tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20315302586576859772024-03-12T20:33:52.418-07:00Words Done WriteA blog by Amber Avines...Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-19180050020756785282016-05-27T12:57:00.001-07:002016-05-27T13:28:35.977-07:00Intranet or Email Newsletter: Which is Best for Employees?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many ways to communicate with employees these days, but which ones are the best for your business? Frequently, as internal communications professionals review their options, they ask themselves where their time would be better spent: the company intranet or an email newsletter. However, that’s a question that should rephrased. Instead, let’s consider, how can an intranet work in conjunction with an employee newsletter?<br />
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When done strategically, your company’s intranet and email newsletter should complement each other like peanut butter and jelly (or peanut butter and chocolate for the jelly-adverse). They each have strengths that the other doesn’t possess and abilities that are unique—a perfect marriage.<br />
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<b>The Pros of an Intranet Site</b>
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Having an intranet for your company should be the foundation of all your other communications efforts. It should serve as your business’ primary, internal hub for company information. You own it and that is huge.<br />
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An intranet site can be bookmarked, accessed easily, and can even be the homepage your employees see when they log on to their work systems each day. Intranets are a great place to house materials employees routinely need, like vacation request forms, annual review checklists, IT protocols, emergency procedures and other reference items. A well maintained intranet can serve as useful digital library. Don’t know where to find something? Look on the intranet!<br />
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A strategically developed intranet can also empower you to act quickly when information needs to be shared. When something important happens and needs to be conveyed immediately, chances are you’re not going to tell the powers that be that they have to wait until the next newsletter comes out in three weeks, are you? These are the times you’ll be glad to have a place where you can quickly publish the information you need to get out there.<br />
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In short, a good intranet should be like a popular supermarket. Everything you could possible want is there, of the highest of quality, and always in stock. </div>
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<b>The Pros of an Email Newsletter</b><br />
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A beautifully designed and user-friendly electronic newsletter can be a powerful vehicle by which to deliver your content. Since it’s sent via email, your employees will have the information served up to them whenever you choose to share it.<br />
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A good email newsletter platform will also have rich analytics that are way more sophisticated than any data you can collect from an intranet site. You can determine open and clickthrough rates, article popularity, and you can see which employees are engaged (based on job title, office location, department, and more). You can also introduce interactive features such as likes, ratings, and commenting.<br />
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A newsletter can link back to your company intranet when appropriate (e.g. for those times you may need to host and share a video). And, whereas an intranet serves as a repository for all your company news, an email newsletter allows you to pick and choose the content you want to get front and center for employee consumption.<br />
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Another benefit to using an email newsletter for content distribution is the ability to modify your messaging. For instance, you may want to create alternate versions of each issue so you can delete, add, or revise certain information for different satellite offices or regions. Or, for example, you may want to modify the newsletter you created for U.S. employees slightly to send to employees in the Asia office.
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<b>Marrying the Best of Both Platforms
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To make the most of your communications outreach, it’s important to exploit the strengths of each tool at your disposal. An intranet and an email newsletter have the most value when they work hand in hand, not as two disparate platforms. For instance, your newsletter could feature an article on a new sales incentive program and then link back to your intranet for updated sales forms and rate cards. <br />
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As you plot your communications goals, look at the vehicles you are able to employ. Consider the messaging you need to disseminate and determine what is the best approach. How can you marry your messaging to utilize both your intranet and your newsletter in your distribution plans? What information should be layered throughout both platforms? How can you make both tools valuable on their own, yet indispensable when linked together?<br />
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Once you answer these questions you’ll be well on your way to having an impactful communications plan that will serve you, your employees, and your company leadership in a meaningful way.<br />
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<i>This article is part of a five-part series. The other four parts are linked below:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/what-is-best-layout-for-your-employee-e.html" target="_blank">What Layout is Best for Your Company's Internal e-Newsletter?</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/10-tips-for-using-images-in-your.html" target="_blank">10 Tips for Using Images in Your Company's Internal Newsletter</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/25-questions-to-help-you-choose-email.html" target="_blank">25 Questions to Help You Choose an Email Newsletter Provider</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/using-advanced-analytics-to-improve.html" target="_blank">Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Your Company's Email Newsletter</a><br />
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Image Credit: Andred J</div>
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Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-49037182617879040772016-05-26T08:23:00.000-07:002016-05-27T13:30:19.272-07:00What is the Best Layout for Your Employee e-Newsletter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whether you’re launching a new email newsletter for your employees or revamping an existing one, considering the layout is just as important as determining the content strategy.<br />
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Before you send out your internal e-newsletter, it’s crucial to analyze the visual components in your template. <a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33423/19-Reasons-You-Should-Include-Visual-Content-in-Your-Marketing-Data.aspx">According to Hubspot</a>, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. That means you should approach your layout as thoughtfully as you do the articles you publish. What’s good for one company may not be good for another, so don’t use the cookie cutter approach when it comes to your layout.<br />
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Before you finalize a design template for your email newsletter, ask yourself the following questions:<br />
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<b>Is there one specific audience for your newsletter or a variety of audiences?</b></blockquote>
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For instance, when publishing an internal e-newsletter, ask yourself if the content applies to the entire employee base. As an example, an HR notice about vacation accrual will apply to everyone on staff, whereas a new incentive program for the sales team may only be of interest to eligible employees.<br />
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Depending on the number of audiences you have, you may want to segment your content in a visual manner. Consider whether you want to use one, two, or three columns in your layout. Using multiple columns will aid you in visually breaking up the information.<br />
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Think about your company news and its intended audience in a strategic way. This will be the main driver behind the layout you ultimately choose.</blockquote>
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<b>How much content will you include in each issue?</b></blockquote>
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It’s important to know upfront how much content you want to include in each employee newsletter. Will there be recurring columns (e.g. a message from the president)? Do you want a meeting or event calendar in every issue? Will each department have its own section for news?</blockquote>
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Although a digital email newsletter gives you greater publishing flexibility than a print newsletter, continuity is still important. For instance, try to choose a page count and stick with it. If a newsletter is two pages one time, and seven pages another time, that may confuse employees (who, in turn, may not look past page two since they think that is the end of the newsletter).</blockquote>
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<b>What will be the frequency of the mailings?</b></blockquote>
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It’s vital to pick a publishing schedule that you can adhere to. This will help you plan your content and, ultimately, select a newsletter layout that meets your needs.</blockquote>
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For instance, if your CEO likes to communicate with employees regularly and wants to have a monthly column, you can add a sidebar on the front page for his/her message. However, if a he/she prefers to communicate less frequently and you choose to go with a quarterly distribution, it’s important to realize that the president’s message just might have more content to it (since it covers news for three months instead of just one). In this case, you might have to devote an entire page to the president’s message in each issue.</blockquote>
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<b>What is the nature of the content?</b></blockquote>
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Will your e-newsletter include lots of full length articles? Will it have tips and suggestions in the form of bulleted lists? Will a calendar be created so employees are aware of important meetings and functions? Will there be several recurring columns from department heads so they can communicate with their teams? </blockquote>
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These are all important questions to ask as you review your layout options. Your answers will help determine the way you customize your email newsletter.<br />
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<b>Do you want to incorporate recurring images or icons?</b></blockquote>
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Will you use the same banner each month for the company’s sales stats? How about the same icon to announce employee anniversaries? And, of course you’ll always want the president’s message to always include a headshot, right? </blockquote>
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Think about the elements you want to include in each issue of your newsletter (and remember the importance of consistency!). Create a checklist so you don’t forget any of them. This list will be a critical part of your planning as you determine a layout that best meets your needs.</blockquote>
The questions you ask yourself early-on will serve as the discovery phase of the process. The answers you come up with will help determine the number of columns you want to use, banners you need to create, applicable icons, color usage, font selection, and more. <br />
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Remember, publishing your electronic employee newsletter involves more than just collecting the content. The way it looks is just as important and impacts its success. Analyze what you want to say, how frequently you want to say it, who needs to say it, and the amount you want to say. Then, you’ll have the information you need to create a good newsletter layout that intrigues your readers—and keeps them coming back for more.<br />
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<i>This article is part of a five-part series. The other four parts are linked below:</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/10-tips-for-using-images-in-your.html" target="_blank">10 Tips for Using Images in Your Company's Internal Newsletter</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/25-questions-to-help-you-choose-email.html" target="_blank">25 Questions to Help You Choose an Email Newsletter Provider</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/using-advanced-analytics-to-improve.html" target="_blank">Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Your Company's Email Newsletter</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/intranet-or-email-newsletter-which-is.html" target="_blank">Intranet or Email Newsletter: Which is Best for Employees?</a><br />
