like\" it and nothing more.\r\n\r\nThe only reason somebody would visit your Facebook page (or website or LinkedIn profile) when you haven\'t been active is because they are looking for something specific or researching. And then it would have to come up as part of a query. Even well known brands (the CocaColas and McDonald\'s of this world) advertise. They want to be top of mind and reinforce their brand promise.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the bottom line: If you are using social media for business purposes, you must be active, even if it means doing paid advertising.\r\n\r\nWhen you are out of sight on social media, you are out of mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Out of sight, out of mind?','','inherit','open','open','','3338-revision-v1','','','2016-09-12 16:51:45','2016-09-12 20:51:45','',3338,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3341,4,'2016-09-21 10:36:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','In the past couple of weeks, I have had several different customer interactions. In thinking about them from a marketing perspective, I realized they all come down to the experience each was providing.\r\n\r\nIt\'s about customer experience\r\n\r\nLast week, I had an appointment to get my hair cut. My hair stylist owns and operates the salon, by herself. In other words, she has no employees--no receptionist, no cleaning person, nobody else but her. Because of this, she has several challenges in providing a good customer experience.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not easy to make an appointment. To make an appointment is often a two-step process. Since you have to call and speak to her and she\'s obviously not always available,  you have to leave a message, and wait for her to call you back. If she had a receptionist or an automated system on her website, this would be done in one easy step.\r\n\r\nShe has to do everything herself.\r\n\r\nNot providing a pleasant customer experience. Last week, I walked in a couple minutes early for my appointment. She was still working on another customer. She told me to take a seat.  I am not sure if the other customer was late for her appointment or if she inadvertently double-booked. This has never happened before. Since her place is small, she only has a couple of (hard) chairs. It\'s not made for waiting. There are no refreshments or piles of magazines to sit with.\r\n\r\nIt became apparent that she was going to be a good while, so I said I would go run another errand. I came back about twenty minutes later, and the other customer was still there!\r\n\r\nThe stylist never apologized for making me wait or gave me an explanation for the delay.\r\n\r\nForgetting customer relationships are personal. After I finally sat down to have my hair cut, I explained what I wanted. I told her that I continue to let my hair grow, and that she had cut too much the last time. She looked at me with absolute surprise. She didn\'t know that I was growning my hair out (something I have been doing for months). Now, she can\'t be expected to remember every customer\'s situation, which is why she should make notes about each of her customers\' visits. She should review the notes before the customer comes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful marketing is about the experience','','draft','open','open','','','','','2016-09-21 10:36:18','2016-09-21 14:36:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3341',0,'post','',0),(3342,4,'2016-09-21 10:36:18','2016-09-21 14:36:18','In the past couple of weeks, I have had several different customer interactions. In thinking about them from a marketing perspective, I realized they all come down to the experience each was providing.\r\n\r\nIt\'s about customer experience\r\n\r\nLast week, I had an appointment to get my hair cut. My hair stylist owns and operates the salon, by herself. In other words, she has no employees--no receptionist, no cleaning person, nobody else but her. Because of this, she has several challenges in providing a good customer experience.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not easy to make an appointment. To make an appointment is often a two-step process. Since you have to call and speak to her and she\'s obviously not always available,  you have to leave a message, and wait for her to call you back. If she had a receptionist or an automated system on her website, this would be done in one easy step.\r\n\r\nShe has to do everything herself.\r\n\r\nNot providing a pleasant customer experience. Last week, I walked in a couple minutes early for my appointment. She was still working on another customer. She told me to take a seat.  I am not sure if the other customer was late for her appointment or if she inadvertently double-booked. This has never happened before. Since her place is small, she only has a couple of (hard) chairs. It\'s not made for waiting. There are no refreshments or piles of magazines to sit with.\r\n\r\nIt became apparent that she was going to be a good while, so I said I would go run another errand. I came back about twenty minutes later, and the other customer was still there!\r\n\r\nThe stylist never apologized for making me wait or gave me an explanation for the delay.\r\n\r\nForgetting customer relationships are personal. After I finally sat down to have my hair cut, I explained what I wanted. I told her that I continue to let my hair grow, and that she had cut too much the last time. She looked at me with absolute surprise. She didn\'t know that I was growning my hair out (something I have been doing for months). Now, she can\'t be expected to remember every customer\'s situation, which is why she should make notes about each of her customers\' visits. She should review the notes before the customer comes in.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful marketing is about the experience','','inherit','open','open','','3341-revision-v1','','','2016-09-21 10:36:18','2016-09-21 14:36:18','',3341,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3341-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3344,4,'2016-09-22 10:22:29','2016-09-22 14:22:29','When I do any copy editing and/or proofreading, I always come across two problems: wordiness and punctuation mistakes. These problems affect how clear your writing is and muddle your message. That\'s because when readers have to read overlong, poorly punctuated sentences, filled with unnecessary words, they don\'t understand what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #1: Wordiness</strong>\r\n\r\nWordiness is using too many words to say what you mean.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Eliminate extra words and phrases</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen I was in grad school, one of my professors (the wonderful Jack Falla), had us write a press release, and then go back and eliminate ten words. The problem with this approach is that wordy people often think they need all the words they have written. They don\'t.\r\n\r\nToday\'s Nonprofit Marketing Guide has a great post listing wordy phrases and their much more succinct alternatives.<a href=\"http://http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/09/21/cut-the-glut-wordy-phrases-to-eliminate-from-your-writing-and-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\"> Read it here</a>.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Ask yourself if  you are being redundant</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPhrases such as \"basic fundamentals\" are redundant.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Use active voice</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nActive voice uses fewer words than passive voice. It\'s more direct.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #2: Punctuation mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nPunctuation is a tool to make your sentences work better. You use a period to end a sentence and a comma to insert a pause. You use a colon to indicate something is following and a semicolon to separate two big ideas in one sentence. We also use parentheses to add extra information to a sentence and em dashes to set off words or phrases.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn how to use the comma properly</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe comma seems to trip lots of people up. Either they use it too much or not enough. And then there\'s the whole serial or Oxford comma debate. In any case, Grammar Book has some useful <a href=\"http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp\" target=\"_blank\">rules for comma usage.</a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn when to use the em dash</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEm dashes are not to be confused with the shorter en dashes and the even shorter dashes or hyphens. The Punctuation Guide has a  <a href=\"http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html\" target=\"_blank\">good explanation </a>of how to use em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Watch out for improper capitalization and apostrophes</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt\'s become epidemic lately -- people are using capitalization to indicate importance. That\'s not how it works. Use caps at the beginning of a sentence, and to indicate proper names. The president may be important, but unless you are expressly referring to President Barack Obama, there\'s no need to capitalize the word alone.\r\n\r\nApostrophes are meant to convey possession. They do not make a word plural. Hamilton University calls the misuse of the apostrophe a deadly sin of writing. <a href=\"http://https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/seven-sins-of-writing/the-fourth-deadly-sin-misuse-of-the-apostrophe\" target=\"_blank\">Check it out.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>To be clear, be concise</strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes people are wordy because they don\'t have anything to say. That\'s a lack of message. No amount of removing redundancies will fix it. However, if you\'ve written something and you are not sure whether it\'s communicating what you want it to say, make sure to eliminate wordiness and correct your punctuation. Chances are that being more concise (and precise with your punctuation) will clarify whatever it is you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need some help eliminating wordiness, fixing punctuation, and making your writing clearer, contact me!</span>','Two big problems muddling your message','','publish','open','open','','two-big-problems-muddling-your-message','','','2016-09-22 10:22:29','2016-09-22 14:22:29','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3344',0,'post','',0),(3345,4,'2016-09-22 10:14:47','2016-09-22 14:14:47','When I do any copy editing and/or proofreading, I always come across these two problems: wordiness and punctuation mistakes. These problems affect how clear your writing is and muddle your message. That\'s because when readers have to read overlong, poorly punctuated sentences, filled with unnecessary words, they don\'t understand what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #1: Wordiness</strong>\r\n\r\nWordiness is using too many words to say what you mean.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Eliminate extra words and phrases</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen I was in grad school, one of my professors (the wonderful Jack Falla), had us write a press release, and then go back and eliminate ten words. The problem with this approach is that wordy people often think they need all the words they have written. They don\'t.\r\n\r\nToday\'s Nonprofit Marketing Guide has a great post listing wordy phrases and their much more succinct alternatives.<a href=\"http://http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/09/21/cut-the-glut-wordy-phrases-to-eliminate-from-your-writing-and-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\"> Read it here</a>.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Ask yourself if  you are being redundant</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPhrases such as \"basic fundamentals\" are redundant.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Use active voice</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nActive voice uses fewer words than passive voice. It\'s more direct.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #2: Punctuation mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nPunctuation is a tool to make your sentences work better. You use a period to end a sentence and a comma to insert a pause. You use a colon to indicate something is following and a semicolon to separate two big ideas in one sentence. We also use parentheses to add extra information to a sentence and em dashes to set off words or phrases.\r\n\r\nHow to fix this problem\r\n\r\nBy far, people seem to have the most problems with commas and em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Learn how to use the comma</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe comma seems to trip lots of people up. Either they use it too much or not enough. And then there\'s the whole serial or Oxford comma debate. In any case, Grammar Book has some useful <a href=\"http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp\" target=\"_blank\">rules for comma usage.</a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Learn how to use an em dash</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEm dashes are not to be confused with the shorter en dashes and the even shorter dashes or hyphens. The Punctuation Guide has a  <a href=\"http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html\" target=\"_blank\">good explanation </a>of how to use em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Watch out for your capitalization and apostrophes.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt\'s become epidemic lately -- people are using capitalization to indicate importance. That\'s not how it works. Use caps at the beginning of a sentence, and to indicate proper names. The president may be important, but unless you are expressly referring to President Barack Obama, there\'s no need to capitalize the word alone.\r\n\r\nApostrophes are meant to convey possession. They do not make a word plural. Hamilton University calls the misuse of the apostrophe a deadly sin of writing. <a href=\"http://https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/seven-sins-of-writing/the-fourth-deadly-sin-misuse-of-the-apostrophe\" target=\"_blank\">Check it out.</a>\r\n\r\nSometimes people are wordy because they don\'t have anything to say. That\'s a lack of message. No amount of removing redundancies will fix it. However, if you\'ve written something and you are not sure whether it\'s communicating what you want it to say, make sure to eliminate wordiness and correct your punctuation. Chances are that will clarify whatever it is you are trying to say.','Two big problems muddling your message','','inherit','open','open','','3344-revision-v1','','','2016-09-22 10:14:47','2016-09-22 14:14:47','',3344,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3344-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3346,4,'2016-09-22 10:18:54','2016-09-22 14:18:54','When I do any copy editing and/or proofreading, I always come across two problems: wordiness and punctuation mistakes. These problems affect how clear your writing is and muddle your message. That\'s because when readers have to read overlong, poorly punctuated sentences, filled with unnecessary words, they don\'t understand what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #1: Wordiness</strong>\r\n\r\nWordiness is using too many words to say what you mean.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Eliminate extra words and phrases</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen I was in grad school, one of my professors (the wonderful Jack Falla), had us write a press release, and then go back and eliminate ten words. The problem with this approach is that wordy people often think they need all the words they have written. They don\'t.\r\n\r\nToday\'s Nonprofit Marketing Guide has a great post listing wordy phrases and their much more succinct alternatives.<a href=\"http://http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/09/21/cut-the-glut-wordy-phrases-to-eliminate-from-your-writing-and-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\"> Read it here</a>.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Ask yourself if  you are being redundant</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPhrases such as \"basic fundamentals\" are redundant.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Use active voice</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nActive voice uses fewer words than passive voice. It\'s more direct.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #2: Punctuation mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nPunctuation is a tool to make your sentences work better. You use a period to end a sentence and a comma to insert a pause. You use a colon to indicate something is following and a semicolon to separate two big ideas in one sentence. We also use parentheses to add extra information to a sentence and em dashes to set off words or phrases.\r\n\r\nHow to fix this problem\r\n\r\nBy far, people seem to have the most problems with commas and em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn how to use the comma</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe comma seems to trip lots of people up. Either they use it too much or not enough. And then there\'s the whole serial or Oxford comma debate. In any case, Grammar Book has some useful <a href=\"http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp\" target=\"_blank\">rules for comma usage.</a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn how to use the em dash</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEm dashes are not to be confused with the shorter en dashes and the even shorter dashes or hyphens. The Punctuation Guide has a  <a href=\"http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html\" target=\"_blank\">good explanation </a>of how to use em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Watch out for improper capitalization and apostrophes.</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt\'s become epidemic lately -- people are using capitalization to indicate importance. That\'s not how it works. Use caps at the beginning of a sentence, and to indicate proper names. The president may be important, but unless you are expressly referring to President Barack Obama, there\'s no need to capitalize the word alone.\r\n\r\nApostrophes are meant to convey possession. They do not make a word plural. Hamilton University calls the misuse of the apostrophe a deadly sin of writing. <a href=\"http://https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/seven-sins-of-writing/the-fourth-deadly-sin-misuse-of-the-apostrophe\" target=\"_blank\">Check it out.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Being more concise is being clearer</strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes people are wordy because they don\'t have anything to say. That\'s a lack of message. No amount of removing redundancies will fix it. However, if you\'ve written something and you are not sure whether it\'s communicating what you want it to say, make sure to eliminate wordiness and correct your punctuation. Chances are that will clarify whatever it is you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need some help eliminating wordiness, fixing punctuation, and making your writing clearer, contact me!</span>','Two big problems muddling your message','','inherit','open','open','','3344-revision-v1','','','2016-09-22 10:18:54','2016-09-22 14:18:54','',3344,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3344-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3347,4,'2016-09-22 10:22:29','2016-09-22 14:22:29','When I do any copy editing and/or proofreading, I always come across two problems: wordiness and punctuation mistakes. These problems affect how clear your writing is and muddle your message. That\'s because when readers have to read overlong, poorly punctuated sentences, filled with unnecessary words, they don\'t understand what you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #1: Wordiness</strong>\r\n\r\nWordiness is using too many words to say what you mean.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Eliminate extra words and phrases</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWhen I was in grad school, one of my professors (the wonderful Jack Falla), had us write a press release, and then go back and eliminate ten words. The problem with this approach is that wordy people often think they need all the words they have written. They don\'t.\r\n\r\nToday\'s Nonprofit Marketing Guide has a great post listing wordy phrases and their much more succinct alternatives.<a href=\"http://http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/09/21/cut-the-glut-wordy-phrases-to-eliminate-from-your-writing-and-alternatives/\" target=\"_blank\"> Read it here</a>.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Ask yourself if  you are being redundant</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nPhrases such as \"basic fundamentals\" are redundant.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Use active voice</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nActive voice uses fewer words than passive voice. It\'s more direct.\r\n\r\n<strong>Problem #2: Punctuation mistakes</strong>\r\n\r\nPunctuation is a tool to make your sentences work better. You use a period to end a sentence and a comma to insert a pause. You use a colon to indicate something is following and a semicolon to separate two big ideas in one sentence. We also use parentheses to add extra information to a sentence and em dashes to set off words or phrases.\r\n\r\nHow do you fix this problem?\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn how to use the comma properly</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe comma seems to trip lots of people up. Either they use it too much or not enough. And then there\'s the whole serial or Oxford comma debate. In any case, Grammar Book has some useful <a href=\"http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp\" target=\"_blank\">rules for comma usage.</a>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Learn when to use the em dash</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nEm dashes are not to be confused with the shorter en dashes and the even shorter dashes or hyphens. The Punctuation Guide has a  <a href=\"http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html\" target=\"_blank\">good explanation </a>of how to use em dashes.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Watch out for improper capitalization and apostrophes</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIt\'s become epidemic lately -- people are using capitalization to indicate importance. That\'s not how it works. Use caps at the beginning of a sentence, and to indicate proper names. The president may be important, but unless you are expressly referring to President Barack Obama, there\'s no need to capitalize the word alone.\r\n\r\nApostrophes are meant to convey possession. They do not make a word plural. Hamilton University calls the misuse of the apostrophe a deadly sin of writing. <a href=\"http://https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/seven-sins-of-writing/the-fourth-deadly-sin-misuse-of-the-apostrophe\" target=\"_blank\">Check it out.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>To be clear, be concise</strong>\r\n\r\nSometimes people are wordy because they don\'t have anything to say. That\'s a lack of message. No amount of removing redundancies will fix it. However, if you\'ve written something and you are not sure whether it\'s communicating what you want it to say, make sure to eliminate wordiness and correct your punctuation. Chances are that being more concise (and precise with your punctuation) will clarify whatever it is you are trying to say.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">If you need some help eliminating wordiness, fixing punctuation, and making your writing clearer, contact me!</span>','Two big problems muddling your message','','inherit','open','open','','3344-revision-v1','','','2016-09-22 10:22:29','2016-09-22 14:22:29','',3344,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3344-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3348,4,'2016-09-29 09:59:01','2016-09-29 13:59:01','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for someone who is ill and in the hospital. The book was published earlier this year, which prompted me to reach out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3355\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"198\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3355 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-head\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bonnie Friedman[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3350\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Warrior Launch\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Hospital Warrior Launch[/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven that her book launched this year, I asked Bonnie to share her thoughts about the process of writing a book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement, and in Bonnie\'s case, one that will provide people with needed information to successfully helped loved ones who are ill and in the hospital. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>For more writing insight from a communications professional, check back here on Thursday, October 27 for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-bonnie-friedman-is-an-advocate','','','2016-09-29 09:59:01','2016-09-29 13:59:01','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3348',0,'post','',0),(3350,4,'2016-09-27 09:40:17','2016-09-27 13:40:17','','bonnie-preso','Hospital Warrior Launch','inherit','open','open','','bonnie-preso','','','2016-09-29 09:46:12','2016-09-29 13:46:12','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3349,4,'2016-09-26 17:23:11','2016-09-26 21:23:11','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area. She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @Bonniecomm\r\n<h1>Seven questions about writing</h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\nBonnie published a book this year<strong>, so I asked her a few questions about the book writing process. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-26 17:23:11','2016-09-26 21:23:11','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3351,4,'2016-09-27 09:41:01','2016-09-27 13:41:01','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-preso\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>Bonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area. She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @Bonniecomm\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n6. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\nBonnie published a book this year<strong>, </strong>so I asked her a some bonus questions about the book writing process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-27 09:41:01','2016-09-27 13:41:01','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3352,4,'2016-09-27 09:52:04','2016-09-27 13:52:04','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for your health. Well, her book launched earlier this year. Naturally, I reached out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-preso\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>Bonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @Bonniecomm\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\nBonnie published a book this year<strong>, </strong>so I asked her a some bonus questions about the book writing process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement. For more writing insight, check back here on Thursday, October 27.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-27 09:52:04','2016-09-27 13:52:04','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3353,4,'2016-09-29 09:43:11','2016-09-29 13:43:11','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for a loved one\r\n\r\nwhen in the hospital. Well, her book launched earlier this year. Naturally, I reached out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-preso\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>Bonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\nSince Bonnie published her book this year<strong>,</strong> I asked her a few bonus questions about the book writing process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement. For more writing insight, check back here on Thursday, October 27.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:43:11','2016-09-29 13:43:11','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3355,4,'2016-09-29 09:45:23','2016-09-29 13:45:23','','bonnie-head','','inherit','open','open','','bonnie-head','','','2016-09-29 09:45:23','2016-09-29 13:45:23','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3354,4,'2016-09-29 09:44:03','2016-09-29 13:44:03','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for a loved onewhen in the hospital. Well, her book launched earlier this year. Naturally, I reached out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-preso\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\nSince Bonnie published her book this year<strong>,</strong> I asked her a few bonus questions about the book writing process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement. For more writing insight, check back here on Thursday, October 27.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:44:03','2016-09-29 13:44:03','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3356,4,'2016-09-29 09:46:29','2016-09-29 13:46:29','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for a loved onewhen in the hospital. Well, her book launched earlier this year. Naturally, I reached out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3355\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-head\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" /></a>Bonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3350\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Warrior Launch\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Hospital Warrior Launch[/caption]\r\n\r\nSince Bonnie published her book this year<strong>,</strong> I asked her a few bonus questions about the book writing process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement. For more writing insight, check back here on Thursday, October 27.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:46:29','2016-09-29 13:46:29','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3357,4,'2016-09-29 09:52:36','2016-09-29 13:52:36','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for a loved one when in the hospital. The book was published earlier this year, which prompted me to reach out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3355\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-head\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3350\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Warrior Launch\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Hospital Warrior Launch[/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven that her book launched this year, I asked Bonnie to share her thoughts about the process of writing a book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement, and in Bonnie\'s case, one that will people needed information to successfully helped loved ones who are ill and in the hospital. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>For more writing insight, check back here on Thursday, October 27.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:52:36','2016-09-29 13:52:36','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3358,4,'2016-09-29 09:55:51','2016-09-29 13:55:51','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for someone who is ill and in the hospital. The book was published earlier this year, which prompted me to reach out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3355\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"198\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3355 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-head\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bonnie Friedman[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3350\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Warrior Launch\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Hospital Warrior Launch[/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven that her book launched this year, I asked Bonnie to share her thoughts about the process of writing a book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement, and in Bonnie\'s case, one that will provide people with needed information to successfully helped loved ones who are ill and in the hospital. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>For more writing insight from a communications professional, check back here on Thursday, October 27 for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:55:51','2016-09-29 13:55:51','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3359,4,'2016-09-29 09:56:29','2016-09-29 13:56:29','I met Bonnie Friedman at an industry networking event several years ago. We\'ve stayed in touch, and a couple of years ago Bonnie told me she was starting to write a book about advocating for someone who is ill and in the hospital. The book was published earlier this year, which prompted me to reach out to Bonnie to ask her about her writing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3355\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"198\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3355 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-Head-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"bonnie-head\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bonnie Friedman[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBonnie Friedman is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with more than 40 years of experience in the Washington, DC, area, with her own consultancy <a href=\"http://www.bfstrategic.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bonnie Friedman Strategic Communications, LLC</a>.  She worked for several federal agencies before starting her own consulting business. Her new book, Hospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One, combines her passion for health care advocacy with her love of writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/bonniecomm\" target=\"_blank\">@Bonniecomm</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the heart of what I do, whether working in government, as a consultant or now as an author. Even as a teenager, I loved to write. For me, it is the most effective way to express thoughts, share information or convey emotion. Of all the things I do professionally, writing is by far the most important skill in my wheelhouse.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world? </strong>\r\n\r\nYes, I believe it does matter. Whether you want to convey thoughts, information or emotion, you want to do so effectively. Sloppy or inexact language detracts from the message and makes the writer appear lazy or facile. For me, it is extremely satisfying to create a strong, well-crafted statement or document that precisely reflects my point of view.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. </strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nWhen I first started my career, I was told to write the first draft, warts and all, off the top of my head, then go back and improve upon it later. When I feel stuck now, I still follow that advice. It helps me express my initial thoughts and move forward with my work. There is a freedom in that type of writing that frequently breathes life and light into my work, even if I later edit or revise it.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)? </strong>\r\n\r\nDepending on what I am writing, the top three are the Associated Press Stylebook, William Strunk’s The Elements of Style and Roget’s Thesaurus. Even though I frequently use online resources for quick references, these three are still my all-time favorites.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t follow a specific style guide as a matter of course. However, if I am writing for the media, I use the AP Stylebook; if writing for a government client, I may use the Government Printing Office Style Manual. When I wrote my book, I did not use one particular style guide but referred to various resources when I needed guidance, particularly on how best to convey complicated medical information for lay readers.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nI really dislike the use of “impact” as a verb. It grates on me. As far as I’m concerned, the word “impact” should remain a noun. When used as a verb, it strikes me as affected and pretentious. That said, I recognize that language must be fluid and supple. If it weren’t, we might still be speaking Elizabethan English today.<strong>   </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>7</strong>. <strong>What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThere are so many great words; it is hard to choose. One that I like a lot is onomatopoeia; it is wonderfully descriptive and rolls around in the mouth quite deliciously. Likewise, there are several words I dislike viscerally, but none are acceptably repeated in a family-friendly interview. All are mean-spirited, hateful references to individuals or groups. Some are four letters; others are longer.  You get the idea.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3350\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3350\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bonnie-preso-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Warrior Launch\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Hospital Warrior Launch[/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven that her book launched this year, I asked Bonnie to share her thoughts about the process of writing a book.\r\n\r\n<strong>Describe your book:</strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One is a how-to guide on advocating effectively when someone you love is ill. It is filled with advice, tips and ideas based on my own experience as well interviews with a wide range of medical and legal professionals. It is also a story of love, family and thriving. The website is <a href=\"http://www.hospitalwarrior.com\">www.hospitalwarrior.com</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>What inspired you to write the book and how long did it take you to write it? </strong>\r\n\r\nHospital Warrior draws on my 24 years of advocating for my husband through 14 separate hospitalizations—some routine and some life-threatening. He is now doing well, and I felt I had learned so much over the years that I wanted to share with others. Giving back is an important value in my life. In Judaism, we call it <em>Tikkun Olam</em>. This is my way of giving back. The book took about two years to write.\r\n\r\n<strong>What were your main challenges in writing and publishing a book? How did it compare to the previous writing you have done?</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are many challenges in writing and publishing a book. To start, as an author, you must be clear in your own mind about your audience, your message and your market.  While you need to remain flexible about options and opportunities, you can’t lose sight of your primary goals. Publishing in today’s market is very difficult, especially for new authors. I feel fortunate to have a small, indie publisher who invests in his authors’ success.\r\n\r\nIn some ways, writing this book was similar to other forms of non-fiction. It required research, interviews, fact-checking and discipline. But it required all those things in massive doses—more than I had ever done before. Also important were organizational skills, tenacity and belief in what I was doing. It might have been easy to give up or change course, especially when finding the right publisher proved difficult. But I was determined, and that paid off for me.\r\n\r\n<strong>What tips do you have for others thinking of writing a book?</strong>\r\n\r\nBe clear about your purpose. Know your market. Stay open-mined and creative. At the same time, bring discipline to your work and apply it to your writing. If you are a new author, find a mentor for guidance and support. I have a wonderful friend who is the author of seven books; she shared advice generously when I needed it. Also be sure to have at least a few readers—people whose opinions you respect and who will provide solid, constructive feedback on your work. Then be willing to listen to them!\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> Like Bonnie says, writing a book is just like writing for marketing and PR, except taken to a \"massive\" degree. It\'s a great achievement, and in Bonnie\'s case, one that will provide people with needed information to successfully helped loved ones who are ill and in the hospital. </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>For more writing insight from a communications professional, check back here on Thursday, October 27 for the next On Writing interview.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','On writing: Bonnie Friedman is an advocate','','inherit','open','open','','3348-revision-v1','','','2016-09-29 09:56:29','2016-09-29 13:56:29','',3348,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/09/3348-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3361,4,'2016-10-06 11:01:37','2016-10-06 15:01:37','You\'ve all heard that famous question: if a tree falls in a forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?\r\n\r\nLet\'s change that question: if you are telling a story, but nobody can hear you, are you still communicating?\r\n\r\nI was considering this second question during Rosh Hashana services this week. The synagogue I was attending does not have microphones, and the rabbi there is not good at projecting his voice. As he was giving his sermon, I was having a hard time hearing what he was saying. I am sure the further back in the synagogue that people were sitting, the less they could hear.\r\n\r\nIf you couldn\'t hear the rabbi, then you would not know what he said, and therefore, it was like he never gave a sermon at all. So, was this rabbi communicating? In short, he wasn\'t.\r\n\r\nIn essence,<strong> communication is the exchange of information. </strong> If you can\'t hear the information being shared, then you do not know what that information is, therefore information is not being exchanged.\r\n\r\nThe rabbi may have had some greats insights or inspirational messages to share, but if nobody heard them, then he failed to enlighten or inspire his congregation.\r\n\r\n<strong>Make sure they can hear</strong>\r\n\r\nThe takeaway from my Rosh Hashana experience is simple: It\'s not enough to have good information to share, you have to make sure your intended audience can receive that information.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If a tree falls...','','publish','open','open','','if-a-tree-falls','','','2016-10-06 11:01:37','2016-10-06 15:01:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3361',0,'post','',0),(3362,4,'2016-10-06 11:01:37','2016-10-06 15:01:37','You\'ve all heard that famous question: if a tree falls in a forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?\r\n\r\nLet\'s change that question: if you are telling a story, but nobody can hear you, are you still communicating?\r\n\r\nI was considering this second question during Rosh Hashana services this week. The synagogue I was attending does not have microphones, and the rabbi there is not good at projecting his voice. As he was giving his sermon, I was having a hard time hearing what he was saying. I am sure the further back in the synagogue that people were sitting, the less they could hear.\r\n\r\nIf you couldn\'t hear the rabbi, then you would not know what he said, and therefore, it was like he never gave a sermon at all. So, was this rabbi communicating? In short, he wasn\'t.\r\n\r\nIn essence,<strong> communication is the exchange of information. </strong> If you can\'t hear the information being shared, then you do not know what that information is, therefore information is not being exchanged.\r\n\r\nThe rabbi may have had some greats insights or inspirational messages to share, but if nobody heard them, then he failed to enlighten or inspire his congregation.\r\n\r\n<strong>Make sure they can hear</strong>\r\n\r\nThe takeaway from my Rosh Hashana experience is simple: It\'s not enough to have good information to share, you have to make sure your intended audience can receive that information.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If a tree falls...','','inherit','open','open','','3361-revision-v1','','','2016-10-06 11:01:37','2016-10-06 15:01:37','',3361,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3361-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3365,4,'2016-10-19 10:23:38','2016-10-19 14:23:38','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-10-19 10:23:38','2016-10-19 14:23:38','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3366,4,'2016-10-24 11:10:53','2016-10-24 15:10:53','Lately, I have seen a couple of opinion pieces written by marketing people that state you should never, ever share your political opinion, at the risk of losing clients and alienating your network.\r\n\r\nI don\'t agree. I think it depends on several factors and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You will need to consider at least two issues:\r\n\r\n1. Are you an employee or are you representing yourself? Are you sharing a political opinion for a company or for yourself?\r\n\r\n2. Where you are sharing your views?\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s start with the where.</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t think you should ever share political views on LinkedIn, no matter if you are a company, individual or small business owner. But you should (in certain cases) on Twitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social network. Twitter is not.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople go to LinkedIn specifically to network and to research your professional background. They do not go to LinkedIn to find out about  your views on Hillary Clinton.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter is real-time conversation. LinkedIn is more static.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that you aren’t supposed to talk about politics or religion in polite company. But Twitter is not polite company. It’s a rapid-fire issue-of-the-minute national and international conversation. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is not that. It’s a staid, share your credentials and network sort of place.\r\n\r\nThere are millions of tweets every hour. On LinkedIn, your network probably shares a few updates a day.\r\n\r\n<strong>People go to Twitter to share their opinion and see what others think.</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the presidential debates it was pretty easy to see who doesn\'t live in the United States and who uses automated tweets. Those were the folks who didn\'t weigh in on the Clinton-Trump stand-off and/or tweeted about non-political matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>But it matters who you are, too.</strong>\r\n\r\nOn social media, not everyone is treated the same.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting as yourself and you are not claiming a company or organization in your Twitter profile, then you should say what you want.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting in name of the organization, then you need to be very careful what you say.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are representing a consumer-oriented organization (like a restaurant or manufacturer), then you should be probably keep quiet. People do not generally follow a product or brand to see what political views it has.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you work for an organization that works in a political or advocacy space, then you must make your views known.  People follow political/advocacy accounts precisely because of a specific viewpoint.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are like me, an individual who owns her own business, then you should make a decision that best fits you. I choose to share my political views on Twitter, not on LinkedIn. Be aware that not all your current or potential clients will share your views, and may choose not to do business with you because of those views. On the other hand, some people will share your viewpoint and will choose to interact with you precisely because of that view.</p>\r\n<strong>We are human</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the end, we must remember that on social media, we are not automatons, we are human beings. Sometimes we respond viscerally and in the moment. For example, when people found out about the horrible massacre at Newtown, they shared their horror and some also shared their views on guns.\r\n\r\nHuman beings have ideas, likes, dislikes and of course, political opinions. While political opinions can incite strong responses, your likes and dislikes can generate controversy too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You win some, and you lose some</strong>\r\n\r\nUltimately, you will need to accept that sharing your opinions (political and otherwise) may create a backlash, or it could result in support.  Your opinions can lose you followers, but they may also gain you a following.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What do you think? Do you share your political views? What is the main reason you do or do not? Let me know in the comments.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you care about my political views, follow me on Twitter at @DBMC.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why I share political views on Twitter but not on LinkedIn	','','publish','open','open','','why-i-share-political-views-on-twitter-but-not-on-linkedin','','','2016-10-24 11:10:53','2016-10-24 15:10:53','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3366',0,'post','',0),(3367,4,'2016-10-21 10:45:52','2016-10-21 14:45:52','Lately, I have seen a couple of opinion pieces written by marketing people that state you should never, ever share your political opinion, at the risk of losing clients and alienating your network.\r\n\r\nI don\'t agree. I think it depends on where you are sharing your views. I don\'t think you should share your political views on LinkedIn, but you definitely should on Twitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social network. Twitter is not.</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople go to LinkedIn specifically to network and to research your professional background. They do not go to LinkedIn to find out about  your views on Hillary Clinton.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter is real-time conversation. LinkedIn is more static.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that you aren’t supposed to talk about politics or religion in polite company. But Twitter is not polite company. It’s a rapid-fire issue-of-the-minute national and international conversation. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is not that. It’s a staid, share your credentials and network sort of place.\r\n\r\nThere are millions of tweets every hour. On LinkedIn, your network probably shares a few updates a day.\r\n\r\n<strong>People go to Twitter to share their opinion and see what others think.</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the presidential debates it was pretty easy to see who doesn\'t live in the United States and who uses automated tweets. Those were the folks who didn\'t weigh in on the Clinton-Trump stand-off and/or tweeted about non-political matters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why I share political views on Twitter but not on LinkedIn	','','inherit','open','open','','3366-revision-v1','','','2016-10-21 10:45:52','2016-10-21 14:45:52','',3366,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3366-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3368,4,'2016-10-24 11:09:44','2016-10-24 15:09:44','Lately, I have seen a couple of opinion pieces written by marketing people that state you should never, ever share your political opinion, at the risk of losing clients and alienating your network.\r\n\r\nI don\'t agree. I think it depends on several factors and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You will need to consider at least two issues:\r\n\r\n1. Are you an employee or are you representing yourself? Are you sharing a political opinion for a company or for yourself?\r\n\r\n2. Where you are sharing your views?\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s start with the where.</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t think you should ever share political views on LinkedIn, no matter if you are a company, individual or small business owner. But you should (in certain cases) on Twitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social network. Twitter is not.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople go to LinkedIn specifically to network and to research your professional background. They do not go to LinkedIn to find out about  your views on Hillary Clinton.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter is real-time conversation. LinkedIn is more static.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that you aren’t supposed to talk about politics or religion in polite company. But Twitter is not polite company. It’s a rapid-fire issue-of-the-minute national and international conversation. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is not that. It’s a staid, share your credentials and network sort of place.\r\n\r\nThere are millions of tweets every hour. On LinkedIn, your network probably shares a few updates a day.\r\n\r\n<strong>People go to Twitter to share their opinion and see what others think.</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the presidential debates it was pretty easy to see who doesn\'t live in the United States and who uses automated tweets. Those were the folks who didn\'t weigh in on the Clinton-Trump stand-off and/or tweeted about non-political matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>But it matters who you are, too.</strong>\r\n\r\nOn social media, not everyone is treated the same.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting as yourself and you are not claiming a company or organization in your Twitter profile, then you should say what you want.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting in name of the organization, then you need to be very careful what you say.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are representing a consumer-oriented organization (like a restaurant or manufacturer), then you should be probably keep quiet. People do not generally follow a product or brand to see what political views it has.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you work for an organization that works in a political or advocacy space, then you must make your views known.  People follow political/advocacy accounts precisely because of a specific viewpoint.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are like me, an individual who owns her own business, then you should make a decision that best fits you. I choose to share my political views on Twitter, not on LinkedIn. Be aware that not all your current or potential clients will share your views, and may choose not to do business with you because of those views. On the other hand, some people will share your viewpoint and will choose to interact with you precisely because of that view.</p>\r\n<strong>We are human</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the end, we must remember that on social media, we are not automatons, we are human beings. Sometimes we respond viscerally and in the moment. For example, when people found out about the horrible massacre at Newtown, they shared their horror and some also shared their views on guns.\r\n\r\nHuman beings have ideas, likes, dislikes and of course, political opinions. While political opinions can incite strong responses, your likes and dislikes can generate controversy too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You win some, and you lose some</strong>\r\n\r\nUltimately, you will need to accept that sharing your opinions (political and otherwise) may create a backlash, or it could result in support.  Your opinions can lose you followers, but they may also gain you a following.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you share your political views? What is the main reason you do or do not? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\nP.S. If you care about my political views, follow me on Twitter at @DBMC.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why I share political views on Twitter but not on LinkedIn	','','inherit','open','open','','3366-revision-v1','','','2016-10-24 11:09:44','2016-10-24 15:09:44','',3366,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3366-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3369,4,'2016-10-24 11:10:53','2016-10-24 15:10:53','Lately, I have seen a couple of opinion pieces written by marketing people that state you should never, ever share your political opinion, at the risk of losing clients and alienating your network.\r\n\r\nI don\'t agree. I think it depends on several factors and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You will need to consider at least two issues:\r\n\r\n1. Are you an employee or are you representing yourself? Are you sharing a political opinion for a company or for yourself?\r\n\r\n2. Where you are sharing your views?\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\'s start with the where.</strong>\r\n\r\nI don\'t think you should ever share political views on LinkedIn, no matter if you are a company, individual or small business owner. But you should (in certain cases) on Twitter.\r\n\r\n<strong>LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social network. Twitter is not.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nPeople go to LinkedIn specifically to network and to research your professional background. They do not go to LinkedIn to find out about  your views on Hillary Clinton.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter is real-time conversation. LinkedIn is more static.</strong>\r\n\r\nI know that you aren’t supposed to talk about politics or religion in polite company. But Twitter is not polite company. It’s a rapid-fire issue-of-the-minute national and international conversation. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is not that. It’s a staid, share your credentials and network sort of place.\r\n\r\nThere are millions of tweets every hour. On LinkedIn, your network probably shares a few updates a day.\r\n\r\n<strong>People go to Twitter to share their opinion and see what others think.</strong>\r\n\r\nDuring the presidential debates it was pretty easy to see who doesn\'t live in the United States and who uses automated tweets. Those were the folks who didn\'t weigh in on the Clinton-Trump stand-off and/or tweeted about non-political matters.\r\n\r\n<strong>But it matters who you are, too.</strong>\r\n\r\nOn social media, not everyone is treated the same.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting as yourself and you are not claiming a company or organization in your Twitter profile, then you should say what you want.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are tweeting in name of the organization, then you need to be very careful what you say.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are representing a consumer-oriented organization (like a restaurant or manufacturer), then you should be probably keep quiet. People do not generally follow a product or brand to see what political views it has.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you work for an organization that works in a political or advocacy space, then you must make your views known.  People follow political/advocacy accounts precisely because of a specific viewpoint.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are like me, an individual who owns her own business, then you should make a decision that best fits you. I choose to share my political views on Twitter, not on LinkedIn. Be aware that not all your current or potential clients will share your views, and may choose not to do business with you because of those views. On the other hand, some people will share your viewpoint and will choose to interact with you precisely because of that view.</p>\r\n<strong>We are human</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the end, we must remember that on social media, we are not automatons, we are human beings. Sometimes we respond viscerally and in the moment. For example, when people found out about the horrible massacre at Newtown, they shared their horror and some also shared their views on guns.\r\n\r\nHuman beings have ideas, likes, dislikes and of course, political opinions. While political opinions can incite strong responses, your likes and dislikes can generate controversy too.\r\n\r\n<strong>You win some, and you lose some</strong>\r\n\r\nUltimately, you will need to accept that sharing your opinions (political and otherwise) may create a backlash, or it could result in support.  Your opinions can lose you followers, but they may also gain you a following.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What do you think? Do you share your political views? What is the main reason you do or do not? Let me know in the comments.</strong> </span>\r\n\r\nP.S. If you care about my political views, follow me on Twitter at @DBMC.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why I share political views on Twitter but not on LinkedIn	','','inherit','open','open','','3366-revision-v1','','','2016-10-24 11:10:53','2016-10-24 15:10:53','',3366,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3366-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3371,4,'2016-10-27 09:10:05','2016-10-27 13:10:05','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to learn how Todd uses and hones his writing skills (and you may also learn a new word--I did).\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word <a href=\"http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/epeolatry\" target=\"_blank\">epeolatry </a>in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Just so you know, I had to look up epeolatry and it means \"a worship of words.\" That\'s a good one to know! I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like magic. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November, since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, instead it will publish on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-todd-van-hoosear-works-magic-against-ambiguity','','\nhttp://morethanmarketing.net/contact/','2016-10-27 09:10:05','2016-10-27 13:10:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3371',0,'post','',0),(3372,4,'2016-10-26 09:59:39','2016-10-26 13:59:39','','vanhoosear_todd','Todd Van Hoosear','inherit','open','open','','vanhoosear_todd','','','2016-10-26 09:59:58','2016-10-26 13:59:58','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3373,4,'2016-10-26 10:00:54','2016-10-26 14:00:54','<h1></h1>\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Todd Van Hoosear\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   EMA Boston\r\n\r\n<strong>Website:</strong> http://vanhoosear.com/\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @vanhoosear\r\n\r\nTodd Van Hoosear is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n<h1>Seven questions about writing</h1>\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the Grammar Girl podcast religiously. I also read Copyblogger on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-26 10:00:54','2016-10-26 14:00:54','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3375,4,'2016-10-27 08:45:43','2016-10-27 12:45:43','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:45:43','2016-10-27 12:45:43','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3374,4,'2016-10-27 08:43:08','2016-10-27 12:43:08','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Name:</strong>   Todd Van Hoosear\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization</strong>:   EMA Boston\r\n\r\n<strong>Website:</strong> http://vanhoosear.com/\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> @vanhoosear\r\n\r\nTodd Van Hoosear is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n<h1>Seven questions about writing</h1>\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:43:08','2016-10-27 12:43:08','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3376,4,'2016-10-27 08:47:04','2016-10-27 12:47:04','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:47:04','2016-10-27 12:47:04','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3377,4,'2016-10-27 08:48:15','2016-10-27 12:48:15','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:48:15','2016-10-27 12:48:15','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3378,4,'2016-10-27 08:48:53','2016-10-27 12:48:53','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:48:53','2016-10-27 12:48:53','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3379,4,'2016-10-27 08:49:24','2016-10-27 12:49:24','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year), here we are, on the last Thursday of October. This month\'s On Writing interview is with PR pro Todd Van Hoosear. Todd has also spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:49:24','2016-10-27 12:49:24','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3380,4,'2016-10-27 08:52:18','2016-10-27 12:52:18','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which is means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month is asked PR pro Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd writes and consults for a living, and he has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong> 1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:52:18','2016-10-27 12:52:18','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3381,4,'2016-10-27 08:56:45','2016-10-27 12:56:45','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator, who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top—most cringe-worthy--writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word epeolatry in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 08:56:45','2016-10-27 12:56:45','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3382,4,'2016-10-27 09:01:10','2016-10-27 13:01:10','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator, who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word e<a href=\"http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/epeolatry\" target=\"_blank\">peolatry </a>in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Just so you know, I had to look up epeolatry and it means \"a worship of words.\" I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 09:01:10','2016-10-27 13:01:10','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3383,4,'2016-10-27 09:03:36','2016-10-27 13:03:36','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator, who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to see how Todd uses and hones his writing skills.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word <a href=\"http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/epeolatry\" target=\"_blank\">epeolatry </a>in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Just so you know, I had to look up epeolatry and it means \"a worship of words.\" That\'s a good one to know! I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 09:03:36','2016-10-27 13:03:36','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3384,4,'2016-10-27 09:05:37','2016-10-27 13:05:37','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator, who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to learn how Todd uses and hones his writing skills (and you may also learn a new word--I did).\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word <a href=\"http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/epeolatry\" target=\"_blank\">epeolatry </a>in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Just so you know, I had to look up epeolatry and it means \"a worship of words.\" That\'s a good one to know! I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like a magic trick. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, but on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 09:05:37','2016-10-27 13:05:37','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3385,4,'2016-10-27 09:10:05','2016-10-27 13:10:05','Even though it\'s hard to believe we are days away from Halloween (and thus two months away from the end of the year, yikes!), here we are, on the last Thursday of October, which means it\'s time for the On Writing interview. This month I asked Todd Van Hoosear to share his thoughts. Todd is a professional communicator who focuses on technology and social media. He has spent several semesters teaching students at Boston University all about social media. Read on to learn how Todd uses and hones his writing skills (and you may also learn a new word--I did).\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3372\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"280\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3372\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/VanHoosear_Todd.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Van Hoosear\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" /></a> Todd Van Hoosear[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://morethanmarketing.net/contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Van Hoosear</a> is a public relations professional with 20 years of experience under his belt – most of it agency work, but with stints in IT and product marketing. He recently moved from Boston to Gainesville, Florida, where he is still working remotely for a few EMA Boston clients, but also contemplating his next move.\r\n\r\n<strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/vanhoosear\" target=\"_blank\">@vanhoosear</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1.</strong> <strong>What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nAs a PR pro, I regularly vacillate between stressing the importance of writing and that of selling when it comes to putting the right team together to serve my clients. Public relations is, at its essence, a combination of the art of storytelling and the science of influence. Writing plays into both of these. So do interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and yes, even math!\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Blaise Pascal (and Mark Twain and Lord knows how many more authors it’s also been attributed to), “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Writing is hard. Writing concisely is even harder. Writing good tweets and texts may be the hardest of all. Except maybe for Donald Trump. He’s got it down. He makes it look easy when it’s not. I’ll give him credit: he writes like he speaks, which is a critical skill in today’s world. For most people, it takes years to forget all their formal writing training. <strong> </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3.</strong> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills? </strong>\r\n\r\nI can’t remember where I heard this, but it’s stuck with me all these years: good writers are like magicians, and the readers are their audience. The readers want to be tricked. They love the mystery, even when they know it isn’t real. Your job as a writer isn’t to fill their heads, it’s to give them what they need to fill their own heads, and then messing with them just a little. Maybe not quite as much as George RR Martin does, though. That’s just cruel. I’m still mourning Ned Stark!\r\n\r\n<strong>4.What are your top three writing resources or references (digital or paper-based)?</strong>\r\n\r\nI listen to the <a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl podcast</a> religiously. I also read<a href=\"http://www.copyblogger.com/\" target=\"_blank\"> Copyblogger</a> on a regular basis, as it’s very relevant to my day-to-day. Finally, I’ll go old school and recommend a book: <em>Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion</em> by Robert Cialdini. It’s my writing bible.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?  </strong>\r\n\r\nI am <em>AP Stylebook</em> 100%, as are most PR pros I would imagine.\r\n\r\n<strong>6</strong>. <strong>What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve? </strong>\r\n\r\nTo quote Faith No More: “What is it?” Ambiguous pronouns drive me absolutely crazy. Who is he? Who are they? People say? Which people, exactly? This was near the top of the list of pet peeves I shared with my students every semester at Boston University.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite? </strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the excuse to use the word <a href=\"http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/epeolatry\" target=\"_blank\">epeolatry </a>in a sentence. Poorly, yes; but it’s there. It’s how I feel about words, especially when I find the right ones. I’m not sure I have a least favorite word. They’re all great. But I do have a least favorite non-word: irregardless.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Just so you know, I had to look up epeolatry and it means \"a worship of words.\" That\'s a good one to know! I love Todd\'s view that writing concisely is hard. And even more so, that writing well is like magic. Making concise writing look easy is definitely a trick worth learning. On Writing will be back, but not on the last Thursday of November, since that is Thanksgiving Day and I think you\'ll have better things to do than read this blog, instead it will publish on Thursday, December 1. Don\'t miss it!</strong></span>','On writing: Todd Van Hoosear works magic against ambiguity','','inherit','open','open','','3371-revision-v1','','','2016-10-27 09:10:05','2016-10-27 13:10:05','',3371,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/10/3371-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3387,4,'2016-11-03 10:25:26','2016-11-03 14:25:26','A few weeks ago an acquaintance was coming to town from the West Coast. She posted on Facebook (along with about another five posts the same day) that she was free on a given afternoon and if people wanted to see her, to please message her. Now, I hadn\'t seen this person in a couple of years, and since I was free on the afternoon she mentioned, I would have liked to get together. But, I hadn\'t seen her post until it was too late.  By the time I messaged her, she had already made other plans since she said that nobody responded to her post.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, she failed to communicate effectively. There are several potential reasons why.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #1: Not understanding how social media works.</strong>\r\n\r\nChances are good that only a few people in your network will see what you post.  First, social media is a continual flow of information from many sources. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Twitter, which shows you everything from everybody in real time. If you missed it, you missed it (unless someone re-tweeted it and it gained traction). And to make that more complicated, the different networks use algorithms to show you what the network thinks you want to see. On Facebook, the default algorithm is set to show \"top posts,\" which are the posts that more people have \"liked.\" LinkedIn has a similar algorithm, also showing what it deems are \"top\" posts.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, social media provides controls for people to \"hide\" or \"mute\" certain users. It\'s quite possible you\'ve been hidden and thus your posts won\'t be seen at all.\r\n\r\nIn order to work around social media\'s constraints, you have to provide relevant content that gets liked and shared, and therefore becomes \"top\" content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why# 2: Not using the right channel for your message and audience.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn this case, this woman was trying to communicate with a handful of her Facebook friends (the ones who live in this area). She may have had better luck by using a more targeted approach. For example, she could have used Facebook messenger to talk directly to those people. Or she could have (gasp) emailed or texted the people she wanted to see.\r\n\r\nDifferent channels and media have different audiences. You probably wouldn\'t put an announcement that you are giving away your kittens on LinkedIn, but you might post on Facebook. LinkedIn is about business opportunities, and Facebook is more personal. You could also try sharing a picture on Instagram of those cute kitties looking for a home.\r\n\r\nYou have to choose the right channel to make sure you message reaches the right (more receptive) audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #3: Forgetting that social media is only one communications channel.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you were trying to, say, promote a new product, chances are good you would use a mix of channels to reach different target audiences. You would also adjust your messaging accordingly. You might choose use an email campaign. Or you could do media outreach. Or you could run some advertising, including Google Ads. Or you could try promotional give-aways. Or sponsorships. You get my drift.\r\n\r\nFor social media to work, it can\'t be your only communication channel. It has to be part of a larger communication plan. Social media is just that--a medium that has social aspects that help amplify your message. It is not a substitute for other media.\r\n\r\n<strong>You want to get your message to the right people at the right time. </strong>\r\n\r\nFor any communication plan to be effective in this way, you have to use a mix of media depending on who you are trying to reach and when. You need to understand each medium, and what type of audience responds best to that channel. And you will need to adjust your messaging (e.g., length, complexity, benefits you highlight, etc.) for each medium.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you are failing to communicate on social media','','publish','open','open','','why-you-are-failing-to-communicate-on-social-media','','','2016-11-03 10:25:26','2016-11-03 14:25:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3387',0,'post','',0),(3388,4,'2016-11-03 09:51:52','2016-11-03 13:51:52','A few weeks ago an acquaintance was coming to town from the West Coast. She posted on Facebook (along with about another five posts the same day) that she was free on a given afternoon and if people wanted to see her, to please message her. Now, I hadn\'t seen this person in a couple of years, and since I was free on the afternoon she mentioned, I would have liked to get together. But, I hadn\'t seen the post until it was too late.  By the time I messaged her, she had already made other plans since she said that nobody responded to her post.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, she failed to communicate appropriately. There are several potential reasons why.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #1: She doesn\'t understand how social media works</strong>\r\n\r\nChances are good that only a few people in your network will see what you post.  First, social media is a continual flow of information from many sources. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Twitter, which shows you everything from everybody in real time. If you missed it, you missed (unless someone re-tweeted it and it gained traction). And to make that more complicated, the different networks use algorithms to show you what the network thinks you want to see. On Facebook, the default algorithm is set to show \"top posts,\" which are the posts that more people have \"liked.\" LinkedIn has a similar algorithm, also showing what it deems are \"top\" posts.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, social media provides controls for people to \"hide\" or \"mute\" certain users. It\'s quite possible you\'ve been hidden and thus your posts won\'t be seen at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>In order to work around social media\'s constraints, you have to provide relevant content that gets liked and shared, and therefore becomes \"top\" content. </strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Why# 2: She wasn\'t using the right channel for her message and audience</strong>\r\n\r\nIn this case, this woman was trying to communicate with a handful of her Facebook friends (the ones who live in this area). She may have had better luck by using a more targeted approach. For example, she could have used Facebook messenger to talk directly to those people. Or she could have (gasp) emailed or texted the people she wanted to see.\r\n\r\nDifferent channels and media have different audiences. You probably wouldn\'t put an announcement that you are giving away your kittens on LinkedIn, but you might post on Facebook. LinkedIn is about business opportunities, and Facebook is more personal. You could also try sharing a picture on Instagram of those cute kitties looking for a home.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to choose the right channel to make sure you message reaches the right (more receptive) audience.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #3: She forgot that social media is only one communications channel.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you were trying to, say, promote a new product, chances are good you would use a mix of channels to reach different target audiences. You would also adjust your messaging accordingly. You might choose use an email campaign. Or you could do media outreach. Or you could run some advertising, including Google Ads. Or you could try promotional give-aways. Or sponsorships. You get my drift.