The email subscription system through feedburner was set up for the podcast only. Now it is set up for the blog. New email subscribers will receive the blog entries (that also include podcast notification). The big buttons are still there for both blog and podcast delivery options.
Rosh
Filed under: Podcast, blog | No Comments »
Rosh and Dean get a little defensive after looking through the Prosperous artists analytics and seeing a search query that they didn’t agree with… Intelligent vs. Creative people.
To learn more about Deep Canvas, the creative industry social networking site which Dean referenced, click here. To join: go here.
Filed under: Artist Podcast, blog, creativity, ideas | No Comments »
Managing our work flow is as much about managing our people as it is about managing our ideas. And, that’s really part of why this idea of an effective Contact Relationship Management is so important.
Back when I produced news/talk radio in my early twenties, I kept records on every guest I booked in a 3″ x 5″ card file. I had the usuals: name, title, business, address. But what I needed was their phone numbers where they could be found if my news director then wanted them … any time. This was 1983, and cell phones were still the play toy of the rich and famous. For one frequent guest, I had eleven different numbers that I could try. How did I get them? I almost always asked guests, “If this number is busy or you’re not around later … what’s another number I could try you on?” It was the data I needed to do my job. I’m sure that many old guard radio producers are still booking guests on cards today.
Let’s look at an example from Today. You may not believe me … let me tell you what I know about Rosh. I call his cell 99.5% of the time. His cell is on my T-Mobile My Fav’s, so it’s just part of my basic rate plan. In case I can’t reach him, I have his house, business office, cell, his wife’s cell, his daughter’s cell, his mom’s number, his number at the photo studio he shares and I recently almost copied his dad’s business number off his dad’s website. He doesn’t have a fax that I know about, but I’m sure the secretarial service he uses does. I’ve had a number at the newspaper where he’s worked and the presentation center he used to lease. And I don’t bother to keep the numbers of the two Universities where he teaches, since they have switchboards. That too is eleven different phone numbers … and counting! I’ve had to use some of these others as situation requires. Like when his daughter and my daughter have pal’ed around in the past and it’s time to bring my kid back home … and she’s just not picking up her cell phone.
Oh, did I mention all the different email addesses Rosh that has? He has quite a few of those as well, I think about seven or eight. But I use one of them more then the others too …
So, this is one example of data … is it extreme? - Only to make our point. The amount of data you can collect is a useful tool and also a burden. You want to keep the right information. Business cards and hand outs are a great example, but they won’t tell you everything. That’s why we need to have a system.
BTW. did you know that you can get some wonderful land out in Colorado and great personal service, by calling Rosh’s dad, Mal, directly at 719 … 207 … oh wait, that’s his cell number.
– Dean L.
Filed under: Business Podcast | No Comments »
In my Kick-start programs I always encourage a couple thinking days. People are often too involved with life to think. Sometimes you need to schedule it. Sadly.
I recommend today be that day.
I’ve come up with incredible ideas during my thinking days. I’m communicating with you through one of them. I’ve had life and revenue changing ideas during my powerful days of thinking.
A thinking day involves you slowing your life down, for one day, with a pad of paper. Write down every new creative thought. Pray or meditate. Let the creative ideas flow.
Don’t stop with the first idea. You might get really excited about it, but just write it down, continue the process and complete your successful day of thinking.
Rosh
Filed under: Business Podcast, Mental Processes, Risk, blog, ideas, thoughts, writing | No Comments »
I followed up on my post about advertising. I share new ideas and talk about the list of adverting options in my pervious post. You want to be top of mind.
Who’s creative : Detroit! (at least trying) http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/BUSINESS04/805040660/1017
Rosh
Filed under: Artist Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Marketing, Podcast, ideas, promotion, thoughts | No Comments »
Discipline yourself to capture the various and creative ideas that float in and out of your brain before they escape from your grasp … just like a net captures elusive butterflies before they too float just out of our grasp. Carry a pen or pencil with you nearly all the time. You can always find something to write them down on.
Filed under: Business Podcast, Life, creativity | No Comments »
Often the first line item cut during a downturn is advertising. Companies go into a defensive mode. But, Just like investing, the best time to advertise is when the rates are down and competition is lower.
It’s easier to break through the noise.