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Image Credit: iStock</div>
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Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-83080630471266190872016-05-25T11:38:00.000-07:002016-05-27T13:34:29.908-07:0010 Tips for Using Images in Your Company’s Internal Newsletter <div style="text-align: right;">
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History is full of quotations that tout the power of visuals. Among others, there is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_picture_is_worth_a_thousand_words">“a picture is worth a thousand words”</a> adage and, of course, the old Chinese proverb, "Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand.” If you’re not showing people what you want to say, you’re missing out on <span style="text-align: center;">opportunities.</span><br />
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According to MDG Advertising, <a href="http://www.mdgadvertising.com/blog/its-all-about-the-images-infographic/">articles with relevant images receive 94% more views than articles without images</a>. That’s one of the many reasons infographics have become so popular in recent years. Don’t you want 94% more of your audience to connect with your content? If you’re in a communications, marketing, or human resources role within your company, I bet you do.<br />
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Whether you’re producing an employee newsletter or an executive blog (or even an external publication), it’s critical that your audience walks away with a clear understanding of the messages conveyed. In the case of an internal e-newsletter, your audience is the employee base and it's important that they understand what’s happening within the company, how it’s relevant to them, and why it matters. <br />
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As much as internal communications professionals would like staff members to read every single word that's written, chances are there will always be the employees who scan your content. Make sure your visuals are effective so even those who glance at your email newsletter will understand the takeaways.<br />
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You don’t have to have a professional designer on staff to create effective visuals. It just requires some thoughtful decision-making and a few, helpful tips.<br />
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<li>Work in conjunction with your template. Select images that complement your layout and existing color scheme. Pick an image that uses one or several of the same colors that are already within your design.</li>
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<li>Pay attention to the details. Alignment and repetition are key design components that will help readers scan your email newsletter and easily comprehend it. Try to make all your images the same width and use auto resize options in your email application. This type of continuity will create a more professional end result and will make your newsletter easier for people to read.</li>
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<li>Don’t be afraid to crop or alter the pictures you use. Zoom in to focus on something specific within the photo and minimize the background. Drawing the reader’s attention to focus on one item, and getting rid of other things that may clutter the photo, can be an effective way to transform an average image into something great. Use the image editor of your email application to make things easier.</li>
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<li>Choose a good photo from the get-go. Instead of taking time to improve a mediocre photo, why not just select a stronger photo at the very beginning? Choose images that have fewer elements rather than ones that have too much going on in them. Select photos where it’s easier to grasp the subject. You want something memorable and eye catching.</li>
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<li>Opt for quality. Only use high-resolution images when you’re producing professional publications. Don’t ever use fuzzy images, especially logos. If you need to use your own logo, be sure to get a high-quality image from someone in your marketing department. A sharp, crisp image makes all the difference in the world. If you need to use someone else’s logo, you can usually find what you need on Google. Simply go to Google Images and type the company name followed with the word "logo." Right click the image and save it. </li>
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<li>Be current and relevant. Avoid old-school illustrations and amateurish, animated gifs that do not blend in with your newsletter layout. They will be eye catching, but will cheapen the look and feel of your newsletter.</li>
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<li>Don’t become complacent. Unless it is a recurring column, change your images from issue to issue to keep the newsletter fresh. Utilize a large image for the top story to increase engagement.</li>
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<li>Think outside the box. If you don't have a picture of the specific subject you’re discussing, you can use an image that is more conceptual. For example, if your article is titled “5 Steps to Creating a Better Marketing Plan,” you could use an image of someone walking up some steps. (In this article you're reading, I used pencil tips to represent the 10 tips I'm sharing. In this <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/intranet-or-email-newsletter-which-is.html" target="_blank">other article</a>, I used a "Just Married" sign as I wrote about the coupling of an intranet with email newsletters.)</li>
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<li>Develop a list of photo resources. There are lots of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=buy+image">stock image libraries</a> out there to help you find what you need. You can purchase a nice image for $10 or less in most instances and there are plenty of free options out there, as well. If you’re sending your email to the entire company (or an external subscriber list), you want it to look great; spending a few bucks is money well spent.</li>
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<li>Pay attention to the details. Always use the best file type to meet your needs. If you plan to use company graphics or icons, make sure to get a PNG, transparent high-res image to ensure it will work on every background color.</li>
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Think about images early on in the editorial planning process. Visuals are an important part of any professional communication and should never be an afterthought.<br />
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By incorporating relevant images, you’ll make your email newsletter a more powerful communication tool that more people will want to read. And isn’t that something worth boasting about during your next annual review?<br />
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<i>This article is part of a five-part series. The other four parts are linked below:</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/what-is-best-layout-for-your-employee-e.html" target="_blank">What Layout is Best for Your Company's Internal e-Newsletter?</a>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/25-questions-to-help-you-choose-email.html" target="_blank">25 Questions to Help You Choose an Email Newsletter Provider</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/using-advanced-analytics-to-improve.html" target="_blank">Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Your Company's Email Newsletter</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/intranet-or-email-newsletter-which-is.html" target="_blank">Intranet or Email Newsletter: Which is Best for Employees?</a>
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Image Credit: freeimages.com/ivanprole</div>
Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-70010835384428219832016-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:002016-05-27T13:43:27.285-07:00Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Your Company’s Email Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You are producing an email newsletter for your employees and sending it out regularly. Congratulations! Now, it’s time to figure out if it’s a success or not.<br />
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Publishing and distributing your email newsletter is only half of the equation. To produce a good newsletter that enhances employee engagement, it’s critical to analyze how well it is being received. This is where open rates, click-throughs, and other demographic information comes into play.<br />
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Hopefully you’re using an email platform with advanced analytics. Sure, most platforms have some sort of analytics tools, but most only scratch the surface. If you want to improve your email newsletter as you go, you’ll want to invest in a platform that allows you to fully understand what is resonating with which employees.<br />
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It’s important to remember that open rates can vary quite a bit depending on your IT setup and environment. You’ll want to talk with someone in your IT department or the customer service rep at your newsletter service provider to better understand the dynamics.<br />
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<b>Breaking Down the Stats</b><br />
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Once you have a decent open rate of at least 60%, then it’s time to look at your click-through rates. If your email newsletter tool allows you to organize your content by categories, you may be able to compare the click-through rates between different types of content or between articles. For instance, are people reading the employee profile each month, but not the CEO’s message? Are they more interested in the employee benefit information than the events calendar? Did they like the article on the company’s new sales approach more than the article on the board of directors meeting?<br />
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If your email platform has this feature, it’s also very helpful to link demographic information to your distribution lists. This will allow you to measure the open and click-through rates for different groups of employees. Are the manager-level employees reading your content, but the rank and file isn’t? Is the office in Cleveland opening, clicking, and reading the newsletter, whereas the office in Cincinnati completely ignores it?<br />
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Having access to advanced analytics, and using them, will help improve your newsletter. Creating reports with this information can also be extremely useful to company leadership and/or the HR team. </div>
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<b>Using Data to Measure Engagement</b><br />
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If the manager in Cleveland is rallying the troops, getting employees on board with the company’s new direction, and making them excited about the future, isn’t that a leader who’s worthy of some acknowledgment? As for the head of the Cincinnati office, well, sounds like he may need some counseling on how to motivate his team. That’s data-driven feedback that his supervisor is likely to find very useful.<br />
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Remember, <a href="http://www.leadershiptools.ca/basics-of-employee-engagement/">engagement directly affects productivity</a>. And a robust company email newsletter can be a powerful tool to get all your employees on the same page—following the same mission.<br />
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Depending on the communication goals of your company, its culture, and your executive leadership team, creating reports on how employees are reacting to the content could be extremely useful. Chances are that many SVPs would like to know which of their managers aren’t creating a climate of engagement. This is especially true if your company is altering its course, has been recently acquired, or there is any sort of large scale change happening.</div>
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<b>Analyze and Improve</b><br />
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As you analyze your stats, you should ask yourself questions as you go. Is your content targeted enough? Should you have a different email newsletter for the less responsive groups? What’s the percentage of your audience who get the email newsletter on a mobile device (and is your content optimized for mobile)?<br />
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To make your email newsletter a real asset, it’s important to look at the stats after each mailing. Identify the areas for improvement and make adjustments. Each issue should be better than the last.<br />
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Company newsletters are no longer the frivolous pieces they used to be years ago, filled with baby announcements and birthdays. They are now strategic communications tools that help keep employees motivated, informed about important company initiatives, and get everyone rowing in the same direction.<br />