\r\n\r\nFor social media to work, it can\'t be your only communication channel. It has to be part of a larger communication plan. Social media is just that--a medium that has social aspects that help amplify your message. It is not a substitute for other media.\r\n\r\n<strong>For any communication plan to work, you have to use a mix of media depending on who you are trying to reach and when. </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you are failing to communicate on social media','','inherit','open','open','','3387-revision-v1','','','2016-11-03 09:51:52','2016-11-03 13:51:52','',3387,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3387-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3405,4,'2016-12-01 06:30:28','2016-12-01 11:30:28','We\'ve arrived to the last On Writing interview of the year, and this month, I\'ve turned to public relations maven (check out her Twitter handle below) Ami Neiberger-Miller. I met Ami at a PRSA conference a few years back where we both were presenting. Ami truly understands how PR works, and how important writing is to communicating effectively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She is the founder of <a href=\"http://steppingstonellc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Steppingstone, LLC,</a> a communications and public relations agency. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more.\r\n\r\nFind her on Twitter at <a href=\"https://twitter.com/amazingprmaven\" target=\"_blank\">@AmazingPRMaven</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4-6:00 a.m. (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that\'s quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to \"free write.\" Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as <a href=\"https://owl.english.purdue.edu/\" target=\"_blank\">Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab </a>and <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl</a>. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to <a href=\"http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Women on Writing.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it\'s one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">It\'s always good practice to keep tried and true resources at your fingertips. Like Ami, every writer should have a dictionary and thesaurus nearby. The various style guides are invaluable, and AP and Chicago both have very good online versions by subscription. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Coming up later in December will be a recap of the On Writing advice. Please keep an eye out for it here and/or on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.</span></strong>','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','publish','open','open','','on-writing-ami-neiberger-miller-sticks-to-the-tried-and-true','','','2016-11-29 10:58:05','2016-11-29 15:58:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3405',0,'post','',0),(3390,4,'2016-11-03 10:25:26','2016-11-03 14:25:26','A few weeks ago an acquaintance was coming to town from the West Coast. She posted on Facebook (along with about another five posts the same day) that she was free on a given afternoon and if people wanted to see her, to please message her. Now, I hadn\'t seen this person in a couple of years, and since I was free on the afternoon she mentioned, I would have liked to get together. But, I hadn\'t seen her post until it was too late.  By the time I messaged her, she had already made other plans since she said that nobody responded to her post.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, she failed to communicate effectively. There are several potential reasons why.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #1: Not understanding how social media works.</strong>\r\n\r\nChances are good that only a few people in your network will see what you post.  First, social media is a continual flow of information from many sources. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Twitter, which shows you everything from everybody in real time. If you missed it, you missed it (unless someone re-tweeted it and it gained traction). And to make that more complicated, the different networks use algorithms to show you what the network thinks you want to see. On Facebook, the default algorithm is set to show \"top posts,\" which are the posts that more people have \"liked.\" LinkedIn has a similar algorithm, also showing what it deems are \"top\" posts.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, social media provides controls for people to \"hide\" or \"mute\" certain users. It\'s quite possible you\'ve been hidden and thus your posts won\'t be seen at all.\r\n\r\nIn order to work around social media\'s constraints, you have to provide relevant content that gets liked and shared, and therefore becomes \"top\" content.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why# 2: Not using the right channel for your message and audience.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn this case, this woman was trying to communicate with a handful of her Facebook friends (the ones who live in this area). She may have had better luck by using a more targeted approach. For example, she could have used Facebook messenger to talk directly to those people. Or she could have (gasp) emailed or texted the people she wanted to see.\r\n\r\nDifferent channels and media have different audiences. You probably wouldn\'t put an announcement that you are giving away your kittens on LinkedIn, but you might post on Facebook. LinkedIn is about business opportunities, and Facebook is more personal. You could also try sharing a picture on Instagram of those cute kitties looking for a home.\r\n\r\nYou have to choose the right channel to make sure you message reaches the right (more receptive) audience.\r\n\r\n<strong>Why #3: Forgetting that social media is only one communications channel.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you were trying to, say, promote a new product, chances are good you would use a mix of channels to reach different target audiences. You would also adjust your messaging accordingly. You might choose use an email campaign. Or you could do media outreach. Or you could run some advertising, including Google Ads. Or you could try promotional give-aways. Or sponsorships. You get my drift.\r\n\r\nFor social media to work, it can\'t be your only communication channel. It has to be part of a larger communication plan. Social media is just that--a medium that has social aspects that help amplify your message. It is not a substitute for other media.\r\n\r\n<strong>You want to get your message to the right people at the right time. </strong>\r\n\r\nFor any communication plan to be effective in this way, you have to use a mix of media depending on who you are trying to reach and when. You need to understand each medium, and what type of audience responds best to that channel. And you will need to adjust your messaging (e.g., length, complexity, benefits you highlight, etc.) for each medium.<strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you are failing to communicate on social media','','inherit','open','open','','3387-revision-v1','','','2016-11-03 10:25:26','2016-11-03 14:25:26','',3387,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3387-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3391,4,'2016-11-10 10:58:49','2016-11-10 15:58:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3394\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"596\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3394 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Kaboompics.com\" width=\"596\" height=\"397\" /></a> Photo by Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\n<strong>Missing information</strong>\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.  Here\'s the email I received a few days before the event (note that I blocked out the names of presenters and a phone number for privacy):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">This message is to confirm that you are registered for the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 5, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Presenters XX, XX and XX look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you have any questions or find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-xxx-xxxx for assistance.</span></p>\r\nNotice anything missing from this email? How about the address for the building? Or how about directions and parking information (or links to those)? How about an agenda and/or schedule for the day? Is there any information about what you need to bring with you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Trying again</strong>\r\n\r\nThe next day, ACES sent another email, regarding parking information. It is basically the same email as before, except for the addition of parking and Metro information, which I bolded for you to see more clearly.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">We look forward to seeing you at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Parking</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest garage to Funger Hall is the University Parking Garage/G Street Garage, located at 2028 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. There is access from both 20th Street and 21st Street between F and G Streets. The self-service garage is open 24/7, accepting MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payments (no cash). The full day rate is $12.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom-GWU, with service on the  Blue, Orange and Silver lines.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-XXX-XXXX for assistance.</span></p>\r\nThis attempt was a better than the prior email, but still, no address for Funger Hall. It\'s as if ACES thinks that everyone is intimately familiar with GW\'s Foggy Bottom Campus. For those of you who aren\'t in the DC area, GW\'s campus is a city campus. Buildings have street addresses--they are not in quads as in traditional colleges.\r\n\r\nI looked up Funger Hall on Google, but  I forgot to note the address, and when I got to the parking garage on Saturday, I didn\'t know where to go. I looked it up on my phone and the address I got did not correspond to the building. I called the number on the email, but there was no response.  I was able to get directions from a student I saw on the street, and I then got to the workshop several minutes late.\r\n\r\n<strong>How helpful are you being to your reader?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf ACES had started with the reader\'s needs in mind when writing this email, it would have realized that providing an address and links to maps and directions would have helped recipients of this email.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about the 5 Ws</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you write a press release, you should think like a journalist and answer the five Ws: what, why, where, who and when. You should also answer the how.  This advice is also applicable to most any communications material you create.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>If you need help creating effective communications materials, <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" title=\"Contact\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact</a> me!</strong></span>','Always start with the reader in mind','','publish','open','open','','always-start-with-the-reader-in-mind','','','2016-11-10 10:58:49','2016-11-10 15:58:49','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3391',0,'post','',2),(3393,4,'2016-11-10 10:41:15','2016-11-10 15:41:15','It seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.  Here\'s the email I received a few days before the event (note that I blocked out the names of presenters and a phone number for privacy):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">This message is to confirm that you are registered for the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 5, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Presenters XX, XX and XX look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you have any questions or find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-xxx-xxxx for assistance.</span></p>\r\nNotice anything missing from this email? How about the address for the building? Or how about directions and parking information (or links to those)? How about an agenda and/or schedule for the day? Is there any information about what you need to bring with you?\r\n\r\nThe next day, ACES sent another email, regarding parking information. It is basically the same email as before, except for the addition of parking and Metro information, which I bolded for you to see more clearly.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">We look forward to seeing you at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Parking</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest garage to Funger Hall is the University Parking Garage/G Street Garage, located at 2028 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. There is access from both 20th Street and 21st Street between F and G Streets. The self-service garage is open 24/7, accepting MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payments (no cash). The full day rate is $12.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom-GWU, with service on the  Blue, Orange and Silver lines.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-XXX-XXXX for assistance.</span></p>\r\nBetter than the prior email, but still, no address for Funger Hall. It\'s as if ACES thinks that everyone is intimately familiar with GW\'s Foggy Bottom Campus. For those of you who aren\'t in the DC area, GW\'s campus is a city campus. Buildings have street addresses--they are not in quads as in traditional colleges.\r\n\r\nWell, I had to look up Funger Hall. Unfortunately, I forgot to note the address and when I got to the parking garage on Saturday, I didn\'t know where to go. I looked it up on my phone and the address I got did not correspond to the building. I called the number on the email, but there was no response.  I was able to get directions from a student I saw on the street, and I then got to the workshop several minutes late.\r\n\r\nIf ACES had started with the reader\'s needs in mind when writing this email, it would have realized that providing an address and links to maps and directions would have helped recipients of this email.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about the 5 Ws</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you write a press release, you should think like a journalist and answer the five Ws: what, why, where, who and when. You should also answer the how.  This advice is applicable to most any communications material you are putting out.','Always start with the reader in mind','','inherit','open','open','','3391-revision-v1','','','2016-11-10 10:41:15','2016-11-10 15:41:15','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3391-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3394,4,'2016-11-10 10:51:30','2016-11-10 15:51:30','','kaboompics-com_modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding','Photo by Kaboompics.com','inherit','open','open','','kaboompics-com_modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding','','','2016-11-10 10:51:48','2016-11-10 15:51:48','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3395,4,'2016-11-10 10:52:13','2016-11-10 15:52:13','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3394\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"4027\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3394 size-full\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Kaboompics.com\" width=\"4027\" height=\"2685\" /></a> Photo by Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\n<strong>Missing information</strong>\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.  Here\'s the email I received a few days before the event (note that I blocked out the names of presenters and a phone number for privacy):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">This message is to confirm that you are registered for the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 5, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Presenters XX, XX and XX look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you have any questions or find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-xxx-xxxx for assistance.</span></p>\r\nNotice anything missing from this email? How about the address for the building? Or how about directions and parking information (or links to those)? How about an agenda and/or schedule for the day? Is there any information about what you need to bring with you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Trying again</strong>\r\n\r\nThe next day, ACES sent another email, regarding parking information. It is basically the same email as before, except for the addition of parking and Metro information, which I bolded for you to see more clearly.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">We look forward to seeing you at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Parking</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest garage to Funger Hall is the University Parking Garage/G Street Garage, located at 2028 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. There is access from both 20th Street and 21st Street between F and G Streets. The self-service garage is open 24/7, accepting MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payments (no cash). The full day rate is $12.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom-GWU, with service on the  Blue, Orange and Silver lines.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-XXX-XXXX for assistance.</span></p>\r\nBetter than the prior email, but still, no address for Funger Hall. It\'s as if ACES thinks that everyone is intimately familiar with GW\'s Foggy Bottom Campus. For those of you who aren\'t in the DC area, GW\'s campus is a city campus. Buildings have street addresses--they are not in quads as in traditional colleges.\r\n\r\nWell, I had to look up Funger Hall. Unfortunately, I forgot to note the address and when I got to the parking garage on Saturday, I didn\'t know where to go. I looked it up on my phone and the address I got did not correspond to the building. I called the number on the email, but there was no response.  I was able to get directions from a student I saw on the street, and I then got to the workshop several minutes late.\r\n\r\n<strong>How helpful are you being to your reader?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf ACES had started with the reader\'s needs in mind when writing this email, it would have realized that providing an address and links to maps and directions would have helped recipients of this email.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about the 5 Ws</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you write a press release, you should think like a journalist and answer the five Ws: what, why, where, who and when. You should also answer the how.  This advice is applicable to most any communications material you create.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>If you need help creating effective communications materials, <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" title=\"Contact\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact</a> me!</strong></span>','Always start with the reader in mind','','inherit','open','open','','3391-revision-v1','','','2016-11-10 10:52:13','2016-11-10 15:52:13','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3391-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3396,4,'2016-11-10 10:54:17','2016-11-10 15:54:17','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3394\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"596\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3394 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Kaboompics.com\" width=\"596\" height=\"397\" /></a> Photo by Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\n<strong>Missing information</strong>\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.  Here\'s the email I received a few days before the event (note that I blocked out the names of presenters and a phone number for privacy):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">This message is to confirm that you are registered for the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 5, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Presenters XX, XX and XX look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you have any questions or find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-xxx-xxxx for assistance.</span></p>\r\nNotice anything missing from this email? How about the address for the building? Or how about directions and parking information (or links to those)? How about an agenda and/or schedule for the day? Is there any information about what you need to bring with you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Trying again</strong>\r\n\r\nThe next day, ACES sent another email, regarding parking information. It is basically the same email as before, except for the addition of parking and Metro information, which I bolded for you to see more clearly.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">We look forward to seeing you at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Parking</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest garage to Funger Hall is the University Parking Garage/G Street Garage, located at 2028 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. There is access from both 20th Street and 21st Street between F and G Streets. The self-service garage is open 24/7, accepting MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payments (no cash). The full day rate is $12.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom-GWU, with service on the  Blue, Orange and Silver lines.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-XXX-XXXX for assistance.</span></p>\r\nBetter than the prior email, but still, no address for Funger Hall. It\'s as if ACES thinks that everyone is intimately familiar with GW\'s Foggy Bottom Campus. For those of you who aren\'t in the DC area, GW\'s campus is a city campus. Buildings have street addresses--they are not in quads as in traditional colleges.\r\n\r\nWell, I had to look up Funger Hall. Unfortunately, I forgot to note the address and when I got to the parking garage on Saturday, I didn\'t know where to go. I looked it up on my phone and the address I got did not correspond to the building. I called the number on the email, but there was no response.  I was able to get directions from a student I saw on the street, and I then got to the workshop several minutes late.\r\n\r\n<strong>How helpful are you being to your reader?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf ACES had started with the reader\'s needs in mind when writing this email, it would have realized that providing an address and links to maps and directions would have helped recipients of this email.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about the 5 Ws</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you write a press release, you should think like a journalist and answer the five Ws: what, why, where, who and when. You should also answer the how.  This advice is applicable to most any communications material you create.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>If you need help creating effective communications materials, <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" title=\"Contact\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact</a> me!</strong></span>','Always start with the reader in mind','','inherit','open','open','','3391-revision-v1','','','2016-11-10 10:54:17','2016-11-10 15:54:17','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3391-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3397,4,'2016-11-10 10:58:49','2016-11-10 15:58:49','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3394\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"596\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3394 \" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/kaboompics.com_Modern-comterporary-concrete-buliding-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Kaboompics.com\" width=\"596\" height=\"397\" /></a> Photo by Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt seems obvious that you should always write your marketing and communications materials with your readers in mind. After all, if you are trying to communicate with them, you have to understand what they need to know.\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you received a letter that doesn\'t say anything? Or an email that lacks crucial information? How many times have you had to call up a company because you didn\'t understand something it sent you? I bet you\'ve had many a moment like this, which left you frustrated.\r\n\r\n<strong>Missing information</strong>\r\n\r\nI had such a moment last week. I had signed up for an editing workshop from the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) being given on November 5 in Washington, DC.  Here\'s the email I received a few days before the event (note that I blocked out the names of presenters and a phone number for privacy):\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">This message is to confirm that you are registered for the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 5, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Presenters XX, XX and XX look forward to welcoming you on Saturday.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you have any questions or find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-xxx-xxxx for assistance.</span></p>\r\nNotice anything missing from this email? How about the address for the building? Or how about directions and parking information (or links to those)? How about an agenda and/or schedule for the day? Is there any information about what you need to bring with you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Trying again</strong>\r\n\r\nThe next day, ACES sent another email, regarding parking information. It is basically the same email as before, except for the addition of parking and Metro information, which I bolded for you to see more clearly.\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">We look forward to seeing you at the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The workshop will take place in the Funger Hall auditorium, room 103, located on the Foggy Bottom campus.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Lunch will be provided by the local chapter of ACES.</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">Parking</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest garage to Funger Hall is the University Parking Garage/G Street Garage, located at 2028 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052. There is access from both 20th Street and 21st Street between F and G Streets. The self-service garage is open 24/7, accepting MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payments (no cash). The full day rate is $12.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">The closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom-GWU, with service on the  Blue, Orange and Silver lines.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: \'Arial\',sans-serif;\">If you find yourself lost on Nov. 5, please feel free to call 571-XXX-XXXX for assistance.</span></p>\r\nThis attempt was a better than the prior email, but still, no address for Funger Hall. It\'s as if ACES thinks that everyone is intimately familiar with GW\'s Foggy Bottom Campus. For those of you who aren\'t in the DC area, GW\'s campus is a city campus. Buildings have street addresses--they are not in quads as in traditional colleges.\r\n\r\nI looked up Funger Hall on Google, but  I forgot to note the address, and when I got to the parking garage on Saturday, I didn\'t know where to go. I looked it up on my phone and the address I got did not correspond to the building. I called the number on the email, but there was no response.  I was able to get directions from a student I saw on the street, and I then got to the workshop several minutes late.\r\n\r\n<strong>How helpful are you being to your reader?</strong>\r\n\r\nIf ACES had started with the reader\'s needs in mind when writing this email, it would have realized that providing an address and links to maps and directions would have helped recipients of this email.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s about the 5 Ws</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you write a press release, you should think like a journalist and answer the five Ws: what, why, where, who and when. You should also answer the how.  This advice is also applicable to most any communications material you create.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>If you need help creating effective communications materials, <a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" title=\"Contact\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/contact/\">contact</a> me!</strong></span>','Always start with the reader in mind','','inherit','open','open','','3391-revision-v1','','','2016-11-10 10:58:49','2016-11-10 15:58:49','',3391,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3391-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3436,4,'2017-02-09 10:03:02','2017-02-09 15:03:02','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a panel discussion about the \"hot\"trends in digital marketing. The panelists talked about they are successfully using Snapchat. A couple said the big thing coming is Alexa (Amazon\'s \"Siri\" for your home). They weren\'t too keen on influencer marketing.','You have to understand what you are doing','','inherit','open','open','','3435-revision-v1','','','2017-02-09 10:03:02','2017-02-09 15:03:02','',3435,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/02/3435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3400,4,'2016-11-18 09:17:54','2016-11-18 14:17:54','<strong>Of books and how people just want to talk about themselves</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night I attended my first meeting of a book group. Around the table were a dozen women. One lady, who had also never attended the group, decided she would take the reins and introduce herself. And so she did--telling us her story, her children\'s stories and her grand kid\'s stories.\r\n\r\nAs we went around the table, some women shared their name, occupation and where they live, while some women went into great autobiographical detail, even into the TMI (too much information) territory. We heard about what high school they attended, family secrets, divorce, how their ancestors got to America, angst about the kids (there was a lot of emphasis on their children), and very little about their reading or book interests.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, let\'s get back to me</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen we finally got around to discussing the book, one (self-absorbed) woman kept bringing it back to her experiences, her life, her likes, her dislikes. Everything someone else said made her want to share something irrelevant to the book and only relevant to herself. At one point, she digressed into discussing whether her second son (who is probably in his early 30s) had attachment issues because he spent a few weeks in the NICU after being born prematurely. (Yes, this really happened.)\r\n\r\nI began to think I had mistakenly attended a group therapy session.\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you being social?</strong>\r\n\r\nImagine that instead of a book group, this was Twitter or Facebook. Among the stuff in your feed is a bunch of self-promoting, self-analyzing, self-absorbed stuff. Do you pay attention? I bet you don\'t. Because when you are in a social setting, like a book group or social media, you are there to share and discuss and<em> interact</em>. It is a multi-sided conversation--not a one-sided discourse.\r\n\r\nNow, take a look at your marketing materials. How much is about how great you are, and how many awards you\'ve won? How much shows you understand and empathize with your readers (customers, donors, etc.)? If the balance is tipped in your favor instead of your reader, then you are talking way too much about yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Who cares?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be a more successful communicator (or book group participant), start listening more and talking less. And when you do talk, make sure you aren\'t being self-absorbed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: Nobody cares as much about you as you do.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Please, don\'t tell me more about you','','publish','open','open','','please-dont-tell-me-more-about-you','','','2016-11-18 09:17:54','2016-11-18 14:17:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3400',0,'post','',0),(3401,4,'2016-11-18 09:15:25','2016-11-18 14:15:25','<strong>Of books and how people just want to talk about themselves</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night I attended my first meeting of a book group. Around the table were a dozen women. One lady, who had also never attended the group, decided she would take the reins and introduce herself. And so she did--telling us her story, her children\'s stories and her grandkid\'s stories.\r\n\r\nAs we went around the table, some women shared their name, occupation and place of residence, while some women went into great autobiographical detail, even into the TMI (too much information) territory. We heard about family secrets, divorce, how their ancestors got to America, angst about the kids (there was a lot of emphasis on their children), and very little about their reading or book interests.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, let\'s get back to me</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen we finally got around to discussing the book, one (self-absorbed) woman kept bringing it back to her experiences, her life, her likes, her dislikes. Everything made her want to share something irrelevant to the book and only relevant to herself. At one point, she digressed into discussing whether her second son (who is probably in his early 30s) had attachment issues because he spent a few weeks in the NICU after being born prematurely. (Yes, this really happened.)\r\n\r\nI began to think I had mistakenly attended a group therapy session.\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you being social?</strong>\r\n\r\nImagine that instead of a book group, this was Twitter or Facebook. Among the stuff in your feed is a bunch of self-promoting, self-analyzing, self-absorbed stuff. Do you pay attention? I bet you don\'t. Because when you are in a social setting, like a book group or social media, you are there to share and discuss and<em> interact</em>. It is a multi-sided conversation--not a one-sided discourse.\r\n\r\nNow, take a look at your marketing materials. How much is about how great you are, and how many awards you\'ve won? How much shows you understand and empathize with your readers (customers, donors, etc.)? If the balance is tipped in your favor instead of your reader, then you are talking way too much about yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Who cares?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be a more successful communicator (or book group participant), start listening more and talking less. And when you do talk, make sure you aren\'t being self-absorbed.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the thing: Nobody cares as much about you as you do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Please, don\'t tell me more about you','','inherit','open','open','','3400-revision-v1','','','2016-11-18 09:15:25','2016-11-18 14:15:25','',3400,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3400-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3402,4,'2016-11-18 09:17:54','2016-11-18 14:17:54','<strong>Of books and how people just want to talk about themselves</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night I attended my first meeting of a book group. Around the table were a dozen women. One lady, who had also never attended the group, decided she would take the reins and introduce herself. And so she did--telling us her story, her children\'s stories and her grand kid\'s stories.\r\n\r\nAs we went around the table, some women shared their name, occupation and where they live, while some women went into great autobiographical detail, even into the TMI (too much information) territory. We heard about what high school they attended, family secrets, divorce, how their ancestors got to America, angst about the kids (there was a lot of emphasis on their children), and very little about their reading or book interests.\r\n\r\n<strong>But, let\'s get back to me</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen we finally got around to discussing the book, one (self-absorbed) woman kept bringing it back to her experiences, her life, her likes, her dislikes. Everything someone else said made her want to share something irrelevant to the book and only relevant to herself. At one point, she digressed into discussing whether her second son (who is probably in his early 30s) had attachment issues because he spent a few weeks in the NICU after being born prematurely. (Yes, this really happened.)\r\n\r\nI began to think I had mistakenly attended a group therapy session.\r\n\r\n<strong>Are you being social?</strong>\r\n\r\nImagine that instead of a book group, this was Twitter or Facebook. Among the stuff in your feed is a bunch of self-promoting, self-analyzing, self-absorbed stuff. Do you pay attention? I bet you don\'t. Because when you are in a social setting, like a book group or social media, you are there to share and discuss and<em> interact</em>. It is a multi-sided conversation--not a one-sided discourse.\r\n\r\nNow, take a look at your marketing materials. How much is about how great you are, and how many awards you\'ve won? How much shows you understand and empathize with your readers (customers, donors, etc.)? If the balance is tipped in your favor instead of your reader, then you are talking way too much about yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>Who cares?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be a more successful communicator (or book group participant), start listening more and talking less. And when you do talk, make sure you aren\'t being self-absorbed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the thing: Nobody cares as much about you as you do.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Please, don\'t tell me more about you','','inherit','open','open','','3400-revision-v1','','','2016-11-18 09:17:54','2016-11-18 14:17:54','',3400,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3400-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3406,4,'2016-11-28 09:38:47','2016-11-28 14:38:47','','ami-neiberger','Ami Neiberger-Miller','inherit','open','open','','ami-neiberger','','','2016-11-28 09:39:18','2016-11-28 14:39:18','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3407,4,'2016-11-28 09:40:46','2016-11-28 14:40:46','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more. She Organization: Steppingstone LLC\r\nWebsite: www.SteppingstoneLLC.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n@AmazingPRMaven\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4:00am-6am (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that is quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to free write. Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab and Grammar Girl. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to Women on Writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it is one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','inherit','open','open','','3405-revision-v1','','','2016-11-28 09:40:46','2016-11-28 14:40:46','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3405-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3408,4,'2016-11-28 16:26:25','2016-11-28 21:26:25','We\'ve arrived at the last On Writing interview of the year, and this month, I\'ve turned to public relations maven (check out her Twitter handle below) Ami Neiberger-Miller. I met Ami at a PRSA conference a few years back where we both were presenting. Ami understands how PR works and how important writing is to communicating effectively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She is the founder of <a href=\"http://steppingstonellc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Steppingstone, LLC,</a> a communications and public relations agency. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more.\r\n\r\nFind her on Twitter at <a href=\"https://twitter.com/amazingprmaven\" target=\"_blank\">@AmazingPRMaven</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4:00am-6am (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that is quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to free write. Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab and Grammar Girl. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to Women on Writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it is one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','inherit','open','open','','3405-revision-v1','','','2016-11-28 16:26:25','2016-11-28 21:26:25','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3405-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3409,4,'2016-11-28 16:30:20','2016-11-28 21:30:20','We\'ve arrived at the last On Writing interview of the year, and this month, I\'ve turned to public relations maven (check out her Twitter handle below) Ami Neiberger-Miller. I met Ami at a PRSA conference a few years back where we both were presenting. Ami understands how PR works and how important writing is to communicating effectively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She is the founder of <a href=\"http://steppingstonellc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Steppingstone, LLC,</a> a communications and public relations agency. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more.\r\n\r\nFind her on Twitter at <a href=\"https://twitter.com/amazingprmaven\" target=\"_blank\">@AmazingPRMaven</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4:00am-6am (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that is quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to free write. Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab and Grammar Girl. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to Women on Writing.\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it is one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate\r\n\r\nIt\'s always good practice to keep tried and true resources at your fingertips. Like Ami, every writer should have a dictionary and thesaurus nearby.\r\n\r\nComing up will be a recap of the On Writing advice. Keep checking here and on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','inherit','open','open','','3405-revision-v1','','','2016-11-28 16:30:20','2016-11-28 21:30:20','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3405-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3410,4,'2016-11-29 10:51:26','2016-11-29 15:51:26','We\'ve arrived to the last On Writing interview of the year, and this month, I\'ve turned to public relations maven (check out her Twitter handle below) Ami Neiberger-Miller. I met Ami at a PRSA conference a few years back where we both were presenting. Ami truly understands how PR works, and how important writing is to communicating effectively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She is the founder of <a href=\"http://steppingstonellc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Steppingstone, LLC,</a> a communications and public relations agency. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more.\r\n\r\nFind her on Twitter at <a href=\"https://twitter.com/amazingprmaven\" target=\"_blank\">@AmazingPRMaven</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4-6:00 a.m. (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that\'s quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to \"free write.\" Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as <a href=\"https://owl.english.purdue.edu/\" target=\"_blank\">Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab </a>and <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl</a>. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to <a href=\"http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Women on Writing.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it\'s one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">It\'s always good practice to keep tried and true resources at your fingertips. Like Ami, every writer should have a dictionary and thesaurus nearby. The various style guides are invaluable, and AP and Chicago both have very good online versions by subscription. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Coming up later in December will be a recap of the On Writing advice. Keep checking here and on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.</span></strong>','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','inherit','open','open','','3405-revision-v1','','','2016-11-29 10:51:26','2016-11-29 15:51:26','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3405-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3411,4,'2016-11-29 10:53:28','2016-11-29 15:53:28','We\'ve arrived to the last On Writing interview of the year, and this month, I\'ve turned to public relations maven (check out her Twitter handle below) Ami Neiberger-Miller. I met Ami at a PRSA conference a few years back where we both were presenting. Ami truly understands how PR works, and how important writing is to communicating effectively.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3406\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"239\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3406 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Ami-Neiberger-239x300.jpg\" alt=\"Pic of Ami Neiberger-Miller\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" /></a> Ami Neiberger-Miller[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAmi Neiberger-Miller is a public relations strategist specializing in nonprofit organizations, associations and small businesses. She is the founder of <a href=\"http://steppingstonellc.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Steppingstone, LLC,</a> a communications and public relations agency. She has written educational curricula, a book, feature articles, press releases, infographics, training materials, websites, style guides, policy manuals, and much more.\r\n\r\nFind her on Twitter at <a href=\"https://twitter.com/amazingprmaven\" target=\"_blank\">@AmazingPRMaven</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What role does writing play in your work and how important a skill is it?</strong>\r\n\r\nWriting is the lifeblood of my work in public relations and advocacy. I am constantly writing for news releases, feature articles, emails, strategic plans, social media and much more. Writing is an important skill because of the electronic age in which we operate. Even though people are reading content online, they are often reading written text when they view content online. And written text plays a role in shaping visual media now too – in the form of scripts, graphics and video.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Does writing well still matter in a digital/text/emoji world?</strong>\r\n\r\nThe craft of writing is very much alive and well today. Writing well matters even more in a digital world. Writing the right words has never been more important than it is today – because attention spans are shrinking. We have to share information much faster now and it’s even more challenging to get people to pay attention. There is still space for longer form writing, and with the internet, more opportunities to attract attention and be published. Digital options also offer writing opportunities – because scripts have to be created for videos, and copy has to be written for infographics, flipbooks, and all sorts of other materials.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. What’s the best advice you’ve received or would give on how to improve writing skills?</strong>\r\n\r\nTo me one of the best skills you can develop in writing is delivering quality copy quickly. I am typically the person who tries to muscle through to finish the job and reach my word count for the day (and then some). But I’ve found that I do better if I take breaks when I get stuck or reach a point where copy is just not flowing. Taking a break can be as simple as going for a walk, making some tea, or packing up and working in a new environment. Returning with fresh eyes to your work can make a big difference. Just a short break can refresh your spirit.\r\n\r\nI also find that I tend to do better with longer writing projects if I focus on them in the morning. By the end of the day, my creative juices are spent. While I can do “sausage-grinding” types of writing fairly late in the day and into the evening, I find I am typically more focused and creative in the morning. One of my favorite time slots for writing is 4-6:00 a.m. (yes, I know that sounds insane) because it’s a time of day that\'s quiet and distraction free. It’s also when my mind is freshest. If I wake up on a mission for a particular project – early morning is the time I want to use to write and pour out the words.\r\n\r\nI also think it’s important to develop the ability to \"free write.\" Just getting what you want to say out is a triumph, even if it’s messy. Far too often, I see writers get paralyzed by wanting to be sure that what they write initially is correct or concise. I may be the kind of person who proofreads restaurant menus for typos, but I can’t apply that same eagle eye to newborn writing as it’s pouring out. Getting the initial “brain dump” done can be cathartic and help you organize. Editing can come later. Respect the process so you don’t lose a great thought or element because you got caught up in the details. Being able to just sit down and “free write” without judging yourself is a really helpful practice to develop.\r\n\r\n<strong>4. What are your top three writing resources or references?</strong>\r\n\r\nI am old-fashioned in that I still keep on the shelf near my desk a red Webster’s New World Dictionary (that I won for an essay I wrote in sixth grade so it is horribly out of date but beloved). Next to it are a thesaurus and a Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. To me, those are the big three. But I readily admit that I don’t take them out very often. I keep a lot of writing books nearby too. I have some favorite online resources, such as <a href=\"https://owl.english.purdue.edu/\" target=\"_blank\">Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab </a>and <a href=\"http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl\" target=\"_blank\">Grammar Girl</a>. I also like Ann Wylie’s writing workshops (which I take as webinars through my PRSA membership). On Twitter, I search for #writing #quote when I need an inspirational pick me up. I also subscribe to <a href=\"http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Women on Writing.</a>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Do you follow a style guide, and if so, which one?</strong>\r\n\r\nI don’t really follow a style guide with my own writing. If I am doing a project for a client, I use whatever style guide they prefer. Increasingly, clients are issuing their own style guides and making variations from the major style guides, as style has become tightly linked to branding. I keep on my shelf the following: the Associated Press Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, the Elements of International English Style and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.\r\n\r\n<strong>6. What’s your top writing/grammar/usage pet peeve?</strong>\r\n\r\nMy most cringe-worthy writing gaffe is when I double up a sentence, as in \"today we are going to announce that XYZ is today.\" It’s an easy mistake that can be caught by proofreading. For some reason though, it\'s one of my bad habits.\r\n\r\n<strong>7. What’s your favorite word and what’s your least favorite?</strong>\r\n\r\nFavorite word: partner\r\nLeast favorite word: innovate\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">It\'s always good practice to keep tried and true resources at your fingertips. Like Ami, every writer should have a dictionary and thesaurus nearby. The various style guides are invaluable, and AP and Chicago both have very good online versions by subscription. </span>\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Coming up later in December will be a recap of the On Writing advice. Please keep an eye out for it here and/or on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.</span></strong>','On writing: Ami Neiberger-Miller sticks to the tried and true','','inherit','open','open','','3405-revision-v1','','','2016-11-29 10:53:28','2016-11-29 15:53:28','',3405,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3405-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3412,4,'2016-11-29 13:28:54','2016-11-29 18:28:54','If you\'re like me, you\'ve been bombarded by email for the past several days. First, it was all about Black Friday deals. Then it was the Cyber Monday deals. And today, it\'s about Giving Tuesday.\r\n\r\nNow, I am not against getting deals or giving to good causes. And I think using email marketing is very effective given that people generally opt-in, and are willing to receive your stuff.\r\n\r\n<strong>But I am against email marketing <em>abuse</em>.</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s an absolute abuse of your list to send too many emails in too short a time span. It overwhelms people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-partner=\"tweetdeck\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/DBMC\">@DBMC</a> my inbox is vomiting. It\'s bad</p>\r\n— Jan-Michael Sacharko (@JanMichaelDC) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanMichaelDC/status/803632850763296769\">November 29, 2016</a></blockquote>\r\n<script src=\"//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\r\n\r\nEnough said.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line with abusing your email marketing privileges is that it will be counterproductive. Too much email (especially from the same sender) makes people hit delete. And some may even unsubscribe.\r\n\r\nUse email wisely. Don\'t abuse it or your list\'s good faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Use email, don\'t abuse it','','publish','open','open','','use-email-dont-abuse-it','','','2016-11-29 13:28:54','2016-11-29 18:28:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3412',0,'post','',0),(3413,4,'2016-11-29 12:30:28','2016-11-29 17:30:28','If you\'re like me, you\'ve been bombarded by email for the past several days. First, it was all about Black Friday deals. Then it was the Cyber Monday deals. And today, it\'s about Giving Tuesday.\r\n\r\nNow, I am not against getting deals or giving to good causes. And I think using email marketing is very effective given that people generally opt-in, and are willing to receive your stuff.\r\n\r\n<strong>But I am against email marketing <em>abuse</em>.</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s an absolute abuse of your list to send too many emails in too short a time span. It overwhelms people. As one of my Twitter friends said--\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt makes people delete your email.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Use email, don\'t abuse it','','inherit','open','open','','3412-revision-v1','','','2016-11-29 12:30:28','2016-11-29 17:30:28','',3412,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3412-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3414,4,'2016-11-29 13:16:32','2016-11-29 18:16:32','If you\'re like me, you\'ve been bombarded by email for the past several days. First, it was all about Black Friday deals. Then it was the Cyber Monday deals. And today, it\'s about Giving Tuesday.\r\n\r\nNow, I am not against getting deals or giving to good causes. And I think using email marketing is very effective given that people generally opt-in, and are willing to receive your stuff.\r\n\r\n<strong>But I am against email marketing <em>abuse</em>.</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s an absolute abuse of your list to send too many emails in too short a time span. It overwhelms people.\r\n\r\nAs one of my Twitter friends said--\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-partner=\"tweetdeck\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/DBMC\">@DBMC</a> my inbox is vomiting. It\'s bad</p>\r\n— Jan-Michael Sacharko (@JanMichaelDC) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanMichaelDC/status/803632850763296769\">November 29, 2016</a></blockquote>\r\n<script src=\"//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\r\n\r\nThe bottom line with abusing your email marketing priviliges is that it will be counterproductive. Too much email (especially from the same sender) makes people hit delete. And some may even unsubscribe.\r\n\r\nUse email wisely. Don\'t abuse it or your list\'s good faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Use email, don\'t abuse it','','inherit','open','open','','3412-revision-v1','','','2016-11-29 13:16:32','2016-11-29 18:16:32','',3412,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3412-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3415,4,'2016-11-29 13:19:30','2016-11-29 18:19:30','If you\'re like me, you\'ve been bombarded by email for the past several days. First, it was all about Black Friday deals. Then it was the Cyber Monday deals. And today, it\'s about Giving Tuesday.\r\n\r\nNow, I am not against getting deals or giving to good causes. And I think using email marketing is very effective given that people generally opt-in, and are willing to receive your stuff.\r\n\r\n<strong>But I am against email marketing <em>abuse</em>.</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause it\'s an absolute abuse of your list to send too many emails in too short a time span. It overwhelms people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-partner=\"tweetdeck\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/DBMC\">@DBMC</a> my inbox is vomiting. It\'s bad</p>\r\n— Jan-Michael Sacharko (@JanMichaelDC) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/JanMichaelDC/status/803632850763296769\">November 29, 2016</a></blockquote>\r\n<script src=\"//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\r\n\r\nEnough said.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line with abusing your email marketing privileges is that it will be counterproductive. Too much email (especially from the same sender) makes people hit delete. And some may even unsubscribe.\r\n\r\nUse email wisely. Don\'t abuse it or your list\'s good faith.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Use email, don\'t abuse it','','inherit','open','open','','3412-revision-v1','','','2016-11-29 13:19:30','2016-11-29 18:19:30','',3412,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/11/3412-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3418,4,'2016-12-14 09:39:28','2016-12-14 14:39:28','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2016-12-14 09:39:28','2016-12-14 14:39:28','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/12/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3419,4,'2016-12-15 09:44:38','2016-12-15 14:44:38','[caption id=\"attachment_3421\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kaboompics.com_Woman-writing-in-her-work-space.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3421 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kaboompics.com_Woman-writing-in-her-work-space-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Kaboompics.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n<h3>Pens, t-shirts and apple butter?</h3>\r\nRight now, I have a pen on my desk from a design studio in Washington, DC. I like the way it writes. But I don\'t think I will be using that design studio for any work any time soon.\r\n\r\nI have another pen that I picked up a conference a couple of weeks ago. I also like the way it writes, but I don\'t like web hosting company whose name is on it. I used to host my website there and had nothing but problems. I would never take my business back there or recommend the company to anyone. But I do use that pen.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the t-shirt I picked for a service I don\'t even understand, but hey, this t-shirt is super soft and comfy. Or the magnetic calendar I got from the local realtor, who has also delivered apple butter (in a branded jar) to my door.\r\n<h3>Is your promotional item really promoting you?</h3>\r\nAll of these are promotional items, sometimes called advertising specialties. Some cost pennies each and some cost much more. The question is, no matter how little or a lot you spend on these items, is it money well spent? I believe the answer lies on your expectations.\r\n<h3>Sales?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain sales from a promotional item that you have given away without any type of qualification, then you are probably wasting your money. If instead, you ask people to provide an email address or fill a questionnaire, then you will at least have generated a potential lead. However, it\'s also true most people are willing to give you some information in return for a good item (t-shirt, notebook, etc.) without having the slightest intention of buying from you.\r\n<h3>Brand recognition?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain name/brand recognition, and nothing else, and that\'s all you want, then you will have spent your money well. Promotional items are designed by nature to boost brand recognition. Generally, they are items that you use regularly, like pens or mugs, making the name on the item very familiar to you.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n<h3>Bottom line</h3>\r\nIf you want to boost your name recognition, and you have money to spend, it may work in your favor to produce some promotional items. My advice is to choose useful items that people keep around for a while.\r\n\r\nIf you want to boost your sales, you have to do more than hand out stuff with your name on it. The decision to buy is not simply based on name recognition. It is based on need, trust and perception of value. There are better ways to accomplish that then spending money on pens and other items. Especially if that pen is never used to write you a check.\r\n\r\n<strong>In order to allocate your marketing budget wisely, you must be clear on your goals and how much you are willing to spend to accomplish them.</strong>','Not using my [name] pen to write you a check','','publish','open','open','','not-using-my-name-pen-to-write-you-a-check','','','2016-12-15 09:44:38','2016-12-15 14:44:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3419',0,'post','',0),(3420,4,'2016-12-15 09:39:05','2016-12-15 14:39:05','<h3>Pens, t-shirts and apple butter?</h3>\r\nRight now, I have a pen on my desk from a design studio in Washington, DC. I like the way it writes. But I don\'t think I will be using that design studio for any work any time soon.\r\n\r\nI have another pen that I picked up a conference a couple of weeks ago. I also like the way it writes, but I don\'t like web hosting company whose name is on it. I used to host my website there and had nothing but problems. I would never take my business back there or recommend the company to anyone. But I do use that pen.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the t-shirt I picked for a service I don\'t even understand, but hey, this t-shirt is super soft and comfy. Or the magnetic calendar I got from the local realtor, who has also delivered apple butter (in a branded jar) to my door.\r\n<h3>Is your promotional item really promoting you?</h3>\r\nAll of these are promotional items, sometimes called advertising specialties. Some cost pennies each and some cost much more. The question is, no matter how little or a lot you spend on these items, is it money well spent? I believe the answer lies on your expectations.\r\n<h3>Sales?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain sales from a promotional item that you have given away without any type of qualification, then you are probably wasting your money. If instead, you ask people to provide an email address or fill a questionnaire, then you will at least have generated a potential lead. However, it\'s also true most people are willing to give you some information in return for a good item (t-shirt, notebook, etc.) without having the slightest intention of buying from you.\r\n<h3>Brand recognition?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain name/brand recognition, and nothing else, and that\'s all you want, then you will have spent your money well. Promotional items are designed by nature to boost brand recognition. Generally, they are items that you use regularly, like pens or mugs, making the name on the item very familiar to you.\r\n\r\n<strong>In order to allocate your marketing budget wisely, you must be clear on your goals and how much you are willing to spend to accomplish them.</strong>\r\n<h3>Bottom line</h3>\r\nIf you want to boost your name recognition, and you have money to spend, it may work in your favor to produce some promotional items. My advice is to choose useful items that people keep around for a while.\r\n\r\nIf you want to boost your sales, you have to do more than hand out stuff with your name on it. The decision to buy is not simply based on name recognition. It is based on need, trust and perception of value. There are better ways to accomplish that then spending money on pens and other items. Especially if that pen is never used to write you a check.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Not using my [name] pen to write you a check','','inherit','open','open','','3419-revision-v1','','','2016-12-15 09:39:05','2016-12-15 14:39:05','',3419,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/12/3419-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3421,4,'2016-12-15 09:42:52','2016-12-15 14:42:52','','kaboompics-com_woman-writing-in-her-work-space','Kaboompics.com','inherit','open','open','','kaboompics-com_woman-writing-in-her-work-space','','','2016-12-15 09:43:08','2016-12-15 14:43:08','',3419,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kaboompics.com_Woman-writing-in-her-work-space.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3422,4,'2016-12-15 09:43:38','2016-12-15 14:43:38','[caption id=\"attachment_3421\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kaboompics.com_Woman-writing-in-her-work-space.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3421 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/kaboompics.com_Woman-writing-in-her-work-space-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Kaboompics.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a> Kaboompics.com[/caption]\r\n<h3>Pens, t-shirts and apple butter?</h3>\r\nRight now, I have a pen on my desk from a design studio in Washington, DC. I like the way it writes. But I don\'t think I will be using that design studio for any work any time soon.\r\n\r\nI have another pen that I picked up a conference a couple of weeks ago. I also like the way it writes, but I don\'t like web hosting company whose name is on it. I used to host my website there and had nothing but problems. I would never take my business back there or recommend the company to anyone. But I do use that pen.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the t-shirt I picked for a service I don\'t even understand, but hey, this t-shirt is super soft and comfy. Or the magnetic calendar I got from the local realtor, who has also delivered apple butter (in a branded jar) to my door.\r\n<h3>Is your promotional item really promoting you?</h3>\r\nAll of these are promotional items, sometimes called advertising specialties. Some cost pennies each and some cost much more. The question is, no matter how little or a lot you spend on these items, is it money well spent? I believe the answer lies on your expectations.\r\n<h3>Sales?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain sales from a promotional item that you have given away without any type of qualification, then you are probably wasting your money. If instead, you ask people to provide an email address or fill a questionnaire, then you will at least have generated a potential lead. However, it\'s also true most people are willing to give you some information in return for a good item (t-shirt, notebook, etc.) without having the slightest intention of buying from you.\r\n<h3>Brand recognition?</h3>\r\nIf you expect to gain name/brand recognition, and nothing else, and that\'s all you want, then you will have spent your money well. Promotional items are designed by nature to boost brand recognition. Generally, they are items that you use regularly, like pens or mugs, making the name on the item very familiar to you.\r\n\r\n<strong> </strong>\r\n<h3>Bottom line</h3>\r\nIf you want to boost your name recognition, and you have money to spend, it may work in your favor to produce some promotional items. My advice is to choose useful items that people keep around for a while.\r\n\r\nIf you want to boost your sales, you have to do more than hand out stuff with your name on it. The decision to buy is not simply based on name recognition. It is based on need, trust and perception of value. There are better ways to accomplish that then spending money on pens and other items. Especially if that pen is never used to write you a check.\r\n\r\n<strong>In order to allocate your marketing budget wisely, you must be clear on your goals and how much you are willing to spend to accomplish them.</strong>','Not using my [name] pen to write you a check','','inherit','open','open','','3419-revision-v1','','','2016-12-15 09:43:38','2016-12-15 14:43:38','',3419,'http://deborahbrody.com/2016/12/3419-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3427,4,'2017-01-11 09:56:46','2017-01-11 14:56:46','The <em>Washington Post</em> runs an advertising campaign with the slogan \"if you don\'t get it, you don\'t get it.\" And on Monday, I did not get my print copy of the <em>Post</em>. I called the re-delivery number and left a message. Five hours later, I had not yet received a replacement copy so I called again, and left another message, asking for a call back. Then I went to the online complaints, and left two messages--one about the missed delivery and one about another delivery issue I had during my end-of-year vacation.\r\n\r\n<strong>I didn\'t get it</strong>\r\n\r\nI heard nothing from the <em>Post</em>. Not one word. No call back and no redelivered paper. No apology. No credit. No nothing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Subscriptions matter</strong>\r\n\r\nThe <em>Washington Post</em> has seen an increase in digital subscribers and a decrease in print subscribers. This isn\'t surprising since most people seem to prefer to read their news online. However, in terms of advertising sales, which is what pays the bills at the <em>Post</em> and most every other newspaper, circulation numbers are what sets advertising rates. Fewer print subscribers means smaller circulation numbers, which means lower advertising rates. Obviously, the less the <em>Post</em> charges Macy\'s and the various other advertisers, the less revenue it generates.\r\n\r\n<strong>Disregard is disrespect</strong>\r\n\r\nSo subscriptions matter. And yet the Post continues to treat its subscribers with, if not outright disdain, complete disregard. Prices are increased every few months, credits are no longer given even though the print subscription charges for delivery costs, and customer service has been outsourced to Asia, where the agents barely speak English and don\'t know K Street from Pennsylvania Avenue.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post would prefer if you never called them, so they\'ve created an online account/customer service portal. Except it sucks. Every time you want to do something, you  have to sign in, and then somehow, you are signed out of your digital subscription. And not everything works. I tried to change my vacation hold dates, and was not able to. I had to call an unhelpful customer service agent.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home from vacation, I discovered that of the six days I was gone, four days of newspapers were delivered. My vacation stop was not honored. I complained online and nothing. Again, no apology, no credit, no acknowledgment of a mix-up.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the bottom line: The Washington Post can advertise for new subscribers all it wants, but until it fixes its broken customer service, it will continue to lose print subscribers (and by extension advertising revenue).\r\n\r\nCustomer service matters more than marketing in retaining customers. Marketing is about acquisition and customer service is about retention. If you acquire customers just to lose them because of poor service, you are wasting money marketing and you are threatening your bottom line.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If you don\'t get it, you don\'t get it.','','publish','open','open','','if-you-dont-get-it-you-dont-get-it','','','2017-01-11 09:56:46','2017-01-11 14:56:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3427',0,'post','',0),(3428,4,'2017-01-11 09:56:46','2017-01-11 14:56:46','The <em>Washington Post</em> runs an advertising campaign with the slogan \"if you don\'t get it, you don\'t get it.\" And on Monday, I did not get my print copy of the <em>Post</em>. I called the re-delivery number and left a message. Five hours later, I had not yet received a replacement copy so I called again, and left another message, asking for a call back. Then I went to the online complaints, and left two messages--one about the missed delivery and one about another delivery issue I had during my end-of-year vacation.\r\n\r\n<strong>I didn\'t get it</strong>\r\n\r\nI heard nothing from the <em>Post</em>. Not one word. No call back and no redelivered paper. No apology. No credit. No nothing.\r\n\r\n<strong>Subscriptions matter</strong>\r\n\r\nThe <em>Washington Post</em> has seen an increase in digital subscribers and a decrease in print subscribers. This isn\'t surprising since most people seem to prefer to read their news online. However, in terms of advertising sales, which is what pays the bills at the <em>Post</em> and most every other newspaper, circulation numbers are what sets advertising rates. Fewer print subscribers means smaller circulation numbers, which means lower advertising rates. Obviously, the less the <em>Post</em> charges Macy\'s and the various other advertisers, the less revenue it generates.\r\n\r\n<strong>Disregard is disrespect</strong>\r\n\r\nSo subscriptions matter. And yet the Post continues to treat its subscribers with, if not outright disdain, complete disregard. Prices are increased every few months, credits are no longer given even though the print subscription charges for delivery costs, and customer service has been outsourced to Asia, where the agents barely speak English and don\'t know K Street from Pennsylvania Avenue.\r\n\r\nThe Washington Post would prefer if you never called them, so they\'ve created an online account/customer service portal. Except it sucks. Every time you want to do something, you  have to sign in, and then somehow, you are signed out of your digital subscription. And not everything works. I tried to change my vacation hold dates, and was not able to. I had to call an unhelpful customer service agent.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home from vacation, I discovered that of the six days I was gone, four days of newspapers were delivered. My vacation stop was not honored. I complained online and nothing. Again, no apology, no credit, no acknowledgment of a mix-up.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the bottom line: The Washington Post can advertise for new subscribers all it wants, but until it fixes its broken customer service, it will continue to lose print subscribers (and by extension advertising revenue).\r\n\r\nCustomer service matters more than marketing in retaining customers. Marketing is about acquisition and customer service is about retention. If you acquire customers just to lose them because of poor service, you are wasting money marketing and you are threatening your bottom line.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If you don\'t get it, you don\'t get it.','','inherit','open','open','','3427-revision-v1','','','2017-01-11 09:56:46','2017-01-11 14:56:46','',3427,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/01/3427-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3431,4,'2017-01-26 11:37:44','2017-01-26 16:37:44','Email marketing is still an incredibly effective marketing tool, <em>if</em> you are doing it correctly. Sadly, that\'s a big if. Often, marketers make the following five mistakes. Are you?\r\n\r\nHere are five email marketing mistakes that may be affecting your campaign\'s performance.\r\n<h3>1. Not getting permission</h3>\r\nAre you sending out your email marketing that haven\'t signed up for it? Then not only are you making a crucial mistake, you are also running afoul of the CAN-SPAM law.  This is huge mistake that you must stop right away.\r\n<h3>2. Sending image-only emails</h3>\r\nDid you know that Outlook and many other email programs do not show mages until the use authorizes their download? This means that if your email is all images, and no plain text, your recipients will not see anything except a bunch of red xes. Don\'t make your recipients work so hard! Send both text and images.\r\n<h3>3. Sending too frequently or too many emails</h3>\r\nWhen people sign up for your email marketing, they are indicating interest in getting information from you. However, they are not indicating they want their email box to be flooded with your stuff. And yet, some marketing feel that reach is not enough to cut through the clutter, and frequency is needed. Excessive frequency will not cut through the clutter, instead it may get you cut off entirely.\r\n<h3> 4. Not checking your analytics</h3>\r\nHow many people open your emails? How many click on links? How many bounces are you getting? If you don\'t know the answers to these questions, you aren\'t checking your analytics. You are missing out on valuable information that can help guide your future email marketing efforts.\r\n<h3>5. Not cleaning up your list</h3>\r\nPeriodically, you should go through your list. You should pay special attention to recipients that are not opening your email. If they\'ve been on your list for a long time, keeping them on does not improve your email marketing. You could try sending them an email asking them if they wish to remain on your list or whether there is information that they need from you and aren\'t getting. If you get no response, then delete them from your list. Getting rid of these users will actually help increase your open rate.\r\n\r\nHow many of these email marketing mistakes are you committing? Which mistakes would you add?','5 Email Marketing Mistakes You Need To Fix Right Now','','publish','open','open','','5-email-marketing-mistakes-you-need-to-fix-right-now','','','2017-01-26 11:37:44','2017-01-26 16:37:44','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3431',0,'post','',0),(3432,4,'2017-01-26 11:25:09','2017-01-26 16:25:09','Email marketing is still an incredibly effective marketing tool--if you are doing it correctly.\r\n\r\nHere are five email marketing mistakes that may be affecting your campaign\'s performance.\r\n\r\n1. Not getting permission\r\n\r\nAre you sending out your email marketing that haven\'t signed up for it? Then not only are you making a crucial mistake, you are also running afoul of the CAN-SPAM law.  This is huge mistake that you must stop right away.\r\n\r\n2. Sending image-only emails\r\n\r\nDid you know that Outlook and many other email programs do not show mages until the use authorizes their download? This means that if your email is all images, and no plain text, your recipients will not see anything except a bunch of red xes. Don\'t make your recipients work so hard! Send both text and images.\r\n\r\n3. Sending too frequently or too many emails\r\n\r\nWhen people sign up for your email marketing, they are indicating interest in getting information from you. However, they are not indicating they want their email box to be flooded with your stuff. And yet, some marketing feel that reach is not enough to cut through the clutter, and frequency is needed. Excessive frequency will not cut the clutter but may actually get you cut off entirely.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 Email Marketing Mistakes You Need To Fix Right Now','','inherit','open','open','','3431-revision-v1','','','2017-01-26 11:25:09','2017-01-26 16:25:09','',3431,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/01/3431-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3433,4,'2017-01-26 11:37:14','2017-01-26 16:37:14','Email marketing is still an incredibly effective marketing tool, <em>if</em> you are doing it correctly. Sadly, that\'s a big if. Often, marketers make the following five mistakes. Are you?\r\n\r\nHere are five email marketing mistakes that may be affecting your campaign\'s performance.\r\n<h3>1. Not getting permission</h3>\r\nAre you sending out your email marketing that haven\'t signed up for it? Then not only are you making a crucial mistake, you are also running afoul of the CAN-SPAM law.  This is huge mistake that you must stop right away.\r\n<h3>2. Sending image-only emails</h3>\r\nDid you know that Outlook and many other email programs do not show mages until the use authorizes their download? This means that if your email is all images, and no plain text, your recipients will not see anything except a bunch of red xes. Don\'t make your recipients work so hard! Send both text and images.\r\n<h3>3. Sending too frequently or too many emails</h3>\r\nWhen people sign up for your email marketing, they are indicating interest in getting information from you. However, they are not indicating they want their email box to be flooded with your stuff. And yet, some marketing feel that reach is not enough to cut through the clutter, and frequency is needed. Excessive frequency will not cut through the clutter, instead it may get you cut off entirely.