Never Invisible

Mama never leaves home without makeup and dressed appropriately.  She's a terrific role model for always putting your best self forward.  My exception to Mama's example is early morning exercise.  It doesn't seem practical to put on makeup before hitting the streets and sidewalks, then jumping into the shower as soon as I return.  Though I've encountered many neighbors and other unexpected friends on these outings, because I am actually dressed for the project I'm undertaking, I don't feel self-conscious.  Unlike Harry Potter, we can't just don our invisibility cloak when we don't want to be seen, so we must choose the image we project each time we leave home. 

Market Like a Pro

I had the opportunity to moderate distinguished panel of experts - Chancey Blackburn (EVP, The Wood Agency), Susan Young (Consultant and Professional Speaker, Susan Young Media Relations) and Graham Painter (EVP, Corporate Communications, Sterling Bank) at a Sterling Bank Women's Business Initiative Luncheon in San Antonio. They did an outstanding job of sharing tips and techniques to help our attendees inform and influence targets for their offers. Their excellent advice included:

Develop and execute a PR plan
Participate in the community – See and be seen
Become known – Write and speak
Become an expert
Work your circles of influence
Make your message memorable and unique – Pitch Purple Snowflakes
Know your competitive differentiation
Make the phone ring – Cold call and knock on doors
Use internet ads and community newspapers for affordable advertising
Don’t cut marketing budget during a slow economy
Earn and use third-party endorsements
Make your direct mail targeted and distinctive
Appropriately use professional resources
Create incentives for others to provide referrals
Specifically ask your friends and family members for leads
Be prepared