What Not To Ask

I know people say there is no such thing as a stupid question, but I beg to differ. Here is the deal - in business and networking you really should keep in mind what is coming out of your mouth. Here is a real jewel I have heard a couple of times now. The question usually goes something like, "Are you attending the Author 101 conference?" Let's see as an owner of 3L Publishing, we are more likely to speak at that conference instead of attending the 101 courses. I have even answered the question in the exact same manner much to the bewilderment of the person who asked in the first place. And, they still do not get it. Either way - this is a great example of what not to ask.

"When you assume you make an ass out of you and me." ~Oscar Wilde

Communication is a key component when it comes to running a business. I have fallen into the trap at times of assuming I knew what was going on with a particular client or work situation and when I find out I was completely off base ... whoopsie. Never assume. Pick up the phone and contact the client/colleague and find out the back situation. Phone is always better too (and I am first to admit to falling in the easy email trap). Electronic communication unfortunately is open to all different kinds of interpretation and you don't want to come off as snarly or even borderline passive aggressive say, for example if an order was delivered/received late. Happy Sunday and more importantly, go Packers!

My Top Spam Emails of the Week

Every day at M Communications and 3L Publishing we get inundated with email. Here are my top favorites of the week:

Viagra. Yes, I am getting sales emails for Viagra. I do not need Viagra and um, I am a woman. Talk about non-targeting spam.

You need my social security number for a college grant. This email is annoying on two different levels. First, I will never send out my social to a "mystery" person. Second, I already went to college. Non-targeted spam number two.

PR 101. I get invited to classes at the PR University daily and unsubscribe daily ... all I have to say here is really?

If you are sending me anything related to the above ... please unsubscribe me.

Dear Coffee

Dear Coffee -

I love you. I especially love you on mornings when my little alarm clock goes off unexpectedly at 6:30 in the morning. What is this morning's treat? Pete's French Roast ... mmmmm. Happy Saturday!

Oh Crap!!

Here is a reason why you have to have your elevator pitch (a.k.a., 1 minute pitch at all times) down. I was recently at an event where we were raffling off prizes on behalf of 3L Publishing and M Communications and I stood up in front of an entire room and said it is OK to put crap on a book. Well, I was referring to Vanity Circus: A Smart Girl's Guide to Avoid Publishing Crap. I meant the word "crap" whoops. I think everyone remembered our raffle item.

Alien Sighting ... Again

We have had the pleasure at M Communications and 3L Publishing to bring our project manager Malia on full-time. Yay! At her first event however, she did manage to overhear an interesting conversation between two event attendees. One attendee was talking to another about her spaceship and how she invited someone to go on a ride with her, but apparently she didn't have enough cabin space -- and left without her friend. Warning. Aliens are among us.

Attention Sacramento M Comm Blog Followers

Are you in the Sacramento area? If so, please check out the charity event tonight hosted by one of our 3L Publishing clients, Cary Farley. Local musician and schoolteacher, Cary Farley is giving back to the community by planning a charity concert event to benefit the Mustard Seed School. The concert and silent auction event will be held on Saturday January 8th starting at 7 p.m. at the California Stage located at 1723 25th Street in Sacramento. Admission is $10 and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Mustard Seed School. The Mustard Seed School provides a myriad of survival services for children in a welcoming atmosphere of hospitality, safety and cleanliness. The Mustard Seed School, a free private school for homeless children aged 3 to 15 provides educational assessments, medical and dental screening and counseling services. The proceeds from this fundraiser will help cover the additional costs of vital services for many of Sacramento’s homeless children. Tickets are available at the door.

Starting the New Year Off the Right Way

Happy New Year! Below are a couple of tips & tricks to keep your "business" in the right direction this year.


Keep your marketing fundamentals in check. Keep your marketing materials updated and make sure you have them. Yes, you do need a newsletter, blog and website at the very least. If you do not have these basic tools, you are losing out on new business and most likely looking slightlyunprofessional.

Networking is key. If your phone is not ringing off the hook you need to be out and about. Find a group that is a good fit for your company and join. Participate often and try to get a table or anything to give you additional exposure where necessary.