\r\n<h3> 4. Not checking your analytics</h3>\r\nHow many people open your emails? How many click on links? How many bounces are you getting? If you don\'t know the answers to these questions, you aren\'t checking your analytics. You are missing out on valuable information that can help guide your future email marketing efforts.\r\n<h3>5. Not cleaning up your list</h3>\r\nPeriodically, you should go through your list. You should pay special attention to recipients that are not opening your email. If they\'ve been on your list for a long time, keeping them on does not improve your email marketing. You could try sending them an email asking them if they wish to remain on your list or whether there is information that they need from you and aren\'t getting. If you get no response, then delete them from your list. Getting rid of these users will actually help increase your open rate.\r\n\r\nHow many of these email marketing mistakes are you committing? Which mistakes would you add?','5 Email Marketing Mistakes You Need To Fix Right Now','','inherit','open','open','','3431-revision-v1','','','2017-01-26 11:37:14','2017-01-26 16:37:14','',3431,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/01/3431-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3435,4,'2017-02-09 10:03:02','0000-00-00 00:00:00','A couple of weeks ago, I went to a panel discussion about the \"hot\"trends in digital marketing. The panelists talked about they are successfully using Snapchat. A couple said the big thing coming is Alexa (Amazon\'s \"Siri\" for your home). They weren\'t too keen on influencer marketing.','You have to understand what you are doing','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-02-09 10:03:02','2017-02-09 15:03:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3435',0,'post','',0),(3461,4,'2017-03-27 11:42:35','2017-03-27 15:42:35','It was the best of times and the worst of times....\r\n\r\nAs the famous opening line to Charles Dickens\' classic A Tale of Two Cities indicates, you can have two opposite situations going on at the same time. So was my experience with two different organizations.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkable similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. I am not a member of either organization (yet).\r\n\r\nEach organization handled the sign-up and follow-through for the event in diametrically opposed ways. One organization has\r\n\r\nOrganization A (worst)\r\n\r\nEvent: Luncheon featuring a Washington Post reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\nOrganization B (best)\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion featuring three White House correspondents about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture,\r\n\r\nReminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and one good outcome','','inherit','open','open','','3458-revision-v1','','','2017-03-27 11:42:35','2017-03-27 15:42:35','',3458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3438,4,'2017-02-14 13:09:42','2017-02-14 18:09:42','<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3439\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"kaboompics.com_Padlock with heart shape on rope bridge\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOn this day in which we celebrate love and friendship (by buying overpriced roses and boxes of chocolate natch), I wish that more marketers would show love for their customers. Instead, we see many of the following behaviors :\r\n<h3>1. Not delivering what you promise</h3>\r\nSpecial discount? \"Free\" consultation? These are some of the promises that marketers make and then don\'t deliver on. Another is the \"bait and switch\" blog post/article, in which the marketer tells you that you will learn something or get something, but instead it\'s a sales pitch for a webinar or a product. And one that I have been seeing a lot is when you go to the \"fees\" tab on a website only to find some gobbledygook about value or some such, but nothing showing firm numbers.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t deliver what you promise you are not showing love for your customers, but rather the opposite.\r\n<h3>2. Not providing essential information or making it very hard to find</h3>\r\nI am talking about restaurant websites that don\'t include hours or menus, businesses that don\'t list customer service numbers or emails, brochures or business cards without addresses, telephones, website URLs or other essential contact information.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t provide information your customers need to do business with you, it shows you don\'t value them at all.\r\n<h3>3. Using small or otherwise hard to read fonts</h3>\r\nEven if you have a wonderfully informative website or brochure, which includes all the right information, if  your customer can\'t read it, it\'s for naught. It\'s a waste, and it shows that you haven\'t taken your customers needs into consideration.\r\n<h3>4. Sending too many emails</h3>\r\nHow many times are you going to tell your customers about your sale? I\'d say twice a day every day is probably too much. So is sending ten emails urging potential donors to please give before some deadline (end of the year, your fiscal year, full moon). I\'d add that too many asks in general are not good business (I am looking at you PBS with the constant pledge weeks that in reality are pledge months).\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t consider that you overwhelming your customers with information, you are showing very little regard for them. That\'s not loving.\r\n<h3>5. Not remembering who already is a customer</h3>\r\nHave you ever received an email, clicked on a link on that email which takes you to a website that has a form as a gatekeeper? The marketer who sent that email didn\'t care that you were already a customer and had already signed up for emails. That\'s lazy and uncaring. Also, it isn\'t very effective because it doesn\'t promote more signups, in fact, it could do the opposite.\r\n\r\n<strong>This is by no means a complete list of ways in which marketers fail to show their love for customers. Which would you add?</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>With that,  I wish my dear readers a very happy Valentine\'s Day. May it be full of all that makes<em> you</em> happy.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 Ways You Aren\'t Showing Love for Your Customers','','publish','open','open','','5-ways-you-arent-showing-love-for-your-customers','','','2017-02-14 13:09:42','2017-02-14 18:09:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3438',0,'post','',1),(3439,4,'2017-02-14 13:07:31','2017-02-14 18:07:31','','kaboompics.com_Padlock with heart shape on rope bridge','','inherit','open','open','','kaboompics-com_padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge','','','2017-02-14 13:07:31','2017-02-14 18:07:31','',3438,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3440,4,'2017-02-14 13:07:44','2017-02-14 18:07:44','<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3439\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"kaboompics.com_Padlock with heart shape on rope bridge\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOn this day in which we celebrate love and friendship (by buying overpriced roses and boxes of chocolate natch), I wish that more marketers would show love for their customers. Instead, we see many of the following behaviors :\r\n<h3>1. Not delivering what you promise</h3>\r\nSpecial discount? \"Free\" consultation? These are some of the promises that marketers make and then don\'t deliver on. Another is the \"bait and switch\" blog post/article, in which the marketer tells you that you will learn something or get something, but instead it\'s a sales pitch for a webinar or a product. And one that I have been seeing a lot is when you go to the \"fees\" tab on a website only to find some gobbledygook about value or some such, but nothing showing firm numbers.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t deliver what you promise you are not showing love for your customers, but rather the opposite.\r\n<h3>2. Not providing essential information or making it very hard to find</h3>\r\nI am talking about restaurant websites that don\'t include hours or menus, businesses that don\'t list customer service numbers or emails, brochures or business cards without addresses, telephones, website URLs or other essential contact information.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t provide information your customers need to do business with you, it shows you don\'t value them at all.\r\n<h3>3. Using small or otherwise hard to read fonts</h3>\r\nEven if you have a wonderfully informative website or brochure, which includes all the right information, if  your customer can\'t read it, it\'s for naught. It\'s a waste, and it shows that you haven\'t taken your customers needs into consideration.\r\n<h3>4. Sending too many emails</h3>\r\nHow many times are you going to tell your customers about your sale? I\'d say twice a day every day is probably too much. So is sending ten emails urging potential donors to please give before some deadline (end of the year, your fiscal year, full moon). I\'d add that too many asks in general are not good business (I am looking at you PBS with the constant pledge weeks that in reality are pledge months).\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t consider that you overwhelming your customers with information, you are showing very little regard for them. That\'s not loving.\r\n<h3>5. Not remembering who already is a customer</h3>\r\nHave you ever received an email, clicked on a link on that email which takes you to a website that has a form as a gatekeeper? The marketer who sent that email didn\'t care that you were already a customer and had already signed up for emails. That\'s lazy and uncaring. Also, it isn\'t very effective because it doesn\'t promote more signups, in fact, it could do the opposite.\r\n\r\nThis is by no means a complete list of ways in which marketers fail to show their love for customers. Which would you add?\r\n\r\nWith that,  I wish my dear readers a very happy Valentine\'s Day. May it be full of all that makes<em> you</em> happy.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 Ways You Aren\'t Showing Love for Your Customers','','inherit','open','open','','3438-revision-v1','','','2017-02-14 13:07:44','2017-02-14 18:07:44','',3438,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/02/3438-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3441,4,'2017-02-14 13:09:21','2017-02-14 18:09:21','<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-3439\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kaboompics.com_Padlock-with-heart-shape-on-rope-bridge-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"kaboompics.com_Padlock with heart shape on rope bridge\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOn this day in which we celebrate love and friendship (by buying overpriced roses and boxes of chocolate natch), I wish that more marketers would show love for their customers. Instead, we see many of the following behaviors :\r\n<h3>1. Not delivering what you promise</h3>\r\nSpecial discount? \"Free\" consultation? These are some of the promises that marketers make and then don\'t deliver on. Another is the \"bait and switch\" blog post/article, in which the marketer tells you that you will learn something or get something, but instead it\'s a sales pitch for a webinar or a product. And one that I have been seeing a lot is when you go to the \"fees\" tab on a website only to find some gobbledygook about value or some such, but nothing showing firm numbers.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t deliver what you promise you are not showing love for your customers, but rather the opposite.\r\n<h3>2. Not providing essential information or making it very hard to find</h3>\r\nI am talking about restaurant websites that don\'t include hours or menus, businesses that don\'t list customer service numbers or emails, brochures or business cards without addresses, telephones, website URLs or other essential contact information.\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t provide information your customers need to do business with you, it shows you don\'t value them at all.\r\n<h3>3. Using small or otherwise hard to read fonts</h3>\r\nEven if you have a wonderfully informative website or brochure, which includes all the right information, if  your customer can\'t read it, it\'s for naught. It\'s a waste, and it shows that you haven\'t taken your customers needs into consideration.\r\n<h3>4. Sending too many emails</h3>\r\nHow many times are you going to tell your customers about your sale? I\'d say twice a day every day is probably too much. So is sending ten emails urging potential donors to please give before some deadline (end of the year, your fiscal year, full moon). I\'d add that too many asks in general are not good business (I am looking at you PBS with the constant pledge weeks that in reality are pledge months).\r\n\r\nWhen you don\'t consider that you overwhelming your customers with information, you are showing very little regard for them. That\'s not loving.\r\n<h3>5. Not remembering who already is a customer</h3>\r\nHave you ever received an email, clicked on a link on that email which takes you to a website that has a form as a gatekeeper? The marketer who sent that email didn\'t care that you were already a customer and had already signed up for emails. That\'s lazy and uncaring. Also, it isn\'t very effective because it doesn\'t promote more signups, in fact, it could do the opposite.\r\n\r\n<strong>This is by no means a complete list of ways in which marketers fail to show their love for customers. Which would you add?</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>With that,  I wish my dear readers a very happy Valentine\'s Day. May it be full of all that makes<em> you</em> happy.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','5 Ways You Aren\'t Showing Love for Your Customers','','inherit','open','open','','3438-revision-v1','','','2017-02-14 13:09:21','2017-02-14 18:09:21','',3438,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/02/3438-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3444,4,'2017-03-02 08:42:17','2017-03-02 13:42:17','<strong>\"Your sport is reserved.\"</strong>\r\n\r\nThat was the headline in an email I got from a marketing agency confirming my attendance at an event it was hosting. Obviously, it should have read \"your spot is reserved.\" Is this an egregious mistake? Not really, but it is careless. It shows nobody bothered to proofread this email. And remember, this is coming from a marketing agency, which presumably creates accurate copy for its clients.\r\n\r\nMore careless yet was a letter I received from my HOA\'s management company regarding board elections. The letter stated that the elections would be held on February 7. The accompanying ballot said the elections would take place on February 28. Every homeowner was welcomed to attend (if only we knew which the correct date was).\r\n<h3>Mistakes are everywhere</h3>\r\nI\'ve been noticing these types of mistakes more and more. Yesterday, a tweet from a leading women\'s organization talked about principals instead of principles. Another letter from my HOA referenced the wrong community.\r\n\r\nI am sure you\'ve noticed it too because it has become rampant. I am not sure what\'s causing this but I believe it has to do with the expectations of instant communication and the ongoing rush we are experiencing. We\'ve seen news organizations that rush to be first instead of taking the time to ensure accuracy.\r\n<h3>Avoiding mistakes takes a bit of effort</h3>\r\nIt takes time to proofread documents. It takes time to ensure all information (dates, times, locations) is accurate. It involves an extra step and perhaps another person.\r\n<h3>And not making the effort communicates lack of care</h3>\r\nRemember, not taking the appropriate steps to make sure your communications are clear and accurate shows that you don\'t care about your reader.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What do you do to make sure your communications materials are accurate? Do you follow a checklist? Enlist a proofreader? Please let me know in the comments.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to show you really don\'t care','','publish','open','open','','how-to-show-you-really-dont-care','','','2017-03-02 08:42:17','2017-03-02 13:42:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3444',0,'post','',0),(3445,4,'2017-03-02 08:38:51','2017-03-02 13:38:51','\"Your sport is reserved.\"\r\n\r\nThat was the headline in an email I got from a marketing agency confirming my attendance at an event it was hosting. Obviously, it should have read \"your spot is reserved.\" Is this an egregious mistake? Not really, but it is careless. It shows nobody bothered to proofread this email. And remember, this is coming from a marketing agency, which presumably creates accurate copy for its clients.\r\n\r\nMore careless yet was a letter I received from my HOA\'s management company regarding board elections. The letter stated that the elections would be held on February 7. The accompanying ballot said the elections would take place on February 28. Every homeowner was welcomed to attend if only we knew which the correct date was.\r\n<h3>Mistakes are everywhere</h3>\r\nI\'ve been noticing these types of mistakes more and more. Yesterday, a tweet from a leading women\'s organization talked about principals instead of principles. Another letter from my HOA referenced the wrong community.\r\n\r\nI am sure you\'ve noticed it too because it has become rampant. I am not sure what\'s causing this but I believe it has to do with the expectations of instant communication and the ongoing rush we are experiencing. We\'ve seen news organizations that rush to be first instead of taking the time to ensure accuracy.\r\n<h3>Avoiding mistakes takes a bit of effort</h3>\r\nIt takes time to proofread documents. It takes time to ensure all information (dates, times, locations) is accurate. It involves an extra step and perhaps another person.\r\n<h3>And not making the effort communicates lack of care</h3>\r\nRemember, not taking the appropriate steps to make sure your communications are clear and accurate shows that you don\'t care about your reader.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do to make sure your communications materials are accurate? Do you follow a checklist? Enlist a proofreader? Please let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to show you really don\'t care','','inherit','open','open','','3444-revision-v1','','','2017-03-02 08:38:51','2017-03-02 13:38:51','',3444,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3444-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3446,4,'2017-03-02 08:40:58','2017-03-02 13:40:58','<strong>\"Your sport is reserved.\"</strong>\r\n\r\nThat was the headline in an email I got from a marketing agency confirming my attendance at an event it was hosting. Obviously, it should have read \"your spot is reserved.\" Is this an egregious mistake? Not really, but it is careless. It shows nobody bothered to proofread this email. And remember, this is coming from a marketing agency, which presumably creates accurate copy for its clients.\r\n\r\nMore careless yet was a letter I received from my HOA\'s management company regarding board elections. The letter stated that the elections would be held on February 7. The accompanying ballot said the elections would take place on February 28. Every homeowner was welcomed to attend if only we knew which the correct date was.\r\n<h3>Mistakes are everywhere</h3>\r\nI\'ve been noticing these types of mistakes more and more. Yesterday, a tweet from a leading women\'s organization talked about principals instead of principles. Another letter from my HOA referenced the wrong community.\r\n\r\nI am sure you\'ve noticed it too because it has become rampant. I am not sure what\'s causing this but I believe it has to do with the expectations of instant communication and the ongoing rush we are experiencing. We\'ve seen news organizations that rush to be first instead of taking the time to ensure accuracy.\r\n<h3>Avoiding mistakes takes a bit of effort</h3>\r\nIt takes time to proofread documents. It takes time to ensure all information (dates, times, locations) is accurate. It involves an extra step and perhaps another person.\r\n<h3>And not making the effort communicates lack of care</h3>\r\nRemember, not taking the appropriate steps to make sure your communications are clear and accurate shows that you don\'t care about your reader.\r\n\r\nWhat do you do to make sure your communications materials are accurate? Do you follow a checklist? Enlist a proofreader? Please let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to show you really don\'t care','','inherit','open','open','','3444-revision-v1','','','2017-03-02 08:40:58','2017-03-02 13:40:58','',3444,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3444-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3447,4,'2017-03-02 08:42:17','2017-03-02 13:42:17','<strong>\"Your sport is reserved.\"</strong>\r\n\r\nThat was the headline in an email I got from a marketing agency confirming my attendance at an event it was hosting. Obviously, it should have read \"your spot is reserved.\" Is this an egregious mistake? Not really, but it is careless. It shows nobody bothered to proofread this email. And remember, this is coming from a marketing agency, which presumably creates accurate copy for its clients.\r\n\r\nMore careless yet was a letter I received from my HOA\'s management company regarding board elections. The letter stated that the elections would be held on February 7. The accompanying ballot said the elections would take place on February 28. Every homeowner was welcomed to attend (if only we knew which the correct date was).\r\n<h3>Mistakes are everywhere</h3>\r\nI\'ve been noticing these types of mistakes more and more. Yesterday, a tweet from a leading women\'s organization talked about principals instead of principles. Another letter from my HOA referenced the wrong community.\r\n\r\nI am sure you\'ve noticed it too because it has become rampant. I am not sure what\'s causing this but I believe it has to do with the expectations of instant communication and the ongoing rush we are experiencing. We\'ve seen news organizations that rush to be first instead of taking the time to ensure accuracy.\r\n<h3>Avoiding mistakes takes a bit of effort</h3>\r\nIt takes time to proofread documents. It takes time to ensure all information (dates, times, locations) is accurate. It involves an extra step and perhaps another person.\r\n<h3>And not making the effort communicates lack of care</h3>\r\nRemember, not taking the appropriate steps to make sure your communications are clear and accurate shows that you don\'t care about your reader.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What do you do to make sure your communications materials are accurate? Do you follow a checklist? Enlist a proofreader? Please let me know in the comments.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to show you really don\'t care','','inherit','open','open','','3444-revision-v1','','','2017-03-02 08:42:17','2017-03-02 13:42:17','',3444,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3444-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3452,4,'2017-03-16 14:00:03','2017-03-16 18:00:03','Yesterday, Bill Walsh, a copy editor for the<em> Washington Pos</em>t and author of three books on language, died. He was far too young--only 55--and a victim of cancer. He was liked and respected by his colleagues, copy editors everywhere, and by people who appreciate clean, readable copy (myself included).  His <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bill-walsh-copy-editor-and-witty-authority-on-language-dies-at-55/2017/03/15/6bf9dea4-002e-11e7-8ebe-6e0dbe4f2bca_story.html?utm_term=.d4a1e9589dd4\" target=\"_blank\">obituary in the Post</a> is a worthwhile read.\r\n\r\nA couple of years ago, I had the good fortune to attend a copy editing workshop that Mr. Walsh was leading. He talked about his pet peeves (\"armed gunmen\" for example) and talked extensively about comma and hyphen use, among other topics. After the session, somebody asked him why there were so many copy errors in the <em>Washington Post</em>. He lamented that the shear quantity of copy (all that digital stuff) made it impossible to keep up. And of course, his department had suffered cuts.\r\n\r\nMore and more, news outlets have fewer copy editors or even none at all. Writers/reporters are expected to edit their own work, which, as anybody who has written anything, is damn near impossible to do successfully.\r\n\r\nCopy editing is not proofreading. Proofreading is about making sure that words are spelled correctly and/or are in the right place. Copy editing is far more than that. Copy editing is about making sure that the work makes sense and that it is accurate. It strives to improve readability and accessibility.\r\n\r\nBill Walsh was a celebrity copy editor (he had a following!). His insight and wit are irreplaceable. I hope that his main skill--copy editing--does not die along with him. He certainly transmitted his knowledge through his books and his workshops. But he couldn\'t stop the powers that be from making cuts to copy editing staff.\r\n\r\nWithout copy editors, readers are shortchanged with text that can be mistake-ridden and inaccurate. Copy editors are valuable and perform necessary work inside news organizations and indeed, any organization that puts out \"content.\"\r\n\r\nRest in peace, Bill Walsh. You and your skills will be be sorely missed.\r\n\r\nP.S. I don\'t have a copy editor, so any mistakes (and I am sure there are a few) are mine and mine alone.','The death of copy editing?','','publish','open','open','','the-death-of-copy-editing','','','2017-03-16 14:00:03','2017-03-16 18:00:03','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3452',0,'post','',0),(3449,4,'2017-03-07 13:24:11','2017-03-07 18:24:11','A mantra is defined by<a href=\"https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantra\" target=\"_blank\"> Merriam-Webste</a>r as a mystical formula of invocation or incantation. In Sanskrit, a mantra is a phrase, word, or sound that is repeated during meditation to help practitioners focus.\r\n\r\nIf you want to increase your website\'s performance and focus, I have come up with a mantra for you:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Make it easier to find.</strong></p>\r\nIf you concentrate on this mantra, you will have a website where people have an easier time finding the information they want.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t, you will make your website users so frustrated that they will leave your website and will end up not doing business with you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Searching and searching</strong>\r\n\r\nThis morning, I decided to research CD rates at a local bank. First, I had to put in my zip code \"to get localized results.\" Then, I had to navigate to a \"Savings and CDs\" page. Then, I had to click on \"Savings Accounts and CD Options.\" Then, I had to click on \"Certificates of Deposit,\" and then scroll down to find the link for \"Interest Rates.\" To sum it up, I had to go through five different steps/clicks to find the information I was seeking.\r\n\r\n<strong>What do most people need and want to know?</strong>\r\n\r\nI think  going through five steps to find simple information is too many steps. It can be discouraging to have to keep clicking through various pages to get what you need. In the case of the bank, I assume the one thing most people research are rates. Every industry and business has to answer some questions more frequently than others. Restaurants, for example, may need to provide their menu, hours and location. Banks need to provide a list of services, current rates, hours and locations.\r\n\r\n<strong>The information your website visitors request the most, and need the most, needs to be easiest to find. It\'s that simple.</strong>\r\n\r\nSo repeat after me: make it easier to find. There, are you feeling a bit more zen?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A website mantra to help you achieve marketing nirvana','','publish','open','open','','a-website-mantra-to-help-you-achieve-marketing-nirvana','','','2017-03-07 13:24:11','2017-03-07 18:24:11','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3449',0,'post','',0),(3450,4,'2017-03-07 13:23:25','2017-03-07 18:23:25','A mantra is defined by<a href=\"https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantra\" target=\"_blank\"> Merriam-Webste</a>r as a mystical formula of invocation or incantation. In Sanskrit, a mantra is a phrase, word, or sound that is repeated during meditation to help practitioners focus.\r\n\r\nIf you want to increase your website\'s performance and focus, I have come up with a mantra for you:\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Make it easier to find.</strong></p>\r\nIf you concentrate on this mantra, you will have a website where people have an easier time finding the information they want.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t, you will make your website users so frustrated that they will leave your website and will end up not doing business with you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Searching and searching</strong>\r\n\r\nThis morning, I decided to research CD rates at a local bank. First, I had to put in my zip code \"to get localized results.\" Then, I had to navigate to a \"Savings and CDs\" page. Then, I had to click on \"Savings Accounts and CD Options.\" Then, I had to click on \"Certificates of Deposit,\" and then scroll down to find the link for \"Interest Rates.\" To sum it up, I had to go through five different steps/clicks to find the information I was seeking.\r\n\r\n<strong>What do most people need and want to know?</strong>\r\n\r\nI think  going through five steps to find simple information is too many steps. It can be discouraging to have to keep clicking through various pages to get what you need. In the case of the bank, I assume the one thing most people research are rates. Every industry and business has to answer some questions more frequently than others. Restaurants, for example, may need to provide their menu, hours and location. Banks need to provide a list of services, current rates, hours and locations.\r\n\r\n<strong>The information your website visitors request the most, and need the most, needs to be easiest to find. It\'s that simple.</strong>\r\n\r\nSo repeat after me: make it easier to find. There, are you feeling a bit more zen?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A website mantra to help you achieve marketing nirvana','','inherit','open','open','','3449-revision-v1','','','2017-03-07 13:23:25','2017-03-07 18:23:25','',3449,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3449-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3453,4,'2017-03-16 09:47:28','2017-03-16 13:47:28','Yesterday, Bill Walsh, a copy editor for the Washington Post and author of three books on language, died. He was young--only 55. And he was liked and respected by his colleagues, copy editors everywhere, and by people who appreciate clean, readable copy.','The death of copy editing?','','inherit','open','open','','3452-revision-v1','','','2017-03-16 09:47:28','2017-03-16 13:47:28','',3452,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3452-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3454,4,'2017-03-16 14:00:03','2017-03-16 18:00:03','Yesterday, Bill Walsh, a copy editor for the<em> Washington Pos</em>t and author of three books on language, died. He was far too young--only 55--and a victim of cancer. He was liked and respected by his colleagues, copy editors everywhere, and by people who appreciate clean, readable copy (myself included).  His <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bill-walsh-copy-editor-and-witty-authority-on-language-dies-at-55/2017/03/15/6bf9dea4-002e-11e7-8ebe-6e0dbe4f2bca_story.html?utm_term=.d4a1e9589dd4\" target=\"_blank\">obituary in the Post</a> is a worthwhile read.\r\n\r\nA couple of years ago, I had the good fortune to attend a copy editing workshop that Mr. Walsh was leading. He talked about his pet peeves (\"armed gunmen\" for example) and talked extensively about comma and hyphen use, among other topics. After the session, somebody asked him why there were so many copy errors in the <em>Washington Post</em>. He lamented that the shear quantity of copy (all that digital stuff) made it impossible to keep up. And of course, his department had suffered cuts.\r\n\r\nMore and more, news outlets have fewer copy editors or even none at all. Writers/reporters are expected to edit their own work, which, as anybody who has written anything, is damn near impossible to do successfully.\r\n\r\nCopy editing is not proofreading. Proofreading is about making sure that words are spelled correctly and/or are in the right place. Copy editing is far more than that. Copy editing is about making sure that the work makes sense and that it is accurate. It strives to improve readability and accessibility.\r\n\r\nBill Walsh was a celebrity copy editor (he had a following!). His insight and wit are irreplaceable. I hope that his main skill--copy editing--does not die along with him. He certainly transmitted his knowledge through his books and his workshops. But he couldn\'t stop the powers that be from making cuts to copy editing staff.\r\n\r\nWithout copy editors, readers are shortchanged with text that can be mistake-ridden and inaccurate. Copy editors are valuable and perform necessary work inside news organizations and indeed, any organization that puts out \"content.\"\r\n\r\nRest in peace, Bill Walsh. You and your skills will be be sorely missed.\r\n\r\nP.S. I don\'t have a copy editor, so any mistakes (and I am sure there are a few) are mine and mine alone.','The death of copy editing?','','inherit','open','open','','3452-revision-v1','','','2017-03-16 14:00:03','2017-03-16 18:00:03','',3452,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3452-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3456,4,'2017-03-21 10:12:13','2017-03-21 14:12:13','Perhaps you have a great tagline or you have a fantastic, limited time offer, and yet you are getting no response. It could be that few people are enticed by your offer, or that there is little demand for your product, or, maybe, just maybe, it is that that they (quite literally)<em> can\'t </em>see it.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is it that you do?</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday,  I was in my car driving behind a commercial SUV, which had the name of the company written in green letters on the back of the truck. But for the life of me, I couldn\'t, make out what this company did because I could not read the line below the company name. I kept trying to figure out as I was driving a car length or so behind the truck. I finally came to a stop right behind this SUV, and it was only then that I was able to read the line saying it did plumbing. This company probably spent some money to have their company name, telephone and website painted on the back of their company SUV, and yet, it was done with such small letters that it was practically useless. Unless you were stopped right behind it, you would not know what it was.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve driven around during the day, you will have seen any number of commercial trucks and cars, each with the name of the company painted on the side of the vehicle. If the name and service are prominent, and easy to read from a distance, there can be big benefits. It  creates brand recognition. It can also be free advertising. Say your heating system is on the fritz, and you see a truck for a heating company, you may make note of the name, and even the website and/or telephone number.\r\n\r\n<strong>Crammed with content, harder to read</strong>\r\n\r\nVerizon FIOS recently redesigned its On Demand screen. Everything is now more compact (about half of the previous iteration), and all sorts of information is crammed on the screen. To be able to fit all this stuff on the screen, the font size was reduced. The result is that it is hard to read the titles of the movies. And they also added the extra step of making you click on each title to see more information, including cost. It has become very frustrating for me to deal with this new On Demand screen, and as a result, I am no longer going there to see what movies are available.\r\n\r\nI am pretty certain that Verizon embarked on this redesign without consulting its users. I wonder if the company has seen any change in the amount of On Demand content users rent/buy now. Based on my experience, I would bet fewer people are getting stuff On Demand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Can your audience see it? Can they read it?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou must keep <strong>readability and visibility</strong> top of mind when you design or redesign any marketing material. If your audience cannot read your material, or cannot see it properly, then they cannot interact with it.','Can they read it?','','publish','open','open','','can-they-read-it','','','2017-03-21 10:12:13','2017-03-21 14:12:13','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3456',0,'post','',0),(3457,4,'2017-03-21 10:12:13','2017-03-21 14:12:13','Perhaps you have a great tagline or you have a fantastic, limited time offer, and yet you are getting no response. It could be that few people are enticed by your offer, or that there is little demand for your product, or, maybe, just maybe, it is that that they (quite literally)<em> can\'t </em>see it.\r\n\r\n<strong>What is it that you do?</strong>\r\n\r\nYesterday,  I was in my car driving behind a commercial SUV, which had the name of the company written in green letters on the back of the truck. But for the life of me, I couldn\'t, make out what this company did because I could not read the line below the company name. I kept trying to figure out as I was driving a car length or so behind the truck. I finally came to a stop right behind this SUV, and it was only then that I was able to read the line saying it did plumbing. This company probably spent some money to have their company name, telephone and website painted on the back of their company SUV, and yet, it was done with such small letters that it was practically useless. Unless you were stopped right behind it, you would not know what it was.\r\n\r\nIf you\'ve driven around during the day, you will have seen any number of commercial trucks and cars, each with the name of the company painted on the side of the vehicle. If the name and service are prominent, and easy to read from a distance, there can be big benefits. It  creates brand recognition. It can also be free advertising. Say your heating system is on the fritz, and you see a truck for a heating company, you may make note of the name, and even the website and/or telephone number.\r\n\r\n<strong>Crammed with content, harder to read</strong>\r\n\r\nVerizon FIOS recently redesigned its On Demand screen. Everything is now more compact (about half of the previous iteration), and all sorts of information is crammed on the screen. To be able to fit all this stuff on the screen, the font size was reduced. The result is that it is hard to read the titles of the movies. And they also added the extra step of making you click on each title to see more information, including cost. It has become very frustrating for me to deal with this new On Demand screen, and as a result, I am no longer going there to see what movies are available.\r\n\r\nI am pretty certain that Verizon embarked on this redesign without consulting its users. I wonder if the company has seen any change in the amount of On Demand content users rent/buy now. Based on my experience, I would bet fewer people are getting stuff On Demand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Can your audience see it? Can they read it?</strong>\r\n\r\nYou must keep <strong>readability and visibility</strong> top of mind when you design or redesign any marketing material. If your audience cannot read your material, or cannot see it properly, then they cannot interact with it.','Can they read it?','','inherit','open','open','','3456-revision-v1','','','2017-03-21 10:12:13','2017-03-21 14:12:13','',3456,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3456-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3458,4,'2017-03-28 11:24:57','2017-03-28 15:24:57','To paraphrase the opening line of <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>, it was the best of practices and the worst of practices. Let me explain.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkably similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. One organization clearly followed best practices, while the other appeared to have no idea how to make the most of a successful event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization A</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent description: Luncheon featuring a <em>Washington Post</em> reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization\'s website, taken to an outside website (PayPal) for payment. Receipt sent from PayPal but no acknowledgment from organization. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization B</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion, featuring three White House correspondents, about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $36.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through Eventbrite, which allows for email capture, branding, and payment on one page. (There are other benefits to using Eventbrite, including ability to sign in people, print labels, be listed on an events page, and others.) Tickets with event information sent from Eventbrite.\r\n\r\nReminder: Eventbrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from the organization\'s development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n<h3><strong>Five best practices </strong></h3>\r\n<strong>1. Have a hook</strong>\r\n\r\nKudos to both these organizations for their choice of speakers. Both events were very informative, lively and interesting. <strong>Hosting an interesting, topical event is a big draw for members and is attractive to non-members</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Use the right online tools</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are lots of online tools available to organizations, at all different prices, for various functions (event management, surveys, time management). They offer functionality such as being able to generate reports, charge credit cards, build email lists, communicate with attendees, and so forth. <strong>Using the right online tool will let you increase your organization\'s efficiency through automation and increased functionality.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Build your email list</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are a membership or donor-based organization it becomes extremely important to build and expand your email list. Having an event is a great way to attract new people, so it makes sense to get their email address so you can keep in touch. <strong>Automatically adding people that have signed up for an event to your email list is easy and smart.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Follow up after the event</strong>\r\n\r\nPresumably, by hosting an event, you have a goal for it. This goal could be to increase awareness, or increase your membership, or attract donations, etc. <strong>Following up after the event, reminding people of what you do and how they can be involved will go a long way to achieving your goal.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Survey your audience</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to continue to have successful programs, you\'ll need to know what attendees liked and didn\'t like. <strong>Asking attendees to rate your program and give suggestions is a great way to improve your future events.</strong>\r\n<h3><strong>It really was the best of times and the worst of times</strong></h3>\r\nOrganization B was much more sophisticated and tech-savvy than Organization A. It used online tools to make things easier, and it seemed to be clearer on the outcomes it wanted. Even though both organizations advocate, only Organization B had the foresight to build their email list to make advocacy happen.\r\n\r\nOrganization A, in effect, has put the onus on me if I want to be more involved in the future. If I want to see what programs are coming up, I will have to visit their website. Organization B is making my involvement and support easier. Since I will be getting B\'s emails about advocacy and events, I will be able to involved if I choose, without having to take an extra step to do it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and five best practices','','publish','open','open','','a-tale-of-two-organizations-and-five-best-practices','','','2017-03-28 11:24:57','2017-03-28 15:24:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3458',0,'post','',0),(3459,4,'2017-03-24 10:23:49','2017-03-24 14:23:49','In the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkable similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. I am not a member of either organization (yet).\r\n\r\nOrganization A\r\n\r\nEvent: Luncheon featuring a Washington Post reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\nOrganization B\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion featuring three White House correspondents about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture,\r\n\r\nReminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and one good outcome','','inherit','open','open','','3458-revision-v1','','','2017-03-24 10:23:49','2017-03-24 14:23:49','',3458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3460,4,'2017-03-24 11:34:36','2017-03-24 15:34:36','It was the best of times and the worst of times....\r\n\r\nAs the famous opening line to Charles Dickens\' classic A Tale of Two Cities indicates, you can have two opposite situations going on at the same time. So was my experience with two different organizations.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkable similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. I am not a member of either organization (yet).\r\n\r\nOrganization A (worst)\r\n\r\nEvent: Luncheon featuring a Washington Post reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\nOrganization B (best)\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion featuring three White House correspondents about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture,\r\n\r\nReminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and one good outcome','','inherit','open','open','','3458-revision-v1','','','2017-03-24 11:34:36','2017-03-24 15:34:36','',3458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3547,4,'2017-08-15 11:35:52','2017-08-15 15:35:52','<strong>We need your support and we will interrupt you viewing until you give us money!</strong>\r\n\r\nThis seems to be the PBS mission during its pledge drive\r\n\r\nCurrently, it\'s the upteenth day during the upteenth time this year that my local PBS station, WETA, is looking for support from viewers. It may not be endless, but it sure feels like it.\r\n\r\nPledge month (?) is the time when the station starts playing \"specials\" that have been played dozens of times before, and interrupting them every fifteen minutes to ask for your support. In return, you will get any number of mugs/bags/videos/books based on the size of your contribution. Also, every other show seems to get interrupted--the Newshour, Washington Week, and most egregiously, the finale of the Great British Baking Show.\r\n\r\n<strong>Enough!</strong>\r\n\r\nViewers like me do not like to watch tired, old \"specials.\" Viewers like me hate having shows interrupted multiple times by the same talking heads giving repetitious pitches on why to give to the station. Viewers like me do not want mugs or tote bags. Viewers like me click off PBS the instant this pledge madness starts.\r\n\r\n<strong>How can this model work today?</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a newsflash for PBS: Times have changed.\r\n\r\n<em>Hundreds of viewing options</em>\r\n\r\nAll TV channels are under intense competition—both for viewers and for advertising dollars. This is because viewers have many more options for entertainment than ever before: There are hundreds of cable and streaming channels, and also an internet chock-full of stuff to watch, read, react to and interact with.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s an on-demand world</em>\r\n\r\nWith DVRs and/or access to content on demand, people can watch shows on whatever schedule they choose. They can ignore advertising (and pledge drives).\r\n\r\n<em>There\'s a streaming channel for that</em>\r\n\r\nIt used to be that you could only watch British shows like Downton Abbey or Inspector Morse on PBS. Now, you can stream them on specialized British TV/movies channels, and even watch them on Netflix.\r\n\r\n<em>Watch TV wherever you are, whenever you want</em>\r\n\r\nSmartphones and tablets can access the internet anywhere and everywhere. And users of these devices can buy/rent/download all sorts of entertainment to watch even when there is no internet access.\r\n\r\n<strong>Interrupting viewer with a push-message is really old school</strong>\r\n\r\nThese days, inbound marketing is in favor. That\'s when potential customers/supporters come to you because you are providing great content/reasons for them to interact and buy/support from you. Forcing yourself on viewers, like the pledge drive on PBS does, is the complete opposite. It assumes a static audience that does not have any option but to sit there and listen to a sales pitch. It assumes that pushing a message is the best way to get action. It\'s the old way of doing things. And it may help PBS shed viewers, not gain them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is annoying viewers for a $60 donation the best way to keep PBS afloat?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you are aiming for lots of small donations, you have to do a lot more work. In this case, it means interrupting viewing more times, more often. It gets annoying. It\'s a turn-off. And I don\'t believe it\'s effective. I think it would be far more effective to concentrate on getting and retaining big, corporate or foundation sponsorships.\r\n\r\nI understand PBS wants community support too. Perhaps instead of asking viewers to donate, PBS could emphasize obtaining a yearly membership with (real) special benefits (currently this is not clear on the PBS website). Instead of having pledge drives, PBS could include a 15-second ad/message for membership before popular shows.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch PBS? Do you support PBS? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does PBS get the support of viewers like you? ','','inherit','open','open','','3546-revision-v1','','','2017-08-15 11:35:52','2017-08-15 15:35:52','',3546,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3546-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3463,4,'2017-03-28 11:05:09','2017-03-28 15:05:09','To paraphrase the opening line of <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>, it was the best of practices and the worst of practices. Let me explain.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkably similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. One organization clearly followed best practices, while the other appeared to have no idea how to make the most of a successful event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization A</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent description: Luncheon featuring a <em>Washington Post</em> reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization\'s website, taken directly to PayPal. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization B</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion, featuring three White House correspondents, about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $36.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through EventBrite, which allows for email capture, branding, and payment on one page. (There are other benefits to using EventBrite, including ability to sign in people, print labels, be listed on an events page, and others.)\r\n\r\nReminder: EventBrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from the organization\'s development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n<h3><strong>Four best practices </strong></h3>\r\n<strong>1. A hook</strong>\r\n\r\nKudos to both these organizations for their choice of speakers. Both events were very interesting. <strong>Hosting an interesting, topical event is a big draw for members and is attractive to non-members</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Building an email list</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are a membership or donor-based organization it becomes extremely important to build and expand your email list. Having an event is a great way to attract new people, so it makes sense to get their email organization. <strong>Automatically adding people that have signed up for an event to your email list is easy and smart.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Following up after the event</strong>\r\n\r\nPresumably, by hosting an event, you have a goal for it.  This goal could be to increase awareness, or increase your membership, or attract donations, etc. <strong>Following up after the event, reminding people of what you do and how they can be involved will go a long way to achieving your goal.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Program surveys</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to continue to have successful programs, you\'ll need to know what attendees liked and didn\'t like. <strong>Asking attendees to rate your program and give suggestions is a great way to improve your future events.</strong>\r\n<h3><strong>It really was the best of times and the worst of times</strong></h3>\r\nOrganization B was much more sophisticated than Organization A. It used online tools to make things easier, and it seemed to be clearer to the outcomes it wanted. Even though both organizations advocate, only one organization had the foresight to build their email list to make advocacy happen.\r\n\r\nOrganization A, in effect, has put the onus on me if I want to be more involved in the future. If I want to see what programs are coming up, I will have to visit their website. Organization B is making my involvement and support easier. Since I will be getting B\'s emails about advocacy and events, I will be able to involved if I choose, without having to think about it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and one good outcome','','inherit','open','open','','3458-revision-v1','','','2017-03-28 11:05:09','2017-03-28 15:05:09','',3458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3464,4,'2017-03-28 11:24:17','2017-03-28 15:24:17','To paraphrase the opening line of <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>, it was the best of practices and the worst of practices. Let me explain.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, I\'ve attended two remarkably similar events put on by two different organizations. Both organizations are membership-based, advocacy/non-profits, and are local affiliates of a national organization. One organization clearly followed best practices, while the other appeared to have no idea how to make the most of a successful event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization A</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent description: Luncheon featuring a <em>Washington Post</em> reporter discussing the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $35.\r\n\r\nSign up: On the organization\'s website, taken to an outside website (PayPal) for payment. Receipt sent from PayPal but no acknowledgment from organization. No information or email list sign up captured.\r\n\r\nReminder for the event: None.\r\n\r\nFollow up after the event: None.\r\n\r\n<strong>Organization B</strong>\r\n\r\nEvent: Cocktail reception followed by panel discussion, featuring three White House correspondents, about the challenges of covering the Trump Administration. Cost was $36.\r\n\r\nSign up: Through Eventbrite, which allows for email capture, branding, and payment on one page. (There are other benefits to using Eventbrite, including ability to sign in people, print labels, be listed on an events page, and others.) Tickets with event information sent from Eventbrite.\r\n\r\nReminder: Eventbrite sends a reminder two days ahead of the event.\r\n\r\nFollow up: Personalized thank you email from the organization\'s development director, including a program survey, and encouraging involvement in the organization and attendance at future events.\r\n<h3><strong>Five best practices </strong></h3>\r\n<strong>1. Have a hook</strong>\r\n\r\nKudos to both these organizations for their choice of speakers. Both events were very informative, lively and interesting. <strong>Hosting an interesting, topical event is a big draw for members and is attractive to non-members</strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Use the right online tools</strong>\r\n\r\nThere are lots of online tools available to organizations, at all different prices, for various functions (event management, surveys, time management). They offer functionality such as being able to generate reports, charge credit cards, build email lists, communicate with attendees, and so forth. <strong>Using the right online tool will let you increase your organization\'s efficiency through automation and increased functionality.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Build your email list</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are a membership or donor-based organization it becomes extremely important to build and expand your email list. Having an event is a great way to attract new people, so it makes sense to get their email address so you can keep in touch. <strong>Automatically adding people that have signed up for an event to your email list is easy and smart.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Follow up after the event</strong>\r\n\r\nPresumably, by hosting an event, you have a goal for it. This goal could be to increase awareness, or increase your membership, or attract donations, etc. <strong>Following up after the event, reminding people of what you do and how they can be involved will go a long way to achieving your goal.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>5. Survey your audience</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you want to continue to have successful programs, you\'ll need to know what attendees liked and didn\'t like. <strong>Asking attendees to rate your program and give suggestions is a great way to improve your future events.</strong>\r\n<h3><strong>It really was the best of times and the worst of times</strong></h3>\r\nOrganization B was much more sophisticated and tech-savvy than Organization A. It used online tools to make things easier, and it seemed to be clearer on the outcomes it wanted. Even though both organizations advocate, only Organization B had the foresight to build their email list to make advocacy happen.\r\n\r\nOrganization A, in effect, has put the onus on me if I want to be more involved in the future. If I want to see what programs are coming up, I will have to visit their website. Organization B is making my involvement and support easier. Since I will be getting B\'s emails about advocacy and events, I will be able to involved if I choose, without having to take an extra step to do it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','A tale of two organizations and five best practices','','inherit','open','open','','3458-revision-v1','','','2017-03-28 11:24:17','2017-03-28 15:24:17','',3458,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/03/3458-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3466,4,'2017-04-05 13:44:18','2017-04-05 17:44:18','There\'s a real estate guy who specializes in selling homes in my neighborhood. He is very eager to work with me. I know this because I receive marketing stuff from him constantly. I get a jar of (branded) apple butter on my doorstep every fall. I get a property report, hung on my doorknob on a quarterly basis. I get a magnetic calendar every December. All told, I get at least six direct marketing pieces from this guy every year. As does everyone in my community.\r\n\r\nAs a communications consultant, I understand what his rationale and motivations may be:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Gain/retain name recognition</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n	<li>Appear neighborly</li>\r\n	<li>Show he is local and understands the community.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOn a personal basis, I feel this guy is making way too much of an effort to get my business. And I feel his marketing efforts are intrusive.\r\n\r\nBut is this real estate guy doing too much marketing? The answer comes down to doing some calculations (yes, there\'s math involved).\r\n\r\n<strong>The true test of whether you are doing too much marketing has to do with the value of a customer and how much you are willing to spend to acquire said customer.</strong>\r\n<h3>The value of a customer</h3>\r\nYour first calculation will be to determine the value of a customer. To do this, you, will have to calculate how much money a customer\'s business generates for you, in terms of current transaction, future transactions, and also including the potential value of any referred business.\r\n<h3>Your marketing costs</h3>\r\nThe second calculation you will have to do is to figure out how much you are spending on marketing. To do this tally up all marketing related costs such as printing, advertising spending, distribution, consulting/design fees, website, memberships, and so forth. You may also want to include your time.\r\n<h3>Cost per acquisition</h3>\r\nYour final calculation is to figure out your acquisition cost per customer. So say you spent $10,000 on marketing in a year. You obtained five customers from that marketing effort. That means  you spent $2,000 per customer acquired.\r\n<h3>Which means</h3>\r\nIf the spending to acquire each customer exceeds the value of the customer to your business, you acquisition cost may be too high.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know how much the real estate guy spends on his marketing, nor do I know what value his customers generate, but I sure hope he has done this calculation. If not, he may be doing too much marketing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Doing too much marketing?','','publish','open','open','','doing-too-much-marketing','','','2017-04-05 13:44:18','2017-04-05 17:44:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3466',0,'post','',0),(3467,4,'2017-04-05 13:41:57','2017-04-05 17:41:57','There\'s a real estate guy who specializes in selling homes in my neighborhood. He is very eager to work with me. I know this because I receive marketing stuff from him constantly. I get a jar of (branded) apple butter on my doorstep every fall. I get a property report, hung on my doorknob on a quarterly basis. I get a magnetic calendar every December. All told, I get at least six direct marketing pieces from this guy every year. As does everyone in my community.\r\n\r\nAs a communications consultant, I understand what his rationale and motivations may be:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Gain/retain name recognition</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n	<li>Appear neighborly</li>\r\n	<li>Show he is local and understands the community.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBut on a personal basis, I feel this guy is making way too much of an effort to get my business. And I feel his marketing efforts are intrusive.\r\n\r\nBut is this real estate guy doing too much marketing? The answer comes down to doing some calculations (yes, there\'s math involved).\r\n\r\n<strong>The true test of whether you are doing too much marketing has to do with the value of a customer and how much you are willing to spend to acquire said customer.</strong>\r\n<h3>The value of a customer</h3>\r\nYour first calculation will be to determine the value of a customer. To do this, you, will have to calculate how much money a customer\'s business generates for you, in terms of current transaction, future transactions, and also including the potential value of any referred business.\r\n<h3>Your marketing costs</h3>\r\nThe second calculation you will have to do is to figure out how much you are spending on marketing. To do this tally up all marketing related costs such as printing, advertising spending, distribution, consulting/design fees, website, memberships, and so forth. You may also want to include your time.\r\n<h3>Cost per acquisition</h3>\r\nYour final calculation is to figure out your acquisition cost per customer. So say you spent $10,000 on marketing in a year. You obtained five customers from that marketing effort. That means  you spent $2,000 per customer acquired.\r\n<h3>Which means</h3>\r\nIf the spending to acquire each customer exceeds the value of the customer to your business, you acquisition cost may be too high.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know how much the real estate guy spends on his marketing, nor do I know what value his customers generate, but I sure hope he has done this calculation. If not, he may be doing too much marketing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Doing too much marketing?','','inherit','open','open','','3466-revision-v1','','','2017-04-05 13:41:57','2017-04-05 17:41:57','',3466,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3466-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3468,4,'2017-04-05 13:44:18','2017-04-05 17:44:18','There\'s a real estate guy who specializes in selling homes in my neighborhood. He is very eager to work with me. I know this because I receive marketing stuff from him constantly. I get a jar of (branded) apple butter on my doorstep every fall. I get a property report, hung on my doorknob on a quarterly basis. I get a magnetic calendar every December. All told, I get at least six direct marketing pieces from this guy every year. As does everyone in my community.\r\n\r\nAs a communications consultant, I understand what his rationale and motivations may be:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Gain/retain name recognition</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n	<li>Appear neighborly</li>\r\n	<li>Show he is local and understands the community.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOn a personal basis, I feel this guy is making way too much of an effort to get my business. And I feel his marketing efforts are intrusive.\r\n\r\nBut is this real estate guy doing too much marketing? The answer comes down to doing some calculations (yes, there\'s math involved).\r\n\r\n<strong>The true test of whether you are doing too much marketing has to do with the value of a customer and how much you are willing to spend to acquire said customer.</strong>\r\n<h3>The value of a customer</h3>\r\nYour first calculation will be to determine the value of a customer. To do this, you, will have to calculate how much money a customer\'s business generates for you, in terms of current transaction, future transactions, and also including the potential value of any referred business.\r\n<h3>Your marketing costs</h3>\r\nThe second calculation you will have to do is to figure out how much you are spending on marketing. To do this tally up all marketing related costs such as printing, advertising spending, distribution, consulting/design fees, website, memberships, and so forth. You may also want to include your time.\r\n<h3>Cost per acquisition</h3>\r\nYour final calculation is to figure out your acquisition cost per customer. So say you spent $10,000 on marketing in a year. You obtained five customers from that marketing effort. That means  you spent $2,000 per customer acquired.\r\n<h3>Which means</h3>\r\nIf the spending to acquire each customer exceeds the value of the customer to your business, you acquisition cost may be too high.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know how much the real estate guy spends on his marketing, nor do I know what value his customers generate, but I sure hope he has done this calculation. If not, he may be doing too much marketing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Doing too much marketing?','','inherit','open','open','','3466-revision-v1','','','2017-04-05 13:44:18','2017-04-05 17:44:18','',3466,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3466-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3470,4,'2017-04-12 13:09:56','2017-04-12 17:09:56','This week featured two highly publicized and far-reaching media crises. One was the United Airlines situation, where a passenger was forcibly removed (and hurt in the process) from the plane, after he had been seated and had not agreed to \"voluntarily\" leave the aircraft. And the other involved White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who clumsily compared Syria\'s Bashar al-Assad to Adolf Hitler, and then showed great ignorance about just what Hitler did during World War II.\r\n<h3>Twitter outrage</h3>\r\nI saw both these situations unfold on social media (specifically, Twitter), and was able to add my observations to many others, both using hashtags and Twitter handles. Social media outrage appears to have caused both United and Sean Spicer to apologize profusely for their mistakes. In today\'s <em>Washington Post</em>, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-twitter-mob-serves-a-purpose-bill-oreilly-and-united-prove-it/2017/04/11/812f5242-1ef9-11e7-be2a-3a1fb24d4671_story.html?utm_term=.91cfc106ec8d\" target=\"_blank\">Kathleen Parker argues</a> that in the United case, the Twitter outrage (or \"mob\" as she calls it) was able to bring the situation to light and make change happen.\r\n\r\nIt seems that we have more media crises these days than before--but like Parker argues, what has changed is the ability to get these situations in front of more people, more quickly, through social media. So, in fact, we may not be having more crises, but rather more exposure for and to these crises.\r\n<h3>Changes...</h3>\r\nIt seems that United, and to some degree Sean Spicer, have still not adapted or recognized that the media landscape has changed dramatically. Anyone with internet access and a social media account can share their ideas, opinions, facts and more damning, their video. Also, anyone with a smartphone has the ability to create video on the spot, and then share it immediately.\r\n\r\nTen years ago, if a passenger had been dragged off a plane, there would have been no record of it outside of the memories of the other passengers on the plane. Similarly, Sean Spicer\'s words would have received criticism later (if at all), not during his press briefing. Fewer people would\'ve been exposed to these situations.\r\n<h3>More \"eyeballs\" available</h3>\r\nToday\'s media crises are happening not because spokespeople and companies are screwing up more, but because more people are seeing it happen. It would behoove any public relations/communications practitioner to internalize that most everything can be publicized very quickly, and may even have incontrovertible visual proof with it.','Are we seeing more media crises?','','publish','open','open','','are-we-seeing-more-media-crises','','','2017-04-12 13:09:56','2017-04-12 17:09:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3470',0,'post','',0),(3471,4,'2017-04-12 12:53:27','2017-04-12 16:53:27','This week featured two highly publicized and far-reaching media crises. One was the United Airlines situation, where a passenger was forcibly removed (and hurt in the process) from the plane, after he had been seated and had not agreed to \"voluntarily\" leave the aircraft. And the other involved White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who clumsily compared Syria\'s Bashar al-Assad to Adolf Hitler, and then showed great ignorance about just what Hitler did during World War II.\r\n\r\nI saw both these situations unfold on social media (specifically, Twitter), and was able to add my observations to many others, both using hashtags and Twitter handles.','Are we seeing more media crises?','','inherit','open','open','','3470-revision-v1','','','2017-04-12 12:53:27','2017-04-12 16:53:27','',3470,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3470-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3472,4,'2017-04-12 13:08:53','2017-04-12 17:08:53','This week featured two highly publicized and far-reaching media crises. One was the United Airlines situation, where a passenger was forcibly removed (and hurt in the process) from the plane, after he had been seated and had not agreed to \"voluntarily\" leave the aircraft. And the other involved White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who clumsily compared Syria\'s Bashar al-Assad to Adolf Hitler, and then showed great ignorance about just what Hitler did during World War II.\r\n<h3>Twitter outrage</h3>\r\nI saw both these situations unfold on social media (specifically, Twitter), and was able to add my observations to many others, both using hashtags and Twitter handles. Social media outrage appears to have caused both United and Sean Spicer to apologize profusely for their mistakes. In today\'s <em>Washington Post</em>, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-twitter-mob-serves-a-purpose-bill-oreilly-and-united-prove-it/2017/04/11/812f5242-1ef9-11e7-be2a-3a1fb24d4671_story.html?utm_term=.91cfc106ec8d\" target=\"_blank\">Kathleen Parker argues</a> that in the United case, the Twitter outrage (or \"mob\" as she calls it) was able to bring the situation to light and make change happen.\r\n\r\nIt seems that we have more media crises these days than before--but like Parker argues, what has changed is the ability to get these situations in front of more people, more quickly, through social media. So, in fact, we may not be having more crises, but rather more exposure for and to these crises.\r\n<h3>Changes...</h3>\r\nIt seems that United, and to some degree Sean Spicer, have still not adapted or recognized that the media landscape has changed dramatically. Anyone with internet access and a social media account can share their ideas, opinions, facts and more damning, their video. Also, anyone with a smartphone has the ability to create video on the spot, and then share it immediately.\r\n\r\nTen years ago, if a passenger had been dragged off a plane, there would have been no record of it outside of the memories of the other passengers on the plane. Similarly, Sean Spicer\'s words would have received criticism later (if at all), not during his press briefing. Fewer people would\'ve been exposed to these situations.\r\n<h3>More \"eyeballs\" available</h3>\r\nToday\'s media crises are happening not because spokespeople and companies are screwing up more, but because more people are seeing it happen. It would behoove any public relations/communications practitioner to internalize that most everything can be publicized very quickly, and may even have incontrovertible visual proof with it.','Are we seeing more media crises?','','inherit','open','open','','3470-revision-v1','','','2017-04-12 13:08:53','2017-04-12 17:08:53','',3470,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3470-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3473,4,'2017-04-19 12:30:31','2017-04-19 16:30:31','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2017-04-19 12:30:31','2017-04-19 16:30:31','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3474,4,'2017-04-21 08:56:37','2017-04-21 12:56:37','<em>THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED.</em>\r\n\r\nWhat is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude. Following are five points to being a better communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed above? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\r\n\r\nI am not the only one who thinks Spicer is bad at what he does. Today, New York Magazine had this post: <a href=\"http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/04/by-being-bad-at-his-job-spicer-nearly-causes-market-panic.html?mid=facebook_nymag\" target=\"_blank\">By Being Bad at His Job, Sean Spicer Nearly Causes Market Panic. </a>Because Spicer does not bother to learn his subject well, he says inaccurate things, and in his role, his statements have consequences.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','publish','open','open','','how-to-be-better-at-communication-than-sean-spicer','','','2017-04-28 09:31:17','2017-04-28 13:31:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3474',0,'post','',0),(3475,4,'2017-04-20 10:35:30','2017-04-20 14:35:30','If anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better practitioners of communication than others. Spicer is not an example of how to do it well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there).  When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for Spicer and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using. If you think you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that he becomes the story.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-20 10:35:30','2017-04-20 14:35:30','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3476,4,'2017-04-20 10:38:47','2017-04-20 14:38:47','If anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better practitioners of communication than others. Spicer is not an example of how to do it well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for Spicer and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-20 10:38:47','2017-04-20 14:38:47','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3478,4,'2017-04-20 13:27:39','2017-04-20 17:27:39','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-20 13:27:39','2017-04-20 17:27:39','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3479,4,'2017-04-21 08:53:14','2017-04-21 12:53:14','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\nIt\'s really important.\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed before? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-21 08:53:14','2017-04-21 12:53:14','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3480,4,'2017-04-21 08:54:03','2017-04-21 12:54:03','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>Be likeable</strong></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed before? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-21 08:54:03','2017-04-21 12:54:03','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3481,4,'2017-04-21 08:56:01','2017-04-21 12:56:01','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude. Following are five points to being a better communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility. Unless you have the numbers to back it up (the best solution according to 100% of respondents), it’s best to leave the hyperbole to the\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed above? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-21 08:56:01','2017-04-21 12:56:01','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3482,4,'2017-04-24 10:22:02','2017-04-24 14:22:02','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude. Following are five points to being a better communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed above? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-24 10:22:02','2017-04-24 14:22:02','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3483,4,'2017-04-27 10:00:41','2017-04-27 14:00:41','<strong>United learns the hard way what\'s important</strong>\r\n\r\nAs you no doubt have seen by now, United Airlines has been forced to make several changes in the wake of the customer abuse incident seen around the world (where a passenger was forcibly removed from a plane and injured in the process). United has now released a report that concludes it let company policies trump customer\'s rights, and is now making changes to focus on the customer. You can read more details in this Washington Post article: <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/04/27/united-dragging-report-our-review-shows-that-many-things-went-wrong-that-day/?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_united145am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.a75c489f1172\" target=\"_blank\">United dragging report: \'Our review shows that many things went wrong that day.\'</a>  Also, today, United placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post (and I assume other large dailies) apologizing for its actions and outlining the policy changes.\r\n\r\nIt took very negative publicity and its consequences to make United realize that customers are the reason for being of any company. Without customers, a company simply does not exist. We know that companies that are more customer focused are also better regarded and therefore more successful. Southwest Airlines comes to mind.\r\n\r\n<strong>UX is about your customers</strong>\r\n\r\nAll this brings me to UX (user experience) and how important it is. UX is being customer- focused when it comes to designing your website/app. If you don\'t consider UX when you design, you are not being customer-friendly. It\'s that simple.\r\n\r\n<strong>Verizon FIOS On Demand versus Fandango Movies on Roku</strong>\r\n\r\nTake the example of Verizon FIOS\' On Demand screen versus  Roku\'s Fandango Movies  screen.\r\n\r\nVerizon re-designed their On Demand screen a couple of months ago. They made fonts and images smaller, they crowded the images together and they changed the categories. Adding to that, the background is dark, making it hard to see the writing. To find out whether a movie is available for purchase or rental, you have to click on the title and only then will you be able to see what it costs.\r\n\r\nFandango has several categories on the left hand side of the screen, starting with \"New movies to buy\" and New movies to rent.\" The background is a light color, the images are slightly bigger than Verizon\'s, and easy to read. Just by scrolling through the titles you can see the price of the movie, its Rotten Tomatoes rating, its MPAA rating, and its length.