Greetings,
We did it! We're over 1,000 subscribers.
For details, see the first article in which I debunk the myth that you can't get any real work done during the holidays. In fact, you can make hay while the parties abound.
Unfortunately, there was no winner of the five new subscribers award. But don't despair. You can win for the 2,000th subscriber. Just kidding. We'll come up with a new contest soon.
In the second article, I give my own slant on the topic most on people's minds these days. It's the economy, stupid. In fact, I'm sure that if we survive, we'll be better for it. Let's hope. And in the meantime there are a lot of concrete things to do.
Coming next month: "Full Disclosure"--an article about just exactly how long it really does take me to put together an issue of Web Words, and what you can learn from my mistakes.
In the meantime, stay warm and keep good things happening.
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Make Hay
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Conventional wisdom says the holidays are a slow time for business marketing. Not true if you publish an e-zine. It's high season for the two things that matter most to you--getting new subscribers and finding fresh copy ideas.
As loyal Web Words readers know, we've been questing for the 1,000th subscriber for much of 2008. We reached our goal. Glenn Welch of Hampden Bank in Springfield, MA receives that honor.
More Readers
All those "social only" events mean you can drive your own agenda, unencumbered by a speaker or theme. Taking December and January together, I added 51 subscribers. Compare that with March or April when I typically add 15 or fewer.
Here's my strategy. I troll the room for people I don't know. That's a good idea anyway at a networking event. I start a conversation and when asked what I do, I reply and then add that I also publish a newsletter. One sentence about its content and then an invitation to join my mailing list. A few people refuse, but most are happy to be signed up. Then I take their business card and write WW (for Web Words) on the back. That tells me when I enter their data to also add them to the subscription list.
Getting the Buzz
These events are also a useful source of content. Listen to what people are talking about. This year it was technology, technology, technology. The most hysterical was a gaggle of stylish women at one event decrying the iPhone because they couldn't use it with long finger nails. Take that, Steve Jobs.
Another social, organized by Steve Jeffes of EdgeUP Marketing was a face-to-face gathering of a LinkedIn group he started earlier in the year. Virtual became real. It was a fun event enhanced by Peter Coombs leading a Turbo Networking event that allowed everyone in the room to meet everyone else in the room.
Even family visits can be grist for the mill. Our teenage grandsons are my window into the latest communications technology. I studied the social anthropology of texting. I can't say I'm with it, but I did manage a short blast of communication on the trip home.
Like September, January is a big "back to work" month. Even in these trying times (see next article), it's the season of new initiatives. What better time to get your newsletter started? Let's talk.
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Don't Look Down!
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Wile E. Coyote, the cartoon character of my youth, spent several decades chasing Road Runner. His signature move was to run off a cliff as if he was still on terra firma. All was fine until he looked down. So right now, we all need to keep our eyes forward. Don't look down.
I'm talking about the economy, of course. In my region, most people are still going strong. Maybe it's because we weren't doing as well to begin with, maybe it's because we're entrepreneurial, maybe it's because it hasn't hit us yet. Don't look down.
The Button
I picked up the button shown here at a holiday party. The folks at Andrews Associates developed the idea and you can get one here. Besides a great sentiment, the button makes a really good point. Recessions are, to a major degree, psychological.
Businesses seem to be taking this view to heart. I'm really busy now as are most other marketing professionals in my circle. It seems that instead of cutting back on business promotion, people are beefing up their presence. They figure if things are getting more competitive, they need to be more visible.
But there are other happy signs as well. Michael Marcus, creator and owner of Bizen, a unique Japanese restaurant in Great Barrington, MA says this was his best Christmas season yet. Jiminy Peak, a local ski area, did better over the holidays this year than last.
Ways to Refuse
- Innovate--tough times offer great opportunities
- Perfect customer satisfaction
- Hone your niche
- Plan better; fine-tune implementation
- Beef up research and network more
- Crank up creativity
- Increase business promotion
And don't look down.
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And Finally . . .
Shawenon Communications collaborates with small businesses, solopreneurs, professionals and not-for-profits to get their messages across in the written word.
We specialize in electronic communications, including e-zines and other forms of email marketing, and Web site content. We also ghostwrite articles and other business communications. As a business partner, we resell Constant Contact's email marketing service.
Thanks for reading. If you liked this issue, please click on the Forward email button below to share this newsletter with others.
You're also welcome to reprint material in this newsletter as long as it is unaltered and credited to the author. Be sure to send us a copy, too. If being reproduced electronically, the following link must also be included:
www.shawenon.com
Sincerely,
Susanna Opper
Shawenon Communications
413-528-6494
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2009 Seminars
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For the bright and shiny New Year we're cooking up some special seminars. If you think a newsletter will boost your business in these trying economic times, get on our special mailing list now. You'll be the first to know about the free educational sessions we'll be offering.
We've got the 1,000th subscriber, but you can still forward this email
or talk up Web Words to your business colleagues.
Contact us for more information
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