clearly conveyed communications

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Almost)

A Visit from St. Nicholas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers* they came,
and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer!
Now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”

As leaves that before the wild hurricanes fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
so up to the house top, the coursers, they flew
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight —

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

-Attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Major Henry Livingston, Jr.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our loyal readers and supporters! Thank you for all of your likes, comments and shares in 2014. We appreciate every one of you and look forward to a tremendous 2015.

How are you spending the Holidays?

*What’s a courser? A swift horse, a charger.

Your favorite elf,
Jaime

Share the Holiday spirit! Connect with CCC:

https://www.pinterest.com/jaimeshine/ — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeshine/

Social Media 2014: Traveling At The Speed of Light (And A Look Ahead!)

Social media. This ever-changing, real-time world is unbelievable — both in the marketing opportunity it presents and in trying to stay on top of the constant changes. Are you utilizing the new features that popped up in 2014? Let’s take a quick look back…

Facebook

Graph Search is expanded to include individual posts and status updates (read more)
Link posts receive precedence (read more) // Promotional posts fall (read more)
Facebook offers you more control over your News Feed (read more)
Save: a game changer for Facebook (read more)
What’s next? Ask Zuck. (Sorry, no dislike button folks.)

Twitter

Start a conversation: share a tweet through direct messages (read more)
Tag people in a photo / add multiple photos to one tweet (read more)
Twitter offers you more control over your feed (read more)
Would you sell directly in Twitter? (read more)
What’s next? Ask the head tweeters.

From rags to riches: Brian Acton — Facebook didn’t turn him down this time. Brian Acton, co-founder of Instagram, became a multi-billionaire in 2014.

Instagram

Hyperlapse for Instagram: bringing experiences to life (read more)
Caption editing (finally!) and people search on Explore page (read more)
New instant filter preview (& filters) // creative editing tools (read more // read more)
300 million strong: deactivating spam accounts (read more)
What’s next? Discovery, accessibility & time spent

Pinterest

New & improved analytics –> change the way you pin (read more)
New notifications help your business get discovered (read more)
Stop pinning and start a conversation (read more)
New follow button: entice fans and customers from the comfort of your website (read more)
What’s next? Discovering how ads and e-commerce fit

LinkedIn

Customize your background to paint a better picture of you (read more)
New homepage design lets you stay connected (read more)
LinkedIn Publishing stepped up its game (read more)
Who’s viewed your profile? New ways to engage (read more)
What’s next? Big ideas in 2015

Post, Tweet & Pin

What major social media changes in 2014 did I miss?

What 2015 update are you anticipating the most?

What’s your favorite social network now and 3 years ago?

What a year in the social media world!

Cheers,
Jaime

Stay up-to-date on the crazy social media world. Join the discussion:

3 Ways to Encourage More Referrals (From Santa or The Grinch)

What’s on your list for Santa this year? A new computer? Fancy office digs? Or new business? Let’s go with the latter.

Referrals. We all want them, but how do you encourage your clients and supporters to provide them?

The Grinch Brings Back Christmas! — How can you entice more referrals from Santa (or the Grinch)?

Gift Cards – It’s no coincidence that gift cards are the top gift year after year. Starbucks, iTunes and a plethora of other options are available, including local spots. Be creative, and deliver with a hand-written note of appreciation. A cup of joe for referring Bob Smith. Referrals are music to my ears.

Freebies – Free trials, add-on services and swag can all entice folks to keep your business top of mind. Offer a free design consultation, month-long trial membership into your VIP Club or imprinted promotional items. It’s amazing how you can tie a product into what your company does, so you come to mind immediately when needed.

Loyalty Program Points – People are familiar with loyalty programs and enjoy ‘earning’ prizes. Reward referrals with points — more points based on how much business the referral does — that recipients can redeem for cool prizes. Make sure to offer a decent selection of prizes and point levels. If participants have to earn an unreasonably high number of points, they may not feel motivated. You can also tie other actions into your loyalty program, such as reaching specific milestones (i.e. 1 year as a customer, $1,500 in business).

Join the Referral Conversation

How do you encourage and/or reward referrals?

What would encourage you to refer qualified prospects to a business?

Gift cards or swag: what do you prefer?

p.s. CCC appreciates all of our clients, customers and supporters. Thank you for working with us in 2014, and we look forward to doing more business in 2015. If you’d ever like to refer someone to us, check out the contact us page.

Cheers,
Jaime

Writing, social media, marketing and more! Join the discussion:

Why You Should Think Like The B.A.U.

