Potlucks are popular in my circles – and a huge source of anxiety for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook [I did answer yes to Julia Child when she asked me that question in person, so I have to say yes]. But, sometimes there isn’t time to make what I want. Take…
Social networking online is a lot like driving in Chicago in winter. This time of year it’s difficult to drive down the street without dropping into a pothole. You know, a dip that jars your car. After a few potholes, you start to dodge the drop off. This post covers five ways to fill the…
Video: A beach in Jamaica with David Hasselhoff – doing the limbo dance. Reality: New year, new budget, uncertainty Every business and organization needs to set a 2009 budget for marketing, advertising and PR based on the results they want to achieve. Maybe you’re doing the limbo dance with your budget right now. Lowering your…
Today is day two of Project 365 and while I won’t be posting every single picture here, I am posting this one. Tomorrow is the first official workday of 2009 and I’m talking about unplugging lights. What’s up with that? See the row of blue lights? I made my husband put them up on his…
What will a year in pictures look like for you or your business? It’s not too late to start your own Project 365. For ideas on how to get going, check out Project 365, take a photo a day, from Photojojo. You can start a blog just for your project or join a 365 group…
Welcome to a new year! Today is the first day of 2009. I’ve yet to write down all of my 2008 accomplishments, reflections and moments I want to remember. It’s been too holiday-hectic around here this week to claim quiet time to do that. Yet, a theme’s emerging. Last year, I relied more on serendipity…
It all started, for me, when Junta 42 asked their top bloggers to predict what they think will happen with social media and content in 2009. So I put together my short list of the Top 10 2009 Social Media and Content Predictions 1. Short: Twitter bursts conversations 2. Visual: YouTube channels content 3. Graphic:…
I love to speak and help others get out there with their message. Recently, someone asked about where to find more information on how to manage a professional speaking business. Start by checking out your local chapter of the National Speakers Association? Our Illinois Chapter is very friendly, encouraging and resourceful. This group will…
Matthew Watson who writes from PR to Eternity recently updated his world’s top PR blogs list. The qualifier? The list includes only blogs on AdAge Power 150 with PR, Public Relations, Publicity or Flack in the title, along with a few suggestions. This time around, Matthew added in twitter IDs. By the way, Matthew’s blog…
A fancy bow, a cluster of silver spheres, and graceful greenery decked a grand staircase at Macy’s on State Street, formerly known as Marshall Fields. This image turned out as self-portrait captured in every ornament. How do you reflect in all the spheres you encounter? View the Holiday on State Street 2008 collection. …
Looking for help on how to make the most of your LinkedIn connections? On January 15, 2009, I’ll be presenting LinkedIn 101: How to Build Your Business with Online Networking for West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs. Here’s a presentation guide along with registration information. If you’re a meeting planner who needs a speaker, please call me…
Thanks to Joanna Young of Confident Writing for coming up with the Simply the Best group writing project. It’s a call to sort through all of your 2008 posts and pick out just one to share. Joanna will be posting the collection. I’m looking forward to reading what others selected and I’ll be back with…
Microsoft’s getting lots of attention [Small Businesses to PPC: Drop Dead] for its survey that finds 70% of small business owners would rather do their own taxes than manage a PPC [pay per click ad words] campaign. We don’t do our clients’ taxes, but we do manage their marketing strategies, create online PR campaigns and…
So many interesting Search Engine Strategy Sessions, so little time to attend them all. In terms of search engine optimization priorities, you might put lots of other topics ahead of storytelling. Like links, AdWords and platforms. But, what’s a person, company or organization without a story? Because my company is named after two legendary storytellers…
A reader writes “Would love to have your thoughts on our new village logo.” Attached to the message, I found a file with over 30 different logo options. Do you have a question you’d like to ask? Leave your reply in the comment box. Answer: Branding a village – ah yes – a project we’ve…
BurrellesLuce recently released a report on the top 2009 media outlets, including comparisons to past rankings. Grab your copy of the two-page BurrellesLuce’s 2009 “Top Daily Newspapers, Blogs, and Consumer Magazines & Social Networks.” Note that you will have to enter name and email address in exchange for the information. Each list is based on…
Twitter transcripts for this session follow. As always, the updates are as exactly as posted with no changes – and they are in reverse order. So, start at the bottom and read from the top. This is one in series of articles. Browse my Chicago Search Engine Strategies 2008 category for the complete collection. Visit…
BlogWorld and New Media Expo is merging with New Media Expo to become one super huge colossal event next fall in Las Vegas. Will I be there? Yes and you should, too. So, mark your calendar now for October 15-17, 2009. Blogging and New Media Converge in One Event Congratulations goes out to BlogWorld New…
Thanks to Search Engine Strategies for including me in their press corps. Here’s a transcript from the Social Media Optimization session held in Chicago on December 10. Notes captured using CoverItLive are as typed with no editing. You’ll see I figured out how to make longer entries as I went along. Still testing this technology…
Twitter transcripts for this session follow. Apologies to those of you who checked in and found a coveritlive.com template. NOW I know how to use it – testing new technology on the fly is, uh, iffy. But, I think more people enjoyed the twitter updates anyway. So, thanks for your patience and to those of…
Estimates go as high as 150 plus – that’s the number of people who showed up for Chicago Social Media Club’s December event, only our second ever. So . . . what makes a succesful social media networking event? If you guessed people, you got the biggest answer right. Here’s a run down, in no…
It’s Friday. I just crossed the 2,100 mark update on twitter and decided to share this ecourse I wrote to go out to my MTN newsletter subscribers. Now, my newsletter wears the Wired PR Works brand. Sending out a sequenced system like this works with email providers like Aweber – affiliate link. Hope you find…
It’s teleseminar training time. Alex Mandossian is on the phone right now giving away some great information about his course that teaches you how to market your business using teleseminars. This is an affiliate link that takes you to a page to a $20 preview call offer. You’ll get access to a three-hour recording packed…
It’s priceless. And it’s yours. However . . . The way people see you online is not all up to you. Your reputation is in the eye of your reader. While you have some control over where you show up and how you position yourself, [trust me on this] you really want people to have…
Mashable Open Web Awards is now in its final round. Winners in 26 categories will be announced on December 16. Vote here for your favorites in and check out the top three in each. What surprises you about this year’s list? Mainstream & Large Scale Social Networks Netlog http://netlog.com/ Platinum Lounge http://www.platinumlounge.com/ Twitter http://twitter.com/ Embeddable…
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