\r\n\r\nFandango most definitely considered UX when designing its movie screen. It\'s clear they thought about how customers search for movies, and what information (cost, time commitment, ratings) they need to make a decision. In contrast, the Verizon On Demand screen UX is plain horrible. It\'s hard to search, hard to find the information you need, and in my opinion, it\'s just ugly. Oh, and Fandango movie rentals cost less than Verizon\'s.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your customers, and it will pay off</strong>\r\n\r\nIn my case, I have been renting movies from Fandango and not from Verizon. I definitely find the Fandango interface easier to deal with. Additionally, I voiced my concerns to Verizon, and so far, they\'ve made no changes. I don\'t know if the redesign has affected sales, but I wouldn\'t be surprised.\r\n\r\nYour customers and their experience with your company/brand/organization has to be your first concern. If customers are mistreated, they simply will not come back. And in this age of social media, any negative publicity is amplified. Your customer\'s bad experience can be shared over and over.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being customer-focused and thinking about their user experience will go a long a way in making any organization successful.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful companies are customer-focused','','publish','open','open','','successful-companies-are-customer-focused','','','2017-04-27 10:00:41','2017-04-27 14:00:41','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3483',0,'post','',0),(3484,4,'2017-04-27 08:59:23','2017-04-27 12:59:23','As you have no doubt seen by now, United Airlines has been forced to make several changes in the wake of the customer abuse incident seen around the world (where a passenger was forcibly removed from a plane and injured in the process).  United has now released a report that concludes it let company policies trump customer\'s rights, and is now making changes to focus on the customer. You can read more details in this Washington Post article: <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/04/27/united-dragging-report-our-review-shows-that-many-things-went-wrong-that-day/?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_united145am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.a75c489f1172\" target=\"_blank\">United dragging report: \'Our review shows that many things went wrong that day.\'</a>  Also, today, United placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post (and I assume other large dailies) apologizing for its actions and outlining the policy changes.\r\n\r\nIt took very negative publicity and its consequences to make United realize that customers are the reason for being of any company. Without customers, a company simply does not exist. We know that companies that are more customer focused are also better regarded and therefore more successful. Southwest Airlines comes to mind.\r\n\r\nAll this brings me to UX (user experience) and how important it is. UX is being customer focused when it comes to designing your website/app. If you don\'t consider UX when you design, you are not being customer friendly. It\'s that simple.\r\n\r\nTake for example Verizon FIOS\' On Demand screen versus Fandango\'s Movie screen.  Verizon\r\n\r\nI\'ve written before about Verizon and how it seems to be not focused on its customers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful companies are customer focused','','inherit','open','open','','3483-revision-v1','','','2017-04-27 08:59:23','2017-04-27 12:59:23','',3483,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3483-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3485,4,'2017-04-27 09:53:03','2017-04-27 13:53:03','<strong>United learns the hard way what\'s important</strong>\r\n\r\nAs you have no doubt seen by now, United Airlines has been forced to make several changes in the wake of the customer abuse incident seen around the world (where a passenger was forcibly removed from a plane and injured in the process).  United has now released a report that concludes it let company policies trump customer\'s rights, and is now making changes to focus on the customer. You can read more details in this Washington Post article: <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/04/27/united-dragging-report-our-review-shows-that-many-things-went-wrong-that-day/?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_united145am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.a75c489f1172\" target=\"_blank\">United dragging report: \'Our review shows that many things went wrong that day.\'</a>  Also, today, United placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post (and I assume other large dailies) apologizing for its actions and outlining the policy changes.\r\n\r\nIt took very negative publicity and its consequences to make United realize that customers are the reason for being of any company. Without customers, a company simply does not exist. We know that companies that are more customer focused are also better regarded and therefore more successful. Southwest Airlines comes to mind.\r\n\r\n<strong>UX is about your customers</strong>\r\n\r\nAll this brings me to UX (user experience) and how important it is. UX is being customer focused when it comes to designing your website/app. If you don\'t consider UX when you design, you are not being customer friendly. It\'s that simple.\r\n\r\n<strong>Verizon FIOS On Demand versus Fandango Movies on Roku</strong>\r\n\r\nTake the example of Verizon FIOS\' On Demand screen versus  Roku\'s Fandango Movies  screen.\r\n\r\nVerizon re-designed their On Demand screen a couple of months ago. They made fonts and images smaller, they crowded the images together and they changed the categories. Adding to that, the background is dark, making it hard to see the writing. To find out whether a movie is available for purchase or rental, you have to click on the title and only then will you be able to see what it costs.\r\n\r\nFandango has several categories on the left hand side of the screen, starting with \"New movies to buy\" and New movies to rent.\" The background is a light color, the images are a bigger than Verizon\'s, and easy to read. Just by scrolling through the titles you can see the price of the movie, its Rotten Tomatoes rating, its MPAA rating and its length.\r\n\r\nFandango most definitely considered UX when designing this screen. It\'s clear they thought about how customers search for movies, and what information (cost, time commitment, ratings) they need to make a decision. In contrast, the Verizon On Demand screen UX is plain horrible.It\'s hard to search, hard to find the information you need and in my opinion, it\'s a turn-off. Oh, and Fandango movie rentals cost less than Verizon\'s.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your customers, and it will pay off</strong>\r\n\r\nIn my case, I have been renting movies from Fandango and not from Verizon. I definitely find the Fandango interface easier to deal with. Additionally, I voiced my concerns to Verizon, and so far, they\'ve made no changes. I don\'t know if the redesign has affected sales, but I wouldn\'t be surprised.\r\n\r\nYour customers and their experience with your company/brand/organization has to be your first concern. If customers are mistreated, they simply will not come back. And in this age of social media, any negative publicity is amplified. Your customer\'s bad experience can be shared over and over. Being customer focused goes a long a way in making any organization successful.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful companies are customer-focused','','inherit','open','open','','3483-revision-v1','','','2017-04-27 09:53:03','2017-04-27 13:53:03','',3483,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3483-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3486,4,'2017-04-27 10:00:41','2017-04-27 14:00:41','<strong>United learns the hard way what\'s important</strong>\r\n\r\nAs you no doubt have seen by now, United Airlines has been forced to make several changes in the wake of the customer abuse incident seen around the world (where a passenger was forcibly removed from a plane and injured in the process). United has now released a report that concludes it let company policies trump customer\'s rights, and is now making changes to focus on the customer. You can read more details in this Washington Post article: <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/04/27/united-dragging-report-our-review-shows-that-many-things-went-wrong-that-day/?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_united145am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.a75c489f1172\" target=\"_blank\">United dragging report: \'Our review shows that many things went wrong that day.\'</a>  Also, today, United placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post (and I assume other large dailies) apologizing for its actions and outlining the policy changes.\r\n\r\nIt took very negative publicity and its consequences to make United realize that customers are the reason for being of any company. Without customers, a company simply does not exist. We know that companies that are more customer focused are also better regarded and therefore more successful. Southwest Airlines comes to mind.\r\n\r\n<strong>UX is about your customers</strong>\r\n\r\nAll this brings me to UX (user experience) and how important it is. UX is being customer- focused when it comes to designing your website/app. If you don\'t consider UX when you design, you are not being customer-friendly. It\'s that simple.\r\n\r\n<strong>Verizon FIOS On Demand versus Fandango Movies on Roku</strong>\r\n\r\nTake the example of Verizon FIOS\' On Demand screen versus  Roku\'s Fandango Movies  screen.\r\n\r\nVerizon re-designed their On Demand screen a couple of months ago. They made fonts and images smaller, they crowded the images together and they changed the categories. Adding to that, the background is dark, making it hard to see the writing. To find out whether a movie is available for purchase or rental, you have to click on the title and only then will you be able to see what it costs.\r\n\r\nFandango has several categories on the left hand side of the screen, starting with \"New movies to buy\" and New movies to rent.\" The background is a light color, the images are slightly bigger than Verizon\'s, and easy to read. Just by scrolling through the titles you can see the price of the movie, its Rotten Tomatoes rating, its MPAA rating, and its length.\r\n\r\nFandango most definitely considered UX when designing its movie screen. It\'s clear they thought about how customers search for movies, and what information (cost, time commitment, ratings) they need to make a decision. In contrast, the Verizon On Demand screen UX is plain horrible. It\'s hard to search, hard to find the information you need, and in my opinion, it\'s just ugly. Oh, and Fandango movie rentals cost less than Verizon\'s.\r\n\r\n<strong>Think about your customers, and it will pay off</strong>\r\n\r\nIn my case, I have been renting movies from Fandango and not from Verizon. I definitely find the Fandango interface easier to deal with. Additionally, I voiced my concerns to Verizon, and so far, they\'ve made no changes. I don\'t know if the redesign has affected sales, but I wouldn\'t be surprised.\r\n\r\nYour customers and their experience with your company/brand/organization has to be your first concern. If customers are mistreated, they simply will not come back. And in this age of social media, any negative publicity is amplified. Your customer\'s bad experience can be shared over and over.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being customer-focused and thinking about their user experience will go a long a way in making any organization successful.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Successful companies are customer-focused','','inherit','open','open','','3483-revision-v1','','','2017-04-27 10:00:41','2017-04-27 14:00:41','',3483,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3483-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3487,4,'2017-04-28 09:30:38','2017-04-28 13:30:38','What is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\n\nIf anything, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude. Following are five points to being a better communicator.\n\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\n\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\n\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\n\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\n\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\n\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\n\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\n\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\n\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility.\n\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\n\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\n\n<hr />\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\n\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\n\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed above? Please share in the comments.\n\nUPDATE:\n\nI am not the only one who thinks Spicer is bad at what he does. Today, New York Magazine had this post: By Being Bad at His Job, Sean Spicer Nearly Causes Market Panic. Because Spicer does not bother to learn his subject well, he says inaccurate things, and in his role, his statements have consequences.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-autosave-v1','','','2017-04-28 09:30:38','2017-04-28 13:30:38','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3488,4,'2017-04-28 09:31:17','2017-04-28 13:31:17','<em>THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED.</em>\r\n\r\nWhat is good communication? In essence, it\'s getting your point across to the people who need to hear it. It\'s having those people (your audience) understand what you are saying, and be able to act on that information if necessary. Also, the information you pass on must be credible. Good communication, therefore, is built on clarity and trust.\r\n\r\nIf anything, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has shown us that some people are better communicators than others. Spicer is not example of how to do communications well, but rather, of what not to do. Thankfully, we can draw lessons from his ineptitude. Following are five points to being a better communicator.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand your subject matter very well</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you don’t understand something yourself, you have zero chance of explaining it (well) to someone else. Yes, this means you have to do some studying (or cramming). It means you have to ask people who know more about the subject to explain it to you. It may even mean looking at charts and graphs.\r\n\r\nIf you don\'t know what you are talking about, someone will be quick to point it out to you. Recently, this happened to Sean Spicer. During a press conference last week, Spicer showcased his ignorance about Hitler and the Holocaust by saying that Hitler didn\'t use chemical weapons (he did), and then when questioned, corrected himself by saying Hitler only used gas at \"holocaust centers\" but not against his own people (they are called concentration camps and many Germans were killed there). When his errors were pointed out, Spicer had to apologize often and profusely. The Anti-Defamation League even sent him a letter offering to conduct a private Holocaust education training for him and his staff. I don\'t know if Spicer took the ADL up on its offer, but I think he would greatly benefit from it and/or a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n<strong>Use only words that you completely understand and can define</strong>\r\n\r\nSpicer regularly uses the wrong words. He recently said something couldn\'t be <em>quantified</em>, when he meant that it couldn\'t be <em>qualified</em>. In his defense, this is a  common mistake, especially in speaking. When you write, you have a bit more time to figure out the words you are using.  The bottom line is this: If you <em>think</em> you know what a word means, but you can’t define it, don’t use it.  Also, remember that using big words, especially incorrectly, will make you appear to be trying too hard, and being ignorant too boot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Check your facts and statistics</strong>\r\n\r\nIf you are going to use any numbers or other facts that can be easily looked up, make sure that they are accurate and correct. Sean Spicer famously trotted out some made up statistics about Trump’s inauguration crowds. Those things can be verified, and if you are using incorrect numbers, you are threatening your own credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don’t exaggerate</strong>\r\n\r\nWith a boss who is fond of hyperbole, Spicer also tends to exaggerate. Everything is the best or the worst, terrible or fantastic. As any communicator knows, exaggeration also threatens credibility.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be likeable</strong>\r\n\r\nSean Spicer is a very combative person. This may have served him well when he was the spokesperson for the party out of power, but it is making him unlikeable. By constantly fighting with the White House press corps, or by belittling their questions, or by refusing to answer questions, or by mocking people, Spicer is ensuring that his attitude becomes the story.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really important.</strong>\r\n\r\nTrustworthy and reliable communications have become even more important and necessary in this world of fake news, where bots and fringe political groups are working hard to muck up the information that is available. Taking the time to study your subject and work on your credibility will go a long way to making you a better communicator than our current White House press secretary.\r\n\r\nIs there anything you would add to the five points I have listed above? Please share in the comments.\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE:</strong>\r\n\r\nI am not the only one who thinks Spicer is bad at what he does. Today, New York Magazine had this post: <a href=\"http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/04/by-being-bad-at-his-job-spicer-nearly-causes-market-panic.html?mid=facebook_nymag\" target=\"_blank\">By Being Bad at His Job, Sean Spicer Nearly Causes Market Panic. </a>Because Spicer does not bother to learn his subject well, he says inaccurate things, and in his role, his statements have consequences.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to be better at communication than Sean Spicer','','inherit','open','open','','3474-revision-v1','','','2017-04-28 09:31:17','2017-04-28 13:31:17','',3474,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/04/3474-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3490,4,'2017-05-02 14:06:42','2017-05-02 18:06:42','Over the weekend, I went on walking tour of Georgetown history. In case you don\'t know it, Georgetown is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. and home to Georgetown University. Georgetown has been around for a long time--it even predates the city of Washington--since it was founded as a port on the Potomac River in 1751. As you can imagine, there\'s a lot of history there. A lot.\r\n\r\n(Check out this<a href=\"http://www.georgetowndc.com/about/photo-tour\" target=\"_blank\"> photo tour</a> from the Georgetown website)\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff has happened in and around here</strong>\r\n\r\nThe tour started on the Georgetown Waterfront, right on the banks of the Potomac River, not far from the Key Bridge. The guide pointed out the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel (both of which are NOT in Georgetown, but are also on the banks of the Potomac). And he started talking about the scandals associated with both those buildings. Then he gave an anecdote about John Quincy Adams and how he nearly drowned in the Potomac River. Then we walked on, and the tour guide told us a story about a family that had traveled to Georgetown on the C&amp;O Canal in a barge, and how a fire broke out and killed three of their young children. He then showed pictures of the graves of these kids, graves which are located in Maryland. Then, we switched to 1985, and to discussing KGB spy Aldrich Ames and where he met his handlers (in a bar near the Waterfront). And to discussing the buildings along the Waterfront. And the construction of the C&amp;O Canal. And the unsolved murder of a purported lover of John F. Kennedy, whose body was found near the C&amp;O and who had lived in Ben Bradlee\'s home in Georgetown. And we went to the oldest structure in Georgetown, the Old Stone House. And then to a bank that had been a hospital during the Civil War, and where Louisa May Alcott was a nurse.\r\n\r\n(There was much, much more...)\r\n\r\n<strong>And he kept going</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter two and half hours we weren\'t done. The guide said we had a good 45 minutes left. As interesting as it was, the heat (it was near 90 and very humid) and the hour (it was near 6:00 p.m.) convinced me it was time to go home.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home, I was reflecting on the tour and decided it could have been much improved by some editing. The tour guide suffered from what many writers do--the desire to throw as much information as possible to show the breadth and depth of knowledge. But so much information can become amorphous--lacking in structure--to such an extent that it becomes irrelevant. He also had no overarching theme. There was little to connect the unresolved murder of a woman in the 1960s to the Old Stone House or to how divided Georgetown was during the Civil War. He also had too many asides--as important as the Watergate was to American politics, it does not belong in a Georgetown focused tour.\r\n\r\n<strong>In writing, editing means deciding what to leave in and what to take out. Editing means tightening up concepts and getting rid of wordiness. Editing means finding focus.</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the Georgetown walking tour, we could start editing by deciding to stick to a time period (Civil War or the 1800s), or to a specific type of event (murders, spying, politics) or to a specific area (Waterfront, N Street). This would give it a tighter focus and  more meaning. And in this case, it would\'ve also have shortened the tour.\r\n\r\nEditing does make everything better!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Editing makes everything better!','','publish','open','open','','editing-makes-everything-better','','','2017-05-03 08:56:23','2017-05-03 12:56:23','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3490',0,'post','',0),(3491,4,'2017-05-02 11:20:05','2017-05-02 15:20:05','Over the weekend, I attended a walking  tour of Georgetown history (a historic neighborhood of Washington, D.C.). Georgetown has been around for a long time--it even predates the city of Washington--since it was founded as port on the Potomac River in 1751. As you can imagine, there\'s a lot of history there. A lot.\r\n\r\nThe tour started on the Georgetown Waterfront. The guide pointed out the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel (both of which are NOT in Georgetown, but are also on the banks of the Potomac).','Editing makes everything better!','','inherit','open','open','','3490-revision-v1','','','2017-05-02 11:20:05','2017-05-02 15:20:05','',3490,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3490-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3492,4,'2017-05-02 13:57:53','2017-05-02 17:57:53','Over the weekend, I went on walking tour of Georgetown history. In case you don\'t know it, Georgetown is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. and home to Georgetown University. Georgetown has been around for a long time--it even predates the city of Washington--since it was founded as a port on the Potomac River in 1751. As you can imagine, there\'s a lot of history there. A lot.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff has happened in and around here</strong>\r\n\r\nThe tour started on the Georgetown Waterfront, right on the banks of the Potomac River, not far from the Key Bridge. The guide pointed out the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel (both of which are NOT in Georgetown, but are also on the banks of the Potomac). And he started talking about the scandals associated with both those buildings. Then he gave an anecdote about John Quincy Adams and how he nearly drowned in the Potomac River. Then we walked on, and the tour guide told us a story about a family that had traveled to Georgetown on the C&amp;O Canal in a barge, and how a fire broke out and killed three of their young children. He then showed pictures of the graves of these kids, graves which are located in Maryland. Then, we switched to 1985, and to discussing KGB spy Aldrich Ames and where he met his handlers (in a bar near the Waterfront). And to discussing the buildings along the Waterfront. And the construction of the C&amp;O Canal. And the unsolved murder of a purported lover of John F. Kennedy, whose body was found near the C&amp;O and who had lived in Ben Bradlee\'s home in Georgetown. And we went to the oldest structure in Georgetown, the Old Stone House. And then to a bank that had been a hospital during the Civil War, and where Louisa May Alcott was a nurse.\r\n\r\n(There was much much more...)\r\n\r\n<strong>And he kept going</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter two and half hours we weren\'t done. The guide said we had a good 45 minutes left. As interesting as it was, the heat (it was near 90 and very humid) and the hour (it was near 6:00 p.m.) convinced me it was time to go home.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home, I was reflecting on the tour and decided it could have been much improved by some editing. The tour guide suffered from what many writers do--the desire to throw as much information as possible to show the breadth and depth of knowledge. But so much information can become amorphous--lacking in structure--to such an extent that it becomes irrelevant. He also had no overarching theme. There was little to connect the unresolved murder of a woman in the 1960s to the Old Stone House or to how divided Georgetown was during the Civil War. He also had too many asides--as important as the Watergate was to American politics, it does not belong in a Georgetown focused tour.\r\n\r\n<strong>In writing, editing means deciding what to leave in and what to take out. Editing means tightening up concepts and getting rid of wordiness. Editing means finding focus.</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the Georgetown Walking tour, you could start editing by deciding to stick to a time period (Civil War or the 1800s), or to a specific type of event (murders, spying, politics) or to a specific area (Waterfront, N Street). By \"editing\" the tour, you find focus and give it more meaning. And in this case, you would\'ve also have shortened the tour or at least not let it expand.\r\n\r\nEditing does make everything better!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Editing makes everything better!','','inherit','open','open','','3490-revision-v1','','','2017-05-02 13:57:53','2017-05-02 17:57:53','',3490,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3490-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3493,4,'2017-05-02 14:06:42','2017-05-02 18:06:42','Over the weekend, I went on walking tour of Georgetown history. In case you don\'t know it, Georgetown is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. and home to Georgetown University. Georgetown has been around for a long time--it even predates the city of Washington--since it was founded as a port on the Potomac River in 1751. As you can imagine, there\'s a lot of history there. A lot.\r\n\r\n(Check of this<a href=\"http://www.georgetowndc.com/about/photo-tour\" target=\"_blank\"> photo tour</a> from the Georgetown website)\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff has happened in and around here</strong>\r\n\r\nThe tour started on the Georgetown Waterfront, right on the banks of the Potomac River, not far from the Key Bridge. The guide pointed out the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel (both of which are NOT in Georgetown, but are also on the banks of the Potomac). And he started talking about the scandals associated with both those buildings. Then he gave an anecdote about John Quincy Adams and how he nearly drowned in the Potomac River. Then we walked on, and the tour guide told us a story about a family that had traveled to Georgetown on the C&amp;O Canal in a barge, and how a fire broke out and killed three of their young children. He then showed pictures of the graves of these kids, graves which are located in Maryland. Then, we switched to 1985, and to discussing KGB spy Aldrich Ames and where he met his handlers (in a bar near the Waterfront). And to discussing the buildings along the Waterfront. And the construction of the C&amp;O Canal. And the unsolved murder of a purported lover of John F. Kennedy, whose body was found near the C&amp;O and who had lived in Ben Bradlee\'s home in Georgetown. And we went to the oldest structure in Georgetown, the Old Stone House. And then to a bank that had been a hospital during the Civil War, and where Louisa May Alcott was a nurse.\r\n\r\n(There was much, much more...)\r\n\r\n<strong>And he kept going</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter two and half hours we weren\'t done. The guide said we had a good 45 minutes left. As interesting as it was, the heat (it was near 90 and very humid) and the hour (it was near 6:00 p.m.) convinced me it was time to go home.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home, I was reflecting on the tour and decided it could have been much improved by some editing. The tour guide suffered from what many writers do--the desire to throw as much information as possible to show the breadth and depth of knowledge. But so much information can become amorphous--lacking in structure--to such an extent that it becomes irrelevant. He also had no overarching theme. There was little to connect the unresolved murder of a woman in the 1960s to the Old Stone House or to how divided Georgetown was during the Civil War. He also had too many asides--as important as the Watergate was to American politics, it does not belong in a Georgetown focused tour.\r\n\r\n<strong>In writing, editing means deciding what to leave in and what to take out. Editing means tightening up concepts and getting rid of wordiness. Editing means finding focus.</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the Georgetown walking tour, we could start editing by deciding to stick to a time period (Civil War or the 1800s), or to a specific type of event (murders, spying, politics) or to a specific area (Waterfront, N Street). This would give it a tighter focus and  more meaning. And in this case, it would\'ve also have shortened the tour.\r\n\r\nEditing does make everything better!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Editing makes everything better!','','inherit','open','open','','3490-revision-v1','','','2017-05-02 14:06:42','2017-05-02 18:06:42','',3490,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3490-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3494,4,'2017-05-03 08:56:23','2017-05-03 12:56:23','Over the weekend, I went on walking tour of Georgetown history. In case you don\'t know it, Georgetown is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. and home to Georgetown University. Georgetown has been around for a long time--it even predates the city of Washington--since it was founded as a port on the Potomac River in 1751. As you can imagine, there\'s a lot of history there. A lot.\r\n\r\n(Check out this<a href=\"http://www.georgetowndc.com/about/photo-tour\" target=\"_blank\"> photo tour</a> from the Georgetown website)\r\n\r\n<strong>Lots of stuff has happened in and around here</strong>\r\n\r\nThe tour started on the Georgetown Waterfront, right on the banks of the Potomac River, not far from the Key Bridge. The guide pointed out the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel (both of which are NOT in Georgetown, but are also on the banks of the Potomac). And he started talking about the scandals associated with both those buildings. Then he gave an anecdote about John Quincy Adams and how he nearly drowned in the Potomac River. Then we walked on, and the tour guide told us a story about a family that had traveled to Georgetown on the C&amp;O Canal in a barge, and how a fire broke out and killed three of their young children. He then showed pictures of the graves of these kids, graves which are located in Maryland. Then, we switched to 1985, and to discussing KGB spy Aldrich Ames and where he met his handlers (in a bar near the Waterfront). And to discussing the buildings along the Waterfront. And the construction of the C&amp;O Canal. And the unsolved murder of a purported lover of John F. Kennedy, whose body was found near the C&amp;O and who had lived in Ben Bradlee\'s home in Georgetown. And we went to the oldest structure in Georgetown, the Old Stone House. And then to a bank that had been a hospital during the Civil War, and where Louisa May Alcott was a nurse.\r\n\r\n(There was much, much more...)\r\n\r\n<strong>And he kept going</strong>\r\n\r\nAfter two and half hours we weren\'t done. The guide said we had a good 45 minutes left. As interesting as it was, the heat (it was near 90 and very humid) and the hour (it was near 6:00 p.m.) convinced me it was time to go home.\r\n\r\nWhen I got home, I was reflecting on the tour and decided it could have been much improved by some editing. The tour guide suffered from what many writers do--the desire to throw as much information as possible to show the breadth and depth of knowledge. But so much information can become amorphous--lacking in structure--to such an extent that it becomes irrelevant. He also had no overarching theme. There was little to connect the unresolved murder of a woman in the 1960s to the Old Stone House or to how divided Georgetown was during the Civil War. He also had too many asides--as important as the Watergate was to American politics, it does not belong in a Georgetown focused tour.\r\n\r\n<strong>In writing, editing means deciding what to leave in and what to take out. Editing means tightening up concepts and getting rid of wordiness. Editing means finding focus.</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the Georgetown walking tour, we could start editing by deciding to stick to a time period (Civil War or the 1800s), or to a specific type of event (murders, spying, politics) or to a specific area (Waterfront, N Street). This would give it a tighter focus and  more meaning. And in this case, it would\'ve also have shortened the tour.\r\n\r\nEditing does make everything better!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Editing makes everything better!','','inherit','open','open','','3490-revision-v1','','','2017-05-03 08:56:23','2017-05-03 12:56:23','',3490,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3490-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3496,4,'2017-05-09 10:20:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','A communication','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-05-09 10:20:22','2017-05-09 14:20:22','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3496',0,'post','',0),(3497,4,'2017-05-11 09:59:18','2017-05-11 13:59:18','About a decade ago, I was on the board of a small nonprofit that provided educational programming. I lasted all of a few months since I was fighting a losing battle with the other board members and a spectacularly uninformed (and very young) executive director.\r\n\r\nThis nonprofit had very little money but insisted on a color brochure printed on heavy paper, listing their courses. The ED would then mail it first class (read, the expensive way) because it would take too long to prepare it for the cheaper, bulk/nonprofit rate.\r\n\r\nAmong the things I suggested was to print the brochure on cheaper paper (like newsprint), use the bulk rate, and to consider going all electronic instead. All these ideas were dismissed. One board member thought it was crucial to print the brochure on good paper because it made it seem more serious (?). The ED was balking at using the bulk rate because it meant pre-sorting the brochure. And another board member said that many people wanted the printed brochure and would never abide an electronic format.\r\n\r\nLike I said, it was a losing battle and I believe that there\'s no sense in discussing change with people who don\'t want to change.\r\n\r\nHere we are a good ten years later, and I just got their latest brochure. Yes, I am still on the mailing list even though I have not signed up for a class or donated any money or shown any interest whatsoever. It is still printed on heavy paper, and has full color (which adds to the expense). They are now using the nonprofit/bulk rate. When you use use the bulk rate, you have to be aware that delivery will take longer than using first class postage. Apparently, it is not something that this nonprofit understands. I got the brochure yesterday (May 10). The front cover has a banner telling me spring classes begin on April 26, 2017.\r\n\r\nThis nonprofit continues to print an expensive brochure. However, it doesn\'t print it out with enough lead time to be able to overcome the slower bulk delivery rate. In effect, this is a complete waste. If you are using a brochure as your only means to communicate your offering, then it better be timely.\r\n\r\nAnd, it seems this organization does not review its database. It continues sending out brochures to people that have not indicated any interest in years. Of course, this adds to the cost of the printing and mailing.\r\n\r\nCan you imagine if they had provided this brochure electronically? They would be able to send it out at precisely the right time. They would be able to gauge interest from the open and click rates. They would be able to scrub their lists of any bad addresses. They would increase their reach through the ability to share online. But why change?\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s how you run your organization to the ground: you waste your precious resources and keep doing it until you have nothing left. You keep doing things the way you always have even though it has never been cost-effective.  You don\'t adapt.</strong>\r\n\r\nSigh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to run your organization into oblivion','','publish','open','open','','how-to-run-your-organization-into-oblivion','','','2017-05-11 09:59:18','2017-05-11 13:59:18','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3497',0,'post','',0),(3498,4,'2017-05-11 09:59:18','2017-05-11 13:59:18','About a decade ago, I was on the board of a small nonprofit that provided educational programming. I lasted all of a few months since I was fighting a losing battle with the other board members and a spectacularly uninformed (and very young) executive director.\r\n\r\nThis nonprofit had very little money but insisted on a color brochure printed on heavy paper, listing their courses. The ED would then mail it first class (read, the expensive way) because it would take too long to prepare it for the cheaper, bulk/nonprofit rate.\r\n\r\nAmong the things I suggested was to print the brochure on cheaper paper (like newsprint), use the bulk rate, and to consider going all electronic instead. All these ideas were dismissed. One board member thought it was crucial to print the brochure on good paper because it made it seem more serious (?). The ED was balking at using the bulk rate because it meant pre-sorting the brochure. And another board member said that many people wanted the printed brochure and would never abide an electronic format.\r\n\r\nLike I said, it was a losing battle and I believe that there\'s no sense in discussing change with people who don\'t want to change.\r\n\r\nHere we are a good ten years later, and I just got their latest brochure. Yes, I am still on the mailing list even though I have not signed up for a class or donated any money or shown any interest whatsoever. It is still printed on heavy paper, and has full color (which adds to the expense). They are now using the nonprofit/bulk rate. When you use use the bulk rate, you have to be aware that delivery will take longer than using first class postage. Apparently, it is not something that this nonprofit understands. I got the brochure yesterday (May 10). The front cover has a banner telling me spring classes begin on April 26, 2017.\r\n\r\nThis nonprofit continues to print an expensive brochure. However, it doesn\'t print it out with enough lead time to be able to overcome the slower bulk delivery rate. In effect, this is a complete waste. If you are using a brochure as your only means to communicate your offering, then it better be timely.\r\n\r\nAnd, it seems this organization does not review its database. It continues sending out brochures to people that have not indicated any interest in years. Of course, this adds to the cost of the printing and mailing.\r\n\r\nCan you imagine if they had provided this brochure electronically? They would be able to send it out at precisely the right time. They would be able to gauge interest from the open and click rates. They would be able to scrub their lists of any bad addresses. They would increase their reach through the ability to share online. But why change?\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s how you run your organization to the ground: you waste your precious resources and keep doing it until you have nothing left. You keep doing things the way you always have even though it has never been cost-effective.  You don\'t adapt.</strong>\r\n\r\nSigh.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How to run your organization into oblivion','','inherit','open','open','','3497-revision-v1','','','2017-05-11 09:59:18','2017-05-11 13:59:18','',3497,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3497-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3507,4,'2017-06-06 16:53:19','2017-06-06 20:53:19','Yesterday, a friend and I met to have lunch at a new pupusa place in Bethesda that we\'d read about. (In case you don\'t know, pupusas are an absolutely delicious Salvadoran specialty of  stuffed thick corn tortillas that are griddled.)\r\n\r\nWhen the pupusa place first opened, it was covered in Bethesda Magazine online  (I don\'t know if it was in the print version). The article stated that the pupusa place was sharing the kitchen with a Japanese restaurant. I assumed it was next door to the Japanese restaurant, but it turns out that it is not separate at all.\r\n\r\nI looked up the address online, and set out. Once I got to the block the restaurant was supposed to be on, I walked up and down the street not seeing sign for it anywhere. I noticed a Japanese place, but there was no indication that they served pupusas there.  I called the number listed on the pupusa place\'s Facebook page. I said I was on their street but couldn\'t find them. The guy who answered told me he was INSIDE the Japanese restaurant, and that they normally only do take out, but that we could sit inside the restaurant.\r\n\r\nMy friend and I went in, and told the hostess that we wanted to eat pupusas. She told us that it was take out only, but when I told her I had spoken to the pupusa guy and he\'d told me we could sit inside, she let us sit in the bar area, and even took our order.\r\n\r\nWhen the pupusas came out, the waitress realized we needed forks and knives since it\'s kind of hard to eat stuffed tortillas with chopsticks. It took her another few minutes to reappear with forks for us.\r\n\r\nEven with all the hoops to jump through, these pupusas were absolutely delicious, and we both really enjoyed our lunch. We decided that the next time we\'d call it in as a takeout order, that is, if this place manages to stay in business.\r\n\r\nThis pupusa place faces many marketing challenges that are related to its business decision to be inside of a Japanese restaurant. Here are the top issues:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>No signage whatsoever</li>\r\n	<li>No clarity on its Facebook page indicating their physical location inside the Japanese restaurant</li>\r\n	<li>Not a natural fit in cuisines</li>\r\n	<li>No menu or any printed materials</li>\r\n	<li>No clarity on being a takeout business</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nI am not sure how this place can surmount these difficulties. An article in Bethesda Magazine, and one Yelp review are not sufficient publicity. This place has to rely on word of mouth and even more, on people specifically searching for pupusas in Bethesda.\r\n\r\nI\'d recommend that the \"restaurant\" seek out it\'s own space, even if only a food truck. Failing that, I would recommend it figure out a way of having a sign and a menu available within the Japanese restaurant. And definitely make it perfectly clear on its Facebook page that it\'s take out only.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you making the best business decisions for your marketing?','','publish','open','open','','are-you-making-the-best-business-decisions-for-your-marketing','','','2017-06-06 16:53:19','2017-06-06 20:53:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3507',0,'post','',0),(3502,4,'2017-05-31 13:02:28','2017-05-31 17:02:28','<strong>Holiday marketing goes wrong</strong>\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I got an email from retailer Eddie Bauer with the subject line \"Happy Memorial Day.\" Now, last time I checked, Memorial Day is a holiday that commemorates and honors soldiers who have died in battle. It\'s a solemn day, meant for reflection, gratitude, and mourning. It is not meant to be a happy occasion.\r\n\r\nAnd Eddie Bauer was hardly alone. Grammarly, purportedly a website/app about proper word usage, also wished its readers a \"happy Memorial Day.\" And Walgreens, the drugstore, had a TV commercial that wished viewers a happy Memorial Day and sent regards and gratitude to the troops. Again, Memorial Day is not about those currently serving, it is about those who died while serving.\r\n\r\nIvanka Trump\'s company got a bit of negative publicity because it tweeted how to make champagne popsicles to \"celebrate\" Memorial Day. You do not celebrate Memorial Day, you observe it.\r\n\r\n<strong>These are mistakes and missteps that come from <em>assuming</em> you know something rather than actually knowing it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThese sad examples of holiday marketing show a deep lack of knowledge and understanding. They are mistakes that seem to come from people who have little breadth and depth.  That\'s what I mean by junior staff. Junior staff members are not necessarily young, but they are inexperienced, have little knowledge, don\'t always understand context, and may make poorly thought out decisions. Junior staff may be aces at the tactics, like posting to social media, but they aren\'t versed on strategy and communications goals.\r\n\r\n<strong>When grownups handle communications</strong>\r\n\r\nOver the Memorial Day weekend, Budweiser was running a promotion in which a portion of beer sales proceeds would be given to Folds of Honor, a charity that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen service members. In all aspects, this is a smarter and much more appropriate marketing tactic than the Memorial Day greetings listed above. It shows an understanding of the meaning of the holiday, and does something to give back (and thus, honors).  Budweiser gets that people like to have cookouts and drink beer over the long holiday weekend, so it is taking advantage of a behavior and making it be worthwhile both for the bottom line and for what the holiday stands for.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand what it means and how it\'s best acknowledged</strong>\r\n\r\nHolidays make easy marketing markers. Every store in this country uses the different holidays to sell something. If it\'s Fourth of July, get your flag themed whatever (t-shirts, cakes). If it\'s Thanksgiving buy some Pilgrim/turkey themed stuff. There are pastel colors and rabbits to celebrate Easter.\r\n\r\nYet, not all holidays are the same. Some are religious, some are patriotic, some are celebratory and some are solemn. Understanding what the meaning of a holiday is, and how people celebrate or commemorate it, goes a long way in ensuring that you won\'t be making a junior-level, major marketing mistake.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Did you notice any Memorial Day marketing missteps? How do you feel about using a solemn holiday like Memorial Day for marketing purposes? Let me know in the comments.</span>','The danger of letting junior staff handle your communications','','publish','open','open','','the-danger-of-letting-junior-staff-handle-your-communications','','','2017-05-31 13:02:28','2017-05-31 17:02:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3502',0,'post','',3),(3503,4,'2017-05-31 08:36:38','2017-05-31 12:36:38','','The danger of letting junior staff handle your communications','','inherit','open','open','','3502-revision-v1','','','2017-05-31 08:36:38','2017-05-31 12:36:38','',3502,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3502-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3504,4,'2017-05-31 09:21:50','2017-05-31 13:21:50','<strong>Holiday Marketing Goes Wrong</strong>\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I got an email from retailer Eddie Bauer with the subject line \"Happy Memorial Day.\" Now, last time I checked, Memorial Day is a holiday that commemorates and honors soldiers who have died in battle. It\'s a solemn day, meant for reflection, gratitude, and mourning. What it is not is happy.\r\n\r\nAnd Eddie Bauer was hardly alone. Grammarly, purportedly a website/app about proper word usage, also wished its readers a \"happy Memorial Day.\" And Walgreens, the drugstore, had a TV commercial that wished a happy Memorial Day and wished the best to the troops. Again, Memorial Day is not about those currently serving, it is about those who died.\r\n\r\nIvanka Trump\'s company got a bit of negative publicity because it tweeted how to make champagne popsicles to \"celebrate\" Memorial Day.\r\n\r\n<strong>These are mistakes and missteps that come from assuming you know something rather than actually knowing it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThese sad examples of holiday marketing show a deep lack of knowledge and understanding. They are mistakes that seem to come from people who have little breadth and depth.  That\'s what I mean by junior staff. Junior staff members are not necessarily young, but they are inexperienced, have little knowledge and context, and make poorly thought out decisions. Junior staff may know how to use social media but they don\'t understand the consequences of making a misstep on social media.\r\n\r\n<strong>When grownups handle communications</strong>\r\n\r\nOver the Memorial Day weekend, Budweiser was running a promotion in which a portion of the proceeds of beer sales would be given to Folds of Honor, a charity that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen service members. In all aspects, this is a smarter and much more appropriate marketing tactic. It shows an understanding of the meaning of the holiday, and does something to give back.  Budweiser gets that people like to have cookouts and drink beer over the long holiday weekend, so it is taking advantage of a behavior and making it be worthwhile both for the bottom line and for what the holiday stands for.\r\n\r\nHolidays make easy marketing markers. Every store in this country uses the different holidays to sell something. If it\'s Fourth of July, get your flag themed whatever (t-shirts, cakes). If it\'s Thanksgiving buy some Pilgrim/turkey themed stuff. There are pastel colors and rabbits to celebrate Easter.\r\n\r\nNot all holidays are the same. Understanding what the meaning of a holiday is, and how people celebrate or commemorate it, goes a long way in ensuring that you won\'t be making a junior-level, major marketing mistake.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','The danger of letting junior staff handle your communications','','inherit','open','open','','3502-revision-v1','','','2017-05-31 09:21:50','2017-05-31 13:21:50','',3502,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3502-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3506,4,'2017-05-31 13:02:12','2017-05-31 17:02:12','<strong>Holiday marketing goes wrong</strong>\r\n\r\nThis past weekend, I got an email from retailer Eddie Bauer with the subject line \"Happy Memorial Day.\" Now, last time I checked, Memorial Day is a holiday that commemorates and honors soldiers who have died in battle. It\'s a solemn day, meant for reflection, gratitude, and mourning. It is not meant to be a happy occasion.\r\n\r\nAnd Eddie Bauer was hardly alone. Grammarly, purportedly a website/app about proper word usage, also wished its readers a \"happy Memorial Day.\" And Walgreens, the drugstore, had a TV commercial that wished viewers a happy Memorial Day and sent regards and gratitude to the troops. Again, Memorial Day is not about those currently serving, it is about those who died while serving.\r\n\r\nIvanka Trump\'s company got a bit of negative publicity because it tweeted how to make champagne popsicles to \"celebrate\" Memorial Day. You do not celebrate Memorial Day, you observe it.\r\n\r\n<strong>These are mistakes and missteps that come from <em>assuming</em> you know something rather than actually knowing it.</strong>\r\n\r\nThese sad examples of holiday marketing show a deep lack of knowledge and understanding. They are mistakes that seem to come from people who have little breadth and depth.  That\'s what I mean by junior staff. Junior staff members are not necessarily young, but they are inexperienced, have little knowledge, don\'t always understand context, and may make poorly thought out decisions. Junior staff may be aces at the tactics, like posting to social media, but they aren\'t versed on strategy and communications goals.\r\n\r\n<strong>When grownups handle communications</strong>\r\n\r\nOver the Memorial Day weekend, Budweiser was running a promotion in which a portion of beer sales proceeds would be given to Folds of Honor, a charity that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen service members. In all aspects, this is a smarter and much more appropriate marketing tactic than the Memorial Day greetings listed above. It shows an understanding of the meaning of the holiday, and does something to give back (and thus, honors).  Budweiser gets that people like to have cookouts and drink beer over the long holiday weekend, so it is taking advantage of a behavior and making it be worthwhile both for the bottom line and for what the holiday stands for.\r\n\r\n<strong>Understand what it means and how it\'s best acknowledged</strong>\r\n\r\nHolidays make easy marketing markers. Every store in this country uses the different holidays to sell something. If it\'s Fourth of July, get your flag themed whatever (t-shirts, cakes). If it\'s Thanksgiving buy some Pilgrim/turkey themed stuff. There are pastel colors and rabbits to celebrate Easter.\r\n\r\nYet, not all holidays are the same. Some are religious, some are patriotic, some are celebratory and some are solemn. Understanding what the meaning of a holiday is, and how people celebrate or commemorate it, goes a long way in ensuring that you won\'t be making a junior-level, major marketing mistake.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Did you notice any Memorial Day marketing missteps? How do you feel about using a solemn holiday like Memorial Day for marketing purposes? Let me know in the comments.</span>','The danger of letting junior staff handle your communications','','inherit','open','open','','3502-revision-v1','','','2017-05-31 13:02:12','2017-05-31 17:02:12','',3502,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/05/3502-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3508,4,'2017-06-06 16:53:19','2017-06-06 20:53:19','Yesterday, a friend and I met to have lunch at a new pupusa place in Bethesda that we\'d read about. (In case you don\'t know, pupusas are an absolutely delicious Salvadoran specialty of  stuffed thick corn tortillas that are griddled.)\r\n\r\nWhen the pupusa place first opened, it was covered in Bethesda Magazine online  (I don\'t know if it was in the print version). The article stated that the pupusa place was sharing the kitchen with a Japanese restaurant. I assumed it was next door to the Japanese restaurant, but it turns out that it is not separate at all.\r\n\r\nI looked up the address online, and set out. Once I got to the block the restaurant was supposed to be on, I walked up and down the street not seeing sign for it anywhere. I noticed a Japanese place, but there was no indication that they served pupusas there.  I called the number listed on the pupusa place\'s Facebook page. I said I was on their street but couldn\'t find them. The guy who answered told me he was INSIDE the Japanese restaurant, and that they normally only do take out, but that we could sit inside the restaurant.\r\n\r\nMy friend and I went in, and told the hostess that we wanted to eat pupusas. She told us that it was take out only, but when I told her I had spoken to the pupusa guy and he\'d told me we could sit inside, she let us sit in the bar area, and even took our order.\r\n\r\nWhen the pupusas came out, the waitress realized we needed forks and knives since it\'s kind of hard to eat stuffed tortillas with chopsticks. It took her another few minutes to reappear with forks for us.\r\n\r\nEven with all the hoops to jump through, these pupusas were absolutely delicious, and we both really enjoyed our lunch. We decided that the next time we\'d call it in as a takeout order, that is, if this place manages to stay in business.\r\n\r\nThis pupusa place faces many marketing challenges that are related to its business decision to be inside of a Japanese restaurant. Here are the top issues:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>No signage whatsoever</li>\r\n	<li>No clarity on its Facebook page indicating their physical location inside the Japanese restaurant</li>\r\n	<li>Not a natural fit in cuisines</li>\r\n	<li>No menu or any printed materials</li>\r\n	<li>No clarity on being a takeout business</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nI am not sure how this place can surmount these difficulties. An article in Bethesda Magazine, and one Yelp review are not sufficient publicity. This place has to rely on word of mouth and even more, on people specifically searching for pupusas in Bethesda.\r\n\r\nI\'d recommend that the \"restaurant\" seek out it\'s own space, even if only a food truck. Failing that, I would recommend it figure out a way of having a sign and a menu available within the Japanese restaurant. And definitely make it perfectly clear on its Facebook page that it\'s take out only.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you making the best business decisions for your marketing?','','inherit','open','open','','3507-revision-v1','','','2017-06-06 16:53:19','2017-06-06 20:53:19','',3507,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3507-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3511,4,'2017-06-13 10:45:37','2017-06-13 14:45:37','At an event last week, I met the owner of a local pizza shop. This pizza shop, which opened about a year ago, is located near me, and seems pretty busy, especially on weekends. I asked him how it\'s doing. The pizza shop owner immediately said it was doing poorly, and  he  said the parking situation was to blame. That seemed strange to me since there\'s plenty of garage parking, which, with validation, is free for two hours. He told me that it doesn\'t matter, because psychologically, people don\'t like to pay for parking. And here\'s a direct quote from him: \"I have friends who can spend $500 on dinner but they won\'t pay for parking.\"\r\n\r\nOK. I am sure there are people who avoid going places where they have to pay for parking. But I also don\'t think free parking with validation, and a couple bucks an hour after is the one reason people will avoid going out to dinner.\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about this situation for a few days, and I have concluded that this shop owner is looking for an easy excuse  for what may be poor business and marketing decisions on his part.\r\n\r\nHere are three possible mistakes he has made:\r\n\r\n<strong>Not scouting or researching the location carefully enough.</strong> This particular location has several other restaurants, and the parking situation has not changed in several years. He could have asked the other restaurants if they felt the parking was a challenge. He could have determined how many people walk or take public transportation to get here and how many people drive, and from where. He could have checked out if people complain about parking.\r\n\r\n<strong>Biting off more than he can chew.</strong> This particular restaurant took over two spaces (one had been a restaurant and the other a shoe store). It is a very large place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Perhaps the space is too big with a rent that is too high to support the amount of people that will eat out here.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not doing enough marketing (and marketing poorly)</strong>. When the place opened, I joined the Facebook page for it. It seems that they are doing a few things to entice the community, like a trivia night and a pet adoption event. Now, I am not sure how having a pet adoption event at a restaurant is even a legal idea, and at best is a bit strange idea that may attract pet lovers. I have seen little to promote events in the community and very little creativity. Also, and I kid not, the sponsored Facebook ads promote their top sirloin beef burgers. This is a pizza joint and they should focus on their area of expertise. If you want a burger while everyone else wants pizza, it\'s good they have alternatives for you. But if you want a really great burger, you are not going to a pizza restaurant for it.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this pizza place owner\'s gut told him that parking is the real issue. But a gut feeling does not mean that it\'s the correct reason to explain a situation. If he truly wants to improve his situation, he\'d commission market research and/or  hire a restaurant marketing consultant. He needs facts and actions rather than the feeling that parking, something that will not change and he cannot control, is hurting his business.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Does it all amount to parking or may there be other reasons?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You need more than a gut feeling','','publish','open','open','','you-need-more-than-a-gut-feeling','','','2017-06-13 10:45:37','2017-06-13 14:45:37','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3511',0,'post','',0),(3512,4,'2017-06-13 10:45:37','2017-06-13 14:45:37','At an event last week, I met the owner of a local pizza shop. This pizza shop, which opened about a year ago, is located near me, and seems pretty busy, especially on weekends. I asked him how it\'s doing. The pizza shop owner immediately said it was doing poorly, and  he  said the parking situation was to blame. That seemed strange to me since there\'s plenty of garage parking, which, with validation, is free for two hours. He told me that it doesn\'t matter, because psychologically, people don\'t like to pay for parking. And here\'s a direct quote from him: \"I have friends who can spend $500 on dinner but they won\'t pay for parking.\"\r\n\r\nOK. I am sure there are people who avoid going places where they have to pay for parking. But I also don\'t think free parking with validation, and a couple bucks an hour after is the one reason people will avoid going out to dinner.\r\n\r\nI have been thinking about this situation for a few days, and I have concluded that this shop owner is looking for an easy excuse  for what may be poor business and marketing decisions on his part.\r\n\r\nHere are three possible mistakes he has made:\r\n\r\n<strong>Not scouting or researching the location carefully enough.</strong> This particular location has several other restaurants, and the parking situation has not changed in several years. He could have asked the other restaurants if they felt the parking was a challenge. He could have determined how many people walk or take public transportation to get here and how many people drive, and from where. He could have checked out if people complain about parking.\r\n\r\n<strong>Biting off more than he can chew.</strong> This particular restaurant took over two spaces (one had been a restaurant and the other a shoe store). It is a very large place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Perhaps the space is too big with a rent that is too high to support the amount of people that will eat out here.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not doing enough marketing (and marketing poorly)</strong>. When the place opened, I joined the Facebook page for it. It seems that they are doing a few things to entice the community, like a trivia night and a pet adoption event. Now, I am not sure how having a pet adoption event at a restaurant is even a legal idea, and at best is a bit strange idea that may attract pet lovers. I have seen little to promote events in the community and very little creativity. Also, and I kid not, the sponsored Facebook ads promote their top sirloin beef burgers. This is a pizza joint and they should focus on their area of expertise. If you want a burger while everyone else wants pizza, it\'s good they have alternatives for you. But if you want a really great burger, you are not going to a pizza restaurant for it.\r\n\r\nPerhaps this pizza place owner\'s gut told him that parking is the real issue. But a gut feeling does not mean that it\'s the correct reason to explain a situation. If he truly wants to improve his situation, he\'d commission market research and/or  hire a restaurant marketing consultant. He needs facts and actions rather than the feeling that parking, something that will not change and he cannot control, is hurting his business.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Does it all amount to parking or may there be other reasons?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','You need more than a gut feeling','','inherit','open','open','','3511-revision-v1','','','2017-06-13 10:45:37','2017-06-13 14:45:37','',3511,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3511-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3513,4,'2017-06-13 14:40:03','2017-06-13 18:40:03','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 30% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders. Paying by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge.  Our policy is 14 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced. All jobs require an initial 30% deposit.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to produce something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2017-06-13 14:40:03','2017-06-13 18:40:03','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/42-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3515,4,'2017-06-21 09:48:27','2017-06-21 13:48:27','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2017-06-21 09:48:27','2017-06-21 13:48:27','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3516,4,'2017-06-22 09:49:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','I bet you are assuming lots of stuff when it comes to your audience. You might assume they understand the words you use,','Just what are you assuming?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-06-22 09:49:45','2017-06-22 13:49:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3516',0,'post','',0),(3517,4,'2017-06-22 09:49:45','2017-06-22 13:49:45','I bet you are assuming lots of stuff when it comes to your audience. You might assume they understand the words you use,','Just what are you assuming?','','inherit','open','open','','3516-revision-v1','','','2017-06-22 09:49:45','2017-06-22 13:49:45','',3516,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3516-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3518,4,'2017-06-23 10:50:44','2017-06-23 14:50:44','In the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a bunch of small communications issues with different organizations. None of them is big enough to merit a blog post, but they do cause bigger communications problems.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making it extra hard to reach you</strong>\r\n\r\nI met a graphic designer at an event a couple of weeks ago. I sent her a follow up email, and got an automated reply back from her email service telling me it didn\'t recognize me and I would have to reply to the reply, so that I could be whitelisted. I\'ve never seen that before, and I get why she does it. We are all bombarded by spam and other unsolicited email. But when you add an extra step to contacting you, especially when you\'ve given me your personal email on a card, you are creating an obstacle to communication and slowing down any potential business. You have to balance accessibility with the desire for less email. I think if you are a business, you must be accessible.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not including crucial information</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I visited microsite for an upcoming conference. It did not list the venue where the conference would be taking place, just the city and state. I\'ve seen some conference websites that don\'t list the full date of the conference. And many don\'t list the price, but force you to hit the register button to find out how much it costs. If you are considering attending any event, you need certain information--where, when, how much and why. If your event page or site does not include crucial information, you are just making it hard for people to decide to attend your event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Email from unknown senders</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I got an email from someone named Orlando. My first instinct was to delete, but something about the headline made me open it. It turns out that Orlando is a new employee at an organization from which I get a newsletter. And it was an organizational newsletter. I will never understand why organizations think it\'s a good idea to send email from individuals rather than the organization. Unless you\'re well known already, most people will not recognize you as the new CEO or communications director of an organization.\r\n\r\nIf your organization recently rebranded or changed its name, you may have to send an initial email from your old name. Last year,  I received an email from an organization I had never heard of and I was on the brink of hitting delete. It was communications related, so I figured I must have met someone from that organization at some point, but I wasn\'t sure. It turns out that it was a new name for an old organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Opening external links in the same window</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the life of me, I don\'t understand why so many organizations want to lose visitors to their websites. And yet, it happens more often than not than when you click on a link, such as the Twitter feed or LinkedIn profile, you are transported out of the organization\'s website to the other website. It doesn\'t take too much coding knowledge to have links open in new windows. That way, visitors can still be on your site and view the outside site.\r\n\r\n<strong>Remember user experience, always.</strong>\r\n\r\nAll of these issues point to one overarching theme: user experience. What do users (visitors to your website, potential customers, potential supporters) experience when they interact with your communications? Are you considering what users need in order to do business with you? As the small issues I described above show, many organizations are not considering their users at all. And that\'s a big communications problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Small issues ==> bigger communications problems','','publish','open','open','','small-issues-bigger-communications-problems','','','2017-06-23 10:54:36','2017-06-23 14:54:36','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3518',0,'post','',0),(3519,4,'2017-06-23 10:50:30','2017-06-23 14:50:30','In the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a bunch of small communications issues with different organizations. None of them is big enough to merit a blog post, but they do cause communications problems.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making it extra hard to reach you</strong>\r\n\r\nI met a graphic designer at an event a couple of weeks ago. I sent her a follow up email, and got an automated reply back from her email service telling me it didn\'t recognize me and I would have to reply to the reply, so that I could be whitelisted. I\'ve never seen that before, and I get why she does it. We are all bombarded by spam and other unsolicited email. But when you add an extra step to contacting you, especially when you\'ve given me your personal email on a card, you are creating an obstacle to communication and slowing down any potential business. You have to balance accessibility with the desire for less email. I think if you are a business, you must be accessible.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not including crucial information</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I visited microsite for an upcoming conference. It did not list the venue where the conference would be taking place, just the city and state. I\'ve seen some conference websites that don\'t list the full date of the conference. And many don\'t list the price, but force you to hit the register button to find out how much it costs. If you are considering attending any event, you need certain information--where, when, how much and why. If your event page or site does not include crucial information, you are just making it hard for people to decide to attend your event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Email from unknown senders</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I got an email from someone named Orlando. My first instinct was to delete, but something about the headline made me open it. It turns out that Orlando is a new employee at an organization from which I get a newsletter. And it was an organizational newsletter. I will never understand why organizations think it\'s a good idea to send email from individuals rather than the organization. Unless you\'re well known already, most people will not recognize you as the new CEO or communications director of an organization.\r\n\r\nIf your organization recently rebranded or changed its name, you may have to send an initial email from your old name. Last year,  I received an email from an organization I had never heard of and I was on the brink of hitting delete. It was communications related, so I figured I must have met someone from that organization at some point, but I wasn\'t sure. It turns out that it was a new name for an old organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Opening external links in the same window</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the life of me, I don\'t understand why so many organizations want to lose visitors to their websites. And yet, it happens more often than not than when you click on a link, such as the Twitter feed or LinkedIn profile, you are transported out of the organizations website to the other website. It doesn\'t take too much coding knowledge to have links open in new windows. That way, visitors can still be on your site and view the outside site.\r\n\r\n<strong>Remember user experience, always.</strong>\r\n\r\nAll of these issues point to one overarching theme: user experience. What do users (visitors to your website, potential customers, potential supporter) experience when they interact with your communications? Are you considering what users need in order to do business with you? As the small issues I described above show, many organizations are not considering their users at all. And that\'s a big communications problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Small issues ==> bigger communications problems','','inherit','open','open','','3518-revision-v1','','','2017-06-23 10:50:30','2017-06-23 14:50:30','',3518,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3518-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3520,4,'2017-06-23 10:54:04','2017-06-23 14:54:04','In the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a bunch of small communications issues with different organizations. None of them is big enough to merit a blog post, but they do cause bigger communications problems.\n\n<strong>Making it extra hard to reach you</strong>\n\nI met a graphic designer at an event a couple of weeks ago. I sent her a follow up email, and got an automated reply back from her email service telling me it didn\'t recognize me and I would have to reply to the reply, so that I could be whitelisted. I\'ve never seen that before, and I get why she does it. We are all bombarded by spam and other unsolicited email. But when you add an extra step to contacting you, especially when you\'ve given me your personal email on a card, you are creating an obstacle to communication and slowing down any potential business. You have to balance accessibility with the desire for less email. I think if you are a business, you must be accessible.\n\n<strong>Not including crucial information</strong>\n\nThe other day I visited microsite for an upcoming conference. It did not list the venue where the conference would be taking place, just the city and state. I\'ve seen some conference websites that don\'t list the full date of the conference. And many don\'t list the price, but force you to hit the register button to find out how much it costs. If you are considering attending any event, you need certain information--where, when, how much and why. If your event page or site does not include crucial information, you are just making it hard for people to decide to attend your event.\n\n<strong>Email from unknown senders</strong>\n\nThe other day I got an email from someone named Orlando. My first instinct was to delete, but something about the headline made me open it. It turns out that Orlando is a new employee at an organization from which I get a newsletter. And it was an organizational newsletter. I will never understand why organizations think it\'s a good idea to send email from individuals rather than the organization. Unless you\'re well known already, most people will not recognize you as the new CEO or communications director of an organization.\n\nIf your organization recently rebranded or changed its name, you may have to send an initial email from your old name. Last year,  I received an email from an organization I had never heard of and I was on the brink of hitting delete. It was communications related, so I figured I must have met someone from that organization at some point, but I wasn\'t sure. It turns out that it was a new name for an old organization.\n\n<strong>Opening external links in the same window</strong>\n\nFor the life of me, I don\'t understand why so many organizations want to lose visitors to their websites. And yet, it happens more often than not than when you click on a link, such as the Twitter feed or LinkedIn profile, you are transported out of the organization\'s website to the other website. It doesn\'t take too much coding knowledge to have links open in new windows. That way, visitors can still be on your site and view the outside site.\n\n<strong>Remember user experience, always.</strong>\n\nAll of these issues point to one overarching theme: user experience. What do users (visitors to your website, potential customers, potential supporter) experience when they interact with your communications? Are you considering what users need in order to do business with you? As the small issues I described above show, many organizations are not considering their users at all. And that\'s a big communications problem.\n\n&nbsp;','Small issues ==> bigger communications problems','','inherit','open','open','','3518-autosave-v1','','','2017-06-23 10:54:04','2017-06-23 14:54:04','',3518,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3518-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3521,4,'2017-06-23 10:54:36','2017-06-23 14:54:36','In the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a bunch of small communications issues with different organizations. None of them is big enough to merit a blog post, but they do cause bigger communications problems.\r\n\r\n<strong>Making it extra hard to reach you</strong>\r\n\r\nI met a graphic designer at an event a couple of weeks ago. I sent her a follow up email, and got an automated reply back from her email service telling me it didn\'t recognize me and I would have to reply to the reply, so that I could be whitelisted. I\'ve never seen that before, and I get why she does it. We are all bombarded by spam and other unsolicited email. But when you add an extra step to contacting you, especially when you\'ve given me your personal email on a card, you are creating an obstacle to communication and slowing down any potential business. You have to balance accessibility with the desire for less email. I think if you are a business, you must be accessible.\r\n\r\n<strong>Not including crucial information</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I visited microsite for an upcoming conference. It did not list the venue where the conference would be taking place, just the city and state. I\'ve seen some conference websites that don\'t list the full date of the conference. And many don\'t list the price, but force you to hit the register button to find out how much it costs. If you are considering attending any event, you need certain information--where, when, how much and why. If your event page or site does not include crucial information, you are just making it hard for people to decide to attend your event.