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If your company realizes the importance and power of an employee newsletter, invest in it fully. Be sure to utilize an email newsletter platform with rich analytics, otherwise it’s like baking a cake but not putting the frosting on it. The frosting is what turns something good into something great.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>This article is part of a five-part series. The other four parts are linked below:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/what-is-best-layout-for-your-employee-e.html" target="_blank">What Layout is Best for Your Company's Internal e-Newsletter?</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/10-tips-for-using-images-in-your.html" target="_blank">10 Tips for Using Images in Your Company's Internal Newsletter</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/25-questions-to-help-you-choose-email.html" target="_blank">25 Questions to Help You Choose an Email Newsletter Provider</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/intranet-or-email-newsletter-which-is.html" target="_blank">Intranet or Email Newsletter: Which is Best for Employees?</a></div>
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Image Credit: freeimages.com/craigparylo
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Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-44012881379121035082016-05-23T18:45:00.000-07:002016-05-27T13:46:39.332-07:0025 Questions to Help You Choose an Email Newsletter Provider<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4bOvo0DHQ0/V0Ow5njRg3I/AAAAAAAACW8/jNopfxJFnFsoxcIvXuVTNbftDzJsx0olACLcB/s1600/questions-1151886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4bOvo0DHQ0/V0Ow5njRg3I/AAAAAAAACW8/jNopfxJFnFsoxcIvXuVTNbftDzJsx0olACLcB/s200/questions-1151886.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
There are lots of tools out there to make life easier for communications professionals. The tech-related barriers are coming down more and more each day, allowing "regular people" to manage sophisticated projects with little to no technical experience. <br />
<br />
It used to be that you needed advanced training to publish anything digital. HTML coding was a requirement and without it you were out of luck. Fortunately, that is changing.<br />
<br />
For those internal communications professionals who are tasked with creating an email newsletter for employees, there are many platforms to consider. However, as is the case with most everything in life, all things are not created equal.<br />
<br />
Oftentimes, people will start their research by looking at more basic options such as MailChimp. Yes, you can email newsletters through this platform. However, the analytics are fairly rudimentary and may not empower you with the data you need to improve your newsletter. Plus, you can only choose from pre-selected templates so your customization options are limited. Other platforms such as Constant Contact and Emma are similar, offering simple features that scratch the surface in terms of data and design.<br />
<br />
A more advanced email newsletter platform will give you access to rich statistics, personalized design, and in-person customer service. When trying to find the best solution to meet your needs, be sure to consider these questions first:<br />
<ol>
<li>Will the provider create a custom-designed template for me that addresses my unique goals or am I limited to generic templates that other companies are already using?</li>
<li>Can a newsletter be created for me that takes into account my company’s brand and design guidelines to ensure our corporate identity is preserved?</li>
<li>Do I receive training when I sign up to use the platform?</li>
<li>Is training self-service or will a person walk me through the process and show me what I need to know?</li>
<li>Will I be able to talk to a real, live person at the email newsletter company after my initial sign up?</li>
<li>Will this platform allow me to create landing pages?</li>
<li>Can I publish a microsite?</li>
<li>Can readers rate my content?</li>
<li>Am I able to automatically create a table of contents for my newsletter or do I have to do it manually?</li>
<li>Are employees able to comment on the content?</li>
<li>Can a “like” button be added to published content?</li>
<li>Does the email provider require me to add their logo on my company newsletter?</li>
<li>Will I be able to determine the amount of time users spend on each landing page and/or article?</li>
<li>Can my newsletter include a “printer-friendly” option?</li>
<li>Will past newsletters be automatically archived, with the ability to search for previous articles?</li>
<li>Am I able to group articles into categories (for easy design and search)?</li>
<li>Will I have to format each issue of my newsletter or can I just copy and paste text that will format for me automatically?</li>
<li>Can my mailing list be automatically synced with the email newsletter provider’s platform?</li>
<li>Does the provider offer advanced demographic reports (e.g. open rates based on job titles, locations, departments, etc.)?</li>
<li>Can I delete the unsubscribe button so my employees are unable to opt out from receiving company news?</li>
<li>Am I able to publish surveys through the platform?</li>
<li>Can I create forms via the platform?</li>
<li>Will employees be able to submit article suggestions through a form within the newsletter?</li>
<li>Will the newsletter company be able to accommodate special requests or create customized solutions to meet my needs?</li>
<li>If I require assistance along the way, will I be able to get it or am I on my own?</li>
</ol>
When you start asking these questions, you’ll be able to quickly determine what platform only offers basic services and which one is advanced enough to help you achieve your goals. Take the time to do your research and remember that mediocre solutions won’t help you achieve extraordinary results.<br />
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<i>This article is part of a five-part series. The other four parts are linked below:
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/what-is-best-layout-for-your-employee-e.html" target="_blank">What Layout is Best for Your Company's Internal e-Newsletter?</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/10-tips-for-using-images-in-your.html" target="_blank">10 Tips for Using Images in Your Company's Internal Newsletter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/using-advanced-analytics-to-improve.html" target="_blank">Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Your Company's Email Newsletter</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2016/05/intranet-or-email-newsletter-which-is.html" target="_blank">Intranet or Email Newsletter: Which is Best for Employees?</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
Image Credit: FreeImages.com/ChrisBaker
</div>
</div>
Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-62635315161824925352015-03-17T11:43:00.001-07:002015-06-29T22:13:36.695-07:00KROQ's Lisa May Talks About Her Dismissal From the Kevin & Bean Show<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6quhqcE_Onk/VQhwo71_hMI/AAAAAAAACS8/1Fxq1SdqtzA/s1600/080309__May_Lisa-3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6quhqcE_Onk/VQhwo71_hMI/AAAAAAAACS8/1Fxq1SdqtzA/s1600/080309__May_Lisa-3_2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">KROQ's Lisa May</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Consumers are creatures of habit. They like what they like and if there's not an excellent reason to change the product, don't do it. This is a lesson many companies have learned the hard way (remember <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/7209828/ns/us_news/t/it-seemed-good-idea-time/#.VQh0nI7F98E" target="_blank">New Coke</a>?), yet so many businesses seem doomed to make that same mistake again and again. As the old adage goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."<br />
<br />
On February 20, the hosts of <i><a href="http://kroq.cbslocal.com/category/kevin-bean/" target="_blank">The Kevin & Bean Show</a> </i>(a popular morning radio program on Los Angeles' KROQ station) had their New Coke moment. They told listeners that they had decided to discontinue news and traffic and would be letting go their newsman Doc on the Roq and the show's popular female personality (and traffic reporter) Lisa May (for the backstory, click <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2015/02/how-to-alienate-your-fan-base-in-two.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2015/02/an-open-letter-to-kroqs-kevin-bean-show.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>).<br />
<br />
Since then, fans have been extremely outspoken about the changes (many deciding to change stations and abandon the show altogether). Sadly, the radio hosts have tried to dismiss the backlash as feedback from a "vocal minority," but longtime fans of the show know better.<br />
<br />
Today, I could not be more thrilled to bring you the very first, post-firing interview with Lisa May herself. She talks candidly about her removal from the show, the incredible fans, Boner (her dog), the studio cats, and the future of Lick Lisa.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>When it was announced that you'd no longer be with the Kevin & Bean (K&B) show, your fan base bombarded social channels to say how upset they were about the decision. Were you surprised by the outpouring of support?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May: </b><i>I thought there would be some reaction, of course, but I honestly had no idea that people would react so strongly. It was amazing and wonderful and probably kept me from crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head for several days. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q</b>: It was the universal consensus among fans that you were more than the traffic reporter on the show, but a full-fledged member of the morning team. Do you feel as though the K&B show undervalued the contribution you made to the program?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> The whole reason K&B brought me into the studio from the Metro Traffic studios (aka Total Traffic) was because I was already functioning as more than a traffic reporter on the show. No, I believe they thought of me and treated me as a full-fledged member of the show. But they clearly miscalculated my impact on the show based on their decision to let me go and the fact that they were so unprepared for the reaction they got. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> Do you think it's a fair assessment to say people in Los Angeles don't need traffic reports on the radio?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> No, I think that's ridiculous. Waze is fine, but I only use it if I'm in the car with someone else. It's really dangerous to try to drive and use Waze. All the other morning shows still do traffic. I listen to traffic reports when I get in the car, and a lot of listeners have told me they really miss the reports, and that they saved them from getting stuck many times</i>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> Are you currently on friendly terms with Kevin, Bean, and Ralph? Any hard feelings?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> Both Kevin and Bean have reached out. Kevin sent me an email the day after I was let go and we wrote back and forth several times. He clearly feels very bad about how everything went down. Bean sent me a card on Taylor Swift stationary expressing the same thing and asked me to call him. I gave him a call last week and he said the same thing as Kevin, more or less. Then we discussed </i>Downton Abby<i>, like we do. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>Fans were shocked/hurt/outraged when Ralph started blocking them on Twitter for supporting you. How did you feel about that?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> I was pretty shocked, too, and I think it just inflamed already hurt feelings even more. I imagine he wasn't expecting the listeners to respond the way they did, and didn't really think it through - just reacted. I believe he addressed it the following week on the air and said he was just protecting himself from the angry messages. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>Bean likened your departure to <i>Saturday Night Live</i>, with people coming and going from the show. Do you think that's an accurate comparison?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> No, I don't. And that comment was a little upsetting. Obviously when Jimmy Kimmel left and Matt Money Smith and Psycho Mike left, they made the decision to go. And they were and still are loved and celebrated, and welcomed on the air and at KROQ shows. I, on the other hand, will never be welcomed to go on stage at an April Foolishness to introduce an act. So bad comparison, Bean! </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>On the other hand, if he's just referring to the show, then yes, people have come and gone and the show has survived just fine. And I'm sure it will survive my departure as well, although a lot of listeners have left</i>.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> Have you listened to the new show with Allie MacKay? Do you believe there is anything she's bringing to the show that you couldn't have, given the opportunity?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May: </b><i>Any new person will bring new things to the show, just by virtue of being a different person and having different interests and strengths</i>. <i>I listened the first few days that she was there, but she was just finding her way at that point, so she can't be judged based on that. I haven't listened since then so I don't know what she's bringing to the table. