WordPress.com’s Weekly Writing Challenge: A Pinch of You got me thinking. What makes you, you exactly? All of us are made up of a special mix of physical traits, intangibles and, shall we say, character flaws. So what’s your recipe?
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Set out in the sun until desired temperature is achieved. Sprinkle with a bit of impatience before serving, but don’t wait too long!
Soaking in the rays on Hilton Head Island…
If you make Shine Soup while watching The Bionic Woman, it just tastes better. (Ask Jaime Sommers; it’s true.)
Serve with homemade gnocchi, lasagna or other fine Italian cuisine. Oh, and alcohol.
They’re FRA-GEE-LAY… must be Italian!
Warning: Consumption of this food may force your brain into overdrive. Sorry, there’s no off switch, but the feeling should subside within 24 hours after eating.
Note: Do not make this recipe early in the morning. Trust me, it won’t turn out well.
Shine Soup is best enjoyed with a sibling, longtime friends or family.
I’m not typically into poetry — writing it or reading it. But this poem caught my eye in high school and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s graced a wall (printed out on tie-dyed paper) at various stops along the way and always has a prominent place in my mind.
Recently I’ve watched a few episodes of the classic show, Cheers (thank you, Netflix!), and remembered why I always enjoyed hanging out with the gang at the friendly bar in Boston. The show’s tagline, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, says it all.
Cheers — Where Everybody Knows Your Name
The characters came across as regular people who you would love to discuss current events with over a beer (and by current events, I mean last night’s game or Sam’s love life). They made everybody feel welcome, whether you were a local or out of towner passing through. (OK, unless you were a rowdy New York fan.)
The point is, people wanted to come there because they felt welcome and accepted. I’m sure there were other bars they could have ventured to (even Norm), but Cheers is where they chose to spend their time — and money.
Does your business leave customers and prospects with a warm feeling? Do you have regulars (repeat customers) that you know inside and out and always try to add a little extra touch for?
What’s the most amazing way to treat your customers, especially regulars?
I was always amazed when the general manager at the Panera Bread near my former company’s office would already be making my order when I got to the counter — whether it was a caramel latte in the morning or a cup of creamy broccoli cheddar soup (and possibly another latte if I needed a boost) for lunch. She always left me with a smile on my face. True story: I met some former colleagues there for lunch a year after I left the company to start my business and had not returned to this location. As I was ordering, the general manager walked up, greeted me by name and asked how I was doing.
Why did I choose to return there time after time? There were other places I could get espresso or soup, but I felt a connection to the company and this location — all because a general manager provided excellent service and remembered my name.
I see the same type of service (and smiles) at my local Starbucks and enjoy the atmosphere at a local coffee shop that’s really established itself as a part of the community.
Yes, I have an espresso problem. I even take it rafting.
Are you noticing a theme? I tend to give my business to companies that provide excellent service, make me smile and remember my name. Are you nodding in agreement (or just nodding off)? Notice that I didn’t say anything about the cheapest price. Yes, I want to see value for my dollar, but that doesn’t translate to cheap. And I’ll take a wonderful experience over cheap any day.
So how can your business be that place where Everybody Knows Your Name?
Establish a ‘frequent shopper’ program. If that’s not exactly applicable, reward repeat customers in other ways. At CCC, we discount our services on program business (i.e. repeat business/multiple services purchased together).
Say thank you — on each order, payment, quote/opportunity, referral, helpful advice, etc. A Starbucks or iTunes card is an appreciated token of appreciation for referrals or loyal customers as is your expertise. We’ve been known to help out a loyal customer with his LinkedIn profile or offer complimentary suggestions on improving a fellow company’s online marketing efforts. But trust me, even saying the words thank you is noticed — and appreciated — in today’s rushed and flustered world.
Communicate clearly. So much of our communication is digital today; emailing, texting, tweeting or messaging is convenient. At CCC, we like to communicate how our customers prefer, whether that’s Skype, Facebook or a good old-fashioned phone call. Also, make sure you’re on the same page about a project, including any applicable deadlines. Nothing’s messier than miscommunication; it causes stress all around, puts people in bad positions and costs both parties time and money.
How do you make your business a place where Everybody Knows Your Name? How do you make your loyal customers feel special? Put a smile on everyone’s face?
Freedom isn’t free… Thank you to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have served and sacrificed at home and around the world to keep us free.
We hope our US friends had a safe and happy Fourth of July and continue celebrating (and remembering) through the holiday weekend.