\r\n\r\n<strong>Email from unknown senders</strong>\r\n\r\nThe other day I got an email from someone named Orlando. My first instinct was to delete, but something about the headline made me open it. It turns out that Orlando is a new employee at an organization from which I get a newsletter. And it was an organizational newsletter. I will never understand why organizations think it\'s a good idea to send email from individuals rather than the organization. Unless you\'re well known already, most people will not recognize you as the new CEO or communications director of an organization.\r\n\r\nIf your organization recently rebranded or changed its name, you may have to send an initial email from your old name. Last year,  I received an email from an organization I had never heard of and I was on the brink of hitting delete. It was communications related, so I figured I must have met someone from that organization at some point, but I wasn\'t sure. It turns out that it was a new name for an old organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Opening external links in the same window</strong>\r\n\r\nFor the life of me, I don\'t understand why so many organizations want to lose visitors to their websites. And yet, it happens more often than not than when you click on a link, such as the Twitter feed or LinkedIn profile, you are transported out of the organization\'s website to the other website. It doesn\'t take too much coding knowledge to have links open in new windows. That way, visitors can still be on your site and view the outside site.\r\n\r\n<strong>Remember user experience, always.</strong>\r\n\r\nAll of these issues point to one overarching theme: user experience. What do users (visitors to your website, potential customers, potential supporters) experience when they interact with your communications? Are you considering what users need in order to do business with you? As the small issues I described above show, many organizations are not considering their users at all. And that\'s a big communications problem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Small issues ==> bigger communications problems','','inherit','open','open','','3518-revision-v1','','','2017-06-23 10:54:36','2017-06-23 14:54:36','',3518,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3518-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3523,4,'2017-06-28 13:30:19','2017-06-28 17:30:19','At a communications event last week, the three panelists were asked what communications channel they felt was overrated. The answer that stood out to me the most was the panelist who said she just wanted to see the corporate blog die already because, in her opinion, nobody visits/reads corporate blogs.\r\n\r\nI disagree. Here are a few reasons why:\r\n\r\nThe corporate/organizational blog is an integral part of any <strong>content marketing strategy</strong>.\r\n\r\nIt\'s <strong>owned media</strong> that can help with your SEO, though leadership, lead generation and so much more.\r\n\r\nFor smaller organizations, blogs are an <strong>easy way to add fresh content</strong> regularly.\r\n\r\nBlogs are <strong>flexible and media friendly</strong>--you can post images, graphics, video, audio and/or text.\r\n\r\nRegularly updated blogs serve as a clue to your website visitors that your website (and your organization) is<strong> current</strong>.\r\n\r\nBlog posts are a great <strong>opportunity to respond</strong> to current events/situations/policies in a timely manner, and in more depth that on other social media outlets.\r\n\r\nOrganizational blogs serve a purpose, when done thoughtfully and strategically. But far too many organizations don\'t consider what they wish to achieve with the blog that they feel they must have.\r\n\r\nSo yes, corporate blogs without a strategy or purpose behind them should die. But they can and should be resurrected to achieve one of the many things I have pointed out above. What do you think? What\'s your experience with corporate/organizational blogs? When do you read them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it time for the corporate blog to die?','','publish','open','open','','is-it-time-for-the-corporate-blog-to-die','','','2017-06-28 13:30:19','2017-06-28 17:30:19','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3523',0,'post','',0),(3524,4,'2017-06-28 13:05:40','2017-06-28 17:05:40','','Is it time for the corporate blog to die?','','inherit','open','open','','3523-revision-v1','','','2017-06-28 13:05:40','2017-06-28 17:05:40','',3523,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3523-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3525,4,'2017-06-28 13:30:19','2017-06-28 17:30:19','At a communications event last week, the three panelists were asked what communications channel they felt was overrated. The answer that stood out to me the most was the panelist who said she just wanted to see the corporate blog die already because, in her opinion, nobody visits/reads corporate blogs.\r\n\r\nI disagree. Here are a few reasons why:\r\n\r\nThe corporate/organizational blog is an integral part of any <strong>content marketing strategy</strong>.\r\n\r\nIt\'s <strong>owned media</strong> that can help with your SEO, though leadership, lead generation and so much more.\r\n\r\nFor smaller organizations, blogs are an <strong>easy way to add fresh content</strong> regularly.\r\n\r\nBlogs are <strong>flexible and media friendly</strong>--you can post images, graphics, video, audio and/or text.\r\n\r\nRegularly updated blogs serve as a clue to your website visitors that your website (and your organization) is<strong> current</strong>.\r\n\r\nBlog posts are a great <strong>opportunity to respond</strong> to current events/situations/policies in a timely manner, and in more depth that on other social media outlets.\r\n\r\nOrganizational blogs serve a purpose, when done thoughtfully and strategically. But far too many organizations don\'t consider what they wish to achieve with the blog that they feel they must have.\r\n\r\nSo yes, corporate blogs without a strategy or purpose behind them should die. But they can and should be resurrected to achieve one of the many things I have pointed out above. What do you think? What\'s your experience with corporate/organizational blogs? When do you read them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Is it time for the corporate blog to die?','','inherit','open','open','','3523-revision-v1','','','2017-06-28 13:30:19','2017-06-28 17:30:19','',3523,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/06/3523-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3528,4,'2017-07-13 16:27:23','2017-07-13 20:27:23','A couple of months ago, I found out that Kramerbooks, an independent bookstore in Washington, had started doing book events. After checking their events website, I saw an author I wanted to see (Derek Thompson, author of Hitmakers). I went to the  Thompson event, which took place in Kramerbook\'s new and pretty tight \"event\" space, with enough seating for about 20 or so, and standing space for about 20 or so more.  I thought Thompson was very interesting, and I actually went home and got his book from the library (and I will be sharing thoughts on it in a future blog post).\r\n\r\nBased on my positive experience, I kept tabs on the Kramerbook\'s online event calendar. Soon, there was another event I wanted to attend. It was three journalists who cover the White House (and being a politics and news junkie, this was totally up my alley). So I put it in my calendar. In the back of my mind I thought this would be a very crowded event, this being DC and the space being so small. Well, I took the Metro from Rockville, and got there around 5:20. Even though the event wasn\'t scheduled to start until 6:30p.m., there was a line around the block.  It was very hot, and based on the space constraints, I knew I wouldn\'t get in, so I decided not to stand in line for an hour in the sun and heat.\r\n\r\nIt costs $6 to ride Metro from where I live to Dupont Circle, where Kramerbooks is. I basically wasted $12 and well over an hour. I was not happy.\r\n\r\nThe next day, I noticed that Kramerbooks had tweeted about a livestream. I tweeted back that had I known I would have skipped going down there. I got back a reply that they tweeted it, and put it on Facebook and Instagram, and they were sorry (more like sorry, not sorry) that I hadn\'t seen it. I asked why they hadn\'t included this information on their event page. And I got no response back.\r\n\r\nBased on this experience, I may never attend try to attend an event at Kramerbooks again. Transportation is just too costly and time-consuming, and getting a seat is too much of a crapshoot. I also didn\'t care for their social media response. A much better response to empathize and then to send me a link to the recording of the event.\r\n\r\nEvents can be great marketing tools. In this case, Kramer\'s gets people in the door, and hopefully, checking out their book selection or eating at their restaurant. Events can also generate publicity. But when done poorly, events can have a negative effect.\r\n\r\nThere\'s another independent bookstore in Washington, Politics and Prose, which has been holding author events for years. They have an event nearly every single day, mostly free and in their bookstore (which has way more space than Kramerbooks). When they have a big author or an event likely to draw large crowds, they sell tickets and hold the events at  Sixth and I (a synagogue and event space in D.C.), which can seat hundreds. This tactic has made Politics and Prose a leader in author and literary events, and probably also has generated considerable book sales.\r\n\r\nThe difference between these two bookstores and their event marketing strategies is stark. One has the experience to understand that some talks require larger spaces, and have partnered with another organization to address the need while also generating ticket and book sales. The other is still learning what to do with their space.\r\n\r\nHave you ever attended an event that ended up being terrible? What made it so and what were the consequences for  you? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events can be great marketing, or not','','publish','open','open','','events-can-be-great-marketing-or-not','','','2017-07-13 16:27:39','2017-07-13 20:27:39','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3528',0,'post','',0),(3529,4,'2017-07-13 09:22:09','2017-07-13 13:22:09','A couple of months ago, I found out that Kramer Books, an independent bookstore in DC, had started doing book events. I took the postcard listing the events and the website URL, and went to the website. Soon, I saw an author I wanted to see (Derek Thompson, author of Hitmakers). I went to the event, which took place in a pretty tight space, with enough seating for about 20 or so, and standing space for about 20 or so more. Kramer\'s was selling $5 wine, which I believe was part of draw. I thought Thompson was very interesting, and I actually went home and got his book from the library (and I will be sharing thoughts on it in a future blog post).\r\n\r\nBased on my positive experience, I kept tabs on the Kramer Book\'s online event calendar. Soon, there was another event I wanted to attend. It was three journalists who cover the White House (and being a politics and news junkie). So I put it in my calendar. In the back of my mind I thought this would be a very crowded event, this being DC and the space being so small. Well, I took the Metro from Rockville, and got there around 5:20. There was a line around the block. The event didn\'t start until 6;30. It was very hot, and based on the space, I knew I wouldn\'t get in, so I decided not to stand in line for an hour. It costs $6 to ride Metro from where I live to Dupont Circle, where Kramer Books is. I basically wasted $12. And well over an hour. I was not happy. The next day, I noticed that Kramer Books had tweeted about a livestream. I tweeted back that had I known I would have skipped going down there. I got back a reply that they tweeted it, and put it on Facebook and Instagram, and they were sorry (more like sorry, not sorry) that I hadn\'t seen it. I asked why they hadn\'t included this on their event page. And I got no response back.\r\n\r\nThe thing is I will most likely never attend an event at Kramer Books again. It is too costly and too much of a crapshoot. And their social media response was not good. A better response would\'ve been to send me a link to the recording.\r\n\r\nEvents can be great marketing tools. In this case, Kramer\'s gets people in the door, and hopefully, checking out their book selection or eating at their restaurant. Events can also generate publicity.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events can be great marketing, or not','','inherit','open','open','','3528-revision-v1','','','2017-07-13 09:22:09','2017-07-13 13:22:09','',3528,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/07/3528-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3530,4,'2017-07-13 16:27:23','2017-07-13 20:27:23','A couple of months ago, I found out that Kramerbooks, an independent bookstore in Washington, had started doing book events. After checking their events website, I saw an author I wanted to see (Derek Thompson, author of Hitmakers). I went to the  Thompson event, which took place in Kramerbook\'s new and pretty tight \"event\" space, with enough seating for about 20 or so, and standing space for about 20 or so more.  I thought Thompson was very interesting, and I actually went home and got his book from the library (and I will be sharing thoughts on it in a future blog post).\r\n\r\nBased on my positive experience, I kept tabs on the Kramerbook\'s online event calendar. Soon, there was another event I wanted to attend. It was three journalists who cover the White House (and being a politics and news junkie, this was totally up my alley). So I put it in my calendar. In the back of my mind I thought this would be a very crowded event, this being DC and the space being so small. Well, I took the Metro from Rockville, and got there around 5:20. Even though the event wasn\'t scheduled to start until 6:30p.m., there was a line around the block.  It was very hot, and based on the space constraints, I knew I wouldn\'t get in, so I decided not to stand in line for an hour in the sun and heat.\r\n\r\nIt costs $6 to ride Metro from where I live to Dupont Circle, where Kramerbooks is. I basically wasted $12 and well over an hour. I was not happy.\r\n\r\nThe next day, I noticed that Kramerbooks had tweeted about a livestream. I tweeted back that had I known I would have skipped going down there. I got back a reply that they tweeted it, and put it on Facebook and Instagram, and they were sorry (more like sorry, not sorry) that I hadn\'t seen it. I asked why they hadn\'t included this information on their event page. And I got no response back.\r\n\r\nBased on this experience, I may never attend try to attend an event at Kramerbooks again. Transportation is just too costly and time-consuming, and getting a seat is too much of a crapshoot. I also didn\'t care for their social media response. A much better response to empathize and then to send me a link to the recording of the event.\r\n\r\nEvents can be great marketing tools. In this case, Kramer\'s gets people in the door, and hopefully, checking out their book selection or eating at their restaurant. Events can also generate publicity. But when done poorly, events can have a negative effect.\r\n\r\nThere\'s another independent bookstore in Washington, Politics and Prose, which has been holding author events for years. They have an event nearly every single day, mostly free and in their bookstore (which has way more space than Kramerbooks). When they have a big author or an event likely to draw large crowds, they sell tickets and hold the events at  Sixth and I (a synagogue and event space in D.C.), which can seat hundreds. This tactic has made Politics and Prose a leader in author and literary events, and probably also has generated considerable book sales.\r\n\r\nThe difference between these two bookstores and their event marketing strategies is stark. One has the experience to understand that some talks require larger spaces, and have partnered with another organization to address the need while also generating ticket and book sales. The other is still learning what to do with their space.\r\n\r\nHave you ever attended an event that ended up being terrible? What made it so and what were the consequences for  you? Let me know in the comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Events can be great marketing, or not','','inherit','open','open','','3528-revision-v1','','','2017-07-13 16:27:23','2017-07-13 20:27:23','',3528,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/07/3528-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3536,4,'2017-07-27 13:58:23','2017-07-27 17:58:23','This past Saturday, Jim Vance died after being diagnosed with cancer back in May. Jim Vance was the long-time (45 years!) anchor at Washington\'s NBC affiliate, WRC (channel 4). His death created a tremendous outpouring of grief, from his colleagues, and from the many people in the area who watched him on TV. You can see how NBC4 reported it <a href=\"http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/News4-Anchor-Jim-Vance-Dies-at-75-436001373.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nWhen I first read the news of Vance\'s death on Saturday morning I was not surprised (he had announced on air he had cancer and I hadn\'t seen him on the news desk in several weeks even though he had said he would work as his treatment allowed), but I was incredibly saddened. I\'ve watched NBC4\'s evening news for many years, and liked watching him and his anchor partner Doreen Gentzler. I liked how they interacted, how genuinely friendly they were with each other and with the other reporters. I especially remember how Vance paid tribute to Doreen when she celebrated her 25 years of sharing the anchor desk with him.\r\n\r\nSince his death, I have come to learn more about Jim Vance. He was incredibly active in his community—speaking at high school graduations, funding scholarships, mentoring others. Many of his colleagues said he lived life to the fullest. A friend of mine told me that as a teen, he met Vance. In other words, Vance was accessible. He was not a distant celebrity, but was part and parcel of his community.\r\n\r\nEvery night on NBC4 this week, they have paid tribute to Vance. You can see how deeply they feel his loss. And what is interesting is how the community misses Vance too. What\'s more, his competitors at other TV stations also paid tribute to him. The news community in DC is tightly-knit. Many reporters have worked at more than one local station. Bruce Johnson, who now anchors at the CBS affiliate, WUSA-9, had been friends with Vance. He devoted his show, Off Script, on Monday night to Jim Vance and to helping people quit smoking, an addiction which most likely caused Vance\'s cancer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Local TV news still matters.</strong> Whether you watch at 6:00 a.m. to get a read on the day\'s traffic and weather, or at 11:00 p.m. to see what happened in your community, you watch the local TV news to connect to where you live. And because you probably do this habitually, you connect to the people who deliver the news to you. They also live here. They know how hot or how cold or how rainy it is, because they too had to deal with it on their way to work.  Local news anchors care about traffic and construction and local crime, because it affects them personally and their families. And because they care about what is going on here, we care about them.\r\n\r\nIn this age where it seems social media dominates, it\'s important to realize that people still watch TV news, and they connect with the people they see on the anchor desk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Proof that local TV news still matters','','publish','open','open','','proof-that-local-tv-news-still-matters','','','2017-07-27 13:58:43','2017-07-27 17:58:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3536',0,'post','',0),(3532,4,'2017-07-18 09:27:23','2017-07-18 13:27:23','This past weekend, I attended my sixth WordCamp (!). This time I only had to travel as far as Washington, D.C., which (finally) was hosting its first WordCamp. The past few times I\'ve been to Baltimore and Philadelphia. In case you don\'t know, WordCamp is a volunteer-led conference featuring talks and workshops on various WordPress and website/blog related issues. Since this website/blog is built on WordPress, and WordPress is also a platform for so many other websites big and small, I find it extremely useful to learn more about WordPress and attend WordCamp.\r\n\r\nThis time, I made it to about 11 presentations out of a total 60. As usual, some of the presentations were really useful and/or interesting.  Although I picked up several nuggets, I had four big take-aways.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be generous</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you ever clicked on a blog post that promised you some good information, but found out instead that the post was a sales pitch for the book/webinar/course where you could pay to access the information? I hate that and so does Tracy Schorn, who is the author of the very popular <a href=\"https://www.chumplady.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Chump Lady blog</a>. Her main advice from “How to Build a Popular Blog and Master WordPress Even If You Are a Liberal Arts Major” is to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be generous</span>. Tracy says you should offer solutions, help people and be a resource for your readers.\r\n\r\nOf course, Tracy works hard at her blog too. She writes a post every weekday, and answers her readers\' questions. Tracy is definitely on to something, as she is living the blogger\'s dream. Her blog became so popular that she was able to write a book, get it published and then get it optioned for a TV series! Oh, and she makes money of her blog too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Many ways to improve your SEO</strong>\r\n\r\nJohn Victoria runs a SEO/digital marketing agency and his talk was “10 Reasons Why Your Site is Nowhere to be Found on Google (and what to do about it).” The answer to getting your site to be found on Google is SEO—search engine optimization. Being in the first page of Google\'s organic search results is crucial if you want potential customers to find you.\r\n\r\nAmong his suggestions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Check your site loading speed---a slow load will turn off readers</li>\r\n	<li>Submit your URL to Google</li>\r\n	<li>Backlinks to your site matter. But, do not, under any circumstances, pay to get lots of backlinks to your site. Focus on quality not quantity.</li>\r\n	<li>Submitting an article to a leading publication/site in your field is a great way to build quality backlinks and third-party credibility</li>\r\n	<li>Use your keywords judiciously—do not keyword stuff and think of other ways of saying the same thing (e.g., dentist, dental practice).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Take a step now toward enhanced website security</strong>\r\n\r\nWebsites get hacked all the time. Sometimes the hackers are trying to make money by redirecting your traffic to another site. Sometimes they are trying to spread malware. Whatever the reason, this is something you, as a website/blog owner, need to work hard to avoid. And it  does take work and know-how. According to Adam Warner of SiteLock, from his talk \"5 Steps to Personal and Website Security,\" even taking one step helps. Some of what he recommended:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have strong passwords, do not repeat them and consider using a password manager</li>\r\n	<li>Install SSL on your website, which, as a bonus, gives you an SEO boost</li>\r\n	<li>Use a plug-in to limit the amount of logins into your site</li>\r\n	<li>Do not use public Wi-Fi networks that are not password protected</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Design matters</strong>\r\n\r\nI really liked Annie Smidt’s talk \"Easy Design Tips for Non Designers.\" She says (and I completely agree) that design can make your site look credible, and can also help visitors like your site. We all know how important it is to make a good first impression.\r\n\r\nSome things Annie suggested non-designers should consider:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a hierarchy—the most important message must stand out</li>\r\n	<li>Consistency is important</li>\r\n	<li>Your color palette should match your audience and the mood you are trying to create (Annie provided some great sites/ideas on how to come up with palettes too)</li>\r\n	<li>Typography increases comprehension, so choose typefaces carefully and don’t use too many fonts (she says having two is good: one serif, one sans serif)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne important tidbit I learned from Annie was how to make em-dashes on WordPress. All you have to do is use the Omega button to access special characters. I\'ve already done it in this post!\r\n\r\nYou can read her slides <a href=\"http://www.durablecreative.com/wc17/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, and see her excellent suggestions on where to get color palette ideas.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were dozens of other sessions on three different tracks.  Some were targeted to developers and some to those who work in government or big institutions. Most of them should be available on <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/category/wordcamptv/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress TV.</a>\r\n\r\nI highly recommend attending a WordCamp in person. It’s fun, you’ll learn new stuff and great hacks, meet new people, and not to mention, you\'ll get a t-shirt. For a list of upcoming WordCamps, just check <a href=\"https://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordCamp Central</a>. There are WordCamps everywhere!','4 lessons from WordCamp DC that will improve your website','','publish','open','open','','4-lessons-from-wordcamp-dc-that-will-improve-your-website','','','2017-07-18 09:27:46','2017-07-18 13:27:46','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3532',0,'post','',0),(3533,4,'2017-07-18 09:25:34','2017-07-18 13:25:34','This past weekend, I attended my sixth WordCamp (!). This time I only had to travel as far as Washington, D.C., which (finally) was hosting its first WordCamp. The past few times I\'ve been to Baltimore and Philadelphia. In case you don\'t know, WordCamp is a volunteer-led conference featuring talks and workshops on various WordPress and website/blog related issues. Since this website/blog is built on WordPress, and WordPress is also a platform for so many other websites big and small, I find it extremely useful to learn more about WordPress and attend WordCamp.\r\n\r\nThis time, I made it to about 11 presentations out of a total 60. As usual, some of the presentations were really useful and/or interesting.  Although I picked up several nuggets, I had four big take-aways.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be generous</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you ever clicked on a blog post that promised you some good information, but found out instead that the post was a sales pitch for the book/webinar/course where you could pay to access the information? I hate that and so does Tracy Schorn, who is the author of the very popular <a href=\"https://www.chumplady.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Chump Lady blog</a>. Her main advice from “How to Build a Popular Blog and Master WordPress Even If You Are a Liberal Arts Major” is to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be generous</span>. Tracy says you should offer solutions, help people and be a resource for your readers.\r\n\r\nOf course, Tracy works hard at her blog too. She writes a post every weekday, and answers her readers\' questions. Tracy is definitely on to something, as she is living the blogger\'s dream. Her blog became so popular that she was able to write a book, get it published and then get it optioned for a TV series! Oh, and she makes money of her blog too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Many ways to improve your SEO</strong>\r\n\r\nJohn Victoria runs a SEO/digital marketing agency and his talk was “10 Reasons Why Your Site is Nowhere to be Found on Google (and what to do about it).” The answer to getting your site to be found on Google is SEO—search engine optimization. Being in the first page of Google\'s organic search results is crucial if you want potential customers to find you.\r\n\r\nAmong his suggestions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Check your site loading speed---a slow load will turn off readers</li>\r\n	<li>Submit your URL to Google</li>\r\n	<li>Backlinks to your site matter. But, do not, under any circumstances, pay to get lots of backlinks to your site. Focus on quality not quantity.</li>\r\n	<li>Submitting an article to a leading publication/site in your field is a great way to build quality backlinks and third-party credibility</li>\r\n	<li>Use your keywords judiciously—do not keyword stuff and think of other ways of saying the same thing (e.g., dentist, dental practice).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Take a step now toward enhanced website security</strong>\r\n\r\nWebsites get hacked all the time. Sometimes the hackers are trying to make money by redirecting your traffic to another site. Sometimes they are trying to spread malware. Whatever the reason, this is something you, as a website/blog owner, need to work hard to avoid. And it  does take work and know-how. According to Adam Warner of SiteLock, from his talk \"5 Steps to Personal and Website Security,\" even taking one step helps. Some of what he recommended:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have strong passwords, do not repeat them and consider using a password manager</li>\r\n	<li>Install SSL on your website, which, as a bonus, gives you an SEO boost</li>\r\n	<li>Use a plug-in to limit the amount of logins into your site</li>\r\n	<li>Do not use public Wi-Fi networks that are not password protected</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Design matters</strong>\r\n\r\nI really liked Annie Smidt’s talk \"Easy Design Tips for Non Designers.\" She says (and I completely agree) that design can make your site look credible, and can also help visitors like your site. We all know how important it is to make a good first impression.\r\n\r\nSome things Annie suggested non-designers should consider:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a hierarchy—the most important message must stand out</li>\r\n	<li>Consistency is important</li>\r\n	<li>Your color palette should match your audience and the mood you are trying to create (Annie provided some great sites/ideas on how to come up with palettes too)</li>\r\n	<li>Typography increases comprehension, so choose typefaces carefully and don’t use too many fonts (she says having two is good: one serif, one sans serif)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne important tidbit I learned from Annie was how to make em-dashes on WordPress. All you have to do is use the Omega button to access special characters. I\'ve already done it in this post!\r\n\r\nYou can read her slides <a href=\"http://www.durablecreative.com/wc17/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, and see her excellent suggestions on where to get color palette ideas.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were dozens of other sessions on three different tracks.  Some were targeted to developers and some to those who work in government or big institutions. Most of them should be available on <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/category/wordcamptv/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress TV.</a>\r\n\r\nI highly recommend attending a WordCamp in person. It’s fun, you’ll learn new stuff and great hacks, meet new people, and not to mention, you will get a t-shirt. For a list of upcoming WordCamps, just check <a href=\"https://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordCamp Central</a>. There are WordCamps everywhere!','4 lessons from WordCamp DC that will improve your website','','inherit','open','open','','3532-revision-v1','','','2017-07-18 09:25:34','2017-07-18 13:25:34','',3532,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/07/3532-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3534,4,'2017-07-18 09:27:23','2017-07-18 13:27:23','This past weekend, I attended my sixth WordCamp (!). This time I only had to travel as far as Washington, D.C., which (finally) was hosting its first WordCamp. The past few times I\'ve been to Baltimore and Philadelphia. In case you don\'t know, WordCamp is a volunteer-led conference featuring talks and workshops on various WordPress and website/blog related issues. Since this website/blog is built on WordPress, and WordPress is also a platform for so many other websites big and small, I find it extremely useful to learn more about WordPress and attend WordCamp.\r\n\r\nThis time, I made it to about 11 presentations out of a total 60. As usual, some of the presentations were really useful and/or interesting.  Although I picked up several nuggets, I had four big take-aways.\r\n\r\n<strong>Be generous</strong>\r\n\r\nHave you ever clicked on a blog post that promised you some good information, but found out instead that the post was a sales pitch for the book/webinar/course where you could pay to access the information? I hate that and so does Tracy Schorn, who is the author of the very popular <a href=\"https://www.chumplady.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Chump Lady blog</a>. Her main advice from “How to Build a Popular Blog and Master WordPress Even If You Are a Liberal Arts Major” is to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">be generous</span>. Tracy says you should offer solutions, help people and be a resource for your readers.\r\n\r\nOf course, Tracy works hard at her blog too. She writes a post every weekday, and answers her readers\' questions. Tracy is definitely on to something, as she is living the blogger\'s dream. Her blog became so popular that she was able to write a book, get it published and then get it optioned for a TV series! Oh, and she makes money of her blog too.\r\n\r\n<strong>Many ways to improve your SEO</strong>\r\n\r\nJohn Victoria runs a SEO/digital marketing agency and his talk was “10 Reasons Why Your Site is Nowhere to be Found on Google (and what to do about it).” The answer to getting your site to be found on Google is SEO—search engine optimization. Being in the first page of Google\'s organic search results is crucial if you want potential customers to find you.\r\n\r\nAmong his suggestions:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Check your site loading speed---a slow load will turn off readers</li>\r\n	<li>Submit your URL to Google</li>\r\n	<li>Backlinks to your site matter. But, do not, under any circumstances, pay to get lots of backlinks to your site. Focus on quality not quantity.</li>\r\n	<li>Submitting an article to a leading publication/site in your field is a great way to build quality backlinks and third-party credibility</li>\r\n	<li>Use your keywords judiciously—do not keyword stuff and think of other ways of saying the same thing (e.g., dentist, dental practice).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Take a step now toward enhanced website security</strong>\r\n\r\nWebsites get hacked all the time. Sometimes the hackers are trying to make money by redirecting your traffic to another site. Sometimes they are trying to spread malware. Whatever the reason, this is something you, as a website/blog owner, need to work hard to avoid. And it  does take work and know-how. According to Adam Warner of SiteLock, from his talk \"5 Steps to Personal and Website Security,\" even taking one step helps. Some of what he recommended:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have strong passwords, do not repeat them and consider using a password manager</li>\r\n	<li>Install SSL on your website, which, as a bonus, gives you an SEO boost</li>\r\n	<li>Use a plug-in to limit the amount of logins into your site</li>\r\n	<li>Do not use public Wi-Fi networks that are not password protected</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Design matters</strong>\r\n\r\nI really liked Annie Smidt’s talk \"Easy Design Tips for Non Designers.\" She says (and I completely agree) that design can make your site look credible, and can also help visitors like your site. We all know how important it is to make a good first impression.\r\n\r\nSome things Annie suggested non-designers should consider:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a hierarchy—the most important message must stand out</li>\r\n	<li>Consistency is important</li>\r\n	<li>Your color palette should match your audience and the mood you are trying to create (Annie provided some great sites/ideas on how to come up with palettes too)</li>\r\n	<li>Typography increases comprehension, so choose typefaces carefully and don’t use too many fonts (she says having two is good: one serif, one sans serif)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nOne important tidbit I learned from Annie was how to make em-dashes on WordPress. All you have to do is use the Omega button to access special characters. I\'ve already done it in this post!\r\n\r\nYou can read her slides <a href=\"http://www.durablecreative.com/wc17/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, and see her excellent suggestions on where to get color palette ideas.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere were dozens of other sessions on three different tracks.  Some were targeted to developers and some to those who work in government or big institutions. Most of them should be available on <a href=\"https://wordpress.tv/category/wordcamptv/\" target=\"_blank\">Wordpress TV.</a>\r\n\r\nI highly recommend attending a WordCamp in person. It’s fun, you’ll learn new stuff and great hacks, meet new people, and not to mention, you\'ll get a t-shirt. For a list of upcoming WordCamps, just check <a href=\"https://central.wordcamp.org/\" target=\"_blank\">WordCamp Central</a>. There are WordCamps everywhere!','4 lessons from WordCamp DC that will improve your website','','inherit','open','open','','3532-revision-v1','','','2017-07-18 09:27:23','2017-07-18 13:27:23','',3532,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/07/3532-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3537,4,'2017-07-27 13:58:23','2017-07-27 17:58:23','This past Saturday, Jim Vance died after being diagnosed with cancer back in May. Jim Vance was the long-time (45 years!) anchor at Washington\'s NBC affiliate, WRC (channel 4). His death created a tremendous outpouring of grief, from his colleagues, and from the many people in the area who watched him on TV. You can see how NBC4 reported it <a href=\"http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/News4-Anchor-Jim-Vance-Dies-at-75-436001373.html\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a>\r\n\r\nWhen I first read the news of Vance\'s death on Saturday morning I was not surprised (he had announced on air he had cancer and I hadn\'t seen him on the news desk in several weeks even though he had said he would work as his treatment allowed), but I was incredibly saddened. I\'ve watched NBC4\'s evening news for many years, and liked watching him and his anchor partner Doreen Gentzler. I liked how they interacted, how genuinely friendly they were with each other and with the other reporters. I especially remember how Vance paid tribute to Doreen when she celebrated her 25 years of sharing the anchor desk with him.\r\n\r\nSince his death, I have come to learn more about Jim Vance. He was incredibly active in his community—speaking at high school graduations, funding scholarships, mentoring others. Many of his colleagues said he lived life to the fullest. A friend of mine told me that as a teen, he met Vance. In other words, Vance was accessible. He was not a distant celebrity, but was part and parcel of his community.\r\n\r\nEvery night on NBC4 this week, they have paid tribute to Vance. You can see how deeply they feel his loss. And what is interesting is how the community misses Vance too. What\'s more, his competitors at other TV stations also paid tribute to him. The news community in DC is tightly-knit. Many reporters have worked at more than one local station. Bruce Johnson, who now anchors at the CBS affiliate, WUSA-9, had been friends with Vance. He devoted his show, Off Script, on Monday night to Jim Vance and to helping people quit smoking, an addiction which most likely caused Vance\'s cancer.\r\n\r\n<strong>Local TV news still matters.</strong> Whether you watch at 6:00 a.m. to get a read on the day\'s traffic and weather, or at 11:00 p.m. to see what happened in your community, you watch the local TV news to connect to where you live. And because you probably do this habitually, you connect to the people who deliver the news to you. They also live here. They know how hot or how cold or how rainy it is, because they too had to deal with it on their way to work.  Local news anchors care about traffic and construction and local crime, because it affects them personally and their families. And because they care about what is going on here, we care about them.\r\n\r\nIn this age where it seems social media dominates, it\'s important to realize that people still watch TV news, and they connect with the people they see on the anchor desk.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Proof that local TV news still matters','','inherit','open','open','','3536-revision-v1','','','2017-07-27 13:58:23','2017-07-27 17:58:23','',3536,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/07/3536-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3539,4,'2017-08-01 10:18:08','2017-08-01 14:18:08','I was going to write a post about how Anthony Scaramucci, the shortest-lived White House Communications Director in history, embodies the problem at the core of the Trump administration\'s communications failures, and then the \"Mooch\" got fired after 10 days on the job.\r\n\r\nBasically, Scaramucci got fired because he failed at Communications 101. He was bound to fail also because he was not the right person for the job. He had no experience in communications, and his actions showed it. As the wrong person for the job, he got hired by a boss and an administration that don\'t understand communications fundamentals.\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications person is never the story</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, Scaramucci failed because he broke the cardinal rule for communications pros: he became the story. As anybody who has worked in public relations/communications knows, the comms person is there to help get the story out. Under no circumstances are you to become the story.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to know how news reporters work</strong>\r\n\r\nSecond, Scaramucci did not seem to understand that unless you explicitly state otherwise, everything you say can be quoted. If you have not said something is off the record, it\'s on the record. Period. Reporters are always looking for quotes. That\'s what they do.\r\n\r\n<strong>Just because you feel that you are simpatico, does not mean you are pals hanging out at a bar</strong>\r\n\r\nThird, Scaramucci made himself look extremely crass and stupid by using obscenities where none were needed. We all curse, but we know that in certain circumstances we don\'t. Scaramucci also seems to lack imagination—and here it is—an ability to communicate, in order to convey his thoughts without resorting to obscenities.\r\n\r\n<strong>But the larger problem is a White House that doesn\'t get it</strong>\r\n\r\nIn TrumpWorld, it seems communications is <em>all</em> about marketing. It\'s<em> all</em> about persuasion. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">And it\'s not about sharing information and facts.</span> I don\'t think this country has ever seen such a fact-averse White House ever.\r\n\r\nWhen you practice communications you are aiming to inform, and yes, to persuade. But persuasion is not something to be done with threats and alternative facts. As I have written before, Sean Spicer (the former communications director/press secretary) thought he was in a fight with the White House press corps. He berated them and belittled them and even refused to provide them with information they requested. He turned the cameras off for briefings, thinking that by cutting off video he would be able to control the narrative. He cherry-picked media outlets to respond to that were sympathetic to the president and would not ask any hard questions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communications is not a one-way street</strong>\r\n\r\nTo communicate, you must inform. You can\'t simply try to force your viewpoint on everyone. We see Trump using Twitter to talk directly to the people. What you don\'t see is Trump using Twitter to respond to questions from the people. To Trump, communication is a one-way street (sort of how he views loyalty too): push your message out and steamroll anyone who questions it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Scaramucci\'s failure is indicative of a much larger problem that does not seem to have a solution: a White House that does not value real communication.</strong>','Why Scaramucci failed','','publish','open','open','','why-scaramucci-failed','','','2017-08-01 10:18:08','2017-08-01 14:18:08','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3539',0,'post','',0),(3540,4,'2017-08-01 10:05:53','2017-08-01 14:05:53','I was going to write a post about how Scaramucci embodies the problem at the core of the Trump administration\'s communications failures, and then the \"Mooch\" got fired after 10 days on the job.\r\n\r\nBasically, Scaramucci got fired because he failed at Communications 101. He was bound to fail also because he was not the right person for the job. He had no experience in communications, and his actions showed it. As the wrong person for the job, he got hired by a boss and an administration that don\'t understand communications fundamentals.\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications person is never the story</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, Scaramucci failed because he broke the cardinal rule for communications pros: he became the story. As anybody who has worked in public relations/communications knows, the comms person is there to help get the story out. Under no circumstances are you to become the story.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to know how news reporters work</strong>\r\n\r\nSecond, Scaramucci did not seem to understand that unless you explicitly state otherwise, everything you say can be quoted. If you have not said something is off the record, it\'s on the record. Period. Reporters are always looking for quotes. That\'s what they do.\r\n\r\n<strong>Just because you feel that you are simpatico, does not mean you are pals hanging out at a bar</strong>\r\n\r\nThird, Scaramucci made himself look extremely crass and stupid by using obscenities where none were needed. We all curse, but we know that in certain circumstances we don\'t. Scaramucci also seems to lack imagination—and here it is—an ability to communicate, in order to convey his thoughts without resorting to obscenities.\r\n\r\nBut the larger problem is a White House that doesn\'t get it\r\n\r\nIn TrumpWorld, it seems communications is all about marketing. It\'s all about persuasion. And it\'s not about sharing information and facts. I don\'t think this country has ever seen such a fact-averse White House ever.\r\n\r\nWhen you practice communications you are aiming to inform, and yes, to persuade. But persuasion is not something to be done with threats and alternative facts. Sean Spicer (as I have written before) thought he was in a fight with the White House press corps. He berated them and belittled them and even refused to provide information. He turned the cameras off for briefings when he did have them. He cherrypicked media outlets that were sympathetic to the president and would not ask any hard questions.','Why Scaramucci failed','','inherit','open','open','','3539-revision-v1','','','2017-08-01 10:05:53','2017-08-01 14:05:53','',3539,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3539-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3541,4,'2017-08-01 10:18:08','2017-08-01 14:18:08','I was going to write a post about how Anthony Scaramucci, the shortest-lived White House Communications Director in history, embodies the problem at the core of the Trump administration\'s communications failures, and then the \"Mooch\" got fired after 10 days on the job.\r\n\r\nBasically, Scaramucci got fired because he failed at Communications 101. He was bound to fail also because he was not the right person for the job. He had no experience in communications, and his actions showed it. As the wrong person for the job, he got hired by a boss and an administration that don\'t understand communications fundamentals.\r\n\r\n<strong>The communications person is never the story</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, Scaramucci failed because he broke the cardinal rule for communications pros: he became the story. As anybody who has worked in public relations/communications knows, the comms person is there to help get the story out. Under no circumstances are you to become the story.\r\n\r\n<strong>You have to know how news reporters work</strong>\r\n\r\nSecond, Scaramucci did not seem to understand that unless you explicitly state otherwise, everything you say can be quoted. If you have not said something is off the record, it\'s on the record. Period. Reporters are always looking for quotes. That\'s what they do.\r\n\r\n<strong>Just because you feel that you are simpatico, does not mean you are pals hanging out at a bar</strong>\r\n\r\nThird, Scaramucci made himself look extremely crass and stupid by using obscenities where none were needed. We all curse, but we know that in certain circumstances we don\'t. Scaramucci also seems to lack imagination—and here it is—an ability to communicate, in order to convey his thoughts without resorting to obscenities.\r\n\r\n<strong>But the larger problem is a White House that doesn\'t get it</strong>\r\n\r\nIn TrumpWorld, it seems communications is <em>all</em> about marketing. It\'s<em> all</em> about persuasion. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">And it\'s not about sharing information and facts.</span> I don\'t think this country has ever seen such a fact-averse White House ever.\r\n\r\nWhen you practice communications you are aiming to inform, and yes, to persuade. But persuasion is not something to be done with threats and alternative facts. As I have written before, Sean Spicer (the former communications director/press secretary) thought he was in a fight with the White House press corps. He berated them and belittled them and even refused to provide them with information they requested. He turned the cameras off for briefings, thinking that by cutting off video he would be able to control the narrative. He cherry-picked media outlets to respond to that were sympathetic to the president and would not ask any hard questions.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communications is not a one-way street</strong>\r\n\r\nTo communicate, you must inform. You can\'t simply try to force your viewpoint on everyone. We see Trump using Twitter to talk directly to the people. What you don\'t see is Trump using Twitter to respond to questions from the people. To Trump, communication is a one-way street (sort of how he views loyalty too): push your message out and steamroll anyone who questions it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Scaramucci\'s failure is indicative of a much larger problem that does not seem to have a solution: a White House that does not value real communication.</strong>','Why Scaramucci failed','','inherit','open','open','','3539-revision-v1','','','2017-08-01 10:18:08','2017-08-01 14:18:08','',3539,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3539-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3543,4,'2017-08-08 09:07:26','2017-08-08 13:07:26','The other night, I heard a loud, scratching noise in my chimney. It sounded as if  an animal had gotten in. My first thought (and fear) was that a small bat was in there and it would then come into the house. Since it was close to midnight, there was nothing I could do except check the website for the local animal trapping company that I\'ve see working in my neighborhood. According to Google results, their office opened at 7:00 a.m. The website listed an 800 number, and four local-area numbers. I decided to call first thing to see if they would send someone right away.\r\n\r\nAt 7:00 the next morning I called up the company. I got a message saying their offices opened at 8:00 a.m. Their Google My Business listing was wrong and their website did not list hours at all.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes companies spend more time and money on developing new marketing or on sales pitches, and they forget to check the basics. So, before you do anything else marketing-related, check your current stuff for accuracy. Do it now. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>What to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Business name (is it complete, spelled correctly?)</li>\r\n	<li>Address/es (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Telephone number/s (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Website URL</li>\r\n	<li>Hours/days of operation</li>\r\n	<li>Staff names/positions/contact information</li>\r\n	<li>Email addresses</li>\r\n	<li>Pricing information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Where to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Your website</li>\r\n	<li>Your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)</li>\r\n	<li>Google results/Google maps/Google My Business</li>\r\n	<li>Yelp and other review or listing sites (e.g., Angie\'s List) you appear in</li>\r\n	<li>Printed materials (business cards, brochures, letterhead, postcards, etc.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the end, I was able to get the animal trapping company to come to my house later in the day. They checked the chimney and nothing was there (thank goodness!). They put some mesh on the chimney cap to prevent bats or birds from getting in.\r\n\r\nThis company has plenty of business around here. I\'ve seen their trucks before as squirrels are constantly getting into attics (and bats are always in the belfry). They certainly have developed brand recognition. But you only call them when you need them and it is usually an urgent situation. Having multiple phone numbers and inaccurate hours is not helpful for anybody needing their services.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any organization needs to consider what information potential users/customers/donors need to have, and then make sure that information is easily <em>available and accurate</em>. It just makes good marketing/communications sense.</strong>','Check for accuracy STAT','','publish','open','open','','check-for-accuracy-stat','','','2017-08-08 09:07:26','2017-08-08 13:07:26','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3543',0,'post','',0),(3544,4,'2017-08-08 09:04:00','2017-08-08 13:04:00','The other night, I heard a loud, scratching noise in my chimney. It sounded as if  an animal had gotten in. My first thought (and fear) was that a small bat was in there and it would then come into the house. Since it was close to midnight, there was nothing I could do except check the website for the local animal trapping company that I\'ve see working in my neighborhood. According to Google results, their office opened at 7:00 a.m. The website listed an 800 number, and four local-area numbers. I decided to call first thing to see if they would send someone right away.\r\n\r\nAt 7:00 the next morning I called up the company. I got a message saying their offices opened at 8:00 a.m. Their Google My Business listing was wrong and their website did not list hours at all.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes companies spend more time and money on developing new marketing or on sales pitches, and they forget to check the basics. So, before you do anything else marketing-related, check your current stuff for accuracy. Do it now. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>What to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Business name (is it complete, spelled correctly?)</li>\r\n	<li>Address/es (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Telephone number/s (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Website URL</li>\r\n	<li>Hours/days of operation</li>\r\n	<li>Staff names/positions/contact information</li>\r\n	<li>Email addresses</li>\r\n	<li>Pricing information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Where to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Your website</li>\r\n	<li>Your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)</li>\r\n	<li>Google results/Google maps/Google My Business</li>\r\n	<li>Yelp and other review or listing sites (e.g., Angie\'s List) you appear in</li>\r\n	<li>Printed materials (business cards, brochures, letterhead, postcards, etc.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the end, I was able to get the animal trapping company to come to my house later in the day. They checked the chimney and nothing was there (thank goodness!). They put some mesh on the chimney cap to prevent bats or birds from getting in.\r\n\r\nThis company has plenty of business around here. I\'ve seen their trucks before as squirrels are constantly getting into attics (and bats are always in the belfry). They certainly have developed brand recognition. But you only call them when you need them and it is usually an urgent situation. Having multiple phone numbers and inaccurate hours is not helpful.\r\n\r\nAny organization needs to consider what information potential users/customers/donors need to have and then make sure that information is easily available and accurate. It just makes good marketing/communications sense.','Check for accuracy STAT','','inherit','open','open','','3543-revision-v1','','','2017-08-08 09:04:00','2017-08-08 13:04:00','',3543,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3543-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3545,4,'2017-08-08 09:06:53','2017-08-08 13:06:53','The other night, I heard a loud, scratching noise in my chimney. It sounded as if  an animal had gotten in. My first thought (and fear) was that a small bat was in there and it would then come into the house. Since it was close to midnight, there was nothing I could do except check the website for the local animal trapping company that I\'ve see working in my neighborhood. According to Google results, their office opened at 7:00 a.m. The website listed an 800 number, and four local-area numbers. I decided to call first thing to see if they would send someone right away.\r\n\r\nAt 7:00 the next morning I called up the company. I got a message saying their offices opened at 8:00 a.m. Their Google My Business listing was wrong and their website did not list hours at all.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSometimes companies spend more time and money on developing new marketing or on sales pitches, and they forget to check the basics. So, before you do anything else marketing-related, check your current stuff for accuracy. Do it now. Seriously.\r\n\r\n<strong>What to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Business name (is it complete, spelled correctly?)</li>\r\n	<li>Address/es (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Telephone number/s (accurate, current?)</li>\r\n	<li>Website URL</li>\r\n	<li>Hours/days of operation</li>\r\n	<li>Staff names/positions/contact information</li>\r\n	<li>Email addresses</li>\r\n	<li>Pricing information</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Where to check:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Your website</li>\r\n	<li>Your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)</li>\r\n	<li>Google results/Google maps/Google My Business</li>\r\n	<li>Yelp and other review or listing sites (e.g., Angie\'s List) you appear in</li>\r\n	<li>Printed materials (business cards, brochures, letterhead, postcards, etc.)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn the end, I was able to get the animal trapping company to come to my house later in the day. They checked the chimney and nothing was there (thank goodness!). They put some mesh on the chimney cap to prevent bats or birds from getting in.\r\n\r\nThis company has plenty of business around here. I\'ve seen their trucks before as squirrels are constantly getting into attics (and bats are always in the belfry). They certainly have developed brand recognition. But you only call them when you need them and it is usually an urgent situation. Having multiple phone numbers and inaccurate hours is not helpful for anybody needing their services.\r\n\r\n<strong>Any organization needs to consider what information potential users/customers/donors need to have, and then make sure that information is easily <em>available and accurate</em>. It just makes good marketing/communications sense.</strong>','Check for accuracy STAT','','inherit','open','open','','3543-revision-v1','','','2017-08-08 09:06:53','2017-08-08 13:06:53','',3543,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3543-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3546,4,'2017-08-15 11:37:38','2017-08-15 15:37:38','<strong>We need your support and we will interrupt your viewing until you give us money!</strong>\r\n\r\nThis seems to be the PBS mission during its pledge drive\r\n\r\nCurrently, it\'s the upteenth day during the upteenth time this year that my local PBS station, WETA, is looking for support from viewers. It may not be endless, but it sure feels like it.\r\n\r\nPledge month (?) is the time when the station starts playing \"specials\" that have been played dozens of times before, and interrupting them every fifteen minutes to ask for your support. In return, you will get any number of mugs/bags/videos/books based on the size of your contribution. Also, every other show seems to get interrupted--the Newshour, Washington Week, and most egregiously, the finale of the Great British Baking Show.\r\n\r\n<strong>Enough!</strong>\r\n\r\nViewers like me do not like to watch tired, old \"specials.\" Viewers like me hate having shows interrupted multiple times by the same talking heads giving repetitious pitches on why to give to the station. Viewers like me do not want mugs or tote bags. Viewers like me click off PBS the instant this pledge madness starts.\r\n\r\n<strong>How can this model work today?</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a newsflash for PBS: Times have changed.\r\n\r\n<em>Hundreds of viewing options</em>\r\n\r\nAll TV channels are under intense competition—both for viewers and for advertising dollars. This is because viewers have many more options for entertainment than ever before: There are hundreds of cable and streaming channels, and also an internet chock-full of stuff to watch, read, react to and interact with.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s an on-demand world</em>\r\n\r\nWith DVRs and/or access to content on demand, people can watch shows on whatever schedule they choose. They can ignore advertising (and pledge drives).\r\n\r\n<em>There\'s a streaming channel for that</em>\r\n\r\nIt used to be that you could only watch British shows like Downton Abbey or Inspector Morse on PBS. Now, you can stream them on specialized British TV/movies channels, and even watch them on Netflix.\r\n\r\n<em>Watch TV wherever you are, whenever you want</em>\r\n\r\nSmartphones and tablets can access the internet anywhere and everywhere. And users of these devices can buy/rent/download all sorts of entertainment to watch even when there is no internet access.\r\n\r\n<strong>Interrupting viewer with a push-message is really old school</strong>\r\n\r\nThese days, inbound marketing is in favor. That\'s when potential customers/supporters come to you because you are providing great content/reasons for them to interact and buy/support from you. Forcing yourself on viewers, like the pledge drive on PBS does, is the complete opposite. It assumes a static audience that does not have any option but to sit there and listen to a sales pitch. It assumes that pushing a message is the best way to get action. It\'s the old way of doing things. And it may help PBS shed viewers, not gain them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is annoying viewers for a $60 donation the best way to keep PBS afloat?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you are aiming for lots of small donations, you have to do a lot more work. In this case, it means interrupting viewing more times, more often. It gets annoying. It\'s a turn-off. And I don\'t believe it\'s effective. I think it would be far more effective to concentrate on getting and retaining big, corporate or foundation sponsorships.\r\n\r\nI understand PBS wants community support too. Perhaps instead of asking viewers to donate, PBS could emphasize obtaining a yearly membership with (real) special benefits (currently this is not clear on the PBS website). Instead of having pledge drives, PBS could include a 15-second ad/message for membership before popular shows.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch PBS? Do you support PBS? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does PBS get the support of viewers like you? ','','publish','open','open','','does-pbs-get-the-support-of-viewers-like-you','','','2017-08-15 11:37:38','2017-08-15 15:37:38','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3546',0,'post','',0),(3548,4,'2017-08-15 11:37:38','2017-08-15 15:37:38','<strong>We need your support and we will interrupt your viewing until you give us money!</strong>\r\n\r\nThis seems to be the PBS mission during its pledge drive\r\n\r\nCurrently, it\'s the upteenth day during the upteenth time this year that my local PBS station, WETA, is looking for support from viewers. It may not be endless, but it sure feels like it.\r\n\r\nPledge month (?) is the time when the station starts playing \"specials\" that have been played dozens of times before, and interrupting them every fifteen minutes to ask for your support. In return, you will get any number of mugs/bags/videos/books based on the size of your contribution. Also, every other show seems to get interrupted--the Newshour, Washington Week, and most egregiously, the finale of the Great British Baking Show.\r\n\r\n<strong>Enough!</strong>\r\n\r\nViewers like me do not like to watch tired, old \"specials.\" Viewers like me hate having shows interrupted multiple times by the same talking heads giving repetitious pitches on why to give to the station. Viewers like me do not want mugs or tote bags. Viewers like me click off PBS the instant this pledge madness starts.\r\n\r\n<strong>How can this model work today?</strong>\r\n\r\nHere\'s a newsflash for PBS: Times have changed.\r\n\r\n<em>Hundreds of viewing options</em>\r\n\r\nAll TV channels are under intense competition—both for viewers and for advertising dollars. This is because viewers have many more options for entertainment than ever before: There are hundreds of cable and streaming channels, and also an internet chock-full of stuff to watch, read, react to and interact with.\r\n\r\n<em>It\'s an on-demand world</em>\r\n\r\nWith DVRs and/or access to content on demand, people can watch shows on whatever schedule they choose. They can ignore advertising (and pledge drives).\r\n\r\n<em>There\'s a streaming channel for that</em>\r\n\r\nIt used to be that you could only watch British shows like Downton Abbey or Inspector Morse on PBS. Now, you can stream them on specialized British TV/movies channels, and even watch them on Netflix.\r\n\r\n<em>Watch TV wherever you are, whenever you want</em>\r\n\r\nSmartphones and tablets can access the internet anywhere and everywhere. And users of these devices can buy/rent/download all sorts of entertainment to watch even when there is no internet access.\r\n\r\n<strong>Interrupting viewer with a push-message is really old school</strong>\r\n\r\nThese days, inbound marketing is in favor. That\'s when potential customers/supporters come to you because you are providing great content/reasons for them to interact and buy/support from you. Forcing yourself on viewers, like the pledge drive on PBS does, is the complete opposite. It assumes a static audience that does not have any option but to sit there and listen to a sales pitch. It assumes that pushing a message is the best way to get action. It\'s the old way of doing things. And it may help PBS shed viewers, not gain them.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is annoying viewers for a $60 donation the best way to keep PBS afloat?</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you are aiming for lots of small donations, you have to do a lot more work. In this case, it means interrupting viewing more times, more often. It gets annoying. It\'s a turn-off. And I don\'t believe it\'s effective. I think it would be far more effective to concentrate on getting and retaining big, corporate or foundation sponsorships.\r\n\r\nI understand PBS wants community support too. Perhaps instead of asking viewers to donate, PBS could emphasize obtaining a yearly membership with (real) special benefits (currently this is not clear on the PBS website). Instead of having pledge drives, PBS could include a 15-second ad/message for membership before popular shows.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you watch PBS? Do you support PBS? Why or why not?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Does PBS get the support of viewers like you? ','','inherit','open','open','','3546-revision-v1','','','2017-08-15 11:37:38','2017-08-15 15:37:38','',3546,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3546-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3676,4,'2018-02-22 10:39:05','2018-02-22 15:39:05','Are you a spy or a spying organization? If so, this post does not apply to you. You definitely want to keep secrets, and be known for your secrecy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Secretive is <em>not</em> a great attribute for non-spy organizations</strong>\r\n\r\nHowever, in general, most businesses should not aim to be known as secretive. And let\'s be clear, I am not talking about being known as an organization that keeps its customer information private and confidential. That\'s a good attribute. I am talking about organizations that don\'t tell you stuff you need to know, like how much things cost or whether pricing has changed. Or what the return/refund policy is. Or who to contact if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>Changing prices is not something you should be secretive about</strong>\r\n\r\nThere\'s a yoga studio I had been going to most of last year. I was taking a noon class (perfect for my schedule) known as \"value vinyasa\" because it cost $12 instead of the usual $20 (perfect for my budget). I missed a couple classes due to vacation, and when I went to check the schedule when I returned, I noticed that the noon class I had been taking is now known as \"vinyasa flow.\" In the pricing section of the studio\'s website there\'s no mention of the \"value\" classes. The studio sends a weekly newsletter and there was no mention of the change. The value classes had been very quietly (secretively) eliminated.  Does the studio owner think we won\'t notice?\r\n\r\nThere\'s a hiking group I belong to on Meetup.com. The group had been charging $2 for each hike as a way to ensure attendance (people tend to show up for something they\'ve paid for), and to cover the costs of running the group. Without any announcement, the group began charging $5 per hike. There was a lot of questions and outrage posted by  members on the Meetup\'s discussion boards. There was an answer saying that this hiking group is really a nonprofit that now supports various causes, and that the fees were going to be used to raise money for said causes. That was the end of the discussion, and the discussion boards were disabled. The group leader could have easily sent a note to all the members explaining the price hike and the reason for it, but chose to be secretive and not forthcoming. She also chose to shut down discussion, to tamp down discontent with the sudden, unexplained policy change. This is not a good luck for this group, and I have noticed that where hikes used to get filled up really quickly, there are now several spots open.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being secretive, and imposing changes without notification, could backfire.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf your organization is planning to make a change that will affect  your customer\'s interaction with you, you must make sure to announce it. Being secretive may seem like a good way to avoid customer discontent, but it actually increases it. Being secretive communicates to your customer that you are hiding something, or not being upfront, or just don\'t care to keep your customer up to date.\r\n\r\nIn my case, I have stopped going to that yoga studio because I want to pay less than $20 per class, and because I think the studio is not well run. I usually don\'t do hikes until the weather is warmer, but I think I will look for other hiking groups that are more upfront about their policies.\r\n\r\nBeing secretive can cost you customers. Most people value transparency and honesty. If you are being secretive, you are not being transparent or honest. You are hiding something or perhaps you are just being thoughtless in not letting your customers know your policies, costs, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the bottom line: when you are being secretive, you are not communicating.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Secretive is a good brand attribute for a spy','','inherit','open','open','','3675-revision-v1','','','2018-02-22 10:39:05','2018-02-22 15:39:05','',3675,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3675-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3551,4,'2017-08-31 13:16:33','0000-00-00 00:00:00','No doubt you\'ve seen the many reports about how Donald Trump and his wife Melania visited Texas a couple days ago. Presumably, they were there to tour the disaster spawned by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on the greater Houston area, an unprecedented amount, causing massive flooding and displacement of thousands of people.\r\n\r\nTrump and his wife were both panned and criticized. Trump for his boasts and supreme lack of empathy, and Melania for what she was wearing (stilettos to get on the plane, as if she were taking a walk to the nearest fashion show). I agree with the criticism, but this is not a political post. It\'s a post about what is commonly called optics—how things look to others. Controlling optics is one of the many jobs a communicator, especially a public relations person, can do.','How to tour a disaster zone','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-08-31 13:16:33','2017-08-31 17:16:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3551',0,'post','',0),(3552,4,'2017-08-31 13:12:51','2017-08-31 17:12:51','No doubt you\'ve seen the many reports about how Donald Trump and his wife Melania visited Texas a couple days ago. Presumably, they were there to tour the disaster spawned by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on the greater Houston area, an unprecedented amount, causing massive flooding and displacement of thousands of people.\r\n\r\nTrump and his wife were both panned and criticized. Trump for his boasts and supreme lack of empathy, and Melania for what she was wearing (stilettos to get on the plane, as if she were taking a walk to the nearest fashion show). I agree with the criticism, but this is not a political post. It\'s a post about what is commonly called optics—how things look to others. Controlling optics is one of the many jobs a communicator, especially a public relations person, can do.','How to tour a disaster zone','','inherit','open','open','','3551-revision-v1','','','2017-08-31 13:12:51','2017-08-31 17:12:51','',3551,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/08/3551-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3554,4,'2017-09-04 13:17:14','2017-09-04 17:17:14','<h3>Project</h3>\r\nPerhaps you want to hire us to work on a single project. You\'ll give us all the relevant information, including target audience for the project, timelines and existing materials. Once we\'ve assessed what you need, we will provide you with a written time and cost estimate before beginning.\r\n\r\nProjects are payable with a 30% to 50% deposit to start, and the balance due once the project is complete.\r\n<h3>Retainer</h3>\r\nIf you require ongoing marketing help or know you will have many projects over two months or more, we will set up a retainer agreement. We will estimate how many hours of time you will require per month. We will agree on a cost and number of hours. Retainer agreements are payable on a monthly or bi-weekly schedule. Retainers can be dissolved in writing.\r\n<h3>Payment</h3>\r\nWe accept business or personal checks, credit cards via PayPal, cash and money orders. Paying by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge.  Our policy is 30 days net for most invoices. As a small business, we cannot afford to extend credit to our clients, and we respectfully request full payment as and when invoiced.\r\n<h3>Late Fees</h3>\r\n<strong></strong>Invoices that are not paid after 30 days from date of invoice are subject to late fees on the following schedule:\r\n\r\n31-60 days: 20% late fee\r\n\r\n61-90 days: 25% late fee\r\n\r\n91-120 days: 30% late fee\r\n\r\nAny invoice that is unpaid after 121 days will be subject to a 50% late fee, remitted to immediate collection, and the client relationship will be immediately terminated.\r\n<h3>No work on spec</h3>\r\nFinally, DBMC does not provide spec work. If you require a sample, we will provide you with work done for previous clients. If you want us to produce something specifically for you, we require payment.','How We Work','','inherit','open','open','','42-revision-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:17:14','2017-09-04 17:17:14','',42,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/42-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3555,4,'2017-09-04 13:18:27','2017-09-04 17:18:27','Written materials are the cornerstone of marketing communications. Clear, concise and convincing writing will make your marketing materials and your business stand out.\r\n\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications writes:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Website content</li>\r\n	<li>Blog posts</li>\r\n	<li>Marketing collateral\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Brochures</li>\r\n	<li>Flyers</li>\r\n	<li>Taglines</li>\r\n	<li>Ebooks</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter copy</li>\r\n	<li>Email copy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Advertising copy</li>\r\n	<li>Public relations materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Press releases</li>\r\n	<li>Executive biographies</li>\r\n	<li>Position papers</li>\r\n	<li>White papers</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n	<li>Messaging materials\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Key messages</li>\r\n	<li>Company descriptions</li>\r\n	<li>Boilerplate</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nWriting fee: $125 per hour','Writing/Copywriting','','inherit','open','open','','49-revision-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:18:27','2017-09-04 17:18:27','',49,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/49-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3556,4,'2017-09-04 13:19:03','2017-09-04 17:19:03','Where does your brochure or website fit in with your marketing and communications plan? Every marketing piece you put out should be a tactic in the larger strategy of marketing your product, service or company. Deborah Brody Marketing Communications will give you specific, creative marketing ideas, tactics and strategies.\r\n<h3>Blog consulting</h3>\r\nWhere does your blog fit in your overall communications plan? Is it achieving results?\r\n<h3>Social media consulting</h3>\r\nAre you using social media effectively? Are you reaching your goals? We\'ll help you determine what is working and what is not, and how to fix it.\r\n<h3>Communications audits</h3>\r\nAre your key messages relevant? What marketing collateral do you need and which could you get rid of? We will assess your materials and provide recommendations.\r\n\r\nCommunications consulting fee: $125 per hour','Consulting','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:19:03','2017-09-04 17:19:03','',51,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3557,4,'2017-09-04 13:19:28','2017-09-04 17:19:28','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency and accuracy to your documents.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency.\r\n\r\nCopy editing fee: $60 per hour\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-revision-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:19:28','2017-09-04 17:19:28','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/2850-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3558,4,'2017-09-04 13:19:56','2017-09-04 17:19:56','Copy editing helps bring clarity, consistency, and accuracy to your documents.\r\n\r\nDepending on the document, you may need more or less editing. In all cases, your document will be checked for clarity (what you really mean to say), grammar, spelling,  punctuation, usage, and consistency.