It is true you may not receive as high return compared to the boom times, but advertising during a receession is not about big profits. It’s about market share and name recognition. During a slowdown while the competition is hiding in fear, waiting for the storm to blow over, you can gain marketing share and increase your name recognition that will be rewarded when the boom times return.
I understand that money can be tight. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t be aggressive. Below is a list of low cost promotion and advertising options.
I’ll follow up with a podcast on this topic.
Rosh
Web classifieds
Search Engine advertising. You set the budget!
Write a press release
Send to local and traditional media: News Paper list , National media
Create a Newsletter
Write articles for distribution
Send Birthday, thank you, greeting and post cards
Promotional products
http://topofthelinepromotions.com/ (networking partner)
Other low cost ideas
Low run direct mail (send to only people you have met networking)
Sponsor a contest
Local cable ad (often less expenses then you think)
Trade banners with current clients
Create a viral video
Host a local networking event.
If you have additional ideas please add them to the comments.
Filed under: Art, Business, Life, Marketing, blog, ideas, promotion, thoughts | 1 Comment »
With this weeks installment on my series on CRM, I’m going to praise and affirm the sports car, but I will tell you how to get started with a subcompact car for free.
Let me share some of my own journey. My research on CRM has taken me from Google Searches to LinkedIn Questions. I’ve asked everyone from IT consultants to business owners. I’ve tried everything from creating my own using tools like MS Access and AppleWorks, to adapting work arounds for Outlook and Palm Pilot, my iCal and Google calendars and programs like Plaxo and Apple Address Book. I’ve spent days looking for templates, freeware and shareware, and I’ve slipped back times to using the pile and file method of which we blogged earlier. I’ve used free trials of many products and no risk downloads, which I won’t name here. Over the past eight years, I have just wanted something that worked for me.
A great work tool like a CRM solution should support you in your journey, interest and assist you and once in a while just do things that make you grateful or excited. Some say that the same characteristics can be found in a great relationship. That’s the key, the relationship you have with it reflects what you put in to it. Your work tools however won’t be upset if you forget their birthdays.
If I were going to buy the car of my dreams, it would be either the Audi TT or the Saturn Sky. Yes, small, fast and sporty are what I like to drive. Yet, I drive a Volvo V70 wagon, which is about to start its second decade of life. (I think being a parent of school agers along with a personal need to haul things has something to do with that, even though I keep reminding my wife we also own a Dodge Grand Caravan too.) The CRM program I would to like to drive and am offering an endorsement on is Sage CRM. My friend Dave Bilbrey represents this product. I’ve looked at his and played around on it. I find I like the interface, the feel and look and in trying it out … it is a great solution. It’s well written with great support – you don’t feel hung out to dry. He offers a 30-day free trial if you are interested, and the monthly rate is competitive with other solutions. You can reach him through his website http://www.davebilbrey.com. Tell him Dean sent you and you’re interested in his free trial of Sage CRM.
I must confess that in a budget cut here, I have had to opt for my number two CRM choice here. As for the one that has low costs, like a simple car … there are no frills either. This is also an Internet hosted solution. I am not as thrilled with its pay to play functionality, but as I learn more and more about it. I like the fact it is more then just an address book on the Internet. It’s a chance to play with a CRM for no cost. You can see if more functionality is the right solution. If you need a no cost solution and are willing to put up with the ads and emails asking you to upgrade, you will have to email me directly for that link.
Next week, we will talk about information which you want and need to have.
- Dean L.
Filed under: Business, Sales, time | No Comments »
Rosh and Dean share a conversation on branding. Are you telling your story?
Who’s Creative
Filed under: Business Podcast, Life, Marketing, Podcast, blog, photography | No Comments »
After you have asked. Ask again.
Ask questions. Ask the people that know what it takes, ask the people that have done it and ask the people that can make it happen.
Then, ask again.
I’ve never had a magazine cover in California. Why? Because I’ve never asked publishers in California to consider my work. I’ve never had a photograph purchased from a New York gallery, because I’ve never offered my work for displayed in a New York gallery. I’ve never had a book published, because I’ve not even tried.
I’ve had a number of students wonder how they could possibly work for a major newspaper. My answer is always the same. Apply for the job.
Even if she doesn’t get the job, she will find that asking the right questions will gave her a better understanding of what it takes and how to improve.
Then, ask again.
Rosh
Filed under: Business, Career, Life, Networking, blog, ideas, thoughts | 2 Comments »
