Many companies celebrate something every once in a while, such as the business’s anniversary, a huge sale, etc.  But those celebrations are few and far between.

What would happen if you celebrated something weekly?  What if you found something to be positive about every 7 days that was related to business but wasn’t necessarily something over-the-top? 

If you were to celebrate the small successes (or just something important) on a weekly basis, it would enable you to:

♦ Have something to tell the world about on Twitter or Facebook.  (”We hit 45 comments on our latest blog post this week!  It’s a new record… and we want you to help us do better next week!”)

♦ Boost morale around the office, especially if the weekly “celebration” is something funny or light-hearted.  (”Joan is the winner of this week’s ‘Salesperson to Receive the Nastiest Customer Phone Call’ award.”)

♦ Keep you focused on the positive.  (”Sure, it was a tough week… but the good news is that we got more hits on Facebook than we’ve had in three months and we started a new PR campaign, so things are looking up!”)

So… what will you and your team celebrate this week?

Two years ago, I sent out a press release to traditional media outlets.  It was well-written and pointed.  It was clever and creative.  So I distributed it widely and waited.

And waited.

And waited. 

In the end, I received very little in return for my efforts.  It quickly dawned on me that I needed to change the way I advertised my message.  Today, I consistently use the Internet as my main public relations tool and I regularly see incredible results.  (I’ve been able to work with some amazing individuals, too!)

Though mine is just one person’s experience, I believe it indicates what many of us know to be true — traditional marketing methods have a place, but are usually not as effective as online mediums.  In an age of article submission directories, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, affiliate marketing and blogs, a press release in a printed newspaper seems almost quaint.

If you’re still clinging to traditional marketing methods to get the word out about your business or boost sales, it’s time to make a change.  To help you get started on a profitable path, I’m offering anyone from America or Canada a free (yes, you heard me correctly — FREE!) 30-minute consultation via telephone.  Just leave a comment on this blog and I’ll get back to you via email to set up your appointment.

I truly feel that most businesses don’t even scratch the surface when it comes to online opportunities.  In fact, I’ve had plenty of entrepreneurs and executives tell me that point-blank.  They know they aren’t maximizing their public relations dollars with a solid strategy, but they just aren’t sure where to begin. 

Make sure you aren’t left behind.  Leave a comment right now and we’ll set up our FREE 30-minute discussion today!

Like what you read?  Digg, Stumble or Tweet this post today!

In the last post, I discussed some of the things entrepreneurs can learn from Facebook.  In this post, we’ll do the same analysis with Twitter.

So without further ado, I bring you “Five Lessons Entrepreneurs and Marketers Can Learn from Twitter”:

1.  Be Succinct

Twitter gives you a whopping 140 characters in which to say a message to the Twitter universe.  That’s not a whole heck of a lot.  Consequently, most Tweets are short and sweet, kind of like what you’d read on those slips of papers in fortune cookies.

Why this is important for you:  Chances are good that you don’t need to say as much as you think you do most of the time.  Boil down your thoughts to their essence.

2.  Be Creative

This goes along with #1, above.  Since a Tweet is incredibly limited size-wize, you may have to come up with some ways of including acronyms.  Thus, “U” for “you”, “RT” for “retweet” and so forth.  Some crafty Twitterers even eliminate vowels completely.

Why this is important for you:  It probably doesn’t come as any surprise to you to hear that you should always be innovating.  Use your imagination and embrace change.

3.  Be Dramatic

Let’s face it — with thousands of tweets occurring each minute, only the most gripping ones will get your audience’s attention.  They’re usually the ones that contain drama and magic.  They jump off the computer screen, encouraging you to respond.

Why this is important for you:  You have literally seconds to get — and keep — a customer’s attention.  Make the most of those seconds!

4.  Be Pleasant

Who wants to read tweets that are filled to the brim with profanity or negativity?  (You’d be surprised how many tweets are, though — and it’s a definite turn-off.)  Be nice; you never know who’s reading your messages.

Why this is important for you:  I think you can figure this one out!

5.  Be Savvy

Ever notice how the Twitterers with the most loyal followings are truly savvy about how they market to their constituents?  They feed them regular information, ideas and thoughts.  They also respond.  Plus, their homepages are filled with ways for visitors to connect with them (e.g., a website, an email, a phone number.)