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Bean did tweet a response to a listener the other day that I thought was interesting - the listener said they were upset I wasn't there, they didn't enjoy the show as much, and they weren't going to listen anymore. And Bean's response was "the show is 98% the same" which begs the question - two questions really - was my impact only worth 2% and if the show is going in a new direction, why is it still 98% the same?</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>Not only are listeners upset that you're no longer with the program, most feel you weren't shown the respect you deserved (especially after being with the show for 24 years). Do you think there were things within K&B's power that they could and should have done differently? If so, what?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b> <i>This type of thing doesn't happen in a few days. Meetings have to happen, contracts have to be negotiated. I believe this all started at the beginning of 2015 - maybe even before that. There was plenty of time to discuss how they wanted this to play out, but I don't think that happened. I know they felt really terrible about the way it all went down, but based on our friendship, I think they could have come to me. They said that the lawyers told them they couldn't and I'm sure that's true, but they know me well enough to know I wasn't going to sue or say something before it all happened. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>But the way this played out, although I've done nothing wrong, it's like I left in disgrace. And even going back into the station would be incredibly uncomfortable, though I have friends who work there. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> Many devoted fans and longtime listeners are boycotting the K&B show due to your departure. Countless others say the show has lost that something special it once had. What would you like to say to your hardcore supporters?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May: </b><i>Those wonderful, amazing people have truly lifted me up and I'm trying to get back to each of them individually to thank them (I'm still not caught-up on that but I'm determined to do it). Rather than leaving the show, feeling like I failed in some way, they've helped me to feel like I have a place in L.A. radio and their response has led to some programmers in town getting in touch with me to see what I might want to do next. So whatever my next job is - I know it will be thanks to all the wonderful love and support I've gotten from listeners. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> What, if anything, do you miss most about being a part of the K&B morning program?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> I miss the camaraderie. All the inside stuff that happened before the mics were turned on. Also, meeting all the guests and not only what they said on the air, but the delicious stuff they said off the air. I can never repeat any of it, but the juicy gossip was so much fun! And meeting all the listeners at the shows was always a blast. We never got to do enough of that. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> If asked back to the show, would you go?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> No. It would feel like a step backwards. I'm looking forward to doing something that challenges me in new ways, and lets me fully express myself.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>With unemployment comes a clean slate. If you could do anything for a career now, what would it be and why?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="text-align: justify;">Lisa May:</b><i style="text-align: justify;"> Initially, I thought about doing something different - everyone knows how much I love animals and I considered doing something that involved dogs. And I've thought about other things, too. But I got to guest-host on the </i><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://philhulettandfriends.com/the-lisa-may-episode/" target="_blank">Phil Hulett and Friends Show</a></span><i style="text-align: justify;"> last week and it reminded me of how much I really do love radio. It's for the same reason that I love theater - it's live and anything can happen, and often does. So my hope is to stay in radio. I'm really thinking about the kind of show I want to do, and talking to some people who are interested in my plans. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>Listeners know you looked after the cats near the KROQ studio. What's going to happen to the cats now?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> When I went into the station to get fired (or laid off, as they say) I knew what was going to happen although no one had actually told me at that point, so I brought all the cat food I had in my car. And after the "incident" I took the food into Aissa Juarez's office. She's the marketing director and a huge cat love. I left the food on her desk and sent her an email when I got home asking her to make sure they were fed and watered every day. I really miss those little buggers!</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> What does Boner think about your new schedule and you being around early in the morning?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Lisa May:</b> He's in my lap right now. Under my sweatshirt. That's how he spends every morning and he seems very happy about it. </i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQSWXxdmYC0/VQhw0-78OJI/AAAAAAAACTE/Ag9X8XLnBmU/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQSWXxdmYC0/VQhw0-78OJI/AAAAAAAACTE/Ag9X8XLnBmU/s1600/photo-11.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zzzzz. Boner's tired. He's heard all this before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>With Beer Mug out of the picture, is your boyfriend poised to take over Lick Lisa duties?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> He always has, and no pesky rules. :)</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q: </b>When fans look back on your time with the K&B show, what do you hope they remember about you?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May: </b><i>From what they've expressed, I think I'm very happy about the way I'm already being remembered. Listeners say I was always happy to meet them and talk to them, I who responded to their emails - be they complaints or words of praise. I spoke up on the show when the guys were getting stupid and ridiculous and put them in their place. I wasn't afraid to make a fool out of myself (let's remember the Linkin Park - "shut up when I'm talkin' to you" scream)</i>, <i>and I loved to laugh. A lot. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Q:</b> Any final words?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lisa May:</b><i> The ugly ending can't erase 24 years of time spent with wonderful, funny, talented people. And also K&B. Just kidding!</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>But seriously, I'm really grateful for my time at KROQ - I always knew I had an amazing job and never took it for granted and I knew we had the best listeners ever. And now I know I have many, many wonderful friends - most of whom I've never even met - who are rooting for me and are excited to hear about what's next in my life. It doesn't get any better than that!</i></blockquote>
<i><br /></i>
Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/lisaxmay" target="_blank">Lisa May on Twitter</a> to stay connected and hear about her future projects. Also, you can hear Lisa May on the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/alison-rosen-is-your-new-best/id379453196" target="_blank">Alison Rosen is My New Best Friend</a> podcast, available for download on Monday, March 23.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: Lisa May will be stopping by the <a href="http://www.heidiandfrank.com/" target="_blank">Heidi and Frank Show</a> on KLOS this Tuesday morning, March 24.
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-6quhqcE_Onk%2FVQhwo71_hMI%2FAAAAAAAACS8%2F1Fxq1SdqtzA%2Fs1600%2F080309__May_Lisa-3_2.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6quhqcE_Onk/VQhwo71_hMI/AAAAAAAACS8/1Fxq1SdqtzA/s1600/080309__May_Lisa-3_2.jpg" -->Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-86467886310558512812015-02-25T17:24:00.001-08:002015-02-26T11:37:50.985-08:00An Open Letter to KROQ's Kevin & Bean ShowFor fans of KROQ's morning show <i>Kevin & Bean</i>, today is day six of Lisa Gate (if you're not up to speed, check out <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2015/02/how-to-alienate-your-fan-base-in-two.html" target="_blank">this post</a> on the dismissal of longtime radio personality Lisa May and newsman Doc on the Roq). Six days in which fans have been flooding, and I mean <i>flooding</i>, the station's social media channels with tweets and posts saying how upset they are with the show's recent changes. Six days of them asking for answers. Six days of them becoming increasingly suspicious of the real story (especially in light of the unannounced addition of Allie MacKay to the very next show). Six days of loyal fans getting blocked on Twitter by the show's entertainment guy, Ralph Garman, when they tweet supportive messages about the now unemployed Lisa May.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdOe3HZdw4U/VO5utguhSlI/AAAAAAAACSE/jZ6PVO9OThk/s1600/block.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdOe3HZdw4U/VO5utguhSlI/AAAAAAAACSE/jZ6PVO9OThk/s1600/block.png" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Alisa's tweet that prompted this block was "THIS RT @eliztesch @ralphgarman @kevinandbean #BringBackLisaMay" </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Frankly, I don't understand why the station is letting a bad situation get worse with every passing hour.<br />
<br />
When the announcement was made on Friday that two of the show's veterans would no longer be part of the show, people immediately took to social media calling for a boycott until Doc and Lisa were asked back. Sadly, Garman's on-air response to this was "go ahead, leave." Those words were delivered not in a matter of fact way, but with anger as though fans were ungrateful, spoiled little children having a temper tantrum. Not only did Garman's words sting for many fans, but they alienated them even more.<br />
<br />
The thing is, fans would have revolted if <i>any</i> of the show's personalities had so unceremoniously been let go. If listeners had received that same news about Ralph, there would have been an uproar. Because, it wasn't just about loving Lisa May, it was about loving the morning show family that so many fans have spent 10, 15, 20 or more years with.<br />
<br />
It was about inside jokes (butthole week, anyone?) that go back 12 years. It was about routine, familiarity, and an on-air family that fans started each and every weekday with as they got ready for work in the morning or were stuck in traffic. A family who laughs at Kevin's "this is not how you run a life" goofiness, jokes about Bean's love of IHOP and his New Music Tuesday routine, cried as Ralph lost his son and marvel at his ability to do amazing impressions and hysterical bits, smiles when hearing Lisa's laugh and appreciates the sweetness, kindness, and balance she brought to the team, and looked forward to the biased and sarcastic news updates from Doc on the Roq that you can't get from any other news guy out there.<br />
<br />
Regardless of whether fans had ever met them in person, these people were extended family to so many loyal listeners. Family that many folks stayed connected with long after they left LA, thanks to the wonderful invention of podcasts.<br />
<br />
Despite six days of fans posting to Facebook, not one official reply has been given to any comment or post from an unhappy listener. Despite six days of tweets to the show's Twitter account and those of the other morning show members, fans still feel as though they're being ignored.<br />
<br />
Countless listeners have posted to social media to say they're done with the show and will not listen anymore. However, the saddest part is that the morning team is just seeming to accept this. They're not fighting to keep their fans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ME3_xWFk6dw/VO5uJD3WzjI/AAAAAAAACR8/lJiiCZq_Pc0/s1600/thank%2Bralph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ME3_xWFk6dw/VO5uJD3WzjI/AAAAAAAACR8/lJiiCZq_Pc0/s1600/thank%2Bralph.png" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Tweet sent to Kevin after this listener was blocked by Ralph.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
Unfortunately, that acceptance is only coming off as indifference. Indifference to the fans who have been with them through so much, the fans who wear their t-shirts, the fans who have their bumpers stickers on their cars and fridges, the fans who have bought every single one of their Christmas albums, and the fans who would slather their meals with Kevin & Bean Gravy if only the FDA would let them.<br />
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This problem, at its core, isn't that there was change. It is <i>how</i> that change occurred. Aside from three major bombs dropping all at once, which was horrible planning on someone's part, this problem is about the station not being upfront. Had they just said, "hey, we feel like it's time to start doing something different with the show so Doc and Lisa's last day will be in two weeks and we'll be bringing in Allie, who you guys know, to start doing more bits with Ralph, coming up with contests, and other cool stuff to make the show more fun," fans may not have been happy, but it would have been honest. Lisa and Doc could have gotten a proper send-off and listeners would have had the chance to transition to the new show without all the hard feelings.<br />
