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Parodies offer great small business marketing insights
Pat Kelly presented at the annual This is That Talks in Whistler, B.C. this April.  It’s an obvious spoof on TED Talks (lasting 4 minutes instead of eighteen). What’s most interesting about this lampoon is, while he says, well, not much of import, he’s a captivating speaker. Yes, Kelly is presenting satire, yet the techniques…
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Is bigger, faster, higher better?
One of the things that really struck me as I’ve been watching some of the women’s gymnastics competitions during this Olympics is how grace is mostly gone. I suppose the same could be said about many small business marketing tactics. The female Olympians compete with a primary emphasis on brawn. Floor routines are all about…
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Networking for introverts and novices
Whether you’re uncomfortable in groups, new to an organization or struggling with an introverted nature that saps your energy when you’re around other people, there are easy ways to grow your reach, credibility and business prosperity at gatherings. Most people misunderstand the terms introvert and extrovert. Simply put, extroverts are energized by being around other…
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Most small business marketing is backwards
Have you ever wondered why marketing doesn’t make sense? There are things in life we never question because “it’s just the way it is”. Much of what the masses have come to accept is backwards. I now have cable for the first time (too many Mennonites between me and any village population at my former…
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7 small business marketing tips you can learn from lawn mowers
The last time I had so much fun mowing the lawn was, well, never. How much fun have you had lately with your small business marketing? The fact that it’s March 22nd with grass blades reaching young hay height had me doing the happy dance. Outdoor exercise that’s not about shoveling snow is a delightful…
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Smart small business owners watch great public speakers
There’s something about a well-done speech that stays with you. As a small business owner, professional writer and marketing consultant, I’m always on the lookout for communication done well. Public speaking ranks high to my mind, so, I tend to seek out opportunities that allow me to learn from the masters. Sometimes those gems hit…
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If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave
“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.” Mo Willems I was doing that rapid buzz through e-mail thing so many of us do to cross a “to do” item off our lists when this gem of a quote brought me back to mindfulness. It’s timely, of course (as so much is when…
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Looking for clever small business solutions? Try asking the animals.
They say animals are honest. I’ve met enough crafty ones to realize some have a grand sense of humor. No need to climb aboard that anthropomorphizing high horse (the mere suggestion draws flame wars in some equine circles). That’s not where I’m going here. Instead, consider spending time paying attention to the critter characters around…
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Moving a small business
There are some things about Virginia that leave me awestruck. I paid $1.39 a gallon for gas yesterday. To be fair, this was at a Kroger station where my monthly grocery bill nets discounts (I had to ask the milk stocking clerk about this to learn that my 20 cents off was due to spending…
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I hate selling – save me from this small business torture!
Do you hate selling? Done the way so many profess, it’s no wonder. That pound them until they’re sure to relent strategy is painful for both the perpetrator and the victim. Think sending dozens of e-mail message during the course of a week – or day – is much different than old-school manipulative selling? Sure,…