\r\n\r\nCopy editing fee: $60 per hour\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Copy Editing','','inherit','open','open','','2850-revision-v1','','','2017-09-04 13:19:56','2017-09-04 17:19:56','',2850,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/2850-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3559,4,'2017-09-07 15:56:31','2017-09-07 19:56:31','A few weeks ago, I dropped my old Samsung smartphone, rendering it useless. Panicked at the thought of not being able to check Facebook on the fly (kidding), I ran over to the ATT store nearest me. There, a very young person pretending to be a customer service agent, did <em>not</em> help me get a phone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s why care matters</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, I had a contact lens emergency. I asked to use the restroom to deal with it. The young lady said no restroom was available. Evidently, ATT does not care about the well being and comfort of visitors to its stores.\r\n\r\nSecond, I asked her to see a Galaxy S7. She told me they don\'t have them in stock. Only the more expensive Galaxy S8s. I don\'t want to spend the extra money I told her. She then said maybe it could be shipped to me, but that it would take a week. A week? Without a phone? I asked her if  she could check availability at nearby retailers. No, she said, she couldn\'t possibly do that. Could she expedite shipping then? No, she couldn\'t do that either.\r\n\r\nThird, and finally, I said: \"What if I go over to the Sprint or T-Mobile store then? I am not under contract with ATT.\" She shrugged. She didn\'t care. I left.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another young person without a clue</strong>\r\n\r\nI drove up the street to BestBuy. There, the store did have some Galaxy S7s in stock. However, the young (notice a theme here) \"sales\" person was not super helpful. He did get me a phone, but only after telling me several times that I should get the S8. He also tried to scare me into getting GeekSquad protection. And into getting a screen protector, case, charger, etc. In short, he was being a real pain. And to boot, he would not even try to get my contacts and other information off my old phone. I am not even going into the whole story but suffice it to say that the 24-year-old had a horrible attitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being helpful  and trying to resolve problems goes a very long way</strong>\r\n\r\nI ended up speaking to the kid\'s manager, who promised to speak to him and to help me out. The next day, the much nicer (and older) manager spent nearly two hours with me, getting the stuff off the old phone and transferring it to my new phone and to a flash drive. He saved the day for me, and gave me a much more positive view of BestBuy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Complaining to ATT garnered zero action</strong>\r\n\r\nI called ATT and after dealing with the most annoying robot, I got through to a customer care agent. I told her I had a complaint about the store I went to. She put me through to a manager who didn\'t see a problem, didn\'t even ask what store it was or the name of the employee. I then tweeted the wrongly named @attcares. No care there either.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is all well that ends well?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the end, I have a working phone. I have my contacts. I have my photos. I don\'t have voice mail but that is the subject for another day.\r\n\r\nATT can market all they want but unless they start showing some care, I will not stick with them as a customer. Their Twitter \"customer service\" is slow to respond, and that makes it nearly useless. Their customer service via phone has gonedown hill. If you have a problem with ATT, it seems you are on your own.\r\n\r\nWe are fine with any company until there is a problem that the company will not<em> try t</em>o solve. If a company shows genuine care (like the BestBuy manager did), you are willing to overlook the problem. If a company does not show care (like ATT), you are not willing to give it a second chance.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you stick with companies that treat you poorly? How important for you is it to get good customer service?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Care matters more than marketing','','publish','open','open','','care-matters-more-than-marketing','','','2017-09-07 15:56:31','2017-09-07 19:56:31','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3559',0,'post','',0),(3560,4,'2017-09-07 15:56:31','2017-09-07 19:56:31','A few weeks ago, I dropped my old Samsung smartphone, rendering it useless. Panicked at the thought of not being able to check Facebook on the fly (kidding), I ran over to the ATT store nearest me. There, a very young person pretending to be a customer service agent, did <em>not</em> help me get a phone.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s why care matters</strong>\r\n\r\nFirst, I had a contact lens emergency. I asked to use the restroom to deal with it. The young lady said no restroom was available. Evidently, ATT does not care about the well being and comfort of visitors to its stores.\r\n\r\nSecond, I asked her to see a Galaxy S7. She told me they don\'t have them in stock. Only the more expensive Galaxy S8s. I don\'t want to spend the extra money I told her. She then said maybe it could be shipped to me, but that it would take a week. A week? Without a phone? I asked her if  she could check availability at nearby retailers. No, she said, she couldn\'t possibly do that. Could she expedite shipping then? No, she couldn\'t do that either.\r\n\r\nThird, and finally, I said: \"What if I go over to the Sprint or T-Mobile store then? I am not under contract with ATT.\" She shrugged. She didn\'t care. I left.\r\n\r\n<strong>Another young person without a clue</strong>\r\n\r\nI drove up the street to BestBuy. There, the store did have some Galaxy S7s in stock. However, the young (notice a theme here) \"sales\" person was not super helpful. He did get me a phone, but only after telling me several times that I should get the S8. He also tried to scare me into getting GeekSquad protection. And into getting a screen protector, case, charger, etc. In short, he was being a real pain. And to boot, he would not even try to get my contacts and other information off my old phone. I am not even going into the whole story but suffice it to say that the 24-year-old had a horrible attitude.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being helpful  and trying to resolve problems goes a very long way</strong>\r\n\r\nI ended up speaking to the kid\'s manager, who promised to speak to him and to help me out. The next day, the much nicer (and older) manager spent nearly two hours with me, getting the stuff off the old phone and transferring it to my new phone and to a flash drive. He saved the day for me, and gave me a much more positive view of BestBuy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Complaining to ATT garnered zero action</strong>\r\n\r\nI called ATT and after dealing with the most annoying robot, I got through to a customer care agent. I told her I had a complaint about the store I went to. She put me through to a manager who didn\'t see a problem, didn\'t even ask what store it was or the name of the employee. I then tweeted the wrongly named @attcares. No care there either.\r\n\r\n<strong>Is all well that ends well?</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the end, I have a working phone. I have my contacts. I have my photos. I don\'t have voice mail but that is the subject for another day.\r\n\r\nATT can market all they want but unless they start showing some care, I will not stick with them as a customer. Their Twitter \"customer service\" is slow to respond, and that makes it nearly useless. Their customer service via phone has gonedown hill. If you have a problem with ATT, it seems you are on your own.\r\n\r\nWe are fine with any company until there is a problem that the company will not<em> try t</em>o solve. If a company shows genuine care (like the BestBuy manager did), you are willing to overlook the problem. If a company does not show care (like ATT), you are not willing to give it a second chance.\r\n\r\nWhat do you think? Do you stick with companies that treat you poorly? How important for you is it to get good customer service?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Care matters more than marketing','','inherit','open','open','','3559-revision-v1','','','2017-09-07 15:56:31','2017-09-07 19:56:31','',3559,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3559-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3562,4,'2017-09-14 10:04:45','2017-09-14 14:04:45','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which is the <em>real</em> life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, thus making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were not classified correctly and therefore shelved in the wrong place.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3565\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3565\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bookstore shelves\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" /></a> Bookstore picture courtesy of Kaboompics[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Being in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe used bookstore is volunteer-run, and it may be too much to ask volunteers  to know what each book is or where it belongs. Since books are donated, there is no inventory. On the other hand, in a regular bookstore, books are shelved by ISBN numbers and inventories are computerized. It\'d be rare that book was shelved in the wrong place, unless a customer put it back where it didn\'t belong. If you were looking for a particular book, you could ask someone to look it up to see if it is available and if so, where it is located.\r\n\r\n<strong>Classification is important, especially on the internet.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThe internet is more like the used bookstore than it is like the organized world of Barnes &amp; Noble. The internet is pretty much volunteer-run and the volunteers are each website\'s owners. In other words, on the internet you self-classify—you put yourself on the right (or wrong) shelf.\r\n\r\nAs the website owner or manager, you choose how you want your site to look, what content to include, and what keywords to use. You choose whether you will optimize your site to be found on search engines (SEO) and whether you will do it well  (use the right tools, or hire a professional) or not.\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, especially online,  you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you. You have to know how you are classified and what keywords people use to find you.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must understand yourself and your market.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the used bookstore, there are some volunteers who are avid readers, some who are aces as alphabetization and organization, and some who just want to help but have no clues. The volunteers who can alphabetize, organize <em>and</em> know books well what are the ones who know the right place to shelve a book.\r\n\r\nYou have to understand exactly what to do, and how the world classifies you. You may think that you do one thing (like Mattress Firm thinks it sells \"sleep solutions\") while  most customers see you differently (customers shop for mattresses not sleep solutions). It may be tempting to figure out some fancy description to help you stand out, but unless you classify yourself correctly and use the more common keywords searchers would use, you will not be found.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t be the memoir languishing in the fiction section. Classify your website correctly and use the right keywords.</strong>','When you want to be found','','publish','open','open','','when-you-want-to-be-found','','','2017-09-14 10:04:45','2017-09-14 14:04:45','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3562',0,'post','',0),(3563,4,'2017-09-13 09:16:49','2017-09-13 13:16:49','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which the real life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were shelved incorrectly.\r\n\r\nBeing in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you.','When you want to be found','','inherit','open','open','','3562-revision-v1','','','2017-09-13 09:16:49','2017-09-13 13:16:49','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3562-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3564,4,'2017-09-13 10:13:29','2017-09-13 14:13:29','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which the <em>real</em> life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, thus making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were not classified correctly and therefore shelved in the wrong place.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe used bookstore is volunteer-run, and it may be too much to ask volunteers  to know what each book is or where it belongs. Since books are donated, there is no inventory. In a regular bookstore, books are shelved by ISBN numbers and inventories are computerized. It\'d be rare that book was mis-shelved unless a customer put it back where it didn\'t belong. If you were looking for a particular book, you could ask someone to look it up to see if it is available and if so, where it is located.\r\n\r\n<strong>Classification is important.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, especially online,  you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you. In other words, you have to know how you are classified and what keywords people use to find you.','When you want to be found','','inherit','open','open','','3562-revision-v1','','','2017-09-13 10:13:29','2017-09-13 14:13:29','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3562-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3565,4,'2017-09-14 10:00:32','2017-09-14 14:00:32','','kaboompics_Rows of different colorful books lying on the shelves in the modern urban bookshop','Bookstore picture courtesy of Kaboompics','inherit','open','open','','kaboompics_rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop','','','2017-09-14 10:01:01','2017-09-14 14:01:01','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3566,4,'2017-09-14 10:01:36','2017-09-14 14:01:36','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which is the <em>real</em> life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, thus making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were not classified correctly and therefore shelved in the wrong place.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3565\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"200\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3565 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"bookstore shelves\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" /></a> Bookstore picture courtesy of Kaboompics[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Being in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe used bookstore is volunteer-run, and it may be too much to ask volunteers  to know what each book is or where it belongs. Since books are donated, there is no inventory. On the other hand, in a regular bookstore, books are shelved by ISBN numbers and inventories are computerized. It\'d be rare that book was shelved in the wrong place, unless a customer put it back where it didn\'t belong. If you were looking for a particular book, you could ask someone to look it up to see if it is available and if so, where it is located.\r\n\r\n<strong>Classification is important, especially on the internet.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThe internet is more like the used bookstore than it is like the organized world of Barnes &amp; Noble. The internet is pretty much volunteer-run and the volunteers are each website\'s owners. In other words, on the internet you self-classify—you put yourself on the right (or wrong) shelf.\r\n\r\nAs the website owner or manager, you choose how you want your site to look, what content to include, and what keywords to use. You choose whether you will optimize your site to be found on search engines (SEO) and whether you will do it well  (use the right tools, or hire a professional) or not.\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, especially online,  you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you. You have to know how you are classified and what keywords people use to find you.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must understand yourself and your market.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the used bookstore, there are some volunteers who are avid readers, some who are aces as alphabetization and organization, and some who just want to help but have no clues. The volunteers who can alphabetize, organize <em>and</em> know books well what are the ones who know the right place to shelve a book.\r\n\r\nYou have to understand exactly what to do, and how the world classifies you. You may think that you do one thing (like Mattress Firm thinks it sells \"sleep solutions\") while  most customers see you differently (customers shop for mattresses not sleep solutions). It may be tempting to figure out some fancy description to help you stand out, but unless you classify yourself correctly and use the more common keywords searchers would use, you will not be found.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t be the memoir languishing in the fiction section. Classify your website correctly and use the right keywords.</strong>','When you want to be found','','inherit','open','open','','3562-revision-v1','','','2017-09-14 10:01:36','2017-09-14 14:01:36','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3562-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3568,4,'2017-09-14 10:03:50','2017-09-14 14:03:50','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which is the <em>real</em> life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, thus making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were not classified correctly and therefore shelved in the wrong place.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3565\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3565\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bookstore shelves\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" /></a> Bookstore picture courtesy of Kaboompics[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Being in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe used bookstore is volunteer-run, and it may be too much to ask volunteers  to know what each book is or where it belongs. Since books are donated, there is no inventory. On the other hand, in a regular bookstore, books are shelved by ISBN numbers and inventories are computerized. It\'d be rare that book was shelved in the wrong place, unless a customer put it back where it didn\'t belong. If you were looking for a particular book, you could ask someone to look it up to see if it is available and if so, where it is located.\r\n\r\n<strong>Classification is important, especially on the internet.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThe internet is more like the used bookstore than it is like the organized world of Barnes &amp; Noble. The internet is pretty much volunteer-run and the volunteers are each website\'s owners. In other words, on the internet you self-classify—you put yourself on the right (or wrong) shelf.\r\n\r\nAs the website owner or manager, you choose how you want your site to look, what content to include, and what keywords to use. You choose whether you will optimize your site to be found on search engines (SEO) and whether you will do it well  (use the right tools, or hire a professional) or not.\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, especially online,  you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you. You have to know how you are classified and what keywords people use to find you.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must understand yourself and your market.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the used bookstore, there are some volunteers who are avid readers, some who are aces as alphabetization and organization, and some who just want to help but have no clues. The volunteers who can alphabetize, organize <em>and</em> know books well what are the ones who know the right place to shelve a book.\r\n\r\nYou have to understand exactly what to do, and how the world classifies you. You may think that you do one thing (like Mattress Firm thinks it sells \"sleep solutions\") while  most customers see you differently (customers shop for mattresses not sleep solutions). It may be tempting to figure out some fancy description to help you stand out, but unless you classify yourself correctly and use the more common keywords searchers would use, you will not be found.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t be the memoir languishing in the fiction section. Classify your website correctly and use the right keywords.</strong>','When you want to be found','','inherit','open','open','','3562-revision-v1','','','2017-09-14 10:03:50','2017-09-14 14:03:50','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3562-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3567,4,'2017-09-14 10:02:31','2017-09-14 14:02:31','Yesterday, I was browsing through books in my favorite used bookstore (where you can get most soft cover books for $2 each, a real bargain, and most books are in great shape to boot). As I was making my way through the Fiction section, I came across Diane Ackerman\'s <em>The Zookeeper\'s Wife</em>, which is the <em>real</em> life story of a Polish woman who saved Jews during World War II, thus making it a non-fiction book. I came across a Denise Mina book that should\'ve been housed in the Mystery section. I came across memoirs and biographies. In short, there were a lot of books that were not classified correctly and therefore shelved in the wrong place.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3565\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"682\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3565 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/kaboompics_Rows-of-different-colorful-books-lying-on-the-shelves-in-the-modern-urban-bookshop-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bookstore shelves\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" /></a> Bookstore picture courtesy of Kaboompics[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Being in the wrong place makes it hard to be found.</strong>\r\n\r\nThe used bookstore is volunteer-run, and it may be too much to ask volunteers  to know what each book is or where it belongs. Since books are donated, there is no inventory. On the other hand, in a regular bookstore, books are shelved by ISBN numbers and inventories are computerized. It\'d be rare that book was shelved in the wrong place, unless a customer put it back where it didn\'t belong. If you were looking for a particular book, you could ask someone to look it up to see if it is available and if so, where it is located.\r\n\r\n<strong>Classification is important, especially on the internet.\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nThe internet is more like the used bookstore than it is like the organized world of Barnes &amp; Noble. The internet is pretty much volunteer-run and the volunteers are each website\'s owners. In other words, on the internet you self-classify—you put yourself on the right (or wrong) shelf.\r\n\r\nAs the website owner or manager, you choose how you want your site to look, what content to include, and what keywords to use. You choose whether you will optimize your site to be found on search engines (SEO) and whether you will do it well  (use the right tools, or hire a professional) or not.\r\n\r\nWhen  you want to be found, especially online,  you have to know how to describe yourself and where people would look for you. You have to know how you are classified and what keywords people use to find you.\r\n\r\n<strong>You must understand yourself and your market.</strong>\r\n\r\nIn the used bookstore, there are some volunteers who are avid readers, some who are aces as alphabetization and organization, and some who just want to help but have no clues. The volunteers who can alphabetize, organize <em>and</em> know books well what are the ones who know the right place to shelve a book.\r\n\r\nYou have to understand exactly what to do, and how the world classifies you. You may think that you do one thing (like Mattress Firm thinks it sells \"sleep solutions\") while  most customers see you differently (customers shop for mattresses not sleep solutions). It may be tempting to figure out some fancy description to help you stand out, but unless you classify yourself correctly and use the more common keywords searchers would use, you will not be found.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t be the memoir languishing in the fiction section. Classify your website correctly and use the right keywords.</strong>','When you want to be found','','inherit','open','open','','3562-revision-v1','','','2017-09-14 10:02:31','2017-09-14 14:02:31','',3562,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3562-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3569,4,'2017-09-15 09:39:29','2017-09-15 13:39:29','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\nSeptember 2017\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2017-09-15 09:39:29','2017-09-15 13:39:29','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3570,4,'2017-09-15 09:40:34','2017-09-15 13:40:34','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2017\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/391dca\" target=\"_blank\">September 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2017-09-15 09:40:34','2017-09-15 13:40:34','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3572,4,'2017-09-27 10:16:43','2017-09-27 14:16:43','Have you ever read something that left you shaking your head, where you wondered what exactly the writer was trying to say? That\'s what happens when the writer of what you are reading  lacks the ability to communicate clearly.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important for your communications to be clear, to be easily understood, and not to confuse your audience. How do you achieve this type of clarity? Following are four suggestions:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Know what you are trying to say before you start writing.</strong> Remember in high school when you were taught about a thesis and its supporting points? That lesson should be ingrained in any writer\'s head. Always have a thesis (your premise or argument) and why you support it. It\'s helpful to jot down your thesis (for this piece—clarity is essential to communication) and then your top reasons for supporting it  (for this piece I jotted down too many words, not knowing what you really want to say).\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Balance your assumptions.</strong> Don\'t assume your audience knows too little or too much—find the middle ground that works for your specific audience. To be able to find the middle ground, you must know who is in your audience. Are they insiders? Are they the general public? How much do they know? Have you ever watched <em>Washington Wee</em>k on PBS? I watch it practically every Friday. One quirk they have is that they insist on spelling out every reference. If a journalist on the panel simply says \"McConnell,\" the host quickly adds: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This assumes the audience won\'t understand the reference to McConnell and yet most people who watch <em>Washington Week</em> are fairly informed and interested in all things political.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Write simply.</strong> Often, clarity is compromised by wordiness or jargon or big words when smaller words would do just fine. It\'s tempting to stuff articles and blog posts with fancy words, and office speak, but what you end up doing is alienating the audience who may not be conversant in your world. So work to eliminate extra words and jargon, and use plain language instead (e.g., if you see the word \"utilize\" substitute \"use\").\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Reread and edit everything before you make it public.</strong> Sometimes we write something and then look it over quickly before we hit \"publish.\" It may make sense to us at that moment, but does it make sense to others? Taking the time to read something slowly, copy edit it, and make sure it says what you want it to say will go a long way in making sure it is clear to <em>others. </em>If possible, get another person to read your copy (a copy editor and/or proofreader)<em>.</em>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Always aim for clarity. If your audience doesn\'t get what you are trying to say, then you haven\'t communicated at all.</span>','Always aim for clarity','','publish','open','open','','always-aim-for-clarity','','','2017-09-27 10:16:43','2017-09-27 14:16:43','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3572',0,'post','',0),(3573,4,'2017-09-26 10:38:57','2017-09-26 14:38:57','Have you ever read something that did not make sense to you? That\'s what happens when the writer of what you are reading  lacks clarity or the ability to communicate clearly.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important for your communications to be clear, to be easily understood, and not to confuse your audience. How do you achieve this type of clarity? There are a few ways.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Know what you are trying to say before you start writing.</strong> Remember in high school when you were taught about a thesis and its supporting points? That lesson should be ingrained in any writer\'s head. Always have a thesis (your premise or argument) and why you support it. It\'s helpful to jot down your thesis (for this piece—clarity is essential to communication) and then your top reasons for supporting it  (for this piece I jotted down too many words, not knowing what you really want to say).\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Write simply.</strong> Often, clarity is compromised by wordiness or jargon or big words when smaller words would do just fine. It\'s tempting to stuff articles and blog posts with fancy words, and office speak, but what you end up doing is alienating the audience who may not be conversant in your world. So work to eliminate extra words and jargon. Instead, use plain language (for reference check the Center for Plain Language website).\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Reread and edit everything before you make it public.</strong> Sometimes we write something and then look it over quickly before we hit \"publish.\" It may make sense to us at that moment, but does it make sense to others? Taking the time to read something slowly, copy edit it, and make sure it says what we want it to say will go a long way in making sure it is clear to <em>others. </em>If possible, get another person to read your copy (a copy editor and/or proofreader)<em>.</em>','Always aim for clarity','','inherit','open','open','','3572-revision-v1','','','2017-09-26 10:38:57','2017-09-26 14:38:57','',3572,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3572-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3574,4,'2017-09-27 10:16:43','2017-09-27 14:16:43','Have you ever read something that left you shaking your head, where you wondered what exactly the writer was trying to say? That\'s what happens when the writer of what you are reading  lacks the ability to communicate clearly.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important for your communications to be clear, to be easily understood, and not to confuse your audience. How do you achieve this type of clarity? Following are four suggestions:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Know what you are trying to say before you start writing.</strong> Remember in high school when you were taught about a thesis and its supporting points? That lesson should be ingrained in any writer\'s head. Always have a thesis (your premise or argument) and why you support it. It\'s helpful to jot down your thesis (for this piece—clarity is essential to communication) and then your top reasons for supporting it  (for this piece I jotted down too many words, not knowing what you really want to say).\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Balance your assumptions.</strong> Don\'t assume your audience knows too little or too much—find the middle ground that works for your specific audience. To be able to find the middle ground, you must know who is in your audience. Are they insiders? Are they the general public? How much do they know? Have you ever watched <em>Washington Wee</em>k on PBS? I watch it practically every Friday. One quirk they have is that they insist on spelling out every reference. If a journalist on the panel simply says \"McConnell,\" the host quickly adds: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This assumes the audience won\'t understand the reference to McConnell and yet most people who watch <em>Washington Week</em> are fairly informed and interested in all things political.\r\n\r\n<strong>3. Write simply.</strong> Often, clarity is compromised by wordiness or jargon or big words when smaller words would do just fine. It\'s tempting to stuff articles and blog posts with fancy words, and office speak, but what you end up doing is alienating the audience who may not be conversant in your world. So work to eliminate extra words and jargon, and use plain language instead (e.g., if you see the word \"utilize\" substitute \"use\").\r\n\r\n<strong>4. Reread and edit everything before you make it public.</strong> Sometimes we write something and then look it over quickly before we hit \"publish.\" It may make sense to us at that moment, but does it make sense to others? Taking the time to read something slowly, copy edit it, and make sure it says what you want it to say will go a long way in making sure it is clear to <em>others. </em>If possible, get another person to read your copy (a copy editor and/or proofreader)<em>.</em>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Always aim for clarity. If your audience doesn\'t get what you are trying to say, then you haven\'t communicated at all.</span>','Always aim for clarity','','inherit','open','open','','3572-revision-v1','','','2017-09-27 10:16:43','2017-09-27 14:16:43','',3572,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/09/3572-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3577,4,'2017-10-10 09:06:57','2017-10-10 13:06:57','I do a lot of research online, and I am definitely not alone. Most people conduct internet research on companies before they choose to do business with them. And this is the reason most organizations have websites, right?\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you gone searching for something specific, found a few websites, visited them, only to find that few, if any, have the information you need?\r\n\r\nDo you agree that the main point of your business website is to provide potential customers with information they need to make a buying decision? If you do agree , then you should have these two items on your business website:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Pricing</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. A real description of the company and its key personnel (aka \"about\" page)\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nLet\'s discuss each point.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Pricing information is necessary because cost matters in making buying decisions.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThis is a no-brainer, or should be, and yet most consulting/service industries do not list prices on their website. For example, last month I was looking for a cleaning service.  Since there are many in this area, reviews and referrals matter (you don\'t want a cleaning service that has a track record of breaking stuff or of not dusting your chandeliers), and <em>so does cost</em>. Some cleaning services I found listed specific pricing on their sites, but many did not. Instead, some want you to call to get the estimate, and some want you to fill out online or email forms to provide you a quote.\r\n\r\nBy making pricing information difficult to obtain, you are losing potential customers. People have budgets in mind. They may be able to afford a monthly cleaning service of $150, but not one that costs $200. Why make those customers waste their time, <em>and yours</em>, by having a conversation about something that you can easily post on your website?\r\n\r\nI know for many consultants there is a fear of pricing yourself out of a potential job. However, you know what you want to make from your work, don\'t you? Why would you want a client/customer that is not willing to pay what you think the value of your work is?\r\n\r\n<em><strong>People do business with people, not with vague or non-existent descriptions </strong></em>\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I was checking out a website designer/developer\'s website, and guess what was missing? An \"about\" page. There was no bio on the designer, no information about when he started his company, or what his experience has been. Not. One. Word. Yes, he included a portfolio of websites that (supposedly) he has designed. But there is no clue as to what sort of person he is, how long he has been doing this work, and why he does it. In other words, by not having an about page, this designer left many questions about his own ability and experience unanswered. Perhaps the one question he did answer is his philosophy on openness and transparency (apparently, not a high priority). And this is yet another reason why you need an about page: you want to build trust and credibility by showing exactly who/what you are.\r\n\r\nBut an about page has to provide real information, not the generic and jargon-filled pile of words one finds on many websites. If you are wondering what to include on your about page, think like a journalist. That is, try answering the 5Ws: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hy, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>here, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hen, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>ho, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hat, and throw in the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">how</span> too.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What kinds of information, beyond these two points, do you need in order to make a buying decision? Please let me know in the comments.</strong></span>','Two must-haves for your business website','','publish','open','open','','two-must-haves-for-your-business-website','','','2017-10-10 09:06:57','2017-10-10 13:06:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3577',0,'post','',0),(3578,4,'2017-10-09 15:21:52','2017-10-09 19:21:52','I do a lot of research online, and I am definitely not alone. Most people research on companies  before they choose to do business with them. And this is the reason most organizations have websites, right?\r\n\r\nAnd yet. How many times have you gone searching for something specific (for example, I am currently looking for a headshot photographer), found a few websites, visited them, only to find that few if any have the information you need?\r\n\r\nDo youagree that the main point of your business website is to provide potential customers with information they need to make a buying decision? If you do agree, then you should have these two items on your business website:\r\n\r\n1. Pricing\r\n\r\n2. A real description of the company and its key personnel','2 must-haves for your business website','','inherit','open','open','','3577-revision-v1','','','2017-10-09 15:21:52','2017-10-09 19:21:52','',3577,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3577-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3579,4,'2017-10-10 09:06:04','2017-10-10 13:06:04','I do a lot of research online, and I am definitely not alone. Most people conduct internet research on companies before they choose to do business with them. And this is the reason most organizations have websites, right?\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you gone searching for something specific, found a few websites, visited them, only to find that few, if any, have the information you need?\r\n\r\nDo you agree that the main point of your business website is to provide potential customers with information they need to make a buying decision? If you do agree , then you should have these two items on your business website:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Pricing</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. A real description of the company and its key personnel</strong>\r\n\r\nLet\'s discuss each point.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Pricing information is necessary because cost matters in making buying decisions.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThis is a no-brainer, or should be, and yet most consulting/service industries do not list prices on their website. For example, last month I was looking for a cleaning service.  Since there are many in this area, reviews and referrals matter (you don\'t want a cleaning service that has a track record of breaking stuff or of not dusting your chandeliers), and <em>so does cost</em>. Some cleaning services I found listed specific pricing on their sites, but many did not. Instead, some want you to call to get the estimate, and some want you to fill out online or email forms to provide you a quote.\r\n\r\nBy making pricing information difficult to obtain, you are losing potential customers. People have budgets in mind. They may be able to afford a monthly cleaning service of $150, but not one that costs $200. Why make those customers waste their time, <em>and yours</em>, by having a conversation about something that you can easily post on your website?\r\n\r\nI know for many consultants there is a fear of pricing yourself out of a potential job. However, you know what you want to make from your work, don\'t you? Why would you want a client/customer that is not willing to pay what you think the value of your work is?\r\n\r\n<em><strong>People do business with people, not with vague or non-existent descriptions </strong></em>\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I was checking out a website designer/developer\'s website, and guess what was missing? An \"about\" page. There was no bio on the designer, no information about when he started his company, or what his experience has been. Not. One. Word. Yes, he included a portfolio of websites that (supposedly) he has designed. But there is no clue as to what sort of person he is, how long he has been doing this work, and why he does it. In other words, by not having an about page, this designer left many questions about his own ability and experience unanswered. Perhaps the one question he did answer is his philosophy on openness and transparency (apparently, not a high priority). And this is yet another reason why you need an about page: you want to build trust and credibility by showing exactly who/what you are.\r\n\r\nBut an about page has to provide real information, not the generic and jargon-filled pile of words one finds on many websites. If you are wondering what to include on your about page, think like a journalist. That is, try answering the 5Ws: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hy, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>here, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hen, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>ho, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hat, and throw in the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">how</span> too.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What kinds of information, beyond these two points, do you need in order to make a buying decision? Please let me know in the comments.</strong></span>','Two must-haves for your business website','','inherit','open','open','','3577-revision-v1','','','2017-10-10 09:06:04','2017-10-10 13:06:04','',3577,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3577-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3580,4,'2017-10-10 09:06:57','2017-10-10 13:06:57','I do a lot of research online, and I am definitely not alone. Most people conduct internet research on companies before they choose to do business with them. And this is the reason most organizations have websites, right?\r\n\r\nAnd yet, how many times have you gone searching for something specific, found a few websites, visited them, only to find that few, if any, have the information you need?\r\n\r\nDo you agree that the main point of your business website is to provide potential customers with information they need to make a buying decision? If you do agree , then you should have these two items on your business website:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Pricing</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>2. A real description of the company and its key personnel (aka \"about\" page)\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nLet\'s discuss each point.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Pricing information is necessary because cost matters in making buying decisions.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThis is a no-brainer, or should be, and yet most consulting/service industries do not list prices on their website. For example, last month I was looking for a cleaning service.  Since there are many in this area, reviews and referrals matter (you don\'t want a cleaning service that has a track record of breaking stuff or of not dusting your chandeliers), and <em>so does cost</em>. Some cleaning services I found listed specific pricing on their sites, but many did not. Instead, some want you to call to get the estimate, and some want you to fill out online or email forms to provide you a quote.\r\n\r\nBy making pricing information difficult to obtain, you are losing potential customers. People have budgets in mind. They may be able to afford a monthly cleaning service of $150, but not one that costs $200. Why make those customers waste their time, <em>and yours</em>, by having a conversation about something that you can easily post on your website?\r\n\r\nI know for many consultants there is a fear of pricing yourself out of a potential job. However, you know what you want to make from your work, don\'t you? Why would you want a client/customer that is not willing to pay what you think the value of your work is?\r\n\r\n<em><strong>People do business with people, not with vague or non-existent descriptions </strong></em>\r\n\r\nJust yesterday, I was checking out a website designer/developer\'s website, and guess what was missing? An \"about\" page. There was no bio on the designer, no information about when he started his company, or what his experience has been. Not. One. Word. Yes, he included a portfolio of websites that (supposedly) he has designed. But there is no clue as to what sort of person he is, how long he has been doing this work, and why he does it. In other words, by not having an about page, this designer left many questions about his own ability and experience unanswered. Perhaps the one question he did answer is his philosophy on openness and transparency (apparently, not a high priority). And this is yet another reason why you need an about page: you want to build trust and credibility by showing exactly who/what you are.\r\n\r\nBut an about page has to provide real information, not the generic and jargon-filled pile of words one finds on many websites. If you are wondering what to include on your about page, think like a journalist. That is, try answering the 5Ws: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hy, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>here, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hen, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>ho, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">w</span>hat, and throw in the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">how</span> too.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>What kinds of information, beyond these two points, do you need in order to make a buying decision? Please let me know in the comments.</strong></span>','Two must-haves for your business website','','inherit','open','open','','3577-revision-v1','','','2017-10-10 09:06:57','2017-10-10 13:06:57','',3577,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3577-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3582,4,'2017-10-20 10:58:05','0000-00-00 00:00:00','In the past couple of weeks, I\'ve been noticing a disturbing trend: many organizations/individuals, who are looking for supporters/customers/clients, are not thinking about what that target audience needs or wants.\r\n\r\nIt\'s as if they\'ve forgotten what they are trying to do.\r\n\r\nClueless business card\r\n\r\nHow about the business card of a company that doesn\'t explain what it is or does. Some businesses have a clue in their name (Bank of So-and-So or So-and-So Real Estate) but some don\'t (So-and-So, Inc.). They give you a card, and you get back to your office and look at it and can\'t figure out what it is they do. Here\'s how you fix it: add a line under the business name.\r\n\r\nSo-and-So, Inc.\r\n\r\nThe best home cleaning solutions\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you overlooking your target?','','draft','open','open','','','','','2017-10-20 10:58:05','2017-10-20 14:58:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3582',0,'post','',0),(3583,4,'2017-10-20 10:58:05','2017-10-20 14:58:05','In the past couple of weeks, I\'ve been noticing a disturbing trend: many organizations/individuals, who are looking for supporters/customers/clients, are not thinking about what that target audience needs or wants.\r\n\r\nIt\'s as if they\'ve forgotten what they are trying to do.\r\n\r\nClueless business card\r\n\r\nHow about the business card of a company that doesn\'t explain what it is or does. Some businesses have a clue in their name (Bank of So-and-So or So-and-So Real Estate) but some don\'t (So-and-So, Inc.). They give you a card, and you get back to your office and look at it and can\'t figure out what it is they do. Here\'s how you fix it: add a line under the business name.\r\n\r\nSo-and-So, Inc.\r\n\r\nThe best home cleaning solutions\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Are you overlooking your target?','','inherit','open','open','','3582-revision-v1','','','2017-10-20 10:58:05','2017-10-20 14:58:05','',3582,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3582-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3585,4,'2017-10-25 16:19:40','2017-10-25 20:19:40','Today, on my way to the Metro, I walked past where a Mediterranean cafe has been located for the past five years. It was closed, and in the window was a sign saying that \"Amai Japanese Crepe\" was coming soon.\r\n\r\nBy the way, anybody know what the hell a Japanese crepe is?\r\n\r\nWhen I got back to my office, I checked on the web to see if I could figure out what happened. I first went to the cafe\'s website. It\'s still there. Same address. No update on the situation. Then I went to Yelp, and I noticed it said the place was \"temporarily\" closed but  a five-star review had just been posted yesterday. Hmm. Stranger and stranger. I went back to the cafe\'s website, and clicked on their Twitter feed. Last post there was from 2015. Not useful at all. Then I went to the Facebook page. I clicked on \"posts,\" and found one from September 22, which says this:\r\n<blockquote>Thank you everyone for your loyalty and support these past 5 years. We opened in Feburary 2012 and strived to bring a little taste of Isreal and classic Italian espresso to our customers. Now, it\'s time to look to the future. XXX will be closed as of September 22 for renovations. We will be closed for two weeks to improve and update the cafe. We look foward to showing the improved us when we reopen.</blockquote>\r\nErrors above appeared in the original post. I just x\'ed out the name of the restaurant. There was also a picture of the sign about the Japanese crepes. That\'s it. No more information. But now we know the restaurant is changing name and changing focus. What we don\'t know is when this will happen, or what the hell a Japanese crepe is supposed to be.\r\n\r\nTo me, this is a classic and stupid communications failure. Why a failure? Here are the mistakes I see:\r\n\r\n1. Failure to use their website to provide updated information.\r\n\r\n2. Failure to provide complete information on the actual site (something like: XX cafe is transforming. We aim to re-open on [date]).\r\n\r\n3. Failure to use social media appropriately. The Twitter feed should be deleted, and they could provide updates about the renovation, some information about what they will become. Not to mention that Facebook post was from a month ago, where they claim they would re-open in two weeks.\r\n\r\n4. Failure to consider what customers need to know. Maybe this is the biggest problem. Nowhere do you really know what is going on.\r\n\r\nIt\'s hard to say what will happen here. People who came to this place looking for Israeli food are not necessarily going to feel good about a Japanese crepe (whatever that may be). Passersby will think that the old place is gone, and will not necessarily think the new place is associated with the old.\r\n\r\nAs with any change, clear and precise communication is necessary. It seems that to this restaurant, communication with customers is an afterthought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Closed, or just changing names?','','publish','open','open','','closed-or-just-changing-names','','','2017-10-25 16:19:40','2017-10-25 20:19:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3585',0,'post','',0),(3586,4,'2017-10-25 16:18:19','2017-10-25 20:18:19','Today, on my way to the Metro, I walked past where a Mediterranean cafe has been located for the past five years. It was closed, and in the window was a sign saying that \"Amai Japanese Crepe\" was coming soon.\r\n\r\nBy the way, anybody know what the hell a Japanese crepe is?\r\n\r\nWhen I got back to my office, I checked on the web to see if I could figure out what happened. I first went to the cafe\'s website. It\'s still there. Same address. No update on the situation. Then I went to Yelp, and I noticed it said the place was \"temporarily\" closed but  a five-star review had just been posted yesterday. Hmm. Stranger and stranger. I went back to the cafe\'s website, and clicked on their Twitter feed. Last post there was from 2015. Not useful at all. Then I went to the Facebook page. I clicked on \"posts,\" and found one from September 22, which says this:\r\n<blockquote>Thank you everyone for your loyalty and support these past 5 years. We opened in Feburary 2012 and strived to bring a little taste of Isreal and classic Italian espresso to our customers. Now, it\'s time to look to the future. XXX will be closed as of September 22 for renovations. We will be closed for two weeks to improve and update the cafe. We look foward to showing the improved us when we reopen.</blockquote>\r\nErrors above appeared in the original post. I just x\'ed out the name of the restaurant. There was also a picture of the sign about the Japanese crepes. That\'s it. No more information. But now we know the restaurant is changing name and changing focus. What we don\'t know is when this will happen, or what the hell a Japanese crepe is supposed to be.\r\n\r\nTo me, this is a classic and stupid communications failure. Why a failure? Here are the mistakes I see:\r\n\r\n1. Failure to use their website to provide updated information.\r\n\r\n2. Failure to provide complete information on the actual site (something like: XX cafe is transforming. We aim to re-open on [date]).\r\n\r\n3. Failure to use social media appropriately. The Twitter feed should be deleted, and they could provide updates about the renovation, some information about what they will become. Not to mention that Facebook post was from a month ago, where they claim they would re-open in two weeks.\r\n\r\n4. Failure to consider what customers need to know. Maybe this is the biggest problem. Nowhere do you really know what is going on.\r\n\r\nIt\'s hard to say what will happen here. People who came to this place looking for Israeli food are not necessarily going to feel good about a Japanese crepe (whatever that may be). Passersby will think that the old place is gone, and will not necessarily think the new place is associated with the old.\r\n\r\nAs with any change, clear and precise communication is necessary. It seems that to this restaurant, communication with customers is an afterthought.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Closed, or just changing names?','','inherit','open','open','','3585-revision-v1','','','2017-10-25 16:18:19','2017-10-25 20:18:19','',3585,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3585-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3587,4,'2017-10-31 14:30:40','2017-10-31 18:30:40','You know what is (a bit) scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy would you  do something spooky like that?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">First</span>, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or you misuse words.</span> This is more common in spoken than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Someone who said \"from the <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) <strong>of...</strong>\" when he/she should have said the <strong>onset of </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).</p>\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar in meaning, and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Second</span>, it\'s when you use words that are spelled similarly to what you meant to say, but are not the right word.</span> This happens mostly in written communications, and it mostly happens because you rely on spellcheck, and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">And even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nDon\'t be ghoulish—use your words carefully—and go ahead, have a happy Halloween!\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared (of poor word choice)','','publish','open','open','','be-very-scared-of-poor-word-choice','','','2017-10-31 14:30:40','2017-10-31 18:30:40','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3587',0,'post','',0),(3588,4,'2017-10-31 11:15:55','2017-10-31 15:15:55','You know what is scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy?\r\n\r\nFirst, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or, simply put, you misuse words. This is more common in speech than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n\r\nA political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).\r\n\r\nSomeone who said <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) when he/she should have said <strong>onset </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\nSecond, it\'s when you use words that are similar to what you meant to say, but are not the right word. This happens mostly in written communications, and it\'s because you rely on spellcheck and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n\r\nA sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.\r\n\r\nAnd even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared','','inherit','open','open','','3587-revision-v1','','','2017-10-31 11:15:55','2017-10-31 15:15:55','',3587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3589,4,'2017-10-31 11:18:48','2017-10-31 15:18:48','You know what is (a bit) scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">First, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or you misuse words.</span> This is more common in speech than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n\r\nA political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).\r\n\r\nSomeone who said <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) when he/she should have said <strong>onset </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).\r\n\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Second, it\'s when you use words that are spelled similarly to what you meant to say, but are not the right word.</span> This happens mostly in written communications, and it\'s because you rely on spellcheck and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n\r\nA sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.\r\n\r\nAnd even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nHappy Halloween!\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared','','inherit','open','open','','3587-revision-v1','','','2017-10-31 11:18:48','2017-10-31 15:18:48','',3587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3590,4,'2017-10-31 14:25:42','2017-10-31 18:25:42','You know what is (a bit) scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy would you want to do something spooky (hey, it\'s Halloween) like that?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">First</span>, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or you misuse words.</span> This is more common in speech than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Someone who said <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) when he/she should have said <strong>onset </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).</p>\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Second</span>, it\'s when you use words that are spelled similarly to what you meant to say, but are not the right word.</span> This happens mostly in written communications, and it\'s because you rely on spellcheck and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">And even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nDon\'t be ghoulish—use your words carefully, but go ahead, have a happy Halloween!\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared','','inherit','open','open','','3587-revision-v1','','','2017-10-31 14:25:42','2017-10-31 18:25:42','',3587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3591,4,'2017-10-31 14:29:56','2017-10-31 18:29:56','You know what is (a bit) scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy would you  do something spooky like that?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">First</span>, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or you misuse words.</span> This is more common in spoken than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Someone who said \"from the <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) <strong>of...</strong>\" when he/she should have said the <strong>onset of </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).</p>\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar in meaning, and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Second</span>, it\'s when you use words that are spelled similarly to what you meant to say, but are not the right word.</span> This happens mostly in written communications, and it mostly happens because you rely on spellcheck, and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">And even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nDon\'t be ghoulish—use your words carefully, but go ahead, have a happy Halloween!\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared (of poor word choice)','','inherit','open','open','','3587-revision-v1','','','2017-10-31 14:29:56','2017-10-31 18:29:56','',3587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3592,4,'2017-10-31 14:30:40','2017-10-31 18:30:40','You know what is (a bit) scary? When you say or write something that you don\'t mean. You don\'t intend to do it, but you do it anyway.\r\n\r\nWhy would you  do something spooky like that?\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">First</span>, it\'s because you use words that you don\'t understand, or you misuse words.</span> This is more common in spoken than in written communications, since we don\'t have the luxury of having a dictionary available when we talk. This type of scary mistake seems to happen a lot in television/cable news.\r\n\r\nHere are two examples:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A political analyst/journalist who said <strong>nonetheless </strong>(which Webster\'s defines as \"in spite of that\") when she really meant <strong>never mind </strong>(which means much less or let alone).</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Someone who said \"from the <strong>outset </strong>(which means beginning or start, and can be used alone, without a modifier, such as,<em> from the outset</em>) <strong>of...</strong>\" when he/she should have said the <strong>onset of </strong>(which also means beginning or commencement, and is usually used in conjunction a phrase, such as in the <em>onset of winter</em>).</p>\r\nIt\'s easy to mess these up. They are very similar in meaning, and similar sounding, but yet are different words with slightly different usages and meanings.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Second</span>, it\'s when you use words that are spelled similarly to what you meant to say, but are not the right word.</span> This happens mostly in written communications, and it mostly happens because you rely on spellcheck, and you don\'t proofread.\r\n\r\nHere are a couple I have seen recently:\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A sentence that used <strong>neatly</strong> instead of <strong>nearly</strong>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">And even more weird, a sentence that used the word <strong>bong</strong> instead of <strong>bond</strong>.</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nDon\'t be ghoulish—use your words carefully—and go ahead, have a happy Halloween!\r\n\r\nI\'ve started collecting these, and I intend to publish them once a month. I invite you to share any you find by sending me an email at info@deborahbrody.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Be very scared (of poor word choice)','','inherit','open','open','','3587-revision-v1','','','2017-10-31 14:30:40','2017-10-31 18:30:40','',3587,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/10/3587-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3605,4,'2017-11-29 16:49:57','2017-11-29 21:49:57','This is a post about unintended and negative consequences, based on two separate experiences yesterday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Last minute deal—get in at no cost!</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night, I attended an event on trends in digital marketing. I signed up for it a couple of days ago, and paid $11.84. Yesterday, about two hours before the event was due to start, there was an email from the organizer to a listserv I am on saying that she didn\'t have enough attendees, so if anyone wanted to attend <em>for free</em>, they could.\r\n\r\nI felt like a sucker. Why had I bothered to pay anything at all for an event that wasn\'t garnering enough attention to the point that the organizer was begging people to come by offering free admission?\r\n\r\nAnd the real question is, why would I ever pay this organizer for any event when it may be more advantageous to wait until the last minute?\r\n\r\nThe unintended consequence of this poor decision is to effectively make people decide to not sign up in advance, to not pay at all, because there\'s a likelihood that if too few people sign up in advance, the organizer will be desperate enough for warm bodies and offer free admission to all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ask and ask and ask again—until they don\'t want to be asked again</strong>\r\n\r\nUnless you were not online, or checking email, you know yesterday was Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday was developed (supposedly) as an \"antidote\" to Cyber Monday/Black Friday. In theory, Giving Tuesday is a chance to support charities instead of, or in addition to, shopping like mad for the holidays.\r\n\r\nA lot of hoopla has developed around this \"holiday.\" Case in point: Every organization that I have ever supported sent me emails the week before, the day before and the day of, to beg me to give them money on Giving Tuesday. Some organizations sent multiple emails on Tuesday in addition to multiple emails on the days before. My inbox was flooded with requests, and then so were my social media feeds.\r\n\r\nSome organizations were getting matching funds on Giving Tuesday, so giving on this day automatically meant more money in the coffers. But the level of pushiness these organizations reached around Giving Tuesday in order to get these extra funds may have had the unintended consequence of reducing the number of people opting in to enewsletters. I unsubscribed to at least two, and was seriously considering unsubscribing from all of them.\r\n\r\nThe intensity of the effort made it seem as if this was your one chance to give, as if you couldn\'t give any time of the year, and <em>as if giving at any other time was just not as good. </em>The other unintended consequence of this extreme focus on Giving Tuesday, I believe, is to reduce year-round giving.\r\n\r\nOrganizations make lots of decisions to fulfill short-term goals (get lots of donors on Tuesday), but which neglect to take into consideration long-term goals (develop good relationships and donor opportunities year-round). In other words, before you make a snap decision that only affects one event/day, think about what your overall goals are, and whether this decision furthers those goals or not.','Decisions with unintended consequences','','publish','open','open','','decisions-with-unintended-consequences','','','2017-11-29 16:49:57','2017-11-29 21:49:57','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3605',0,'post','',0),(3597,4,'2017-11-14 14:24:17','2017-11-14 19:24:17','As has happened every November for the six years I\'ve lived in my current home, I received this on my doorstep:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3598 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754-e1510671700977-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"20171113_100754\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It is given by a local real estate agent who also sends a magnetic calendar in the mail and places quarterly sales updates on my doorknob. He includes a card with his contact information along with the jar of apple butter.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the problem: I don\'t really eat apple butter. I am not opposed to it, but it is not something I eat regularly. I have three unused jars from the past few years, and I don\'t really know what to do with them. It\'s a shame to throw them out, but it\'s not something I feel counts as food to be taken to the food pantry. In other words, it has become clutter and something that puts the burden on me. For me, this is not a welcome gift.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why this real estate agent keeps doing this. Perhaps he has found there is a return on investment, or he wants to be known as the apple butter guy. I am not sure, but in my opinion, his is an example of how not to do corporate gift giving.\r\n\r\n<strong>Gift giving can be a good marketing tactic, as long as there is some thought and strategy behind it.</strong>\r\n\r\nMany large companies regularly give customers a gift that costs them very little but is very effective in getting people to the door: a free visit,  a $25 coupon toward your purchase, discount cards, VIP seating, and so on. Others send Christmas gifts to ongoing customers Some take hold monthly birthday lunches for clients. These companies and organizations have budgeted a certain/set amount toward corporate gifts, and have instituted these as regular marketing effort.\r\n\r\nIn order to have a<em> successful</em> gift giving campaign. you should think about the following two things:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are thanking customers for their business during the year, or perhaps you want to entice new customers. Either way, if you don\'t know why you are giving, there is absolutely no point to doing it.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Who are you giving to?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is crucial information. If you are giving to a client you\'ve known for years versus giving to a potential customer, you will be spending different amounts of time and effort. For a long-term client, you probably will need to find a personalized gift, and for a potential customer, you want to encourage them to check  you out.\r\n\r\n<strong>But not just any gift will do.</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you\'ve decided what you are trying to do and to whom you are giving, you can choose the gifts that make the most sense. Some attributes that you may want to consider are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Memorable</li>\r\n	<li>Useful</li>\r\n	<li>Linked to your brand identity</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Remember: what makes a a good gift is something the recipient appreciates or wants.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts on gifts as a marketing tactic? Have you received or given a particularly good or bad gift? Please let me know.','To gift or not to gift...a marketing question','','publish','open','open','','to-gift-or-not-to-gift-a-marketing-question','','','2017-11-14 14:24:17','2017-11-14 19:24:17','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3597',0,'post','',0),(3598,4,'2017-11-14 10:00:51','2017-11-14 15:00:51','','20171113_100754','','inherit','open','open','','20171113_100754','','','2017-11-14 10:00:51','2017-11-14 15:00:51','',3597,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3599,4,'2017-11-14 10:11:48','2017-11-14 15:11:48','As has happened every November for the six years I\'ve lived in my current home, I received this on my doorstep:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3598 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754-e1510671700977-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"20171113_100754\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It is given by a local real estate agent who also sends a calendar and places quarterly sales updates on my doorknob. He includes a card with his contact information along with the jar of apple butter.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the problem: I don\'t really eat apple butter. I have three unused jars from the past few years, and I don\'t really know what to do with them.','To gift or not to gift...a marketing question','','inherit','open','open','','3597-revision-v1','','','2017-11-14 10:11:48','2017-11-14 15:11:48','',3597,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/3597-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3600,4,'2017-11-14 14:17:31','2017-11-14 19:17:31','As has happened every November for the six years I\'ve lived in my current home, I received this on my doorstep:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3598 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754-e1510671700977-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"20171113_100754\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It is given by a local real estate agent who also sends a magnetic calendar in the mail and places quarterly sales updates on my doorknob. He includes a card with his contact information along with the jar of apple butter.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the problem: I don\'t really eat apple butter. I am not opposed to it, but it is not something I eat regularly. I have three unused jars from the past few years, and I don\'t really know what to do with them. It\'s a shame to throw them out, but it\'s not something I feel counts as food to be taken to the food pantry. In other words, it has become clutter and something that puts the burden on me. For me, this is not a welcome gift.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why this real estate agent keeps doing this. Perhaps he has found there is a return on investment, or he wants to be known as the apple butter guy. I am not sure, but in my opinion, his is an example of how not to do corporate gift giving.\r\n\r\n<strong>Gift giving is absolutely a good marketing tactic, as long as there is some thought and strategy behind it.</strong>\r\n\r\nMany large companies regularly give customers a gift that costs them very little but is very effective in getting people to the door: a free visit,  a $25 coupon toward your purchase, discount cards, VIP seating, and so on. Others send  Christmas gifts to ongoing customers Some take hold monthly birthday lunches for clients. These companies and organizations have budgeted a certain amount toward corporate gifts, and have instituted these as regular features of their marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nIn order to have a successful gift giving campaign you should think about the following two things.\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are thanking customers for their business during the year, or perhaps you want to entice new customers. Either way, if you don\'t know why you are giving, there is absolutely no point to doing it.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Who are you giving to?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is crucial information. If you are giving to a client you\'ve known for years versus giving to a potential customer, you will be spending different amounts of time and effort. For a long-term client, you probably will need to find a personalized gift, and for a potential customer, you want to encourage them to check  you out.\r\n\r\nOnce you\'ve decided what you are trying to do and who you are giving, you can choose the gifts that make the most sense. Some attributes that you may want to consider are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Memorable</li>\r\n	<li>Useful</li>\r\n	<li>Linked to your brand identity</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Remember: what makes a a good gift is something the recipient appreciates or wants.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts on gifts as a marketing tactic? Have you received or given a particularly good or bad gift? Please let me know.','To gift or not to gift...a marketing question','','inherit','open','open','','3597-revision-v1','','','2017-11-14 14:17:31','2017-11-14 19:17:31','',3597,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/3597-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3601,4,'2017-11-14 14:24:17','2017-11-14 19:24:17','As has happened every November for the six years I\'ve lived in my current home, I received this on my doorstep:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3598 size-medium\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113_100754-e1510671700977-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"20171113_100754\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It is given by a local real estate agent who also sends a magnetic calendar in the mail and places quarterly sales updates on my doorknob. He includes a card with his contact information along with the jar of apple butter.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the problem: I don\'t really eat apple butter. I am not opposed to it, but it is not something I eat regularly. I have three unused jars from the past few years, and I don\'t really know what to do with them. It\'s a shame to throw them out, but it\'s not something I feel counts as food to be taken to the food pantry. In other words, it has become clutter and something that puts the burden on me. For me, this is not a welcome gift.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why this real estate agent keeps doing this. Perhaps he has found there is a return on investment, or he wants to be known as the apple butter guy. I am not sure, but in my opinion, his is an example of how not to do corporate gift giving.\r\n\r\n<strong>Gift giving can be a good marketing tactic, as long as there is some thought and strategy behind it.</strong>\r\n\r\nMany large companies regularly give customers a gift that costs them very little but is very effective in getting people to the door: a free visit,  a $25 coupon toward your purchase, discount cards, VIP seating, and so on. Others send Christmas gifts to ongoing customers Some take hold monthly birthday lunches for clients. These companies and organizations have budgeted a certain/set amount toward corporate gifts, and have instituted these as regular marketing effort.\r\n\r\nIn order to have a<em> successful</em> gift giving campaign. you should think about the following two things:\r\n\r\n<strong>1. What are you trying to accomplish?</strong>\r\n\r\nPerhaps you are thanking customers for their business during the year, or perhaps you want to entice new customers. Either way, if you don\'t know why you are giving, there is absolutely no point to doing it.\r\n\r\n<strong>2. Who are you giving to?</strong>\r\n\r\nThis is crucial information. If you are giving to a client you\'ve known for years versus giving to a potential customer, you will be spending different amounts of time and effort. For a long-term client, you probably will need to find a personalized gift, and for a potential customer, you want to encourage them to check  you out.\r\n\r\n<strong>But not just any gift will do.</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you\'ve decided what you are trying to do and to whom you are giving, you can choose the gifts that make the most sense. Some attributes that you may want to consider are these:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Memorable</li>\r\n	<li>Useful</li>\r\n	<li>Linked to your brand identity</li>\r\n	<li>Stand out from the crowd</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Remember: what makes a a good gift is something the recipient appreciates or wants.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts on gifts as a marketing tactic? Have you received or given a particularly good or bad gift? Please let me know.','To gift or not to gift...a marketing question','','inherit','open','open','','3597-revision-v1','','','2017-11-14 14:24:17','2017-11-14 19:24:17','',3597,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/3597-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3602,4,'2017-11-16 10:11:34','2017-11-16 15:11:34','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/4dd82b\">November 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2017\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/391dca\" target=\"_blank\">September 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2017-11-16 10:11:34','2017-11-16 15:11:34','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3606,4,'2017-11-29 11:29:20','2017-11-29 16:29:20','This is a post about unintended and negative consequences, based on two separate experiences yesterday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Last minute deal—get in at no cost!