Why this is important for you:  Entrepreneurs must make the most of every opportunity they have to form relationships with customers and potential clientele.  This equates to being savvy 100% of the time and never giving up an opportunity to make a great impression.

As I asked with the Facebook post… what am I missing?

• Like what you’re reading?  Subscribe to JADCC’s RSS feed and never miss another post!
• JADCC:  The bridge between where you are and where you want to be.
• Join JADCC on Twitter (really!)

I meet so many people who don’t market through online social networks that it boggles my mind.  Their excuses?  Typically, they site a) inconvenience; b) uneasiness; c) time constraints; and a whole host of other easily-overcome justifications.

I’m going to say this as clearly as I can:  If you’re not marketing your business through online social networks, you’re missing out on loads of opportunities.

Just the other day, Facebook hit 250 million users.  Back in March, Twitter reported it had over 8 million users.  LinkedIn has around 40 million users.  MySpace has millions of users, too.  And there’s no telling exactly how many millions of blogs are floating around the cyberuniverse, as new ones are created daily.

Truly, there’s no dearth of online social networking opportunities… and there’s no reason not to take advantage of their power.  If you’re worried about finding moments in your day to post a blog, tweet about your product/service, post a message on your Facebook wall or update your LinkedIn status, call a marketing consultant who is well-versed in handling social networking sites for clientele.

The online social networking revolution is here.  Get your train ticket today or risk being left behind in the station.

• JADCC:  The bridge between where you are and where you want to be.
• Join JADCC on Twitter.

Analysts may be debating the longevity of Twitter, but until it peaks, I’m here to tell you that it’s one of the hottest marketing tools on the planet! 

Everybody and her brother, sister, best friend, colleague, kids, relatives, you name it has a Twitter account (and if you don’t, never fret — setting up one can be done faster than it takes to brew a cup of steaming java.) 

And everyone is competing for the coveted “retweet”.

What is a “retweet”?  It’s when someone RTs (”retweets”) your tweet.  It’s the equivalent of having them say to their followers, “Hey, boys and girls!  This is worth checking out!”  It’s a painless referral method that can instantly expand your reach to thousands of people who didn’t know you existed before.

No doubt about it — retweets are the new “black”.

But getting those retweets isn’t easy.  Followers can be fickle with their retweeting habits.  Some don’t even know that it’s possible to retweet.  So you have to educate them!

My suggestion to you as your temporary virtual business coach (free advice!) is to start getting retweets by giving retweets.  Today, retweet five different posts.  (Simply copy and paste them into your “update” window, first adding the letters “RT” as well as an “@” symbol before the original tweeter’s name.) 

Let’s get the ball rolling!  May the retweeting begin!

• Visit JADCC on the web.
• Check JADCC’s Twitter account… and don’t forget to RETWEET!

Have you ever found yourself doing this?

(Disclaimer:  Please watch the video before continuing!)

Let’s face it — this happens to business people every day.  We’re waiting… for what?  Someone to “save” us? 

As you watched the video, I’m guessing you thought, “Why don’t they just walk off the escalator?  It’s so obvious!”  But what you really need to ask yourself is why they STAY, why they don’t move from their places.  Is it compacency?  Keeping with the status quo?  Fear of rocking the boat?  Inability to find solutions? 

The next time you feel like you’re stuck, I encourage you to get off the escalator without waiting for someone to come to your aid.  Take a deep breath, look around and TAKE ACTION.  Chances are good that there are more options than you thought.

• Visit www.JADCC.com
• Follow JADCC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JADCC

 In honor of yesterday - Tax Day - I’m challenging you to conduct an audit. Not an audit of your income versus expenses, but a self-audit of your professionalism. Specifically, I want you to answer a tough question:

Would you hire yourself?

Now, I’m certain your immediate answer would be, “Of course!” But look deep inside yourself… are you 100% positive? Is there anything that you could change to become more client-centric?

