Just Because it Looks Pretty ...

At M Communications we are constantly noticing the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to marketing. And, one thing I have noticed is that just because a marketing piece looks pretty it doesn't mean it is functional. It's kind of like those really cool nail files that are pretty to look at, but the don't really file your nails. Below is an a example of recent "No-No's":

Wonderful websites gone wrong. There are sites out there that are wonderfully designed and very esthetically pleasing. It is obvious that someone was smart enough to hire a professional graphic designer. The big oops here is that when it came to the navigation and someone decided to create a labyrinth. You have seconds to grab a visitor's attention when they stumble on their website and the more they have to click, the more likely they are going to go "bye-bye." Also, don't get me started on slow loading websites, even if the flash presentation is pretty cool. In both cases, you lose customers.

The Perks of an Entrepreneur

Aside from hard work there are a couple of fun perks, I enjoy as an entreprenuer. In my opinion ... work hard, play hard is a great philosophy.

1. Have laptop? ... you can work anywhere. This is especially great if you are staying in the country, but if you leave ... you may have to check out time zones and have the added bonus of doing all of your work before everyone gets up. Quick tip: if you are taking say your iPhone only - check data roaming fee's ... I personally had a pretty ugly bill after my trip to Mexico and I was only online my last day of the trip (I believe in shutting down on "real" vacations, and this is something you can do when you have back up).

2. Pajama time. When you are not out and about networking (and you need to get out and shake hands), you do get some extra pajama time in ... which I especially like when it is pouring rain outside. Not a winter person ... can you tell?

3. Flexibility. If I tell you this is a 9 - 5 job, I would be a big fat liar. You do have flexibilty though, say when you have day care issue or you want to take a Friday off to go skiiing with your Dad. This is not to say you do not make up the time afterward, but if something comes up you have the flexibility to attend or not.

Lessons Learned from the Wedding Industry

Here at M Communications we pay attention to marketing and there are definite marketing lessons learned from the monopoly that is the wedding industry. The wedding industry is one example of several businesses that drive revenue with deadlines. For example, you need to order XYZ dress, by XX/XX/XXXX in order to have it for your wedding. Also, another line a thought is that every business element that is "expected" at weddings: flowers, cake, etc. Have you ever been to a wedding without flowers? I have not. Anyway - here is my entrepreneurial line of thinking and that is not to act like a crazy bride, but maybe align your business along this thought process and generate more business as a result. Let me know how it goes.

Watch out for Crazy!

It's true. There are crazy people everywhere. They come in the form of friends, clients, and everyday people who otherwise act completely normal until their crazy alter ego shows up. The following are examples of nutso behavior. You would think this would be quite obvious to most. 1. Do not reply ranting and raving to a newsletter that you signed up for. You can unsubscribe with just one click - really simple. Much better than being embarrassed later at networking events where you will most likely see the person you were ragging on. 2. Do not offer unsolicited advice in someones area of expertise. I actually was given book marketing advice the other week. Thank goodness I am learning how to keep a straight face. No eye rolling either. Being that the producers at Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America, etc. (the list goes on and on) will talk to me ... I don't think I need any help in this arena. 3. Do not demand a lower bill rate after you are already been given a discounted rate and proceed to tell said agency they are not billing enough and offer to help them with this problem. Not good and also does not make any sense whatsoever. 4. Do not hire a marketing company to set up your business and expect them to do networking and business development for you. Last time I checked, M Communications does not have a sales staff for hire. Have a great crazy story? I would love to hear from you. Send me an email at: michele@mcommunicationsinc.com

Scrambled Eggs and Sandwiches

I firmly believe there are two things that are always better when someone else makes them: scrambled eggs and sandwiches. Although, I did make some pretty kick a$$ eggs last weekend ... which brings me to a different rule ... if you add enough cheese to anything it will end up being good. Here at M Communications, 3L and I see disasters on a daily basis ... when someone should have relied on someone else, a "real" marketing expert to make it better. It makes us so sad when our clients take the cheap route and then have to spend more money to fix what they did or hired someone to do. I will be honest ... I cannot draw and therefore am not a graphic artist and will never pretend to me. (I have however practiced this cute cat drawing over the years ) This is where we have our quality team members come in for our graphics, web design, and of course I handle the PR ... (did we tell you that Oprah called?) Oh, and I think 2L mentioned without the price tag ... no big office on top of the Tiffany's building for us, we are all virtual and seasoned players. The point of my message is this: hire someone to do the work for you. If you do not have webmaster on your resume; my guess is that you are probably not.

Don't Be a BAD Poster child

Bad Customer Service is Bad Behavior. This is also the same thing as being a Bad Poster child as far as I am concerned. Today's winner examples are as follows. I have had a reoccurring back problem since I was in my early 20's. Crazy water skiing accident where my Dad literally had to fish me out of the lake. Every couple of years by back goes out (I have been going to the same doctor's office for years now) and every time I get a new answer ... surgery, more pills, deal with it, surgery, arthritis blah blah blah. The latest and greatest was physical therapy. Ok- that sounds pretty good to me so I go back to said doctors office and doctor tells me that I am too tense and will live. Did she even read my file? No. Then she offers more vicodin. LAME. The moral of the story is treat your customers well ... they will come back. Listen to them. Get to know them. Understand what they are really about ... it will go miles for you and your business. This doctor is my example of Vicodin Poster child - will hand out pills ... will not do a little homework. Now meet public service notice poster child. Driving home I see someone who actually took the time to make his own personal license plate which says,"Hang Up and Drive." Wow. Really into the new law that has been around for a year. I am guessing this poster child actually causes accidents or at least people wanting to hit him. If you are going do have a marketing message on your car ... make it memorable but make it worthwhile too. Don't be a public service message poster child ... especially if it is for something lame. Have a good marketing story ... share with me. michele@mcommuncationsinc.com or visit our website.

Did Crazy Really just try to friend me on Facebook?

After another episode of a ranting and raving email to 2L and telling the graphic designer that we are not picking out the strongest pictures. (P.S. 2L nor I are allowed to email Crazy at this point without her going completely off the reservation) So, of course our sweet graphic designer asks for photos and she sends over the wrong ones. Again. At this point we had another photographer lined up to re do our whole shoot and we were going to head off to Stinson Beach. Mostly, I am irritated because this is delaying our book. Crazy does calm down and called 2L to ask where things went wrong because she honestly did not know. She also sent me a pretty long apology email and I responded with a thank you and that we really just wanted the photos and to finish the project. Our sweetheart graphic designer made one last ditch effort to get hi res and succeded. Then crazy tried to add me on Facebook. Really!?

Here is the deal, even when you are working with a family friend, there are certain things you need to get in contract ... oh, and HAVE and contract. Oh, and don't contract with crazy ever. It is not worth the grief.

Crazy Part Deux

Crazy is definitely crazy. She did send more pictures, but I really don't think photos with our eyes closed are going to cut it. Michelle (2L) asked for our money back and that resulted at poor 2L being yelled at over the weekend by Crazy. Crazy also sent over two photos we really wanted ... low res with watermarks on them ... we might have to re shoot next week. Crazy has now officially delayed the production of our book SMASH by two weeks. We find out at the end of the day today if she is going to send over the photos without watermarks. I am guessing probably not. Watch out for the crazy people out there. M Communications will be adding the No - Crazy clause in the company bylaws. My fingers are crossed that we do not have to re shoot ... but who am I kidding.