Do a form of business development each day. This can be sending out a proposal, following up on leads or doing a form of marketing, i.e. your newsletter. Find a way that works for you to track your leads - excel spreadsheet or whiteboard, and make sure you follow up.

I think it is time for a time out

I am a big fan of time outs ... especially when certain little ones are acting up. (That, and the threat that Santa Claus is watching tends to work as well). I truly believe that everyone needs a mental break and I am putting myself on time out until after the New Year. Just thought I would share.

My Top 10 of 2010

Every year I get to write my favorite M-Dash of the year - the top 10 marketing disasters of 2010. Below are two of my favorite from 2010:

Watch the wine consumption. Now, at a recent networking event we watched a gal literally open every bottle of wine and proceed to drink almost all of them before the event even started. No, she was not the host. A drink or two is OK, but definitely not a case of vino. To make things even worse, after the wine consumption this gal had the audacity to tell one of our lovely colleagues that if she wore boob shirts she would get more business. Highly inappropriate and do you think they will ever do business together? Doubtful.

Your Book Sucks. I had someone recently schedule a conference call with me under the guise of a publishing prospect to tell me how much our book Vanity Circus sucked. She also proceeded to tell me that our sales process needed to be refined and that she didn’t know if she could work with us. I was absolutely dumbfounded someone would waste someone’s time like that. Really. Do you think we will ever work with this special person? No freaking way. Bye-bye crazy.

For more funnies of 2010, sign up for the M-Dash by clicking here.

My Non-Favorite Holiday Things

There is always something each year that gives me a good eye roll and here are my top non-favorite things about the holidays.

1. Snack time at Costco/Sams. Yes, the sample people are out at my favorite mass quantity store locations and all have have to say is ... Valium anyone? Yes, the senior citizens are out in the masses and leaving their carts in mid-aisle while they graze on free snacks. I like to be in and out of stores. Please add the holiday samples plus the holiday traffic at stores to equal one big cup of Valium soup.

2. See's Candy. OK. I have a love hate relationship with this stuff. I love See's Candy, but I eat it. I am personally mad at everyone at my holiday party that decided to not eat it. Shame on all of you.

3. Stupid Holiday Party Alert. Now, the numero uno annoying thing about the holidays are the business owners that throw "holiday parties" that are really events to sell their product. Save it for the new year people and can I say ... tacky?

Happy Holidays!

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

1. Get an ‘accountability buddy’. This can be a coach, friend or co-worker. This should be someone who is willing and able to not let you slide by making stories and excuses and will check in with you. This person will also be available to listen and brainstorm with you when you are struggling. Make a regular scheduled time to check-in with your “coach” at least once a week.

2. Make agreements with yourself that you are willing and able to keep. If you hate going to the gym, don’t make your solution to losing weight going to the gym three times a week. Instead, find alternative ways to get in shape. Hire a personal trainer that comes to your home or you get a walking buddy to walk with you at lunch. If you make it more enjoyable you are much more likely to do it.

3. Make it realistic. Don’t set yourself up to fail, but don’t limit your potential either. It’s a fine balancing act, so be willing to make adjustments and renegotiate your agreements as needed.

4. Create personal practices that will help keep you on track and in alignment with your solutions. An example of a personal practice is: If you are usually late for meetings, you put the time for the meeting in your planner as a half an hour earlier than the actual time. If the meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. you write that it’s scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

5. Eat that elephant one bite at a time. Take the bigger goal and chunk it down into goals you can meet within a month (WAM - Within A Month). Then chunk it down even further into goals that you can achieve within one week (WOW - Within One Week). This helps keeps the “overwhelm” to a minimum so you don’t choke on your elephant! As you achieve each weekly goal, you will be moving closer to your monthly goal. As you achieve each monthly goal, you are moving closer to your bigger goal.

6. Ask for help! Like it or not we are a tribal animal. If you were to interview the most successful people they would tell you that one of their secrets is they didn’t do it alone! People like to help so let them and return the favor.

7. Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments! This is an area that a lot of people skip and when it’s skipped it contributes greatly to getting discouraged and giving up. Research shows that encouragement and positive reinforcement goes much further than focusing on the negative.

