It's Friday! Time to throw a little jazz into your weekend gatherings. No, I don't mean getting in step with a Richard Simmons jazzercise tape. I'm talking about being the hostess with the mostess.
Before you reach for a Valium and a martini, don't worry: no pressure to be the next Martha Stewart. It's easy and simple and fun to change up your appetizer routine, and you can do it with the help of YouTube.
I come from a traditional, Lutheran, Minnesotan family: canned soup is practically in my DNA. I can make a tatertot hotdish in my sleep.
But no one likes eating Jello molds before the football game or while playing Wii (Jello and Wii do not mix, unless you're 22 and the Jello is prepared with cheap vodka).
I've learned so much from YouTube cooking demos. To get started, surf the channels (FoodNetwork has one, for instance), search by the food you like, simply search "appetizer"--you can even search by the cook, if you have a favorite.
This is old school Rachel Ray. She's making easy Grilled Green Quesadillas with Brie and Herbs. Deeelish. You can even make them on the stovetop if certain Hennepin County regulations prevent you from keeping a BBQ on the deck of your condo. I'm just sayin' it's easy, that's all.
So tonight, when you're with a group of friends watching Brett Farve make his debut (hope he doesn't break a hip), surprise everyone with something a little bit different that doesn't require you leaving work early to make it.
Be the fabulous person you are -- and have fun!
8.19.2009
Five Tips to Reduce Technology-Project Anxiety
If you need a boost of motivation to embrace conversations with those who worship in the church of technology, do I have the article for you.
A little background: about 8 months ago my former team was trying to patch up a back-end problem with our Web hosting system. The problem was bigger than us. Bigger, but not impossible to fix.
A day later a consultant returned my emails with the solution implemented and the problem identified. Yet I clearly remember sitting back in my chair and reading the email, rubbing my forehead in frustration.
"What in the world is a problem with pods??"
I was too exasperated to put up a fight; I settled for the fact that the problem was resolved - I reasoned that I didn't need to know how it worked.
Fast forward to a month ago: by this time I was buried in marketing technology projects. Over eight hours a day tweaking, explaining, structuring, problem-solving - any kind of "ing" you can think of pertaining to marketing I was working on it with our marketing technology. And, just like being immersed in Spain when learning Spanish, I began to learn how to talk the language. Guess what? It wasn't all that scary, nor that complicated to understand (with a little help from YouTube demos and blogs!).
I wish I had discovered the One to One Interactive Marketing blog months ago, particularly an article entitled "Don't let the geek speak intimidate you (Five tips to reduce technology-project anxiety)." The five pointers are uber helpful, the writing is friendly, and it's empowering.
A little background: about 8 months ago my former team was trying to patch up a back-end problem with our Web hosting system. The problem was bigger than us. Bigger, but not impossible to fix.
A day later a consultant returned my emails with the solution implemented and the problem identified. Yet I clearly remember sitting back in my chair and reading the email, rubbing my forehead in frustration.
"What in the world is a problem with pods??"
I was too exasperated to put up a fight; I settled for the fact that the problem was resolved - I reasoned that I didn't need to know how it worked.
Fast forward to a month ago: by this time I was buried in marketing technology projects. Over eight hours a day tweaking, explaining, structuring, problem-solving - any kind of "ing" you can think of pertaining to marketing I was working on it with our marketing technology. And, just like being immersed in Spain when learning Spanish, I began to learn how to talk the language. Guess what? It wasn't all that scary, nor that complicated to understand (with a little help from YouTube demos and blogs!).
I wish I had discovered the One to One Interactive Marketing blog months ago, particularly an article entitled "Don't let the geek speak intimidate you (Five tips to reduce technology-project anxiety)." The five pointers are uber helpful, the writing is friendly, and it's empowering.
8.18.2009
Kill The Troll: Copy That Simply Doesn't Work
So I've been absent for a bit - within a month I started working in communications for another law firm (which I'm loving) and I've made plans to move out of my beloved Minneapolis neighborhood (I confess that I was hook-line-and-sinker for a place with underground parking; the less I have to use an ice scraper on my windshield, the happier I am).