<br />
For the record, I love Kevin and Bean. I always have. (And, yes, I've had a crush on Bean that whole time. Do not judge me.) I've listened for 24 years and stuck with them through the changes, but those changes were different; not like this. And, at this point, I fear the damage is irreversible.<br />
<br />
I hope the guys can come back from this, I truly do. Please, give your fans a reason to believe in you again.<br />
<br />
Signed,<br />
A Loyal Fan and Longtime Listener<br />
(Ralph, you can block me now.)<br />
<br />
* UPDATE: It has come to my attention that Ralph's rant about upset listeners on Friday was edited out of the podcast. Click <a href="http://www.kevinandbeanarchive.com/audio.php?dir=audio/-------February%2020%20Friday-------" target="_blank">HERE</a> to access the K&B archive which has the complete show.Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com103tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-83134320147976444572015-02-23T18:12:00.000-08:002015-02-25T23:41:18.939-08:00How to Alienate Your Fan Base in Two Steps or Less: Iconic Radio Station Makes Mistake After MistakeChange happens; I get that. Especially in the media landscape. TV and radio personalities come and go and, if they were popular, viewers and listeners mourn their departure and eventually find a way to move on. But that doesn't make it easy for fans and, as with most things in business there's a right and wrong way to do something. This month, popular LA-based radio station KROQ showed us the wrong way---and listeners are upset.<br />
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On Friday, it was announced on the station's popular morning show, Kevin & Bean, that they would no longer offer news and traffic. The reason supposedly being that people get current events from the web and traffic on their phones these days and it wasn't an important part of morning radio anymore. As a result, they said that long time newsman Doc of the Roq would no longer be giving news reports at the top of the hour. And, traffic reporter Lisa May would no longer be doing traffic. (In Lisa's case, she was an employee of a traffic service and the jocks said that the station's contract with the service was ending that day and, as such, so was Lisa's involvement with the show.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddb7DzGugns/VOvZDEgbPYI/AAAAAAAACRQ/2xmuiq6wpA0/s1600/lisa%2Bmay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddb7DzGugns/VOvZDEgbPYI/AAAAAAAACRQ/2xmuiq6wpA0/s1600/lisa%2Bmay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lisa May of KROQ</span></td></tr>
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However, what long-time listeners know is that Lisa May was an integral part of the show. She didn't just tell listeners about traffic tie-ups twice an hour because she was employed by an outside service, she participated in celebrity interviews with the other morning show members, she was the anchor of several bits (Lick Lisa, anyone?) and recurring jokes, she made appearances at all the KROQ events, and was a major part of the station's four-and-a-half hour morning show.<br />
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Kevin & Bean have been on morning drive for 25 years; Lisa has been a part of the morning show for almost that whole time (and Doc was with the station 27 years). She is a great ying to the yang of the two male hosts and Ralph Garman, the entertainment guy who is responsible for most of the voices and impersonations for the bits. Although the show is called Kevin & Bean, listeners fondly think of it as Kevin & Bean with Ralph and Lisa.<br />
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Listeners were devastated on Friday when they heard about Doc and Lisa. They took to Twitter and Facebook to demand the two be brought back. Many saying they would gladly listen to more advertising if it helped the station pay to keep Lisa May on the air. Neither Lisa nor Doc were given a chance to say goodbye to the station's fans and that made the loss even harder for long-time listeners (sadly, those of us who have been laid off know HR people don't want dismissed employees to ever have the chance to create a ruckus; quick and quiet exits are preferred over emotional goodbyes).<br />
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As is the case with most staffing changes, the bad news was announced on a Friday (Lisa's last show was Tuesday and listeners had been wondering where she was). No doubt the timing was strategic in hopes that everyone would simmer down over the weekend and the show could move on in a drama-free way on Monday.<br />
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Well, apparently the station's decision makers didn't want to give it's listeners a chance to grieve and slowly accept the fact that the morning show had changed. Instead, first thing Monday morning, they brought on a new female personality to join Kevin, Bean, and Ralph. Listeners know her as the occasional fill-in for show biz news when Ralph is out, so she wasn't a stranger to the K&B fan base. However, she was obviously brought in as the new female voice for the show and fans took to social media to voice their displeasure for the second show in a row. Many accused the station of censoring comments from unhappy listeners on the company's Facebook page.<br />
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Yes, change happens. But smart companies know to minimize the fallout, especially in this age of social media where every disgruntled customer (in this case, listener) has a virtual megaphone. Fans were mad about Lisa and Doc's departure, but bringing in the new woman for the very next show added insult to injury. If there was money for the new person, why not money to keep the incredibly popular Lisa May by making her an official employee?<br />
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Sadly, it's obviously not about money; it's about a new direction for the show. And, yes, it's every company's prerogative to shift course (I used to work at the LA Times, so I know of which I speak). But, what's the point of possibly adding new listeners as the result of a shake-up if you upset your current listeners enough so they start screaming boycott?<br />
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The morning show hosts are under attack, the station's social channel's are under seige, and fans are angry that, as one tweet said, "the body isn't even cold yet and they bring in a new chick?"<br />
<br />
This is a good case study for how <i>not</i> to change things up in any business. Be respectful of your talent/employees, be considerate of the fans, and, if you're in media, realize that listeners/viewers form real and powerful connections to on-air personalities.<br />
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Making changes within any business always carries a certain amount of risk. However, smart leaders mitigate that risk and remember that without their customer, there is no product. In TV and radio, the personalities are the product. And, those personalities are real people who fans come to love.<br />
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<i>* On a personal note, I have listened to Kevin & Bean since I returned to LA in 1991. I don't remember them not being in my world and throughout their tenure, I have always loved the show; it's the only good thing about the alarm clock going off so early in the morning. However, today when I listened to the "new girl" talking away, the enjoyment I usually get from the show turned to anger and annoyance. Yes, change happens. But that doesn't mean everyone has to like it. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Bring Back Lisa May.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>* UPDATE: Click <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2015/02/an-open-letter-to-kroqs-kevin-bean-show.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read about the latest developments in an open letter to the Kevin & Bean Show. </i><br />
<br />Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-23939141935294323252015-01-06T15:36:00.001-08:002015-01-06T15:37:16.578-08:00Recycle Your Holiday Cards to Benefit Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're like most people, chances are you haven't finished taking down all your holiday decorations quite yet. And that probably includes the holiday cards that you have displayed in your living room. Well, get ready to do some good with those cards!<br />
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With programs to help abused, neglected, and homeless children, adults, and families, St. Jude's Ranch for Children can breath new life into your old cards.<br />
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The initiative, run by Kids Corp, is designed to teach entrepreneurial skills to kids. Children take the fronts of the cards and add new backs; thereby taking what would have been trash and giving it a new purpose. The cards are available for a variety of occasions and sell for $17 for a pack of 10.<br />
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Not only is the ranch in need of holiday cards, but they have a greater need for birthday and thank you cards at the moment. They also accept sympathy cards, Easter, Thanksgiving, and all-occasion cards, as well. However, donations must not have any writing on the inside front of the card.<br />
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To learn more, visit the St. Jude's Ranch for Children Recycled Card Program guidelines <a href="https://stjudesranch.org/about-us/recycled-card-program/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Or, to purchase cards, just call (877) 977-SJRC.Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-37939198458433225002013-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-31T09:37:37.879-07:00Is Out-of-State Commuting for You?<div style="text-align: right;">
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Job searching, but can’t find a job in your city? Your state? No problem! Location makes no difference if you’re someone who is flexible--and adventurous--enough to spend hours on planes and in cabs each week to travel to an out-of-state job. <br />
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Interstate commuting is par for the course for Kari Ryerson. For the last nine years, Kari has been a well-respected and sought-after electronic medical records consultant. She works with hospitals to move them from paper records to electronic ones, transition them from one record system to another, or optimize the system they have in place. <br />
<br />
When I first met Kari, she lived in L.A.. However, that soon changed. She and her husband bought a new home in <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city>, but she kept her job at UCLA in Los Angeles. That meant
weekly plane rides to California, where she’d work the week and fly home on weekends. That was just the
beginning, though. In time, Kari and her husband relocated from Vegas to Anchorage, Alaska. Yet (get ready to gasp!), Kari still had her job in L.A.. That meant a weekly commute from Alaska to Los Angeles!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari Ryerson with her dogs Baily and Mesa<br />
(and their canine friend) on a hike in Alaska.</td></tr>
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But, this year, Kari took on a new client in Indianapolis, Indiana. And, again, she is commuting from Alaska.
With such a long commute time, Kari spends most of her off-hours in transit, trying to get home to spend as much time with her husband and four rescue dogs as possible. <br />
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Kari’s lifestyle has always intrigued me. I hate long commutes, so Kari’s weekly schedule just makes my head spin. However, at the moment, it works for her and her family. <br />
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I caught up with Kari as she sat in an airport on a long layover after her flight was cancelled. Her story fascinates me and I hope it does you, too. <br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>How many air miles do you log each week/month/or year?</i><br />
<b>A: </b> Week: 6,300. Month: 26,000. Year: 300,000.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>How many days of each week do you work, travel, and enjoy time at home?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>I fly out on a Sunday red-eye and return home on Thursday night. I sleep in my bed three nights, in a hotel three nights, and on a plane one night.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>What is your travel routine? </i><br />
<b>A: </b>I’m all about the perks. I use the same airline, hotel, and rental car company so that I earn points and get upgrades. I try and fly direct, but currently I have a layover in Chicago. It’s great on Monday mornings
because the United Club has showers. I am able to use my layover time to refresh, wake up, and make myself presentable. I have another layover in Chicago on my way home. I tend to make this one a bit longer because the short flights get delayed and cancelled often so I am weary of booking too short a connection on the way
home. I take a cab to and from the airport. It’s faster than driving and parking.