</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night, I attended an event on trends in digital marketing. I signed up for it a couple of days ago, and paid $11.84. Yesterday, about two hours before the event was due to start, there was an email from the organizer to a listserv I am on saying that she didn\'t have enough attendees, so if anyone wanted to attend <em>for free</em>, they could.\r\n\r\nI felt like a sucker. Why had I bothered to pay anything at all for an event that wasn\'t garnering enough attention to the point that the organizer was begging people to come by offering free admission?\r\n\r\nAnd the real question is, why would I ever pay this organizer for any event when it may be more advantageous to wait until the last minute?\r\n\r\nThe unintended consequence of this poor decision is to effectively make people decide to not sign up in advance, to not pay at all, because there\'s a likelihood that if too few people sign up in advance, the organizer will be desperate enough for warm bodies and offer free admission to all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ask and ask and ask again--until they don\'t want to be asked again</strong>\r\n\r\nUnless you were not online, or checking email, you know yesterday was Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday was developed (supposedly) as an \"antidote\" to Cyber Monday/Black Friday. In theory, Giving Tuesday is a chance to support charities instead of, or in addition to, shopping like mad for the holidays.\r\n\r\nA lot of hoopla has developed around this \"holiday.\" Case in point: Every organization that I have ever supported sent me emails the week before, the day before and the day of, to beg me to give them money on Giving Tuesday. Some organizations sent multiple emails on Tuesday in addition to multiple emails on the days before. Many organizations also used social media to encourage more giving.','Decisions with unintended consequences','','inherit','open','open','','3605-revision-v1','','','2017-11-29 11:29:20','2017-11-29 16:29:20','',3605,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/3605-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3607,4,'2017-11-29 16:49:57','2017-11-29 21:49:57','This is a post about unintended and negative consequences, based on two separate experiences yesterday.\r\n\r\n<strong>Last minute deal—get in at no cost!</strong>\r\n\r\nLast night, I attended an event on trends in digital marketing. I signed up for it a couple of days ago, and paid $11.84. Yesterday, about two hours before the event was due to start, there was an email from the organizer to a listserv I am on saying that she didn\'t have enough attendees, so if anyone wanted to attend <em>for free</em>, they could.\r\n\r\nI felt like a sucker. Why had I bothered to pay anything at all for an event that wasn\'t garnering enough attention to the point that the organizer was begging people to come by offering free admission?\r\n\r\nAnd the real question is, why would I ever pay this organizer for any event when it may be more advantageous to wait until the last minute?\r\n\r\nThe unintended consequence of this poor decision is to effectively make people decide to not sign up in advance, to not pay at all, because there\'s a likelihood that if too few people sign up in advance, the organizer will be desperate enough for warm bodies and offer free admission to all.\r\n\r\n<strong>Ask and ask and ask again—until they don\'t want to be asked again</strong>\r\n\r\nUnless you were not online, or checking email, you know yesterday was Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday was developed (supposedly) as an \"antidote\" to Cyber Monday/Black Friday. In theory, Giving Tuesday is a chance to support charities instead of, or in addition to, shopping like mad for the holidays.\r\n\r\nA lot of hoopla has developed around this \"holiday.\" Case in point: Every organization that I have ever supported sent me emails the week before, the day before and the day of, to beg me to give them money on Giving Tuesday. Some organizations sent multiple emails on Tuesday in addition to multiple emails on the days before. My inbox was flooded with requests, and then so were my social media feeds.\r\n\r\nSome organizations were getting matching funds on Giving Tuesday, so giving on this day automatically meant more money in the coffers. But the level of pushiness these organizations reached around Giving Tuesday in order to get these extra funds may have had the unintended consequence of reducing the number of people opting in to enewsletters. I unsubscribed to at least two, and was seriously considering unsubscribing from all of them.\r\n\r\nThe intensity of the effort made it seem as if this was your one chance to give, as if you couldn\'t give any time of the year, and <em>as if giving at any other time was just not as good. </em>The other unintended consequence of this extreme focus on Giving Tuesday, I believe, is to reduce year-round giving.\r\n\r\nOrganizations make lots of decisions to fulfill short-term goals (get lots of donors on Tuesday), but which neglect to take into consideration long-term goals (develop good relationships and donor opportunities year-round). In other words, before you make a snap decision that only affects one event/day, think about what your overall goals are, and whether this decision furthers those goals or not.','Decisions with unintended consequences','','inherit','open','open','','3605-revision-v1','','','2017-11-29 16:49:57','2017-11-29 21:49:57','',3605,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/11/3605-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3609,4,'2017-12-06 13:28:40','2017-12-06 18:28:40','Personnel announcements used to be one of the most reliable and easy forms of publicity for  a company. In the years I worked at PR firms, we always sent out these type of announcements, usually including a headshot.  Eventually, most of them would end up in the business section of the local newspaper, or within specialty newspapers or magazines.\r\n\r\nGetting personnel announcements in print was a good way to keep companies in the public eye, and also served as a morale boost to the new or promoted employee. Even 20 plus years later, I still have the clipping from <em>Adweek</em> showing my appointment to Boston ad firm Houston Effler (now defunct).\r\n\r\nApparently, those days of easy publicity are coming to an end. A few weeks ago I noticed that the <em>Washington Business Journal</em> changed its personnel announcement page (called \"People on the Move\") to show the words \"paid advertising\" at the top. Effectively, the <em>Business Journal</em> had started charging companies in order to publish these announcements. <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3610\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171010_142654\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs someone who has worked in communications for more than 20 years, I am not surprised that this is happening in 2017, but I am disheartened, and pessimistic about the future of media relations.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising simply because print publications are struggling with declining subscriptions and reduced advertising, and they are looking for additional revenue. Charging for personnel announcements seems harmless, and if companies want to highlight their new hires, perhaps they won\'t hesitate to spend a few hundred dollars  (the Business Journal is charging $350 for an \"enhanced\" profile that will appear online and in print).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3611\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171205_141928\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s disheartening because it has further blurred the line between advertising and editorial content, and opens the possibility up that companies will be willing to \"pay to play.\" If there is money to be made from charging for what was previously known as earned media, then there is no incentive for publications to cover any press release or announcement unless it is major (e.g., new iPhone).\r\n\r\nThe pressures on print journalism  have been covered before. We know that people are not buying or subscribing as much to print, and we know that publications are asking fewer reporters to produce more content, more often, and with fewer resources. Most publications have a digital presence, and many struggle with instituting a pay wall for readers to access their content.\r\n\r\nIt may seem trivial for a publication to charge for personnel announcements, but it points to a much larger problem and also to serious consequences for editorial integrity. It\'s not only happening in print. Broadcast also seems to require more revenue than what it is getting from traditional advertising. More people are getting news from websites and social media sites, and fewer are watching the evening news. Over the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a trend in which national restaurants are getting local news to cover food and drink specials, not only on air, but on social media channels.\r\n\r\nFor a specific example, just last Friday, I noticed that WJLA (the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., owned by Sinclair Broadcasting) re-tweeted one of its local reporters, Kevin Lewis, discussing a special on a drink offered at Applebees, the national restaurant chain. Lewis included a link to the \"news\" about this special on the WJLA website, which then linked to a press release directly on Applebees website. At no point did the words \"sponsored\" or \"paid advertising\" show on the tweets or on the press release. If the WJLA news team thinks that sharing drink specials from a restaurant is actual news, they are not familiar with real journalism.\r\n\r\nIn this era where journalism is being called \"fake news\" whenever it digs up inconvenient information for a politician, it is not a good look to get money to run publicity, without even acknowledging that it is paid.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Publications\' need for revenue threatens public relations efforts','','publish','open','open','','publications-need-for-revenue-and-pr','','','2017-12-08 08:41:51','2017-12-08 13:41:51','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3609',0,'post','',1),(3610,4,'2017-12-06 13:02:42','2017-12-06 18:02:42','','20171010_142654','','inherit','open','open','','20171010_142654','','','2017-12-06 13:02:42','2017-12-06 18:02:42','',3609,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3611,4,'2017-12-06 13:03:31','2017-12-06 18:03:31','','20171205_141928','','inherit','open','open','','20171205_141928','','','2017-12-06 13:03:31','2017-12-06 18:03:31','',3609,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3612,4,'2017-12-06 13:26:50','2017-12-06 18:26:50','Personnel announcements used to be one of the most reliably and easy forms of publicity for  a company. In the years I worked at PR firms, we always sent out these type of announcements, usually including a headshot.  Eventually, most of them would end up in the business section of the local newspaper, or within specialty newspapers or magazines.\r\n\r\nGetting personnel announcements in print was a good way to keep companies in the public eye, and also served as a morale boost to the new or promoted employee. Even 20 plus years later, I still have the clipping from <em>Adweek</em> showing my appointment to Boston ad firm Houston Effler (now defunct).\r\n\r\nApparently, those days of easy publicity are coming to an end. A few weeks ago I noticed that the <em>Washington Business Journal</em> changed its personnel announcement page (called \"People on the Move\") to show the words \"paid advertising\" at the top. Effectively, the <em>Business Journal</em> had started charging companies in order to publish these announcements. <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3610\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171010_142654\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs someone who has worked in communications for more than 20 years, I am not surprised that this is happening in 2017, but I am disheartened, and pessimistic about the future of media relations.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising simply because print publications are struggling with declining subscriptions and reduced advertising, and they are looking for additional revenue. Charging for personnel announcements seems harmless, and if companies want to highlight their new hires, perhaps they won\'t hesitate to spend a few hundred dollars  (the Business Journal is charging $350 for an \"enhanced\" profile that will appear online and in print).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3611\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171205_141928\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s disheartening because it has further blurred the line between advertising and editorial content, and opens the possibility up that companies will be willing to \"pay to play.\" If there is money to be made from charging for what was previously known as earned media, then there is no incentive for publications to cover any press release or announcement unless it is major (e.g., new iPhone).\r\n\r\nThe pressures on print journalism  have been covered before. We know that people are not buying or subscribing as much to print, and we know that publications are asking fewer reporters to produce more content, more often, and with fewer resources. Most publications have a digital presence, and many struggle with instituting a pay wall for readers to access their content.\r\n\r\nIt may seem trivial for a publication to charge for personnel announcements, but it points to a much larger problem and also to serious consequences for editorial integrity. It\'s not only happening in print. Broadcast also seems to require more revenue than what it is getting from traditional advertising. More people are getting news from websites and social media sites, and fewer are watching the evening news. Over the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a trend in which national restaurants are getting local news to cover food and drink specials, not only on air, but on social media channels.\r\n\r\nFor a specific example, just last Friday, I noticed that WJLA (the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., owned by Sinclair Broadcasting) re-tweeted one of its local reporters, Kevin Lewis, discussing a special on a drink offered at Applebees, the national restaurant chain. Lewis included a link to the \"news\" about this special on the WJLA website, which then linked to a press release directly on Applebees website. At no point did the words \"sponsored\" or \"paid advertising\" show on the tweets or on the press release. If the WJLA news team thinks that sharing drink specials from a restaurant is actual news, they are not familiar with real journalism.\r\n\r\nIn this era where journalism is being called \"fake news\" whenever it digs up inconvenient information for a politician, it is not a good look to get money to run publicity, without even acknowledging that it is paid.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Publications\' need for revenue threatens public relations efforts','','inherit','open','open','','3609-revision-v1','','','2017-12-06 13:26:50','2017-12-06 18:26:50','',3609,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/3609-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3613,4,'2017-12-08 08:41:51','2017-12-08 13:41:51','Personnel announcements used to be one of the most reliable and easy forms of publicity for  a company. In the years I worked at PR firms, we always sent out these type of announcements, usually including a headshot.  Eventually, most of them would end up in the business section of the local newspaper, or within specialty newspapers or magazines.\r\n\r\nGetting personnel announcements in print was a good way to keep companies in the public eye, and also served as a morale boost to the new or promoted employee. Even 20 plus years later, I still have the clipping from <em>Adweek</em> showing my appointment to Boston ad firm Houston Effler (now defunct).\r\n\r\nApparently, those days of easy publicity are coming to an end. A few weeks ago I noticed that the <em>Washington Business Journal</em> changed its personnel announcement page (called \"People on the Move\") to show the words \"paid advertising\" at the top. Effectively, the <em>Business Journal</em> had started charging companies in order to publish these announcements. <a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3610\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171010_142654-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171010_142654\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs someone who has worked in communications for more than 20 years, I am not surprised that this is happening in 2017, but I am disheartened, and pessimistic about the future of media relations.\r\n\r\nIt\'s not surprising simply because print publications are struggling with declining subscriptions and reduced advertising, and they are looking for additional revenue. Charging for personnel announcements seems harmless, and if companies want to highlight their new hires, perhaps they won\'t hesitate to spend a few hundred dollars  (the Business Journal is charging $350 for an \"enhanced\" profile that will appear online and in print).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3611\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205_141928-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20171205_141928\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIt\'s disheartening because it has further blurred the line between advertising and editorial content, and opens the possibility up that companies will be willing to \"pay to play.\" If there is money to be made from charging for what was previously known as earned media, then there is no incentive for publications to cover any press release or announcement unless it is major (e.g., new iPhone).\r\n\r\nThe pressures on print journalism  have been covered before. We know that people are not buying or subscribing as much to print, and we know that publications are asking fewer reporters to produce more content, more often, and with fewer resources. Most publications have a digital presence, and many struggle with instituting a pay wall for readers to access their content.\r\n\r\nIt may seem trivial for a publication to charge for personnel announcements, but it points to a much larger problem and also to serious consequences for editorial integrity. It\'s not only happening in print. Broadcast also seems to require more revenue than what it is getting from traditional advertising. More people are getting news from websites and social media sites, and fewer are watching the evening news. Over the past several weeks, I\'ve noticed a trend in which national restaurants are getting local news to cover food and drink specials, not only on air, but on social media channels.\r\n\r\nFor a specific example, just last Friday, I noticed that WJLA (the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., owned by Sinclair Broadcasting) re-tweeted one of its local reporters, Kevin Lewis, discussing a special on a drink offered at Applebees, the national restaurant chain. Lewis included a link to the \"news\" about this special on the WJLA website, which then linked to a press release directly on Applebees website. At no point did the words \"sponsored\" or \"paid advertising\" show on the tweets or on the press release. If the WJLA news team thinks that sharing drink specials from a restaurant is actual news, they are not familiar with real journalism.\r\n\r\nIn this era where journalism is being called \"fake news\" whenever it digs up inconvenient information for a politician, it is not a good look to get money to run publicity, without even acknowledging that it is paid.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Publications\' need for revenue threatens public relations efforts','','inherit','open','open','','3609-revision-v1','','','2017-12-08 08:41:51','2017-12-08 13:41:51','',3609,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/3609-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3614,4,'2017-12-12 10:54:06','2017-12-12 15:54:06','Last night, at a happy hour for the Washington, D.C. chapter of the ASBPE, I got a chance to meet the managing editor of the <em>Washington Business Journal</em>, Vandana Sinha. I asked her about the change I discussed <a title=\"Publications’ need for revenue threatens public relations efforts\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/publications-need-for-revenue-and-pr/\">here last week</a>, where the <em>Business Journal</em> is now charging for personnel announcements in their  \"People on the Move\" section.\r\n\r\nSinha told me that companies are actually very happy about the change, because they can now be assured that their announcements will be printed. Companies feel they\'ve gained control over the process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Paid vs. earned</strong>\r\n\r\nThat reaction points to the advantage of advertising over public relations, and it\'s the difference between paid and earned media. If you pay for ad space, you get it. You can place whatever ad or information you choose (within certain limits).\r\n\r\nWhen you rely on media relations efforts to obtain coverage for your organization, you are not assured of success. It will depend on whether what you are trying to get out there is deemed \"newsworthy\" by the editors/journalists at the media outlet you are targeting. If you get coverage, you\'ve \"earned\" it.\r\n\r\nIf we are at a point, due to limited resources and dwindling subscriptions, where reporters and editors are stretched to the point that they no longer can entertain pitches and read press releases, what is the future of media relations? Furthermore, if media outlets are searching for more ways to bring in revenue,  by seeking various sponsorships and now charging for announcements (and in effect making something that was previously earned into paid), where does that leave a media relations practitioner?\r\n\r\nClearly, if you pay for your media (advertising), you are guaranteed not only coverage, but coverage that you like. What is the incentive for organizations to hire anybody to do media relations?\r\n\r\n<strong>Media relations is a tactic</strong>\r\n\r\nFor many years, public relations practice seems to have been more focused on media relations than on strategy and image management. It was easier to do publicity than it was to counsel clients on other ways to improve their public standing.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, the practice of media relations has to evolve (or even disappear), if it hasn\'t already. No longer can agencies simply churn out press releases, pitch editors, and earn media for their clients. That is become increasingly unproductive and difficult to achieve. Additionally, the way people consume news has changed dramatically. There are few true mass media outlets left, and many more targeted, specialty channels.\r\n\r\n<strong>The media landscape has changed</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause of the new media landscape, public relations, where the practice is about managing perceptions of an organization, has to re-focus its efforts away from media relations.  It\'s important to recognize that media relations is just <em>a tactic</em> to help PR achieve its objectives.\r\n\r\nMany PR agencies are already turning away from media relations. Today\'s PR agencies are doing much more social media, marketing, crisis communications and other practices in order to help organization manage their public presence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bring back integrated marketing communications!</strong>\r\n\r\nPR is not advertising, but both are essential components of any communications plan. Perhaps the future will bring us <strong>communications agencies</strong>, where PR and advertising are integrated. Yes, I know this is not a new concept, but it\'s one that needs to revisited now that times have changed.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts on media relations practices? Is it something that is still worthwhile? Should PR evolve? Please share your comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If advertising is better, why bother with PR?','','publish','open','open','','if-advertising-is-better-why-bother-with-pr','','\nhttp://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/publications-need-for-revenue-and-pr/','2017-12-12 10:54:06','2017-12-12 15:54:06','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3614',0,'post','',0),(3615,4,'2017-12-12 10:53:42','2017-12-12 15:53:42','Last night, at a happy hour for the Washington, D.C. chapter of the ASBPE, I got a chance to meet the managing editor of the <em>Washington Business Journal</em>, Vandana Sinha. I asked her about the change I discussed <a title=\"Publications’ need for revenue threatens public relations efforts\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/publications-need-for-revenue-and-pr/\">here last week</a>, where the <em>Business Journal</em> is now charging for personnel announcements in their  \"People on the Move\" section.\r\n\r\nSinha told me that companies are actually very happy about the change, because they can now be assured that their announcements will be printed. Companies feel they\'ve gained control over the process.\r\n\r\n<strong>Paid vs. earned</strong>\r\n\r\nThat reaction points to the advantage of advertising over public relations, and it\'s the difference between paid and earned media. If you pay for ad space, you get it. You can place whatever ad or information you choose (within certain limits).\r\n\r\nWhen you rely on media relations efforts to obtain coverage for your organization, you are not assured of success. It will depend on whether what you are trying to get out there is deemed \"newsworthy\" by the editors/journalists at the media outlet you are targeting. If you get coverage, you\'ve \"earned\" it.\r\n\r\nIf we are at a point, due to limited resources and dwindling subscriptions, where reporters and editors are stretched to the point that they no longer can entertain pitches and read press releases, what is the future of media relations? Furthermore, if media outlets are searching for more ways to bring in revenue,  by seeking various sponsorships and now charging for announcements (and in effect making something that was previously earned into paid), where does that leave a media relations practitioner?\r\n\r\nClearly, if you pay for your media (advertising), you are guaranteed not only coverage, but coverage that you like. What is the incentive for organizations to hire anybody to do media relations?\r\n\r\n<strong>Media relations is a tactic</strong>\r\n\r\nFor many years, public relations practice seems to have been more focused on media relations than on strategy and image management. It was easier to do publicity than it was to counsel clients on other ways to improve their public standing.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion, the practice of media relations has to evolve (or even disappear), if it hasn\'t already. No longer can agencies simply churn out press releases, pitch editors, and earn media for their clients. That is become increasingly unproductive and difficult to achieve. Additionally, the way people consume news has changed dramatically. There are few true mass media outlets left, and many more targeted, specialty channels.\r\n\r\n<strong>The media landscape has changed</strong>\r\n\r\nBecause of the new media landscape, public relations, where the practice is about managing perceptions of an organization, has to re-focus its efforts away from media relations.  It\'s important to recognize that media relations is just <em>a tactic</em> to help PR achieve its objectives.\r\n\r\nMany PR agencies are already turning away from media relations. Today\'s PR agencies are doing much more social media, marketing, crisis communications and other practices in order to help organization manage their public presence.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bring back integrated marketing communications!</strong>\r\n\r\nPR is not advertising, but both are essential components of any communications plan. Perhaps the future will bring us <strong>communications agencies</strong>, where PR and advertising are integrated. Yes, I know this is not a new concept, but it\'s one that needs to revisited now that times have changed.\r\n\r\nWhat are your thoughts on media relations practices? Is it something that is still worthwhile? Should PR evolve? Please share your comments.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','If advertising is better, why bother with PR?','','inherit','open','open','','3614-revision-v1','','','2017-12-12 10:53:42','2017-12-12 15:53:42','',3614,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/3614-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3617,4,'2017-12-19 09:41:55','2017-12-19 14:41:55','I got this postcard last week from a real estate agent who is selling a townhouse near me:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3619 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed-1024x639.jpg\" alt=\"img046ed\" width=\"1024\" height=\"639\" /></a> Seems this lovely townhouse costs more than $51 million.\r\n\r\nYes, it is an error, but that\'s what happens when you don\'t bother to proofread your work. Numbers are especially tricky, and in this case, comma placement (and lack of periods) makes a several <em>million</em> dollar mistake.\r\n\r\nWould you trust a real estate agent who doesn\'t bother to check details on a listing before she prints hundreds of postcards and mails them out? Would you want someone like this reviewing your contract for a home? Putting in an offer in your name?\r\n\r\nDon\'t lose millions and your credibility. Take a few minutes to proofread your work. And if you can\'t, hire someone who can.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Happy holidays to our Caffeinated Ideas readers! We\'ll be back with more great content in 2018. </span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s a comma worth?','','publish','open','open','','whats-a-comma-worth','','','2017-12-19 09:41:55','2017-12-19 14:41:55','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3617',0,'post','',0),(3619,4,'2017-12-19 09:31:45','2017-12-19 14:31:45','','img046ed','','inherit','open','open','','img046ed','','','2017-12-19 09:31:45','2017-12-19 14:31:45','',3617,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3620,4,'2017-12-19 09:39:12','2017-12-19 14:39:12','I got this postcard last week from a real estate agent who is selling a townhouse near me:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3619 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed-1024x639.jpg\" alt=\"img046ed\" width=\"1024\" height=\"639\" /></a> Seems this lovely townhouse costs more than $51 million.\r\n\r\nYes, it is an error, but that\'s what happens when you don\'t bother to proofread your work. Numbers are especially tricky, and in this case, comma placement (and lack of periods) makes a several million dollar mistake.\r\n\r\nWould you trust a real estate agent who doesn\'t bother to check details on a listing before she prints 100s of postcards and mails them out? Would you want someone like this reviewing your contract for a home? Putting an offer in your name?\r\n\r\nDon\'t lose millions and your credibility. Take a few minutes to proofread your work. And if you can\'t, hire someone who can.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Happy holidays to our Caffeinated Ideas readers! We\'ll be back with more great content in 2018. </span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s a comma worth?','','inherit','open','open','','3617-revision-v1','','','2017-12-19 09:39:12','2017-12-19 14:39:12','',3617,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/3617-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3621,4,'2017-12-19 09:41:55','2017-12-19 14:41:55','I got this postcard last week from a real estate agent who is selling a townhouse near me:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3619 size-large\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img046ed-1024x639.jpg\" alt=\"img046ed\" width=\"1024\" height=\"639\" /></a> Seems this lovely townhouse costs more than $51 million.\r\n\r\nYes, it is an error, but that\'s what happens when you don\'t bother to proofread your work. Numbers are especially tricky, and in this case, comma placement (and lack of periods) makes a several <em>million</em> dollar mistake.\r\n\r\nWould you trust a real estate agent who doesn\'t bother to check details on a listing before she prints hundreds of postcards and mails them out? Would you want someone like this reviewing your contract for a home? Putting in an offer in your name?\r\n\r\nDon\'t lose millions and your credibility. Take a few minutes to proofread your work. And if you can\'t, hire someone who can.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Happy holidays to our Caffeinated Ideas readers! We\'ll be back with more great content in 2018. </span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','What\'s a comma worth?','','inherit','open','open','','3617-revision-v1','','','2017-12-19 09:41:55','2017-12-19 14:41:55','',3617,'http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/3617-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3624,4,'2018-01-04 14:09:56','2018-01-04 19:09:56','We are only four days into the new year, and there is plenty of time ahead to re-calibrate or re-focus your marketing efforts to achieve maximum success in 2018. You can also use this time and planning to create a completely new marketing strategy. To help you make the most of this opportunity, I am offering you four steps to get you on the right track.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 1: REVIEW</strong>\r\n\r\nLook back at your marketing efforts in 2017. What did you do? Social media marketing? Content marketing?  List all your marketing activities, such as newsletters, blog posts, video, social media promotions, advertising, etc. Be sure to include specifics, such as what vendors and technology you used (e.g., Constant Contact or MailChimp, Hootsuite or Tweetdeck, etc.) You may also want to incorporate how much these activities cost you, for example, how much you spent on subscription-based services, video production, content production, and so forth.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 2: BENCHMARK</strong>\r\n\r\nHow do you know how far you\'ve come if you don\'t know where you started? Benchmarking at specific intervals or times of the year is a great way to measure your progress (or lack thereof).  To do this, create a simple table in Excel or in Word. The first column will list the indicators you want to track.  Input the numbers for the indicators you are tracking under a second column headed with the date you collected the information. Add another column for the next date you will revisit these numbers. You could do this on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis, depending on your business plan.\r\n\r\nTo figure out what to benchmark, think about the different components of your marketing plan you reviewed in the first step: content marketing, digital/social media marketing, print, etc. What are some key performance indicators (KPIs) within those components?\r\n\r\nSome possible indicators are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Revenue</li>\r\n	<li>Social media likes/followers (broken down by channel)</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter subscribers/open rates</li>\r\n	<li>Website conversion rate</li>\r\n	<li>Number of visitors to the website</li>\r\n	<li>Number of customers/clients served</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Step 3:  ANALYZE AND ASSESS</strong>\r\n\r\nLooking back at your efforts in 2017, where did you spend the most time and effort? What worked the best? What worked the least? Where was the biggest return on investment (ROI)? What vendors were worth it? Did you have trouble using certain technology? Is there a better way to do what you have been doing?  In terms of social media/digital strategy, what tactics earned the most attention/engagement?\r\n\r\nYour aim here is to recognize patterns, successes, and failures.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 4: CREATE YOUR 2018 ROADMAP\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nNow that you know what you did and whether it worked or not, you can decide what to continue and what to eliminate. Perhaps you want to add more budget/time to your email marketing. Perhaps you want to scale back your efforts on social media channels.  Looking at your benchmarks, what numbers do you want to change? How will you get there? Perhaps you want to increase your website conversion rate. What activities will achieve the results you want?  Are there areas you want to explore? Perhaps you\'ve heard that voice search will be big in 2018 (it will). What do you need to do to make your SEO responsive to these new challenges?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'d love to hear what you are planning for 2018 and where you will be spending your marketing dollars. Please share in the comments or email me. I may include your responses in a future blog post.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Happy New Year and good luck with your 2018 planning!</strong></span>','4-step plan to achieve marketing success in 2018','','publish','open','open','','4-step-plan-to-achieve-marketing-success-in-2018','','','2018-01-04 14:09:56','2018-01-04 19:09:56','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3624',0,'post','',0),(3625,4,'2018-01-04 11:35:40','2018-01-04 16:35:40','We are only four days into the new year, and now is a good time to re-calibrate or re-focus your marketing efforts to achieve maximum success in 2018. To make the most of this opportunity, I am offering you four steps to get you on the right track.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 1: BENCHMARK</strong>\r\n\r\nHow do you know how far you\'ve come if you don\'t know where you started? Benchmarking at specific intervals or times of the year is a great way to measure your progress (or lack thereof).  To do this, create a simple table in Excel or in Word. One column should be the indicators you want to track. Some possible indicators are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Revenue</li>\r\n	<li>Social media likes/followers (broken down by channel)</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter subscribers/open rates</li>\r\n	<li>Website bounce rate</li>\r\n	<li>Website conversion rate</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nInput the numbers for the indicators you are tracking under a column with today\'s date. Add another column for the next date you will revisit these numbers. You could do this on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis, depending on your business plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 2: REVIEW</strong>\r\n\r\nLook back at your marketing efforts in 2017. What did you do? List all your marketing activities, such as newsletters, blog posts, social media promotions, etc. Be sure to include specifics, such as what vendors and technology you used (e.g., Constant Contact or MailChimp, Hootsuite or Tweetdeck, etc.) You may also want to incorporate how much these activities cost you, especially with subscription based services.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 3:  ANALYZE AND ASSESS</strong>\r\n\r\nLooking back at your efforts in 2017, what worked the best? What worked the least? Where was the biggest return on investment (ROI)? What vendors were worth it?\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 4: SET 2018 GOALS</strong>\r\n\r\nNow that you know what you did and whether it worked or not, you can decide what to continue and what to eliminate. Perhaps you want to add more budget/time to your email marketing. Perhaps you want to scale back your efforts on social media channels.  List  your g','4-step plan to achieve marketing success in 2018','','inherit','open','open','','3624-revision-v1','','','2018-01-04 11:35:40','2018-01-04 16:35:40','',3624,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/01/3624-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3626,4,'2018-01-04 14:06:48','2018-01-04 19:06:48','We are only four days into the new year, and there is plenty of time ahead to re-calibrate or re-focus your marketing efforts to achieve maximum success in 2018. You can also use this time and planning to create a completely new marketing strategy. To help you make the most of this opportunity, I am offering you four steps to get you on the right track.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 1: REVIEW</strong>\r\n\r\nLook back at your marketing efforts in 2017. What did you do? Social media marketing? Content marketing?  List all your marketing activities, such as newsletters, blog posts, video, social media promotions, advertising, etc. Be sure to include specifics, such as what vendors and technology you used (e.g., Constant Contact or MailChimp, Hootsuite or Tweetdeck, etc.) You may also want to incorporate how much these activities cost you, for example, how much you spent on subscription-based services, video production, content production, and so forth.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 2: BENCHMARK</strong>\r\n\r\nHow do you know how far you\'ve come if you don\'t know where you started? Benchmarking at specific intervals or times of the year is a great way to measure your progress (or lack thereof).  To do this, create a simple table in Excel or in Word. The first column will list the indicators you want to track.  Input the numbers for the indicators you are tracking under a second column headed with the date you collected the information. Add another column for the next date you will revisit these numbers. You could do this on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis, depending on your business plan.\r\n\r\nTo figure out what to benchmark, think about the different components of your marketing plan you reviewed in the first step: content marketing, digital/social media marketing, print, etc. What are some key performance indicators (KPIs) within those components?\r\n\r\nSome possible indicators are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Revenue</li>\r\n	<li>Social media likes/followers (broken down by channel)</li>\r\n	<li>Newsletter subscribers/open rates</li>\r\n	<li>Website conversion rate</li>\r\n	<li>Number of visitors to the website</li>\r\n	<li>Number of customers/clients served</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Step 3:  ANALYZE AND ASSESS</strong>\r\n\r\nLooking back at your efforts in 2017, where did you spend the most time and effort? What worked the best? What worked the least? Where was the biggest return on investment (ROI)? What vendors were worth it? Did you have trouble using certain technology? Is there a better way to do what you have been doing?  In terms of social media/digital strategy, what tactics earned the most attention/engagement?\r\n\r\nYour aim here is to recognize patterns, successes, and failures.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step 4: CREATE YOUR 2018 ROADMAP\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\nNow that you know what you did and whether it worked or not, you can decide what to continue and what to eliminate. Perhaps you want to add more budget/time to your email marketing. Perhaps you want to scale back your efforts on social media channels.  Looking at your benchmarks, what numbers do you want to change? How will you get there? Perhaps you want to increase your website conversion rate. What activities will achieve the results you want?  Are there areas you want to explore? Perhaps you\'ve heard that voice search will be big in 2018 (it will). What do you need to do to make your SEO responsive to these new challenges?\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI\'d love to hear what you are planning for 2018 and where you will be spending your marketing dollars. Please share in the comments or email me. I may include your responses in a future blog post.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Happy New Year and good luck with your 2018 planning!</strong></span>','4-step plan to achieve marketing success in 2018','','inherit','open','open','','3624-revision-v1','','','2018-01-04 14:06:48','2018-01-04 19:06:48','',3624,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/01/3624-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3628,4,'2018-01-11 14:23:47','2018-01-11 19:23:47','Today, I got an email about a six-week communications leadership seminar. It sounds interesting, except it takes place in Chicago and I live near Washington, D.C. The target audience for this seminar is business professionals who live in the greater Chicago are yet this email was probably sent to the whole list.\r\n\r\nEmail marketing is great because it is relatively inexpensive, and because it is highly customizable. Say you are a retailer with stores across the country. You could send emails to your customers in specific locations announcing the opening of a new store or a change in hours, or perhaps a change in location.\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, with email marketing you can send targeted email messages that are relevant to their recipients at a relatively low cost.</strong>\r\n\r\nYet the email I received about the Chicago seminar is not relevant. It is just clutter in my inbox. Why did I get this email? I\'d venture to say it is because the list owner did not either a) segment the list, or b) gather enough information from the recipients to allow for segmentation, or c) both.\r\n\r\nMost email marketing programs allow for list segmentation. If you are marketing to a diverse audience, you will have to gather some relevant information to be able to segment your list or to be able to personalize it. If you don\'t gather information that will allow segmentation and/or you have an email provider that doesn\'t allow for segmentation, you need to make some changes ASAP. That is, unless you are trying to get your email deleted or generate a few unsubscribes.','You do know you can segment your mailing list, right?','','publish','open','open','','you-do-know-you-can-segment-your-mailing-list-right','','','2018-01-11 14:23:47','2018-01-11 19:23:47','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3628',0,'post','',0),(3629,4,'2018-01-11 14:23:47','2018-01-11 19:23:47','Today, I got an email about a six-week communications leadership seminar. It sounds interesting, except it takes place in Chicago and I live near Washington, D.C. The target audience for this seminar is business professionals who live in the greater Chicago are yet this email was probably sent to the whole list.\r\n\r\nEmail marketing is great because it is relatively inexpensive, and because it is highly customizable. Say you are a retailer with stores across the country. You could send emails to your customers in specific locations announcing the opening of a new store or a change in hours, or perhaps a change in location.\r\n\r\n<strong>In other words, with email marketing you can send targeted email messages that are relevant to their recipients at a relatively low cost.</strong>\r\n\r\nYet the email I received about the Chicago seminar is not relevant. It is just clutter in my inbox. Why did I get this email? I\'d venture to say it is because the list owner did not either a) segment the list, or b) gather enough information from the recipients to allow for segmentation, or c) both.\r\n\r\nMost email marketing programs allow for list segmentation. If you are marketing to a diverse audience, you will have to gather some relevant information to be able to segment your list or to be able to personalize it. If you don\'t gather information that will allow segmentation and/or you have an email provider that doesn\'t allow for segmentation, you need to make some changes ASAP. That is, unless you are trying to get your email deleted or generate a few unsubscribes.','You do know you can segment your mailing list, right?','','inherit','open','open','','3628-revision-v1','','','2018-01-11 14:23:47','2018-01-11 19:23:47','',3628,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/01/3628-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3631,4,'2018-01-24 13:32:02','2018-01-24 18:32:02','<strong>This is not the Spam that comes in a can</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">On the telephone</span>\r\n\r\nHave you received multiple calls on your landline and/or cell phone that are in the same area code and start with the same three digits as your phone number? Chances are high that you have. Spammers are hoping that you will think that this a local number and therefore will answer. However, when they keep using this technique over and over and over again, and when caller ID shows you names of people you don\'t know, you learn pretty quickly that this is a spam call and you don\'t answer.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">On email </span>\r\n\r\nIf you are a website owner, have you received emails telling you that you have problems on your website and that the emailer can fix these \"fatal\" errors so that your website can function? After the second or third one, chances are good you figured out that this is a scam and you deleted the email and/or added it to your junk list and/or reported it.\r\n\r\nor\r\n\r\nHave you gotten an email like this one I have already received twice (word for word) from \"Tina Richardson:\"\r\n<blockquote>Hello Deborah,\r\n\r\nI just came across the Mad Mimi piece, \"<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/922a47%3cbr%20/%3ehttps:/madmimi.com/s/913837%3cbr%20/%3ehttps:/madmimi.com/s/15fdf6\">Dyscalculia and MLD Newsletter</a>.\" Nice job! As a heads up, your site is not WC3 accessible for people with physical disabilities related to dyscalculia. I get it: your website can\'t be accessibility compliant without sacrificing design, interactivity and general user experience for visitors without disabilities (paying 50% more for designers and coders might help, but would still fall short).</blockquote>\r\nThe very red flag here is that there is no \"Mad Mimi\" piece that I wrote about dyscalculia.\r\n\r\nThese are real examples. I get these calls and emails, several times a day. Apparently, the idea here is that I am going to believe that the call is from someone I know, or that my website has a ton of problems, or even that I wrote something that I didn\'t. In short, all these \"marketing\" pieces depend on my naivete or stupidity or lack of common sense. They are designed so that a trusting or uninformed person falls for them.\r\n\r\n<strong>What differentiates spam marketing from real marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nHow you view your target audience determines what kind of marketer you are. If you view your audience as naive, easily swayed or just plain stupid, chances are you are a spammer/scammer. If, on the other hand, you view your audience as knowledge-seeking and perhaps even sophisticated, chances you are a real marketer (and therefore probably more successful).\r\n\r\nReal marketing seeks to give potential customers fact-based information on which to base a buying decision. Spam/scam marketing often uses fear-mongering or the assumption that the target does not have enough information.\r\n\r\nIf you want to be taken seriously, do not view your target audience as stupid, gullible, uniformed, unsophisticated. Instead, view your target as smart and then your marketing will also be smart and successful.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How do you view your target audience?','','publish','open','open','','how-do-you-view-your-target-audience','','','2018-01-24 13:32:02','2018-01-24 18:32:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3631',0,'post','',0),(3632,4,'2018-01-23 13:05:54','2018-01-23 18:05:54','How you view your target audience determines what kind of marketer you are. If you view your audience as naive, easily swayed or just plain stupid, chances are you are a spammer. If, on the other hand, you view your audience as knowledge-seeking and perhaps even sophisticated, chances you are a genuine marketer (and therefore probably more successful).','How do you view your target audience?','','inherit','open','open','','3631-revision-v1','','','2018-01-23 13:05:54','2018-01-23 18:05:54','',3631,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/01/3631-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3633,4,'2018-01-24 13:32:02','2018-01-24 18:32:02','<strong>This is not the Spam that comes in a can</strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">On the telephone</span>\r\n\r\nHave you received multiple calls on your landline and/or cell phone that are in the same area code and start with the same three digits as your phone number? Chances are high that you have. Spammers are hoping that you will think that this a local number and therefore will answer. However, when they keep using this technique over and over and over again, and when caller ID shows you names of people you don\'t know, you learn pretty quickly that this is a spam call and you don\'t answer.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">On email </span>\r\n\r\nIf you are a website owner, have you received emails telling you that you have problems on your website and that the emailer can fix these \"fatal\" errors so that your website can function? After the second or third one, chances are good you figured out that this is a scam and you deleted the email and/or added it to your junk list and/or reported it.\r\n\r\nor\r\n\r\nHave you gotten an email like this one I have already received twice (word for word) from \"Tina Richardson:\"\r\n<blockquote>Hello Deborah,\r\n\r\nI just came across the Mad Mimi piece, \"<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/922a47%3cbr%20/%3ehttps:/madmimi.com/s/913837%3cbr%20/%3ehttps:/madmimi.com/s/15fdf6\">Dyscalculia and MLD Newsletter</a>.\" Nice job! As a heads up, your site is not WC3 accessible for people with physical disabilities related to dyscalculia. I get it: your website can\'t be accessibility compliant without sacrificing design, interactivity and general user experience for visitors without disabilities (paying 50% more for designers and coders might help, but would still fall short).</blockquote>\r\nThe very red flag here is that there is no \"Mad Mimi\" piece that I wrote about dyscalculia.\r\n\r\nThese are real examples. I get these calls and emails, several times a day. Apparently, the idea here is that I am going to believe that the call is from someone I know, or that my website has a ton of problems, or even that I wrote something that I didn\'t. In short, all these \"marketing\" pieces depend on my naivete or stupidity or lack of common sense. They are designed so that a trusting or uninformed person falls for them.\r\n\r\n<strong>What differentiates spam marketing from real marketing</strong>\r\n\r\nHow you view your target audience determines what kind of marketer you are. If you view your audience as naive, easily swayed or just plain stupid, chances are you are a spammer/scammer. If, on the other hand, you view your audience as knowledge-seeking and perhaps even sophisticated, chances you are a real marketer (and therefore probably more successful).\r\n\r\nReal marketing seeks to give potential customers fact-based information on which to base a buying decision. Spam/scam marketing often uses fear-mongering or the assumption that the target does not have enough information.\r\n\r\nIf you want to be taken seriously, do not view your target audience as stupid, gullible, uniformed, unsophisticated. Instead, view your target as smart and then your marketing will also be smart and successful.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','How do you view your target audience?','','inherit','open','open','','3631-revision-v1','','','2018-01-24 13:32:02','2018-01-24 18:32:02','',3631,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/01/3631-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3635,4,'2018-02-02 12:08:54','2018-02-02 17:08:54','I just came back from a mini-vacation to visit family in New York City. It was lots of fun--there was lots of walking, and lots of eating. But great time aside, I noticed that different vendors/organizations set expectations differently. Setting customer expectations early and clearly helps ensure your customers have a good experience with your organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Either put those jackets back on or tie them around your waist</strong>\r\n\r\nMy cousin and I visited the Jewish Museum in New York. It was warm in the building and once we got to the floor for the special exhibit we were there to see, we had removed our winter coats and had them draped over our arms. Within seconds, a guard was telling us we had to put the coats on or tie them around our waist. It was too late to go back down to the coat check so we both put the coats around our shoulders. But we were uncomfortably warm. The woman at the admissions desk could have told us to check our coats. She could\'ve given us a map of the museum or some (any) information. She did nothing but take our money and give us tickets. She, and the museum itself, did not set expectations properly.  (P.S.:  Directly after the Jewish Museum, I went to the Met. The guards there do not care if you carry your coat.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Wagamama knows how to do it</strong>\r\n\r\nWagamama is a British chain of Asian-style food. They\'ve only recently expanded to the United States with a couple restaurants in New York City. Most Americans are probably not familiar with the chain, and the first question my server asked was whether I had dined at Wagamama before (I have). Since Wagamama has a quirky way of serving—they mark your order on your placemat and then bring out food as it\'s ready—the waiter wanted to set my expectations. Like I said I have dined there, but I appreciated the reminder (it\'d been a long time).\r\n\r\n<strong>Vamoose is confuse(d)—and uneven</strong>\r\n\r\nI\'ve taken Vamoose before, and I thought I knew how they operate.  For example, I know that when you get to the designated pick up stop, there will be a line to get on the bus. Obviously, the closer to the front of the line you are, the more likely you will be able to sit where you prefer. On the trip from DC to New York, the bus attendants gave out water and newspapers. But after getting on the bus, there was not a word from anybody. Nobody told us about WiFi, lights, bathrooms/rest stops, how long the trip was expected to take, nothing. The driver did not utter a word until about two and half hours into the ride, and that was <em>after</em> he stopped at a rest stop and then all he told us was that we had fifteen minutes to use the facilities.\r\n\r\nOn the return trip, when I got to the stop in New York, I wanted to make sure there would be water, and I asked the attendant if they would give it out. He didn\'t know. Based on my experience and expectation, they would hand out water, but I decided not to take any chances and went to buy some. Good thing I did because there was no water to be had from Vamoose. In other words, they did not meet an expectation, nor did they set it appropriately.\r\n\r\nOnce I got on the bus, one of the attendants gave a detailed announcement about the WiFi, travel time, bathroom availability, and also, telling people to keep conversations short and phones on mute. That was a plus and something that had not been done on the trip there. It was a good thing the attendant gave that information, because for the rest of the trip, there was not one word from the driver. He did not stop at all. He did not even announce that we had arrived at the first stop in the DC area, or how long the bus would be there to offload passengers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of these experiences changes my opinion on the  organization/business. I would still attend the Jewish Museum in the future,  still eat at Wagamama, and still ride the Vamoose to New York. I chose these organizations for specific reasons—interest in the exhibit (museum), type of food and ambiance (Wagamama), and convenience and price (Vamoose).\r\n\r\nEven though you choose to do business with companies and organizations in spite of any shortcomings,  those that are able to set, manage, and most importantly, meet customer expectations will provide a more enjoyable customer experience.','Setting customer expectations ','','publish','open','open','','setting-customer-expectations','','','2018-02-02 12:08:54','2018-02-02 17:08:54','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3635',0,'post','',0),(3636,4,'2018-02-02 10:06:56','2018-02-02 15:06:56','I just came back from a mini-vacation to visit family in New York City. It was lots of fun, lots of walking, and lots of eating. But great time aside, I noticed that different vendors/organizations set expectations differently.\r\n\r\nWagamama knows how to do it.\r\n\r\nWagamama is a British chain of Asian-style food. They\'ve only recently expanded to the United States with a couple restaurants in New York City. Most Americans are probably not familiar with the chain, and the first question my server asked was whether I had dined at Wagamama before. Since Wagamama has a quirky was of serving-they mark your order on your placemat and then bring out food as its ready--the waiter wanted to set my expectations. I have dined there, but I appreciated the reminder.\r\n\r\nVamoose is confuse(d) --and uneven\r\n\r\nI\'ve taken Vamoose before, and I know how they operate....but only because I\'ve gone to New York with them before. When you get to the designated pick up stop, there will be a line to get on the bus. Obviously, the closer to the front of the line you are, the more likely you will be able to sit where you prefer. On the trip from DC to NYC, the bus attendants gave out water and newspapers. But after getting on the bus, there was not a word from anybody. Nobody told us about WiFi, lights, how long the trip was expected to take, whether there would be any stops, nothing. The driver did not utter a word until about two and half hours into the ride, and that was after he stopped at a rest stop. He told us we had fifteen minutes.\r\n\r\nOn the return trip, I got to the stop and there was a line snaking down the block. I asked the attendant if they would give out water. He didn\'t know. I decided to take no chances and went to buy some. Once I got on the bus, which was full, one of the attendants gave a detailed announcement about the WiFi, travel time, and also, telling people to keep conversations short and phones on mute.','Setting customer expectations ','','inherit','open','open','','3635-revision-v1','','','2018-02-02 10:06:56','2018-02-02 15:06:56','',3635,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3635-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3637,4,'2018-02-02 11:16:47','2018-02-02 16:16:47','I just came back from a mini-vacation to visit family in New York City. It was lots of fun, lots of walking, and lots of eating. But great time aside, I noticed that different vendors/organizations set expectations differently. Setting customer expectations early and clearly helps ensure they have a good experience with your organization.\r\n\r\nEither put those jackets back on or tie them around your waist\r\n\r\nMy cousin and I visited the Jewish Museum in New York. Once we got to the floor for the e\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWagamama knows how to do it.\r\n\r\nWagamama is a British chain of Asian-style food. They\'ve only recently expanded to the United States with a couple restaurants in New York City. Most Americans are probably not familiar with the chain, and the first question my server asked was whether I had dined at Wagamama before. Since Wagamama has a quirky was of serving-they mark your order on your placemat and then bring out food as its ready--the waiter wanted to set my expectations. I have dined there, but I appreciated the reminder.\r\n\r\nVamoose is confuse(d) --and uneven\r\n\r\nI\'ve taken Vamoose before, and I know how they operate....but only because I\'ve gone to New York with them before. When you get to the designated pick up stop, there will be a line to get on the bus. Obviously, the closer to the front of the line you are, the more likely you will be able to sit where you prefer. On the trip from DC to NYC, the bus attendants gave out water and newspapers. But after getting on the bus, there was not a word from anybody. Nobody told us about WiFi, lights, how long the trip was expected to take, whether there would be any stops, nothing. The driver did not utter a word until about two and half hours into the ride, and that was after he stopped at a rest stop. He told us we had fifteen minutes.\r\n\r\nOn the return trip, I got to the stop and there was a line snaking down the block. I asked the attendant if they would give out water. He didn\'t know. I decided to take no chances and went to buy some. Once I got on the bus, which was full, one of the attendants gave a detailed announcement about the WiFi, travel time, and also, telling people to keep conversations short and phones on mute.','Setting customer expectations ','','inherit','open','open','','3635-revision-v1','','','2018-02-02 11:16:47','2018-02-02 16:16:47','',3635,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3635-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3638,4,'2018-02-02 12:03:40','2018-02-02 17:03:40','I just came back from a mini-vacation to visit family in New York City. It was lots of fun--there was lots of walking, and lots of eating. But great time aside, I noticed that different vendors/organizations set expectations differently. Setting customer expectations early and clearly helps ensure your customers have a good experience with your organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Either put those jackets back on or tie them around your waist</strong>\r\n\r\nMy cousin and I visited the Jewish Museum in New York. It was warm in the building and once we got to the floor for the special exhibit we were there to see, we had removed our winter coats and had them draped over our arms. Within seconds, a guard was telling us we had to put the coats on or tie them around our waist. It was too late to go back down to the coat check so we both put the coats around our shoulders. But we were uncomfortably warm. The woman at the admissions desk could have told us to check our coats. She could\'ve given us a map of the museum or some (any) information. She did nothing but take our money and give us tickets. Her one instruction was to be sure to put the sticker on our clothes. She, and the museum itself, did not set expectations properly.  (P.S.:  Directly after the Jewish Museum, I went to the Met. The guards there do not care if you carry your coat.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Wagamama knows how to do it</strong>\r\n\r\nWagamama is a British chain of Asian-style food. They\'ve only recently expanded to the United States with a couple restaurants in New York City. Most Americans are probably not familiar with the chain, and the first question my server asked was whether I had dined at Wagamama before (I have). Since Wagamama has a quirky was of serving—they mark your order on your placemat and then bring out food as it\'s ready—the waiter wanted to set my expectations. Like I said I have dined there, but I appreciated the reminder (it\'d been a long time).\r\n\r\n<strong>Vamoose is confuse(d)—and uneven</strong>\r\n\r\nI\'ve taken Vamoose before, and I thought I knew how they operate.  For example, I know that when you get to the designated pick up stop, there will be a line to get on the bus. Obviously, the closer to the front of the line you are, the more likely you will be able to sit where you prefer. On the trip from DC to New York, the bus attendants gave out water and newspapers. But after getting on the bus, there was not a word from anybody. Nobody told us about WiFi, lights, bathrooms/rest stops, how long the trip was expected to take, nothing. The driver did not utter a word until about two and half hours into the ride, and that was <em>after</em> he stopped at a rest stop and then all he told us was that we had fifteen minutes to use the facilities.\r\n\r\nOn the return trip, when I got to the stop in New York, I wanted to make sure there would be water, and I asked the attendant if they would give it out. He didn\'t know. Based on my experience and expectation, they would hand out water, but I decided not to take any chances and went to buy some. Good thing I did because there was no water to be had from Vamoose. In other words, they did not meet an expectation, nor did they set it appropriately.\r\n\r\nOnce I got on the bus, one of the attendants gave a detailed announcement about the WiFi, travel time, and also, telling people to keep conversations short and phones on mute. That was a plus and something that had not been done on the trip there. It was a good thing the attendant gave that information, because for the rest of the trip, there was not one word from the driver. Not one stop, nothing. He did not even announce that we had arrived at Bethesda  or how long the bus would be at that first stop in the DC area.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of these experiences changes my opinion on the  organization/business. I would still attend the Jewish Museum in the future,  still eat at Wagamama, and still ride the Vamoose to New York. I chose these organizations for specific reasons—interest in the exhibit (museum), type of food and ambiance (Wagamama), and convenience and price (Vamoose).\r\n\r\nEven though you choose to do business with companies and organizations in spite of any shortcomings,  those that are able to set, manage, and most importantly, meet customer expectations will provide a more enjoyable customer experience.','Setting customer expectations ','','inherit','open','open','','3635-revision-v1','','','2018-02-02 12:03:40','2018-02-02 17:03:40','',3635,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3635-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3639,4,'2018-02-02 12:08:54','2018-02-02 17:08:54','I just came back from a mini-vacation to visit family in New York City. It was lots of fun--there was lots of walking, and lots of eating. But great time aside, I noticed that different vendors/organizations set expectations differently. Setting customer expectations early and clearly helps ensure your customers have a good experience with your organization.\r\n\r\n<strong>Either put those jackets back on or tie them around your waist</strong>\r\n\r\nMy cousin and I visited the Jewish Museum in New York. It was warm in the building and once we got to the floor for the special exhibit we were there to see, we had removed our winter coats and had them draped over our arms. Within seconds, a guard was telling us we had to put the coats on or tie them around our waist. It was too late to go back down to the coat check so we both put the coats around our shoulders. But we were uncomfortably warm. The woman at the admissions desk could have told us to check our coats. She could\'ve given us a map of the museum or some (any) information. She did nothing but take our money and give us tickets. She, and the museum itself, did not set expectations properly.  (P.S.:  Directly after the Jewish Museum, I went to the Met. The guards there do not care if you carry your coat.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Wagamama knows how to do it</strong>\r\n\r\nWagamama is a British chain of Asian-style food. They\'ve only recently expanded to the United States with a couple restaurants in New York City. Most Americans are probably not familiar with the chain, and the first question my server asked was whether I had dined at Wagamama before (I have). Since Wagamama has a quirky way of serving—they mark your order on your placemat and then bring out food as it\'s ready—the waiter wanted to set my expectations. Like I said I have dined there, but I appreciated the reminder (it\'d been a long time).\r\n\r\n<strong>Vamoose is confuse(d)—and uneven</strong>\r\n\r\nI\'ve taken Vamoose before, and I thought I knew how they operate.  For example, I know that when you get to the designated pick up stop, there will be a line to get on the bus. Obviously, the closer to the front of the line you are, the more likely you will be able to sit where you prefer. On the trip from DC to New York, the bus attendants gave out water and newspapers. But after getting on the bus, there was not a word from anybody. Nobody told us about WiFi, lights, bathrooms/rest stops, how long the trip was expected to take, nothing. The driver did not utter a word until about two and half hours into the ride, and that was <em>after</em> he stopped at a rest stop and then all he told us was that we had fifteen minutes to use the facilities.\r\n\r\nOn the return trip, when I got to the stop in New York, I wanted to make sure there would be water, and I asked the attendant if they would give it out. He didn\'t know. Based on my experience and expectation, they would hand out water, but I decided not to take any chances and went to buy some. Good thing I did because there was no water to be had from Vamoose. In other words, they did not meet an expectation, nor did they set it appropriately.\r\n\r\nOnce I got on the bus, one of the attendants gave a detailed announcement about the WiFi, travel time, bathroom availability, and also, telling people to keep conversations short and phones on mute. That was a plus and something that had not been done on the trip there. It was a good thing the attendant gave that information, because for the rest of the trip, there was not one word from the driver. He did not stop at all. He did not even announce that we had arrived at the first stop in the DC area, or how long the bus would be there to offload passengers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNone of these experiences changes my opinion on the  organization/business. I would still attend the Jewish Museum in the future,  still eat at Wagamama, and still ride the Vamoose to New York. I chose these organizations for specific reasons—interest in the exhibit (museum), type of food and ambiance (Wagamama), and convenience and price (Vamoose).\r\n\r\nEven though you choose to do business with companies and organizations in spite of any shortcomings,  those that are able to set, manage, and most importantly, meet customer expectations will provide a more enjoyable customer experience.','Setting customer expectations ','','inherit','open','open','','3635-revision-v1','','','2018-02-02 12:08:54','2018-02-02 17:08:54','',3635,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3635-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3641,4,'2018-02-08 11:13:42','2018-02-08 16:13:42','But I don\'t ever buy Doritos. I also never drink Mountain Dew. I certainly do not drink Bud Light. Or Michelob Ultra. I don\'t use Tide. And I am not about to go get life insurance from Mass Mutual.\r\n\r\nIf you prefer real beer to Bud Light, no amount of clever/funny/slick ads will change your mind. If you, like me, avoid sugary sodas, having Morgan Freeman appear in an ad drinking one, is not going to make you run out and buy a case.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>They are memorable</strong></em>\r\n\r\nAs a marketing communications person, I\'ve been closely watching Super Bowl ads for the past 20 years. When I worked at an ad agency in Boston in the 1990s, we had time set aside to view the Super Bowl ad reels, and discuss. If you study Super Bowl ads, you can see that many are memorable, and are often discussed for years after they aired. Here, check out this<a href=\"http://admeter.usatoday.com/2015/01/13/all-time-greatest-super-bowl-commercials/\" target=\"_blank\"> list</a> of the top spots from the last 30 years and see how many you remember.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>They cost a lot</strong></em>\r\n\r\nSuper Bowl ads are very expensive: expensive to produce (how much do you think Morgan Freeman got paid to swill the Dew?) and expensive to place. They are very high profile, and are seen by millions of people. Most of these ads are what the industry calls \"image ads.\" That is, these ads promote a brand\'s image more so than making a sale. They raise \"brand awareness.\" And yet, any advertiser that has the budget necessary to run ads on the Super Bowl already has brand awareness. So why bother?\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But do they have a good ROI?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nTo use an industry term, what exactly is the ROI (return on investment) on a Super Bowl ad? What do you think? Do you think the high investment provides the returns to justify doing so?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','I really liked that Super Bowl ad for Doritos','','publish','open','open','','i-really-liked-that-super-bowl-ad-for-doritos','','','2018-02-08 11:13:42','2018-02-08 16:13:42','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3641',0,'post','',0),(3642,4,'2018-02-08 11:12:42','2018-02-08 16:12:42','But I don\'t ever buy Doritos. I also never drink Mountain Dew. I certainly do not drink Bud Light. Or Michelob Ultra. I don\'t use Tide. And I am not about to go get life insurance from Mass Mutual.\r\n\r\nIf you prefer real beer to Bud Light, no amount of clever/funny/slick ads will change your mind. If you, like me, avoid sugary sodas, having Morgan Freeman appear in an ad drinking one, is not going to make you run out and buy a case.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>They are memorable</strong></em>\r\n\r\nAs a marketing communications person, I\'ve been closely watching Super Bowl ads for the past 20 years. When I worked at an ad agency in Boston in the 1990s, we had time set aside to view the Super Bowl ad reels, and discuss. If you study Super Bowl ads, you can see that many are memorable, and are often discussed for years after they aired. Here, check out this<a href=\"http://admeter.usatoday.com/2015/01/13/all-time-greatest-super-bowl-commercials/\" target=\"_blank\"> list</a> of the top spots from the last 30 years and see how many you remember.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>They cost a lot</strong></em>\r\n\r\nSuper Bowl ads are very expensive: expensive to produce (how much do you think Morgan Freeman got paid to swill the Dew?) and expensive to place. They are very high profile, and are seen by millions of people. Most of these ads are what the industry calls \"image ads.\" That is, these ads promote a brand\'s image more so than making a sale. They raise \"brand awareness.\" And yet, any advertiser that has the budget necessary to run ads on the Super Bowl already has brand awareness. So why bother?\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But do they have a good ROI?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nTo use an industry term, what exactly is the ROI (return on investment) on a Super Bowl ad? What do you think? Do you think the high investment provides the returns to justify doing so?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','I really liked that Super Bowl ad for Doritos','','inherit','open','open','','3641-revision-v1','','','2018-02-08 11:12:42','2018-02-08 16:12:42','',3641,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3641-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3647,4,'2018-02-11 11:14:50','2018-02-11 16:14:50','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s new:\r\n\r\nBook a free 15-minute consultation\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:14:50','2018-02-11 16:14:50','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3643,4,'2018-02-09 11:31:42','2018-02-09 16:31:42','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\nBook a free 15-minute consultation\r\n\r\n[10to8booking organisation_id=\"8ac2d0e7-2f0e-4c54-aaa5-1fe51d379a75\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-09 11:31:42','2018-02-09 16:31:42','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3644,4,'2018-02-11 11:09:07','2018-02-11 16:09:07','Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your marketing communication project and learn how I can help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[10to8booking organisation_id=\"8ac2d0e7-2f0e-4c54-aaa5-1fe51d379a75\"]','Booking','','publish','open','open','','booking','','','2018-02-11 11:16:00','2018-02-11 16:16:00','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=3644',0,'page','',0),(3645,4,'2018-02-11 11:09:07','2018-02-11 16:09:07','','Booking','','inherit','open','open','','3644-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:09:07','2018-02-11 16:09:07','',3644,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3644-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3646,4,'2018-02-11 11:10:32','2018-02-11 16:10:32',' ','','','publish','open','open','','3646','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',1765,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3646',18,'nav_menu_item','',0),(3648,4,'2018-02-11 11:16:00','2018-02-11 16:16:00','Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your marketing communication project and learn how I can help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[10to8booking organisation_id=\"8ac2d0e7-2f0e-4c54-aaa5-1fe51d379a75\"]','Booking','','inherit','open','open','','3644-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:16:00','2018-02-11 16:16:00','',3644,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3644-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3649,4,'2018-02-11 11:17:02','2018-02-11 16:17:02','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n\r\n<strong>What\'s new:</strong>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Book a free 15-minute consultation</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:17:02','2018-02-11 16:17:02','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3650,4,'2018-02-11 11:22:39','2018-02-11 16:22:39','<strong>The Five-Part Brand Identity/Marketing Messaging Kit</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Communicate what you do</em>\r\n\r\nDescribing your own company or organization is challenging. Doing so concisely and effectively is even harder. Many organizations struggle to articulate clearly what they do and what makes them stand out. This five-part brand identity/marketing messaging kit will provide your organization, start-up, or business with the message elements you need to <em>effectively </em>communicate what you do.