I just read a clever article that inspired me to make time to post: "The #1 Conversion Killer in Your Copy(And How to Beat It)."
It's a big promise, but this is what Sonia Simone writes:
"What makes people almost buy? What makes them get most of the way there, then drop out of your shopping cart at the last second? What makes them stare at your landing page, wanting what you have to offer, and yet, ultimately, close the page and move on to something else?
It turns out there’s a hideous troll hiding under the bridge. Every time you get close to making a sale, the troll springs out and scares your prospect away. Get rid of the troll and your copy will start converting better than it ever has before."
Although you might not even sell a single product that can be put into a "shopping cart" on the Web, it's good to know that it's a widespread belief that the average Web surfer can tell the difference between copy that 'sounds good' and copy that is good.
The unfortunate (or fortunate) side of that statement is with good copy, people don't even notice it's copy: it's a company.
I just read a clever article that inspired me to make time to post: "The #1 Conversion Killer in Your Copy(And How to Beat It)."
It's a big promise, but this is what Sonia Simone writes:
"What makes people almost buy? What makes them get most of the way there, then drop out of your shopping cart at the last second? What makes them stare at your landing page, wanting what you have to offer, and yet, ultimately, close the page and move on to something else?
It turns out there’s a hideous troll hiding under the bridge. Every time you get close to making a sale, the troll springs out and scares your prospect away. Get rid of the troll and your copy will start converting better than it ever has before."
Although you might not even sell a single product that can be put into a "shopping cart" on the Web, it's good to know that it's a widespread belief that the average Web surfer can tell the difference between copy that 'sounds good' and copy that is good.
The unfortunate (or fortunate) side of that statement is with good copy, people don't even notice it's copy: it's a company.
7.22.2009
Harvard Business Posts an 18-Minute Plan for Managing Your Day
Peter Bregman, contributing writer for Harvard Business Daily, penned an excellent post with tips on how best to manage your day. Read the post here.
A selection:
"The power of rituals is their predictability. You do the same thing in the same way over and over again. And so the outcome of a ritual is predictable too. If you choose your focus deliberately and wisely and consistently remind yourself of that focus, you will stay focused. It's simple."
Remember: small steps produce big results. Be inspired to start today.
A selection:
"The power of rituals is their predictability. You do the same thing in the same way over and over again. And so the outcome of a ritual is predictable too. If you choose your focus deliberately and wisely and consistently remind yourself of that focus, you will stay focused. It's simple."
Remember: small steps produce big results. Be inspired to start today.
7.21.2009
Learn a Little Code Today
If you're managing staff who could use a few HTML skills (or even you yourself), here are two great resources that will save you the cost and time of formal training. Knowing a just little HTML can go a long way.
One of my favorite sources of "self-help" is actually eBay. Tips include code for paragraphs, line breaks, horizontal lines, emphasizing words, and using color (although you'll want to make sure you don't have a closet Martha Stewart on your hands before you give someone free release to start making everything aqua).
For a more detailed cheat sheet, check out WebMonkey.
One of my favorite sources of "self-help" is actually eBay. Tips include code for paragraphs, line breaks, horizontal lines, emphasizing words, and using color (although you'll want to make sure you don't have a closet Martha Stewart on your hands before you give someone free release to start making everything aqua).
For a more detailed cheat sheet, check out WebMonkey.
7.20.2009
Kick Cliches to the Curb
Want a quick and dirty way to make your writing appear more professional on the Web and in print collateral? Avoid cliches. Avoid them like the plague.
Cliches are like dirty old men at the bar: they'll try to get you drunk on raspberry Kamakazi shots and then act like the innocent Boy Scout wanting to give you a ride home. Steer clear.
Work your prose without having to use cliches. They will bog your writing down to a dreary level of "acceptable" and not much more.
The BBC has provided an updated list of cliches that have worn out their welcome with nearly everyone:
1) "Basically"
2) "To be fair..." -- often followed by a comment that isn't fair
3) Its ugly sister: "To be honest"
4) "Going forward" -- you wouldn't go backward, so why clarify 'going foward' -- this used to be a cardinal sin of mine. Too easy to use when trying to be gentle in correcting someone else's mistake.