Wow, 237 years old. I’m sure our Founding Fathers would have been thrilled if they had known the fledgling nation they founded on blood, sweat, tears and a heap of courage, would still be going strong today.
What’s your favorite Fourth of July tradition? Did you start a new one this year?
The picture collage above showcases some of my favorite memories that come to mind when I think of America and Independence Day. What comes to mind for you?
Independence Day also brings to mind one of my favorite songs, God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Greenwood perform this iconic song live and it’s chilling. I still get goosebumps every time I hear it.
I’ll leave you with that beautiful song to enjoy your weekend. To our International friends, have a wonderful weekend and thanks for reading! We get a little patriotic this time of year. 🙂
I recently crossed an entry off my ever-growing reading list by tackling Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Part memoir, part cathartic experience, this gripping read brings you along during Strayed’s journey of hiking the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT).
“I was alone. I was barefoot. I was twenty-six years old and an orphan too. An actual stray, a stranger had observed a couple of weeks before, when I’d told him my name and explained how very loose I was in the world. “
During this life-altering experience, Strayed dips back into memories or moments from her life that explain her actions, decisions and how she arrived at her starting point of the trail in the Mojave Desert, via a hitchhiked ride, completely unprepared even though she was overloaded with the weight of her pack (aptly named “Monster).
Cheryl Strayed on the PCT in southern California, June 1995.
From page one, I was hooked. It’s not only the life-or-death moments (although those do happen on the remote PCT); it’s the inner journey that Strayed takes to finally heal from her mother’s death and move on with her life. Despite the rapidly changing conditions, wild animals and extreme exhaustion, the author is able to hear her own voice on long, lonely stretches where it was only her and Mother Nature.
Cheryl Strayed at Crater Lake near the PCT, August 1995.
You actually feel like you’re along for the ride. For a lot of us, this is as close as we’ll ever get to hiking the PCT, but you feel a connection with Strayed early on. Why? She’s grieving, lost and flawed, yet determined to find herself and right her ship before it’s too late.
Haven’t we all been there on some level? Maybe you’ve made a poor decision, let a close friend down or found yourself in a depressing relationship that you can’t get out of. We’ve all faced obstacles, some more than others, and had to overcome them in order to move on with our lives. That’s where Strayed’s story fits in.
Wild reaches out, grabs your heart and makes an emotional connection. When you’ve read the last page, you may feel like you’ve made a journey yourself — not hiking the PCT but tackling a demon or problem in your own life.
If I haven’t piqued your interest enough, check out the book’s trailer…
Have you read the book? What did you think?
If not, are you interested in reading this book now?
Hashtags — love them or hate them? Are they good or bad for business? Photo courtesy of Michael Coghlan via Creative Commons License
Let’s take a closer look at the world of hashtags…
On the positive side, hashtags open up your social media updates to a whole new world: non-subscribers, non-fans and non-followers. Searching hashtags brings potential fans, followers, subscribers — and customers — to your doorstep. Whenever I use hashtags, I always receive more traffic from those outside of my network. I’ve also come across brands — both personal and corporate — on Instagram and Twitter that I probably never would have found otherwise.
Hashtags are also a wonderful way to have a conversation online. Stay up to date with webinars, events, ad campaigns, sporting events, etc. by searching for the hashtag and participating in the conversation. As a marketer (or event professional), designating hashtags for your campaigns and events is a great way to invite attendees to join the conversation, build momentum pre- and post-event, involve those unable to attend and integrate your online and offline marketing efforts.
The #Olympics hashtag: insight and insanity
For example, Twitter noted that the #SuperBowl hashtag was used 3 million times over an approximate 5-hour time period. As a marketing professional, you’re probably excited to jump in! But slow down — and do the math. That breaks down to an average of 167 tweets per second. And remember, anyone can use a hashtag — not only brands, companies or excited fans talking positively about your product or service. Someone complaining about a sideline reporter’s outfit or a celebrity that’s spotted in the crowd will show up in that hashtag search as well. As Oreo showed us, hashtags don’t make the tweet.
Oreo stole the show on Super Bowl Sunday. No hashtag needed.
Another negative aspect is what I like to call ‘overhashtagging.’ I’m pretty sure that’s not a word, but it is in my dictionary. #Have #you #ever #read #a #tweet #like #this? #Probably #not #because #its #so #annoying. I’ve spoken to Twitter users regarding hashtag use and come across research that noted readership (and engagement) drops after 2 – 3 hashtags. Of course, it’s not just on Twitter; we’ve all seen photos maxing out the 30 hashtag limit on Instagram. As my mom always says, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. #justsaying
In summary, hashtags have good and bad qualities like most things in life. They can be used correctly or abused as some of the pros and cons below show.