<br />
<br />
<b>Q: </b><i>How do you afford the travel costs associated with an out of state job? </i><br />
<b>A: </b>Travel costs are covered as part of my contract, I get them all reimbursed.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>What is the toll of being on the road so much?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>You can never participate in activities that happen on Monday through Thursday nights. No sports leagues/classes etc. You also miss your family a lot.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: </b><i>Are you frequently jetlagged?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>I’ve decided that my body lives on Mountain Time, exactly half way between the time zone I live in and the time zone I work in.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>Why does this unusual work arrangement work for you?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>It’s what I have been doing since I left college other than a few years in which I worked in hospitals where I lived.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>Would you recommend out of state commutes for others?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>Not unless you really know what you are getting into. I am weary of first timers because a lot of them decide they hate life on the road and quit projects part way through.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>How do you choose which out of state contracts to pursue?</i><br />
<b>A: </b> It depends on the hospital, project, and who is already working there. It’s rare for me to work on a project and not know a single person already, they tell me a lot about what it’s really like so I can judge if it will be a good fit or not.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>Is this a routine you intend to keep up throughout your career?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>I hope not, but I have been saying that since I started.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>What does your family think of the long commutes that you endure?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>They are used to it. I have always been nomadic (I spent a year of high school abroad as an exchange student). For my husband and me it’s normal. Even when I did live and work in the same city, he worked nights (other than a short period of time) so we only had weekends together.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> <i>Do people think it's crazy that you commute to the Midwest from Alaska each week?</i><br />
<b>A: </b>Absolutely, more so that I commute to a place on Eastern time so it’s a 4-hour time change each way.<br />
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<b>Q: </b><i>What are some of the biggest challenges of commuting out of state? </i><br />
<b>A: </b>The biggest downside is that vacations become not as great. Every week I get on a plane, stay in a hotel, and rent a car. When I have time off I don't want to get on a plane, stay in a hotel, and rent a car. I want to stay home. That’s the hardest part of a relationship, my husband is home all the time and wants to go places. I am away all the time and want to be a homebody when I get the chance.<br />
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I think it’s safe to say that most of us don’t have the stomach to do what Kari does each week, but her story is a great reminder that we shouldn’t be limited by geography.
Opportunity may not be right in our backyard, but who’s to say we can’t hop a plane to visit opportunity in another state?<br />
<br />
<i>To learn more about Kari, and the exploits of her family and rescue dogs (including book reviews of
the many books she reads while waiting in airports!), be sure to check out her blog, <a href="http://www.dogisgodinreverse.com/" target="_blank">Dog is God in Reverse.</a></i>Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-85670513936657553452013-10-28T22:12:00.001-07:002013-10-29T18:42:47.005-07:00Being Brave Enough to Say No<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This month I said no to a lucrative opportunity. It was hard, but I think it was the right move for me.<br />
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As a freelancer, there are busy times and lean times. The work isn't always steady and, sometimes, when things are slow or a little uncertain, freelancers may be tempted to take on work they don't want to do. When I first started freelancing, I told myself I never wanted to wake up and dread the day ahead. To do that, I had to summon the power to say no; no to any project that didn't seem like a fit--no to the money that came with it.<br />
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Throughout my career, I've always been the person to say, "Yes, I can," "Yes, I will," and "Yes, you can count on me." It's not in my nature to say no when someone asks for my help (unless it's a completely outlandish request). However, to be true to myself and best serve a potential client or employer, sometimes no is the best answer one can give. If you're not truly interested in the work, or you can't perform the task with the level of enthusiasm and skill that an employer deserves, there is no winner if you say yes.<br />
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Just because opportunity knocks doesn't mean it has the right address.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Have you ever said no to an opportunity? Did you feel uncertain about your decision? Or did you know it was the best move for you? </i>Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-37080176190984479832013-08-18T14:17:00.000-07:002013-08-18T14:27:22.190-07:00Are Consumers Becoming Too Touchy?It's back to school season and the advertising has begun. Kids need school supplies and new clothes to start the year and every business wants your bucks. But, will JCPenney be left out in the cold because of the backlash on their latest back to school ad?<br />
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This week, consumers cried foul as a television spot insinuated that not wearing the brands that JCP carries could make or break your year. The ad then cuts to all the kids disappearing and one young boy by himself. If you haven't seen the spot, check it out here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/niQSECd1Oag" width="425"></iframe>
<i>* Can't see the video? Click <a href="http://www.wordsdonewrite.org/2013/08/are-consumers-becoming-too-touchy.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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Frankly, I think the uproar is ridiculous. I'm sorry, but no matter how politically correct our world becomes, kids are kids and school is school. Children will always notice other kids' folders, lunchboxes, backpacks, and clothes. It's how kids are.<br />
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When I was growing up, if you had a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapper_Keeper" target="_blank">Trapper Keeper</a> you were cool. That sound of Velcro as you got your homework assignment out constantly reminder the other kids that you had one. It was the must-have item. I remember when I got a lunchbox that I was really excited about and the feeling it gave me when another kid said she liked it. I also remember the horrible year that my mom got me a hideous backpack and how I'd try to hid it coming and going from school. Boy, I hated that thing. The year I got my first pair of Nike's just like all the other kids had was a landmark. Were they amazing shoes? No. But all the other kids had them and the reality is that kids like to fit in (something as a grown-up I try to avoid at all costs).<br />
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As adults, most of use know better than to judge people based on the clothing they wear. This is something that comes with age, experience, and maturity. And, as much as we can try to teach our kids not to judge others based on superficial things like the jeans they wear, the fact is that school is a universe unto itself.<br />
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I'm not making excuses for bad behavior, but <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/14/jcpenney-back-to-school-ad_n_3756517.html" target="_blank">the critics who are saying the JCPenney ad promotes bullying</a> are just silly. It does no such thing. It simply is reminding parents how important back to school purchases are to our kids. No kid will ever say they want the knock-off instead of the name brand. That's just not how kids are. And, although, not every parent will be able to buy their child ever item they'd prefer (I know my mom couldn't afford to), don't think that what your kid wears or takes to school doesn't matter to them. It does.<br />
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So, cut JCPenney some slack. There's nothing wrong with their ad in the least. It just depicts the world as it is. Don't like that world? Change it.Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-12080596535829520352013-08-06T07:49:00.000-07:002013-08-06T07:49:00.920-07:00The Value of Giving Yourself Options in an Online World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ep99PO2cOCc/UgCaTh2VBWI/AAAAAAAABvI/-1a1BCfB42o/s1600/options.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ep99PO2cOCc/UgCaTh2VBWI/AAAAAAAABvI/-1a1BCfB42o/s320/options.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nothing good comes from waiting. That's especially the case when it comes to creating a social media presence.</div>
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When I first started all this social media stuff six years ago, I invested a lot of time creating my professional online footprint. I knew I couldn't do everything, so I just focused on what I thought I could do well and what would yield the most relevant results. For me, that meant creating this blog and using Twitter and Facebook to promote it and my professional services.<br />
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Although the creation of Words Done Write was to market myself, I had another pet project that was simply for pleasure. Even though I started it back in 2009, I didn't mention it publicly because it was just something I wanted to do for myself.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I decided to take this project more seriously. I set up a Facebook page for it and it's slow going. I can't help but to think where I'd be if I had only created a Facebook presence for that project five years ago. But, my mindset was that it was for fun; not to grow. That was shortsighted.<br />
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No matter what you're doing online, whether it's personal or professional, set yourself up to have options.<br />
<ul>
<li>Buy the domain. If years pass and you don't use it, go ahead and let it expire. But by buying it, you'll have the ability to do something with it should you choose to. </li>
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I had to make a slight modification to the desired URL for my pet project because, even though the domain I wanted was available when I looked several times over the years, when I actually chose to purchase it, it was gone. I thought it would be there when I finally decided to buy it, but I waited too long. </ul>
<ul>
<li>Claim the Facebook URL. I set up a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wordsdonewrite" target="_blank">Facebook page for Words Done Write</a> back in 2009 and that's what I chose to focus on. But, how hard would it have been to at least set up a Facebook page for my pet project back then, too? Maybe I wouldn't have put the time into growing it, but if I <i>had </i>it perhaps I would have thought about growing it sooner. </li>
</ul>