For instance, can you say beyond a shadow of a doubt that you:

• Return phone calls promptly (within 24 hours, no later than 48 hours), even when the people who are leaving messages aren’t your “favorites”?
• Keep clients apprised of your progress, thus eliminating any worries on their part?
• Maintain your records in a way of which you’re proud and would be pleased to show off?
• Take care of yourself and find your balance so you can give your best to every project you tackle?
• Continuously educate yourself about your industry and the peripheral industries in which you do or may work?

Truth be told, most of us fall short in some areas now and again, even seemingly successful entrepreneurs. That in itself isn’t intrinsically unexpected or “wrong”. However, what is a problem is knowing you’re not working to your potential and doing nothing about it.

So I ask you again: “Would you hire you?” Because if the answer is anything other than a resounding and proud “Yes!”, why should your customer trust you with his or her business?

Need some business coaching? Contact me today.
Tweet with me - head to my Twitter page.

From the time we’re little, we’re taught to say “thank you” in response to everything from common courtesies to holiday gifts.  In fact, most parents spend more time reminding their kids to say “thanks” than they do cutting pesky “bad” spots off those same youngsters’ bananas! 

Will all this repetition over a period of so many years, you’d think we would never forget to employ this simple act of kindness, of manners.

Au contraire.

When you become a business person, whether in the form of an entrepreneur, mompreneur, consultant or freelancer, all that was known about saying “thank you” gets lost in a fog of day-to-day paperwork.  It’s as if we get to a point where we assume the rules of our youth no longer apply… but how mistaken we are!

Believe it or not, your next sale, your next check, your next referral may be contingent upon you taking a bold measure… saying thanks! 

Now, I’m not talking about dashing off a quick email or texting a cutesy “thx” punctuated by a sideways smiley face.  Nope.  I’m talking about drafting an old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness, licked-with-a-stamp note to each of those clients and colleagues you know you should thank.

I can already hear what you’re thinking… it’s going to be time-consuming.  And guess what?  You’re right!  But isn’t five minutes worth it?  (I’ll answer this — YES!)

Trust me — if you send only one handwritten thank you a day for a month, you’re bound to start reviving connections that have either been on “pause” or perhaps even forgotten.  In those cases, the personal touch of an individualized thank you is a huge selling point (and it barely costs anything.)

So what are you waiting for?  Grab a notecard and start drafting a few words of appreciation.  You’ll be glad you did.  Oh, but before you go…

THANK YOU.

Do you know what a private business coach does?  Contact me today and find out.

I’m Tweeting!  Follow me now.

I see them every time I’m at the gym — exercisers reading books and magazines while on treadmills!  And I always wonder if they realize that they’re actually defeating the purpose of working out?  After all, aren’t they at the health club in order to get fit, feel healthier, sweat a little?  Isn’t that the point? 

I honestly think that these people innocently believe that they’re successfully multitasking.  They figure that if they are walking anyway, why not add reading, too?

Why indeed.

Essentially, they are diluting their workouts.  They are wasting their time, making exercise secondary to perusing publications.

Yet I’m not going to condemn them; how many times do we do the same thing as mompreneurs and self-employed business owners?  How often do we convince ourselves that we can “do it all”?  Well, I’m here to tell you that sometimes you have to make a choice — a hard one.  You have to choose to maximize your time, that’s true, but not by diluting all the tasks on your plate by trying to complete them simultaneously.

Not convinced?  I can prove mathematically that doing more isn’t always the best route:

If a 150-pound woman walks on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 3.0 miles per hour (which is still faster than some of the folks I’ve seen who are reading while strolling), she will burn around 106 calories.  But if she drops the book, ratchets up the intensity to 5.0 miles per hour and jogs for 20 minutes (33% less time than before), she’ll blow through a whopping 176 calories.   And she’ll have 10 minutes left over to read in peace as a “cool down” activity if she wishes.  Of course, she’ll have to perspire, she’ll have to exert energy, she’ll have to put forth effort… but she won’t be doing so for naught.

So my question to you is whether you’re really working smarter or just spinning your wheels?  Are you taking the “easy route”, thereby unknowingly watering down your potential yield?  If so, it’s time to rethink your approach to every item on your “to do” list.  It’s time to try something new and change your life forever.

Interested in finding out what an experienced business coach does? 

Then follow me right now on Twitter.