Taratorial

I Couldn’t Agree More

Tara — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:45:36 +0000

Today’s post by Chris Powers, of Powers By Design, really resonates with me for more reasons than one:

This is by far one of the BEST videos about the marketing mindset you should have about Social Media Marketing. This guy really nails the points I’ve been saying for the past two years about the networking methods that should be used in the social media realm. Its a little long, 10 minutes, but never derails in purpose… and well worth the time. If you’re even considering doing ANYTHING with a blog, twitter, facebook, linked-in, etc then you should absolutely watch this video.

The point he makes absolutely rings true about ‘making a party’ for people and ‘welcome them into your home’. I had a problem yesterday. I couldn’t reach my copywriter, who I rely on off and on for years and normally I don’t have a time-crunch like this…but I needed a marketing piece proof-read and needed it done in a two-hour window. I went to Twitter and asked for help from any copywriters who had time to proof something for me ASAP. Within 10 minutes I had three people offering and one person was sent my document and turned it around in less than 20 minutes.

This person saved my ass, literally, because I needed help and while I could go to my address book and call other local copywriters–it would have taken me as much time to find someone who ‘might’ have the time to proof this document as it did for using twitter and turning around a document that was proofed in less than 30 minutes.

My copywriter is still valuable to me and I will continue to have a long lasting relationship with her. However, I found value in my 4,000 friends & followers on twitter and was able to connect and get immediate response to a problem that wouldn’t have solved itself as quickly in the offline world.

This is but one example of the power that can be harnessed by social media–its not just about making “money”. I didn’t ‘make’ money but I did have a valued received from the help I obtained through my new connection on Twitter.

Yesterday I was unusually cruising Twitter and came across a plea for some urgent copywriting help. It seemed like it would be a quick job and I had a little time, so I offered to help. I was happy to do it. And I’m so happy to have made a connection with Chris. He is a super cool guy and I’m excited to know him – and about the writing he ended up contracting me for after our back and forth email conversation about what we both do. It was a fun and successful unexpected online cocktail party and I ended up leaving with a new connection, friend, and partner – and no hangover!

And I really do appreciate what this video has to say, regardless of the presenter’s past. Here it is:

Should You Outsource Your Online Presence?

Tara — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:55:59 +0000

Use this link to check out the recent Entrepreneur.com article entitled, “Should You Outsource Your Online Presence?” The subline was: “You Can Save Time and Money by leaving Social Media Marketing to the Pros.” Here is a quote from the beginning of the article…

“Between blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and updating a LinkedIn profile, it’s a wonder how a business owner has any time to answer e-mails and phone calls, much less run a company. But the time invested in social networking is well spent in this age where maintaining a social media presence can be a necessary piece of a successful marketing strategy.

Trouble is, as the number of platforms grows, so does the time it takes to feed and groom each account. Not to mention the front-end investment of setting everything up.

For those caught up in a social media blitz–and those contemplating taking the plunge–why not consider outsourcing? A virtual assistant can tackle those time-consuming tasks.”

Best to use a writer who is also certified in both social media and internet marketing, no? Call me!

It’s My Party and I’ll Write if I Want To

Tara — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:06:08 +0000

Last month my husband crashed my party and began to work primarily from home. Which is where I work. Did you just sigh and think how cute that is or how much fun that would be? Maybe I should mention that we recently moved and are currently renting and this place doesn’t even have one home office, let alone two. I should add that anal is an understatement when describing him. Maybe I should also mention his booming voice and that he is technologically uninclined and often mistakes me for his own personal IT support department. It’s not cute. The one good thing is this could be a recipe for some good material. Stay tuned.

How to Outsource to Freelancers

Tara — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:59:09 +0000

Need a writer or help with your business? Using freelancers or outsourcing is the way to go if you don’t want to employ staff. Check out this great article from Hannah McNamara of Marketing Help for Coaches:

How to Outsource to Freelancers

Do You Use Protection?

Tara — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:40:27 +0000

After one too many tantrums, I got a new computer last weekend. It was the old computer that was throwing the tantrums, not me. I swear. Got me thinking about having a good backup system. Are you protected? There is nothing worse than realizing you’ve lost your hard drive. All your memories, emails, and hard work down the tubes? No thanks. I use Mozy. I have found it to be easy and user friendly, two of my favorite qualities (in a system). Here are some coupons you can use in June when ordering annual or biannual plans:

Code: JUNE – for 12 months at 10.0% off
Code: JUNE15 – for 24 months at 15.0% off

Please use this link to order or the coupon may not go through.

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Tara — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:34:52 +0000

Sorry I’ve been neglecting you. You probably didn’t even notice. I was in Italy for 10 days, went on a house hunting trip to Lawrence KS last weekend, and am moving there today! Needless to say, May has probably been the craziest month of my life. I want to sincerely thank all of my partners that have put my mind at ease about all of my recent traveling and whatnot. I really appreciate you! And I want to thank Colorado and it’s inhabitants for all the good times. I know I’ll be back soon and often.

This is one of my favorite places. It’s a photo I took in Cinque Terre Italy, not Lawrence KS – although it is quite beautiful. Hello and welcome, new leaf.

7 Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Harder in Your Business

Tara — Sat, 09 May 2009 07:31:39 +0000

I love working with the Flowtown gang! Check out this recent post from Dan Martell, one of the founders. Great advice from a smart and successful guy…

7 Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Harder in Your Business

Hoping for the Opposite of Clark W. Griswold

Tara — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:28:27 +0000

A week from tomorrow I leave for Italy. I feel like there is something I should be doing. I mean besides my normal training regimen of drinking wine and eating pizza.

Like a Fishhook Through My Cheek

Tara — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:23:03 +0000

There are just some things that I can’t live without. Or maybe I just don’t want to try. Welcome to the first edition of things I love.

My Blackberry! I know, everybody has one or something similar. But would you believe that I have had only had mine for about a month? It’s true. I was a hold out. I had a bad taste in my mouth from the Palm I had a while back. We did not get along very well. My relationship with my Blackberry is entirely different. I like to rub my it against my cheek and get it shoe shined at the airport. I’m kidding about the airport thing.

Here are a couple of apps that make it rock even more (and they’re free!):

Facebook and Twitterberry, of course.
Palringo manages multiple instant messaging accounts.
iSkoot for Skype (Until the real Skype app comes out. Rumor has it it will be released in May.)
Vlingo is super handy for driving! Command Vlingo to dial, email, text, update social networks and more!

What are your faves?

The Meat

Tara — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:23:06 +0000

I am not a big fan of beginnings or endings. I like the middle. Where the good stuff is. So let’s pretend that I haven’t taken fourteen hiatuses from blogging and that I’ve been a good little writer and that you’ve been here all along. And… action!