Santa's Favorite Foods

Well, this is not marketing, but I thought this was great information to share. Did you know that the average person gains 7 – 10lbs. between November 1st and January 1st? This is attributed to extra calories from holiday gatherings and being dissuaded from outdoor exercise due to cold winter weather … basically, people are eating more and burning less. According to fitness expert Monique Hollowell, CEO of Lafemme Mobile Gym there are easy tips you can follow to enjoy the holiday festivities without gaining the “holiday 10”.

1. Eggnog. This great tasting drink is one of our favorites, but packs many calories … approximately 257 cal for 3/4 cup! Still enjoy yourself and lighten it up with a low calorie and less fattening eggnog. For example: use low fat milk vs. whole milk or cream, use more egg whites and fewer egg yolks!

2. Your Merry Cocktails. Let's keep it light this season by choosing our 'better bad choices' of spirits. Try to skip the margaritas and many other mixed drinks that pack the calories. Chose a champagne, wine spritzer, red wine or sparkly mixers like gin and tonic!

3. Move more not less. It’s that cold time of the year when we want to hibernate and move less … but not this season! Park further away when you go shopping, take the stairs and not the elevator, take an extra walk/bike ride in the brisk winter air, take your clothes off the treadmill and walk for 30 minutes while watching your favorite holiday show!

4. Candy Canes. Yum, yum, and refreshing ... but a medium size packs about 14g of sugar! During this season, do not eat the full candy cane at once … share with a friend or consume over a few days.

5. 10 minute Winter Workout. Commit to at least 10 minutes a day to burn off those extra holiday calories. Run in place for 2 minutes, Jumping Jacks for 2 minutes, Body weight Squats for 2 minutes, Push-ups for 1 minute, Hallway walking lunges for 1 minute, Seated tricep dips for 1 minute and do a Core plank for 1 minute.

6. Healthy Winter Stews. Get in your lean meats and fresh veggies with a great pot of heart healthy stew. They are warm, satisfying, less expensive and are great way to satisfy your winter cravings a healthy way!

7. Try Squash variety. Winter squash is a great choice this season. It is packed with Vitamin A and folate! Utilize the variation of squash for a fantastic winter dish, you can grill them, bake them, or eat them raw!

8. Something is better than nothing. Who cares if you cannot get your full 1 hour gym workout in over the Holiday… just increase your intensity and lessen your time. During this season an 'all out' 20 minute workout can be better than a long 1 hour work out.

Top Signs Your Dog Needs Therapy

1. Follows you around and just sits and stares. All day.

2. Talks to herself. Not Kidding here. I have a disgruntled dog on my hands.

3. Sleeps on my bed. Whenever I leave the house she feels entitled to sleep on my comforter ... and throw up on it.

4. Barks at everything and everyone.

OK. Maybe this is just a sign when your dog turns 8, but jeez.

What Makes a Perfect Italian Dish

Hello fellow blog followers. I throw a Holiday Party every year and have to share a trade secret of an Italian cook who gets the same question asked time and time again. What makes a perfect Italian dish? The answer is simple. Fresh spices and use them always. I not only make homemade raviolis but the perfect cioppino to the point I never order them in restaurants. If you can, buy fresh all of the time and there are certain ones like parsley you can freeze and use all of the time. Happy Holidays!

Dear Vocus ...

Dear Vocus ...

I love you. You are the best media database in the world. I love the fact I can pull contact information for any reporter at any media outlet at any time. Every television show, news station, radio and print. And, we are so happy we do not have to buy our media lists every 6 months from that crazy person back East anymore. Well, maybe he wasn't crazy, but let's just say when someone does not deliver on what was purchased and says ... "this is not a priority project right now", they get a zero in customer service points. Vocus ... I love you!

1L

Party or Bad Sales Pitch?

I think it is completely ridiculous when people invite you to a "party" which turns out to be a big old sales pitch for their business; and they use the term "Holiday Party" as a disguise. Seriously, not the best way to gain new business or new friends. Whatever you decide to throw or not throw this year, make sure you are clear on what the event is ... although it is the season to be merry, you will watch your friends and potential clients merrily waltz out the door if you pull this stunt.