My favorite show on TV is Criminal Minds, which is far from just another show on law enforcement. FBI agents in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (B.A.U.) profile suspected serial killers and hardened criminals in order to solve difficult cases. By reading clues at the crime scene and studying an unsub’s (perpetrator’s) life, the team can learn to think like the criminal to catch him (or her). You’re probably thinking, ‘What’s this have to do with me?’

When you bring on a new client, you probably ask them lots of questions. Some of these questions may not have answers, which could be why you’re there. But your goal is to understand your client as much as possible — his target audience(s), the essence of what he provides, why he does what he does and how he stands out from his competitors. In essence, you’re profiling him to capture who he is and how you can best help him.

I realize that profiling has received a bad rap in some circles lately. However, it’s important to realize what it is — and isn’t. Profiling isn’t about perpetuating stereotypes. Behavioral profiling can help us better understand people, and why they do what they do. Could it possibly be dangerous if put in the wrong person’s hands? Sure, but most things are. That’s why it’s important to learn to use it correctly.

One of my favorite classes in college was Consumer Behavior, which dissects consumers’ purchasing decisions and how they come to those decisions. There’s more science involved than you may think. From people’s personality types to how grocery stores stock their shelves, we’re constantly adding to our knowledge base on people’s behavior and how it affects the world we live in.

“Don’t forget that I cannot see myself — that my role is limited to being the one who looks in the mirror.” -Jacques Rigaut // quoted by Jason Gideon on Criminal Minds

Join the Discussion

Is behavioral profiling helpful in any environment?

Do you use it with your clients or customers?

Who’s your favorite profiler on Criminal Minds?

Picture credit: CBS, home of Criminal Minds

Cheers,
Jaime

Marketing, writing, social media –> Join our conversation!

Social Media: Sales or Marketing Tool?

The big discussion on social media revolves around selling. Is it for hard selling? Creating and maintaining relationships? Building a community?

Social media creates opportunities. It’s up to you to close them.

Social media is one tool in your marketing mix. The confusion lies in the merging of sales and marketing — two separate functions (that need to work together). Marketing, including social media, should bring you opportunities, but it’s up to sales to convert them. Does that make sense?

If you’re receiving (qualified) leads, then social media and your other marketing tools are doing their job. If you’re not, adjust your marketing methods that aren’t working.

If social media isn’t working for you, ask yourself:

Am I on the correct social media platforms?
Is my strategy designed to bring in qualified leads?
What are my calls-to-action (CTAs) asking?

If you’re bringing in qualified leads but not closing them, that’s a sales issue. Perhaps your website isn’t user-friendly, your pricing doesn’t work for people, or they’re not buying the value of your products or services. Regardless, not converting your opportunities isn’t a marketing or social media issue. It’s not about pointing the finger. It’s about achieving results.

That’s my take; I’d love to hear yours!

What’s your take on the sales and marketing conundrum?

Is social media a sales or marketing tool?

Cheers,
Jaime

Sales or marketing: join our conversation!

I’m Thankful For… Unplugging & Reconnecting

“Don’t be a jerk. Try to love everyone. Give more than you take. And do it despite the fact that you only really like about seven out of 500 people.” –Judd Apatow

As a country, America tends to be cynical and polarized, impatient and angry. Maybe it’s our roots. Maybe it’s our lifestyle. Whatever it is, let’s put it all aside for one day. Let’s unplug and reconnect with those close to us, be patient and understanding with strangers we meet. Guess what? If you’re running to the grocery store on Thanksgiving morning, EVERYONE is in a hurry. Trust me, it’s not just you.

My Thanksgiving tradition begins early, rising before daylight in order to get ready to run a Turkey Trot. (It makes me feel better later when I’m enjoying a slice of my decadent peanut butter cream pie.) After running in the cold, I stop in a Starbucks on my trip South to see family for a steaming hot latte. It helps perk me up for the day ahead.

Last year, I was surprised when the barista who took my order told me that she volunteered to work Thanksgiving morning. Her goodwill earned her a hall pass from having to come in that night (when her family gets together) and serve the energized Black Friday crowd. Plus, she mentioned that everyone was in a good mood and even tipped more.

Maybe there’s something to that. Maybe there’s an extra sense of gratitude in the air on Thanksgiving Day, some added patience that helps you smile and forgive a stranger’s transgressions.