\r\n\r\n<em>What is brand identity?</em>\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction-- what makes you known, and what separates you from your competition. Your brand identity is how you communicate your brand—the words you use, the tone, the design. While this kit does not provide visual brand identity or design, it can help a graphic designer better understand your brand.\r\n\r\n<em>There are five parts in your brand identity/marketing messaging kit</em>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Brand positioning statement</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Concisely communicates the value of what you do to your target audience, and provides focus to your marketing strategy.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n	<li><strong>Key messages</strong> along with supporting points (up to 5)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>The most important statements about what your organization does, and its beliefs and values. </em>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n	<li><strong>Short organizational/company description</strong> (25-50 words)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Quick summary of who you are and what you do, useful in elevator pitches.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n	<li><strong>Long organizational/company</strong> <strong>description</strong> (150-200 words)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>A detailed accounting of your organization, which can be used in your “about us” page, or to describe your organization in a proposal.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"5\">\r\n	<li><strong>Tagline</strong> suggestions (up to 10)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Used in marketing materials to quickly and memorably describe your organization.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Why work with me</em>\r\n\r\nOver the course of my 25-year career, I have helped dozens of companies and organizations (in various sectors including technology, finance, and nonprofit) to communicate better and more effectively. As a marketing communications writer and consultant, I am an expert at learning about you and then explaining to your target audience who you are, what you do, and why you’re better or different than your competition.\r\n\r\n<em>How it gets done</em>\r\n\r\nYou’ll receive a comprehensive messaging questionnaire. We’ll then have an in-depth conversation about your organization or business. Using your input and my messaging expertise, I’ll provide you with your brand identity kit. You’ll review the first draft, and I will incorporate your changes. You can expect to have finalized kit within three weeks of our initial conversation.\r\n\r\n<em>Your investment</em>\r\n\r\n$995, in two payments: 50% up front and 50% upon completion.','Brand Identity Kit','','publish','open','open','','brand-identity-kit','','','2018-02-12 15:48:55','2018-02-12 20:48:55','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=3650',0,'page','',4),(3651,4,'2018-02-11 11:22:39','2018-02-11 16:22:39','','Brand Identity Kit','','inherit','open','open','','3650-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:22:39','2018-02-11 16:22:39','',3650,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3650-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3652,4,'2018-02-11 11:23:33','2018-02-11 16:23:33',' ','','','publish','open','open','','3652','','','2018-02-12 10:39:32','2018-02-12 15:39:32','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3652',3,'nav_menu_item','',0),(3653,4,'2018-02-11 11:28:23','2018-02-11 16:28:23','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n<h4><strong>What\'s new:</strong></h4>\r\n<a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Book a free 15-minute consultation</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 11:28:23','2018-02-11 16:28:23','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3654,4,'2018-02-11 12:56:25','2018-02-11 17:56:25','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n<h4><strong>What\'s new:</strong></h4>\r\n<a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Book a free 15-minute consultation!</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-11 12:56:25','2018-02-11 17:56:25','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3655,4,'2018-02-12 10:36:33','2018-02-12 15:36:33','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">None currently scheduled.\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>September 18, 2014 </strong>Presented<strong> How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop. </strong></span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Events','','publish','open','open','','calendar','','','2018-02-12 10:41:32','2018-02-12 15:41:32','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?page_id=3655',0,'page','',0),(3656,4,'2018-02-12 10:36:33','2018-02-12 15:36:33','Booking\r\n\r\nEvents','Calendar','','inherit','open','open','','3655-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 10:36:33','2018-02-12 15:36:33','',3655,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3655-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3657,4,'2018-02-12 10:38:04','2018-02-12 15:38:04',' ','','','publish','open','open','','3657','','','2018-02-12 10:39:33','2018-02-12 15:39:33','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3657',19,'nav_menu_item','',0),(3658,4,'2018-02-12 10:40:24','2018-02-12 15:40:24','Booking\r\n\r\nEvents','Events','','inherit','open','open','','3655-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 10:40:24','2018-02-12 15:40:24','',3655,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3655-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3659,4,'2018-02-12 10:41:32','2018-02-12 15:41:32','<h2>Upcoming events:</h2>\r\n<strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">None currently scheduled.\r\n</span></strong>\r\n<h2> Past events:</h2>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>September 18, 2014 </strong>Presented<strong> How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop. </strong></span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\r\n</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>April 1, 2014 </strong>Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop </strong>in Washington, DC<strong>. </strong><strong>\r\n</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>November 12, 2013</strong> Presented <strong>How to write your blog: a hands-on workshop</strong> in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\n<strong>October 2, 2013:</strong> Presented <strong>Blogs: What to Write and Why</strong> to the Web Writing and Content Strategy class at Johns Hopkins, Washington, DC campus.\r\n\r\n<strong>June 25, 2013:</strong> Presented a session entitled <b>Using your organizational blog as a centerpiece in your social media strategy </b>at the <a href=\"http://www.prsamd.org/get-connected/events/2013-prsa-mid-atlantic-district-chesapeake-conference/\" target=\"_blank\">PRSA Mid-Atlantic District Chesapeake Conference.</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2253\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-2253\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Presenting-at-Chessie-1-300x245.jpg\" alt=\"Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image\" width=\"300\" height=\"245\" /></a> Image by Harry Bosk, The Write Image[/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>May 17, 2013</strong>: How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>February 28, 2013</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>November 8, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop\r\n\r\n<strong>July 31, 2012</strong> How to write your blog workshop','Events','','inherit','open','open','','3655-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 10:41:32','2018-02-12 15:41:32','',3655,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3655-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3661,4,'2018-02-12 15:48:55','2018-02-12 20:48:55','<strong>The Five-Part Brand Identity/Marketing Messaging Kit</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Communicate what you do</em>\r\n\r\nDescribing your own company or organization is challenging. Doing so concisely and effectively is even harder. Many organizations struggle to articulate clearly what they do and what makes them stand out. This five-part brand identity/marketing messaging kit will provide your organization, start-up, or business with the message elements you need to <em>effectively </em>communicate what you do.\r\n\r\n<em>What is brand identity?</em>\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction-- what makes you known, and what separates you from your competition. Your brand identity is how you communicate your brand—the words you use, the tone, the design. While this kit does not provide visual brand identity or design, it can help a graphic designer better understand your brand.\r\n\r\n<em>There are five parts in your brand identity/marketing messaging kit</em>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Brand positioning statement</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Concisely communicates the value of what you do to your target audience, and provides focus to your marketing strategy.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n	<li><strong>Key messages</strong> along with supporting points (up to 5)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>The most important statements about what your organization does, and its beliefs and values. </em>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n	<li><strong>Short organizational/company description</strong> (25-50 words)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Quick summary of who you are and what you do, useful in elevator pitches.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n	<li><strong>Long organizational/company</strong> <strong>description</strong> (150-200 words)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>A detailed accounting of your organization, which can be used in your “about us” page, or to describe your organization in a proposal.</em>\r\n<ol start=\"5\">\r\n	<li><strong>Tagline</strong> suggestions (up to 10)</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<em>Used in marketing materials to quickly and memorably describe your organization.</em>\r\n\r\n<em>Why work with me</em>\r\n\r\nOver the course of my 25-year career, I have helped dozens of companies and organizations (in various sectors including technology, finance, and nonprofit) to communicate better and more effectively. As a marketing communications writer and consultant, I am an expert at learning about you and then explaining to your target audience who you are, what you do, and why you’re better or different than your competition.\r\n\r\n<em>How it gets done</em>\r\n\r\nYou’ll receive a comprehensive messaging questionnaire. We’ll then have an in-depth conversation about your organization or business. Using your input and my messaging expertise, I’ll provide you with your brand identity kit. You’ll review the first draft, and I will incorporate your changes. You can expect to have finalized kit within three weeks of our initial conversation.\r\n\r\n<em>Your investment</em>\r\n\r\n$995, in two payments: 50% up front and 50% upon completion.','Brand Identity Kit','','inherit','open','open','','3650-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 15:48:55','2018-02-12 20:48:55','',3650,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3650-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3663,4,'2018-02-12 15:50:22','2018-02-12 20:50:22','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">NEW! Brand Identity Kit</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Copy Editing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/copy-editing/\">Copy Editing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 15:50:22','2018-02-12 20:50:22','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3664,4,'2018-02-12 15:52:00','2018-02-12 20:52:00','We work with clients to create or improve marketing and communications materials. In order to do so, we provide the following services:\r\n<h2><a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">NEW! Brand Identity Kit</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Writing/Copywriting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/writing/\">Writing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Copy Editing\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/copy-editing/\">Copy Editing</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Communications Consulting\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/communications-consulting/\">Communications Consulting</a></h2>\r\n<h2><a title=\"Training\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/training/\">Training</a></h2>\r\nIf you need further information, or want to discuss how we can work together, please <a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">book a free 15-minute consultation</a> with me.','Services','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 15:52:00','2018-02-12 20:52:00','',14,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3665,4,'2018-02-12 16:59:52','2018-02-12 21:59:52','<table class=\"homemain\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\">\r\n<table class=\"homeleft\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>How I Can Help You\r\n</strong></h4>\r\nIf you\'re a small to medium size business or a non-profit organization seeking to communicate effectively with your target audience, you\'ve come to the right place.\r\n\r\nAt Deborah Brody Marketing Communications, you\'ll work directly with me, an experienced marketing professional offering an integrated approach to marketing communications.\r\n\r\nI will work with you to find the best, most effective solution to your marketing challenge.\r\n\r\nLet\'s create, recreate or refine your marketing materials (both in English and in Spanish).</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n<td>\r\n<table class=\"homeright\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<h4><strong>Why Choose DBMC</strong></h4>\r\nDeborah Brody Marketing Communications is a <strong>reliable, creative, professional and knowledgeable marketing partner</strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\'ll find that my services are a more <strong>focused and personalized</strong> alternative to the traditional advertising, marketing or public relations agency.\r\n\r\n<strong>You won\'t pay agency prices</strong> and you won\'t have to deal with inexperienced staff.\r\n<h4><strong>What\'s new:</strong></h4>\r\n<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">Brand Identity Kit</a> (the five-part marketing message kit to help you communicate better)\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Booking\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/events/booking/\">Book a free 15-minute consultation!</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<div id=\"contacthome\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"contact\">Contact us</a> today to learn how to improve your marketing and communications.</div>','Home','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 16:59:52','2018-02-12 21:59:52','',2,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3666,4,'2018-02-13 13:30:59','2018-02-13 18:30:59','This morning, I came across an article on <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EaterDC</a> about the new Isabella Eatery food hall at Tyson\'s Galleria in McLean, Virginia: <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/2018/2/12/17004800/isabella-eatery-good-news-bad-news\" target=\"_blank\">Gargantuan Isabella Eatery is Confusing Customers</a>.  It seems  that although some of the elements of the food hall get good reviews for quality and design, customers don\'t know what to make of  the whole thing.  It seems that Isabella Eatery is offering so much that its customers no longer know what Isabella stands for.  (Some background: Mike Isabella was a contestant on Top Chef. Later he went on to open up Graffiato, an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC and later a Italian sandwich shop called G by Mike Isabella. He then expanded into Greek food with three Kapnos restaurants, and then into Spanish food with Arroz. He heads up a company called Mike Isabella Concepts, which also operates a French restaurant, a Mexican restaurant and the aforementioned food hall.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Something for every one?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the local pizza chain  with the catchy jingle that says it offers \"something for every one.\" The place is called [name] Pizza, and its current TV commercials show pictures of a burger and fries. Because, of course, if you want a burger and fries you\'d call a pizza delivery place, right?\r\n\r\n<strong>Jack of all trades, master (brander) of none</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you seek to please everyone by offering tons of choices, you end up pleasing no one.\r\n\r\nIn terms of branding and marketing, when you offer so many choices (and in Isabella\'s case, cuisines and restaurants) you are violating the first two of <em>The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding</em> by Al Ries and Laura Ries. The first law says that your brand loses its power when you expand your scope, and the second, which really is the inverse of the first, is that having more focus strengthens your brand.\r\n\r\nA strong brand is focused, a weak brand is not. It seems to me that Mike Isabella is expanding at the expense of his brand. And the pizza place? Well I don\'t think it would be anyone\'s first choice for pizza <em>or</em> for burgers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction. How well are you communicating it? If you need help with your branding, check out my new<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\" target=\"_blank\"> Brand Identity Kit. </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When your customers don\'t know who you are','','publish','open','open','','when-your-customers-dont-know-who-you-are','','','2018-02-13 13:30:59','2018-02-13 18:30:59','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3666',0,'post','',0),(3667,4,'2018-02-13 10:37:40','2018-02-13 15:37:40','This morning, I came across this article on EaterDC about the new Isabella Eatery food hall at Tyson\'s Galleria in McLean, Virginia:\r\n<a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/2018/2/12/17004800/isabella-eatery-good-news-bad-news\" target=\"_blank\">Gargantuan Isabella Eatery is Confusing Customers</a>\r\n\r\nAlthough some of the elements of the food hall get good reviews, customers don\'t know what to make of it. This is a classic example of offering so much so that your customers no longer know what you are.\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the local pizza chain  with the  catchy jingle: \"something for every one.\" The place is called [name] Pizza and the commercials on TV featuring the jingle show pictures of a burger and fries. Because, of course, if you want a burger and fries you\'d call a pizza delivery place, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIt is a \"violation\" of the Al Ries and Laura Ries\' 22 laws of branding.','When your customers don\'t know who you are','','inherit','open','open','','3666-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 10:37:40','2018-02-13 15:37:40','',3666,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3666-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3668,4,'2018-02-13 13:26:23','2018-02-13 18:26:23','This morning, I came across an article on <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EaterDC</a> about the new Isabella Eatery food hall at Tyson\'s Galleria in McLean, Virginia: <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/2018/2/12/17004800/isabella-eatery-good-news-bad-news\" target=\"_blank\">Gargantuan Isabella Eatery is Confusing Customers</a>.  It seems  that although some of the elements of the food hall get good reviews for quality and design, customers don\'t know what to make of  the whole thing.  It seems that Isabella Eatery is offering so much that its customers no longer know what Isabella stands for.  (Some background: Mike Isabella was a contestant on Top Chef. Later he went on to open up Graffiato, an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC and later a Italian sandwich shop called G by Mike Isabella. He then expanded into Greek food with three Kapnos restaurants, and then into Spanish food with Arroz. He heads up a company called Mike Isabella Concepts, which also operates a French restaurant, a Mexican restaurant and the aforementioned food hall.)\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the local pizza chain  with the  catchy jingle: \"something for every one.\" The place is called [name] Pizza, and its current TV commercials show pictures of a burger and fries. Because, of course, if you want a burger and fries you\'d call a pizza delivery place, right?\r\n\r\nWhen you seek to please everyone by offering tons of choices, you end up pleasing no one. Or as the famous saying goes, jack of all trades, master of none.\r\n\r\nIn terms of branding and marketing, when you offer so many choices (and in Isabella\'s case, cuisines and restaurants) you are violating the first two of <em>The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding</em> by Al Ries and Laura Ries. The first law says that your brand loses its power when you expand your scope, and the second, which really is the inverse of the first, is that having more focus strengthens your brand.\r\n\r\nA strong brand is focused, a weak brand is not. It seems to me that Mike Isabella is expanding at the expense of his brand. And the pizza place? Well I don\'t think it would be anyone\'s first choice for pizza <em>or</em> for burgers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction. How well are you communicating it? If you need help with your branding, check out my new<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\" target=\"_blank\"> Brand Identity Kit. </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When your customers don\'t know who you are','','inherit','open','open','','3666-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 13:26:23','2018-02-13 18:26:23','',3666,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3666-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3669,4,'2018-02-13 13:29:04','2018-02-13 18:29:04','This morning, I came across an article on <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EaterDC</a> about the new Isabella Eatery food hall at Tyson\'s Galleria in McLean, Virginia: <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/2018/2/12/17004800/isabella-eatery-good-news-bad-news\" target=\"_blank\">Gargantuan Isabella Eatery is Confusing Customers</a>.  It seems  that although some of the elements of the food hall get good reviews for quality and design, customers don\'t know what to make of  the whole thing.  It seems that Isabella Eatery is offering so much that its customers no longer know what Isabella stands for.  (Some background: Mike Isabella was a contestant on Top Chef. Later he went on to open up Graffiato, an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC and later a Italian sandwich shop called G by Mike Isabella. He then expanded into Greek food with three Kapnos restaurants, and then into Spanish food with Arroz. He heads up a company called Mike Isabella Concepts, which also operates a French restaurant, a Mexican restaurant and the aforementioned food hall.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Something for every one?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the local pizza chain  with the  catchy jingle: \"something for every one.\" The place is called [name] Pizza, and its current TV commercials show pictures of a burger and fries. Because, of course, if you want a burger and fries you\'d call a pizza delivery place, right?\r\n\r\n<strong>Jack of all trades, master brander of none</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you seek to please everyone by offering tons of choices, you end up pleasing no one.\r\n\r\nIn terms of branding and marketing, when you offer so many choices (and in Isabella\'s case, cuisines and restaurants) you are violating the first two of <em>The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding</em> by Al Ries and Laura Ries. The first law says that your brand loses its power when you expand your scope, and the second, which really is the inverse of the first, is that having more focus strengthens your brand.\r\n\r\nA strong brand is focused, a weak brand is not. It seems to me that Mike Isabella is expanding at the expense of his brand. And the pizza place? Well I don\'t think it would be anyone\'s first choice for pizza <em>or</em> for burgers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction. How well are you communicating it? If you need help with your branding, check out my new<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\" target=\"_blank\"> Brand Identity Kit. </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When your customers don\'t know who you are','','inherit','open','open','','3666-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 13:29:04','2018-02-13 18:29:04','',3666,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3666-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3670,4,'2018-02-13 13:30:59','2018-02-13 18:30:59','This morning, I came across an article on <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">EaterDC</a> about the new Isabella Eatery food hall at Tyson\'s Galleria in McLean, Virginia: <a href=\"https://dc.eater.com/2018/2/12/17004800/isabella-eatery-good-news-bad-news\" target=\"_blank\">Gargantuan Isabella Eatery is Confusing Customers</a>.  It seems  that although some of the elements of the food hall get good reviews for quality and design, customers don\'t know what to make of  the whole thing.  It seems that Isabella Eatery is offering so much that its customers no longer know what Isabella stands for.  (Some background: Mike Isabella was a contestant on Top Chef. Later he went on to open up Graffiato, an Italian restaurant in Washington, DC and later a Italian sandwich shop called G by Mike Isabella. He then expanded into Greek food with three Kapnos restaurants, and then into Spanish food with Arroz. He heads up a company called Mike Isabella Concepts, which also operates a French restaurant, a Mexican restaurant and the aforementioned food hall.)\r\n\r\n<strong>Something for every one?</strong>\r\n\r\nAnd then there\'s the local pizza chain  with the catchy jingle that says it offers \"something for every one.\" The place is called [name] Pizza, and its current TV commercials show pictures of a burger and fries. Because, of course, if you want a burger and fries you\'d call a pizza delivery place, right?\r\n\r\n<strong>Jack of all trades, master (brander) of none</strong>\r\n\r\nWhen you seek to please everyone by offering tons of choices, you end up pleasing no one.\r\n\r\nIn terms of branding and marketing, when you offer so many choices (and in Isabella\'s case, cuisines and restaurants) you are violating the first two of <em>The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding</em> by Al Ries and Laura Ries. The first law says that your brand loses its power when you expand your scope, and the second, which really is the inverse of the first, is that having more focus strengthens your brand.\r\n\r\nA strong brand is focused, a weak brand is not. It seems to me that Mike Isabella is expanding at the expense of his brand. And the pizza place? Well I don\'t think it would be anyone\'s first choice for pizza <em>or</em> for burgers.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYour brand is your mark of distinction. How well are you communicating it? If you need help with your branding, check out my new<a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\" target=\"_blank\"> Brand Identity Kit. </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','When your customers don\'t know who you are','','inherit','open','open','','3666-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 13:30:59','2018-02-13 18:30:59','',3666,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3666-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3672,4,'2018-02-15 09:53:11','2018-02-15 14:53:11','In case you\'ve missed a newsletter, just check this archive:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/51a8bb\" target=\"_blank\">February 2018</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/4dd82b\">November 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2017\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/391dca\" target=\"_blank\">September 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/45625a\" target=\"_blank\">June 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/75c3f9\" target=\"_blank\">April 2017</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/792b39\" target=\"_blank\">December 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a051e8\" target=\"_blank\">October 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"August 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/359a88\" target=\"_blank\">August 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d841f7\" target=\"_blank\">June 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2016 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/a50a67\" target=\"_blank\">March 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/d7ed27\" target=\"_blank\">January 2016</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/987fe6\" target=\"_blank\">November 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"September 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/2f17a6\" target=\"_blank\">September 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f0dc46\" target=\"_blank\">June 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/83c206\" target=\"_blank\">March 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2015 newsletter\" href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/594ec5\" target=\"_blank\">January 2015</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/p/9a6295?fe=1&amp;pact=26384901049\" target=\"_blank\">November 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/f95d35\" target=\"_blank\">September 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://madmimi.com/s/c3e405\" target=\"_blank\">July 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://mad.ly/3625c4\" target=\"_blank\">April 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"February newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/dc2584\" target=\"_blank\">February 2014</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"December 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/bb9454\" target=\"_blank\">December 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"October 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/f27424\" target=\"_blank\">October 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"July 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/eb30f3\" target=\"_blank\">July 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"May 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/9003c3\" target=\"_blank\">May 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"March 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/d82a93\" target=\"_blank\">March 2013</a>\r\n\r\n<a title=\"January 2013 newsletter\" href=\"http://mad.ly/a12873\" target=\"_blank\">January 2013</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Newsletters','','inherit','open','open','','2509-revision-v1','','','2018-02-15 09:53:11','2018-02-15 14:53:11','',2509,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/2509-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3675,4,'2018-02-22 10:39:05','2018-02-22 15:39:05','Are you a spy or a spying organization? If so, this post does not apply to you. You definitely want to keep secrets, and be known for your secrecy.\r\n\r\n<strong>Secretive is <em>not</em> a great attribute for non-spy organizations</strong>\r\n\r\nHowever, in general, most businesses should not aim to be known as secretive. And let\'s be clear, I am not talking about being known as an organization that keeps its customer information private and confidential. That\'s a good attribute. I am talking about organizations that don\'t tell you stuff you need to know, like how much things cost or whether pricing has changed. Or what the return/refund policy is. Or who to contact if something is wrong.\r\n\r\n<strong>Changing prices is not something you should be secretive about</strong>\r\n\r\nThere\'s a yoga studio I had been going to most of last year. I was taking a noon class (perfect for my schedule) known as \"value vinyasa\" because it cost $12 instead of the usual $20 (perfect for my budget). I missed a couple classes due to vacation, and when I went to check the schedule when I returned, I noticed that the noon class I had been taking is now known as \"vinyasa flow.\" In the pricing section of the studio\'s website there\'s no mention of the \"value\" classes. The studio sends a weekly newsletter and there was no mention of the change. The value classes had been very quietly (secretively) eliminated.  Does the studio owner think we won\'t notice?\r\n\r\nThere\'s a hiking group I belong to on Meetup.com. The group had been charging $2 for each hike as a way to ensure attendance (people tend to show up for something they\'ve paid for), and to cover the costs of running the group. Without any announcement, the group began charging $5 per hike. There was a lot of questions and outrage posted by  members on the Meetup\'s discussion boards. There was an answer saying that this hiking group is really a nonprofit that now supports various causes, and that the fees were going to be used to raise money for said causes. That was the end of the discussion, and the discussion boards were disabled. The group leader could have easily sent a note to all the members explaining the price hike and the reason for it, but chose to be secretive and not forthcoming. She also chose to shut down discussion, to tamp down discontent with the sudden, unexplained policy change. This is not a good luck for this group, and I have noticed that where hikes used to get filled up really quickly, there are now several spots open.\r\n\r\n<strong>Being secretive, and imposing changes without notification, could backfire.</strong>\r\n\r\nIf your organization is planning to make a change that will affect  your customer\'s interaction with you, you must make sure to announce it. Being secretive may seem like a good way to avoid customer discontent, but it actually increases it. Being secretive communicates to your customer that you are hiding something, or not being upfront, or just don\'t care to keep your customer up to date.\r\n\r\nIn my case, I have stopped going to that yoga studio because I want to pay less than $20 per class, and because I think the studio is not well run. I usually don\'t do hikes until the weather is warmer, but I think I will look for other hiking groups that are more upfront about their policies.\r\n\r\nBeing secretive can cost you customers. Most people value transparency and honesty. If you are being secretive, you are not being transparent or honest. You are hiding something or perhaps you are just being thoughtless in not letting your customers know your policies, costs, etc.\r\n\r\n<strong>Here\'s the bottom line: when you are being secretive, you are not communicating.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Secretive is a good brand attribute for a spy','','publish','open','open','','secretive-is-a-good-brand-attribute-for-a-spy','','','2018-02-22 10:39:05','2018-02-22 15:39:05','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3675',0,'post','',0),(3697,4,'2018-03-28 10:17:48','2018-03-28 14:17:48','Do you always start your day with a extra-big mugful of coffee like I do? If so, you\'ll appreciate just how terrible it is to start your day with a bad cup of coffee. A cup of coffee that lacks the delicious aroma of perfectly roasted coffee beans. A cup of coffee that just tastes awful.\r\n\r\nA bad cup of coffee just gets your day off to a bad start, and for that I blame myself. You see, I had just finished a package of coffee and needed a replacement ASAP (it is a DEFCON 5 situation around here if there is no coffee).  Normally, I buy my coffee at  Trader Joe\'s but I had forgotten to do so during my weekly shopping trip.  And so I found myself shopping in a gourmet store for something else, and thought I would pick up  a brand of coffee that I enjoy (and for which I am willing to pay a little extra).  Apparently, this store no longer carries that brand. They did have another brand that I have tried in the past, but I didn\'t feel like paying the gourmet store price for it.\r\n\r\nSo I made a very big mistake:  I grabbed a bag of coffee simply because it was cheap. It was not a brand I knew or recognized or had even seen before, but I figured a bag of medium roast Costa Rican coffee from a gourmet store can\'t be all that bad. Well, I figured wrong. It was the worst coffee I have ever bought in my life. It tasted horrible. It had no coffee aroma. It was so bad I actually threw what was left out.\r\n\r\nThen I hustled over to Trader Joe\'s and bought my go-to coffee. Now, my mornings are back to normal.\r\n\r\nA bad cup of coffee taught me never to buy an unknown brand. And it\'s really not about the cost.  You can get very good yet cheap  store-brand coffee like I do at  Trader Joe\'s or at stores like Target,<em> where you trust the brand</em>.\r\n\r\nBrands are quite literally markers that serve to identify. They let you separate one product from all the others like it.  Once you\'ve experienced a brand, you can then look for it if you liked it or avoid it if you didn\'t.  <em>Brands provide a shortcut</em> that consumers can use to know what to buy quickly and without much research.\r\n\r\nRemember this the next time you are out of coffee: Unless it\'s a brand you know already, buying just anything based on price alone will get your morning started on the wrong foot.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know what your brand stands for? Are you communicating it well enough? If not, perhaps you should invest in my new <a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">Brand Identity Kit</a>. Check it out!','What a bad cup of coffee can teach you','','publish','open','open','','what-a-bad-cup-of-coffee-can-teach-you','','','2018-03-28 10:17:48','2018-03-28 14:17:48','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3697',0,'post','',0),(3678,4,'2018-02-27 11:22:02','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Hispanic marketing is not just having materials in Spanish','','draft','open','open','','','','','2018-02-27 11:22:02','2018-02-27 16:22:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3678',0,'post','',0),(3679,4,'2018-02-27 12:19:35','2018-02-27 17:19:35','A few weeks ago I shared with you a <a title=\"What’s a comma worth?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/whats-a-comma-worth/\" target=\"_blank\">picture of a postcard</a> that advertised a townhouse for sale at more than $51 million. It was an error that would have been caught by a copy editor but likely not by a proofreader. That\'s because a proofreader seeks and corrects mistakes such as typos, misspellings, extra words, repeated words, and other errors. A proofreader does not look at the content, and rarely queries the accuracy of amounts. A copy editor, on the other hand, goes beyond checking for mistakes, and also verifies that sentences are clear and accurate (e.g., the correct address, the right day of the week, the correct amount, etc.).\r\n\r\nSadly, there are many examples of printed materials that needed a copy editor, or at the very least, a proofreader, to check them, and did not get either. My goal is to find these examples and share them with you.\r\n\r\nToday, I was looking at the back of a Sunsweet Prunes package:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3681\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20180227_114313\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you spot the mistake? Here\'s a hint: it\'s subject-verb agreement.\r\n\r\nA grammatically correct sentence would read:\r\n\r\nWe believe making good food choices<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> is</span></strong> critical to treating your body right and living life to its fullest.\r\n\r\nSubject-verb (dis)agreement is a very common mistake. The subject should always match the verb, that is, a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Lots of people have problems identifying the subject. In this case, the writer is not correctly identifying the subject, <em>and</em> is thrown off because he/she sees that a plural word (\"choices\") goes right before the verb.  In this sentence, the plural \"choices\" is not the subject, rather the singular <em>phrase</em> \"making good food choices\" is the subject.\r\n\r\nI am a bit shocked that a large international company would make this type of mistake in its packaging. Perhaps it should hire a copy editor!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you need a copy editor (a new series)','','publish','open','open','','why-you-need-a-copy-editor-a-new-series','','','2018-02-27 12:19:35','2018-02-27 17:19:35','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3679',0,'post','',0),(3692,4,'2018-03-13 13:48:24','2018-03-13 17:48:24','Last week, I had an urgent need to get my roof repaired. We\'d had a severe windstorm in the Washington area that blew off several shingles off my roof, and rain was in the forecast. In order to prevent further damage, I knew I had to get someone to fix this right away.\r\n\r\nFirst, I contacted several friends to ask for their recommendations. This way, I got three names. Then, I went on Consumer Checkbook to check ratings and get more names. I wrote down a few names, and noticed that a couple of the names my friends had provided were on the Checkbook site, and had good ratings. First thing on Monday (I noticed the damage over the weekend), I called all the names I gathered. This is how it went:\r\n\r\n1. Call to roofer listed as good value/good quality in Consumer Checkbook. I spoke to an office person, who added me to a list, with no guarantee or timeline for when I would get someone to fix it. She told me that there were several other calls ahead of me, so she could not tell me when someone would be available, but she did provide me with pricing.\r\n\r\n2. Call to another qualified roofer listed in Consumer Checkbook.  I left a detailed message, which was never answered.\r\n\r\n3. Call to roofer (who was highly rated in Consumer Checkbook), referred to by a close friend. There was no answer and the voice mailbox was full, so I had no way to contact this contractor or leave a message.\r\n\r\n4. Call to roofer referred to by my neighbor who recently had her roof replaced. When I called, I got a message saying that they were overwhelmed with calls, to either leave a message or send an email. I sent an email, to which I received an answer more than a week later, explaining pricing, etc.\r\n\r\n5. Call to handyman referred by a friend. He referred me to a contractor friend of his, a jack of many trades, who answered immediately. This contractor offered to come by to give me an estimate, and then was able to complete the repair the same day.\r\n\r\nNow, this was an unusual situation. Many, many people had damage to their roofs from a strong and unusually long-lasting windstorm. Roofers were slammed.  Yet, their responses showed a lot about how their businesses are run and how they deal with customers.\r\n\r\nI am sure I will have a need for a roofer in the future. Based on my interactions here, I would contact the first and the fourth roofers because they were responsive and I got the sense of professionalism. As to the contractor who actually fixed my roof, I know I have found someone who is punctual and reliable, but he is not primarily a roofer and I would not ask him to do more than repair shingles.\r\n\r\nNot being responsive and not even having a mechanism to leave messages is the sign of a business that is overwhelmed and incapable of dealing with emergencies and not very professional and customer-centric. It\'s better to get a late reply than no reply at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>No response leads to no business.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat can a small, one-person business do to be more responsive? There are several options.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a website that explains how you respond in emergencies, and which also provides a phone number, email, and contact form to get in touch (in other words, many ways to get in touch).</li>\r\n	<li>Have an online booking system. There are several paid and non paid options out there that allow your customers to book time with you, either for a consultation or a full-fledged appointment.</li>\r\n	<li>Consider having an answering service, virtual assistant, or in-house administrative person so that customers can talk to a person in real time.</li>\r\n	<li>Make time to answer every email, contact request or phone call that you receive, even if it is to say we can\'t help you at this time.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nNo amount of marketing or beautiful website design is going to overcome a lack of responsiveness. If you want business, you have to respond to inquiries. If you don\'t respond, you will not get that business now or in the future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','No response = no business','','inherit','open','open','','3691-revision-v1','','','2018-03-13 13:48:24','2018-03-13 17:48:24','',3691,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/03/3691-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3681,4,'2018-02-27 11:56:35','2018-02-27 16:56:35','','20180227_114313','','inherit','open','open','','20180227_114313','','','2018-02-27 11:56:35','2018-02-27 16:56:35','',3679,'http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3682,4,'2018-02-27 12:08:25','2018-02-27 17:08:25','A few weeks ago I shared with you a <a title=\"What’s a comma worth?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/whats-a-comma-worth/\">picture of a postcard</a> that advertised a townhouse for sale at more than $5 million. It was an error that would have been caught by a copy editor but likely not by a proofreader. That\'s because a proofreader seeks and corrects mistakes such as typos, misspellings, extra words, repeated words, and other errors. A proofreader does not look at the content, and rarely queries amounts. A copy editor, on the other hand, goes beyond checking for mistakes, and also verifies that sentences are clear and accurate (e.g., the correct address, the right day of the week, the correct amount, etc.).\r\n\r\nSadly, there are many examples of printed materials that needed a copy editor, or at the very least, a proofreader to check them, and did not get either. My goal is to find these examples and share them with you.\r\n\r\nToday, I was looking at the back of a Sunsweet Prunes package:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3681\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20180227_114313\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you spot the mistake? Here\'s a hint: it\'s subject-verb agreement.\r\n\r\nA grammatically correct sentence would read:\r\n\r\nWe believe making good food choices<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> <em>is</em></span> critical to treating your body right and living life to its fullest.\r\n\r\nSubject-verb (dis)agreement is a very common mistake. The subject should always match the verb, that is, a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Lots of people have problems identifying what the subject is, and further, they are thrown off  when they see a plural (\"food choices\") that goes right before the verb.  In this sentence, the plural \"food choices\" is not the subject, rather the singular \"making good food choices\" is the subject.\r\n\r\nI am truly astounded that a large company would make this type of mistake in their packaging. Someone should hire a copy editor over there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you need a copy editor (a new series)','','inherit','open','open','','3679-revision-v1','','','2018-02-27 12:08:25','2018-02-27 17:08:25','',3679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3683,4,'2018-02-27 12:10:07','2018-02-27 17:10:07','A few weeks ago I shared with you a <a title=\"What’s a comma worth?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/whats-a-comma-worth/\" target=\"_blank\">picture of a postcard</a> that advertised a townhouse for sale at more than $51 million. It was an error that would have been caught by a copy editor but likely not by a proofreader. That\'s because a proofreader seeks and corrects mistakes such as typos, misspellings, extra words, repeated words, and other errors. A proofreader does not look at the content, and rarely queries the accuracy of amounts. A copy editor, on the other hand, goes beyond checking for mistakes, and also verifies that sentences are clear and accurate (e.g., the correct address, the right day of the week, the correct amount, etc.).\r\n\r\nSadly, there are many examples of printed materials that needed a copy editor, or at the very least, a proofreader to check them, and did not get either. My goal is to find these examples and share them with you.\r\n\r\nToday, I was looking at the back of a Sunsweet Prunes package:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3681\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20180227_114313\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you spot the mistake? Here\'s a hint: it\'s subject-verb agreement.\r\n\r\nA grammatically correct sentence would read:\r\n\r\nWe believe making good food choices<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> <em>is</em></span> critical to treating your body right and living life to its fullest.\r\n\r\nSubject-verb (dis)agreement is a very common mistake. The subject should always match the verb, that is, a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Lots of people have problems identifying what the subject is, and further, they are thrown off  when they see a plural (\"food choices\") that goes right before the verb.  In this sentence, the plural \"food choices\" is not the subject, rather the singular \"making good food choices\" is the subject.\r\n\r\nI am truly astounded that a large company would make this type of mistake in their packaging. Someone should hire a copy editor over there!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you need a copy editor (a new series)','','inherit','open','open','','3679-revision-v1','','','2018-02-27 12:10:07','2018-02-27 17:10:07','',3679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3684,4,'2018-02-27 12:18:10','2018-02-27 17:18:10','A few weeks ago I shared with you a <a title=\"What’s a comma worth?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/whats-a-comma-worth/\" target=\"_blank\">picture of a postcard</a> that advertised a townhouse for sale at more than $51 million. It was an error that would have been caught by a copy editor but likely not by a proofreader. That\'s because a proofreader seeks and corrects mistakes such as typos, misspellings, extra words, repeated words, and other errors. A proofreader does not look at the content, and rarely queries the accuracy of amounts. A copy editor, on the other hand, goes beyond checking for mistakes, and also verifies that sentences are clear and accurate (e.g., the correct address, the right day of the week, the correct amount, etc.).\r\n\r\nSadly, there are many examples of printed materials that needed a copy editor, or at the very least, a proofreader, to check them, and did not get either. My goal is to find these examples and share them with you.\r\n\r\nToday, I was looking at the back of a Sunsweet Prunes package:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3681\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20180227_114313\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you spot the mistake? Here\'s a hint: it\'s subject-verb agreement.\r\n\r\nA grammatically correct sentence would read:\r\n\r\nWe believe making good food choices<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> <em>is</em></span> critical to treating your body right and living life to its fullest.\r\n\r\nSubject-verb (dis)agreement is a very common mistake. The subject should always match the verb, that is, a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Lots of people have problems identifying the subject. In this case, the writer is not correctly identifying the subject, <em>and</em> is thrown off because he/she sees that a plural word (\"choices\") goes right before the verb.  In this sentence, the plural \"choices\" is not the subject, rather the singular <em>phrase</em> \"making good food choices\" is the subject.\r\n\r\nI am truly astounded that a large company would make this type of mistake in its packaging. Perhaps it should hire a copy editor!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you need a copy editor (a new series)','','inherit','open','open','','3679-revision-v1','','','2018-02-27 12:18:10','2018-02-27 17:18:10','',3679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3685,4,'2018-02-27 12:19:35','2018-02-27 17:19:35','A few weeks ago I shared with you a <a title=\"What’s a comma worth?\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/2017/12/whats-a-comma-worth/\" target=\"_blank\">picture of a postcard</a> that advertised a townhouse for sale at more than $51 million. It was an error that would have been caught by a copy editor but likely not by a proofreader. That\'s because a proofreader seeks and corrects mistakes such as typos, misspellings, extra words, repeated words, and other errors. A proofreader does not look at the content, and rarely queries the accuracy of amounts. A copy editor, on the other hand, goes beyond checking for mistakes, and also verifies that sentences are clear and accurate (e.g., the correct address, the right day of the week, the correct amount, etc.).\r\n\r\nSadly, there are many examples of printed materials that needed a copy editor, or at the very least, a proofreader, to check them, and did not get either. My goal is to find these examples and share them with you.\r\n\r\nToday, I was looking at the back of a Sunsweet Prunes package:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3681\" src=\"http://deborahbrody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180227_114313-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"20180227_114313\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nCan you spot the mistake? Here\'s a hint: it\'s subject-verb agreement.\r\n\r\nA grammatically correct sentence would read:\r\n\r\nWe believe making good food choices<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> is</span></strong> critical to treating your body right and living life to its fullest.\r\n\r\nSubject-verb (dis)agreement is a very common mistake. The subject should always match the verb, that is, a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Lots of people have problems identifying the subject. In this case, the writer is not correctly identifying the subject, <em>and</em> is thrown off because he/she sees that a plural word (\"choices\") goes right before the verb.  In this sentence, the plural \"choices\" is not the subject, rather the singular <em>phrase</em> \"making good food choices\" is the subject.\r\n\r\nI am a bit shocked that a large international company would make this type of mistake in its packaging. Perhaps it should hire a copy editor!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Why you need a copy editor (a new series)','','inherit','open','open','','3679-revision-v1','','','2018-02-27 12:19:35','2018-02-27 17:19:35','',3679,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/02/3679-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3691,4,'2018-03-13 13:49:02','2018-03-13 17:49:02','Last week, I had an urgent need to get my roof repaired. We\'d had a severe windstorm in the Washington area that blew off several shingles off my roof, and rain was in the forecast. In order to prevent further damage, I knew I had to get someone to fix this right away.\r\n\r\nFirst, I contacted several friends to ask for their recommendations. This way, I got three names. Then, I went on Consumer Checkbook to check ratings and get more names. I wrote down a few names, and noticed that a couple of the names my friends had provided were on the Checkbook site, and had good ratings. First thing on Monday (I noticed the damage over the weekend), I called all the names I gathered. This is how it went:\r\n\r\n1. Call to roofer listed as good value/good quality in Consumer Checkbook. I spoke to an office person, who added me to a list, with no guarantee or timeline for when I would get someone to fix it. She told me that there were several other calls ahead of me, so she could not tell me when someone would be available, but she did provide me with pricing.\r\n\r\n2. Call to another qualified roofer listed in Consumer Checkbook.  I left a detailed message, which was never answered.\r\n\r\n3. Call to roofer (who was highly rated in Consumer Checkbook), referred to by a close friend. There was no answer and the voice mailbox was full, so I had no way to contact this contractor or leave a message.\r\n\r\n4. Call to roofer referred to by my neighbor who recently had her roof replaced. When I called, I got a message saying that they were overwhelmed with calls, to either leave a message or send an email. I sent an email, to which I received an answer more than a week later, explaining pricing, etc.\r\n\r\n5. Call to handyman referred by a friend. He referred me to a contractor friend of his, a jack of many trades, who answered immediately. This contractor offered to come by to give me an estimate, and then was able to complete the repair the same day.\r\n\r\nNow, this was an unusual situation. Many, many people had damage to their roofs from a strong and unusually long-lasting windstorm. Roofers were slammed.  Yet, their responses showed a lot about how their businesses are run and how they deal with customers.\r\n\r\nI am sure I will have a need for a roofer in the future. Based on my interactions here, I would contact the first and the fourth roofers because they were responsive and I got the sense of professionalism. As to the contractor who actually fixed my roof, I know I have found someone who is punctual and reliable, but he is not primarily a roofer and I would not ask him to do more than repair shingles.\r\n\r\nNot being responsive and not even having a mechanism to leave messages is the sign of a business that is overwhelmed and incapable of dealing with emergencies and not very professional and customer-centric. It\'s better to get a late reply than no reply at all.\r\n\r\n<strong>No response leads to no business.</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat can a small, one-person business do to be more responsive? There are several options.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Have a website that explains how you respond in emergencies, and which also provides a phone number, email, and contact form to get in touch (in other words, many ways to get in touch).</li>\r\n	<li>Have an online booking system. There are several paid and non paid options out there that allow your customers to book time with you, either for a consultation or a full-fledged appointment.</li>\r\n	<li>Consider having an answering service, virtual assistant, or in-house administrative person so that customers can talk to a person in real time.</li>\r\n	<li>Make time to answer every email, contact request or phone call that you receive, even if it is to say we can\'t help you at this time.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nNo amount of marketing or beautiful website design is going to overcome a lack of responsiveness. If you want business, you have to respond to inquiries. If you don\'t respond, you will not get that business now or in the future.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','No response = no business','','publish','open','open','','no-response-no-business','','','2018-03-13 13:49:02','2018-03-13 17:49:02','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3691',0,'post','',0),(3694,4,'2018-03-21 15:55:28','2018-03-21 19:55:28','So many times, people think that by using big words, they sound smarter. After all, people might need to go get a dictionary to look those words up.  Yet, people who do this, often think they know exactly what a word means, when they don\'t. Take for example Chris Cillizza, a political commentator for CNN. Last night, on the Don Lemon show, Cillizza was discussing some of the latest news regarding Donald Trump and adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Cillizza thought that the salacious details wouldn\'t matter much to Trump supporters, because, as he put it, \"Trump has never been a model of <em>moral turpitude</em>.\" Nobody corrected him even though what he said was actually the exact opposite of what he meant.\r\n\r\nCillizza was back on the air this morning, talking about the same subject, and repeated the phrase he had used last night, that Trump isn\'t a model of moral turpitude. This time, one of the other panelists questioned the word, but couldn\'t quite find the correct word to use instead.\r\n\r\nWhat Cillizza meant to say is that Trump is not a model of <em>moral rectitude</em>.\r\n\r\nRectitude means righteousness, while turpitude means depravity. They sound similar, and that\'s what tripped Cillizza up. Sadly, nobody else seems to have understood that Cillizza was contradicting himself by using a big word that he clearly did not know.\r\n\r\nNobody can go back and correct the spoken word. However, you can and should fix written work. You can avoid sounding stupid just by getting someone to copy edit your work, and check that the big words you are using are being used correctly.\r\n\r\nP.S. I did tweet Chris Cilizza the correction. I don\'t know if he read it, or whether he cared.','If you want to sound smart, don\'t use big words','','publish','open','open','','if-you-want-to-sound-smart-dont-use-big-words','','','2018-03-21 15:55:28','2018-03-21 19:55:28','',0,'http://deborahbrody.com/?p=3694',0,'post','',0),(3695,4,'2018-03-21 15:55:28','2018-03-21 19:55:28','So many times, people think that by using big words, they sound smarter. After all, people might need to go get a dictionary to look those words up.  Yet, people who do this, often think they know exactly what a word means, when they don\'t. Take for example Chris Cillizza, a political commentator for CNN. Last night, on the Don Lemon show, Cillizza was discussing some of the latest news regarding Donald Trump and adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Cillizza thought that the salacious details wouldn\'t matter much to Trump supporters, because, as he put it, \"Trump has never been a model of <em>moral turpitude</em>.\" Nobody corrected him even though what he said was actually the exact opposite of what he meant.\r\n\r\nCillizza was back on the air this morning, talking about the same subject, and repeated the phrase he had used last night, that Trump isn\'t a model of moral turpitude. This time, one of the other panelists questioned the word, but couldn\'t quite find the correct word to use instead.\r\n\r\nWhat Cillizza meant to say is that Trump is not a model of <em>moral rectitude</em>.\r\n\r\nRectitude means righteousness, while turpitude means depravity. They sound similar, and that\'s what tripped Cillizza up. Sadly, nobody else seems to have understood that Cillizza was contradicting himself by using a big word that he clearly did not know.\r\n\r\nNobody can go back and correct the spoken word. However, you can and should fix written work. You can avoid sounding stupid just by getting someone to copy edit your work, and check that the big words you are using are being used correctly.\r\n\r\nP.S. I did tweet Chris Cilizza the correction. I don\'t know if he read it, or whether he cared.','If you want to sound smart, don\'t use big words','','inherit','open','open','','3694-revision-v1','','','2018-03-21 15:55:28','2018-03-21 19:55:28','',3694,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/03/3694-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3698,4,'2018-03-28 10:17:04','2018-03-28 14:17:04','Do you always start your day with a extra-big mugful of coffee like I do? If so, you\'ll appreciate just how terrible it is to start your day with a bad cup of coffee. A cup of coffee that lacks the delicious aroma of perfectly roasted coffee beans. A cup of coffee that just tastes awful.\r\n\r\nA bad cup of coffee just gets your day off to a bad start, and for that I blame myself. You see, I had just finished a package of coffee and needed a replacement ASAP (it is a DEFCON 5 situation around here if there is no coffee).  Normally, I buy my coffee at  Trader Joe\'s but I had forgotten to do so during my weekly shopping trip.  And so I found myself shopping in a gourmet store for something else, and thought I would pick up  a brand of coffee that I enjoy (and for which I am willing to pay a little extra).  Apparently, this store no longer carries that brand. They did have another brand that I have tried in the past, but I didn\'t feel like paying the gourmet store price for it.\r\n\r\nSo I made a very big mistake:  I grabbed a bag of coffee simply because it was cheap. It was not a brand I knew or recognized or had even seen before, but I figured a bag of medium roast Costa Rican coffee from a gourmet store can\'t be all that bad. Well, I figured wrong. It was the worst coffee I have ever bought in my life. It tasted horrible. It had no coffee aroma. It was so bad I actually threw what was left out.\r\n\r\nThen I hustled over to Trader Joe\'s and bought my go-to coffee. Now, my mornings are back to normal.\r\n\r\nA bad cup of coffee taught me never to buy an unknown brand. And it\'s really not about the cost.  You can get very good yet cheap  store-brand coffee like I do at  Trader Joe\'s or at stores like Target,<em> where you trust the brand</em>.\r\n\r\nBrands are quite literally markers that serve to identify. They let you separate one product from all the others like it.  Once you\'ve experienced a brand, you can then look for it if you liked it or avoid it if you didn\'t.  <em>Brands provide a shortcut</em> that consumers can use to know what to buy quickly and without much research.\r\n\r\nRemember this the next time you are out of coffee: Unless it\'s a brand you know already, buying just anything based on price alone will get your morning started on the wrong foot.\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDo you know what your brand stands for? Are you communicating it well enough? If not, perhaps you should invest in my new <a title=\"Brand Identity Kit\" href=\"http://deborahbrody.com/services/brand-identity-kit/\">Brand Identity Kit</a>. Check it out!','What a bad cup of coffee can teach you','','inherit','open','open','','3697-revision-v1','','','2018-03-28 10:17:04','2018-03-28 14:17:04','',3697,'http://deborahbrody.com/2018/03/3697-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(3704,5,'2018-04-26 09:05:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Auto Draft','','auto-draft','open','open','','','','','2018-04-26 09:05:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'https://deborahbrody.com/?p=3704',0,'post','',0);
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INSERT INTO `wp_yop_poll_templates` VALUES (1,4,'White','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE%</div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n	background:#fff;\r\n	padding:10px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#555; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#555; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n	if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','default','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(2,4,'Grey','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#eee;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#000;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#000; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#000; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(3,4,'Dark','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n	background:#555;\r\n	padding:10px;\r\n    color:#fff;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#333333; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(4,4,'Blue v1','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#327BD6;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#fff;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(5,4,'Blue v2','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:0px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n	background:#327BD6;\r\n	color:#fff;\r\n	padding:5px;\r\n        text-align:center;\r\n        font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#327BD6; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#327BD6; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(6,4,'Blue v3','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n    border:5px solid #327BD6;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px;  }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#327BD6; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#327BD6; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(7,4,'Red v1','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#B70004;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#fff;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(8,4,'Red v2','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:0px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n	background:#B70004;\r\n	color:#fff;\r\n	padding:5px;\r\n        text-align:center;\r\n        font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#B70004; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#B70004; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(9,4,'Red v3','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n    border:5px solid #B70004;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#B70004; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#B70004; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(10,4,'Green v1','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#3F8B43;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#fff;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:00FF00;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(11,4,'Green v2','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:0px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n	background:#3F8B43;\r\n	color:#fff;\r\n	padding:5px;\r\n        text-align:center;\r\n        font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#3F8B43; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#3F8B43; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(12,4,'Green v3','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n    border:5px solid #3F8B43;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#3F8B43; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#3F8B43; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(13,4,'Orange v1','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#FB6911;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#fff;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(14,4,'Orange v2','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:0px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n	background:#FB6911;\r\n	color:#fff;\r\n	padding:5px;\r\n        text-align:center;\r\n        font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#FB6911; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#FB6911; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18'),(15,4,'Orange v3','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%\r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		[OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-CHECK-INPUT% \r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-LABEL% \r\n			<span class=\"yop-poll-results-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n			%POLL-OTHER-ANSWER-TEXT-INPUT% \r\n            %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n        </li>\r\n        [/OTHER_ANSWER_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li>%POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-LABEL% %POLL-CUSTOM-FIELD-TEXT-INPUT%</li>\r\n		[/CUSTOM_FIELD_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>    \r\n[CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-captcha-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n        %CAPTCHA-IMAGE%\r\n        <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID%\">%RELOAD-CAPTCHA-IMAGE% </div>\r\n        <div class=\"yop_poll_clear\"></div>\r\n    </div>\r\n    %CAPTCHA-LABEL%\r\n    <div class=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div\" id=\"yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID%\">%CAPTCHA-INPUT%</div>\r\n</div>\r\n[/CAPTCHA_CONTAINER]\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-VIEW-RESULT-LINK%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n</div>','<div id=\"yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-name\">%POLL-NAME%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per-%POLL-ID%\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<div>\r\n             %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n           </div>\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-footer\">\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-ANSWERS%</div>\r\n	<div>%POLL-TOTAL-VOTES%</div>\r\n	<div id=\"yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID%\">%POLL-BACK-TO-VOTE-LINK%</div>\r\n</div>','This poll is about to <br>\r\nstart at %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nand finish at %POLL-END-DATE%<br>','This poll is closed!\r\nPoll activity: <br>\r\nstart_date %POLL-START-DATE%<br>\r\nend_date %POLL-END-DATE%<br>\r\n\r\nPoll Results:\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID%\" class=\"yop-poll-question\">%POLL-QUESTION%</div>\r\n<div id=\"yop-poll-answers-1\" class=\"yop-poll-answers\">\r\n	<ul>\r\n		[ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n		<li class=\"yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\">\r\n			<label class=\"pds-feedback-label\">\r\n				<span class=\"pds-answer-text\">%POLL-ANSWER-LABEL%</span>\r\n				<span class=\"pds-feedback-result\">\r\n					<span class=\"pds-feedback-per\"> %POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-LABEL%</span>\r\n				</span>\r\n			</label>\r\n			<span class=\"pds-clear\" style=\"display: block;clear: both;height:1px;line-height:1px;\"> </span>\r\n	%POLL-ANSWER-RESULT-BAR%\r\n		</li>\r\n		[/ANSWER_RESULT_CONTAINER]\r\n	</ul>\r\n</div>\r\n%POLL-VOTE-BUTTON%','#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    width:%POLL-WIDTH%;\r\n    background:#fff;\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    color:#555;\r\n    overflow:hidden;\r\n    font-size:12px;\r\n    border:5px solid #FB6911;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-name-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	font-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-question-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n	margin:5px 0px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	font-style:normal;\r\n	margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;\r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li input { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-answers-%POLL-ID% ul li label { \r\n	margin:0px; \r\n	font-style:normal; \r\n	font-weight:normal; \r\n	font-size:12px; \r\n	float:none;\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    font-size: 12px;\r\n    font-style: italic;\r\n    font-weight: normal;\r\n    margin-left: 15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% {  }\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul {\r\n    list-style: none outside none;\r\n    margin: 0;\r\n    padding: 0;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-custom-%POLL-ID% ul li { \r\n	padding:0px;\r\n	margin:0px;	\r\n	font-size:14px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% input[type=\'text\'] { margin:0px 0px 5px 0px; padding:2%; width:96%; text-indent:2%; font-size:12px; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-input-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-top:5px;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nwidth:30px;\r\nfloat:left;\r\nmargin-left:5px;\r\nheight:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-helpers-div-%POLL-ID% img {\r\nmargin-bottom:2px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-captcha-image-div-%POLL-ID% {\r\nmargin-bottom:5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop_poll_captcha_image_%POLL-ID% {\r\nfloat:left;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.yop_poll_clear {\r\nclear:both;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% {\r\n\r\n}\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% { background:#f5f5f5; height:10px;  }\r\n.yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div { background:#555; height:10px; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% button { float:left; }\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% {\r\n    float: right;\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    margin-top: -20px;\r\n    width: auto;\r\n}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-results-%POLL-ID% a { color:#FB6911; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div#yop-poll-back-%POLL-ID% a { color:#FB6911; text-decoration:underline; font-size:12px;}\r\n#yop-poll-vote-%POLL-ID% div { float:left; width:100%; }\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-error-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:red;\r\n	text-transform:lowercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#yop-poll-container-success-%POLL-ID% {\r\n	font-size:12px;\r\n	font-style:italic;\r\n	color:green;\r\n}','function stripBorder_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() {\r\n			if( parseInt(jQuery(this).width() ) > 0) {\r\n				jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\")) );\r\n			}\r\n			else {\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-left-width\", \'0px\');\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\"border-right-width\", \'0px\');\r\n			}\r\n	});\r\n}\r\nfunction stripPadding_%POLL-ID%(object) {\r\n	object.each(function() { \r\n			jQuery(this).width( parseInt( jQuery(this).width() ) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) - parseInt(jQuery(this).css(\"padding-left\")) );\r\n	});\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction strip_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n        stripPadding_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop_poll_li_result-%POLL-ID%\") );   \r\n	stripBorder_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-result-bar-%POLL-ID%\"));\r\n}\r\n\r\njQuery(document).ready(function(e) {\r\n                if(typeof window.strip_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			strip_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n    \r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n		if(typeof window.tabulate_results_%POLL-ID% == \'function\') \r\n			tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%();\r\n		\r\n});\r\n\r\nfunction equalWidth_%POLL-ID%(obj, cols, findWidest ) {\r\n findWidest  = typeof findWidest  !== \'undefined\' ? findWidest  : false;\r\n    if ( findWidest ) {\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				width = parseInt(thisWidth / cols); \r\n				jQuery(this).width(width);	\r\n				jQuery(this).css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n		});\r\n	}\r\n	else {\r\n		var widest = 0;\r\n		obj.each(function() {\r\n				var thisWidth = jQuery(this).width();\r\n				if(thisWidth > widest) {\r\n					widest = thisWidth; \r\n				}	\r\n		});\r\n		width = parseInt( widest / cols); \r\n		obj.width(width);	\r\n		obj.css(\'float\', \'left\');	\r\n	}	\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_answers_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID%\"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-answer-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %ANSWERS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n\r\nfunction tabulate_results_%POLL-ID%() {\r\n	equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID%\"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS% );\r\n        //equalWidth_%POLL-ID%( jQuery(\"#yop-poll-container-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-li-result-%POLL-ID% .yop-poll-results-bar-%POLL-ID% div \"), %RESULTS-TABULATED-COLS%, true );\r\n}\r\n			jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n				runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%();\r\n				});\r\n\r\n			function runOnPollStateChange_%POLL-ID%() {};','other','2013-10-14 11:53:18','2013-10-14 11:53:18');
/*!40000 ALTER TABLE `wp_yop_poll_templates` ENABLE KEYS */;
UNLOCK TABLES;

--
-- Table structure for table `wp_yop_poll_voters`
--

/*!40101 SET @saved_cs_client     = @@character_set_client */;
/*!40101 SET character_set_client = utf8 */;
CREATE TABLE `wp_yop_poll_voters` (
  `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `poll_id` int(11) NOT NULL,
  `user_id` int(11) NOT NULL,
  `user_type` enum('facebook','wordpress','anonymous','default') NOT NULL DEFAULT 'default',
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
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