Tips for Avoiding the 3500 Calorie Thanksgiving Day Meal

I have been doing personal training with Monique Hollowell, CEO of Lafemme Mobile Gym and I recently learned that the average Thanksgiving Day meal comes in at 3500 calories and you have to do 7 -9 workouts to burn that off. Yuck. I am honestly not going to be following the tips below and will probably opt-in for the workouts, but I want to share the information she passed on to me. According to fitness expert Monique Hollowell, there are seven easy tips you can follow to cut down on the calorie mass and still enjoy your holiday meal without tearing your hair out over what your scale is telling you the next morning.

1. Turkey Stuffing = Calorie No-No. Stuff the turkey with a great mix of quinoa and vegetables vs. dressing.

2. Natural = Naturally better for you. Enjoy the sweet potatoes natural flavor w/o the butter and brown sugar, add a fresh squeeze of orange or tangerine for extra flavor.

3. Lighten up your holiday beverages. Drink your holiday mochas w/o the whip cream, this will save you 80 kcals.

4. Cut down on the crust. Make a fantastic fresh fruit pie with top crust only. Leave out the bottom crust for less calories or vice versa.

5. Leave the fruit cakes and pecan pies alone! Choose a fantastic piece of pumpkin or sweet potato pie instead... its 250kcal less.

6. Kick the ice cream to the curb. Use a great holiday frozen yogurt or sorbet instead or have the fresh fruit and skip altogether.

7. Creamy = High Calorie … vegetables not exempt. Creaming your vegetables (i.e. creamed spinach) can end up contributing to 75% of your saturated fat for the day. Use low fat milk or cream cheese options as a substitute.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

New Year's Resolutions to Sink Your Business!

With the New Year literally right around the corner (tomorrow), I thought I should share some must-not-do's of 2010.

1. Do NOTHING. That's right - do nothing. Do not network. Stay home in your pajama's and sit by the phone and wait for it to ring. After all, the economy is turning around, right? Plus - it is winter, it is cold outside, probably raining too ... maybe consider going out in the spring when it is warmer. Also, do nothing with your marketing either ... skip any public relations too because you do not need it. Everybody knows you.

2. Do not market your business at all. Marketing is expensive and is a waste of money. Seriously. Why would you want to invest in your own company when you can spend that money on a trip to Hawaii or some new clothes? Plus, everybody knows where to find you on the Internet so you do not need to blog, update your website or do a newsletter. Talk about a complete waste of time.

3. Repeat the same business tactics that are not working. If you do something enough times it is eventually going to work, right? Especially when the tactics are expensive, like doing an ad run in the Wall Street Journal. If it is expensive it obviously will work for you and for crying out loud do not consult a marketing professional. You know what you are are doing and talking to a consultant will be a waste of time and money on your part.

Happy New Year! P.S. At M Communications and 3L Publishing we will NOT be doing any of the above. If you want some real, free and funny marketing advice, sign up for the M-Dash at M Communications.

Cheers!

Michele Smith

New 3L Book Helps Couples Get Pregnant

Fertile Kitchen
By Cindy Bailey and Pierre Giauque (Brand New Just off Press)

Are you one of the millions of couples desperately trying to conceive a baby? Are you aware that diet plays a critical role in fertility? Would you like to unlock the secrets to changing your diet and potentially increasing your chances of success? Co-authors Cindy Bailey and Pierre Giauque--when confronted with Cindy's medical prognosis of a two percent chance of conceiving a baby on her own--unlocked those secrets to develop a fertility diet that four months later produced a viable pregnancy, and soon after a healthy baby. The Fertile KitchenTM Cookbook includes a variety of simple-to-make tasty dishes that make the diet easy to follow. In this cookbook, the authors share these flavorful recipes, along with the dietary guidelines that helped them succeed. Additional tips and even a section on cooking basics, are included. You will learn: The importance of diet in conception and pregnancy, what foods you can and cannot eat to enhance fertility, how to identify and shop for healthy ingredients and food items, how to prepare the nutritious and fertility-enhancing recipes included. The Fertile KitchenTM doesn't guarantee success for every couple, but the cookbook does put you on a wholesome, healthful diet that is at the very least good for you. We hope you enjoy it and we wish you success in your fertility endeavors.

The book retails for $29.99. Please purchase it online via the 3L catalogue. Click here.