I've spent the last several years online focusing on the professional me and I made a conscious decision to not have my various worlds collide. But, all of us have more than one side. We all have professional interests and personal hobbies, causes, or passions. I'd venture to say some of you reading this probably even have more than one blog or Facebook page.<br /><br />Perhaps you'll find you want to do more than one thing online, or maybe you'll find that you start with one project but let it fall by the wayside because you feel more passionate about another. No matter what you ultimately do, be sure you set yourself up for success by giving yourself options for the future: buy the domain name, claim the Facebook page, set up the Twitter account, and identify any other social media platform that may be relevant to your project.<br /><br />Although that fun project you do just for yourself may not be something you want to grow now, wouldn't it be nice to have everything in place in case there comes a time you want to take it to the next level?Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-60630392303260775252013-06-24T07:02:00.000-07:002013-06-24T12:58:58.263-07:00Is Hollywood's High Profile Stabbing a Result of a Social Media Obsessed Society?<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4o28ROUnbQ/Ucf7y2-by_I/AAAAAAAABuE/UFcoh2JXsjw/s1600/cellphone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4o28ROUnbQ/Ucf7y2-by_I/AAAAAAAABuE/UFcoh2JXsjw/s200/cellphone2.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm sick of people taking photos of their food, the storefront that
they're entering, and every tiny little aspect of their lives. People
are consumed with photographing and sharing everything that crosses
their paths. It's really kind of OCD if you think about it and, at least, a little self-obsessed.<br />
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This month, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/22/police-plan-to-boost-patr_n_3483057.html" target="_blank">a woman was stabbed and killed in Hollywood by a group of homeless men</a> after she took their photograph and refused to give them a
dollar afterward. This has spurred heated debates about panhandling, safety in tourist areas, and homelessness. However, I have not seen one person mention the issue of our society's obsession with phototaking and how it was the catalyst for this woman's death.<br />
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So the verified reports are that the unfortunate victim of the fatal stabbing saw these three vagrants holding signs that were littered with profanity. She apparently was compelled to take a photo with her cellphone to document what she had seen. Perhaps (and I'm speculating) to share on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? I mean, that is why most of us take pictures, isn't it? Had she never taken the photo, I think it's likely that the altercation wouldn't have happened
and she'd be home safely today.<br />
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Not everything you come across has to be photographed. This is especially true of
taking photos of people you don't know. Unless you ask someone if you can take their photo, don't do it. At best, it's rude. And it is an invasion of that person's privacy. It's really not for any us to decide to share that person's activities with our social networks. It's their life, not ours. (Of course, people doing public appearances and speaking gigs isn't applicable here.)<br />
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My sympathy goes to the victim's family as this was, indeed, a senseless death. That said, I hope people start having a new discussion about this tragic crime; one that addresses our social media obsessed culture and our constant need to share. Are we so consumed with getting likes and retweets that we just whip out the camera for
anything and everything? Let's stop the madness here and now.<br />
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The next time you take a photo to share with your online networks, ask yourself, "Will I enjoy and appreciate this photo 20 years from now?" If it's a photo of your lasagna, I suspect the answer is no. However, if it's a photo of your kids with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, the answer is probably yes. And, of course, use common sense when taking photographs; especially of others.<br />
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Just because taking photos is easier than ever, doesn't mean that everything is worth capturing for posterity.<br />
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<b>Got an opinion? Sound off below. </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit: Photobucket/smileu34</span> </div>
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Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-32986577959992066962013-06-20T16:28:00.001-07:002013-06-20T16:28:41.883-07:00What Kids Can Teach Us About Change<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/temper%20tantrum" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="temper tantrum photo: temper temper-tantrum.jpg" border="0" src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l40/bmahfood/Blog%20Photos/temper-tantrum.jpg" /></a>Change is hard. Whenever you make an adjustment to your services, your website, the menu on your phone system, or your actual product, it's not uncommon for your customers to cry foul. Generally, people like routine and are creatures of habit. Change causes stress and, frequently, resistence. </div>
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Earlier today I was walking my dogs and we usually pass a pre-school while we're out. All the kids love to come to the fence to say hi to my little dog; he just loves kids and barks to let them know he's arrived. This morning, my little furball barked and all the children came scampering over to the fence. All of them were smiling and trying to pet him, except one little boy who was screaming and crying. My first fear was that the daycare folks would think my dog did something to the child, but one of the yard monitors quickly told me, "It's his first day. He's not very happy"<br />
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A kid's first trip to pre-school can be traumatic. For the very first
time in their lives they're with total strangers, away from the people they know, and
forced to stay in a strange environment where nothing and no one is familiar. Change is
hard; no matter how old (or young) we are. Sometimes we'd all like to scream and cry and stomp our feet when change hits us upside the head. Unfortunately, as we grow up this kind of behavior is frowned upon. <br />
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The reality is your business is going to make changes. Sometimes they're for the better and sometimes you'll <i>think </i>they're for the best, but they turn out not to be. <br />
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Customers like to feel as if they're in it with you. They oftentimes feel like partners or even investors. They don't like to be surprised, inconvenienced, or annoyed. They want to be included. If they're part of a change, or adequately informed about it, it goes down smoother.<br />
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The next time your business is thinking of making a change, remember your customers. Can they be part of it? Can you seek their advice? If that's not possible, how can you best inform them of the change? Can you email them about it in advance? Can you guide them through the process with some simple education?<br />
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As adults, we're not supposed to throw temper tantrums like the kid on his first day at pre-school. However, in this age of social media, we all know that those outbursts manifest themselves in a different way: snarky tweets, hateful Facebook updates, critical blog posts, and more. Change is hard, but it doesn't always have to be traumatic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit: Photobucket/B. Mahfood </span></div>
Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-39015488066870082002013-03-31T13:30:00.000-07:002013-03-31T13:30:31.113-07:00Attract Customers with Interactive VideoHumans are visual people. I mean, c'mon, how many hours do we waste each week watching videos online? Be honest (yes, I'm looking at you).<br />
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People frequently like to consume information in the easiest way possible. And watching is less effort than reading. So how, as a business person, do you capitalize on that? Be more interactive!<br />
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A video doesn't just have to be video these days. With the tools that are out there, there's no reason you can't jazz up your videos to better sell your message (and make more money). For example, check out this great video from the people at PEEPS:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z19P_u5JqB8" width="425"></iframe>
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The brilliant folks at PEEPS have overlayed nearly 30 clickable links on their video, all boasting cool things you can do with their tasty, marshmallow birdies and bunnies. Chances are extremely high that customers will click on at least one of those links to learn about something neat they can do with a PEEP. And, of course, to execute that fun project...you gotta buy some PEEPS!<br />
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The next time you create a video to promote yourself or your business, keep the end user in mind. Is your video memorable? Engaging? Interactive? If not, go back to the drawing board. People don't share boring ads; but they do share things they love. <br />
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Make it easy for people to learn more about you or your product--and they'll soon become customers. Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-46680931255629999602013-01-30T07:34:00.000-08:002013-01-30T07:34:00.632-08:00Should You Have a Catchphrase? One of the ways you get noticed online is to be memorable. Are you memorable?<br />
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I was recently looking at a page my friend liked on Facebook and I was struck by how the person who manages the page uses the same phrase at the end of all the updates: <i>That makes me smile</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS5j9PmJWgo/UQiuiDIOdoI/AAAAAAAABnI/Z8PahLIh37I/s1600/unluckyvictor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS5j9PmJWgo/UQiuiDIOdoI/AAAAAAAABnI/Z8PahLIh37I/s400/unluckyvictor.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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The page is called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unlucky-Victor/225822237446097" target="_blank">Unlucky Victor</a> and is about a dog who was attacked, kicked, shot, and ultimately rescued. Today, Victor lives in a loving home and all the Facebook updates are written in his voice. No matter what he says, he ends with <i>that makes me smile</i>. This catchphrase makes this page more memorable than any of the other pages I like. It makes me a fan. <br />
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This kind of tactic is a unique way to brand your efforts and is a really smart idea. Think about it. Could you benefit from a catchphrase that you use on your blog, website, newsletter, or any other form of online outreach? If so, well, <i>that makes me smile</i>. Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-89716997658577077712013-01-24T07:13:00.000-08:002013-01-24T07:13:00.039-08:00Why Proofreading is Worth the InvestmentNothing says unprofessional more than sending out emails, newsletters, and sales materials, or producing ebooks or promotional videos with errors or poorly worded language. I always wince when I see an error from a company, especially when they're trying to sell me something. It surprises me, though, that this isn't just a problem that small companies face. Big ones do, too.<br />
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Tucked away in my desk drawer, I have a file of things that have mistakes in them. Yes I know it's a weird hobby, but it's better than taxidermy. Anyway, it has materials from big companies like Kodak (pre-bankruptcy) and local businesses, too. From menus to sales collateral, there's errors. Who lets money be spent on producing materials and then drops the ball at the end by letting it go out less than perfect? Unfortunately, way too many of us.<br />
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I was recently watching TV and saw a commercial for the film <i>Warm Bodies</i>, produced by Summit Entertainment. Obviously someone on the staff of the film company had the bright idea of putting the hashtag on the commercial. Brilliant! We all use hashtags these days. Hashtag it up, baby! However, whoever did the graphics on this commercial, whoever edited the commercial, whoever signed off on the commercial, and whoever placed the commercial obviously didn't flag the hashtag. Take a look at the video below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UkyowITeFng" width="425"></iframe>
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For those who don't use Twitter, let me tell you what the problem is.