Pros
gain new followers, fans, subscribers and possibly customers
have a conversation online
bring event attendees into the conversation, including pre- and post-event
integrate online and offline marketing efforts
help a campaign go viral
Cons
new followers may be temporary or fake
aesthetically unpleasing
overuse is distracting / hard to read
overuse lowers readership / engagement
get lost in the sea of popular hashtags
I came across an insightful comment by Daniel Victor, social media staff editor at The New York Times, which sums up my opinion of hashtags well.
“Here’s where I’ll join the rest in unquantifiable hoodoo: I believe hashtags are aesthetically damaging. I believe a tweet free of hashtags is more pleasing to the eye, more easily consumed, and thus more likely to be retweeted (which is a proven way of growing your audience). I believe for every person who stumbles upon your tweet via hashtag, you’re likely turning off many more who are put off by hashtag overuse. We need not banish the hashtag, but let’s start putting more thought into when we’re using it.”
Your Thoughts
What do you think? Are you a hashtag user or recovering abuser? Refuse to use them?
Have hashtags been beneficial to your business? Or hurt your online brand?
Please chime in with your thoughts on the wonderful, wacky world of hashtags! Feel free to link to articles, blog posts, studies, etc. (including your own) on the subject in the comments as well.
p.s. Sunday, June 30th, is Social Media Day 2013! Join CCC as we celebrate (virtually) the power of social media in our lives. View the event invite for details and social media resources.
Clearly Conveyed Communications is excited to share our second guest blog post, Table Top, by Sage Doyle. Following is an original poem by Mr. Doyle that he was willing to share with our readers.Enjoy!
Who is Sage Doyle?
Sage Doyle is a mainstream novel writer pursuing
publication. On his blog, he features a mix of
poetry and short fiction, including the ongoing
story, The Journal of Wall Grimm (which
contains mature content.) Mr. Doyle has a B.A. in
English and an M.S. in Psychology/Counseling.
His approach to fiction writing is character-
based, psychological and literary. You can
connect with Sage on Twitter @sagedoyle or via email at sagedoyle@yahoo.com. Sage Doyle is a pen name.
Table Top
by
Sage Doyle
I see my hand spread broad across the table top
empty upon the flat of my palm
with nothing to grip but the energy of my conviction
We hope you enjoyed Sage Doyle’s original work! Please visit his blog to enjoy more of Mr. Doyle’s writing and leave a comment with your thoughts below.
Also, we would love to host more guest bloggers! If you’re interested, please review our invite and get in touch!.
It struck me a few days ago that we’re already half way through the year. Crazy, isn’t it?! So I wanted to post an update and see how I’m doing so far.
Without further ado… (items crossed out have been accomplished:
Attend a Kent State University basketball game (my alma mater!)
Go ice skating
Watch a hockey game live
Attend a professional networking event
Go for a twilight hike
I love Zambonis! Watching the Lake Erie Monsters
Enter a trail running event
Register for my first triathlon
Get together with my family at least monthly <So far, so good!>
Celebrate special occasions with family & friends <Just celebrated my sister-in-law’s birthday and Father’s Day this past week! Next up, my brother’s birthday.>
Watch the inauguration festivities for the first time
A slightly different take on a Valentine’s Day wreath…
Bring on 5 new dream clients <On pace, lots of activity right now…>
Read 100 books! (Yep, full fledged book worm here.) <I need to start counting!>
Write the first chapter of my novel
Make time for me 🙂
Jump out of another airplane!
Finished 6 of 7 Dark Tower books by Stephen King… along with a few others.
Proud to join the KSU Alumni crew at Haven of Rest for National Day of Service 2013
Spa day 🙂
Finally bring home a furry friend
Travel, travel, travel — across town & across the world
Watch the sunrise
Watch the sunset
Watching the sunset at Canal Park
Step outside of my comfort zone
Watch the fireworks at an Aeros game
Book a spontaneous getaway
Unplug & connect with nature for a day
Laugh often
Create with my hands
Enjoying the serene Alder Pond at Gorge Metro Park
Swim in the ocean
Walk on water again –> paddle boarding 🙂
Get up close & personal to the octagon at a UFC event
Be ready for my next great opportunity & pounce on it
Get muddy often
How about you? How are you doing on your 2013 bucket list? It’s not too late to create one! Leave your thoughts in the comments below or hit me up on social media.
clearly conveyed communications 