Whatever it is, let’s follow its lead. Smile at strangers. Wish them a happy Thanksgiving. Gently steer your drunk uncle in another direction when he starts talking politics. Don’t rip distracted Aunt Hilda a new one for forgetting her expected contribution AGAIN. And if you head out — to a store or restaurant or Starbucks, be nice to the workers. They’re spending their Thanksgiving serving you, and that’s something to be thankful for.

Everyone’s not fortunate enough to have a warm place to go on Thanksgiving. If you or someone you know is hurting this Holiday season, our friends at TED have pulled together information on where you can find a warm Thanksgiving meal near you.

Join the Conversation

What’s your Thanksgiving tradition?

What’s your favorite food on your Thanksgiving menu?

What are you thankful for this year?

p.s. I’m spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends (for which I’m thankful), so there won’t be a blog post on Thursday. If you’re looking for reading material, check out the I’m Grateful For… series. I’ll see you again on Tuesday, December 2nd, to talk about social media and selling. Same bat time, same bat channel!

p.p.s. Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian, Liberian, Grenadian and Norfolk Islander friends who have already celebrated. Yep, it’s not just a U.S. Holiday.

Incredibly thankful and eternally grateful,
Jaime

We’d be thankful if you’d join our conversation.

Writer’s Block: 4 Ways You Can Break Through the Wall

You sit down at your computer to write an inspiring blog post and you get nothing. Maybe it takes the form of a brick wall or just an expansive black void. Everyone suffers from writer’s block from time to time, but how do you break through it to produce meaningful content?

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Current Events: What’s going on in the world right now? It’s so important to be up on current events, not only to make small talk with potential customers and partners, but also so you can tap the pulse of the world, your country, your industry or your city in your blog. It may surprise you how often there’s a connection between what’s going on in the outside world and what you do. For example: Where Has All of the Good Journalism Gone? | The Olympics: A Global Brand (Kind Of)

Your Story: Your journey on the road of owning a business (or excelling in your industry) shouldn’t be shared only during networking events and hostage situations (kidding on that last one). Talk about memorable moments or how you handled difficult situations. People want to hear from people who have lived through similar experiences. Your personal observations can help others navigate through chaotic moments. For example: Jumping Off A Cliff: My 1st Year As An Entrepreneur | An Omnipresent View? The Life of a Small Business Owner

Your Customers: While you’re answering your customers’ questions, jot them down. Chances are that other people have the same questions. Sometimes when a client asks me a question, I actually think, ‘there’s a blog post in there!’ Don’t be afraid to talk about successful case studies either, especially unique ones. Of course, you should make sure your client’s comfortable with using its name or just talk in generalities if you’re not comfortable doing that. For example: Get Social: 4 Easy Ways to Join the Conversation | Should You Slim Down (on Social Media)?

Your Interests: Have you watched an intriguing movie lately? Attended a thought-provoking lecture? Read an inspiring book? Talk about it. Tell your audience why it affected you and how you’re using the experience in your professional life. You may be surprised at how your everyday life spills over into your business. Trust me, I didn’t set out making leg lamp cookies to learn about my business, but I did.

Your Inspiration: I wanted to be two people when I grew up: MacGyver and Ricardo Tubbs. Either that, or join the A-Team. What does that have to do with your business? Everything. I shared with my readers how MacGyver can inspire their marketing efforts and how to model your team after the best there ever was, the A-Team. Oh, and don’t forget about how Elvis can inspire your success. Big fan here! Use your inspirations to inspire others. You never know what will cause that ‘ah ha’ moment in someone else.

Your Turn

How do you beat writer’s block?

What other writing prompts have you used to break through the wall?

What’s your favorite blog post where someone tied in an unexpected subject to business?

Black belt (in beating writer’s block),
Jaime

Break through: join the conversation with CCC.

There’s Only One You, So Shouldn’t You Be Your Own Password?

Are you ready for your close-up? Hoyos Labs thinks you should be, and they may just change the face of the Internet.

Use your face as your password! — What if your face was the only password you’d ever need?

Introducing 1U™, an app that gives you access to all of your favorite sites with one glance. No more frustrating password rules. No more anxious moments as you desperately try to remember the password you need right now. All the security you need (Face/Off references aside.)

Does this technology sound interesting to you? At its launch, you’ll be able to download it free for a 30-day trial (unlimited websites, devices and computers), with 1-year ($49.99) and 2-year ($79.99) packages available. Will you be checking it out?

I’m going to give it a spin. The peace of mind and freed up brain space (from not having to remember all of those ridiculous passwords) alone may be worth it.