You can't have a space in a hashtag. Therefore, what the film company
listed as #Warm Bodies should actually be #WarmBodies. With the space,
the hashtag is just #Warm--and that's wrong. And it's up there the entire time. <br />
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So, the lesson here today is let someone (or a bunch of someones) look at your copy before you send it out to the masses. Proofreading is an important part of the marketing, sales, and communications process. When you allow mistakes to go into the world, it's a reflection on you or your company. Do you want to be known for polished and professional materials? Or do you want to end up in my error file?Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-27735160861554702812013-01-15T07:57:00.000-08:002013-01-15T10:32:27.302-08:00Surprising Your Customers with KindnessDon't you love it when you're surprised by something that makes you smile? Most of us do.<br />
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As a business, you have lots of opportunities to make your customers happy. Perhaps even surprise them with something they didn't expect. But, do you do it?<br />
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Case in point, <a href="http://sendroverover.com/" target="_blank">Send Rover Over</a> Pet Salon in Eugene, Oregon. My friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristen.dunder" target="_blank">Kristen Dunder</a> posted this photo to her Facebook page right before Christmas with the following status update:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">This
is the Christmas card we received from Send Rover Over, Bella's
groomers. I love the personal touch...they must have taken the photo
when I brought her in last month!</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-suhhXtblw/UPNlG4JzjyI/AAAAAAAABlk/D3PBUorOm_8/s1600/bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-suhhXtblw/UPNlG4JzjyI/AAAAAAAABlk/D3PBUorOm_8/s320/bella.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span> <br />
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span>So, here's Kristen taking in her dog for a grooming and completely unaware that the folks at Send Rover Over are secretly taking Bella's photo for a special Christmas card. First off, kudos to SRO for even sending their clients a holiday card. But, to make it so personal as to put a photo of the client's dog on the front of the card? Now, that's the kind of thoughtful gesture that, I'm sure, makes clients want to come back again and again. I know I'd go to Send Rover Over if I lived in Eugene. <br />
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If there something your business can do to surprise and delight your customers? Make them feel special? Put a smile of their faces? Think about it. Now do it. Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-41172053642652381482013-01-12T17:43:00.000-08:002013-01-12T17:43:07.040-08:00Blogging or Writing? The Nuances of Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Evi_kuGUYtQ/UPIQhVVNfpI/AAAAAAAABjU/Ft3_ZXPWgnU/s1600/whiteandblackpencils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Evi_kuGUYtQ/UPIQhVVNfpI/AAAAAAAABjU/Ft3_ZXPWgnU/s200/whiteandblackpencils.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Ever since I was in grade school, I've enjoyed writing. It's something I've done for a living in one form or another since I graduated college. In my early career, people would ask what I do and I'd say <b>"I'm a writer."</b> People's immediate response would be, "What do you write <i>for</i>? Books? Magazines?" People would essentially ask about the medium for which I wrote. I can't say I noticed that until I became a blogger.<br />
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Nowadays, although I write for lots of different projects, I consider myself a blogger first and foremost. And when I say to people <b>"I'm a blogger,"</b> their response is always "What do you blog <i>about</i>?" Notice, as a writer they asked about the medium and as a blogger they ask about the content. I find that to be really interesting.<br />
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With every word we speak or write, we convey a message. Sometimes people get that message loud and clear and sometimes they come to a completely different conclusion than we intended. Word choice is critical and each statement we make may have nuances we don't fully appreciate. But, we should learn to listen and adjust accordingly.<br />
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Think about the words you use and the reactions you get. Are the results what you expected? Does a slight variation yield a different outcome? Don't just send out your message and move on. Pay attention to the aftermath. Perhaps selecting another word will produce a sale <i>or </i>create an enemy. One word can be the difference between black and white. <br />
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Do you put thought into your word choice when you speak or write? Could you benefit from more thoughtful communication? Have you had something good turn bad based on a poorly worded phrase? Will you pay more attention to your words and the impact they have next time you communicate?Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-61287787730131057012012-12-27T07:34:00.000-08:002012-12-27T18:13:27.897-08:00Should Solopreneurs Get "Real" Jobs?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lD3Eae-IddI/UNqOhU2YfSI/AAAAAAAABg0/cgx0lzlrWUQ/s1600/1094650_eggs_in_basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lD3Eae-IddI/UNqOhU2YfSI/AAAAAAAABg0/cgx0lzlrWUQ/s1600/1094650_eggs_in_basket.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Deepak Malhotra, <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1094650" target="_blank">Stock Xchng</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I work a lot. I work on weekends. I work at night. I work on holidays. But, you know what? I don't mind because I work for myself. Ok, sure, other people pay me and expect certain things in return. But, I decide who I work for and what my schedule is. I'm a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=solopreneur" target="_blank">solopreneur</a>.<br />
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This wasn't a decide I made. Like many others, it's something that came about due to circumstance. In my case, my life change was prompted by a layoff. On April Fool's Day, no less.<br />
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But since then, I have reshaped my life. I work from home (frequently with a dog on my lap) and I love the work that I do. Every project I accept is something that interests me and am excited to do. I never dread the work day ahead. I love the life I've created for myself.<br />
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However, my mom still asks me when I'm going to get a "real" job. I'm quick to tell her I have a real job, but to her that's not the case. She thinks a benefits package makes a job real. I think being happy and earning enough to pay the bills is real enough for me. <br />
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Is the idea of a "real" job generational? Is it something that more traditional people expect? Or is it just the norm? The reality is, most folks do have "real" jobs. I had a real job all my life. And you know where I ended up? Laid off.<br />
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Folks seem to think a real job gives you security. I don't think that anymore. I create my own security. With a real job you put all you eggs in one basket. One basket that has complete control over you. One basket that can decide you're unnecessary, obsolete, or too expensive. One basket that can throw your whole world into complete chaos. Instead, I now put a few eggs over there, and some here, and a couple over yonder. <br />
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The new world order is changing. More people are working for themselves, out of their homes or coffee shops. Co-working spaces are becoming more common. Tech tools make online collaboration a cinch--whether you're in the cube down the hall or across the globe.<br />
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Is a real job for you? Maybe. Maybe not. But don't let someone else make that decision for you. Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-57647462860790796562012-12-23T13:41:00.000-08:002012-12-23T13:48:43.007-08:00No more "awesome" in the new year<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFOow7VQqVY/UNd5N8YPU-I/AAAAAAAABfI/tKiAOfDksJ0/s1600/awesome-definition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFOow7VQqVY/UNd5N8YPU-I/AAAAAAAABfI/tKiAOfDksJ0/s400/awesome-definition.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From dictionary.com</td></tr>
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In recent years, the words cool, neat, and great have been replaced. The new king of the hill these days is awesome. I hate that. Because, truth be told, very few things in life are truly awesome. Overusing that word diminishes its meaning. <br />
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<li>Your burger is awesome? No, afraid not. Want to know what's really awesome? The Grand Canyon.</li>
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<li>Think your friend meeting you for drinks is awesome. Nope. Try the <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-sistine-chapel-photos/slides/f10_055" target="_blank">Sistine Chapel</a>. </li>
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<li>Sorry, your new jacket isn't awesome. But, you know what is? The universe. </li>
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As a lover of words, I don't readily embrace slang. And, yes, I know saying "awesome" when you don't have to wait in line at the market is perfectly acceptable these days. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.<br />
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Think about it. Awesome means something that inspires <i>awe</i>. Is getting a parking place near the front of the mall really awe inspiring? I just don't think it is. However, the pyramids in Egypt are. So is Stonehenge.<br />
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The next time you think something is impressive or exciting. Why not say it's impressive or exciting? Believe it or not, not everything is awesome. But the things that are? Wow, they're pretty incredible.Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-32681035040754420732012-12-21T07:10:00.000-08:002012-12-21T07:10:00.691-08:00Can cats improve your business model?We all have a direction that we want to go in life and in business. However, despite our goals, the world around us is changing every day. If we don't change with it, we won't succeed. It's that simple.<br />
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Consumer trends shape the business decisions we make. What was hot yesterday may not even be a blip on the radar in three months. Do you listen to what the world is saying? Do you watch trends? Are you giving your customers, your clients, or boss what they want--or what they need?<br />
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The next time you start to write a new, business proposal or embark upon a new project, ask yourself if you're creating for <i>today </i>or <i>the future</i>. Are you incorporating the latest stats, trends, and research? Are you being progressive or complacent? And, most importantly, can you have more cattitude?
Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-27548393170050620832012-10-24T07:57:00.000-07:002012-10-24T07:57:00.073-07:00Taking the dog leash off your employees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Ever wonder where you'd end up if you took your dog for a walk
and never once pulled back on the leash?" - Robert Brault</i></div>
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When I walk my dog, I let him decide where we go and how long we stay. If he wants to go left, we go left. If he wants to smell a bush for five minutes, he smells. Our walk is not for me, it's for him. He calls the shots. Just because he's on a leash doesn't mean I'm going to prevent him from pursuing what interests him.<br />
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Whether you're at a big company or a small one, chances are lots of the staff are on leashes. They can only move so fast, they have to stop when told, they're tugged to go right when their instincts say left. As an employee, you've undoubtedly felt that leash weighing you down some days. But, imagine a company culture where all the employees are allowed to move freely--without that metaphoric leash yanking them back.<br />
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Would creativity abound? Would productivity flourish? Would morale skyrocket? <br />
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Some of the most innovative companies allow their employees to pursue special projects. Some dedicate a day each month for staff to delve into something that interests them, above and beyond their daily work. Because who knows where they'll end up or what they'll discover, if allowed just a little bit of freedom.<br />
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Just like a dog who's allowed to decide the direction and destination on his walk, an employee who's given the ability to pursue something he or she is passionate about can yield amazing results. And, whether you're a dog or a human, who wants to <i>always </i>be told what to do anyway? <br />
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If you're the one who holds the leash, go ahead and create some slack in it today. See where the adventure takes you. Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2031530258657685977.post-76716814873949354752012-10-18T07:23:00.000-07:002012-10-18T07:23:00.140-07:00Losing friends: The clash of social media and politicsThere are more people using social media today than there were during the last U.S. presidential election in 2008. More people tweeting and posting Facebook status updates about political news stories. More folks sounding off in real time during the presidential debates as they get annoyed, angered, or frustrated. Whether it's about Obama's health care program or Romney's binders full of women, people have an opinion. But, do you need to hear it? Are you starting to dislike your friends and connections because of it? Do you feel like Patricia?<br />
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According to <a href="http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Social-networking-and-politics/Summary-of-findings/Overview.aspx" target="_blank">a 2012 survey</a> by the Pew Research Center, 40% of social media users say they were surprised by the political views that their friends posted online. Another 20% say they've blocked, unfriended, or hidden someone because the person posted too much political commentary. There's a reason they say you shouldn't discuss politics or religion. People feel strongly and no matter what their opinion, it's about 99.9999% unlikely that they'll unexpectedly embrace the opposite viewpoint.<br />
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Personally, I haven't unfriended or unfollowed anyone due to their political tweets or updates. However, I'm not going to lie, there are some people I don't quite see the same anymore. On one hand, can you really be friends with someone if you don't know the "real" them? Are our friendships bound to be more superficial that way? Or are there some things we just shouldn't discuss out in public? Or, only with like-minded individuals?<br />
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There's nothing like an election year to help you learn more about your social circle. But, do we have to? Should we just all keep it to ourselves? Or is saying whatever we want and letting the chips (or friends) fall as they may the best approach? Right or wrong, people don't seem to censor themselves much when it comes to social media. We've all been given a soapbox, and most of us use it at one time or another.<br />
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Has politics taken its toll on your social stream? Have you alienated someone when you shared your thoughts? Have you lost respect for someone due their support of a certain candidate or proposition? Is social media the place to share political views? Or are we all better off tweeting pictures of our meals and posting updates about our dogs?Amber Avineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12669243706547763362noreply@blogger.com3