5) "The fact of the matter is"
6) "Let's face it"
7) "Touch base" -- I'll forgive you if you use this one, but try to live without it.
8) "110%"
9) "In the pipeline" -- I see this one in my email maybe 2-3x a day. That's one heck of a pipeline. Call a plumber.
10) "The reason being"
11) "You know" -- Jeff Foxworthy pretty much squeezed every last penny out of this one. If you coach someone in public speaking, you may not write it down, but correct them every single time they blurt it out without thinking, especially when responding to questions.
Keep 'em out of your RFPs, Web content, and yes, even your emails. Kick your habitual use of cliches today.
Cliches are like dirty old men at the bar: they'll try to get you drunk on raspberry Kamakazi shots and then act like the innocent Boy Scout wanting to give you a ride home. Steer clear.
Work your prose without having to use cliches. They will bog your writing down to a dreary level of "acceptable" and not much more.
The BBC has provided an updated list of cliches that have worn out their welcome with nearly everyone:
1) "Basically"
2) "To be fair..." -- often followed by a comment that isn't fair
3) Its ugly sister: "To be honest"
4) "Going forward" -- you wouldn't go backward, so why clarify 'going foward' -- this used to be a cardinal sin of mine. Too easy to use when trying to be gentle in correcting someone else's mistake.
5) "The fact of the matter is"
6) "Let's face it"
7) "Touch base" -- I'll forgive you if you use this one, but try to live without it.
8) "110%"
9) "In the pipeline" -- I see this one in my email maybe 2-3x a day. That's one heck of a pipeline. Call a plumber.
10) "The reason being"
11) "You know" -- Jeff Foxworthy pretty much squeezed every last penny out of this one. If you coach someone in public speaking, you may not write it down, but correct them every single time they blurt it out without thinking, especially when responding to questions.
Keep 'em out of your RFPs, Web content, and yes, even your emails. Kick your habitual use of cliches today.
7.17.2009
The Problem of Clutter: What a Time Suck! The Challenge of 100 Things
Perhaps you're one of those people that I envy: true simplicity abounds in your life, and there's a place for every magazine, mascara tube, and muffin pan you own.
Or, perhaps you're like me, and after a long day of work you dread the thought ~ I have to clean again?? Truthfully, though, it's not a problem with cleanliness. The time suck comes from too much clutter. Accumulating 'things' can actually become oppressive.
If you, too, feel weighed down by the sheer amount of stuff surrounding you at home, kick off a new adventure with me: it's called the "100 Things Challenge."
About a year ago a San Diego blogger named Dave Bruno started a movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge" in an attempt to free his life from excessive clutter and remove himself from excess consumerism.
Now, although I'm not setting an absolute goal to get down to 100 things, I very much appreciate his concept. I plan to sort through at least ten items everyday: pitch it, donate it, sell it, or keep it. Easy said, but not so easy done.
Yet I have a feeling that once I finish just one closet I'll feel a lot better about what I'm coming home to at the end of the day.
For more inspiration, see Time Magazine's piece on "de-cluttering."
Or, perhaps you're like me, and after a long day of work you dread the thought ~ I have to clean again?? Truthfully, though, it's not a problem with cleanliness. The time suck comes from too much clutter. Accumulating 'things' can actually become oppressive.
If you, too, feel weighed down by the sheer amount of stuff surrounding you at home, kick off a new adventure with me: it's called the "100 Things Challenge."
About a year ago a San Diego blogger named Dave Bruno started a movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge" in an attempt to free his life from excessive clutter and remove himself from excess consumerism.
Now, although I'm not setting an absolute goal to get down to 100 things, I very much appreciate his concept. I plan to sort through at least ten items everyday: pitch it, donate it, sell it, or keep it. Easy said, but not so easy done.
Yet I have a feeling that once I finish just one closet I'll feel a lot better about what I'm coming home to at the end of the day.
For more inspiration, see Time Magazine's piece on "de-cluttering."
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