Confessions from a Hot Sauce Addict

I have a confession to make ... I am addicted to hot sauce. Each time I travel, I not only bring home hot sauce for myself, but as souvenirs for others (whether or not they even like hot sauce). Over the years, my favorites have included a habanero 3 pack from Playa Del Karmen and the Red Rectum hot sauce (mainly for the funny bottle) from New Orleans. My favorite hot sauce to date (and I am really wondering what this is doing to my stomach), happens to be the Baron hot sauce from the West Indies (see photo). I left this hot sauce on my counter for a month (as a reminder I was out) debating about ordering more, but I really couldn't stomach ordering a hot sauce from St. Lucia when shipping costs about the same as the bottle. Guess what? I caved. Not only did I order this particular sauce, I happened accidentally-on-purpose order the 28 oz. bottle. My thoughts? Yummy.

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 Two Best Referrals Ever

At M Communications, we do a lot of public relations work ... a lot. I am talking about everything from authors to fitness professionals to musicians, etc. And, we only take on the fun clients and I will get to that in a later blog. The two best referrals we have ever received were from a news station and the other from another publicist. Both are a compliment. Typically, the media does not like publicists and they get bombarded by some pretty lame press releases. As for referrals from other publicists ... awesome. Another good reason to partner up with people in the same industry - you may promote books and they promote health. Why should you not have a strategic partner?

Setting the Bar a Little Bit High

Hello M Com Blog followers - I will get back to business tomorrow, but had to share. First fish: 1 1/2 pounds, 17 inches ... and this is when no one else was catching fish. My thoughts? I think that is setting the bar a little bit high for a first fish.

Time Out

Hello M Com Blog followers -

We are giving ourselves a timeout until 5/32/11 and will chat with you then. In the meantime, sign up for the M-Dash by clicking here for extra funnies.

Cheers!

The M Communications Team

Dear Karma Police

Dear Karma Police,

I adore you. I know you do not always show up when needed, but when you do it is in a VERY big way. I also know that taking the high road is not always easy, but completely worth it in the end. Thank you Karma Police. I plan on sending you a very nice Christmas present this year.

Sincerely,

A really huge fan of the Karma Police

Fake Camping

There are many signs you are a fake camping. Since I grew up with this type of camping, I took it for granted that was how everyone camped ... until I was thrown in a tent. Here are a couple of signs:

1. You are not staying a tent, but in a RV which has an ice maker, washer & dryer and stand alone shower.

2. Champagne is a staple during lunch.

3. Theme nights come with required theme attire and themed appetizers. A pig is buried in the ground during Hawaiian night (just kidding, but pineapples are cored out for the Mai Tais).

4. Televisions are present inside and outside the RV.

What can I say? I like fake camping.