The initial press has been solid, including an article in the New York Times. Will 1U™ be the next big thing or just another passing fad?

p.s. Want to know more? Check out this 1U™ fact sheet. Then chime in with your thoughts below.

p.p.s. A member of 1U’s p.r. team alerted me to this app’s upcoming launch, but this is not a sponsored post. I’m simply intrigued by the technology, and thought you may be too.

p.p.p.s I’m still amazed by LeVar Burton’s visor in Star Trek. Does anyone else think it was really a banana comb painted metallic?

Always a tech geek,
Jaime

Join the conversation with CCC:

Saved: Facebook Scrolls Into the News Game

Let’s face it. Facebook desperately wants to be the center of your online activities: your home page, your entertainment hub, your news source. Especially your news source. The social media giant may have finally arrived in this last sector.

Facebook's Save feature — Facebook is giving you more control over your News Feed, including saving content you’d like to view later.

The recently introduced Save feature finally allows you to store interesting news stories and posts away for later when you have some time to read them. This is a great option for users and brands alike. Fans of your page can catch up on your shared blog posts and contests on the train, waiting at the doctor’s office or settled in front of the fire place later that evening. Have you saved any posts on Facebook for later viewing?

When you’re ready to retrieve your saved works, just click on the Saved link on the left hand side of your home page under your other lists (if you have any). A News Feed will display with your saved posts, even allowing you to further narrow down your selection by media type: links, videos, music, books, etc. The Saved News Feed also allows you to easily view the content, the original post or share the content to your network.

For brands, users who save your material have a shortcut to your content and page. Will this affect the type of content you share? Will it encourage you to share more in-depth articles, how-to videos and blog posts, knowing that users don’t have to consume the content when they see it?

Combined with the latest change to Facebook’s algorithm, this may be the way to go. Posts sharing a link with preview now achieve far better reach than pictures or plain text updates (in most cases). Plus, the social media behemoth is now allowing users to further customize their News Feeds.

With these changes, Facebook may finally be moving toward the news source it so desperately wants to be.

Comment: Your Facebook Feedback

Are you using Save and the new customization features?

Have these new features affected your view of brand pages on Facebook?

Do you enjoy using Facebook more, less or the same as one year ago?

What features can Facebook introduce to improve your experience?

p.s. As a user, I’m enjoying Facebook’s new features, but as a brand page owner, I’m still not sold. What do you think?

Cheers,
Jaime

Join the conversation with CCC:

Get Visual With Content Marketing: 5 Tools To Help

We’ve all heard that ‘a picture’s worth a thousand words,’ but the proof is more personal. When you flip through a magazine, browse online or read a blog post, where do your eyes go? To the pictures. So it should be no surprise that images are the number one most important factor in optimal social media content. [source]

I can spout stats all day, but instead I’d like to focus on tools to help you create professional images for your content marketing and social media needs.

Your Gallery – You’d be surprised at the wealth of images already available at your fingertips. Look at some of your favorite pictures and see how you could tie them in to your marketing message (like the image above). Furthermore, if you come across an interesting photo op, take it. I snapped a close up shot of the front of a journal a few weeks ago and ended up using it last week for a CCC Facebook post.
Creative Commons (or CC) Search – I love this search engine! Easily find legal images to spice up your content on various search engines. If you’re looking to modify an image or use it for commercial purposes, check the appropriate boxes because licenses vary. Make sure to properly attribute the photo you find.
PicMonkey – A fun, online photo editor that allows you to design visuals from scratch or edit your own photos. Standard templates are available (including a Facebook cover photo) and the array of themes, frames, text fonts, overlays and other tools at your disposal — for free — are impressive. Paid membership is available for additional resources.
Square InstaPic – Are you tired of trying to force your photos into Instagram’s square template? Then this dynamic, easy-to-use app is for you! Square InstaPic allows you to use your whole image and enhance it — add text, change background colors, use filters, make collages, etc. I love this app so much it sits right next to my Instagram app on my visual home screen. Android only. (iPhone owners, what’s your favorite photo editing app?)
Picture Manager – This handy little program is a lifesaver, so I’m sad to see that it isn’t included in MIcrosoft Office 2013 (although you can still get it.) Resizing your images to optimal size for the social network you’re using them for is an important step, and I regularly use this program just for that reason. You can also crop, remove red eye, rotate and adjust the color, among a number of editing functions. As a bonus, Picture Manager also allows you to save pictures as different file types and serves as an effective way to manage your gallery.